VAUXHALL parent General Motors (GM) has celebrated its centenary by unveiling the latest version of its revolutionary new electric car which could be built in Ellesmere Port.

The Chevrolet Volt, which would be powered by batteries and an electric motor linked to a petrol engine, is set to become one of the leading models in the growing electric car market.

Demand for such vehicles looks set to grow as the price of fuel continues to soar and as motor companies look to find new ways of reducing CO² emissions to meet environmental targets.

GM’s Europe president, Carl-Peter Forster, said earlier this year that the European version of the Volt was likely to be built at Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port plant.

The original “concept” version of the car was unveiled last year, but the one just put on show is the version that is set to go into production in Detroit, from 2010.

GM chairman and chief executive Rick Wagoner said: “Revealing the production version of the Chevy Volt is a great way to open our second century.

“The Volt is symbolic of GM’s strong commitment to the future – just the kind of technology innovation that our industry needs to respond to today’s and tomorrow’s energy and environmental challenges.”