HONDA Civics made in Swindon will be exported to America, the company has announced.

The new, five-door Civic going to America will be built at Honda of the UK Manufacturing (HUM), in Highworth Road, South Marston.

Honda North America revealed the news when they unveiled a sporty concept version of the car during a glitzy ceremony at the New York Auto Show on Wednesday (APRIL 1).

Earlier this week, the Adver reported that HUM’s long-term future was secured following a £200m investment which will see the centre become the global hub for the next generation Civic five-door model.

Philip Crossman, Honda UK’s managing director, said: “This is significant announcement demonstrates the opportunity available to the Swindon operation and reinforces the quality and reliability of the product coming from our UK facility.”

The investment has safeguarded the jobs of HUM’s 3,100 workforce with production of the new model due to start in summer 2016.

Currently, around 40,000 Civics are built at HUM with production of other Honda models, currently made in Swindon, being transferred elsewhere in the coming months.

It is estimated that Honda will produce about 120,000 Civics per year in the town, with export to split between Europe gateways and the rest of the world.

“This is very positive news for us and the £200m investment secures our future,” said Jason Smith, director of HUM.

“By establishing HUM as a global production facility for the Civic five door, Honda, is demonstrating its long-term commitment to manufacturing in the UK and Europe.

“This is incredibly important for HUM and is a reward for the commitment and effort put in by Honda associates in recent years.

“As a global production facility for the Civic five-door model we look forward to making the most of the opportunity to export this model not only to our European customers, but also, to key global markets.”

Honda’s decision is a massive boost for Swindon’s economy.

“This sends a clear message to our associates and suppliers of the strategic importance that Honda Motor Company places on producing cars at our plant in Swindon,” said Toshiaki Mikoshiba, President of Honda Motor Europe.

“We will continue to provide high quality products to meet the expectations of our European customers and having just unveiled four new models for the European market, we look forward with renewed optimism and purpose for Honda in Europe.”

Production of the Civic began at HUM over 20 years ago and Honda’s latest investment in Swindon takes the company’s total investment at the centre, since 1985, to £2.2bn.