2013 Kicks of a good year for Vauxhall

2012 was another exceptional year for the Vauxhall brand with sales setting records for the company and many products leading their market segments.  Having introduced an unprecedented six all-new models in 2012 - Ampera, Zafira Tourer, Mokka, ADAM, Astra VXR, Combo Van and a significant facelift on Astra five-door and Sports Tourer models - the company showed its rivals a clean pair of wheels on the roads and in the showroom.

Vauxhall’s flagship Insignia achieved number one in its segment and outsold two of its major rivals by 50% at both retail and fleet.  The Astra GTC three-door sports coupe, following its highly acclaimed launch late in 2011, is also at number one in its class, beating its major German rival by 3:1 at retail and 2:1 at fleet. Zafira achieved number one in its segment, reinforcing its position as the leading 7-seat MPV in the UK and following its significant facelift in 2011, Antara, Vauxhall’s mid-size SUV, has grown by an extraordinary 700% year-on-year to 7000 sales. 

In 2011, Vauxhall took a strategic decision to rebalance its sales mix in fleet and retail with the result that Vauxhall became the fastest growing automotive brand at retail in 2012.

And if you think that you’re seeing more Vauxhall Police cars on the roads these days, you would be right – Vauxhall is the number one supplier to Police fleets with a 70% market share of competitive segments.

Commercial vehicles continue to be a major force in the company’s product armoury with Vauxhall placed at number one for retail sales in the UK CV market in 2012. Vauxhall’s retail share of the commercial vehicle market has now grown to over 16%. 

2013 is Vauxhall’s 110th anniversary year, the company has been manufacturing and selling motor vehicles in the UK without interruption since 1903.  In 2012, its plant at Ellesmere Port in Cheshire was awarded the accolade of lead European manufacturing plant for the next generation Astra, due to start production in 2015.  Likewise the Luton van plant will build the next generation Vivaro from 2014 – both new products securing their respective plant’s production life into the next decade.

In 2012 Vauxhall was on the top step of the podium for many awards including Investors in People, Britain’s Top Employer, British Standard 25999 for Business Continuity Planning (the first automotive company in the UK to achieve this accolade), and multiple automotive awards led by Ampera, with European Car of the Year 2012.

Vauxhall’s Chairman and Managing Director Duncan Aldred, said: ‘The UK was the shining light in a gloomy European automotive market in 2012 and Vauxhall was right at the forefront in sales and innovation. Launching six all-new models in one year was a huge challenge but was fundamental to the continued growth of this great British brand. Add our highly successful UK Home Nations Football sponsorship programme, Lifetime Warranty and the technical masterpiece that is the Ampera electric range-extender, even more new vehicle launches in 2013 and we see Vauxhall entering its 110th year as the force to be reckoned with in the heartland of UK motoring.'