Production at General Motors’ Manufacturing Luton plant has reached a significant milestone, with the plant’s half-millionth van rolling off the production line.

The bright red Vauxhall Vivaro SWB panel van was the 500,000th vehicle produced at the GMM Luton plant under a joint manufacturing agreement established in 2001, which sees GM building all European specification low-roof versions of the Vivaro in both Vauxhall and Opel guise, as well as for the Renault and Nissan brands.

The high demand for the van makes GMM Luton Britain’s largest light commercial vehicle manufacturer, with total production for 2006 reaching 89,065.   The plant employs over 1,700 people in the Luton area, and is a significant contributor to both the British and local economies.

Donna Sanford, Plant Director of GMM Luton, said, “The recent success of the multi-award winning Vivaro is down to the hard work and dedication of our workforce – and this milestone shows just how successful the van has been in the market.”

Total production for 2007 is expected to see the site’s biggest year yet for the Vivaro and its variants, following a boost in popularity helped by some model enhancements and new engines in 2006.

Vivaro is one of Europe’s most successful vans, with recent honours including best medium van at the Van Fleet World Awards, Van of the Year 2006 from Professional Van and Light Truck magazine and best medium-sized panel van from What Van?