The key UK auto workers’ union has welcomed today’s (24 March) decision by Opel/Vauxhall and Renault to build the next generation of Vivaro vans at its Luton plant.
“This is fantastic news – it secures the future of Vauxhall in Luton and puts to rest any uncertainty over jobs,” said Unite Union general secretary Len McCluskey. “Without a new model Luton would have closed, instead the plant has work until at least 2020 and 1,500 jobs have been secured.
“The efforts of Vauxhall’s chairman, Nick Reilly, were pivotal in securing an agreement with Renault and we are extremely grateful for the part he played. This decision is also down to the hard work of the workforce and savings they made.”
Unite says Luton is the last volume manufacturer of commercial vans in the UK and estimates the plant will produce 62,000 units a year.
