US carmaker general Motors has opted to manufacture the next version of the Opel Astra model at its Ellesmere Port facility in UK, rather than in Germany.
To further support the deal, the US carmaker will stop the production of Astra in Germany, and will invest about $200m in its Ellesmere Port facility to produce the model after workers at the site have agreed to a new pay deal.
The new plant, expected to begin production in 2015, will create about 700 jobs at the site and about 3,000 in the supply chain and expected to secure the factory's future until at least 2020.
GM will implement new operating technologies to enhance flexibility and reduce fixed costs at the UK plant.
Production of the current Astra had begun at GM's Ruesselsheim plant in 2011 with 18,300 cars, as well as 149,800 Insignias, and has also produced 12,600 Buick Regals.
