VAUXHALL has reaffirmed its commitment to pursue new vehicle production possibilities in the UK as the trade unions agreed to work with the company on the restructuring of its manufacturing operations.

In December, Vauxhall announced that car manufacturing would cease in Luton when production of the current Vectra comes to an end next March and production of commercial vehicles and 4x4s would be stepped up in the town.

Earlier this year Vauxhall announced that production of the new Vectra would move to its Ellesmere Port plant alongside the Astra. Following an, at times, bitter struggle and strike action, the trade unions and Vauxhall management have announced agreement on the restructuring of manufacturing in the UK. With threats of future industrial action dropped Vauxhall announced that it would 'continue to take all reasonable steps to avoid any compulsory redundancies as a result of the restructuring'.

In addition the company has 'reaffirmed its undertaking to pursue new business opportunities in the UK'. The unions have hinted that it could see production of a new Frontera 4x4 at the closing Vectra plant.