LORD MANDELSON pledged to “fight” for the future of Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port plant, as he prepared to hold crucial discussions with its likely new owner today.
The business secretary will travel to Germany to meet with Magna, the preferred bidder for crisis-hit GM Europe, which is selling both Vauxhall and Germany’s Opel.
Lord Mandelson will also hold talks with Germany’s economics minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg and senior officials, having already discussed the best way forward with the Unite union.
He said: “The Government is continuing to do all it can to secure the future of production at the Luton and Ellesmere Port plants.
“The UK government is at the heart of the discussions on securing a commercial solution for GM Europe.
“I continue to fight for the best interests of all Vauxhall’s workforce in the UK.” Magna is expected to axe up to 10,000 of GM’s 50,000 jobs once it seals a deal, leaving Vauxhall’s 5,000 UK staff fearing for their futures.
The deal with Magna will see the company acquire GM Europe with £1.3bn in bridging loans from Germany, while contributing £262m to keep the division running in the short term.
However, union leaders at Ellesmere Port hope the launch of the new Astra at the Cheshire factory, in September, will shield its 2,200 workforce from both savage cuts and closure.
