PRODUCTION of the first Honda Civic Aero decks began at the company's Swindon manufacturing plant last week. The model, which goes on sale on April 1, will be available with 1.5-litre VTEC and 1.6-litre petrol engines, as well as a range-topping 1.8 VTi model.

It joins the Accord four-door and Civic five-door to become the third model range built at Swindon. All three will be built on the same production line and, thanks to investment of £60 million, plant capacity will have reached 150,000 vehicles by the end of 1998.