Netherlands-based multinational automotive company Stellantis is set to invest £100m in its Vauxhall production facility in Ellesmere Port, UK. The investment will be used to ready the site for electric vehicle manufacturing by the end of 2022.
Battery-electric models will be produced in both commercial and passenger versions for the Vauxhall, Opel, Peugeot and Citroën brands for both local and international markets.
The announcement is supported by the UK Government, the Cheshire West and Chester Council, Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise partnership and Chester College.
In November 2020, the UK government announced plans to stop the sale of pure petrol and diesel engine vehicles from 2030 onwards.
In a press release, chief executive officer Carlos Tavares said: “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 the UK and we will continue to do so.”
The company will add a new body shop and invest in general assembly and on-site battery pack assembly. It will also secure thousands of jobs across the region in the supply chain.
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By GlobalDataIn addition, Stellantis aims for the plant to be 100% self-sufficient for electricity as well as carbon neutral by 2025. Work will commence imminently on potential wind and solar farms.
Stellantis is also considering opening a new UK parts distribution centre at the site.
The Ellesmere Port factory was built in 1962, and produced its first car, the Vauxhall Viva, in 1964. In total, more than 5.2 million vehicles have been built at the factory.