Council leader urges Tesla mogul Musk to consider Honda site

Swindon Borough Council leader David Renard has urged Tesla and SpaceX mogul Elon Musk to consider Swindon's Honda site for a Tesla plant.

Coun Renard extols Swindon's virtues in a letter to the billionaire sent to Tesla's headquarters in Palo Alto, California. 
He also praises the productiveness of Honda's Swindon workforce.
He wrote: "We have read several times in the UK media that Tesla is considering investing in a manufacturing site in the UK. If this is the case, I would like to draw your attention to the large site in Swindon, currently occupied by Honda of the UK Manufacturing until the plant closes until July 2021.
"This prime site is wholly owned by the Honda Group and is set aside for employment land, with fantastic road access and a railhead which links directly to the London line."
The total area of the site, Coun Renard pointed out, was more than 1.5 sqkm, with more than 50 percent free from construction.
The letter continues: "It has three access points, although this could be reviewed depending on end use. The Council is modelling potential transport requirements based on likely site-use scenarios, but ultimately road access to two motorways and two major ports is a huge benefit.
"Perhaps the biggest selling point is the 5,000-strong workforce from the Honda-owned companies and suppliers, which I am reliably informed, are extremely productive. In fact, they contribute to a statistic of which I am immensely proud: 'Swindon has the third highest GDP per job in the UK' - so Swindon's workforce is the third most productive. Local and national partners are working with Honda and suppliers' staff to help them transition efficiently into new employment when the plant closes, so we make sure we hold on to this impressive title.
"If I can help to make an introduction to our colleagues at Honda, or help in any other way, please do not hesitate to get in touch."