!NEW! Vauxhall Celebrating 36 years of Britain's iconic Vauxhall Astra

• Vauxhall Motors launches new seventh generation Astra
• New generation model secures 2,000 jobs at the Ellesmere Port plant
• Five million cars manufactured at Ellesmere Port since 1962

Vauxhall Motors celebrates over 36 years of its iconic Brit-built Astra, with a patriotic Union Jack created by 128 of its new 7th generation models.

To celebrate the launch of the all-new seventh generation Vauxhall Astra, workers at the Ellesmere Port manufacturing plant – home of the Astra for over 36 years – choreographed 128 new models to create the image of the Union Jack flag.

Vauxhall’s seventh generation Astra is the eleventh major model-line to be built at Ellesmere Port and guarantees 2,000 jobs at the Cheshire plant over the next decade.  The plant secured a long-term contract in 2012 and a £140 million investment which further demonstrates the brand’s continued commitment to manufacturing the iconic car in Britain.

The patriotic image, orchestrated in under 24-hours, pays tribute to over 36 years of manufacturing the Brit-built best-seller, which has seen over five million cars roll off the Ellesmere Port production line. Three million have been sold in the UK alone – with 50,000 in the past 12 months and 2 million exported to 25 European markets. It is estimated that at full production in 2016, the plant will build approximately 680 Astras per day with further growth in subsequent years.

The British success story extends beyond the Astra itself – as for over 50 years, Ellesmere Port has been the manufacturing home of every compact class Vauxhall in the UK. With nearly 25 per cent of parts sourced locally from UK suppliers, the plant is a significant contributor the local economy and the continued investment at the facility is set to boost UK manufacturing, utilities, construction, transportation and storage companies by at least £70 million.

New Brit-built Vauxhall Astra – In Numbers:

•  One in four Britons has owned an Astra
• c25% of a Vauxhall Astra is produced from British sourced materials
• It takes approximately 24 hours to build an Astra, from sheet steel to the finished article – this is expected to reduce to just 22 hours as production grows
• 3 million Astras have been sold over the past 36 years - 50,000 in the past 12 months
• 5 million vehicles have been manufactured at Ellesmere Port, with 2 million exported to 25 European markets
• £140m investment in the Ellesmere Port factory
• The Ellesmere Port plant will build approximately 680 cars per day and 120,000 per year

Tim Tozer, Vauxhall’s Chairman and Managing Director said, “The all-new Brit built Astra raises the bar in terms of quality, design and connectivity.  Lighter than ever before, with new powertrains and cutting-edge technology, the new Astra is set to shake up the C-segment with it arrives in showrooms.”

He continued, “The Vauxhall Astra has been one of Britain’s best-selling and most-loved cars produced for over three decades. The next generation Astra not only continues to drive this legacy and celebrate the strong British heritage of the brand, but is also a key investment for the home of the Astra – Ellesmere Port – and celebrating the workers who have built the vehicle to world class levels of quality and productivity, making it a household name.”

The all-new Astra is in Vauxhall showrooms from October, priced from £15,295 on the road.

!NEW! Vauxhall reveals All-New VIVA

• First official pictures of Vauxhall VIVA ahead of Spring 2015 launch
• Specially-developed 1.0-litre ECOTEC (75PS) powertrain
• Comfortable and practical with room for up to five people
• IntelliLink connectivity for seamless smartphone integration 

Vauxhall VIVA 

These are the first pictures of the VIVA, Vauxhall’s all-new five-door entry-level model.

Arriving in Spring 2015, the VIVA will be the latest addition to Vauxhall’s small car range joining the fashionable ADAM and the popular Corsa supermini.

Design

With a name that pays homage to Vauxhall’s original Viva made from 1963 to 1979, the all-new VIVA shares the original’s philosophy of clean lines, durability and practicality.  It is designed for modern, everyday life and at 3.68 metres long is practical and spacious providing more than enough room for up to five people.

VIVA is the latest model in the range to display Vauxhall’s sculptured, precise design philosophy. Three strong feature lines swoop down the sides with the signature ‘blade’, seen previously on Insignia and GTC amongst others, slicing through the doors. The two others run through the front and rear door handles. The VIVA’s front end features a distinctive winged chrome bar that presents the Griffin badge.

