Alexander Wilson founded the company at 90–92 Wandsworth Road, Vauxhall, London, in 1857, initially as Alex Wilson and Company, building pumps and marine engines. Andrew Betts Brown purchased the company in 1863, renaming it "Vauxhall Iron Works" and beginning production of travelling cranes. The first Vauxhall car was built in 1903, a five-horsepower single-cylinder model steered with a tiller, featuring two forward gears but no reverse. Approximately 70 were made in the first year, with improvements including wheel steering and a reverse gear in 1904. A surviving 1903 model was displayed at the London Science Museum in 1968 and participated in the London-to-Brighton car run in 2018.
In 1905, production moved to Luton. The company was characterised by its sporting models, but designs became more austere after World War I. Laurence Pomeroy joined Vauxhall in 1906, and significantly influenced early car development. Following a holiday taken by the chief designer F. W. Hodges in 1907/8, Pomeroy designed an engine for the 1908 RAC and Scottish Reliability Trial, resulting in a successful performance. The Y-Type Y1 achieved outstanding results in the 1908 RAC and Scottish 2000 Mile Reliability Trials, demonstrating excellent hill-climbing ability and achieving an average speed of 46 mph around the Brooklands circuit. This success led to the production of the A09 car, which evolved into the A-Type, with four distinct types produced between 1908 and 1914, and one final A-Type assembled in 1920. The A-Type was capable of speeds up to 100 mph, and was considered one of the most acclaimed three-litre cars of its day.
Two cars were entered in the 1910 Prince Henry Trials, performing well and leading to the production of the C-type, known as the Prince Henry. During World War I, Vauxhall manufactured the D-type, a Prince Henry chassis with a derated engine, for use by British forces. After the 1918 armistice, the D-type continued in production alongside the sporting E-type. Pomeroy left in 1919, moving to the United States, and was replaced by C.E. King.
Following its acquisition by General Motors in 1925, Vauxhall shifted towards producing mid-market offerings, moving away from its earlier luxury focus. The introduction of the Cadet in 1930, a low-cost two-litre model, and the first Bedford truck in 1931 marked this change. The Light Six, launched in 1933, was a success, selling 26,000 units in just over 12 months, and led to the Luton factory operating on 24-hour shifts to meet demand. The D-type Light Six followed in 1934, featuring Dubonnet suspension.
In 1937, Vauxhall launched a completely new range of cars with the H-type 10-4, the first truly small Vauxhall in many years, featuring unibody construction. This was followed by the I-type 12-4 in 1938 and the J-type 14-6 in 1939. These models were well-received, but production was limited by the outbreak of World War II.
During World War II, car production at Luton was suspended, and the factory focused on producing the Churchill tank, assembling over 5,600 units. The plant also produced around 250,000 lorries for the war effort. In August 1940, a bombing raid killed 39 employees.
In 1957, Vauxhall launched the F-Type Victor, which achieved new sales records and became Britain's most exported car. The Victor’s styling closely resembled the 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air. The same year also saw the launch of the P-Type Velox and Cresta, featuring American-influenced styling.
During the 1960s, Vauxhall gained a reputation for cars prone to rust. In 1962, a manufacturing plant was opened in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire. The Viva, launched in 1963, was aimed at competing with the Ford Anglia. In 1967, Vauxhall received a Royal Warrant as Motor Vehicle Manufacturers to HM The Queen.
The 1970s saw Vauxhall struggling to compete with Ford and British Leyland. The Victor lost sales, and the company faced economic turmoil and increasing strike action. However, the launch of the Chevette in 1975 and the Cavalier in 1976 helped Vauxhall regain ground. By the end of the decade, Vauxhall had overtaken Austin as Britain's second-most popular carmaker.
The 1980s saw Vauxhall increasingly aligning with Opel, with models becoming largely rebadged Opels. The Astra, launched in 1980, was a rebadged Opel Kadett. The Cavalier was successful, becoming Britain's second-best selling car in 1984 and 1985. The Nova, launched in 1983, was also popular. Vauxhall won the "European Car of the Year" award in 1984 with the Astra Mk2 and again in 1987 with the Carlton.
In 1990, Vauxhall began preparing to launch the MK3 Astra and its first 4x4 vehicle. By 1999, Vauxhall was closer to Ford in sales figures than it had been in years, despite criticism in car surveys regarding build quality and reliability.
The 2000s saw Vauxhall launch models like the Monaro coupé and the Ampera extended-range electric vehicle, which won the "European Car of the Year" award in 2012. Production of cars ceased at the Luton plant in 2002, with production moving to Ellesmere Port. In 2009, a deal to sell Vauxhall and Opel to Magna International fell through, and General Motors decided to retain the brands.
In 2017, Vauxhall was sold to Groupe PSA. In 2021, Groupe PSA merged with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles to form Stellantis.
As of 2022, Vauxhall produces the Astra, Astra Sports Tourer, Corsa, Crossland, Grandland, Mokka, and Vivaro.
From the 1970s onwards, Vauxhall models became increasingly based on Opel designs, with a policy of badge engineering becoming common. This trend continued under Stellantis. Vauxhall also collaborated with Holden in Australia, with some models being based on Holden designs.
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