Renault has said it would continue its light commercial vehicle partnership with General Motors’ Europe’s Opel/Vauxhall brands but would not answer questions relating to the move, in particular, the future of the UK plant currently making some versions.
The two automakers said they would collaborate on the next generation Opel/Vauxhall Vivaro and Renault Trafic models in a venture that dates back to the 1996 Renault Master-Opel/Vauxhall Movano van programme. Some variants were also built for Renault’s alliance partner Nissan but Nissan is withdrawing as it is developing its own models such as the NV200 van.
Go deeper with GlobalData
The renewed agreement covers only the next generation of the Opel Vivaro and Renault Trafic models, Renault said in a statement.
“There are many aspects of the project to discuss and agree. No further details regarding the product specification, investments or business arrangements will therefore be communicated at this point in time,” the automakers added.
That leaves unanswered the future of General Motors’ Luton plant in the UK which makes some Vivaro/Trafic models; the rest are assembled in Barcelona, Spain. GM has so far said only that it has guaranteed work for the plant until 2013.
Last June, Renault confirmed a new CV would be assembled in France but would not detail the model.
Both Renault and GM said only “no comment” when queried by just-auto on the latest announcement.