Large headlights and taillights add to the vibrant appearance, creating an overall design that shows exceptional attention to detail for a vehicle in this class.

VIVA will be available in ten exterior paint colours with a variety of 14- to 16-inch wheels.

Powertrain and Chassis

After first appearing in the Vauxhall ADAM ROCKS AIR and subsequently the New Corsa, VIVA is the latest Vauxhall to feature its new 1.0-litre three-cylinder ECOTEC engine.  Specially-developed for VIVA, this 75PS powertrain is smooth, punchy and efficient, and is mated to a slick five-speed transmission.

VIVA’s chassis and steering have been developed to provide exceptional safety and class-leading comfort.

Equipment and Practicality

Like its stablemates ADAM and Corsa, VIVA is fully-connected thanks to the IntelliLink infotainment system, which allows seamless integration of Apple iOS and Android devices.

It’s also equipped with ESP featuring traction control, ABS with Electronic Brake-Force Distribution and Hill Start Assist (HSA), which prevents the car from rolling back when starting on a slope.  Further safety options can be selected including Lane Departure Warning (LDW).

Another feature that VIVA shares with ADAM and Corsa is City mode which reduces steering effort at the push of a button. Park Assist alerts the driver to obstacles whilst parking plus there’s optional cruise control, sunroof, fog lights, heated front seats and heated steering wheel.

“Short, crisp and full of character, Vauxhall’s new entry-level model is a ‘proper’ small car and will hold great appeal in this rapidly growing sector,” said Tim Tozer, Vauxhall’s Chairman and Managing Director. “On sale next year at an extremely attractive price point, VIVA joins new Corsa and ADAM in a compelling small car portfolio, giving Vauxhall an unrivalled position in the small car market.”

!NEW! Vauxhall reveals roll-back pricing and quality-lift for New Corsa at Paris

• On sale 8^th October priced from £8,995 on-the-road
• Simplified range with fewer trims and models
• Sting R features new 1.0 litre ECOTEC engine from just £10,995

Vauxhall reveals New Corsa at Paris

Vauxhall’s new Corsa is available to order from October 8th priced from £8,995 on-the-road, with list prices reduced by up to £3,000 versus the outgoing model, despite a huge leap in quality and equipment levels across a simplified range.

New Corsa offers excellent value-for-money against the current model. Customers opting for a Corsa SRi Vx Line 1.2i with air con, the entry-level SRi Vx Line car, save £2,970 versus the outgoing SRi 1.4 with air con model. Similarly, customers choosing a Corsa SRi 1.2i with air con, the entry SRi model, save £2,435 against the previous SXi 1.2i with air con.  Similar savings are echoed across the entire range.

A new 1.0 litre ECOTEC (115PS) engine is available from just £10,995 in Sting R trim.  This brand new three-cylinder Vauxhall powertrain received universal plaudits when it was introduced in ADAM ROCKS AIR.  The engine features outstanding performance, achieving 0-62 mph in just 10.4 seconds, and superior low-end torque, with 170 Nm generated at 1,800 rpm.

The new Corsa is available in nine trim levels, down from ten previously: Life, Sting and Sting R, Design, SRi, Excite, SE, SRi VX Line and Limited Edition. The range has also been vastly simplified with half as many models as before. Improved residual values that are predicted to rise by in excess of £1,000 over three years/60,000 miles make new Corsa an even more compelling package.

‘The all-new Corsa range offers the perfect combination of refreshed design, class-leading specification, vastly improved driving dynamics and cutting-edge powertrain technology,’ said Tim Tozer, Vauxhall’s Chairman and Managing Director. ‘And if that wasn’t enough, customers can save close to £3,000 versus the outgoing model.’

