Vauxhall introduces an energy-saving monocoat paint process for the Grandland black roof at its Eisenach plant.

Key Takeaways

• Vauxhall has introduced a resource-saving monocoat paint process for the Grandland contrasting black roof.

• The Grandland is the first Stellantis model in Europe to adopt this innovative paint application method.

• The process reduces water usage by around 80,000 litres per month at the Eisenach plant in Germany.

• Annual carbon dioxide emissions at the plant are expected to fall by approximately 580 tonnes.

• Electricity and thermal energy requirements are reduced by 500kW and 150kW per production hour respectively.

• More than 550kg of the Grandland is constructed from recycled and regenerative raw materials.

• The Grandland finished third overall and was named the top mid-size SUV in the 2026 Auto Express Driver Power survey.

Overview

The Vauxhall Grandland now benefits from an innovative monocoat paint process for its standard contrasting black roof. This manufacturing update reduces the environmental impact of production at the Eisenach plant in Germany while maintaining a high-quality finish. The Grandland is available with a choice of fully electric, plug-in hybrid and hybrid powertrains.

Technical Changes and Paint Process Efficiency

Previously, the contrasting black roof finish on the Vauxhall Grandland required separate applications of a base coat and a clear coat, with additional drying stages between processes. The newly introduced monocoat method combines these two stages into a single operation. This eliminates an entire drying stage and reduces the total number of paint applications.

Environmental and Resource Impact

By streamlining the paint application, the Eisenach plant achieves significant resource savings. The monocoat process reduces water consumption by around 80,000 litres per month. Annual carbon dioxide emissions at the facility are expected to decrease by approximately 580 tonnes.

Energy requirements are also lowered, with electricity consumption reduced by 500kW per production hour and thermal energy requirements reduced by 150kW per production hour. Additionally, the streamlined process reduces the volume of waste products generated during manufacturing.

Sustainable Materials and Vehicle Construction

The paint process update aligns with the wider focus on sustainability throughout the development of the Grandland. More than 550kg of the vehicle is made from recycled and regenerative raw materials. Materials derived from recycled PET bottles are integrated into several interior areas, including the seats, door panels, dashboard and centre console.

Market Performance and Customer Satisfaction

The Vauxhall Grandland finished third overall in the 2026 Auto Express Driver Power customer satisfaction survey. It was also ranked as the top mid-size SUV in the same study, making it one of three Vauxhall models to place within the top 10.

Standards and Methodology

The environmental savings and energy reductions cited are measured at the Stellantis manufacturing plant in Eisenach, Germany. Customer satisfaction rankings are derived from the 2026 Auto Express Driver Power survey, which evaluates real-world vehicle ownership experiences in the UK.

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