When looking to buy a new car, you will certainly want to check online for a suitable Vauxhall review, but what it may not tell you is just how far the business has come in the century and a half since its inception.

The brand was originally called Alex Wilson after its creator, but quickly became Vauxhall Ironworks after the area of London in which the first depot was located. It was set up in 1857 and at that time made river boat engines. It wasn't until 1903 when the first Vauxhall car rolled off the production line, a five horsepower vehicle with two forward gears but no reverse. It was just a concept model, however, but forged the way for a better version of the same car which was later put into general production.

In 1905, the company moved to Luton to be able to expand and two years later, it dropped the 'Iron Works' from its name, going along with its newest major concern; cars. The name Vauxhall Motors was born.

The years that ensued were extremely good for Vauxhall and in 1925, American motoring giant GM bought the brand for $2.5 million (£1.54 million). In today's money, the figure works out to be around £17.56 million.

Vauxhall's fortunes stagnated in the years that followed the sale, but began to pick up once more in the 1970s and 80s, with the brand beginning to gain ground on the hugely successful Ford and British Leyland companies. Then, its popularity was galvanised with the introduction of its ubiquitous Cavalier design, one that would remain in favour for many years to come.

Now, of course, the jewels in Vauxhall's crown are the Astra, Corsa and Insignia, as well as its comprehensive range of commercial vehicles, but the history of the brand certainly does stretch back much further than these few models.