The advertising watchdog has thrown out a complaint against Vauxhall, which promoted the energy savings achieved at its Ellesmere Port assembly plant.

Two viewers challenged a TV advert which stated the site’s energy usage had been reduced by 30% in four years. The complainants claimed the reduction was due to a reduced workforce and lower production, rather than environmental initiatives to improve efficiency.

Vauxhall produced energy usage data, independently audited, which the Advertising Standards Authority said proved production energy use per vehicle had been halved, and the total energy used by the site equated to a 30% reduction.