Vivaro Forever: The History of the Vauxhall Vivaro
Not many vans can claim to have gotten close to penetrating the UK sales dominance of the mighty Ford Transit over the past quarter-century, but the Vauxhall Vivaro has certainly gotten closer than most.
Indeed, more than 1.5 million examples of the Vivaro have been built, including many at Vauxhall’s UK-based Luton factory until it was shuttered in 2024.
This year sees the 25th anniversary of when the Vivaro nameplate was first inaugurated on a medium van that would go on to rival the Ford Transit (Custom), Renault Trafic and Mercedes-Benz Vito.
The history of Vauxhall in the commercial vehicle industry is a relatively recent one, at least under its own moniker.
Under the ownership of General Motors, Vauxhall (and its European equivalent, Opel) relied on its Bedford subsidiary to offer vans from the 1960s through to the 1980s.
It wasn’t until the 1994 Vauxhall Combo – a car-derived van based on the running gear of the Vauxhall Corsa – that the British marque embarked on a line of commercial vehicles wearing its own name.
The line-up expanded to the Vauxhall Arena – the Vivaro’s direct predecessor – in 1997 as part of a joint venture with Renault, while the larger Movano arrived a year later to fulfil its entry into the large van class.
However, the unveiling of the Opel Vivaro (to be named Vauxhall Vivaro in UK) would represent a sea-change for the manufacturer in the commercial industry when it was unveiled for the first time at the 2000 IAA Commercial Vehicles show.
Vauxhall Vivaro – First Generation (2000-2014)
Derived from the Renault Trafic, the Vauxhall Vivaro was a huge step forward over the Arena and became an instant hit with the motoring press, earning the International Van of the Year award in 2000 before winning it again just two years later in 2002.
Debuting the so-called ‘Jumbo Roof’, the domed cabin offered class-leading levels of headroom for passengers, making it a popular choice for ‘jump-in-and-out’ delivery drivers.
More than 20 versions of the Vivaro were made available – including different style panel vans and a Kombi model – with load size in the larger model exceeding six cubic metres, a feat that continues to be the standard in the class today.
Such is the enduring popularity of the first generation Vivaro that it continues to be built almost unchanged right up to 14 years, a production run that sees the manufacturer dabble in electric power for the first time with the e-Concept, as well as reveal concept models that included the luxury Vivaro Concept V that would be a precursor to the groundbreaking Vauxhall Zafira.
There was also the Vivaro VPC, which had a sporting makeover, and the Vivaro Surf Concept that showcased the sheer versatility of the model’s interior.
Vauxhall Vivaro – Second Generation (2014-2018)
The launch of the new Renault Trafic in 2014 sees the Vauxhall Vivaro follow suit on a platform that would also spawn the Nissan NV300, FIAT Talento and Mitsubishi Express for other markets.
Revealed to take on the Ford Transit Custom, the Vivaro 2 as it was referred to was larger and more practical than its predecessor, while it also featured a fresh new look.
However, it’s a model that wouldn’t enjoy anything close to the production run of the model it replaced thanks to ructions going on behind the scenes at Vauxhall/Opel.
Vauxhall Vivaro – Third Generation (2019-Current)
Indeed, 2019 would see a major shake-up in the motor industry with the news that the PSA Group (comprising at the time of Peugeot/Citroen) had agreed terms to purchase Opel/Vauxhall from General Motors.
The addition of Opel/Vauxhall to the PSA Group created one of the largest automotive companies in the world, a status that would only strengthen on the back of another major move to join forces with Chrysler-FIAT in 2022.
The merger saw the creation of the Stellantis Group, which – as of 2025 – now comprises FIAT, Chrysler, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Abarth, Jeep, RAM, Dodge, Peugeot, Citroen, DS, Maserati, Vauxhall/Opel and Leapmotor brands.
What this meant for the Vauxhall Vivaro was a severing of ties to erstwhile commercial vehicle partners Renault to instead base its vans on existing Peugeot/Citroen platforms.
As such, the third generation Vivaro was rushed out in 2019 in the wake of Vauxhall’s sale to PSA, based on the existing Citroen Dispatch and Peugeot Expert. Since the formation of Stellantis, this now also includes the FIAT Scudo.
Despite the major change of platform, joining PSA has seen the Vivaro grow its range significantly with the addition of the Vauxhall Vivaro Electric, featuring a 75kWh battery capable of 230-miles in range.
They are figures that subsequently encouraged judges to award the Vivaro Electric another International Van of the Year Award in 2022.
Since then, the Vivaro has established itself as one of the best-selling electric vans across the UK and Europe, strengthening its position in this country as the closest rival to the Ford Transit in terms of commercial vehicle sales.
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