The next Vauxhall Astra will include a plug-in hybrid drivetrain and a station wagon version, CEO Michael Lohscheller told Automotive News Europe. The car will be based on the same Stellantis EMP2 platform as the forthcoming new Peugeot 308 due on sale later this year while the Astra will be introduced early 2022 but its still uncertain if the newcomer will … [Read more...]
Stellantis/ Vauxhall pressure rises on UK Government
Vauxhall parent Stellantis says its up to the UK Government to secure the future of the Ellesmere Port, Cheshire car plant. Any investment by Stellantis depends on support from the British government, CEO Carlos Tavares told a French paper this week. Stellantis is considering the site for electric mobility development but the high costs may not make … [Read more...]
Ellesmere Port plant future hopes raised
The parent company of Vauxhall and the British Government have been in talks about the future of Ellesmere Port car assembly plant. Britain is "very hopeful" that a good outcome can be found for the Astra assembly plant and its 1,000 workers, including 300 from Wales. British business minister Kwasi Kwarteng said there had been encouraging signs from PSA … [Read more...]
Vauxhall Ellesmere Port future balanced
Media reports suggest Stellantis will decide on the future of its Vauxhall Ellesmere Port plant in the next few days. A decision on future investment is imminent, a spokesman for the automaker has told Automotive News Europe. The factory employs about 1,000 workers making Astra cars and about a third of them commute from Wales. Stellantis CEO Carlos … [Read more...]
Nissan decision puts pressure on Ellesmere Port investment
Britain is charging up for a battery cars’ future. Nissan said today that its Sunderland car plant is secure for the long term as a result of the trade deal reached between the UK and the EU. It already makes traction batteries next to its Sunderland assembly plant and now says additional battery production will be invested where it has 6,000 direct … [Read more...]
Car makers outline plan for production return
As Europe is grappling with the health, social and economic impacts of COVID-19, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association has set out four guiding principles for a successful re-launch of the auto industry, which will be vital to the wider economic recovery of the continent. “It is in Europe’s interest that this key strategic sector not … [Read more...]
Vauxhall temporarily shut UK plants
Vauxhall is closing its Ellesmere Port car plant tomorrow and Luton van assembly plant from thursday. They along with other PSA plants throughout Europe will be shut until 27 March and the 2,560 UK workers will get paid leave. It is part of the industry's response to the spread of Coronavirus around the world with many plants closing to protect workers … [Read more...]
Welsh jobs with Vauxhall still unknown
The future of hundreds of jobs for people in North East Wales is uncertain after Vauxhall parent Opel this week announced details of a voluntary severance scheme in Russelsheim, Germany which shares Astra production with Ellesmere Port, Cheshire. It has been known since spring last year that 2,100 jobs would be going in Germany when Opel produce the next … [Read more...]
Massive merger of European brands on the cards
Talks have started to merge Peugeot-Citroen-Vauxhall and Fiat-Chrysler-Jeep operations around the world. The new business would be the fourth biggest in the automotive sector and have implications for all their current manufacturing plants building 8.7 Million vehicles annually and turning in a €170 Billion revenue and €11 Billion profit. The deal will … [Read more...]
UK Automotive facing more losses in Brexit warning
Another 6,500 British automotive jobs in two car plants are on the line if the UK leaves the EU without a trade deal. Mini workers 4,500 jobs will be be diluted in Oxford and Ford Dagenham may shift diesel engine production to Europe if no deal is done. There will be knock on effects to the plants' UK suppliers and local economies as well. Honda has … [Read more...]
