GM could pull plug on UK production

GM Europe could end all manufacturing within the UK following the EU 'Brexit' referendum.

GM currently builds the Vauxhall/Opel Astra hatch and wagon at its Ellesmere Port plant in northwest England but, according to a new report from newswire Automotive News, there is a "high risk" production will shift to either Germany or Poland.

The decision to move, says industry analyst LMC Automotive, is over fears new import tariffs will be swiftly imposed by the EU on the UK post-Brexit.

Shifting production of right-hand drive Astras from the UK to another place in Europe could potentially have an impact on Australia, although Holden-badged Opels sold in Australia have been usually sourced from Opel's manufacturing facility in Belgium. The Euro Astra is set to arrive Down Under October this year following the decision by Holden to end local production of the Cruze.

According to the analyst involved in the research that revealed GM is considering pulling the plug on UK production, plant closure may not happen before 2021. As well as the Astra, the Vivaro van at Vauxhall's Luton facility, just north of London, could also end.

Vauxhall began making vehicles in and around its Luton HQ back in 1905.

Currently, GM's southern Polish plant in Gliwice is the most likely facility to be the new manufacturing home of the Astra. It currently makes left-hand drive versions of the five-door hatch and Cascada convertible.

Speaking to Automotive News a Vauxhall spokesman said it was "business as usual" until the UK negotiates a new trade agreement with the EU.

In February this year Holden announced it too would end local production of the Cruze at the company's Elizabeth manufacturing plant this October to make way for the imported Euro Astra in the local line-up.

This Commodore, meanwhile, will remain in production up to "the end of 2017".