Vauxhall - 9 Key Facts

 

Key Vauxhall Facts: 

• Origins: Founded in Vauxhall, London, the company originally built pumps and marine engines. 

• First Car: The 1903 model was a 5-horsepower single-cylinder car steered by a tiller with no reverse gear. 

• Logo Meaning: The Griffin logo is derived from the 13th-century coat of arms of Faulkes de Breaute, who owned a house ("Fauk's Hall") in the area, which eventually became Vauxhall. 

• Move to Luton: Due to expansion, the company moved to Luton in 1905, and in 1907 became "Vauxhall Motors". 

• Ownership History: General Motors (GM) acquired Vauxhall in 1925, owning it for 92 years until selling to Groupe PSA (now Stellantis) in 2017. 

• War Effort: During World War II, factories produced Churchill tanks, bombs, and  Bedford vehicles 

. 

• Iconic Models: Popular models over the decades included the Viva (1960s/70s), Cavalier (1980s), and the Corsa/Astra (1990s–present). 

• Manufacturing: The Ellesmere Port plant, established in the early 1960s, is a major site, now focusing on electric van production. 

• Exclusively UK: Vauxhall vehicles are sold only in the UK, with similar models sold under the  Opel brand