Business Secretary Lord Mandelson is vistiting Vauxhall's Ellesmere Port factory as concern grows over the future ownership of the car giant and thousands of car jobs.
The minister was scheduled to tour the production line at the Cheshire plant and to meet union leaders, local managers and MPs to update them on the Government's contact with bidders aiming to take-over General Motors's European operations.
Vauxhall's 5,000 UK workers, based in Ellesmere Port and at the firm's van plant in Luton, have endured months of uncertainty about their job prospects, although a decision on their future is now imminent
Canadian auto-parts firm Magna International, Belgian investment group RHJ International and Beijing Automotive Industry Holding have submitted bids, which are now being studied by GM.
Talks are expected to be held with the German government in the next few days, with information shared with other governments, including UK ministers.
A final decision on the sale is expected to be made by GM in the United States next week.
The future of the Ellesmere Port plant is thought to be secured in the medium term as the factory will be building the new Vauxhall Astra model for the whole of Europe from September.
But the long-term future of the plant is something that remains a source of concern to unions and workers.
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