Ryton plant facts for kids
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Ryton Plant as seen in August 1994
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| Operated | 1939–2006 |
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| Location | Ryton-on-Dunsmore, UK |
| Coordinates | Lua error in Module:Coordinates at line 614: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). |
| Industry | Automotive |
| Products | Aircraft engines, automobile |
| Area | 140 acres (0.57 km2) |
| Owner(s) |
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| Defunct | 2007 |
The Ryton plant was a large factory in Ryton-on-Dunsmore, England. It used to make cars. The factory was first built in 1939 by the Rootes Group. It was a special "shadow factory" during World War II. This meant it was secretly set up to make aircraft engines for the war effort.
After the war, it became the main office for the Rootes Group. Later, it was taken over by big car companies like Chrysler Europe and then PSA Group. The factory closed down in December 2006. It was completely taken apart in November 2007. Now, other businesses use the land.
Contents
History of the Ryton Plant
Building a Shadow Factory
In 1936, the Air Ministry in Britain made a plan. They wanted to make more airplanes for the country's defense. This plan was called the Shadow factory plan. It was led by Herbert Austin. The idea was to build nine new factories. They also wanted to make existing car factories ready to switch to making aircraft parts quickly.
The Ryton factory was part of this plan. It was built between two main roads in Warwickshire. It started working in 1940, helping with the war.
From War Engines to Cars
After World War II ended, the Ryton factory changed. It became the main place for the Rootes Group. But in the 1960s, the Rootes Group had money problems. An American car company called Chrysler took over the factory. They also took over a French car maker called Simca.
Over time, the old Rootes car models were stopped. In 1976, Ryton started making the Chrysler Alpine. This car was based on a Simca design. Later, in 1981, they started making the Talbot Horizon. These cars were first made only in France. Ryton became like a second factory for the Simca plant in Poissy, France. They made the same cars.
New Owners and New Cars
Chrysler also faced money troubles. In 1978, they sold their European factories, including Ryton, to PSA Peugeot Citroën. Peugeot decided to use the old Talbot brand name for these cars. But sales went down, and Peugeot stopped using the Talbot name for passenger cars in the mid-1980s.
Even so, the Ryton factory was saved! Peugeot decided to make their own cars there. This was good news, especially since another factory, Linwood, had closed in 1981.
Peugeot started making the 309 car at Ryton in October 1985. They also made the 405 there by the end of 1987. These cars helped Peugeot sell many more cars in the United Kingdom.
Popular Models and Changes
By 1989, all 309 cars were made in France. But Ryton started making the 306 in late 1992. The 306 became even more popular than the 309. The 405 car was slowly stopped between 1995 and 1997. Its replacement, the 406, was made in France. For a while, the 306 was the only car made at Ryton.
In 1998, a second production line opened. They started making the 206. After 2001, when 306 production ended, the 206 was the only car made at Ryton. The 206 was the most successful Peugeot car made at this factory.
In January 2004, Peugeot announced that the new 207 would not be made at Ryton. This made people worry the factory might close.
The Factory Closes Down
In April 2006, Peugeot announced that the Ryton plant would close in July 2007. But then, in October 2006, they said it would close even sooner. The factory officially closed on December 12, 2006. The land, which was about 140 acres (0.57 km2), was sold to a company called Trenport Investments Ltd. They planned to use it for other industrial businesses. The factory buildings were completely taken down in November 2007.
In October 2012, Network Rail bought the site. They built a large center there to help move materials for railways. This center opened in 2013. Today, Jaguar Land Rover also has three manufacturing units on this site. They build prototype cars, classic cars, and special vehicles there. They often refer to the location as "Oxford Road" instead of "Ryton."
Images for kids
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Demolition of the plant, March 2008
