British automotive manufacturing is powering into the “next chapter” as Vauxhall and Made in Britain renew their partnership to champion UK production.
As part of Vauxhall’s new ‘Brit’s What We Do’ campaign, the iconic British automotive brand is to proudly display the Made in Britain trademark on the rear of its British-built Combo Electric van.
It is the second time that an automotive manufacturer has displayed the mark, which first featured on the Vauxhall Vivaro between 2016 and 2025.
Following a £100m transformation in 2023, Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port factory in Cheshire became the UK’s first EV-only automotive manufacturing plant. The plant, which has been manufacturing Vauxhalls since 1964, now features a battery pack assembly shop and a fully updated general assembly line to optimise energy efficiency and productivity, while a brand-new assembly line for the production of medium-sized vans is under construction.
Our new ‘Brit’s What We Do’ campaign celebrates our British roots, our loyal customers, and our pride in British manufacturing, featuring the Made in Britain trademark on our Combo Electric van.
Eurig Druce, Managing Director, Vauxhall and Stellantis UK Group
The plant’s transformation also introduces an energy-efficient ‘4-wet’ paint application process and an on-site combined heat and power (CHP) plant designed to actively lower emissions, while working towards future carbon neutrality through solar and wind power alongside the HyNet North West Hydrogen Pipeline. The strategic coastal location of the plant also enables a new shipping route between Ellesmere Port and mainland Europe to take an estimated 14,700 lorry journeys off the roads, with a 30% reduction in CO2 emissions.
With the first Made in Britain branded Combo Electric vans now rolling off the production line, Vauxhall’s new ‘Brit’s What We Do’ campaign celebrates the latest chapter in British manufacturing history spanning generations.
Eurig Druce, Vauxhall Managing Director and Stellantis UK Group Managing Director, said: “Vauxhall has a proud history of British manufacturing – the longest-running vehicle manufacturer continually producing vehicles in the UK – and has been mobilising the nation for more than 120 years. Our new ‘Brit’s What We Do’ campaign celebrates our British roots, our loyal customers, and our pride in British manufacturing, featuring the Made in Britain trademark on our Combo Electric van.
By building the Combo Electric here in the UK, Vauxhall and Stellantis are continuing their long-standing commitment to British manufacturing. It’s also proof of the skill, expertise, passion and innovation that characterises UK industry.
John Pearce, CEO, Made in Britain
“Bringing the Made in Britain trademark to our Combo Electric van celebrates the expertise of the men and women from our Ellesmere Port plant and reflects the important role British manufacturing can play in the transition to electric vehicles, and our commitment to producing commercial vehicles here in the UK. We’re pleased to continue our relationship with Made in Britain as we look towards the next chapter of British automotive manufacturing.”
With more than 188,000 people directly employed in British automotive manufacturing, the industry remains a significant contributor to the national economy.
The collaboration is underpinned by research which demonstrates the commercial value of identifying British-manufactured products. According to a 2026 YouGov survey commissioned by Made in Britain, 70% of British consumers are more likely to buy a product displaying the official trademark, up from 44% in 2025.
On visiting the Stellantis Ellesmere Port Manufacturing Plant to see the first vehicles to be fitted with the Made in Britain trademark, John Pearce, CEO of Made in Britain, said: “By building the Combo Electric here in the UK, Vauxhall and Stellantis are continuing their long-standing commitment to British manufacturing. It’s also proof of the skill, expertise, passion and innovation that characterises UK industry.
“As the UK’s first 100% EV-only volume manufacturing plant, Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port facility plays a huge role in supporting the local community and the national economy, employing more than 1,000 people.
“Buying British is a clear preference for most consumers because, as well as supporting jobs and livelihoods here, British-made products are associated with sustainability, ethics and quality. Through Vauxhall’s Made in Britain-backed ‘Brit’s What We Do’ campaign, we’re making it easier for people to spot products that are genuinely British and support UK manufacturing.
“I’m very proud that Vauxhall’s electric vans will proudly display the Made in Britain trademark as both a badge of honour and a clear reminder to everyone that Britain’s automotive industry is fully charged and ready to go.”
The renewed collaboration between Vauxhall and Made in Britain comes as figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reveal that electrified vehicles accounted for a record 41.7% of British car production in 2025. Almost 300,000 battery-electric, plug-in hybrid and hybrid cars were manufactured in the UK, an increase of 8.3% on the previous year.
Demand for electric commercial vehicles is also growing. Registrations of battery-electric vans and other light commercial vehicles increased by 23.7% during the first nine months of 2026, reaching 27,359. September alone saw a record 4,832 registrations.
With the transition to electric transport gathering pace, the partnership highlights the opportunities for British manufacturers to retain vital industrial expertise while developing the technologies that will keep businesses moving for decades to come.
As Britain’s automotive industry embraces electrification, the partnership will help ensure that the expertise behind British-built vehicles remains visible to the businesses and tradespeople who rely on them, with the official Made in Britain trademark serving as a recognised symbol of homegrown manufacturing.
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