BUSINESS Secretary Vince Cable has underlined the Coalition Government’s commitment to Vauxhall Motors’ plant in Ellesmere Port.
On a visit yesterday to the factory, which employs hundreds of people from Chester, Wrexham and Flintshire, he also gave his backing to the new Ampera electric car being built there to further safeguard jobs for the future.
Asked if the new Government would be giving the same level of support to Vauxhall as the previous Labour administration, Mr Cable said: “Very much so. This is a very successful company which is doing very well.
“It is extremely valuable to the economy and we will continue to ensure it flourishes and grows in Britain.
“A bit of good news recently was that Vauxhall’s parent company, General Motors, is bringing £138 million back from overseas to invest in the supply chain in this country.”
Following a tour of the production line where the latest Astra is being built, Mr Cable said: “Vauxhall is an example of the highest quality manufacturing.
"What I have seen here today is very impressive.
“This company, like many others, has been through some difficult times but has shown enormous flexibity and imagination.
“Its technology is world class. It also has top-class management.”
Questioned on whether the Government was likely to pump cash into Vauxhall in the same way Labour did, he replied: “The last Government did put a lot of money in but I cannot throw large amounts of money around.
“However, we can help in all kinds of different ways.”
On the question of whether Ellesmere Port would be chosen to build the European version of the new Ampera electric car, the Business Secretary said: “That is a decision for the company but building the car here would be a real vote of confidence in the plant if it happened.”
Asked if looming Government spending cuts would push the country back to the 1980s, Mr Cable said: “We inherited a massive budget deficit and we have got to deal with it but we won’t be going back to the 1980s.”
Before leaving the plant Mr Cable had the chance to take the wheel of the estate version of the Astra – the Sports Tourer – which is due to be unveiled to the public at next week’s Paris Motor Show and hit the showrooms by the end of the year.