Vauxhall cars in Ireland

supereurope

While looking through some newspapers from spring 1980 earlier, I came across this ad for the then brand-new Vauxhall Astra in the Sunday Independent of 20 April 1980. It came as a bit of a surprise to me to see that new Vauxhalls were sold here in 1980, especially since the Astra was almost identical to new Opel Kadett (which was advertised in the papers at the same time.)

So I'm curious now to find out:

• when did Vauxhall pull out of the Republic of Ireland, leaving Opel as the only GM brand in ROI?
• for anyone who was in the market for a car of this size, why would they have chosen the Kadett over the Astra (or vice-versa)? Were Vauxhalls cheaper, or better-equiped, or would some people have preferred to buy the German brand over the British one? What did Vauxhall offer to help them stand out?

From what I understand Vauxhall is Opel, something to do with a clash with the registered trademark of a pack of sweets in the UK called Opel. I know growing up I saw a 50/50 split between Opel's and Vauxhall's and the only difference was the badge on the front. I think Vauxhall just became known as a UK brand and Opel was always more popular here.

callaway92

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122298803#Comment_122298803

That doesn’t sound right. The sweets were Opal not Opel

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122298911#Comment_122298911

I'm a 90's child, I'll blame that one on the parent's 😂. Not the first thing they've misinformed me on but by far the funniest example.

colm_mcm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122298905#Comment_122298905

There’’s another exception too, the Opel Karl was called the Vauxhall Viva in the UK

supereurope

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122298905#Comment_122298905

Thanks, my guess was the early 1980s.

You mention the Speedster/VX220 name but there was a more recent example of Opel and Vauxhall choosing a different name for a new model - the short-lived Opel Karl was called the Vauxhall Viva in the UK (the original Viva was replaced by the Astra in the ad above.)

Marcusm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122298905#Comment_122298905

the Kadett name was dropped in favour of the Astra surely!

supereurope

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122299252#Comment_122299252

The only time the Vauxhall name was carried over to Opels. The Nova, Cavalier and Carlton all were replaced by the equivalent Opel name.

TheDriver

Was there a lotus omega or were they all Carltons?

Psychedelic Hedgehog

Yep, Lotus Omegas in Europe (don’t think any were ever sold here?)

Blue850

The Opel Manta was available in the UK until end of production in 1988, there had been a Vauxhall Cavalier Coupe equivalent but that was dropped as the Manta was more marketable with its rallying profile

horse7

Vauxhall is called Opel in Europe because that is where the cars are manufactured. While Vauxhall will make a few adjustments here and there, the overall design, for the most part, is identical. Yes, Vauxhall is a British brand, but the car itself is German.

Marcusm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122300919#Comment_122300919

I wouldn’t say it was that simple, for example Opel Astras and Corsas were built at the Elesmere Port plant.

Birka

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122298905#Comment_122298905

And the Vauxhall Royale….

supereurope

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122299505#Comment_122299505

Tbf, I don't think I ever saw a Karl/Viva…

Baseball72

I had the misfortune to buy a 2nd hand Vauxhall Viva in the late 70's…..