Mandelson holds talks on Vauxhall

Business Secretary, Lord Mandelson is to have a series of meetings in the UK and Germany this week to discuss Vauxhall and its future as part of GM Europe.Lord Mandelson met a number of senior representatives from the Unite union and local MPs of  Vauxhall's Luton plant yesterday. Concerns have grown for the future of Vauxhall's two plants as parent company, GM looks for a buyer for its European operations. So far, Magna International, a Canadian car parts manufacturer has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to buy the GM's operations including the Opel brand based in Germany and the Vauxhall marque based in the UK. However talks continue and German and British officials are keen to talk to other potential bidders for GM's operations.Mr Mandelson flew to Berlin last night where he met with senior Chancellery officials and Economics Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg. He is also due to hold talks with Magna, the preferred bidder for GM Europe.The UK Government has been working closely with all the parties involved for months to set up a long term capital structure for GM Europe including the UK operations in Ellesmere Port and Luton.Peter Mandelson said: "The Government is continuing to do all it can to secure the future of production at the Luton and Ellesmere Port plants."The UK Government is at the heart of the discussions on securing a commercial solution for GM Europe. I continue to fight for the best interests of all Vauxhall's workforce in the UK."

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