Answer:
Honda has announced that it will close its factory in Swindon, UK, with the loss of 3,500 jobs, and discontinue production of the Civic in Gebze, Turkey, affecting 1,000 workers.
Explanation:
Manufacturers are using the momentum of a profound transformation in the sector to close or consolidated both unprofitable auto plants and as well as profitable operations with slim margins. A falling demand for private cars among younger consumers, with a trend towards new, less individual mobility solutions means car companies are rethinking their manufacturing models globally.
General Motors is an extreme example: the company has shut a plant in Australia, sold its operations in Europe, Russia and Africa, and will close four plants in the US and one in Canada this year at a cost of almost 6,000 jobs.
Honda has announced that it will close its factory in Swindon, UK, with the loss of 3,500 jobs, and discontinue production of the Civic in Gebze, Turkey, affecting 1,000 workers.
Jaguar Land Rover will cut 4,500 jobs globally, and Nissan cancelled plans to build its new SUV in the UK. Ford is reviewing its operations in Europe, and announced that it will close the São Bernardo plant in Brazil, with the loss of 3,000 jobs.
What is behind the turmoil? Local factors, such as Brexit in Britain, influence decisions, but this is a major global restructuring: the industry needs massive investment to shift to the next stage. We need to be part of part of the conversation about managing this change.
