Vauxhall has axed the diesel-powered Astra hatchback from its model range due to dwindling demand.

The move comes just weeks after the French carmaker’s owner, Stellantis, made a u-turn on its decision to make its Citroen e-Berlingo electric following “popular demand” for petrol and diesel propelled versions of the MPV.

In a statement supplied to Autocar, Vauxhall said: “Vauxhall is moving to being an electric-only brand by 2028 and has already streamlined its powertrain offering to focus on electrified variants.

“Diesel represented 6% of the C-hatch market in 2022. Astra and Astra Sports Tourer remain available in petrol, plug-in hybrid and will shortly launch a fully electric variant.”

Less than 250 diesel-powered Astras were sold in the UK during 2022 and a new zero-emissions version of the latest generation Astra - reviewed by AM last summer - has now been launched.