Vauxhall 'could shut up to 100 UK dealerships', threatening thousands of jobs

Sales of Vauxhall cars have been waning across the UK: AFP/Getty

Up to 100 Vauxhall dealerships could be facing closure across the UK, threatening thousands of jobs, according to a media report.

Industry publication Automotive Management reported that Vauxhall owner PSA Group intends to cull up to a third of the brand’s 324 UK retail locations over the next year, threatening more than 3,800 jobs.

Vauxhall has faced an uphill battle since it was sold to PSA, the company that owns Peugeot and Citroën, last year. Previously it was owned by General Motors.

Back in October, PSA already said that it would cut about 400 jobs at Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port site and in January it said it would slash a further 250 roles.

Sales of Vauxhall cars have also been waning across the UK. According to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, cited by Automotive Management, Vauxhall sales declined by 22 per cent in 2017 and the brand ended the year with a market share of 7.8 per cent – dramatically down from the 14 per cent share it held in 2008.

In February PSA posted record profit and sales for 2017 but performance across its Opel division, of which Vauxhall is the British arm, lagged.

PSA was not immediately available for comment when contacted by The Independent on Thursday.