News & Resources

• Vauxhall’s all-new Vivaro van launched in Luton
• Management, unions and workers join forces to win 10-year contract
• 1,200 jobs secured for over ten years
• £185 million investment including £76 million in manufacturing facilities and £90 million in vendor tooling and special equipment
• 52 per cent of production exported to 27 European markets
• Over eight million vehicles built in Luton since 1905

Vauxhall’s all-new Vivaro, launched today, secures 1,200 jobs at the firm’s UK plant after workers won a 10-year contract and a £185 million investment.

Thanks to the outstanding attitude and work ethic of the workforce, the Luton plant beat world class competition from across Europe to build the new van.

The plant is significant contributor to the local and national economies building nearly a million Vivaro vans since 2001 including 44,000 vans built in 2013.  The factory is a major exporter with 52 per cent of production destined for European markets.

Service firms around the country will also benefit from £600 million of new business over the life of the new Vivaro with 40 per cent of content sourced locally from UK suppliers.  This is up by 60 per cent on the current van.

“The all-new Vivaro van is of critical importance to Vauxhall and its manufacturing facility in Luton,” said Tim Tozer, Vauxhall’s Chairman and Managing Director. “I’m very proud of the men and women who build this vehicle to world class levels of quality and productivity.

“Our customers will be delighted with the new Luton-built Vivaro. It offers the comfort and design of a passenger car but with class-leading practicality, improved cargo dimensions and excellent payload capability.”

“The launch of the new Vivaro is great news for British manufacturing,” said Vince Cable, Business Secretary. “The plant at Luton, which has made such an important contribution to the local and national economy, has got a bright future thanks to the commitment of its workforce and ability to compete against the best in Europe.

“Through the UK Government’s industrial strategy we are backing the auto sector as it goes from strength to strength. We are providing the right environment to give businesses the confidence to invest and create high skilled jobs.”

Also looking forward to a bright futures is Vauxhall’s other UK manufacturing plant located in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire where production of the next generation Astra compact car begins in 2015.

Workers at Ellesmere Port won a similar long term contract to their colleagues in Luton.  The agreement runs in to the next decade and secures a £125 million investment and 1,600 jobs.

Vauxhall boosts British business with rising UK content

Vauxhall’s commitment to UK manufacturing has given suppliers across the country a huge lift thanks to £600 million of new business over the life of the new Vivaro and 40 per cent of content for the van being sourced locally from British firms.

This is an increase of 60 per cent on the outgoing model and means other UK businesses benefit from the investment and job security that come from Vauxhall winning the contract to build the new van.

“The booming British automotive industry is now big enough to encourage a much larger supply base,” said Mark Poulton, Vauxhall’s Purchasing and Logistics Director. “Local content benefits UK PLC as well as making sound business sense, giving added flexibility and reducing our carbon footprint.”

The new model brings with it new suppliers including:

• International Automotive Components, Coleshill, West Midlands (carpets)
• Tenneco-Walker, Gwent (exhausts)
• Shape Corp, Coventry (front cross member)
• TI Group Automotive, Deeside (fuel tanks)
• Mitsumi Electro, Hayes, Middlesex (GPS antenna)
• Kautex Textron, Hengoed, Mid Glamorgan (wash tanks and hoses)