Bosses at the newly-formed Stellantis car manufacturing super group are said to be poised to make a decision on the future of Vauxhall’s Astra-producing Ellesmere Port plant.

Reports suggest the OEM, which brought has together PSA Group and FCA Groups in a 50/50 merger, has been holding meetings this week to review options for the Cheshire site.

AM understands that three possible options are on the table: closure of the plant; a continuation of ICE production until the 2030 ban on the sale of all non-electrified new cars; investment in a new EV production line.

According to a report on the Telegraph newspaper, new Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng has been involved in talks with the company in a bid to urge Stellantis to invest in the plant which currently employs around 1,000 people.

However, commenting on the UK Government’s decision to ban the sale of non-electrified new vehicles from 2030, Stellantis chief executive Carlos Tavares has said that Governments can "create situations which destroy the business model".