As car users, all we have to do is fill up our petrol tanks, maintain our vehicles to a safe standard and ensure our short term European breakdown cover - or whichever cover suits - is up to date. But behind the scenes, the businesses that produce our beloved motorcars have to deal with a rather more drama in order to keep the production lines going. Next up in this procession, is Vauxhall.
Rumours that Vauxhall/Opel may be up for sale have surfaced recently, prompting a great deal of noise from the motoring industry as to the future of the car brand. But the chairman of Vauxhall/Opel, Nick Reilly, appears to have indirectly rubbished the rumours, pointing out the company’s successes in the fields of engineering and developing new products – and not forgetting, of course, profitability.
Nick Reilly and those associated with Vauxhall are under strict stock market regulations, whereby they are not permitted to comment directly on rumours such as this. But the words used by Mr Reilly in recent days strongly suggest there is no basis to the reports which appeared in Germany – where a large proportion of Vauxhall/Opel’s manufacturing is carried out, albeit producing the Opel side of the subsidiary.
The rumours have perhaps received more note from the press because US-based General Motors, which has owned the company since 1925, was seriously considering selling the subsidiary in 2009, when the company was in trouble – alongside many other car makers around the world at the time. But since then the firm has bounced back with a range of popular models that have sold well both in Europe and further afield.
Vauxhall (as distinct from Opel with which it was merged later) started out as a pump manufacturer in 1857, and started producing cars in 1903. Whilst thought of as a very British brand, it has in fact been in the hands of America’s GM for most of its life, so any sale would be quite historic.
Mr Reilly is keen to point out Vauxhall’s forthcoming products, particularly the launch of the Astra GTC later on this year, following which Vauxhall lovers will be enticed by Astra coupe and cabriolet models. In addition, the Zafira and Ampera will go on sale next year. The company is also planning two new city cars.