The demand for fuel-efficient vehicles in Europe is growing and Japanese carmaker Honda plans to build diesel engines in the UK to cater for this.

Until now, Honda has exported diesel units from Japan. The move will lead to an increase in the annual production of diesel engines of some 40 per cent between the two countries.

At present, Honda builds 70,000 diesel engines per annum at two factories in Japan. For the current financial year, the company aims to produce 100,000.

At the UK plant, assembly lines have already been put in place. At first, many of the engine parts will be sent to the UK from Japan, but these will eventually be replaced by local parts.

Honda also wants to ramp up production at the two existing Japanese plants.

Other green options from Honda include the new Civic Hybrid, which emits only 109g/km of carbon dioxide and offers a fuel economy of 61.4 miles per gallon over the combined cycle. It is powered by both a traditional engine and an energy saving electric motor.

The Japanese carmaker was the first to sell hybrids in the UK and says it is "committed to delivering affordable cleaner vehicles".


Ÿ Adfero Ltd