General Motors' plans to double the original production numbers for its Volt electric-hybrid vehicle could result in a boost for the UK car industry, it has been reported.

Demand from the UK for the Vauxhall Ampera version of the Volt has been a strong factor in encouraging the manufacturer to increase the number of examples produced.

GM is now planning to double the original 10,000 cars scheduled for production in Detroit and industry experts feel that demand from the UK coupled to the fact that the Ampera can be built alongside the Astra model places Vauxhall's Ellesmere Port factory in a strong position for future production of the vehicle.

A decision on the location of the new Ampera factory is due in 2012.