Ellesmere Port production ‘depends on Brexit’

Vauxhall will move production from its Ellesmere Port factory if it becomes unprofitable as a result of Brexit. Vauxhall owners the PSA Group has said an alternative site has already been identified.

The move would probably lead to the closure of the plant, resulting in the loss of 1,000 jobs.

In June it announced it would manufacture its new Astra at Ellesmere Port and Russelsheim, in Germany.

However, it said the Ellesmere Port production was dependent on a good Brexit. In a statement it said, ‘PSA Groupe has put in to place a comprehensive ‘no-deal’ contingency plan that covers human resources, taxation, customs, logistics, production, regulation, supply chain and IT.’

Meanwhile, speaking to The Financial Times, Carlos Tavares, CEO of PSA Group, said, ‘Frankly I would prefer to put it [the Astra car] in Ellesmere Port, but if the conditions are bad and I cannot make it profitable, then I have to protect the rest of the company and I will not do it We have an alternative to Ellesmere Port.’

Vauxhall’s only other factory in the UK is in Luton.