Investment in Luton secures Vauxhall van production

Groupe PSA, the parent company of Vauxhall/Opel, has announced that the next generation of the Vivaro van (as well as Citroen and Peugeot counterparts will be built at the Luton plant in the UK, securing the long-term future of the facility.

Ever since its introduction in 2001 the Opel/Vauxhall Vivaro has been a popular van in its segment. Less than two years ago the Vauxhall manufacturing plant in Luton witnessed the milestone in the flexible load master’s history, with the 750,000th Vivaro rolling off the production line. Now it’s future appears secure under new owners PSA.

Vauxhall has committed further investment into the facility alongside £9m of government funding in order to accommodate a new vehicle platform for the next-generation Vivaro, as well as opening up the ability to bid for future vehicles to be built on the same components.

Britain’s Business Secretary Greg Clark welcomed the decision during a visit to the plant in Bedfordshire alongside PSA Chief Executive Carlos Tavares, saying, “Today’s decision is a vote of confidence in Vauxhall’s high skilled workforce and the UK’s world-leading automotive sector. This investment in upgrading the production platform will safeguard and grow jobs, ensuring the future of the Luton plant well into the next decade and help ensure the plant is well positioned for future Vauxhall models to be made in the UK.”