The History Behind Vauxhall Motors - Timeline

1857 — Marine engineer Alexander Wilson founded the Vauxhall Ironworks in Lambeth, London, and named after the Vauxhall district of Lambeth.[6]

1903 — The company joined the horseless carriage business, building several tiller-steered single cylinder vehicles without having a reverse gear, of which a single survivor could still be seen at the London Science Museum in 1968.[1]

1905 — Vauxhall builds a factory at Luton where, from 1907, most of its vehicle production will be completed.[6]

1907 — Vauxhall Motors Limited formed, based at Luton, and named after the residential area in which its predecessor company was formed.[1][6]

1925 — Vauxhall becomes part of the American automotive combine General Motors.

1930 — Bedford Vehicles - the commercial vehicle arm of Vauxhall Motors - is founded.

1960 — Vauxhall builds a new factory at Ellesmere Port.

1963 — Production of the Vauxhall Viva small family car commences, with the new car being aimed at the likes of the Ford Anglia and Morris Minor. The German version of the car will be sold as the Opel Kadett. The locally assembled Vauxhall Viva will be launched in Australia in May 1964.

1966 — Vauxhall's Slant Four goes into production - the first production overhead camshaft inline-four engine to use a rubber timing belt. Also the FD Victor is launched at the Earls Court Motor Show, considered by many to be one of Vauxhall's finest all-British styling efforts.

1970 — The HC Viva is launched, which went on to become Vauxhall's best-selling car of the decade.

1973 — The Vauxhall Firenza "Droopsnoot" is unveiled at the Earls Court Motor Show, introducing the public to Vauxhall's new aerodynamic look for all of its subsequent 1970s models.

1974 — Vauxhall moves into the mini-car sector with the introduction of its Chevette, a rear-wheel drive range of hatchbacks, saloons and estates. It is the first hatchback Vauxhall ever made, and in Germany it will succeed the Viva-based version of the Opel Kadett.

1975 — Vauxhall launches a new entrant in the large family car market in the shape of the Cavalier, an ultra-modern range of rear-wheel drive saloons and a "Sporthatch" coupé. It is a restyled version of Germany's Opel Ascona.

1978 — Vauxhall strengthens its position in the executive car market with the launch of its all-new Carlton saloon and estate, which are re-badged versions of the German Opel Rekord.

1979 — Vauxhall Viva production ends after 16 years, and the car's successor is the Astra - Vauxhall's first front-wheel drive car, which comes as a hatchback or an estate. Being identical to the German-built Opel Kadett, all Vauxhalls are now identical to Opels.

1981 — The second generation Vauxhall Cavalier is launched, with front-wheel drive, but is pipped to the European Car of the Year award by the Renault 9.

1982 — Vauxhall announces the launch of the Nova supermini, which will eventually replace the Chevette. It is available as a hatchback or a saloon.

1983 — Production begins of the Vauxhall Cavalier Estate, which is produced in Australia alongside the Holden range.

1984 — The aerodynamically-styled Vauxhall Astra Mk2 becomes the first Vauxhall car to be elected European Car of the Year. Sales also begin of the Senator executive saloon, an upmarket version of the Carlton that is the first Vauxhall to share its nameplate with Opels.

1985 — Vauxhall launches the Belmont - a saloon version of the Astra which offers more interior space and is almost as big as a Cavalier.

1986 — Vauxhall wins another "European Car of the Year" award with its all-new Vauxhall Carlton (badged Opel Omega on the continent).

1988 — The Vauxhall Cavalier Mk3 goes on sale across Britain, but will be sold as the Opel Vectra in Ireland and mainland Europe.

1989 — The Cavalier chassis spawns the Calibra coupé, which is officially the most aerodynamic production car in the world. Production also begins of the Vauxhall Lotus Carlton (Opel Lotus Omega on the continent) which at 175 miles per hour (282 km/h) is the fastest Vauxhall ever made, and also the fastest four-door Vauxhall of all time.

1991 — The third generation Vauxhall Astra goes on sale with Opel versions adopting the Astra nameplate for the first time. The saloon version will be badged Astra rather than Belmont. The Frontera goes into production as Vauxhall's first four-wheel drive model.

1992 — Vauxhall Nova production ends after 10 years, and the all-new replacement adopts the European Corsa nameplate.

1994 — The Vauxhall Carlton nameplate is abandoned after 16 years, and Omega takes its place. Vauxhall also adds another vehicle to its four-wheel drive line-up in the shape of the Isuzu-based Monterey.

1995 — Vauxhall joins the expanding "compact coupé" market with its new Corsa-based Tigra sports model. Cavalier production ends after 20 years, with its successor wearing the Vectra nameplate.

1997 — Vauxhall announces the end of Calibra production after eight years.

1998 — The fourth generation Vauxhall Astra is launched, winning plaudits for its much improved ride and handling. Its chassis spawns a seven-seater "compact MPV" - the Zafira. The Vauxhall Monterey is withdrawn from sale in the UK, though it continues to sell in the rest of Europe as an Opel.

1999 — Vauxhall facelifts the Vectra to include 2,500 improvements that bolster its previously disappointing ride and handling.

2000 — Vauxhall enters the sports car market with the Lotus-based VX220 roadster. It re-enters the coupé market with the Astra Coupé. The new Agila city car and Corsa supermini also go on sale.

2002 — The all-new Vectra goes on sale, alongside a large hatchback badged as the Signum.

2003 — Vauxhall Omega production ends after nine years with no direct replacement, as does the Vauxhall Frontera after 12 years.

2004 — The fifth generation Vauxhall Astra goes on sale, and also spawns a new version of the Zafira, as well as a TwinTop Astra which doubles as a coupé and convertible.

2005 — The Vauxhall Vectra gets a facelift, receiving a new front-end design in line with the current Vauxhall/Opel design phase, and a new engine.

2006 — The third generation Vauxhall Corsa goes on sale, after having its world premier launch at the 2006 British International Motor Show at ExCeL London, and narrowly misses out on the European Car of the Year award.

2007 — Vauxhall's new 4x4 the Vauxhall Antara is set to be released in the July of the year. Vauxhall's powerful VXR8 that comes with 306 kilowatts (416 PS; 410 bhp).

2008 — Vauxhall begins rebranding with a modified corporate logo, no car sports the new badge until the launch of the Insignia, models will only change over as they are updated. Vauxhall Insignia is launched at the 2008 British International Motor Show at ExCeL London, replacing the Vectra. Vauxhall launch new Agila city car.

2009 — Vauxhall Astra all-new model launch

2010 — New Vauxhall Combo light van expected

2011 — The Vauxhall Ampera will be Vauxhall's first Electric Car