Welcome to the Australian Ford Forums forum.

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and inserts advertising. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members, respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features without post based advertising banners. Registration is simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!

If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us.

Please Note: All new registrations go through a manual approval queue to keep spammers out. This is checked twice each day so there will be a delay before your registration is activated.

Go Back   Australian Ford Forums > General Topics > The Pub

The Pub For General Automotive Related Talk

Closed Thread
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 10-12-2019, 09:20 PM   #1021
jpd80
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
jpd80's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 11,325
Valued Contributor: For members whose non technical contributions are worthy of recognition. - Issue reason: Thoughtful contributions to our community 
Default Re: Will the Holden brand survive?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Syndrome View Post
Exactly. When Ford announced they were pulling up stumps in 2013 I said Holden will follow. People said I was talking faeces and Ford was only closing because they made poo cars which nobody wanted. I said one needed the other to justify building cars in Australia.
It really turned toxic when the government called Holden's bluff by removing
$500 million from local industry funding, that was the last straw, not Ford leaving.

Ford left because it was past due leaving, the FG was really the last miracle save,
without funding for the top hat, Ford would have just done BFIII and left by 2011

Last edited by jpd80; 10-12-2019 at 09:26 PM.
jpd80 is offline  
3 users like this post:
Old 10-12-2019, 11:43 PM   #1022
EBSXR6
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,547
Default Re: Will the Holden brand survive?

One thing I won't miss, the jingoistic bulldust of Holden.
EBSXR6 is online now  
2 users like this post:
Old 10-12-2019, 11:46 PM   #1023
bungarra
Regular Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 487
Default Re: Will the Holden brand survive?

Pilbara Motor Group (Holden and Suzuki) announced their closure at the end of the month.
bungarra is offline  
This user likes this post:
Old 11-12-2019, 12:04 AM   #1024
EBSXR6
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,547
Default Re: Will the Holden brand survive?

Quote:
Originally Posted by jpd80 View Post
It really turned toxic when the government called Holden's bluff by removing
$500 million from local industry funding, that was the last straw, not Ford leaving.

Ford left because it was past due leaving, the FG was really the last miracle save, without funding for the top hat, Ford would have just done BFIII and left by 2011
I was told Ford wanted out in the mid 1990's and the same source said Holden was in a far worse position than Mitsubishi when they pulled the pin.
EBSXR6 is online now  
Old 11-12-2019, 11:19 AM   #1025
Bossxr8
Peter Car
 
Bossxr8's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: geelong
Posts: 23,145
Default Re: Will the Holden brand survive?

Quote:
Originally Posted by EBSXR6 View Post
I was told Ford wanted out in the mid 1990's and the same source said Holden was in a far worse position than Mitsubishi when they pulled the pin.
Holden was actually bankrupt in 1985, and only GM pumping in a heap of cash saved them. Falcon had completely obliterated the smaller Commodore at that stage.

Quote:
Originally Posted by EBSXR6
Just read on The Age website after Buick canned The Regal, last week Holden released a statement declaring the future of Commodore was safe.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cashie
They did. Obviously was standard corporate spin.
Isn't that the way it usually goes? If they first feel the need to come in an deny, deny, deny, then you know they are screwed. Within a week must be some kind of record though.
Bossxr8 is offline  
2 users like this post:
Old 11-12-2019, 11:56 AM   #1026
Express
Bathed In A Yellow Glow
 
Express's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: NSW Central Coast
Posts: 2,530
Default Re: Will the Holden brand survive?

Quote:
Originally Posted by jpd80 View Post
It really turned toxic when the government called Holden's bluff by removing
$500 million from local industry funding, that was the last straw, not Ford leaving.
I would have thought it was more of a case of GM calling the Government's bluff on funding as GM had long wanted out of Aussie manufacturing and only needed a reason so as not to look like the total bad guy.

The funding debacle offered the perfect excuse.




.
Express is offline  
4 users like this post:
Old 11-12-2019, 01:00 PM   #1027
janddbone
B1 - J & D Services
Donating Member1
 
janddbone's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Brim, Victoria
Posts: 1,633
Default Re: Will the Holden brand survive?

