Legacy of Opel Vivaro
The Opel Vivaro, marketed in the United Kingdom as the Vauxhall Vivaro, has been in continuous production since 2001 and represents a key model within the brand’s mid-size light commercial vehicle segment. Its origins are rooted in a collaboration between Opel and Renault, which led to the development of a shared platform for light-duty vans. During its first and second generations, the Vivaro remained technically aligned with the Renault Trafic, although both manufacturers offered the model under their own branding and market strategies. Over time, through three generations (Vivaro A, Vivaro B and Vivaro C), the vehicle transitioned from Renault-based engineering to the Stellantis EMP2 architecture, while consistently serving as a versatile solution available in both cargo and passenger variants for professional and fleet use. Opel/Vauxhall Vivaro: milestones and awardsThe first-generation Vivaro A entered the market in 2001, with production carried out at the IBC Vehicles facility in Luton, UK, alongside its Renault Trafic counterpart. By 2014, Opel had announced the production of 600,000 units and introduced the second-generation Vivaro B, which brought updated diesel powertrains while maintaining its technical connection to Renault. A turning point occurred in 2017 when Opel/Vauxhall became part of Groupe PSA, leading to the debut of Vivaro C in 2019. This generation adopted the EMP2 platform, aligning it with models such as the Peugeot Expert and Citroën Jumpy/Dispatch. The Vivaro has also received industry recognition, winning the International Van of the Year award in 2002 and again in 2021 for the fully electric Vivaro-e. Over the years, total production surpassed one million units, while the Luton plant achieved a milestone of 1.5 million vehicles based on the Vivaro platform by 2023.As detailed technical data such as dimensions and engine variants are available on separate pages, it is recommended to refer to them instead of duplicating specifications here: see Vivaro A technical specifications and Vivaro B technical specifications. The development history of the Opel/Vauxhall Vivaro reflects a broader strategy of platform sharing-first through cooperation with Renault (Vivaro A and B), and later within the Stellantis group (Vivaro C)-combined with extensive production expertise and multi-brand manufacturing. |
