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Magna Could Move Ampera Production Outside the UK

Bad news for the United Kingdom: Magna International, the new Opel/Vauxhall owner, might move the Ampera production, initially projected to take place at the Ellesmere Port factory in Cheshire, outside the United Kingdom. The reason? Magna might consider the Ampera a low-volume niche product that would better fit in a smaller production facility, auto analysts told autoexpress.co.uk. However, Vauxhall representatives denied such a report, saying that a decision is yet to be announced.

“No one doubts Ellesmere Port’s ability to build the Ampera, but whether it will actually get it is another question,”
Dr. Peter Wells, of the Centre for Automotive Industry Research in Cardiff, told the aforementioned source. “Magna is likely to be an imaginative owner and could support greener cars, but its decisions will be ruled by economics – and making the Ampera at a smaller plant may be cheaper.”

But this isn't necessary a new thing for Opel/Vauxhall as rumors regarding the future of the European companies have long surfaced. For example, some media sources even hinted that the Canadian - Austrian parts manufacturer intends to move production of certain models outside of Germany. Additionally, Magna would use Opels to conquer Russia, partially with the help of its local investors.

Magna chairman Frank Stronach already confirmed that he intends to build Opels in Canada but admitted the company won't launch the cars in the US and in China as the terms of deal keeps them away from these two particular markets.

"I know we can be competitive, I know we can create jobs in Canada and the United States. If we don't change the culture, North America's got no chance to be in the automobile industry, absolutely no chance," he said in early June.
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About the author: Bogdan Popa
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Bogdan keeps an eye on how technology is taking over the car world. His long-term goals are buying an 18-wheeler because he needs more space for his kid’s toys, and convincing Google and Apple that Android Auto and CarPlay deserve at least as much attention as their phones.
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