Peugeot chief: ‘We won’t break up Vauxhall’s classics’
A senior affiliate of Groupe PSA recently confirmed to Classic Car
Weekly that the Vauxhall heritage fleet will not be sold off.
Xavier Crespin, general director of the French conglomerate’s L’Aventure Peugeot heritage division, dismissed speculation that the collection of more than 60 cars, buses and trucks could be split up, following the announcement that its future is being weighed up in a 45-day consulation. He said: ‘ There is no question of breaking up the Vauxhall Heritage collection.’
The changes come as Groupe PSA reshapes Vauxhall for greater profitability. Consensus is that Vauxhall – and its heritage fleet – will remain in Luton, albeit elsewhere in the town. Heritage staff will not be made redundant and staff from Griffin House will carry on in their roles from a new office.
The company, which confirmed last week that its Griffin House site in Luton and the heritage collection based there is undergoing consultation, declined to comment further.
Insiders said that Vauxhall’s departure from Griffin House was scheduled before the sell-off to Groupe PSA. Peugeot itself recently moved its head office from central Paris to a new office within the capital’s suburbs.
Marque expert, Mike Humble, says: ‘ The factual news that the heritage fleet and its engineering support staff are safe is brilliant. But we need to appreciate and support the present too if we are to enjoy the heritage of tomorrow.’