Vauxhall boss teases new Corsa - a car for 'modest' buyers
Vauxhall’s managing director Stephen Norman has talked openly about the next-generation Corsa - and made it clear that the firm has no plans to move upmarket under PSA ownership.
Speaking to journalists at Vauxhall’s headquarters in Luton, Norman admitted that the current Corsa is 'a bit long in the tooth', but said the new model would take the popular Ford Fiesta rival forward by about three generations.
The new model will be revealed at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show in September, with an electric version returning a predicted range of around 250 miles available from launch.
“It’s a car that won’t upset your future mother in law but at the same time it’s a much sexier car than the cars you currently see from us," said Norman.
Sharing a platform with the Peugeot 208 - which will also be offered as an electric model - the new Corsa will be sold only as a five-door and isn't expected to be any bigger than the current car.
It also will stay true to the brand's modest values - something Norman, a former PSA Group chief, has made headlines for previously when he announced that the firm would continue to make ‘very good cars for modest people’.
Clarifying that statement, Norman said: “When I say that Vauxhall is a car for the modest man or the modest woman, that doesn’t mean modest in terms of intellect or in terms of revenue,” he said.
“It just means someone who doesn’t need a Range Rover Evoque to get between the sheets at night.”
After the launch of the new Corsa in 2019, a small crossover version will follow in 2020. But how will that fit in with the Crossland and Mokka models?
“The common sense will come as the future product strategy evolves,” said Norman.
Vauxhall is on target to register 205,000 cars in the UK in 2018, and Norman expects that to be matched in 2019 - subject to a soft Brexit. The firm also plans to target retail customers and move away from low-profit business sales.
Harrovian on 17 December 2018
Despite Vauxhall's somewhat misleading adverts about how British they are, the fact is that excepting British built Astra and the vans these are simply another imported car.What a shame that Vauxhall do not return manufacturing to the UK so that they are really 'Drool Britannia' as their advert says
peerlessgt on 18 December 2018
VAUXHALL..?? BRITISH..?? since when, they were bought out by GM (usa) in 1925 and now toPeugeot in 2017 the last decent car vauxhall made was the 'prince henry' check that... they are utter garbage . the 'coarsa' (sic) especially so. I have advised friends against voxes, but they go ahead... always same result, breakdowns, bits fall off, burn oil, just a 'throwaway car' but, before you use it, not after... I recently saw an advert for Coarsa with wifi in it..... wifi... 2.4ghz, ( same as your microwave oven, where you are supposed never to put metal in it, ) now has a microwave transmitter in a metal box... just fry your brains kids.... madness...Husbandofstinky on 19 December 2018
Not a massive fan of vauxhall's either, but I wouldn't particularly slaughter them especially unjustifiably.
I admit they are bread and butter, no thrills motors and whilst they are below average on the reliabilty stakes (behind Ford and way behind the Japanese and Korean leaders), most reliability indices will show that many perceived premium brands to be firmly rooted in the relegation zone, Jaguar Land Rover, Audi and BMW to name but a few consistently.
Reliability indices do vary, but review a few of them first before butchering the brand.
Would I buy a Vauxhall? It would be highly unlikely as there are better motors out there imo.
Roy Fuller on 7 May 2019
Vauxhall aren't all bad. Cheap to buy and cheap to fix. I heard some disappointing news, that the Viva is going to be dropped under PSA. It's a shame, because at last Vauxhall have made something true to their own values, and designed and built in the far East it's far superior to what they produce in Europe. Rebadged Peugeot and Citroen models will always be inferior.on 4 July 2019
I have a Zafira tourer, my wife has a viva, both cars give a good account of themselves, my tourer is very comfortable to drive, essential to me. My wife's viva is nippy and very economical. They do their respective jobs admirably.We have had no problems with the cars.
Tony Mahon on 1 August 2019
I can speak with some knowledge having had various marques of the Astra since 1996. My latest Astra ( a current model having a 1.4 Turbo producing 148 bhp ) is the best that I have ever owned but none of them has given me more than minor problems. I buy my cars from an independent dealer and are usually just over a year old. There is a lot of snobbishness about not buying a Vauxhall but my experience has been positive. I think one reason why Vauxhall's are not valued has been the policy of heavy discounting which makes people think that they are not worth much. A good reason to buy a year old one which will have had the biggest hit taken by someone else.Yes it is a shame that few cars ( any? ) are truly British but how British do you consider Ford to be ?
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