Future of Ellesmere Port plant secured with £100 million investment
It'll become Vauxhalls first plant entirely dedicated to producing electric vehicles
Last updated 6th Jul 2021
Vauxhall's parent company Stellantis has announced a £100million investment in Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port manufacturing plant.
It will transform the Ellesmere Port site into the first Stellantis plant to produce solely battery-electric cars both for the UK market and for exports.
Stellantis says this dedication to battery electric vehicles will go towards achieving the UK Government’s decision to stop sales of pure petrol and diesel-engined vehicles from 2030.
Carlos Tavares, Chief Executive Officer at Stellantis, said: “Performance is always the trigger for sustainability and this £100million investment demonstrates our commitment to the UK and to Ellesmere Port."
"I particularly want to thank our highly-skilled, dedicated workforce for their patience and contribution; we never let them down."
"Equally, I want to thank our partners the Unite Union for their open mindset and strong cooperation and, of course, the UK Government for their continued support."
"Producing battery electric vehicles here will support clean, safe and affordable mobility for the citizens."
"Since 1903 Vauxhall has manufactured vehicles in Britain and we will continue to do so.”
UK Government, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Kwasi Kwarteng was also in attendance, he said: “Ellesmere Port’s proud tradition in auto manufacturing will continue for many years to come thanks to today’s investment."
"Stellantis’ decision to double down on their commitment to this site is a clear vote of confidence in the UK as one of the best locations globally for competitive, high-quality automotive production."
"Today’s decision will not only power Ellesmere Port into a clean future but will secure thousands of jobs across the region in the supply chain."
"In this global race to secure electric vehicle production, we are proud to support Britain’s auto sector in this crucial transition as we work to build back better.”
The plant at Ellesmere Port will celebrate its 60th anniversary next year, having been built in 1962, and has built over 5.2 million vehicles.
From later next year, Ellesmere Port will build the following all-electric vehicles:
Electric LCV Electric Passenger Car
- Vauxhall Combo-e Vauxhall Combo-e Life
- Opel Combo-e Opel Combo-e Life
- Peugeot e-Partner Peugeot e-Rifter
- Citroën e-Berlingo Citroën e-Berlingo
The future of the plant had originally been in doubt after it was announced the Vauxhall Astra model would no longer be manufactured at Ellesmere Port after spring 2022.
It's thought this decision secures the jobs at the plant for up to a decade.