Stellantis announces it will begin production of multiple brand medium-sized battery-electric vans at its historic Vauxhall light-commercial-vehicle plant in Luton, England.
Limited production is slated to begin at the factory in the first half of 2025, making the facility the second Stellantis plant in the U.K. to manufacture BEVs. It joins BEV production at Ellesmere Port, which in 2023 became Stellantis’s first electric-only volume U.K. manufacturing plant.
The plant just north of Luton will produce the Vauxhall Vivaro Electric, Opel Vivaro Electric, Peugeot E-Expert, Citroën ë-Dispatch and Fiat Professional E-Scudo. While the plant will manufacture predominantly for the British right-hand-drive market, it will also be able to export to left-hand-drive markets. Production of the equivalent internal-combustion-engine vans will continue alongside the electric versions.
Opened in 1905, Luton has been home to Vauxhall models and next year celebrates its 120-year anniversary. The first commercial vehicles were assembled at the plant in 1932, with panel vans VYC and VXC the first to roll off the production line.
Since then, Luton has continued to produce a range of popular commercial vehicles for Vauxhall. In 2001, production of the Vivaro began, which has recently had some major enhancements as part of a wider refresh of the entire Stellantis light-commercial-vehicle line. The plant also manufactures sister Stellantis models for Peugeot, Citroën, Opel and Fiat Professional.
Maria Grazia Davino, group managing director, Stellantis U.K., says: “Whilst this decision demonstrates Stellantis’ confidence in the plant, this first step in its redevelopment towards a fully electric future requires the U.K. government to stimulate more demand in the electric-vehicle market and support manufacturers that invest in the U.K. for a sustainable transition.”
