I will say this now... there are only 3 pictures as you aren't allowed camera's or phones on the factory floor, for obvious reasons.
The tour itself was great and really informative. When we first arrived we made our way to reception to await our contact. The main building just looks like any generic office block, apart from the huge Honda logo on the front. In reception they have a scale model of the compound where you can see, from a birds eye, the layout. A truly impressive complex with 3 main factories and various office buildings along with their very own test track, I would've jumped at a chance to have a blast around this, but they wouldn't let us.
We met our contact where we were given our visitors passes and then taken to a meeting room. Honda had provided refreshments in the form of Tea, Coffee and Juice. A short introduction into Honda's history and the way that the Swindon plant works was a great insight into how our cars are developed from the ground up.
From here it was a short walk through to the factory, the excitement was overwhelming as we walked thought the double doors and were faced with a spotlessly clean factory environment. First up was the engine plant where we were shown how the engine blocks are made from one piece of aluminium, going through a variety of tests looking for defects and stress levels. I remember something like Honda having a 98% pass rate of all their engines, a staggering figure given the amount they make.
Seeing how the excess materials used in this process are recycled and used in other aspects of the manufacturing process really goes to show that Honda are a company that are looking to the future and thinking of new and betters ways to maintain a clean environment.
Engine plant done, it was now time to check out the body shop. There is only one way to put this, INCREDIBLE. An entire factory with man and machine working in absolute harmony.
Huge crane like robots pick up and swing round the heavy parts, bringing them to the human workers on the floor where the adjustments are made and parts are fitted together. The machines then grab the parts back, and move them on to the next station.
Machine and Man were everywhere doing all kinds of jobs, Machines carrying out welding tasks in record time. Picking up two sides of a shell and then in one swift motion, welding the two parts together. An absolutely amazing sight. Apparently around 2200 spot welds are carried out on each car, with one vehicle body being produced every 85 seconds, this is a rule that extends throughout the factory to every section!
Once all the main body parts are in a recognisable shape off they go to be painted. Unfortunately we didn't get to see any of this, but we did see bare shells heading off in one direction and then others coming out freshly painted.
It was around this time that we were joined on the tour by Adam from 6TWO1.
After seeing the instantly noticeable Civic's coming back from being painted, they were off on the line heading down to have all the parts fitted to them. Interior parts, engine, wheels, brakes, suspension, all fitted in a matter of seconds each. As I mentioned above, the rule is that each section has 85 seconds to perform it's task! Imagine installing a complete brake set up in 85 seconds, it boggles the mind, but when you see it for real it's like poetry in motion, and kind of ballet between man and machine.
Seeing a fully completed new Civic roll of the production line, ready to be driven is an amazing sight. Of course following being built it then has to go through various tests to ensure it's ready to be sold to the general public, but we were told that they are pretty much good to go as they were.
We were hoping to see the new FK2 Type R being built but no luck with that. They were keeping that card close to their chests.
So with the tour over we headed back out to the meeting room and were presented with a free gift, we were each given a Honda drinks flask. Something I'll be filling up with tea and taking along to those ever difficult early morning meets.
Leaving the Honda offices and heading back out the cars, we met up with Adam from 6TWO1, who had brought along HondaPro Jason. Jason was a lovely guy to talk too and was really interested in all our cars, pointing out my full Mugen kit, I got a sense that he really appreciated it.
There were a couple of race spec cars out the front, full race spec k20'd Jazz and a 9th Gen Civic again full race spec and both wearing battle scars to prove it.
If you do get the chance to do the Honda Factory Tour, do it... it's a great day out.
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