Luton - Case studies
Case Studies for Luton
General Motors & Vauxhall
Case Study: Luton’s association with GM and Vauxhall goes back over 100 years. General Motors’ Luton truck plant has announced record profits, illustrating the success of a company at the forefront of UK manufacturing.
These internationally recognised brands are leaders in the automotive industry, and Luton is now home to the successful Vivaro van, which GM is committed to producing in the town.
The highly skilled local workforce, together with significant investments in innovation and new technology, as well as an extensive and high-performing supply chain, means that the company is able to be a major player in both the local and national economy.
Founded in 1908 by William Durant, General Motors (GM) had previously been a manufacturer of horse-drawn vehicles in Michigan. Vauxhall Iron Works Co Ltd was established in 1897 in London to build marine engines, and Vauxhall Motors produced its first car in 1903. In December 1925, Vauxhall Motors became a wholly owned subsidiary of GM. By 1953, output was more than 100,000 vehicles a year for the first time, and the company built its one millionth vehicle.
"General Motors' UK headquarters is based in Luton as is the plant which produces the Vivaro van in a joint venture with Renault. It is highly regarded within GM for its productivity and high levels of product quality from a very skilled workforce and is set to play an increasingly important role within General Motors in Europe in the future. As one of the UK's oldest automotive manufacturers with a long Luton history, Vauxhall also enjoys a high level of support from the local community." - Bill Parfitt, Chairman, General Motors UK and Ireland
