SECRETARY OF STATE JOINS VAUXHALL EMPLOYEES IN CELEBRATING FIRST ELLESMERE PORT-BUILT VECTRA

The first new Vectra to be built at Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port plant was driven off the production line today (Tuesday, 23 April), heralding an exciting new era for the revamped Cheshire ‘flex’ factory, which celebrates its 40^th anniversary this year.

Patricia Hewitt, Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, was driven off the line in a metallic green Vectra hatchback, complete with 3.2 V6 engine built on site by Vauxhall Powertrain, by the plant’s longest serving employee, Dave Hall. Mr Hall joined Vauxhall in Luton in 1956 and transferred to Ellesmere Port in 1965 prior to production of the HB Viva.

Ms Hewitt toured the plant, meeting employees assembling the new Vectra and Astra ranges, which are now built on the same production line. She also met up with another new arrival at the plant, also sharing the name Vectra – a guide dog puppy sponsored by employees.

Commenting on her visit to Ellesmere Port, Ms Hewitt said: “I feel honoured to have seen the first Vectra come off the production line. The Vectra represents a valuable investment in Ellesmere Port and all of the employees at Vauxhall. It is a testament to the UK’s status as a world leading car maker.”

Arvin Jones, Vauxhall director, manufacturing said: “This is a momentous day for Vauxhall Ellesmere Port, and all our employees who have lived with the new Vectra over the past year, and made it into a world-class quality car in which we can take much pride. It is apt that we start full production of the English-built and powered new Vectra on St George’s Day.”

The new Vectra will go on sale in the UK on 13 June. The Ellesmere Port plant produces the widest range of models down a single production line of any General Motors Europe car plant with an annual capacity of 185,000 vehicles per year being built over three shifts per day. More than 60 per cent of vehicle production from the site is for European markets.