GM To Build Astra All Over Europe.
It's the news that car production workers all over Europe had been waiting for - the decision on where GM is going to build the next-generation of its hugely popular Opel/Vauxhall Astra compact hatchback. There's welcome relief for employees at four plants; Ellesmere Port in the U.K., Bochum in Germany, Trollhättan in Sweden and Gliwice in Poland.
The decision was less positive for the site in Antwerp in Belgium. The company statement said simply: "There are no plans to allocate compact car production to the Antwerp facility beyond 2010." It currently employs 4500 people to produce the Astra three-door, five-door, wagon, and convertible.
The new vehicle is due to replace the existing Astra range in early 2010, is expected to involve a $4 billion investment.