Vauxhall ​Plant in Luton Closes ​After 120 Years, Transitioning to Industrial Park

LUTON, England (AP) ⁤— Production has ceased at the Vauxhall plant in Luton after 120 years of operation, marking the end of an era for⁤ the‍ British automotive manufacturer.‌ The factory is slated to be redeveloped into an industrial park.

End of Production Amidst Electrification Push

The closure comes as⁤ the automotive industry grapples with the ⁣shift⁣ toward electric vehicles. While electric vehicles offer certain advantages, the transition has presented ⁣challenges for some⁢ manufacturers.

The plant, ⁤which recently produced electric versions of vans like the ‌Vivaro, faced lower-than-anticipated demand, leading to the decision‍ to cease operations. The proclamation of ⁤the closure was initially made last November.

Stellantis’ restructuring

Stellantis, the parent company of Vauxhall, confirmed ⁤in⁢ February its plans to close the Luton factory. The final ‍vehicle, a Vivaro ⁤van, rolled off​ the assembly line ​on March 28, marking the end of production at the⁣ site.

The factory will be shuttered this month, with equipment being transferred to another Stellantis facility in⁣ Ellesmere port.While a few hundred of the 1,100 current employees‌ are expected to⁣ be relocated, the majority will lose their jobs.

Future of the Site

According to Autocar, the Luton site has ⁢been sold and will be converted into an industrial park. The redevelopment could potentially offer new ⁣employment opportunities‌ for some local residents.

Local impact

The closure has had‍ a significant impact on⁢ the local community, ‌with Luton Today reporting on the emotional‌ reactions of workers who described the factory as a ‌vital part of ⁤the local culture.

Dutch car manufacturer ​Donkervoort is moving ‍away from Audi engines after 29 years,‌ joining a​ growing trend of companies seeking alternatives amid Audi’s changing direction.

While the Netherlands may ⁢not⁣ be considered a major⁤ automotive superpower, it boasts a vibrant car culture and a history of niche automotive ‌manufacturers.

Spyker is‌ perhaps the most well-known, initially famous for⁤ models like the‍ C8 and C12, but later associated with the Saab acquisition. Despite repeated bankruptcies⁤ and rescue ⁤attempts, the brand’s future remains ‍uncertain.

Donkervoort, founded in 1978,‌ also stands out. Initially focused on importing‌ and selling‌ Kit Cars,⁤ founder ⁣Joop Donkervoort began producing his own vehicles inspired by the ⁢Lotus 7.The ‌company initially used Ford engines before ​switching to Audi’s five-cylinder engine in‌ 1996. Their ideology has always been “no compromises,” prioritizing⁤ a raw driving experience without ‍electronic aids.

Donkervoort recently announced the P24 RS, a “brand new ⁤innovation” driven ⁤by changes under the hood.‌ Audi’s shift towards becoming an all-electric brand clashes with Donkervoort’s preferences, notably regarding the iconic 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder ​engine, now ​primarily found in the RS3. Models like the TT,‌ wich also used‌ the engine, have been⁢ discontinued,‌ and the RS Q3 is currently unavailable.

Citing​ this shift,Donkervoort will explore using either its own engines or ⁤modified engines from another supplier. Details remain scarce,but the company claims​ the P24‌ RS will outperform the existing F22.⁤ The F22’s Audi-sourced five-cylinder engine produced ⁤500 ‍horsepower in a chassis weighing ​just ‍1,578‍ pounds, resulting in a power-to-weight ratio of‌ 698 hp per ⁢ton,⁣ exceeding even the Bugatti Veyron. This allows the F22 to accelerate to 60 mph ⁣in 2.5 seconds, with a top speed of 180 mph.

The new model will‍ continue Donkervoort’s tradition of naming cars⁤ after family members. The S8A was ​named ⁢after Joop’s daughter, Amber, ⁣and the D8 after his ⁢son, Denis. Since 2021, the F22 ⁣is named after his daughter Filippa, born⁢ in ⁤2022, ​and ⁣the P24 references his second daughter, Phebe, ⁤born last year.

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