Vauxhall’s Vote Of Confidence In UK Supply Chain Generates €230m Worth Of UK Business

LUTON, UNITED KINGDOM – Dec 9, 2011: Over the past 18 months, Vauxhall Motors has awarded substantial contracts to UK suppliers worth over €230m during the life of the contracts, thus making a significant contribution to the UK economy, securing turnover, export and employment within the automotive sector.

Suppliers based in locations spread across the UK have been awarded contracts on the basis of quality, service, technology and price. This is a mix of business comprising supply to Vauxhall’s two UK plants in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, and Luton, Bedfordshire, as well as export to GM divisions across the globe.

Bill Parfitt, Chairman of GM UK and Vauxhall Motors and also the first Chairman of the Automotive Council’s Supply Group, said: “Vauxhall is keen to build on the momentum and push for new business with UK suppliers to the benefit of local economies and GM globally who are now increasingly aware of the great potential that resides in the UK.”

As an example, Cobra UK has won a number of contracts to supply, from its factory in Wales, various GM plants around the world: This also warranted Cobra UK the Queen’s Award for Enterprise this year in recognition of its export achievements.

From 2012, Cobra UK is scheduled to produce components for Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port plant in nearby Cheshire where the Astra Sports Tourer is built for the whole of Europe and beyond. So far in 2011 alone, over 120 000 Sports Tourers left the production line - this estate model being high in demand and coming top of its segment not only in the UK, but also in Germany, whilst proving a huge success Europe wide.