All trim levels get high levels of standard spec and the range highlights are as follows with full pricing:

LIFE

£10,900-£13,750

• Heated windscreen
• Tyre pressure monitoring system
• Electronic stability programme
• Hill start assist
• Anti-lock Braking System
• Six airbags
• Electronic engine deadlock immobiliser
• Stereo radio and aux-in socket
• Steering column adjustable for reach and rake
• Speed-sensitive power-assisted steering
• Electrically adjustable door mirrors
• 14-inch steel wheels (emergency tyre inflation kit) with 185/70 R 14 tyres (petrol models)
• 15-inch steel wheels (emergency tyre inflation kit) with 185/65 R 15 tyres (diesel models)
• Remote control central locking
• Electrically operated front windows

STING

£8,995-£11,425

Features over Life

• Body-colour exterior door handles
• Twin white stripes on bonnet, roof and tailgate
• White door mirror housings and front grille bar
• Black foil on door pillars (not with Dark Sea Blue or Carbon Flash) 16-inch white alloy wheels
• LED daytime running lights
• Leather-covered steering wheel
• CD/MP3 CD player/stereo radio and aux-in socket
• USB connection with iPod control
• Six speakers
• Steering wheel mounted audio controls
• Cruise control
• Driver’s seat height adjuster

STING R

£10,995

Features over Sting

• Twin black stripes on bonnet, roof and tailgate
• Black door mirror housings and front grille bar
• 16-inch black alloy wheels
• VX-Line leather-covered flat-bottom steering wheel
• VX-Line leather-covered gear knob/handbrake lever
• Sports pedals
• Chrome-effect exhaust tailpipe extension

EXCITE

£11,965-£15,115

Features over Life

• Air conditioning (non air-conditioned 1.2i and 1.4i manual models also available)
• 16-inch alloy wheels (emergency tyre inflation kit)with 195/55 R 16 low profile tyres
• Front fog lights
• IntelliLink audio system with digital radio
• Bluetooth connectivity
• USB connection with iPod control
• Steering wheel mounted audio controls
• Rain-sensitive windscreen wipers
• Automatic lighting control
• LED daytime running lights
• Electrically heated leather-covered steering wheel
• Electrically heated front seats
• Driver’s seat height adjuster
• Black foil on door pillars
• Body-colour exterior door handles

LIMITED EDITION

£13,805-£16,235

Features over Life

• 17-inch black alloy wheels in Gloss Black finish
• Body-colour front lower spoiler, side sills, rear roof spoiler (3-door only) and rear lower skirt
• Chrome-effect exhaust tailpipe extension
• Black roof and door mirror housings
• Black front grille bar
• Black foil on door pillars (not with Carbon Flash)
• Electrically adjustable/heated door mirrors
• Sports suspension with lower ride height
• LED daytime running lights
• Front fog lights with chrome-effect surround
• Dark-style tail lights
• Sports-style front seats
• Dark-tinted rear windows
• Air conditioning
• IntelliLink audio system with digital radio
• Bluetooth connectivity
• USB connection with iPod control
• Steering wheel mounted audio controls
• Cruise control and multi-function trip computer
• Sports pedals
• Leather-covered steering wheel

DESIGN

£10,900-£14,250

Features over Life

• IntelliLink audio system with digital radio
• Bluetooth connectivity
• USB connection with iPod control
• Six speakers
• Steering wheel mounted audio controls
• Leather-covered steering wheel
• Cruise control
• Driver’s seat height adjuster
• Air conditioning
• Black foil on door pillars (except with Royal Blue, Dark Sea Blue, Emerald Green or Carbon Flash)
• Body-colour exterior door handles
• LED daytime running lights
• Front fog lights
• 15-inch structure wheels

SRi

£11,595-£14,945

Features over Life

• Air conditioning
• 16-inch black alloy wheels in gloss black finish
• Front fog lights with chrome-effect surround
• Sports-style front seats
• Sports pedals
• Leather-covered steering wheel
• IntelliLink audio system with digital radio
• Bluetooth® connectivity
• USB connection with iPod control
• Steering wheel mounted audio controls
• Cruise control
• Multi-function trip computer
• Electrically adjustable/heated door mirrors
• Rain-sensitive windscreen wipers
• Automatic lighting control
• LED daytime running lights
• Black foil on door pillars (except with Dark Sea Blue, Emerald Green or Carbon Flash)
• Body-colour exterior door handles
• 60/40 split-folding rear seat back
• Driver’s seat height adjuster

