NAA Member News: All-new Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer in Vauxhall showrooms
The all-new Astra Sports Tourer is now on sale, following a development process including the securing of 2,000 jobs at the Ellesmere Port manufacturing plant in Cheshire after workers won a long-term contract and a £140 million investment from GM for this vehicle and the Astra Hatchback…
One of the UK’s top-selling and best-loved cars, Astra is a household name for British car buyers with almost three million sold in the UK over the last 36 years, including 50,000 in the last 12 months. More than 25 per cent of British motorists have either owned or driven an Astra, so reaction to a new model will always be felt across the market.
The Astra Sports Tourer is based on an all-new lightweight vehicle architecture with a new design, powertrains and technology. It is built at Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port manufacturing plant in Cheshire. It is the only plant to build this body style.
The Sports Tourer has proved a popular car in the UK market, with sales making it the third most popular estate car sold in 2015 with key rivals including the Ford Focus Estate and the Volkswagen Golf Estate. With a fleet/retail sales split of 80:20, it holds great appeal as a company car, taking drivers from their daily commute to weekend activities. The Sports Tourer will also appeal to private buyers who are looking for a practical family car.
Vauxhall’s all-new Astra and Astra Sports Tourer have secured 2,000 jobs at the Ellesmere Port manufacturing plant in Cheshire after workers won a long-term contract and a £140 million investment from GM.
Thanks to the outstanding attitude and work ethic of the workforce, the plant beat world-class competition from across Europe to build the new car.
The facility is a significant contributor to the local and national economies building over five million vehicles since 1964. The factory is a major exporter with 52 per cent of production going to 25 European markets.
At full production it is estimated the plant will build around 680 cars per day and 120,000 per year. It takes about 24 hours to build an Astra, from sheet steel to the finished article, although once the plant reaches its final running speed this is expected to be down to just 22 hours.
UK firms, including those in manufacturing, utilities, construction, transportation and storage, benefit from approaching £70 million gross value added that results directly from Vauxhall’s investment in Ellesmere Port (source: Centre for Economics and Business Research).
“The all-new Astra and Astra Sports Tourer are of critical importance to Vauxhall and its manufacturing facility in Ellesmere Port,” said Rory Harvey, Vauxhall’s Chairman and Managing Director. “I’m very proud of the men and women who build this vehicle to world class levels of quality and productivity.”
