For the first time, Vauxhall began exporting cars in LHD to other European countries, badged as Opels, which was a boost to GM's confidence in its once-troubled British division. In November 1987, the then head of Vauxhall, John Bagshaw, told "Car" magazine that the Asconas built in the United Kingdom were considered of equivalent quality to those built elsewhere in Europe, adding that "they can't tell them from the German ones", welcome news for the British car industry after the build quality and reliability issues which had affected many British cars - including Vauxhall and more particularly British Leyland and the former Chrysler Europe - during the 1970s. When the Cavalier was first introduced, the cars were built at Opel's plant in Belgium, but production quickly moved to Luton.