SRi VX-LINE

£12,630-£15,980

Features over SRi

• 17-inch alloy wheels in silver finish
• Body-colour front lower spoiler, side sills, rear roof spoiler (3-door only) and rear lower skirt
• Body-colour door mirrors
• Chrome-effect exhaust tailpipe extension
• Sports suspension with lower ride height

SE

£12,240-£15,590

Features over Design

• 16-inch alloy wheels
• Electrically heated leather-covered steering wheel
• Electrically heated front seats
• Front and rear seats with Morrocana side bolsters
• 60/40 split-folding rear seat back
• Multi-function trip computer
• Electrically adjustable/heated door mirrors
• Rain-sensitive windscreen wipers
• Automatic lighting control
• Front fog lights with chrome-effect surround
• Chrome-effect lower side window mouldings (5-door only)
• Chrome-effect inserts in exterior door handles
• Body-colour door mirrors
• Front and rear parking distance sensors

NEW VAUXHALL WARRANTY REFLECTS CHANGING NEEDS OF CAR BUYERS

• New, reinforced 3 year/60k warranty tailor-made for today’s motorists
• Current Lifetime Warranty to finish by end of year
• Full AA cover and extension cost effective options incorporated

Vauxhall Motors has revisited its Lifetime Warranty programme.  From January 2015, all Vauxhall cars and vans will carry a *3 year/60,000 mile warranty with cost effective options for extension.

Tim Tozer, Vauxhall’s Chairman and Managing Director cites the changing ownership landscape and significant investment in new technology as key drivers for the change.  ‘In today’s market, 65% of retail sales are supported by a finance package and within that, over 60% are PCPs. This has dramatically changed ownership patterns resulting in fewer customers retaining their cars beyond three years.  Couple this with a €4 billion investment in high technology powertrains and state of the art new products and it no longer makes business sense to invest in 100,000 mile warranty cover. We will continue to focus our investment on providing our customers with a high quality and satisfying experience, both at dealer and company level, throughout their purchase and ownership period.’

Existing vehicles with Lifetime Warranty will continue to be covered for up to 100,000 miles whilst the vehicle remains with the first owner, subject to annual validation.  The new 3 year/60,000 mile transferable warranty is fully competitive with benchmarked competition, includes AA roadside assistance (with Homestart and full European cover) in the first year and is available with cost effective extension options up to 4 and 5 years.

Note: * Vivaro and Movano van warranty is 3 years/100,000 miles.

!NEW! Vauxhall announces 550 new jobs at its Ellesmere Port and Luton plants

• 300 new jobs at Ellesmere Port Astra plant in Cheshire
• Second shift and 250 new jobs at Luton van facility in Bedfordshire

Ellesmere Port - Astra Production

As its business grows and with another new model on the horizon Vauxhall has confirmed that it will take on 550 new employees at its manufacturing sites in Ellesmere Port and Luton, the first significant new-hire programme for a decade.

Around 300 new jobs will be secured at the Ellesmere Port plant in Cheshire.  The plant currently operates on two shifts but as sales volumes build more employees are required to cope with increased output at the facility. The new jobs will be phased in over the first quarter of 2015.

In 2012, Ellesmere Port won the contract to build the next generation, all-new Astra.  Production of this model begins towards the end of 2015. The agreement runs into the next decade and secured a £125 million investment.

Also looking forward to a bright future is Vauxhall’s Luton plant where a second shift is to be added in January 2015, creating around 250 new jobs. The Luton facility builds the recently launched all-new Vivaro van and will be taking on these new employees to increase output next year.  In 2011, Luton won the contract to build the new Vivaro, entailing a £185 million investment.

“This is great news for Vauxhall and for British manufacturing,” said Tim Tozer, Vauxhall’s Chairman and Managing Director. “Both of our UK manufacturing plants have won long contracts with all-new product and as the business strengthens, we now need to take on more people to build these exciting new Vauxhalls.”