Founding and Early Years

Scottish engineer Alexander Wilson established the company in Alexian Road (Vauxhall, London) in 1857 under the name Alex Wilson and Company.
In 1897, the business was renamed Vauxhall Iron Works. During these early years, the firm specialized in manufacturing marine engines and industrial pumps.

Transition to Automobile Manufacturing

In 1903, Vauxhall Iron Works produced its first motor car—a five-horsepower, single-cylinder model featuring tiller steering, two forward gears, and no reverse gear.
  • First-year production: Approximately 70 vehicles were manufactured in 1903.
  • 1904 updates: Design improvements were introduced, including a steering wheel and a reverse gear.

Expansion to Luton and Name Change

To accommodate growing production, the company relocated to a larger factory in Luton in 1905. While initially continuing to trade as Vauxhall Iron Works, it eventually adopted the name Vauxhall Motors.
The brand initially built a strong reputation for high-performance sporting models before shifting toward practical, mass-market designs in later decades.

World War II Contributions

During World War II, the Luton plant suspended civilian car production to support the war effort:
  • Churchill Tanks: Manufactured over 5,600 Churchill tanks despite frequent enemy bombing raids.
  • Military Lorries: Produced approximately 250,000 lorries in conjunction with the new Bedford plant in Dunstable.
  • Bedford Fleet: Bedford trucks and vans became a staple of commercial and military transport across the United Kingdom.

Post-War Expansion

Following the war, Vauxhall resumed passenger car production aimed at the mass consumer market, driving significant commercial growth.
In 1962, the company opened a major manufacturing facility at Ellesmere Port, Cheshire. Initially established to supply components back to Luton, the Ellesmere Port site began assembling complete passenger cars in 1964.

Modern Era

While Vauxhall cars in the late 20th century developed a common industry reputation for rust susceptibility, consumer sales remained consistently high. In 1991, the company consolidated its corporate operations by completing Griffin House, its long-time head office in Luton.