Diamond Jubilee: Vauxhall celebrates 60 years of manufacturing at Ellesmere Port

• Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port plant is celebrating 60 years of manufacturing
• Diamond jubilee comes as Ellesmere Port looks ahead to producing the next generation of battery electric LCV and passenger car models
• £100 million investment in Ellesmere Port by parent group Stellantis was announced last year to support its transformation to electric vehicle manufacturing
• Stellantis commitment to net zero globally by 2038 and to halve carbon impact by 2030

Celebrations coincide with final Vauxhall Astra rolling off the production line with more than 4 million built at Ellesmere Port across seven generations

Vauxhall is celebrating an incredible 60 years of manufacturing at its Ellesmere Port plant ahead of its £100 million transformation into the first Stellantis plant to produce solely battery-electric models by the end of the year.

Ellesmere Port opened in 1962 and began as a production plant for the Vauxhall Viva. Since then it has produced iconic models from the Vauxhall range including the Chevette and successive generations of the Vauxhall and Opel Astra. In total, more than 5.2 million vehicles have rolled off the production lines at Ellesmere Port over the past 60 years.

The diamond jubilee comes as Ellesmere Port readies itself for a £100 million upgrade to become the first Stellantis plant to produce solely battery-electric models, from early next year.

The popular Vauxhall Combo-e and its Opel equivalent will be some of the first electric vehicles to be produced at Ellesmere when the plant reopens, along with Peugeot e-Partner and Citroën e-Berlingo vans. Ellesmere Port will also produce a range of passenger vehicles across the Stellantis brands including the Vauxhall Combo-e Life, Opel Combo-e Life, Peugeot e-Rifter and Citroën ë-Berlingo MPVs.

These light commercial vehicles, and their passenger car variants, are all powered by a 100 kW (136 hp) motor with a 50 kWh lithium-ion battery.  They can be charged at up to 100 kW and take just 30 minutes to charge from 0% to 80%, capable of up to 174 miles of range under WLTP conditions.

Paul Willcox, Managing Director, Vauxhall & Senior Vice-President, Stellantis, said: “Over the last 60 years, Ellesmere Port has become one of the great British car plants, producing some of the most popular cars on the roads across generations. With one era closing, we’re now looking forward to an all-new electric era at Ellesmere, with the site becoming the first Stellantis plant to produce solely electric vehicles. Vauxhall is fast moving towards an electric future and I’m pleased to see the next-generation of Vauxhall electric vehicles made in Britain.” 

Vauxhall has committed to selling only electric vehicles from 2028, seven years ahead of the Government deadline, and the transformation at Ellesmere Port will ensure the UK remains at the forefront of electric vehicle manufacturing. The plant upgrade also forms a part of Stellantis’ commitment to become a carbon neutral group, globally, by 2038 – and to halve its carbon footprint by 2030, based on 2021 data. 

As Vauxhall looks ahead to the future electric vehicle production at Ellesmere Port, the plant is marking the end of production there for one of the brand’s most iconic models – Vauxhall Astra. Having first produced the Vauxhall Astra from 16th November 1981, then in its first generation, more than 4 million Astra models have been built at Ellesmere Port.

Production of the seventh generation Astra model came to a close on 6th April 2022.  The final Vauxhall Astra model to roll off the production line was an Astra Sport Tourer SRi Nav 1.2 Turbo Manual in Hot Red and the occasion was celebrated with a gathering of the plant workforce as well as former employees.  

6th April 2022: Last Vauxhall Astra rolls off production line

Work will now be undertaken to transform Ellesmere Port into an electric vehicle manufacturing centre when it restarts production in early 2023. 

Eighth generation All-New Astra, and Astra Sport Tourer, are now available to order and deliveries to UK customers are starting imminently.  Available now with plug-in hybrid technology, a fully electric version of both cars will also arrive next year as part of Vauxhall’s commitment to only sell fully electric vehicles from 2028. 

With over 90 years of history of manufacturing in the UK, Vauxhall is currently the only mainstream automotive brand to produce vans in Britain. Alongside Stellantis’ Ellesmere Port plant, Vauxhall continues to make vans at its factory in Luton, which has been operating since 1907 and stands as Britain’s oldest car factory.

Vauxhall Corsa remains the UK’s most popular car

• Corsa remains the UK’s best-selling car in 2022
• Vauxhall grows its private car sales market share from 4.06% to 6.22% YTD – the fastest retail growth of any manufacturer in the UK
• Mokka also features in the UK’s top ten best sellers of the year so far  
• Corsa was the UK’s best-selling car in 2021 with more than 40,000 vehicles sold
• Vauxhall sold more than 12,800 cars during crucial March plate change month

Vauxhall Corsa 

Vauxhall’s new line-up is continuing to grow in popularity in the retail car market as the British brand registered the largest private market share growth of any manufacturer so far this year, according to the latest new car registration figures published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). 

