Royal boost for motor industry

Apr 1 2009 by Liam Murphy, Wallasey News

WORKERS said a visit by the Prince of Wales had given the Merseyside motor industry a much-needed boost.

Prince Charles was at the Vauxhall plant, in Ellesmere Port, last week, where he met with workers and representatives of the UK motor industry – as well as being given a sneak preview of the new Astra, to be launched later this year.

General manager of the plant, Tom Schmidt, said he was sure General Motors senior management in America would take notice of the support the royal visit represented.

The Prince was taken on a tour of the production line where he met workers and saw the current Astra being constructed.

The factory makes Astra cars and vans, with its 2,200 workers making 120,000 vehicles a year. Production is currently reduced and the factory is on a four-day week. Work slowed down for health and safety reasons while the Prince was shown around and given time to chat to those working in the body shop.

Kevin Jackson from Tranmere, who has worked at the plant for 24 years, talked to the royal visitor about his work.

He said: “He could see I was nervous, but put me at my ease and asked about my family and I told him about my children and grandkids. He said it would be a long time before he expected to have any grandchildren.”

The prince also met with car industry representatives and suppliers, and discussed issues facing manufacturers.