Vauxhall had seen its market share in Britain collapse in the early 1970s, and attempts to sell the Viva HC had been disastrous. A new Viva HD was designed, but a change of Managing Director saw the project promptly dropped. As an alternative, Vauxhall called on its German cousins who released their U-car model, the Opel Ascona and Manta, largely designed by Henry Haga in Opel’s design studio in Rüsselsheim. Wayne Cherry attended to the Vauxhallisation; the front and lights from the Opel Manta, and the choice of 'Cavalier' as the name. Launched at the 1975 Motor Show, the Cavalier MkI was produced at Antwerp on the same lines as the Opel versions, giving rise to suspicions that Vauxhall would be culled in favour of Opel names. Cavaliers were offered as 2 and 4-door saloons, although most 2-doors were sold with Opel badges on in Europe. There was also a Coupe model which got supplemented in 1978 with the Cavalier Sportshatch announced at the same time as its Opel Manta cousin. The Coupe was quietly dropped in 1979 leaving the way clear for the Sporthatch. British production of the Cavalier did start in 1977, and engine choices differed from Antwerp versions, including a Cavalier 1300 using the 1256cc Viva engine. Production ended in 1981.