Vanden Plas
Vanden Plas is a historic Belgian coachbuilding company established in 1870 that became globally recognized for its luxury automotive bodywork. While the name was licensed and used by various international manufacturers such as British Leyland and Austin for luxury vehicle trim levels throughout the 20th century, the original Belgian entity is no longer an active automotive manufacturer.
Brand Identity Data
HQ Country
Belgium
HQ City
Brussels
Founded
1870
EU Headquartered
Yes
EU Manufactured
No
Stock Exchange
Private
B Corp Certified
No
Repair / Recycling
No
Ethical Certifications
None verified
Verified on October 15, 2026
Corporate Lineage
1870
Company founded
Guillaume van den Plas established the coachbuilding business in Brussels.
1946
British branch incorporation
Vanden Plas (England) 1917 Ltd was incorporated as a distinct entity from the Belgian firm.
1960
Acquisition by BMC
The British subsidiary was acquired by the British Motor Corporation, leading to the name being used as a trim level.