Read all the latest news on Ellesmere Port's Vauxhall plant in this week's four-page special

Sep 11 2009 by Gary Porter, Chester Chronicle

THE long term future of Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port plant remains uncertain despite a deal finally being struck with Canadian car parts firm Magna.

That is the view of union chief Tony Woodley following General Motors’ announcement on Thursday that it had agreed to sell its European operations.

Magna will maintain all four Opel plants in Germany as part of the deal, and say they are committed to keeping open the Ellesmere Port factory.

But Mr Woodley, from Little Sutton, said: “The uncertainty surrounding the ownership of Vauxhall is now over, but the uncertainty surrounding the long term future of Britain’s plants will continue.

“One of the alternatives could have been the unthinkable position of liquidation. Nevertheless, with Magna as the new owner we need to make sure that British plants and people are not treated disproportionately during the re-structuring that will take place.”

Ellesmere Port MP Andrew Miller said: “It has been a tough time for the workforce and their families during the recent uncertainty and whilst there inevitably will be changes, this decision needs to be built upon to ensure the long term future of the plant.

“We now need a concerted effort from within the UK and the next step will be to ensure that the plant is allocated sufficient volume to give it a long term future and that we continue to persuade the new owners to build the future electric vehicle, the Ampera, at Ellesmere Port.”

Business minister Pat McFadden said: “Magna have told us of their commitment to continuing production at both Ellesmere Port and Luton and we will work to make sure we get the best possible outcome for the UK.”