Major UK car factory might shut down due to strict electric vehicle rules
Vauxhall considers closing its long-running Luton factory affecting over 1000 workers. The car-maker plans to move operations north while adapting to new zero-emission regulations
The car-maker Stellantis announced plans to shut-down its Vauxhall factory in Luton which puts more than 1k jobs at-risk. The company (which owns Peugeot Fiat and Citroën) wants to move its focus to the Ellesmere Port site up north
In a quick turn-around from their earlier plans the company will invest 50-million pounds in their Cheshire location. The Luton plant which has been making vehicles since early 1900s currently builds gas-powered vans; while Ellesmere Port makes only e-vans. Workers from Luton can move to the northern facility but the total UK workforce will get smaller
The proposals are a complete slap in the face for our members in Luton
Carlos Tavares the companys CEO started looking at UK plans this year because of tough e-car rules. Car-makers must sell 22% e-vehicles now and 80% by 2030 or pay big fines. The rules which many think are too strict made Britain a hard market for business
The govt is thinking about making e-car rules easier since only about 18% of new cars sold are electric. They promised to work with car makers and put 300-million pounds into zero-emission cars plus 2-billion for factory changes. However for Luton workers this might be too late
