Skip advert
Advertisement

‘Now it’s free of GM, Vauxhall must find its own niche’

Mike Rutherford says that after escaping GM, Vauxhall could replicate Jaguar’s post-Ford era success

Loved-up Peugeot and Opel have finally done the decent thing and consummated their marriage. There’s no doubt that the former is the stronger and more secure partner. But their respective siblings – Citroen and DS on one side, Vauxhall on the other – apparently gave it their blessing, so all five can now look to work together as one big happy family.

Advertisement - Article continues below

But the harsh truth is that they have too many factories, design centres and offices in too many countries. It’s inevitable that the PSA Group will close some. Remember Ryton (Peugeot), Longbridge (Rover) and Dagenham (Ford)? They were entirely or largely murdered as car-building venues.

PSA completes £1.9bn deal for Vauxhall and GM

Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port and Luton factories are safe for now, but they’re bound to come under scrutiny in the early 2020s. Their workers must continue to prove they’re at least as talented, hard-working and as cheap as their new colleagues.

Another issue is that the colossal Peugeot, Citroen, DS, Opel, Vauxhall clan occupies a narrow window in terms of product diversity, price and appeal. There’s an awful lot of modest, small to medium family cars that clash with each other. At the very least the group needs a budget brand (Citroen?), mid-market mainstay marque (Peugeot), a premium contender (DS, potentially), plus a separate exec car division to take on Audi, BMW, Mercedes and Jaguar (something a brave Opel might try).

That leaves Vauxhall to find its own niche. For starters it needs subtle and tastefully designed ‘crafted in Britain’ badges and Union Jack flags fixed to every vehicle it builds to exploit its genuine Britishness – a quality that’s appreciated in Asia and North America.

But the type of vehicles Vauxhall has to base its future on? That’s impossible to answer at this point. Quintessentially British sports cars (think VX220), 4x4s and EVs are possibilities. Why not? Jaguar thrived when it finally shook off Ford; Vauxhall might do the same now that it’s escaped from General Motors. Speaking of GM, it let Saab and Daewoo sink in recent years; at least it sold on Opel and Vauxhall. Dongfeng, the Chinese part owner of the PSA Group, got a bargain at around £2bn.

This is further proof that the Chinese have a great and diverse motor industry future and the Americans less so. Who’d have thought it? Communist China – champion of the capitalist car world.

What do you think Vauxhall’s future will look like? Have your say in the comments section below.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Chief columnist

Mike was one of the founding fathers of Auto Express in 1988. He's been motoring editor on four tabloid newspapers - London Evening News, The Sun, News of the World & Daily Mirror. He was also a weekly columnist on the Daily Telegraph, The Independent and The Sunday Times. 

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Best new cars coming in 2024
Best new cars coming in 2024 - header image
Best cars & vans

Best new cars coming in 2024

There are some big new models from the likes of BMW, Citroen, Dacia, Ford, MINI, Skoda and more on the way in 2024
12 Mar 2024
Vauxhall Frontera to be reborn as affordable electric family SUV
New Vauxhall Frontera teaser
News

Vauxhall Frontera to be reborn as affordable electric family SUV

An all-new Vauxhall Frontera will serve as the replacement for ageing Vauxhall Crossland, but grow in size to rival popular family SUVs such as the Ni…
29 Jan 2024
How Ford and Vauxhall became national treasures
Assortment of Fords and Vauxhalls
Features

How Ford and Vauxhall became national treasures

We take a look at the rivalry of two manufacturers that have battled for the hearts, minds and money of British car buyers
27 Dec 2023
'Once-dominant Ford and Vauxhall could become also-rans in the future'
Opinion - Ford plant
Opinion

'Once-dominant Ford and Vauxhall could become also-rans in the future'

Editor-in-chief Steve Fowler thinks Ford and Vauxhall need to get their pricing right in the EV era if they are to remain popular with customers
15 Nov 2023

Most Popular

Road tax set to rise in April: here’s how much more you’ll pay
Road tax documentation
News

Road tax set to rise in April: here’s how much more you’ll pay

Drivers with newer cars will now pay £10 more per year, although the biggest gas guzzlers fare even worse
28 Mar 2024
Posh new trim level for Dacia Sandero while the Sandero Stepway gets more power
Dacia Sandero - front
News

Posh new trim level for Dacia Sandero while the Sandero Stepway gets more power

Both the Sandero and Sandero Stepway ranges have been tweaked, gaining more safety features to meet the latest regulations
26 Mar 2024
Car Deal of the Day: updated Skoda Enyaq at 0% APR and a free home wallbox charger thrown in
Skoda Enyaq iV - front cornering
News

Car Deal of the Day: updated Skoda Enyaq at 0% APR and a free home wallbox charger thrown in

Skoda’s family-friendly EV with 348-mile range is our Car Deal of the Day for 26 March
26 Mar 2024