Renault and Vauxhall confirm Trafic/Vivaro production

Renault and Vauxhall have confirmed that the production location of the next generation Trafic/Vivaro model which is scheduled to start in 2013.

Vauxhall will build the new Vivaro at its plant in Luton. The van will also retail as the Opel Vivaro in mainland Europe.

Meanwhile Renault will produce the Trafic at a plant in Sandouville along with a next generation of the H2 (high roof) version of Opel/Vauxhall Vivaro. As announced previously, the production of this new van in Sandouville plant is expected to reach 100,000 units/year once all versions have been launched.

Today’s announcement follows the joint announcement between Opel/Vauxhall and Renault in September 2010, when both companies agreed to continue their successful cooperation in the Light Commercial Vehicle segment which has given birth to the two identical vehicles.

This cooperation goes back to 1996 when the first generation of the Opel/Vauxhall Movano and Renault Master program was announced. Since then, the cooperation expanded to include Vivaro/Trafic.  In  2010, this new second generation of the Renault Master & Opel/Vauxhall Movano Van program was successfully launched with an extended model range including rear wheel drive versions and a number of factory produced specially converted vehicles.

The current Vivaro and Trafic models were first produced in 2001, and by the end of 2010 Opel Vauxhall and Renault had built over 1.25 million Trafic and Vivaro. While the sister models are being jointly developed and produced in Opel/Vauxhall and Renault-Nissan plants, they are independently marketed and sold through the respective brand distribution channels.

Author: Faye Sunderland, March 25th, 2011
Filed under: Renault, Vauxhall | No Comments »