Wolseley Motors

Wolseley Motors Limited
IndustryAutomotive
Founded1901
Defunct1975
FateMerged
SuccessorBritish Motor Corporation
HeadquartersBirmingham, England, UK
Key people
Thomas and Albert Vickers
Herbert Austin
J D Siddeley
A J McCormack
W R Morris

Wolseley Motors Limited was a British motor vehicle manufacturer founded in early 1901 by the Vickers Armaments in conjunction with Herbert Austin. It initially made a full range, topped by large luxury cars, and dominated the market in the Edwardian era. The Vickers brothers died[note 1] and, without their guidance, Wolseley expanded rapidly after the war, manufacturing 12,000 cars in 1921, and remained the biggest motor manufacturer in Britain.

Over-expansion led to receivership in 1927 when it was bought from Vickers Limited by William Morris as a personal investment. He moved it into his Morris Motors empire just before the Second World War. After that, Wolseley products were "badge-engineered" Morris cars. Wolseley went with its sister businesses into BMC, BMH and British Leyland, where its name lapsed in 1975.

Wolseley marque
Product typeAutomotive marque
OwnerSAIC Motor
Discontinued1975
Previous ownersVickers, Sons and Maxim (1901–1927)
W R Morris (1927–1935)
Morris Motors Limited (1935–1952)
BMC (1952–1967)
British Leyland (1967–1986)
Rover Group (1986–1988)
BAe (1988–1994)
BMW (1994–2000)
MG Rover (2000–2005)
NAC (2005–2007)


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