The main assembly lines were restarted today at Honda’s Swindon plant in the UK following a shutdown at the end of January. The first shipment of the Civic and CR-V models planned to leave by rail for distribution to Europe on the week commencing 15th June. STVA remains the rail provider.
Honda exports to 60 countries throughout Europe.
The company will only be working at 50% capacity for the present meaning only one train will be leaving Swindon for Gent per week as opposed to the twice-weekly service running prior to the shutdown. Each train will carry 243 vehicles.
STVA will also be handling domestic deliveries to the north of the UK and Scotland.
According to Simon Stacy, Manager – Logistics Operations, Honda Motor Europe, trains for UK distribution leave Bristol twice a week (Tuesday and Thursday) and terminate at the PDS-operated railfreight hub at Mossend near Glasgow. The UK service is can be both dedicated or a mixed-manufacturer load, with local distribution via truck.
Production of the Jazz in the Autumn is expected to increase exports but Honda said forecasts were not yet available. The company has been using the shutdown to overhaul the plant and install new tooling, equipment and processes for the production of the Jazz
