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Vauxhall feature

In 2007 Vauxhall cemented its position as the leading automobile manufacturer on the market, after announcing record sales.

In November 2007, Vauxhall accounted for a total share of 14.95 per cent of the automobile market, which was a 1.62 per cent increase compared with the same period in 2006.

Furthermore, its cars were the most popular choice for both fleet and retail customers, illustrating the brand's versatility.

Vauxhall managing director, Bill Parfitt, said: "To be number one again in October shows how hard we have worked to drive sales over the past few years – our efforts are paying off, and this is no more evident than in the private retail sector, where customers are spending their own money.

"To be in first position here is a real achievement."

In 2007, Vauxhall sold over 53,000 vans to its customers, which was a record for the firm.

Last month its car-derived van the Astravan picked up a prestigious award at this year's Van and Light Truck Awards.

The British-built vehicle won the best car-derived van category, after already receiving praise in the Motor Tester's Choice awards 2007 and being named the What Van? Editor's  Choice in 2007.

Editor of PV magazine, which runs the Van and Light Truck Awards, Tim Campbell commented on Vauxhall's win.

Mr Campbell said: "From over 90 vans assessed, the Astravan excelled among its rivals for its all-round ability and larger than average size, making it a very worthy winner."

Vauxhall manufactured its first van – the Bedford Beagle – in 1964. The Bedford Beagle was an estate car-conversion, designed to give the driver more space.

When it was introduced in 1964 it featured a 1057cc engine and boasted a top speed of 72 miles per hour.

Since then, Vauxhall has launched a whole array of vans and at the Commercial Vehicle show this year it unveiled a trio of concept vehicles.

It showcased its 'Black editions', which featured its Corsavan, Astravan and Vivaro finished in pearlescent paint.

Black edition vans are designed to showcase the manufacturer's vehicles' stylish design and these models boasted a few extra features, such as 17-inch Sports Star alloy wheels, which show what "can be done by applying a little extra style".

Vauxhall's latest van, the Movano Luton, named after its headquarters, was also at the show.

Based on a chassis cab, the Movano Luton has a payload of 1.358 kilograms and offers a total volume to the driver of 17.2 cubic metres – a space Vauxhall describes as "cavernous".

The Movano Luton follows in the footsteps of a range of popular vans manufactured by Vauxhall, such as the Corsavan.

Boasting a maximum payload of 550 kilograms, the Corsavan has a sporty appearance and is aimed at image-conscious business people with a need to transport a load during their working day.

It comes with a 12-volt electrical socket, an electrically controlled coolant temperature gauge and a high-level LED centre break light.

For those looking for a vehicle with a little more space, the Astravan might be a better option. The vehicle has a payload of 650 kilograms and a maximum load area width of 1,376 millimetres.

Its loading height is 591 millimetres and its maximum load space volume is 1.58 cubic metres.

Bigger still is the Vauxhall Combo, which provides the owner with the option of additional seating, creating a five-seat dual-purpose vehicle.

The Combo has a maximum payload of 803 kilograms, a load space volume of 3.2 cubic metres and sliding side-access doors, which have a 620 millimetre aperture width.

Finally, the king of Vauxhall's van family is the Vivaro. With a payload ranging between 2,043 kilograms and 1,271 kilograms, the van is perfectly designed for builders or businesses that need to transport a large quantity of goods.

Easy access to the load is provided by sliding doors, which have an aperture width of 1,285 millimetres, and the width between its wheel arches is 1,268 millimetres.