It’s van-tastic
Boost for staff at Vauxhall’s Luton plant
THE French owner of Vauxhall has pledged to keep making vans in Britain until 2030.
PSA yesterday confirmed that Vauxhall’s Luton plant will manufacture the new Vivaro model from 2019.
And it paved the way for the factory to produce Citroen and Peugeot vans from 2020.
New models tend to run on a 10-year cycle. The Luton plant, which made 60,000 vans last year, will be able to produce 100,000.
The move safeguards 1,300 jobs at Luton and could create up to 450 more.
Union leaders welcomed the announcement but called on PSA to back its other UK plant at Ellesmere Port in Cheshire, where 650 job losses have been announced since the back end of last year.
The site, which makes the Astra hatchback, will reduce from two shifts down to one at the end of April. PSA has committed to making the Astra at Ellesmere Port until 2023 but will make a decision on a new model in 2020. The firm, partowned by the French state, is
investing more than £100million in Luton. The UK Government is giving the company £9m.
The commitment came despite what PSA called “Brexit uncertainties”.
PSA boss Carlos Tavares said it was a “major milestone for the future of the Luton plant”.
Business Secretary Greg Clark said the move was a “vote of confidence” in the workforce and the UK’s automotive industry.
Sources revealed the Government had a hand in bringing forward yesterday’s announcement, which comes before workers at Luton vote on a proposed new pay deal.
Len McCluskey, general secretary of the union Unite, said: “The investment into Luton is very welcome.
“But we do expect to hear of similar plans for Ellesmere Port, where the workforce has been just as loyal and is just as deserving of a secure future but continues to live with a cloud hanging over it.”
Builders merchant chain Jewson has placed an order worth more than £8million for 500 JCB-made machines for its tool hire arm.