Peugeot Citroen sold more than 280,000 vehicles in the UK last year

The TGWU and Amicus are angry at plans to move Peugeot production from Ryton near Coventry to Slovakia, with the loss of 2,300 UK jobs.

Press adverts will say people should think hard before buying the cars.

Workers from the plant are protesting at an "insensitive" launch of the new 207 model at a Coventry dealership.

Union leaders from the TGWU said having a launch in a town where 2,300 people are being made redundant was "rubbing people's noses in it".

A spokesman for Darwins dealership has said it does not want to alienate anyone.

Peugeot said the move was disappointing and could affect 5,000 other people it employed in the UK.

The unions will place two adverts in national newspapers on Friday encouraging people to support England in the World Cup, but to boycott the French company's cars.

The adverts will be followed up by 150 posters displayed nationwide.

It is the latest union strategy to try to change managers' minds after union members rejected calls for strike action.