Quote:
Originally Posted by jpd80 View Post
It really turned toxic when the government called Holden's bluff by removing
$500 million from local industry funding, that was the last straw, not Ford leaving.
Ford left because it was past due leaving, the FG was really the last miracle save,
without funding for the top hat, Ford would have just done BFIII and left by 2011
Even with that, G Polites Territory made the difference. If that was not there it would have been bye bye in 2010 at the latest
__________________
Mr. Brett Johnstone.
2002 Ford Laser
2000 Ford Falcon Wagon Egas
1999 Subaru Imprezza Sportwagon
1998 Holden Suburban 2500
1995 Land Rover Discovery TDI
1994 XG XR6 Longreach
1983 Holden Rodeo
1975 Datsun 120Y wagon
1970 MG Midget
1967 Rover 2000TC
Soon: Model T.
janddbone is online now  
2 users like this post:
Old 11-12-2019, 01:25 PM   #1028
jpd80
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
jpd80's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 11,325
Valued Contributor: For members whose non technical contributions are worthy of recognition. - Issue reason: Thoughtful contributions to our community 
Default Re: Will the Holden brand survive?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Express View Post
I would have thought it was more of a case of GM calling the Government's bluff on funding as GM had long wanted out of Aussie manufacturing and only needed a reason so as not to look like the total bad guy.

The funding debacle offered the perfect excuse.
.
Remember that before Ford announced its closure, Holden had announced
a grandiose local manufacturing plan that went beyond 2020.......
So this horse crap about Holden always wanting to leave was just not true,
they like Ford found ways to extend their time here until they couldn't anymore..

Barely twelve months after Ford called it quits, all of that had changed as the
attitude of governments supporting local manufacture turned toxic on the back
of incessant Murdoch press badgering about governments supporting car companies.
jpd80 is offline  
2 users like this post:
Old 11-12-2019, 01:41 PM   #1029
b0son
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,070
Default Re: Will the Holden brand survive?

Quote:
Originally Posted by jpd80 View Post
Remember that before Ford announced its closure, Holden had announced
a grandiose local manufacturing plan that went beyond 2020.......
But they also accepted a huge government subsidy from the Rudd government in 2013 in return for staying until 2020, and came back with cap in hand barely 18 months later.

Take their promises with a grain of salt.

What I find amusing is that Holden have committed to supporting Supercars til the end of 2021, yet the writing on the wall says Holden will be lucky if it makes it to the end of 2020. I hope Supercars have a backup plan....
b0son is offline  
3 users like this post:
Old 11-12-2019, 02:24 PM   #1030
cheap
Wirlankarra yanama
 
cheap's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: God's Country
Posts: 2,103
Default Re: Will the Holden brand survive?

Hopefully their garbage adds will disappear from YouTube too.’
cheap is offline  
3 users like this post:
Old 11-12-2019, 02:27 PM   #1031
jpd80
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
jpd80's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 11,325
Valued Contributor: For members whose non technical contributions are worthy of recognition. - Issue reason: Thoughtful contributions to our community 
Default Re: Will the Holden brand survive?

Quote:
Originally Posted by b0son View Post
But they also accepted a huge government subsidy from the Rudd government in 2013 in return for staying until 2020, and came back with cap in hand barely 18 months later.

Take their promises with a grain of salt.

What I find amusing is that Holden have committed to supporting Supercars til the end of 2021, yet the writing on the wall says Holden will be lucky if it makes it to the end of 2020. I hope Supercars have a backup plan....
I think we can agree that Holden’s forward commitments relied heavily on government funding and when that was withdrawn, Holden was sunk.
jpd80 is offline  
Old 11-12-2019, 02:40 PM   #1032
hayseed
Guest
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 1,892
Default Re: Will the Holden brand survive?

Quote:
Originally Posted by cheap View Post
Hopefully their garbage adds will disappear from YouTube too.’
And all the paid "advertorials" on every Car related Website....
hayseed is offline  
3 users like this post:
Old 11-12-2019, 02:56 PM   #1033
MrZ
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
MrZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 622
Default Re: Will the Holden brand survive?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bossxr8 View Post
It used to sell over 400 a month easily. It's just completely died off in the past 1-2 years with it getting old, and buyers moving away from sedans.

The ZB is going through this now. Down to just 309 buyers last month.
Mondeo's best ever sales year was 6600 or 550 a month on average.
MrZ is offline  
2 users like this post:
Old 11-12-2019, 02:59 PM   #1034
Whistlr
Regular Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 96
Default Re: Will the Holden brand survive?

