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Members of the media are outside the Honda automobile plant in Swindon, UK, on February 18, 2019. REUTERS / Eddie Keogh
TOKYO (Reuters) – Honda Motor announced Tuesday that it would hold a press conference at 8:00 GMT, a day after a UK lawmaker announced that the Japanese automaker would announce the closure of its only British plant, a new blow to the British industry before Brexit.
The closure of the Swindon plant in the south of England – Honda's second plant in 2022 – will result in 3,500 job cuts, Reuters lawmaker Justin Tomlinson told Reuters on Monday.
Chief Executive Takahiro Hachigo will attend the press conference on Tuesday, Honda said. He said the conference will address a change in operational structure.
If Honda says it will shut down the plant, it will be one of many automakers to re-evaluate their presence in the UK and Europe.
Two weeks ago, Japanese rival Nissan canceled plans to build its X-Trail sport utility vehicle in Britain.
Last month, Britain's largest automaker Jaguar Land Rover and Ford Motor Co announced separately mbadive job cuts in Europe.
For Honda, declining demand for diesel vehicles, tougher emissions regulations and uncertainty about Britain's exit from the European Union next month have clouded its manufacturing prospects in the region.
Reportage of Chang Ran-Kim and Naomi Tajitsu in Tokyo; Edited by Muralikumar Anantharaman
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