The Vauxhall dynasty of the Cavalier was finally replaced in the UK with the Vectra in 1995. Prior to this Vectra A, the first model, had been badged as a third generation Cavalier, whereas Opel (the European sister company to Vauxhall under General Motors at the time) had been using the name Vectra since 1988.

By 2000 the 750,000th Vectra had been built, but in that same year it was announced that production of the car would come to an end at Luton, the plant that had built Vectras in the UK since its inception. Weaker demand for the car was blamed, probably the fall-out from unflattering reviews in the press including being named the least satisfying car to own in Britain in a 1998 customer satisfaction poll.

In 2002 the next generation Vectra production was moved to Ellesmere Port which continued until 2010. This car is the Vectra B and is the last Vectra to come off the line at Luton. It was given the final chassis number from the Luton plant.