In a statement issued at the Geneva Motor Show yesterday, GM said that Vauxhall was a very strong and successful brand in the UK and there are no plans for it to be axed.
The statement said: “The decision to continue manufacturing operations in the UK was reviewed two years ago and this has proved to be the correct decision.
"Both Ellesmere Port and Luton are very lean and efficient plants and as a result Ellesmere Port remains the lead production plant for the next generation Astra that is scheduled for launch in quarter 3 of 2009.
“The comments made relating to plant closures were in response to General Motors Europe’s request for financial support from a number of European governments. This was specified in the GM viability plan handed to the German government and does not just relate to the UK.”