And the car giant had openly discussed the closure of Bochum’s car plant and cuts at Eisenach, in Germany, as well as closure of an Antwerp car factory in the fight to cut costs. Although GM has emerged from restructuring in the US with funding from President Obama, it is unlikely the US Government would sanction any of its financial support being spent in Europe.

So European Governments will now be jostling to offer GM as attractive a funding package to retain its plants in their countries as possible.

Mr Miller declined to comment on how GM’s restructuring could affect its European network, but vowed: “I want to see continued government support for training and the drive towards next- generation vehicles.

“The union has used the phrase ‘better the devil you know,’ but I am being a little more cautious and I would want to see the company give a commitment to the kind of volumes we know Ellesmere Port can sustain and working with us towards next generation vehicles.”

Unite the Union joint General Secretary and former Vauxhall worker Tony Woodley urged the Government should do all it can to preserve the future of Ellesmere Port and its sister van-making plant in Luton.

He said last night: “I have no doubt that whoever the owner would be, there will be major restructuring of GM operations.

“Inevitably some will go in the UK, but our task is to minimise the number of jobs lost and ensure that those who do go, go voluntarily.

“It is right that GM should hold on to its UK plants because this country is one of its strongest and most loyal customers.

“Our expectation then is that General Motors will be sticking to its original plan for its EU sites, including the UK.

“We expect that all the governments of Europe, including our own, will now be asked to contribute to maintaining the business. We expect our Government to do all it can to support it.”

Last night’s announcement went some way to fulfilling less optimistic predictions from analysts.

Howard Wheeldon, of BGC Partners, forecast GM would eventually halve its 54,000-strong workforce.

Despite GM claiming its decision was based on improving market conditions, Mr Wheeldon argues the sale was pulled to avoid lengthy wrangles over competition issues with the EU, and the potential embarrassment of the deal being declared anti-competitive.