Honda has suspended production at its UK car plant after transport-related delays to parts.
The Japanese car maker told workers that it would have to pause work on Wednesday but would re-start as soon as possible.
Honda’s factory in Swindon, where it makes the Civic model, operates on a “just in time” basis designed to increase efficiency and avoid stockpiling parts.
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It means those parts only arrive just when they are needed – but also that delays in delivery risk holding up production.
The Honda plant, which built more than 100,000 vehicles last year, is already due to close permanently in 2022.
Honda said in a statement that it “has confirmed to employees that production will not run on Wednesday 9 December due to transport-related parts delays”.
“The situation is currently being monitored with a view to re-start production as soon as possible,” the company added.
A spokesman was unable to give any further detail when asked about the nature of the delays.
UK manufacturers including car industry rivals such as Jaguar Land Rover fear that severe disruption caused by a no-deal Brexit could add to the risks of costly production hold-ups in the new year.
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Ports have already been reporting congestion in recent weeks partly caused by companies wishing to stock up on goods before the Brexit transition period ends on 31 December.
Backlogs of personal protective equipment (PPE) needed because of the coronavirus pandemic were also blamed for hold-ups seen at Felixstowe last month.
It prompted a warning that consumers may struggle to get their Christmas orders delivered in time this year.