Stellantis expects UK Ellesmere Port “binding commitment”

Stellantis says it expects a “binding commitment” from the UK government in the near future, concerning its North West England Vauxhall plant at Ellesmere Port.

The factory in North West England produces the current Astra model, but Vauxhall parent company, Stellantis, has yet to decide on whether to make the next generation model at the Ellesmere Port plant. The plant employs around 1,000 people directly and has been operating on a single shift in recent years. Stellantis is said to have concerns surrounding potential conditions for electric vehicle production at the plant – particularly in the light of the UK government’s decision to ban sales of ICE light vehicles in Britain from 2030.

“We do confirm we have on-going discussions on different scenarios for Ellesmere Port with UK authorities at both national and local levels,” said a Stellantis statement sent to just-auto. “At this stage these discussions are productive but not conclusive. We expect an eventual binding commitment by the UK government in the near future and will act accordingly.

In the meanwhile no investment decision will be made.”