VAUXHALL chiefs gave their clearest indication yet that Ellesmere Port is in pole position to build the new electric Ampera.

US-parent company General Motors (GM) published its latest financial figures since emerging from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and a significant funding injection from the US and Canadian governments.

GM president and chief executive Fritz Henderson claimed that the Cheshire car plant, building the new Astra model, is seen as a leader in Europe, which can only enhance its credentials to build the Ampera.

The new model can be produced on the same line as the Astra, which is expected to keep rolling off Ellesmere Port’s lines until 2016.

Winning the Ampera would virtually guarantee future employment for the plant’s 2,100-strong workforce.

GM stunned the motor industry early this month by pulling back from its decision to sell its European Vauxhall and Opel brands to Canadian car parts maker Magna and its Russian partner Sberbank, and retain the business itself.

Mr Henderson explained the group is now sharing its updated plans for the European business under GM with the European Employees’ Forum.

But he said Ellesmere Port is at the heart of GM’s European plan.

He said: “Ellesmere Port is the lead plant for the Astra and we are encouraged by that.

“I have been to Ellesmere Port a number of times and the team there has done a remarkable job and we feel very good about the plant.

“In terms of the Ampera, actions speak louder than words, and you can’t give a better statement in terms of future production.”

Ellesmere Port union convener John Fetherstone welcomed Mr Henderson’s remarks, saying: “If actions speak louder than words, that must shout and scream ‘bring the Ampera to Ellesmere Port’.

“Productivity levels at Ellesmere Port have increased over the years, and our quality and cost per car are up there with the best.”

Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Business Secretary Lord Mandelson have championed Ellesmere Port as the natural home of the Ampera in GM’s network of European car plants.

They have indicatedGovernment funding would be available for training and development if the Cheshire plant was awarded the new model.

The Ampera will be built initially in America, but industry sources say production could be switched to a European plant within two years.

Mr Henderson revealed that the European business lost $400m (£239m) in the latest figures published by the group, but he said GM has benefited from scrappage schemes in the UK and Germany.

And he pledged there will be no further cuts in production levels in Europe.

GM revealed it had made a loss of $1.2bn (£720m) in the period from July 10 to September 30, but said it had laid a ‘solid foundation’ for future growth.

GM head of operations Nick Reilly met Lord Mandelson and Unite yesterday to discuss the future of the plant.