Following the news of a £1 billion investment in the car industry, North West Conservative MEP Jacqueline Foster met with Martin Cray, Plant Director at Ellesmere Port's Vauxhall car plant.

The joint UK motor industry and government automotive strategy, launched last week, committed to invest well over £1bn in additional funds over the next 10 years to secure the growth and development of its vehicle and component manufacturing sector.

Jacqueline said: "The car industry is vital to the North West and the UK - four out of five vehicles manufactured here are exported - and thousands of people are employed both by the manufacturers, such as Vauxhall, and in the supply chain. 

"It was a fascinating tour of the Ellesmere Port plant - to meet some of the people who work there and to see how the company's investment in recent years is paying dividends, with more to come!" 

Mike Baunton, SMMT Interim Chief Executive, added: “The motor industry is a major contributor to the UK economy and has been increasing that contribution in a challenging economic environment. In partnership with government, we have now developed a roadmap to secure further long-term growth that is detailed in the strategy document launched today. I am confident that the strategy and the joint investment by government and the industry will make the UK an even more attractive place to design, build and sell automotive components and vehicles.”