Quote:
Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6 View Post
It won't just be the Holden nameplate, but GM will pull out of Australia/NZ completely. If they couldn't make the numbers work for the whole of Europe, why would a heavily cost conscious GM continue to support and develop RHD vehicles for the tiny Australian market.

When Holden was number 2 or 3 in the market, perhaps GM would have seen a viable case for Holden, but they battling to stay in the top 10, I can't see there being new models arrive beyond the current life cycles of what they are selling now. The Commodore and Astra being an expensive buy in's from PSA, these were obvious candidates to drop first.

Whilst it's sad for dealership employment, I have no sympathy for the situation Holden and GM have found themselves in. You reap what you sow and GM's arrogance, poor products and stupid product planning over many decades has lead to where they are now.
There's a Cadillac Australia website under construction.







People questioned the logic of keeping the Holden brand alive when they announced they'd cease production. Some argued that yes they should because the brand name has equity, and it means a great deal to Korea Australia.
Whistlr is offline  
Old 11-12-2019, 03:16 PM   #1035
Vesper Martini
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
Vesper Martini's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Victoria
Posts: 7,854
Default Re: Will the Holden brand survive?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Whistlr View Post
There's a Cadillac Australia website under construction.
The CT5 was here testing earlier in the year. but I doubt it would happen, certainly not under Holden

https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-new...ommodore-75620

"The likely biggest hurdle to overcome is justification of low-volume, right-hand-drive production, while the shrinking sedan segment is also another factor."

the Cadillac is also top end, so wont be cheap here - so even lower volume
__________________
______________________________
2015 Territory Titanium RWD Diesel - SOLD
2016 BMW X5 xdrive 30D Msport
Seadoo Challenger 210SE 310HP
Vesper Martini is offline  
2 users like this post:
Old 11-12-2019, 03:18 PM   #1036
Express
Bathed In A Yellow Glow
 
Express's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: NSW Central Coast
Posts: 2,530
Default Re: Will the Holden brand survive?

Quote:
Originally Posted by jpd80 View Post
Remember that before Ford announced its closure, Holden had announced
a grandiose local manufacturing plan that went beyond 2020.......
So this horse crap about Holden always wanting to leave was just not true,
they like Ford found ways to extend their time here until they couldn't anymore..

Barely twelve months after Ford called it quits, all of that had changed as the
attitude of governments supporting local manufacture turned toxic on the back
of incessant Murdoch press badgering about governments supporting car companies.
Lots of announcements never bear fruit.

Announcing and doing are two totally different things in the manufacturing game.

Just a deflection for more funding.

Australia's small population makes it difficult to be profitable in any form of manufacturing when faced with a myriad of competition.

Recent revolving door personnel at the pointy end shows GM weren't serious about keeping up the charade otherwise they would have fixed that problem for stability sake.




.

Last edited by Express; 11-12-2019 at 03:24 PM.
Express is offline  
This user likes this post:
Old 11-12-2019, 03:25 PM   #1037
Whistlr
Regular Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 96
Default Re: Will the Holden brand survive?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bevsta007 View Post
The CT5 was here testing earlier in the year. but I doubt it would happen, certainly not under Holden

https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-new...ommodore-75620

"The likely biggest hurdle to overcome is justification of low-volume, right-hand-drive production, while the shrinking sedan segment is also another factor."

the Cadillac is also top end, so wont be cheap here - so even lower volume
Yeah aware of that but I'm just pointing out that GM (not Holden) will still offer something here.
Whistlr is offline  
Old 11-12-2019, 03:34 PM   #1038
Vesper Martini
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
Vesper Martini's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Victoria
Posts: 7,854
Default Re: Will the Holden brand survive?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Whistlr View Post
Yeah aware of that but I'm just pointing out that GM (not Holden) will still offer something here.
Sorry makes no sense for GM to pull out of Holden commitments with existing dealerships and customer base and then introduce their premium line of vehicles where they didn't see fit to do so before.

