Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer hailed as success
Vauxhall has credited high demand for the Astra Sports Tourer for a record number being built at its Cheshire plant.
The Ellesmere Port factory built 129,648 Sports Tourers in 2011 at the plant during its first year of production and workers have worked flat out to beat demand for the Astra estate.
The Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer is large, practical estate based on the small family hatch and extends boot space to 500 litres, or 1,550 with the rear seats folded.
Priced from around £13,000, the Astra Sports Tourer has been one of the most popular cars in its class for the 12 months of 2011.
Critics have praised the car for its strong engine range, including eco-friendly and low-cost Ecoflex diesel options, and premium interior.
Plant Director Tony Francavilla says: "We are proud of Ellesmere Port's outstanding results building cars and vans to great quality standards whilst satisfying high customer demand. I am very thankful for our workforce's continuous dedication and we are all looking forward to another successful year."
The Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer is one of three Astra variations sold in the UK. The Vauxhall Astra hatchback is built alongside its estate brother at Ellesmere Port while the sporty, three-door Astra GTC coupe was launched earlier this year.
The Vauxhall Astra is a regular at the top of the UK sales charts and is one of the most popular small family cars in Europe.
Vauxhall has put its success down to 'a stylish look and feel as well as great value to retail and fleet customers alike'.