F&I Management & Training

The jobs of over 2,000 car workers at Vauxhall's Ellesmere Port factory hang in the balance after American parent company General Motors said further reorganisation would take place at its European operations. General Motors is to take 'aggressive steps' to reduce its European cost base, but has declined to comment on possible factory closures. In a statement the company said: "The economic crisis and its severe impact on consumer confidence and purchase behaviour will require GM Europe to take further restructuring measures, while trying to preserve as many jobs as possible." The plants thought to be at risk include the Ellesmere Port factory and another in Antwerp in Belgium and a third factory in Germany. Fears for the future of GM's European operations grew as the European Employee Forum, a group that speaks for workers, called for General Motors to spin off its Vauxhall and Opel brands rather than make potentially fatal cost-cutting measures.

DATED: 19.02.09

FEED: AW