Breaking: Vauxhall Luton Factory to Close - Putting More than 1,100 Jobs at Risk

Vauxhall's parent company, Stellantis, has announced plans to close its Luton plant in April 2025, putting more than 1,100 jobs at risk.

However, Stellantis aims to mitigate the impact by transferring "hundreds" of jobs to its Ellesmere Port facility in northwest England, where it will also invest £50 million.

Support for Affected Workers

Stellantis has pledged to provide "relocation support" and "an attractive package" for employees willing to move to Ellesmere Port. The company is currently in consultations with unions and employees regarding these proposals.

Electric Vehicle Mandate and Industry Pressure

The closure comes amid mounting pressures on UK car manufacturers to comply with the government’s electric vehicle (EV) mandate.

Automakers must ensure zero-emission vehicles make up 22% of sales by 2024, with targets escalating to 80% by 2030 and 100% by 2035. Failure to meet these benchmarks results in financial penalties.

A government spokesperson expressed commitment to supporting Stellantis, trade unions, and local partners during this transition:

"We have a longstanding partnership with Stellantis and will continue to work closely with them."

The government is investing over £300 million to encourage EV adoption and £2 billion to support the domestic manufacturing sector's transition to cleaner technologies.

This move underscores the broader challenges facing the UK automotive industry as it adapts to stricter emissions targets and global competition.
Source: Sky news 
Image: Black Country Radio