But maybe the HSV RHD conversions ie RAM & Camaro has legs
__________________
______________________________
2015 Territory Titanium RWD Diesel - SOLD
2016 BMW X5 xdrive 30D Msport
Seadoo Challenger 210SE 310HP
Vesper Martini is offline  
This user likes this post:
Old 11-12-2019, 03:45 PM   #1039
janddbone
B1 - J & D Services
Donating Member1
 
janddbone's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Brim, Victoria
Posts: 1,633
Default Re: Will the Holden brand survive?

More and more manufacturers withdrawing sedans will only bolster Hyundai/Kia at the lower end of the market. It will continue to make for happy dealers too. The easily overlooked part of the car selling/buying process.
__________________
Mr. Brett Johnstone.
2002 Ford Laser
2000 Ford Falcon Wagon Egas
1999 Subaru Imprezza Sportwagon
1998 Holden Suburban 2500
1995 Land Rover Discovery TDI
1994 XG XR6 Longreach
1983 Holden Rodeo
1975 Datsun 120Y wagon
1970 MG Midget
1967 Rover 2000TC
Soon: Model T.
janddbone is online now  
Old 11-12-2019, 04:12 PM   #1040
lra
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 899
Default Re: Will the Holden brand survive?

A couple of points that have not been mentioned here ( as far as I know.)

Holden was recognised by the old GM to be the home of RWD excellence, and the jewel in the GM crown. ( Bob Lutz ?)
If the new GM, not Holden, were genuine about RWD and RHD, Holden would be exporting Commodores, Monaros, Toranas and an unnamed SUV and dual cab ute to the world.

The new GM is not interested in building vehicles, it is interested in profit, share price and subsidies. Australia does not qualify on any of those.
lra is offline  
3 users like this post:
Old 11-12-2019, 04:26 PM   #1041
GCRXR6
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
GCRXR6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Capricornia
Posts: 830
Default Re: Will the Holden brand survive?

Quote:
Originally Posted by lra View Post
A couple of points that have not been mentioned here ( as far as I know.)


The new GM is not interested in building vehicles, it is interested in profit, share price and subsidies. Australia does not qualify on any of those.
That has to be the aim of any company. No company builds vehicles, or any other product, just because there are a few enthusiasts. Profit is the aim.
__________________
Ya don't slow down as you get older ... you just enjoy taking longer to do it ... better!
GCRXR6 is offline  
This user likes this post:
Old 11-12-2019, 04:38 PM   #1042
jpd80
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
jpd80's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 11,325
Valued Contributor: For members whose non technical contributions are worthy of recognition. - Issue reason: Thoughtful contributions to our community 
Default Re: Will the Holden brand survive?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Express View Post
Lots of announcements never bear fruit.

Announcing and doing are two totally different things in the manufacturing game.

Just a deflection for more funding.

Australia's small population makes it difficult to be profitable in any form of manufacturing when faced with a myriad of competition.

Recent revolving door personnel at the pointy end shows GM weren't serious about keeping up the charade otherwise they would have fixed that problem for stability sake.
.
All I'm saying is that the notion that Holden was planning to leave since the 1990s is rubbish, All the indications were that up until the announcement by Ford, Holden had every intention of staying put but what really put the skids under them was withdrawal of government funding. Once that funding was ended, their plans were shot.
jpd80 is offline  
Old 11-12-2019, 04:41 PM   #1043
hackney
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
hackney's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: A.C.T
Posts: 1,606
Default Re: Will the Holden brand survive?

Quote:
Originally Posted by lra View Post
A couple of points that have not been mentioned here ( as far as I know.)

Holden was recognised by the old GM to be the home of RWD excellence, and the jewel in the GM crown. ( Bob Lutz ?)
If the new GM, not Holden, were genuine about RWD and RHD, Holden would be exporting Commodores, Monaros, Toranas and an unnamed SUV and dual cab ute to the world.

The new GM is not interested in building vehicles, it is interested in profit, share price and subsidies. Australia does not qualify on any of those.
Correct,it was regarded as a home of RWD excellence.Read that quite a few years ago.
__________________
2022 Honda HRV e:HEV in Premium crystal red.
hackney is offline  
2 users like this post:
Old 11-12-2019, 04:53 PM   #1044
lra
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 899
Default Re: Will the Holden brand survive?

