It’s Viva Vivaro as Luton plant hits 600,000 milestone

Production at General Motors Manufacturing Luton plant has reached a significant milestone, with the plant’s 600,000th van rolling off the production line.

The Vauxhall Vivaro was handed over to BSkyB, one of GM UK’s biggest fleet customers.

The Vivaro is built in Luton under a joint venture between Vauxhall and Renault, which began in spring 2001. The factory produces all European specification low-roof versions of the Vivaro for the Vauxhall and Opel brands, as well as for Renault and Nissan.

Paul Staes, Plant Director of GMM Luton, said, “The success of the multi-award winning Vivaro is down to the hard work and dedication of our workforce.”

At GMM Luton total production for 2007 reached record levels of 95,030. The plant employs over 1,400 people in the Luton area, and is a significant contributor to both the British and local economies.

In 2007, Vauxhall sold over 53,000 vans in the UK – an all-time record. The Vivaro was also the UK's number one van for retail customers in September 2008.

GM is the largest manufacturer of commercial vehicles in the UK, building over 100,000 vans at Luton and its other UK plant at Ellesmere Port, Cheshire.