Business minister, Ian Lucas MP, saw first-hand today the efficiency of Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port plant as he toured the production line which makes the Astra.
The site in the North West is the only plant in Europe to make the latest version of the Astra model which began production last September.
In line with the Automotive Council’s objective to promote growth and innovation within the UK, government is supporting manufacturing along with General Motors’ funding of £1.7 billion for the restructuring of the company, which includes the Vauxhall plants at Ellesmere Port and Luton.
Ian Lucas 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.” He added; “There has been good news for car manufacturing recently, and the government is doing all it can to help the industry transition to meet future demand for low carbon vehicles.”
According to the SMMT’s annual New Car CO2 Report, a total of 27.6% of the cars registered in the UK in 2009 emitted less than 130g/km, the target set in the European CO2 regulation for 2015.
