Honda path to 200,000 cars a year (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Honda path to 200,000 cars a year

Honda CR-VMORE than 200,000 vehicles will be built by Honda this year in Swindon.

In 2004 the figure was around 190,000 but with the introduction of the new CR-V diesel model in just over a month the company is confident there will be yet another record, writes Leigh Robinson, Motoring Editor.

Honda showed off its new diesel CR-V this week at a launch at Malmesbury. With its petrol model topping the polls among the opposition the firm hopes the diesel will do the same.

"We're proud of Swindon," said Ken Keir, the MD of Honda (UK). "We have just had our best ever year and I know the new diesel engine for the CR-V will make things even better."

At the moment the new engine is coming from Japan but will be made in Swindon towards the end of the year.

Production of the new CR-V will be up and running by March to fill the gap which has been caused by switching production of the petrol engine CR-V to the States.

Against the key petrol competitors the Nissan X-Trail, the Toyota RAV4 and the Land Rover Freelander the Honda is best when it comes to top speed, acceleration, economy and emissions.