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2015 Vauxhall Astra means new UK jobs

Vauxhall has announced that it will take on 300 new staff at its Ellesmere Port plant, ready for production of the new Astra in 2015. It follows the plant’s successful bid to build the 2015 Astra, which secured investment of £125 million for the UK factory in 2012. 20 reasons why Britain’s car industry is booming Read a Vauxhall new car review Meanwhile, in 2011, Vauxhall’s Luton plant received a £185 million investment to build the new Vivaro van – and now the Bedfordshire base is planning to create a further 250 jobs.

Skoda Rapid SE Connect and Rapid Sport Limited Editions announced

Skoda Rapid SE Connect and Rapid Sport Limited Editions announced January isn’t the hottest sales month for car makers, so a limited edition or two to get footfall in car showrooms is a good idea. So Skoda has revealed a pair of Rapid special editions for the UK in the Rapid SE Connect and Rapid Sport to put a bit of extra fizz in sales. The Skoda Rapid SE Connect starts life as a a Rapid SE with the 85bhp 1.2 litre petrol engine and comes in either Brilliant Silver or Denim Blue with 16″ alloys, parking sensors, SatNav and DAB.

New design chiefs for Peugeot and Citroen

PSA Peugeot Citroen is under new design leadership this week. As of 4 January 2010, Gilles Vidal has taken over as design director for Peugeot and Thierry Metroz is the new pencil wielder-in-chief at Citroen. Both will report to Jean-Pierre Ploué, who remains design director for the PSA group.