General Motors puts £1.7bn into Vauxhall

Vauxhall will enjoy a £1.7 billion investment from parent General Motors as the US giant builds up its European operations.

General Motors more than trebling its previous investment pledge by announcing the package for Opel/Vauxhall today.

The company has cut jobs across Europe in recent months, including hundreds at its Luton van plant, although the car factory in Ellesmere Port where Astras are made has not been hit.

Opel/Vauxhall chief executive Nick Reilly, speaking from the Geneva Motor Show, said the investment was a vote of confidence in the firm's long-term business strategy.