The first Briton to take over at the helm of the company for 30 years, Reilly (46) has succeeded Charles Golden, who shocked the company by resigning the post and joining pharmaceuticals company Eli Lilly in the United States as executive vice-president and chief financial officer. Vauxhall fleet director Mike Bonner said: 'When he was manufacturing director of Vauxhall's Astra plant and V6 engine plant at Ellesmere Port he went out of his way to meet up with a number of fleet operators and he showed a great interest in fleet business. A number of fleet operators will remember him and from a fleet operators viewpoint his appointment is tremendous news.'

The last British executive to hold the top Vauxhall post was William Swallow back in 1965. Geoffrey Moore was chairman in 1979 but he reported to Ferdie Beikler, a German, who was president and managing director.