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

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

And, in a trans-Atlantic conference call, GM President and Chief Executive Fritz Henderson told the Daily Post the Cheshire car plant currently 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 told the Daily Post 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."