Japanese carmaker Honda plans to close its car factory in western England in 2021, a fresh blow to the British economy as it faces its March 29 exit from the European Union.

 

日本本田汽车公司计划在2021年关闭英格兰西部的汽车工厂，这对3月29日即将脱离欧盟的英国的经济是一个打击。

 

The company announced the decision, which will imperil 3,500 jobs and possibly many more, at a news conference in Tokyo.

 

Honda's president and CEO, Takahiro Hachigo, told reporters the decision was not related to Brexit, but was based on what made most sense for its global competitiveness¹ in light of the need to accelerate its production of electric vehicles.

 

"We still don't know what sort of changes Brexit will bring at this point," said Hachigo. "We have to wait until we have a better idea about the situation."

 

Hachigo said the company would begin discussions with affected² workers at the factory in Swindon right away.

 

"I very much regret this," he said, adding that "this was the best choice the circumstances."

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