Vauxhall has grown its private car sales market share from 4.06% to 6.22% versus the same period last year. The 2.16 percentage point market share increase is the highest of all manufacturers in the UK and comes as Vauxhall continues to offer new models, and a new simplified trim structure, across its line-up. Award-winning Corsa and Corsa-e were joined by the all-new Mokka and Mokka-e last year, featuring a bold new design and interior.

Vauxhall Mokka

Vauxhall sales totalled 23,898 vehicles year-to-date (YTD) and represented 5.72% of the new car market. 

Both the Corsa and Mokka were among the highest-selling vehicles in their segments during the crucial March plate change month, with Vauxhall selling more than 12,800 cars in March across both private and fleet buyers.

Corsa remained the best-selling B-segment car in the UK, with 5,515 models sold in March, and 9,797 YTD – making it the best-selling car so far in 2022, having been the number one vehicle last year.  The Mokka is also in the UK’s top ten best sellers, at ninth place, with 7,395 sold YTD. 

Paul Willcox, Managing Director, Vauxhall, said: “With the supply challenges presently facing the global car industry, it’s pleasing to see the rise in popularity of our new model line-up with the UK’s private car buyers as well as the Corsa firmly remaining the nation’s favourite.  With the latest new versions of our Grandland and Astra models now arriving in the UK, we look forward to bringing yet more attainable design, innovation and electrification to British car buyers in the months to come”.

Vauxhall Corsa is available with efficient petrol and diesel engines as well as with a fully electric powertrain. Corsa-e is powered by a 50 kWh battery and a 136 PS (100 kW) electric motor and is capable of up to 222 miles (WLTP test cycle) from a single charge. Capable of supporting up to 100kW rapid charging, an 80% charge takes just 30 minutes to complete.

All-New Mokka was introduced last year and features Vauxhall’s bold and pure new design language, with its distinctive Vizor front end and Pure Panel interior. Like the Corsa, the Mokka is available with efficient petrol and diesel engines, as well as with a fully electric powertrain. The Mokka-e is powered by a 50 kW battery and a 136 PS (100 kW) electric motor and can achieve up to 209 miles (WLTP test cycle) between charges. Using 100 kW rapid chargers, an 80% charge takes 30 minutes to complete.

Entire Vauxhall passenger car range can be ordered entirely online via the Vauxhall Online Store.  The Vauxhall Online Store brings the brand’s showroom experience straight into the comfort of buyers’ homes. Customers can arrange a live video viewing of their vehicle via the Vauxhall Virtual Showroom and proceed to the Online Store to configure their vehicle, personalise finance payments, and place an order, all from the comfort of their home.

New Vauxhall Corsa Remains UK's Best-Selling New Car

• New Vauxhall Corsa remains the UK’s best-selling new car in 2021
• SMMT figures show 20,024 models registered so far this year
• All-electric Corsa-e the best-selling all-electric supermini
• Vivaro-e the best-selling all-electric Light Commercial Vehicle (e-LCV)
• May was the first full month where showrooms across the UK were open to the public

New Vauxhall Corsa

New Vauxhall Corsa is the UK’s best-selling new car so far this year, according to the latest new car sales and registration figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).  

New Vauxhall Corsa has been the UK’s best-selling car so far this year, with 20,024 registered in the first five months of 2021. Vauxhall’s electric models, including the all-electric Corsa-e and Vivaro-e were also the highest selling models in their segments, as the brand continues its electric vehicle expansion with the goal of offering an electrified variant across its model line-up by 2024. 

All-electric Vauxhall Corsa-e has been the best-selling new electric car in the small Battery Electric Vehicle sector this year, with 2,204 registered, while the Vivaro-e remains the highest-selling electric Light Commercial Vehicle in the UK, with 874 registrations in 2021.

Vauxhall is now one of the few manufacturers able to offer fleets and buyers an electric van across its entire LCV line-up, following the announcement of its All-New Movano-e large van earlier in May.

Vauxhall also increased its passenger car market share by 0.4 of a percentage point, having sold 43,314 cars so far in 2021.

Paul Willcox, Managing Director, Vauxhall, said: “As a British brand, it’s fantastic to see the Corsa remain the UK’s best-selling new car. With electric car and electric van sales continuing to grow at a rapid pace, we’re also very proud to see the new Corsa-e and the new Vivaro-e top the sales charts in their respective sectors and bringing affordable all-electric options to customers.”

May was the first full month where showrooms across the UK were allowed to reopen to the public following the gradual easing of COVID-19 restrictions by the Government.

Customers can also purchase new models using the Vauxhall Online Store, which brings the new car shopping experience to the comfort of buyers’ homes. They can arrange a live video viewing of a vehicle via the Vauxhall Virtual Showroom and proceed to the Online Store to configure their new model, personalise finance payments and place an order – all from the comfort and safety of home.

All-new fifth generation Corsa is available with a fully-electric powertrain or a choice of efficient petrol or diesel engines.Zzero-emissions-in-use Vauxhall Corsa-e was voted The Sun Car of the Year, thanks to its 209-mile WLTP range, affordable price and fun driving dynamics.  The Vivaro-e is the 2021 International Van of the Year. 

