Drop-top firm under threat

30th March 2009

The French coachbuilder responsible for manufacturing the Vauxhall Tigra coupé-cabrio is facing bankruptcy.

Heuliez has said it will go bust this month unless it can find £40million. Production of the Tigra was due to end in July, although Vauxhall says supply won’t be affected if Heuliez goes under. “We have enough stock to last until the model is phased out,” a spokesman explained. But the firm’s plight could affect Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover and Renault, for which it produces interior parts.

Heuliez previously built estate versions of the Citroen XM, BX and Xantia, and it unveiled the Friendly electric city car at last year’s Paris Motor Show.