Automakers are all preparing for major disruptions to vehicle production when Britain is poised to leave the EU, which is also referred to as Brexit. While Brexit is still some time away, set to officially take place at the end of March, Honda is planning to front-load production of the Honda Civic hatchback at its Swindon factory, reports Reuters.
Honda's Swindon plant, which is located in southwest England, is responsible for the production of the Civic hatchback lineup, including the raucous Civic Type R and could see major interruptions when Britain leaves the EU in March. The automaker is anticipating issues when it comes to its supply chain, production, and distribution, because of possible problems that may arise at the country's borders.
“To avoid any possible disruptions at the end of March … we're making a number of preparations including front-loading some production to ship or step up inventories,” Honda Chief Operating Officer Seiji Kuraishi told Reuters.
The issue revolves around Britain's current plan to leave the EU and the lack of a trade deal. Whether there will be customs checks or free trade is still up in the air, which could mean that necessary components will be in limbo at ports. In anticipation of a hectic Brexit, Honda has plans to shut its plants down for six days in April.
The Civic Type R is Honda's track-ready hatchback that's meant to compete with the Ford Focus RS and the Volkswagen Golf R. The model is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that cranks out 306 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The only transmission that's available is a six-speed manual gearbox. It's got the look of a track-ready car, too, with a massive wing, numerous scoops, and 20-inch wheels.
A potential shortage may not bode well for consumers that have already had to pay large mark ups for the model. Compared to its rivals, the Civic Type R is one of the more affordable hot hatchbacks with a starting price tag of $36,620 (including the $920 destination fee). But finding a new model that doesn't have a mark up requires some hunting.