Vivaro reaches 750,000

VAUXHALL’S Luton plant is celebrating after the 750,000^th Vivaro-type van has rolled off its production line.

The 750,000th van was handed over to Burnt Tree’s managng director, Richard Metcalf, in a special hand-over ceremony attended by the workforce senior Vauxhall management.

Burnt Tree is the largest independent car, van and specialist vehicle rental, leasing and contract hire company operating in the UK, and is one of Vauxhall’s biggest customers.

The British marque is the largest manufacturer of commercial vehicles in the UK, building over 60,000 vehicles at Luton so far this year.

Since their agreement in 2001, Vauxhall’s Luton plant has been building the Vivaro and Renault’s equivalent – the Traffic.  The factory also produces all European speicification Opel Vivaros and Renault Traffics.

Mark Stein, plant director, said: ‘Over the last nine years, the success of the multi-award winning Vivaro has been down to the exceptional quality that our hard working and dedicated workforce builds into every example. 

This milestone is a mark of the continued strength of Vivaro in markets across Europe. We are very proud to build it here in the UK.’

Duncan Aldred, Vauxhall’s managing director, said: ‘As the biggest commercial vehicle manufacturer in Britain, Vauxhall is very proud to reach the three quarter million production milestone in Luton.

Vauxhall retains its strength in the commercial vehicle market with great products, a dedicated sales team and a retail network with many years of experience in this specialist arena. I’m pleased that this special Vivaro has found a home with Burnt Tree, one of our biggest customers.’

by JAMES BATCHELOR

Be sure to read Car Dealer’s exclusive interview with Vauxhall MD Duncan Aldred in the next issue