AUTO firm Stellantis has an opportunity to halt plans to close a profitable Vauxhall electric van plant in Luton, Unite said today.

Company bosses were urged to reconsider the closure of the historic IBC Luton van plant following the resignation of CEO Carlos Tavares.

Unite reps were due to discuss counter proposals today over the site they say is ready to produce electric Vivaro vans next year.

Its workers met every manufacturing cost target asked of them by Tavares, without impacting jobs, pay or conditions, they added.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The exit of CEO Carlos Tavares is an opportunity for Stellantis to turn the page on years of aggressive anti-worker strategies which now threaten to close a profitable plant which is ready to produce thousands of electric vans next year.”

She called on Stellantis to withdraw redundancy notices immediately as “workers cannot negotiate with a gun to their heads.”

The company was approached for comment.