New Vectra drives out of factory

The new Vectra will be built alongside the Astra

The first of Vauxhall's new Vectra cars was being driven off the production line at its main UK plant on Tuesday.

Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt toured the factory in Cheshire to mark production of the new car.

The model will be built alongside the Astra range at the revamped plant at Ellesmere Port.

The launch of the Vectra comes two months after Vauxhall shut down its Luton plant following nearly a century of production.

It is apt that we start full production of the English-built...new Vectra on St George's Day

Arvin Jones, Vauxhall

"This is a very important day for Vauxhall and for the entire motor industry," said Mrs Hewitt.

"We often focus on bad news, such as the closure of Vauxhall's Luton factory.

"But the investment the company is making at Ellesmere Port is a testament to the UK's status as a world-leading carmaker."

Arvin Jones, Vauxhall's director of manufacturing, said: "This is a momentous day for the factory and for all our employees who have lived with the new Vectra over the past year.

"It is apt that we start full production of the English-built and powered new Vectra on St George's Day."

By the time it closed on 21 March this year, Vauxhall's Luton plant had produced a total of 7,415,045 vehicles during the 97 years it was open.