Up to 900 car part workers face axe

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A 90-day consultation is under way at the Bosch plant in Miskin, near Cardiff, which makes alternators for the motor industry.

The company is considering two options - shedding about 300 jobs next year and carrying on with a smaller operation, or closing the plant in 2011 if no commercially-viable new business is found.

Workers were told last month that sales slumped by 45% this year and are expected to drop 65% next year.

In a statement, the company said: "Bosch is currently facing the worst economic downturn for many decades. At the same time, the automotive industry is undergoing major changes as core technologies are completely transformed.

"All this leaves its mark on the operating result of the Bosch Group and in 2009 it will be negative for the first time in the last 60 years."

The company requested a news blackout until 11pm to allow managers time to inform staff. Official figures on unemployment showed Wales lost more jobs in the three months to August than any UK region.

Welsh Conservative industry spokesman Alun Cairns blamed the Welsh Assembly Government for not doing enough. Mr Cairns said: "This announcement is regrettable but not unexpected.

"It is nonetheless devastating for the Welsh economy, especially in a week when we learned that unemployment in Wales is rising at a rapid rate. Even at this late stage the Assembly Government must work with Bosch to try and secure investment and to broaden the plant's productivity base, protecting skills and jobs among the local workforce."

An Assembly Government spokesman said: "This is very disappointing news but we will work hard with the company throughout the consultation period to see if there is any support we can provide. The First Minister and Deputy First Minister have arranged to meet the divisional president of Bosch and other senior representatives of the Bosch Group to discuss the company's position."