IT had to stop sometime. After months of nothing but good news about the UK motor industry, Honda announced today that it is cutting production at its Swindon plant.

The decision to reduce production at its UK factory from three shifts to two threatens 340 jobs.

Most cars built at the plant in Swindon, Wiltshire, are exported and sales in other countries have not been as strong as in the UK.

"Over the last 12 months, we haven’t seen the growth we’d anticipated. With no increase forecast for the next couple of years, we must scale our manufacturing activity accordingly," said Ian Howells, senior vice president of Honda Motor Europe.

"However, with the restructuring we’re taking today, and our new model plans, we remain confident in the long-term future of our Swindon plant.

"Our Swindon operation continues to be the hub for our European car manufacturing activity," he added.

As well as moving to two shifts, production will be consolidated on to one line, to improve production flexibility and efficiency while production volumes continue at the current level.

Honda has been manufacturing cars at Swindon since 1992 and currently builds the Civic, Civic Tourer, CR-V and Jazz models for the UK and European markets.

Unsurprisingly, union bosses weren't impressed.

Tony Murphy, national officer of the Unite union, said: ‘‘These job losses are a devastating blow, not just for these workers but for the thousands more across the industry whose work is dependent on the Honda plant.

‘‘Today’s losses are also a wake-up call to the UK government. The economy is far too fragile to proclaim a recovery - those workers losing their jobs today will find claims that the country is turning a corner an insult.

‘‘The truth is that there is simply no pick up in the incomes of Honda’s customers, either here or in the eurozone. People are not confident and do not have the cash to spend. That is something which must give the Government serious cause for concern.

‘‘Decent, skilled jobs are being lost today and investment is being withdrawn, which is ringing alarm bells and putting the remaining workforce in fear for their future. We cannot allow workers of this expertise to be dispatched to the dole queue - the country needs their skills if we are to power our country back to economic health.

‘‘Unite is determined to do all we can to save these jobs and skills. It is vital that the Government joins us in the fight for manufacturing.’’