Quote:
Originally Posted by lra View Post
The new GM is not interested in building vehicles, it is interested in profit, based on share price and subsidies. Australia does not qualify on any of those.
I have slightly amended my previous post. I meant that their profiteering, by any means, is more important than their business of manufacturing vehicles.
Boeing is an example of profits before engineering and passenger safety.
lra is offline  
Old 11-12-2019, 04:58 PM   #1045
jpd80
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
jpd80's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 11,325
Valued Contributor: For members whose non technical contributions are worthy of recognition. - Issue reason: Thoughtful contributions to our community 
Default Re: Will the Holden brand survive?

Quote:
Originally Posted by GCRXR6 View Post
That has to be the aim of any company. No company builds vehicles, or any other product, just because there are a few enthusiasts. Profit is the aim.
I think it was a valuable niche that could have been nurtured and exploited but most certainly, it needed to broaden those valuable high dollar sales.

IMO, the stationwagon and Caprice were critical miss-steps in product envelope, had Holden persisted with a Zeta "Adventura" and a zeta SUV like Territory, then things might have been very different.

Life is not all about competing with Corolla or Camry, it's about making profits on vehicles that people will pay tons of cash to get hold of, the market shifted away from cars but Holden wasn't paying attention. Ford tried with Territory but let it wither for too many years without a diesel.
jpd80 is offline  
Old 11-12-2019, 06:09 PM   #1046
Syndrome
Ford screwed the Falcon
 
Syndrome's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 7,223
Default Re: Will the Holden brand survive?

Quote:
Originally Posted by EBSXR6 View Post
I was told Ford wanted out in the mid 1990's
Correct. The industry was sweating big time and I remember the elation at the Tier 1 supplier where I worked when the AU programme was announced. Prior to the announcement it was no certainty that there was going to be another Falcon as 'One Ford' strategy had been released and Falcon was not part of it.
__________________
Falcon: 1960 - 2016

My cars

Current ride
2016 FG X XR6 - 6 speed manual

Previous rides
2009 FG XR6 - 6 speed auto
2006 BF MkII XT ESP - 6 speed auto
2003 BA XT V8 - 5 speed manual
1999 AU Forte - 5 speed manual
1997 EL Fairmont - 4 speed auto
1990 EAII Fairmont Ghia - 4 speed auto
Syndrome is offline  
This user likes this post:
Old 11-12-2019, 06:27 PM   #1047
bungarra
Regular Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 487
Default Re: Will the Holden brand survive?

Holden and Ford wanted out i the 70's but neither were wanting to be the first of them to go. They both were going to go in the 90's but Polites saved Falcon and pushed ahead, VT was meant to be the last Commodore as GM thought Ford was leaving manufacturing.
Two of the best books that goes into those parts
Ford Australia and the people who built them and Holden: Our Car. Everything comes out from the official documents.
bungarra is offline  
3 users like this post:
Old 11-12-2019, 06:59 PM   #1048
Whistlr
Regular Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 96
Default Re: Will the Holden brand survive?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bevsta007 View Post
Sorry makes no sense for GM to pull out of Holden commitments with existing dealerships and customer base and then introduce their premium line of vehicles where they didn't see fit to do so before.

But maybe the HSV RHD conversions ie RAM & Camaro has legs
https://cadillacaustralia.com
No need to be sorry. You need to maybe reread what was said. Someone was saying that GM would pull out completely, and I was saying that at the very least they have plans for Cadillac. I didn't say they'd get rid if Holden, he did.

Maybe they should, though. Maybe GM see what everyone else is seeing; the Holden brand holds no value. The Cadillac brand, however, has a whole lot more pull especially if the product is half decent.

What sort of commitments are they willing to keep losing money on? They're not selling, lmao. The dealers they choose to carry the Cadillac brand may be few but the rest will just shut shop or keep selling Holden utes and suvs, with Corvettes and camaros before the latter is eventually discontinued. Maybe in another corner of select dealerships they'll have Cadillacs.

Brand these select dealerships as "GM", with three different brands sold under the one roof. See? GM's solution is found on a Ford forum.
Whistlr is offline  
Old 11-12-2019, 07:22 PM   #1049
Cashie
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
Cashie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Perth
Posts: 1,794
Technical Contributor: For members who share their technical expertise. - Issue reason: Multiple helpful contributions throughout the tech area. 
Default Re: Will the Holden brand survive?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Whistlr View Post
There's a Cadillac Australia website under construction.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Whistlr View Post
https://cadillacaustralia.com
No need to be sorry. You need to maybe reread what was said. Someone was saying that GM would pull out completely, and I was saying that at the very least they have plans for Cadillac. I didn't say they'd get rid if Holden, he did.

