To celebrate the launch of the seventh-generation Astra, workers at Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port plant used 128 new models to create the image of the Union Jack flag.

The patriotic display was created in under 24 hours using red, white and blue new generation Vauxhall Astras, arranged in such a way to create the image of the British flag.

The publicity stunt paid tribute to over 36 years of manufacturing the Astra at Ellesmere Port, which has seen over five million cars roll off its production line. Three million of these have been sold in the UK alone, while 2 million were exported to 25 European markets.

Vauxhall estimates that the Ellesmere Port plant will build approximately 680 Astras per day when it reaches full production in 2016, with further growth to follow in the years to come.

The seventh-generation Astra is the eleventh major model-line to be built at Ellesmere Port and secures 2,000 jobs at the plant over the next decade. The facility got a long-term contract in 2012 and a £140 million ($213.6 million) investment which demonstrate the Vauxhall’s commitment to building the Astra in the UK.

“The Vauxhall Astra has been one of Britain’s best-selling and most-loved cars produced for over three decades. The next generation Astra not only continues to drive this legacy and celebrate the strong British heritage of the brand, but is also a key investment for the home of the Astra,” said Tim Tozer, Vauxhall’s Chairman and Managing Director.

Scroll down to see how Vauxhall workers created the Union Jack flag with the new Astras.

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