Business minister visits Vauxhall’s Astra plant
BUSINESS Minister Ian Lucas has visited Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port plant.
The company began manufacturing its popular Astra at the site last September.
Mr Lucas praised Vauxhall’s commitment to lowering the emissions of its vehicles when he toured the site yesterday.
He said: “Ellesmere Port is a world-class manufacturing facility providing employment for more than 2,000 people in the North West.
“This has been achieved by making itself one of the most competitive and productive plants.
“Investment from companies such as Vauxhall is a vote of confidence in the UK and British manufacturing skills.”
The Government recenty agreed to provide a £270m loan guarantee to Vauxhall’s parent company General Motors as the car-maker implements a major turnaround plan.
Despite 9,000 jobs losses throughout Europe, the Ellesmere Port factory has not been affected.
It is one of the most efficient plants in the GM portfolio and is launching a third shift later this year when an estate version of the Astra goes into production.
