Vauxhall: Ellesmere Port plant saved – 700 new jobs created

Vauxhall Ellesmere Port - Saved General Motors is to keep Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port open, move to three shift working and create 700 new jobs. The overcapacity of mainstream car manufacture in Europe as the market becomes ever more polarised between premium and budget cars – squeezing the middle – means car maker having to rationalise their output. Many thought that could mean the end of Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port as GM sought to stem its European losses (around £2 billion in the last three years), especially as it is easier to close plants and lay off workers in the UK than in mainland Europe.

2012 Mercedes A-Class undisguised on video

The new A-Class caught on video on Lanzarote The 2012 Mercedes A-Class will launch at Geneva next month, and we have the first undisguised video and photo of the new A-Class. Mercedes-Benz has already confirmed that the new 2012 Mercedes A-Class will make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March, and that it’s the five-door A-Class that will hit the road first. Which means Mercedes are out shooting footage for the launch of the A-Class, and a sharp-eyed cyclist has managed to grab a brief bit of footage of the new A-Class on the road to Playa Blanca on Lanzarote as Mercedes went about their work.

Caterham AeroSeven Concept previews future production model

Hot on the stripped-down heels of the Caterham Seven 165 and Caterham 620R, the company revealed a next-generation vehicle, the AeroSeven Concept. The company’s newest road car benefitted from the entire portfolio of Caterham companies including Caterham Technology & Innovation, Caterham F1 Team, Caterham Composites and Caterham Cars. The company says the new concept hints at a future styling direction, including the new sports car that is being developed in conjunction with Renault, due in 2016.