Ryton plant
Encyclopedia
The Ryton plant is a former car manufacturing plant located in Ryton-on-Dunsmore
, Warwickshire
, England. Developed by the Rootes Group as a shadow factory in 1940 to produce aircraft engines for World War II
, post war it became the headquarters of the group. Taken over eventually by Peugeot
, it shut in 2006, and has subsequently been redeveloped.
in 1936, the Shadow factory plan headed up by Herbert Austin
, aimed to increase production capacity in the British aircraft industry. The plan required the construction and development of nine new factories, and investment in the expansion or the capability of the United Kingdom's existing motor vehicle manufacturing plants, to enable them to more quickly turn to aircraft production.
Situated between the A45
(on the north-east) and the A423
(on the south-west) in Warwickshire
, the factory became operational from 1940.
After the war the site became the headquarters of the Rootes Group, but when the organisation entered financial difficulties in the 1960s the company (in stages) and thus the plant were taken over by American car-making giant Chrysler
. Chrysler itself entered financial difficulties and sold the plant for a symbolic US$1.00 to PSA Peugeot Citroën
in 1978.
Peugeot started building their 309
model there on 28 October 1985, and by the end of 1987 it had been joined by the 405
. When 309 production ceased in early 1993, the 306
took its place and for a while was the mainstay of production after the 405's demise in the autumn of 1995. The second production line was revived over the summer of 1998 with the commencement of 206
production, and the 206 was the only car produced at the plant after the end of 306 production in the spring of 2001.
Ryton-on-Dunsmore
Ryton-on-Dunsmore is a village and civil parish in the Rugby district of Warwickshire, and is south-east of Coventry, England. The 2001 census recorded a population of 1,672 in the parish. The A45 dual carriageway passes through the village....
, Warwickshire
Warwickshire
Warwickshire is a landlocked non-metropolitan county in the West Midlands region of England. The county town is Warwick, although the largest town is Nuneaton. The county is famous for being the birthplace of William Shakespeare...
, England. Developed by the Rootes Group as a shadow factory in 1940 to produce aircraft engines for World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, post war it became the headquarters of the group. Taken over eventually by Peugeot
Peugeot
Peugeot is a major French car brand, part of PSA Peugeot Citroën, the second largest carmaker based in Europe.The family business that precedes the current Peugeot company was founded in 1810, and manufactured coffee mills and bicycles. On 20 November 1858, Emile Peugeot applied for the lion...
, it shut in 2006, and has subsequently been redeveloped.
Shadow factory
Under plans developed by the Air MinistryAir Ministry
The Air Ministry was a department of the British Government with the responsibility of managing the affairs of the Royal Air Force, that existed from 1918 to 1964...
in 1936, the Shadow factory plan headed up by Herbert Austin
Herbert Austin
Herbert 'Pa' Austin, 1st Baron Austin KBE was an English automobile designer and builder who founded the Austin Motor Company.-Background and early life:...
, aimed to increase production capacity in the British aircraft industry. The plan required the construction and development of nine new factories, and investment in the expansion or the capability of the United Kingdom's existing motor vehicle manufacturing plants, to enable them to more quickly turn to aircraft production.
Situated between the A45
A45 road
The A45 is a major road in England. It runs east from Birmingham past the National Exhibition Centre and the M42, then bypasses Coventry and Rugby, where it briefly merges with the M45 until it continues to Daventry...
(on the north-east) and the A423
A423 road
The A423 road is a primary A road in England which leads from central Banbury to the A45 near Coventry. It starts in Banbury town centre as Southam Road and goes through the Southam Road Industrial Estate, then just north of Banbury it crosses over the M40, from there it passes close to several...
(on the south-west) in Warwickshire
Warwickshire
Warwickshire is a landlocked non-metropolitan county in the West Midlands region of England. The county town is Warwick, although the largest town is Nuneaton. The county is famous for being the birthplace of William Shakespeare...
, the factory became operational from 1940.
Post war
Chrysler
Chrysler Group LLC is a multinational automaker headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA. Chrysler was first organized as the Chrysler Corporation in 1925....
. Chrysler itself entered financial difficulties and sold the plant for a symbolic US$1.00 to PSA Peugeot Citroën
PSA Peugeot Citroën
PSA Peugeot Citroën is a French manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles sold under the Peugeot and Citroën marques. Headquartered in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, PSA is the second largest automaker based in Europe and the number eight in the world.-History:In December 1974 Peugeot S.A....
in 1978.
Peugeot started building their 309
Peugeot 309
The Peugeot 309 was a small family car manufactured between 1985 and 1993 in England and France.The 309 was originally intended to be badged as a Talbot and, as development progressed, to be called the Talbot Arizona...
model there on 28 October 1985, and by the end of 1987 it had been joined by the 405
Peugeot 405
The Peugeot 405 is a large family car released by the French automaker Peugeot in July 1987 and which continues to be manufactured under licence outside France. It used TU/XU petrol and XUD diesel engines....
. When 309 production ceased in early 1993, the 306
Peugeot 306
The Peugeot 306 is a small family car built by the French car manufacturer Peugeot from 1993 to 2002 replacing the 309. Peugeot gave the 306 many updates and aesthetic changes to keep up the competition but it was replaced by the 307 in 2001. Cabriolet and estate versions continued until 2002...
took its place and for a while was the mainstay of production after the 405's demise in the autumn of 1995. The second production line was revived over the summer of 1998 with the commencement of 206
Peugeot 206
The Peugeot 206 is a supermini car, manufactured by the French automaker Peugeot from 1998 to 2010.Even though the 206 has finished production in most markets as of 2010, in Europe since 2009, it is available the 206+, with a back and especially a front design that resembles the Peugeot 207.-The...
production, and the 206 was the only car produced at the plant after the end of 306 production in the spring of 2001.