The owners of Vauxhall's Ellesmere Port plant have spoken out for the first time since talks began over its future - saying the fate of the site is dependent on the Government providing financial incentives.
Stellantis, the firm that owns the Cheshire plant where 1,000 are employed, has confirmed it will close the site if it cannot reach a deal with the 海角视频 Government.
The news comes after Vauxhall's French parent company PSA last month merged with Fiat Chrysler to form Stellantis, a new automotive superpower.
Following that merger, it was revealed that the future of the North West plant was in doubt - largely due to the Government's upcoming ban on new petrol and diesel cars.
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Talks began on Monday over whether to close or invest in the plant, and a decision was expected the following day, but was subsequently delayed.
Now the firm's owners have spoken out for the first time this week.
A statement from Michael Lohscheller, who heads the group’s Opel and Vauxhall unit, said: “At this stage these discussions are productive but not conclusive."
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The company confirmed it is asking for financial incentives to make a new electric vehicle at the plant, as well as commitments on the trading of parts such as batteries, post-Brexit.
New Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng has been involved in talks with the company in a bid to urge Stellantis to invest.
Mr Lohscheller said on Thursday he hopes the Government will “behave in the interest of the 海角视频 economy", and that he hopes to reach an agreement "in the near future".
The company did not confirm an expected date for when talks would conclude and the decision revealed.
Referring to the potential of making a new electric vehicle at the plant, a Stellantis source close to the discussions added: "We would disclose this in due time, but first we need the U.K. government support to make it happen."