Vauxhall is Britain’s number one van maker for the 14th year running, according to figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
The company manufactured 60,280 Vivaro vans at its plant in Luton, Bedfordshire and achieved sales of over 28,000 units in the UK alone. Vauxhall also built over 90,000 Astras at its manufacturing plant in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire.
“We are delighted to be the UK’s leading van manufacturer for the 14th year running,” said Rory Harvey, Vauxhall’s Chairman and Managing Director. “The Luton-built Vivaro is the lynchpin of our award-winning van range and we are very proud of our 113 year heritage of building vehicles in Britain.”
Vauxhall’s all-new Vivaro was launched in 2014, securing 1,500 jobs at the UK’s only dedicated light commercial vehicle plant after workers won a ten-year contract and a £185 million investment. The Luton plant beat world-class competition from across Europe to build the new van.
Rival Ford shut its Transit factory in Southampton in 2013 making Vauxhall’s Luton facility the sole flag bearer for UK van manufacturing, on a site where over eight million vehicles have been built since 1905. The factory is a major exporter with 52 per cent of production destined for European markets.
Picture: Vauxhall Vivaro was launched in 2014