A QUESTION mark hangs over the future of thousands of jobs in the region after General Motors revealed huge losses in Europe.
The company announced yesterday it made record profits of $7.6 billion in 2011, but lost $700 million in Europe – which includes the Vauxhall plant at Ellesmere Port.
The factory, which makes the Astra Sports Tourer, the Astra five-door hatchback and the Astravan, employs 2,100 people including many from across Chester, Wrexham and Flintshire.
A company spokesman said talks were under way to discuss “strategy” at the Ellesmere Port plant.
The spokesman said: “Management, the works council and the supervisory board of Opel/Vauxhall are all in agreement that Opel/Vauxhall has to become profitable, even in times of tough economic headwinds.
“We are jointly discussing our strategy and will keep our employees and the public informed.
“Opel/Vauxhall is on a good path and thanks to our excellent model range with six new product launches in 2012, we are sure we will build on our success in the marketplace.
“It is also always good to remember our Ellesmere Port plant is one of the most productive and most efficient in Europe.
“It is running at record line rates of 47 units per hour since July 2011.
“About 93 per cent of the plant’s production is dedicated to the Astra Sports Tourer which is first in its segment in the UK and in high demand across Europe and Germany in particular.”
Delyn MP David Hanson said: “At the moment it’s all speculation.
“The factory at Ellesmere Port provides good employment for North East Wales and North West England and produces a high quality product.
“Obviously a £700 million loss is a big blow, but I’m confident in the quality of the product being made at Ellesmere Port and when the economy begins to upturn then new car sales will begin to increase.
“Hopefully they will look at this loss in the long term, rather than in the short term.”
Speaking to the Leader earlier this year Don Crank, the Unite union shop steward at the plant, admitted there was always a threat to jobs.
He said: “Over the last three or four years, we have saved £26million in this plant to try to secure our future. So far it has helped to secure jobs, but there is always that threat there.”
Following yesterday’s announcement Dan Ammann, senior vice president at GM, said the company was working hard to return Europe and South America to profitability.
He added: “Overall, we have made good progress and we have more work to do.”