Vauxhall / Opel

Vauxhall and Opel are two automobile brands that were historically separate but have been closely related for many years.

Opel is a German automobile manufacturer that was founded in 1862 and is headquartered in Rüsselsheim, Germany. It is one of the oldest car manufacturers in the world and has produced a wide range of vehicles, including cars, vans, and commercial vehicles. Opel has had a significant presence in Europe and other markets, offering a variety of models to cater to different customer segments.

Vauxhall, on the other hand, is a British automobile manufacturer that was founded in 1857 and is headquartered in Luton, England. Vauxhall has a long history of producing cars and commercial vehicles primarily for the British market. Over the years, Vauxhall has been a subsidiary of various companies, including General Motors (GM), which acquired a majority stake in the company in 1925.

In terms of the relationship between Opel and Vauxhall, GM integrated the two brands closely and shared platforms and technologies between them. Many Opel models were rebadged and sold as Vauxhall vehicles in the United Kingdom, and vice versa. The aim was to maximize economies of scale and cost efficiencies by consolidating engineering, manufacturing, and other operations.