Optimism at Honda's Swindon base

The Jazz and Civic models are built at Honda's Swindon plant

Japanese car giant Honda says it is now in a strong position to build on its recent increase in new vehicle sales - which are built at its Swindon factory.

Honda said it sales were up on this time last year although the figures are still down 14% year-on-year.

A spokesman credited the popularity of the Jazz and the Civic models in Europe for the upturn in fortunes.

"We're now building two of Honda's most economic cars and these should continue to be in demand," he added.

Earlier this year the Honda factory closed for the whole of February and March as part of a plan to reduce the number of vehicles produced in Wiltshire.

At the time the company said this was due to the slowing in global demand.