Behind the scenes at Ellesmere Port’s Vauxhall electric van plant

A local MP and a Labour peer have been given a behind-the-scenes look at electric van production inside Ellesmere Port’s Vauxhall factory.

Ellesmere Port and Bromborough MP Justin Madders and Lord Tony Woodley visited the site during a tour hosted by plant director Fernando Andreu.

They were joined by Eurig Druce, UK Group managing director for Stellantis, which manufactures brands including Vauxhall, Citroën, Peugeot and Fiat.

The Ellesmere Port factory currently builds compact electric vans for those marques and is preparing to add mid-sized electric vans following a £50 million investment.

During the visit, Mr Madders and Lord Woodley were shown the pilot area for the new model.

Mr Madders said:

“Places like Ellesmere Port have the skilled workforce, industrial heritage and expertise needed to help lead the future of manufacturing in this country.

“Seeing electric vehicles being built here in our community is a reminder of just how important it is that we back British manufacturing, protect skilled jobs and support the automotive sector through the transition to cleaner vehicles.”

Lord Woodley, the former General Secretary of Unite — previously the TGWU — began his career at Vauxhall Motors in 1967 and spent time reminiscing with workers about his years at the factory.

More than 1,000 people are employed across the plant and neighbouring Parts Distribution Centre, which the pair also toured.

Before leaving, they had a sit-down chat with Unite convenor Tommy Curran and other union colleagues based at the site.

Mr Madders added:

“It’s fantastic to see the Vauxhall name still standing tall in our area and I’ll keep doing everything I can to support the automotive sector and the thousands of people who rely on it locally.”

Pictured - Lord Woodley, Eurig Druce, UK Group managing director for Stellantis, plant director Fernando Andreu and Justin Madders MP next to the assembly line at the Ellesmere Port site.