New Vauxhall Corsa retains its place as UK's best-selling car

• New Vauxhall Corsa tops new car registration charts for Q1 2021
• Figures from SMMT show all-electric new Corsa-e is best-selling supermini EV
• Vauxhall increased market share from 5.6% to 5.8% year-on-year

New Vauxhall Corsa

New Vauxhall Corsa is the UK's best-selling car for the first quarter of 2021, according to the latest new car sales and registration figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

In addition, the fully-electric Vauxhall Corsa-e has performed equally strongly, recording the highest number of sales in March in the small Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) sector.

New Vauxhall Corsa-e

Success of the Vauxhall Corsa and Corsa-e, as well as the recent introduction of the all-new Vauxhall  Mokka and New Crossland SUVs, helped Vauxhall increase its share of the passenger car market from 5.6% to 5.8% year-on-year

Vauxhall’s successful first quarter has been achieved despite showrooms being shut for the first three months of the year as a result of COVID-19 restrictions. All-New Vauxhall Corsa recorded 12,413 registrations, while the new Corsa-e was the best-selling small BEV, with 1,232 sales.

Overall, the brand recorded a total of 15,868 new passenger car registrations in March and 24,826 year-to-date. 

Commenting on the results, Paul Willcox, Managing Director, Vauxhall, said: “We’re delighted the new Vauxhall Corsa is the UK’s best-selling car in the first quarter of 2021. As well as passenger cars, we’ve seen strong LCV sales with the Combo number one in its segment and also high demand for our game-changing, all-electric Vivaro-e.

“Interest in Vauxhall electric vehicles, both cars and vans, is strong and growing. Vauxhall has a wide range of EVs on sale at affordable prices, including the all-new Mokka-e SUV that has just launched. We are very much looking forward to welcoming customers back safely into our network this month.”

All-new fifth generation Corsa is available with a fully-electric powertrain or a choice of efficient petrol or diesel engines. Zero-emissions Corsa-e was voted The Sun Car of the Year, thanks to its 209-mile WLTP range, affordable price and fun driving dynamics.

Opel is back in Russia: Opel Zafira Life and Opel Grandland X SUV at dealers as of today

• Opel Zafira Life and Opel Grandland X SUV can be ordered in Russia as of now
• People carrier Opel Zafira Life rolls off the production line in Kaluga
• Opel Vivaro also to be produced in Russia soon
• In the coming years at least one major launch every year
• Growth based on new export markets is at the core of the strategic PACE! plan

Opel Grandland X SUV

Opel is back in Russia: First models of the Rüsselsheim-based German carmaker have arrived in the showrooms of selected dealers in major Russian cities. As of today, customers in Russia can order the successful Opel Grandland X SUV from Eisenach and the Opel Zafira Life.

Opel Zafira Life

Groupe PSA started the regular production of the family van Opel Zafira Life in its plant in Kaluga, some 200 kilometers southwest of Moscow. Opel Vivaro transporter units for the local market will also roll off the production line in Kaluga as of early 2020.

Opel Zafira Life: Production at Groupe PSA plant in Kaluga

“A significant increase of our profitable exports is one of the key pillars of our PACE! company plan. We are making further progress in this area now with our comeback in Russia,” said Opel CEO Michael Lohscheller. “We will gradually increase our commitment in the country in the coming years. This includes offering a wider range of products. In the coming years, there will be at least one major Opel launch every year. Like in every market, our top priority is to grow profitably with a high level of customer satisfaction.”

“Opel is returning to Russia and this is a fantastic comeback. It is a benefit that we are able to use the plant in Kaluga and to produce locally from the start. We are happy to offer Russian clients a competitive and high-quality product which is based on the best developments of German engineering“, said Paul Willcox, CEO Eurasia region.    

German brand has a long-standing tradition and an excellent reputation in Russia. With its comeback on the Russian market, Opel will strengthen the presence of Groupe PSA in the Eurasia region. Russia is a large, strategically important and attractive market with a lot of potential.

Initially, 11 dealers in major Russian cities such as Moscow, St. Petersburg, Stavropol, Rostov, Ryazan, Tyumen or Nizhiny Novgorod will be Opel partners. This number will double as soon as next year and grow further going forward.

An extensive export offensive is one pillar of the Opel/Vauxhall strategic plan PACE!, which will help the company become sustainably profitable. Decision to re-enter the Russian market – after having left during the severe economic crisis in 2015 – is part of this plan aiming at the development of the brand in both Europe and global markets. Goal is to generate 10 percent of the overall Opel sales volume outside of the European core market by the mid-2020s.

To achieve this, the brand is further strengthening its presence in the export markets in Asia, Africa and South America where it is already present today and will enter more than 20 new export markets by 2022. For example, Opel will be exporting vehicles to Colombia and Ecuador already as of next year.

Downloads: Opel Grandland X SUV Price List (RU)

                     Opel Zafira Life Price List (RU)