Ryton plant

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Ryton chimneys 2005

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 1939 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 was subsequently redeveloped by Trenport Investments Ltd for industrial use in March 2007. The plant, however, met its final demise in November 2007 when it was completely demolished.

Shadow factory

Under plans developed by the Air Ministry 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.

Post war

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Ryton 1994

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, along with the rest of its European operations 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 late 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 early 2001.

Closure

In April 2006, Peugeot decided that the Ryton plant would close during 2007. In the event, it closed on 12 December 2006 and the 140-acre (0.57 km²) site was sold to developer Trenport Investments Ltd for industrial use in March 2007. The plant was demolished in November 2007.