Maybe they should, though. Maybe GM see what everyone else is seeing; the Holden brand holds no value. The Cadillac brand, however, has a whole lot more pull especially if the product is half decent.

What sort of commitments are they willing to keep losing money on? They're not selling, lmao. The dealers they choose to carry the Cadillac brand may be few but the rest will just shut shop or keep selling Holden utes and suvs, with Corvettes and camaros before the latter is eventually discontinued. Maybe in another corner of select dealerships they'll have Cadillacs.

Brand these select dealerships as "GM", with three different brands sold under the one roof. See? GM's solution is found on a Ford forum.


That website was registered by the importer of GMC trucks (https://american.com.au) in 2005 and updated in 2017, not any of the vehicle manufacturers. https://who.is/whois/cadillacaustralia.com
I'd say they are/were considering doing some low volume imports of a few fast Cadillac models.
GM are not linked in any way to that website.
__________________
Current Rides:
2017 Ford Mustang
2020 Ford Everest Sport

Past Rides:
2017 Kia Stinger GT
2008 FG XR6 Sedan
2008 FG G6E Sedan
2004 BA XR8 Sedan
2008 BF XR6 Turbo Sedan
2004 BA XR8 Sedan
2003 BA XR8 Ute
2003 BA XR6 Sedan

Last edited by Cashie; 11-12-2019 at 07:32 PM.
Cashie is offline  
Old 11-12-2019, 10:15 PM   #1050
Sprintey
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
 
Sprintey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Catland
Posts: 3,750
Default Re: Will the Holden brand survive?

So there you have it, Commodore gone which many could see. The brand may follow which is a pretty profound thing to consider. And not so profound, as brands come and go, new things rise, time passes. But this one had the Australia's Own mythology (that they later diluted with some memorable Korean product). I do wonder if the alloytec V6 and the size of the VE caught them out. I'm going to keep Dad's VY...

US Execs have a history of misreading overseas markets within an incredible success of the global culture of the USA. Some of what they have done is pure success and global coverage like a Coke, Nike, McDonalds, Jack Daniels, Apple, Netflix... and some makes you think wtf, like Chevy and ManU sponsorship. Or hoping Australian RWD buying Commodore fans would downsize and go to FWD. Applying new edge design to the AU, after Taurus already bombed.

Ford Australia will outlast them, tip of the hat to how it is being managed through some pretty tough times - end of Falcon, Ranger success, Mustang success, keeping the Engineering section, developing cars for India and China... Before that, the success of the Territory which was brilliant product design and timing.

Camry will be last man standing. It's the only mid/full size FWD that sells, and it's falling as the passenger car steamroller ploughs on. Everyone's tried - Avalon, Malibu, Mondeo, 6, Epica, Taurus, Maxima, ZB, all of them sell not much here. Perhaps because we're a big, mostly dry continent that's mostly snowless RWD will be a better choice.

The last bit, Holden is caught in the same storm force wind that's ripping through the whole auto industry. Plants being shut, less sales, inventory building, dealership evisceration. A paradigm shift on the horizon somewhere soon. Maybe. A mix of the old 'trade blocs' going up, and the predicted EV/Solar/battery decimation of auto and oil that Tony Seba predicts. The USA tends to oscillate between periods of global engagement and isolationism - witness GM abandon RHD markets...

Or maybe there's some seriously ugly stuff out there (saw 3 Koleoses today) and buyers like me are hanging back? Maybe we're tapped out? Maybe we don't care any more after Aussie cars are now gone? Maybe we're waiting for electric to stuff the petrol bills?

So grab your popcorn, do up an old Falcon like an XA while you watch the auto world burn. What will be reborn from the ashes?
__________________
I6 + AWD

Last edited by Sprintey; 11-12-2019 at 10:28 PM.
Sprintey is offline  
3 users like this post:
Closed Thread


Forum Jump


All times are GMT +11. The time now is 01:57 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.5
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Other than what is legally copyrighted by the respective owners, this site is copyright www.fordforums.com.au
Positive SSL