Will the Holden brand survive?

[turbo4]

Originally Posted by Squalo

So as an Aussie company they are really quite special. I owned, in order, an EH wagon, LJ Torana, EH sedan, LX Hatchback, HJ Premier, VK Director, VT Berlina. I've owned more Holdens than Fords

.

It hasn't been an Australian company since 1931

[BENT_8]

Wow, some of the comments really surprise me, I didn't think some of you guys had it in you.
If not for Holden's commitment to V8 racing from 82 to 92, when Ford AU got its Mojo back, there would likely have been no Tickford, no FPV and quite likely no Mustang now.

And don't it always seem to go, that you don't know what you've got 'til its gone...

[ratter]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

The issue with engineers in the automotive industry is they seem to be hired on a temp/casual basis for projects then they get let go between projects - there's no more perminent full time work for them available, if there is its rare as hens teeth.

Many are employed full time, but yes there is contract engineers

[XD 351 Ute]

As sad as this is today, I feeling even sadder in thinking that it's only a matter of time for the Blue Oval here as well.

They really don't have anything that I wish to buy, and that sucks.

Ed :(

[bungarra]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Was just a matter of time.

I wonder how much money GM wasted making the C8 Corvette in RHD?

I read this in Car Advice web site.

General Motors Specialty Vehicles
With the Holden name to be retired by the end of this year, General Motors is considering a new sub-brand called General Motors Specialty Vehicles (GMSV) that would sell selected US models – most of which will be converted to right-hand-drive by the company formerly known as Holden Special Vehicles, and which currently imports the Chevrolet Camaro muscle car and Chevrolet Silverado pick-up.

The Camaro and Silverado are currently sold through 65 of Holden’s 204 dealers nationally. It is unclear which of those dealers will continue under the proposed GMSV name and new arrangements.

While the new deal would initially apply to existing models such as the Chevrolet Camaro SS, Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and upcoming Chevrolet Silverado 1500, other models out of the US are expected to follow.

Options include the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban seven-seat SUVs, as well as certain Cadillac SUVs that share their underpinnings. There is also the possibility the electric Hummer pick-up – due to go into production in the US two years from now – could be sold in Australia some time down the road if converted to right-hand-drive locally.

The introduction of the GMSV sub-brand also solves the problem of what badge to sell the iconic Chevrolet Corvette sports car under. It is due in Australian showrooms next year but will be factory-built in right-hand-drive. Its rear-engine layout made the conversion easier and more affordable on this model.

[MercuryT]

I'm not a Holden person but the VE onward Sportswagon a great ride. Looked tough and so practical.

Ford were too stupid to do something similar and thought people would buy Territories or other boring (but good) 4wd vehicles.

Both companies quick tracked their demise here imo

[MercuryT]

In fact I think both companies made continually poor decisions in last 10 years.

Sure death inevitable in modern production but the current Commodore they brought out?

Basically a death wise before even sold as clearly not what any local market here wanted.

[JG33]

GM itself nearly died in 2009, they just build shiite cars and basically a shiite car company.


When they sold Opel and Vauxhall which they owned for many decades and hardly made any profit to PSA Group, PSA turned it around and started to make profit in less time than when GM owned them.

[ipn]

Originally Posted by Fordman1

You need to get your Quotes right first mate 👎

That’s a stupid cynical post.

Yes, Holden are a great Australian Brand, they made cars for this great country and employed many Australians for many years, they were one of our country’s great Icons.

Now they are basically gone.

Now go away and float your boat.

How about that .
Got your nose out of joint i see , you should remember me imo , you aka holdoff favors Tax Payer Funded "Parasite" vehicles , parasitism off tax payers for years and years by a American company Lol .

Name change for the forum soon i reckon creep , Cars never owned by Australia .
Cya

[ipn]

Originally Posted by turbo4

It hasn't been an Australian company since 1931

Don't tell Fordman1 , he might **** bricks the Hero .

[ipn]

So back on topic , when is the rego being increased for all those Parasite Vehicles so we the Taxpayers can get all that money back !

[ozpacman]

I can't help but think that today's announcement is almost like the latest installment in the saga that seems to have been the 'death of a thousand cuts' for Holden.

First it was the announcement of the cessation of local manufacturing, followed by the replacement Commodore debacle and now the final blow. I almost wish they could have wound it all up by the end of the month so it was finally done and dusted, however I realise that's not possible.

I really feel sorry for those who in the last 10 years or so have invested significant funds and put everything on the line to make a go of running a Holden dealership. The past few years must have been their worst nightmare.

It's a sad day for the industry and for Australia. Even though we all knew in was imminent it's none the less disappointing.

[hayseed]

Originally Posted by ozpacman

I can't help but think that today's announcement is almost like the latest installment in the saga that seems to have been the 'death of a thousand cuts' for Holden.

