1857 CE
Founding as marine engine firm
Alexander Wilson founded Vauxhall Iron Works in London, initially manufacturing marine engines and pumps before pivoting to automobiles. #UK #Independent #MarineEngine Source — Wikipedia:
Chronological Storyline (21 Milestones)
1903 CE
First car produced
Vauxhall built its first car, a single-cylinder light car, marking the brand's official entry into automotive manufacturing. #UK #Independent #SingleCylinder Source — Wikipedia:
1905 CE
Move to Luton plant
Vauxhall moved its production to Luton, Bedfordshire, establishing the manufacturing site that would remain its home for over a century. #UK #Independent #Manufacturing Source — Wikipedia:
1907 CE
A-type and griffin badge
Laurence Pomeroy designed the A-type car, and the Vauxhall griffin badge was adopted, based on the coat of arms of Falkes de Breauté. #UK #Independent #TouringCar Source — Wikipedia:
1911 CE
C-type Prince Henry debut
The C-type, later known as the Prince Henry, was introduced as a sporting tourer and is considered one of the first true sports cars. #UK #Independent #SportsCar Source — Wikipedia:
1925 CE
Acquired by General Motors
General Motors purchased Vauxhall for $2.5 million, transforming it into a mass-market manufacturer to compete with Ford in the UK. #UK #GeneralMotors #MassProduction Source — Wikipedia:
1931 CE
Cadet and Light Six launch
Vauxhall introduced the Cadet and Light Six, featuring overhead-valve engines and helping modernize the brand's lineup. #UK #GeneralMotors #OverheadValve Source — Wikipedia:
By Charles01 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=27874599
1937 CE
Ten-U launch
The Vauxhall Ten-U was introduced as a compact family car, mimicking German KdF design cues and offering monocoque construction. #UK #GeneralMotors #Unibody Source — Wikipedia:
By Lars-Göran Lindgren Sweden - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1905637
1957 CE
Victor F-series launch
Vauxhall launched the Victor F-series, a compact car with American styling and a overhead-valve engine, aimed at the export market. #UK #GeneralMotors #OverheadValve Source — Wikipedia:
By ABHINAVKUMARSAHAI - Own work, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=157914999
1962 CE
Viva HA introduction
The Viva HA was Vauxhall's entry into the small family car segment, competing with the Ford Anglia and featuring a compact design. #UK #GeneralMotors #CompactCar Source — Wikipedia:
By SG2012 - https://www.flickr.com/photos/57664366@N08/10275774884/, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=57872077
1968 CE
VX4/90 and FD Victor launch
Vauxhall introduced the FD Victor range including the VX4/90, featuring a 2.0L overhead-cam engine and sporty styling. #UK #GeneralMotors #OverheadCam Source — Wikipedia:
1975 CE
Chevette and Cavalier debut
Vauxhall launched the Chevette hatchback and Cavalier, marking a shift to front-wheel-drive and hatchback designs in the UK market. #UK #GeneralMotors #FrontWheelDrive Source — Wikipedia:
By Rept0n1x - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7986815
1978 CE
Carlton full-size saloon
The Vauxhall Carlton was introduced as a replacement for the VX series, offering a large family saloon with modern styling. #UK #GeneralMotors #Saloon Source — Wikipedia:
By Motacilla took the pictureCharles01 went and cropped it. - Crop and retouch of File:Vauxhall Carlton JRHospital.jpg, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=48019409
1981 CE
Astra Mk1 launch
The Vauxhall Astra Mk1 replaced the Viva, introducing front-wheel-drive and a hatchback body style to the small family car segment. #UK #GeneralMotors #FrontWheelDrive Source — Wikipedia:
By DieselFordMondeo - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=119252824
1988 CE
Carlton Lotus launch
The Lotus Carlton, a high-performance version of the Vauxhall Carlton, was introduced with a 3.6L twin-turbo inline-six engine. #UK #GeneralMotors #Turbocharged Source — Wikipedia:
By Charles01 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=146364073
1991 CE
Vauxhall enters BTCC
Vauxhall entered the British Touring Car Championship with the Astra, beginning a long and successful motorsport program. #UK #GeneralMotors #BTCC Source — Wikipedia:
1999 CE
Aston Villa sponsor deal
Vauxhall became the shirt sponsor for Aston Villa Football Club, enhancing its brand visibility in UK sports marketing. #UK #GeneralMotors #Sponsorship Source — Wikipedia:
2007 CE
VXR8 high-performance saloon
Vauxhall introduced the VXR8, a high-performance saloon based on the HSV E Series, featuring a 6.0L V8 engine. #UK #GeneralMotors #V8Engine Source — Wikipedia:
By Calreyn88 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=125665683
Mar 6, 2017 CE
Acquired by Groupe PSA
General Motors sold Vauxhall and Opel to Groupe PSA for €2.2 billion, ending GM's 92-year ownership of the brand. #UK #PSAGroup #CorporateAcquisition Source — Wikipedia:
Jan 16, 2021 CE
Stellantis merger completed
Vauxhall became part of the Stellantis Group following the merger of PSA Group and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. #UK #Stellantis #CorporateMerger Source — Wikipedia:
2024 CE
End of ICE passenger cars
Vauxhall announced it would end sales of internal combustion engine passenger cars by 2028, transitioning fully to electric vehicles. #UK #Stellantis #ElectricVehicle Source — Wikipedia: