The History of Vauxhall and Opel: A Tale of Two Car Brands

Stellantis’s UK boss recently reassured us that Vauxhall has a future and reaffirmed that it legitimately is a British car brand – things that executives have had to do repeatedly for the half century since it was effectively subsumed into German manufacturer Opel.

Vauxhall has a rich history, launching its first car in 1903 and becoming the UK’s third-largest car maker in the 1960s. With its old Luton home and new plant at Ellesmere Port, Vauxhall established itself as a significant player in the British automotive industry. On the other hand, Opel, founded in 1899, grew to become Germany’s second-largest car maker, with a production total nearly five times higher than Vauxhall’s in 1969.

Although both brands were owned by GM and shared parts, they maintained their distinct identities. Vauxhall was a major exporter, sending cars to countries like Ghana, Canada, and Malaysia, while Opel re-entered the UK market in 1967 as GM believed their product ranges did not overlap too much.

However, as the 1970s approached, Vauxhall faced challenges. Ford was dominating sales, and Vauxhall’s productivity lagged behind Opel and other competitors. Despite efforts to improve, Vauxhall continued to struggle, leading GM to consolidate developmental operations in Germany.

One significant shift was the development of the ‘T-car’ platform, which was led by Opel. The 1975 Vauxhall Chevette, while manufactured in the UK, was essentially a rebranded Opel Kadett, marking a shift away from unique Vauxhall models.

Despite these changes, Vauxhall remains a British car brand with a promising future. The legacy of Vauxhall and Opel’s intertwined history serves as a reminder of the evolution and challenges faced by automotive manufacturers over the years.

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