Vauxhall aids UK production in July
UK production figures for July were released by the Society of Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) today and, with the help of Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port plant, production numbers were up over 40 per cent on last year.
Vauxhall Ellesmere Port plant, Cheshire is the home of the new Astra hatchback and will soon produce the new Astra Sports Tourer that is due for release later this year. The Merseyside site has also been tipped to manufacture the Ampera E-REV in 2011.
A total of 98,145 cars were produced in the UK during last month. Although this shows an 8.9 per cent decrease compared to June, this is 41.7 per cent more than the same period in 2009.
Also drastically improving on last year’s levels, commercial vehicle production rose by 43.2 per cent to 9,494. The commercial vehicle sector was the only one to improve on June’s figures - by 10.7 per cent – as engine production also declined month-to-month.
“Economic growth has returned in all major markets around the world" surmised SMMT chief executive, Paul Everitt.
The new Vauxhall Astra hatchback – available in 60-plate registration from September - is available from £13,995.