Steve Cropley
MY WEEK IN CARS
Even heavy rain couldn’t dampen the Emira’s launch
MONDAY
Huge relief: Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port plant is saved, thus protecting the jobs of 1000 loyal and long-serving car people. As various pundits have pointed out, this place used to provide work for 12,000 in its Chevette glory days, so it’s clearly not as important as it was. But back then, there were fewer associated businesses providing just-in-time widgets (nowadays employing a further 3000-4000), so on all counts Ellesmere Port’s move into EV vansis wonderful news. It also affirms my faith in Stellantis chief Carlos Tavares, surely one of the industry’s true statesmen, whose body language always seemed to show a reluctance just to shut Ellesmere Port and walk away. I’m sure he’d insist the whole deal is strictly business, but I get the strong feeling he’s done his best for us.