GM's British unit laying off 900 workers

ELLESMERE PORT, England, May 17 (UPI) -- General Motors Corp.'s British unit, Vauxhall, will dismiss 900 people at its Ellesmere Port factory in Cheshire, England.

The move stems from a need for better productivity and efficiency, the BBC reported Wednesday.

Vauxhall also is switching from three shifts to two at the big facility at the end of August.

Britain's car manufacturing industry has been hit hard lately: Last month French car giant Peugeot Citroen closed its Ryton plant near Coventry, with the loss of 2,300 jobs; sports car maker TVR said it would close its Blackpool factory; and last year MG Rover laid off 6,000 workers in Birmingham.