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Stellantis has announced the start of a consultation to consolidate its UK manufacturing of LCVs at its Ellesmere Port site. This development would include the closure of Vauxhall’s Luton factory.
Ellesmere Port is proposed as the new all-electric UK LCV hub. It is close to the Green Automotive Hub located at the adjacent Queen Elizabeth II Eastham docks and the recently constructed 59,500m² Stellantis UK parts distribution centre.
In 2021, Stellantis invested £100 million in Ellesmere Port to transform the facility to battery-electric LCV production, making it the first battery electric vehicle-dedicated plant globally for Stellantis.
It is the UK’s first and only volume EV-only manufacturing facility for the small LCV range of Citroën ë-Berlingo, Vauxhall Combo Electric, Opel Combo Electric, Peugeot E-Partner and Fiat Professional E-Doblo.
The site will be strengthened with the transfer of Luton operations. If the proposal is approved, Stellantis will offer relocation support for employees wishing to transfer to the Ellesmere Port site.
Stellantis is currently in consultation with its employees and Trade Union partners.
If the proposal goes ahead, Stellantis will work with local government and local employers to identify new employment opportunities within the Luton area for Stellantis employees who might be impacted.