New managing director revealed for Vauxhall

Stellantis has appointed a new managing director for Vauxhall, filling a vacancy left by the exit of James Taylor to Nissan.

The company has tempted back Steve Catlin, who started his career with Vauxhall but spent the last decade working in senior management roles with other car brands, including Audi, Seat and most recently Volvo Car Financial Services.

Catlin, who had risen to the role of retail sales director at Vauxhall before he left the business in 2015, said: "It’s great to be back working with Vauxhall, which has always been a brand close to my heart.

"A lot has changed since I was last here and not just the décor, but the motor industry as a whole. However, Vauxhall has always stood for practical innovation with a distinctly British voice.

"Now, with a fully electric line-up and a clear sense of purpose, it’s a brilliant time to be part of the journey. I’m looking forward to building on the progress we’ve made and the exciting road ahead."

When Catlin was last at Vauxhall it still operated from its Griffin House headquarters in Luton, which it left in 2019 to relocate alongside fellow group brands Peugeot and Citroen.

Eurig Druce, group managing director, Stellantis UK, said: "Steve brings deep experience across the industry and a strong understanding of Vauxhall’s role in shaping the future of British mobility. Vauxhall, a home brand for Stellantis UK, must return to growth and I am confident Steve will lead the teams in a positive trajectory."

In 2024, Vauxhall sold over 15,000 electric vehicles, becoming the leading electric brand across the Stellantis UK franchised dealer network.

However its 2024 full year registrations totalled 78,895 units, giving it a 4.04% share of the UK's new car market, down from 5.3% the previous year. It was outsold narrowly by MG, and market leader Volkswagen sold two cars for every one Vauxhall.

Since the end of 2024, Vauxhall has offered a fully electric version of every model in its car and van line-up.

It is the UK’s best-selling electric light commercial vehicle manufacturer, with more than 17,000 electric vans on the road wearing the Griffin logo, while among its passenger car line-up, the Corsa Electric is the UK’s best-selling electric supermini currently.