THE 500,000th Vectra to be produced at Vauxhall's Luton plant rolls off the assembly line (pictured above), just weeks before the new model goes on sale in mid March.

The agile new Vectra features new chassis, suspension and steering systems driving a host of improvements, inside and out. The car contains more than 2,500 new parts.

Output began in August 1995 and Vectra went on sale in the UK in October of that year. The Luton plant produces hatchback and estate versions for more than 50 export markets.

With nearly 300,000 sold to date Vectra was the UK's fourth best selling car in 1998 and the best selling car in its class for private buyers.

Meanwhile Vauxhall's Ellesmere Port Plant has trained its first female welder in High-flyer Lorna Fraser, aged 17, who joined the company in April 1998 and is on a Youth Training Scheme.

Opportunities like this have been made available through the Plant's commitment to its Investors in People Award, training employees in new skills.

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