Vauxhall's Astra plant boosts workforce as 5-millionth car is built

In its 50th year as one of the UK's most prolific car plants, Vauxhall's Ellesmere Port factory will produce its five-millionth vehicle, while also preparing for an influx of 300 extra staff to support the build up to an all-new Astra in 2015.

News of the landmark car will be
an extra boost for the plant, which employs nearly 1,800 people in the North-West of England, and in 2012 won the contract from parent GM to be the lead manufacturer for one of Europe's most popular passenger cars, the Astra.

Stefan Fesser, Plant Director, Ellesmere Port, joined his staff to see car number five-million – a red Astra five-door hatchback model - off the end of the line.

"This is a momentous day for the men and women who work here at Vauxhall," said Fesser. "We can look back at fifty un-broken years of manufacturing excellence with pride, and also take satisfaction that our workforce's flexibility and efficiency has guaranteed the plant’s future well into the next decade."

Today, almost 30 Astras roll-off the production line each hour, with just over 76 per cent going to export. When the new car arrives later in 2015, Vauxhall is committed to increasing local supply content to at least 25 per cent, creating further employment locally and in the UK overall, while increasing the plant's competitiveness.

Posted in: 500000th Vehicle,Assembly/Manufacturing Plant,Five-millionth,Vauxhall,Vauxhall Astra