Skip advert
Advertisement

‘Vauxhall and the UK are incredibly important to the Stellantis group’

Editor-in-chief Steve Fowler thinks the sun is starting to shine on many of Stellantis’s brands

Vauxhall - opinion

Vauxhall’s new Astra has been a long time coming but, according to Associate editor Sean Carson, it’s well worth the wait – it’s a very good car. “Very Golf-like,” were Sean’s words. High praise, indeed.

The Astra may not be what it once was in terms of sales (and it’s no longer built in Britain) but the class it competes in remains mightily important to all those who are in it – and that’s still pretty much every single maker.

With the Corsa dominating the UK sales charts, things are looking rather good for Vauxhall. Especially when you delve into the latest results for parent company Stellantis and see how important Vauxhall and the UK are to the group. We recently spoke to Stellantis UK boss Paul Willcox, and he revealed that Vauxhall accounts for over 40 per cent of all Stellantis business in the UK. Plus, it has important factories in Luton and Ellesmere Port.

Advertisement - Article continues below

But what about other arms of the Stellantis empire in the UK? Willcox will be pleased to see the result of this week’s test of the new DS 4. The upmarket upstart has been targeting Audi ever since the French brand’s creation back in 2015, so it only seemed right to put its newest car up against the Audi A3 – with a shock result.

Stellantis has learned much from the Volkswagen Group. So just as the A3 shares much with the Golf, the DS 4 shares plenty with the Astra and the Peugeot 308. What’s worked well for Volkswagen seems to be doing just fine for Stellantis, too, although the customer is the ultimate judge, and time will tell on that one.

We’re also admirers of the latest 308, and new Peugeot UK boss Julie David recently gave us an insight into more changes there, too. She told us of her plans to “rejuvenate the brand”, telling us that Peugeot should be more famous in the UK than it is. A focus on allure – the attraction of the brand – and on customer service is key. On the latter, a third place for the brand’s dealers in our Driver Power survey is a good step in the right direction.

Click here for our list of the best family hatchbacks on sale right now...

Skip advert
Advertisement

Steve Fowler has previously edited Auto Express, Carbuyer, DrivingElectric, What Car?, Autocar and What Hi-Fi? and has been writing about cars for the best part of 30 years. 

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Best electric car deals: today's top discounts and incentives on new EVs
Best electric car deals - header image

Best electric car deals: today's top discounts and incentives on new EVs

Making the switch to an EV? These car brands have an offer (or two) for you
Best cars & vans
28 Apr 2025
Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond
Best new cars coming soon - header image

Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond

These are the most important new cars headed our way, from brands including Audi, BMW, Dacia, Ferrari, Ford, Skoda and more
Best cars & vans
8 Apr 2025
Vauxhall cuts EV prices in response to VED changes
Vauxhall range

Vauxhall cuts EV prices in response to VED changes

Every electric Vauxhall now comes in under the £40,000 threshold for ‘luxury’ car tax, potentially saving customers over £2,000
News
1 Apr 2025
Tears at Vauxhall Luton as final van rolls off the line
Vauxhall badge

Tears at Vauxhall Luton as final van rolls off the line

120 years of vehicle manufacturing comes to an end, as Stellantis turns its back on historic British plant
News
28 Mar 2025

Most Popular

EV affordability alarm! Running costs are £6k higher than for petrol cars, say car clubs
BYD Atto 3 - front cornering

EV affordability alarm! Running costs are £6k higher than for petrol cars, say car clubs

Running costs for car share club EVs are £6k higher than ICE equivalents according to new data
News
8 May 2025
Bargain prices drive used car sales boom, but new cars struggle to sell
Used Renault Arkana - front action

Bargain prices drive used car sales boom, but new cars struggle to sell

Demand for pre-owned cars beats pre-pandemic levels as buyers seek out bargains
News
9 May 2025
BYD beats Dacia, Honda and Citroen: Chinese EV giant already outsells ‘big’ UK brands
BYD Seal - full front

BYD beats Dacia, Honda and Citroen: Chinese EV giant already outsells ‘big’ UK brands

EV sales were up slightly last month year-on-year, but overall car sales were down as buyers tried to dodge increased road tax
News
9 May 2025