Honda to cut 800 jobs in Britain

Japanese automaker Honda announced on Friday it intended to cut 800 jobs this year at its Swindon plant in Britain owing to weakening demand for its vehicles in Europe. "Honda Motor Europe has today announced changes to its UK car manufacturing operation to ensure the long term stability of its future business," the group said in a statement. "Sustained conditions of low demand in European markets make it necessary to re-align Honda's business structure. As such, Honda... will enter into formal consultation with its associates to consider these changes and the proposal that it will reduce the workforce by 800 associates by spring 2013." Ken Keir, executive vice president at Honda Motor Europe, added that current "conditions of sustained low industry demand require us to take difficult decisions." The Swindon plant currently employs about 3,500 staff.