Vauxhall will close its Luton plant in April, the parent company Stellantis announced.
More than 1,100 jobs at the van-making factory are at risk, but Stellantis said it is hoping to transfer “hundreds” of jobs to the group’s Vauxhall site in Ellesmere Port.
It is now in consultation with unions and employees over the proposals, which will also see it invest £50m into the Ellesmere Port factory.
The company said it would offer “relocation support” and “an attractive package” to sacked employees who want to transfer to Ellesmere Port in the North West of England.
Pressures have been on UK car makers to meet the government’s electric car mandate with talks on the 2030 deadline taking place between government and industry.
Financial penalties are currently levied against manufacturers if zero-emission vehicles make up less than 22% of all sales. This will rise to 80% of all sales by 2030 and 100% by 2035.
A government spokesperson said: “We have a longstanding partnership with Stellantis and we will continue to work closely with them, as well as trade unions and local partners on the next steps of their proposals.
“The government is also backing the wider industry with over £300m to drive uptake of zero-emission vehicles and £2bn to support the transition of domestic manufacturing.”
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(c) Sky News 2024: Vauxhall Luton factory to close – putting more than 1,100 jobs at risk