VAUXHALL is on target in its plans to have the Ampera electric car on sale next year.

The company has just reached a landmark with the first pre-production Ampera rolling off the line in Michigan.

The plan is for more validation Amperas to be built in the coming months for use by engineers in Europe and the United States for testing the production-intent design.

The focus will be on developing the final vehicle software and controls, fine tuning the vehicles' driving characteristics and performing safety and structural testing.

"We're right on target for producing the Ampera for European markets later next year," said Andrew Farah, Vehicle Chief Engineer for Ampera.

"There's still work to be done, but being able to drive an Ampera off our pre-production line is a great accomplishment for the teams here and in Europe."

The Ampera delivers up to 40 miles of pure electric driving before an engine-generator kicks in to sustain the battery charge and extend the range to more than 300 miles.

The battery can be charged by plugging the vehicle's on-board charge system into a standard household outlet. It is scheduled to be in UK showrooms by early 2012.