Vauxhall is to become a purely electric brand within six years by switching its entire line-up to battery power by 2028 — seven years ahead of the UK Government deadline, it announced this week.
The move covers both cars and vans. The firm said: ‘A further battery-electric model will follow by mid-decade in a new interpretation of the Manta.
And the successors of the Crossland and Insignia will also be electric.’
Driving force: Vauxhall is to become a purely electric brand within six years, with models like the pure electric Mokka-e (pictured)
The Manta will be a sporty affair, calling to mind the original Opel Manta, from Vauxhall’s German sibling, which sold as an Opel in the UK until the arrival of the second-generation Manta B in 1975, when it was rebadged as the Cavalier Sports Hatch and Coupe.
BMW boosted by superheroes
Superheroes are helping make engines for the world at BMW’s highly automated Hams Hall factory, in the Midlands which I visited this week.
The place is awash with robots doing high-precision work manufacturing award-winning three and four-cylinder petrol engines used in a range of BMWs and Minis sold globally — including the BMW 2- series Active Tourer and Mini hatch.
Forward thinking: BMW’s highly automated Hams Hall factory in the Midlands
Rather than rely on confusing names to match key parts to the machines, smart staff have substituted them with pictures of superheroes — Batman, Superman and Iron Man — so they can more easily glance and pair the right part with the right machine.
About a third of the 1,000-strong workforce have been there since the beginning, but the plant also takes on many new apprentices each year. Details at: bmwgroup.jobs/uk
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