Mandelson’s pledge on Vauxhall visit
BUSINESS Secretary Lord Mandelson has stressed the Government’s commitment to Vauxhall at a visit to the car maker’s Ellesmere Port factory.
During the meeting, where he met staff, union leaders and management, he gave an update on the discussions he has been having with Vauxhall’s parent company General Motors and the various potential buyers of GM Europe – which includes Vauxhall.
Around 2,200 people work at the Ellesmere Port factory. A further 3,000 work in Luton.
He said: “We are determined to continue our detailed discussions with RHJI, Magna and other interested parties to secure a long term commercial future for Vauxhall.
“I and my officials are in constant contact with the US and German governments and GM and others to ensure Britain’s interests are fully represented.
“As one of GM Europe’s most efficient plants, Ellesmere Port produces one of the UK’s favourite cars, the Vauxhall Astra and I hope one day the Ampera.
“Vauxhall is an excellent and very popular UK brand. Continued Vauxhall production remains a top priority for this government.”
Steven Broomhead, chief executive of the North West Development Agency also attended the factory visit, and reiterated that the importance of the automotive sector to the region.
He said: “Ellesmere Port is one of the most efficient factories in the global General Motors portfolio and the NWDA is working with the factory as they look to secure a long term future.
“The NWDA is already helping to improve quality and efficiency further with over £8.7m of funding for training, announced last year, which continues to make a real difference at the factory.”
“The automotive sector in the Northwest is the second largest in the UK, supporting some 43,000 jobs and it is vital to the future growth of our economy. We will do all we can to support it now.”
