GM will save 2,100 jobs and create hundreds more after the company announced that it has chosen Ellesmere Port car factory to create the next-generation Astra. The Ellesmere Port complex had been highlighted by GM as being likely to face closure in part of the company’s efforts to cut European losses.

The deal is expected to be announced after workers at the Ellesmere factory accepted the terms of the deal offered by GM. The turnaround comes as the UK car manufacturing industry enjoys growth after the downturn years of 2008-09, seeing a six percent increase in growth from 2010.

The business secretary, Vince Cable, said "Today's decision to ballot the workforce signals a very strong vote of confidence by General Motors in the UK automotive industry. “