Vauxhal LUTON has built its final car, Vivaro Van, which was produced over 120 years of production in the factory.
The decision to close the historical commercial vehicle factory was announced by Malik Foxaol Stelllantis in November 2024. All Van Britain’s production will be transferred in the UK in the port of Elsimir, Cheshire.
Former Stelinsian President Carlos Tavares announced the decision only a few months after the closure threatened as part of a battle with the UK government due to the mandate of the zero emissions vehicle (ZEV).
Tafaris said that the ZEV mandate was “greatly harmful to our business model”, because car makers had to sell more EVS, but no incentives were provided to buyers and that the industry was struggling with a shrinkage in the interest of EV.
He said that the transfer of all operations to one base would “unite” Stelantis manufacturing in the United Kingdom. He added that this decision “will contribute to increasing the efficiency of production” – something that the company said will also allow it to fulfill the increasingly strict ZEV goals, which rise to 26 % this year.
All LUTON machines will be transferred to the Ellesmerie port, where more than 50 million pounds will be spent on its promotion to take over the burden of additional work.
Stylantis said the Loton closing decision endangered 1,100 jobs, and a few hundred roles were guaranteed to ElleSMERE. A consultation has been launched for affected workers, with those who cannot take this step that is offered, training or potential jobs in neighboring companies.
After the November announcement, the heads of union called Stelantis to reverse its decision, given that it was made just days before the resignation of Tavares shock.
UNITE described the closure decision “one of the recent examples of the failed Tavares strategy” and said that “it must stop when the company begins searching for the new CEO and a new direction.”
In response, Stelantis adhered to “the continuation of the ongoing projects that were already connected” under the supervision of President John Elcan and a temporary executive committee.
UNITE argued that until the Tavares successor (due in the first half of 2025) is appointed, all the previous major decisions should be stopped.