First it was the announcement of the cessation of local manufacturing, followed by the replacement Commodore debacle and now the final blow. I almost wish they could have wound it all up by the end of the month so it was finally done and dusted, however I realise that's not possible.

I really feel sorry for those who in the last 10 years or so have invested significant funds and put everything on the line to make a go of running a Holden dealership. The past few years must have been their worst nightmare.

It's a sad day for the industry and for Australia. Even though we all knew in was imminent it's none the less disappointing.

I feel for the Dealers who've had a massive amount of Goodwill & equity flushed down the Toilet the last few years.....& were fed a line of BS by GM.. Remember the 20 new models by 2020 BS..????

[jpd80]

It was all over once the Holden fans stopped believing in GM
they turned their backs on Holden and took the extended family
sales with them.

I wonder if Ford felt the branch crack beneath them today......

[Itsme]

Wow did not think this really would ever happened but at least I will cherish the Holden memorabilia I have and the great memories of all the Holden's, Torana's & Commodores I've owned and driven over the years.

[Vormund]

Funny how other car makers can do both RHD and LHD.

With electric cars on the horizon as well, designing cars for both will be easier.

[K.P.]

As a direct Holden descendant I just want to express how shocked and dismayed I am. Hundreds of jobs lost, I'm still in mild shock. Yes I prefer Fords, but why, General Motors, why?

The scuttlebutt was that when Joe Hockey and Abbott dared Australian car manufacturers to leave that the Chinese were demanding an end to Australian car manufacture so they could move in or no free-trade agreement with China. Who wants a bloody Great Wall?

Once again, my deepest apologies to the motoring community. It was a US based decision, my ancestor (who started the automotive division of the Holden Coach Company and yes a Holden himself) was before GM bought Holden in the 1930's. We had a circus too, eastern seaboard only mainly Vic but into NSW and Tasmania, which was wound up in the 1990s.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by MercuryT

I'm not a Holden person but the VE onward Sportswagon a great ride. Looked tough and so practical.

Ford were too stupid to do something similar and thought people would buy Territories or other boring (but good) 4wd vehicles.

Both companies quick tracked their demise here imo

Ummm, I think you'll find territory outsold Commodore wagon by a significant margin.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by ipn

So back on topic , when is the rego being increased for all those Parasite Vehicles so we the Taxpayers can get all that money back !

Any subsidy handed out by the govt would have been repaid in revenue a long time ago. Every car manufacturing nation is subsidised by their govt and they do this knowing a manufacturing industry is multi layered and revenue from the industry as a whole far outweighs the subsidy invested.

[MercuryT]

Originally Posted by prydey

Ummm, I think you'll find territory outsold Commodore wagon by a significant margin.

I doubt that. I see more VE-VF wagons than Territories here.

But then I'd barely notice the latter anyway as so invisible so you may be right.

[MercuryT]

Originally Posted by prydey

Ummm, I think you'll find territory outsold Commodore wagon by a significant margin.

Not that relevant anyway as the Territory is a school bus with a blue badge so two different purposes to the SS Wagon.

[Fordman1]

Originally Posted by ipn

Don't tell Fordman1 , he might **** bricks the Hero .

Lol .... 🤣

[Dr Terry]

Originally Posted by Sprintey

And so we have the answer to the thread. The indigenous motor company that was painstakingly built, co-funded, and grown with policy by the adults who lived through the Great Depression (in 1969 Holden had their own ship and were exporting to SE Asia); then saw the protections stripped away as their children came into power; now gone and their grandchildren will have to go offshore if they want to value-add or have an automotive career with a major car co. We are back to where we started before Chifley launched that first Holden 48-215...

Edit: in truth, 2017 was that time, but now the brand is gone too.

I share your sentiments totally, but there was no "co-funding" of GM-H in the early days. It was a big myth that Holden was "given" any funds in the early years. The best they got was a loan which was fully repaid.

Dr Terry

[Romulus]

Can Government Motors in the US kindly return the billions in subsidies pilfered from the Australian taxpayer through Gillard/Rudd on your way out the door? GM in Detroit must be laughing all the way to the bank, aided and abetted by our illustrious leaders.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Fordman1

Lol .... 🤣

Well I’m baffled, I guess some people have “issues”

[XWGT]

Originally Posted by Romulus

Can Government Motors in the US kindly return the billions in subsidies pilfered from the Australian taxpayer through Gillard/Rudd on your way out the door? GM in Detroit must be laughing all the way to the bank, aided and abetted by our illustrious leaders.

As a matter of interest, do you find it interesting that Tesla is currently opening its new manufacturing plant in Germany while VAG is opening its new electric manufacturing plant in the USA?

Surely its obvious how this industry works...........its just a matter of how much you want to pay for the privilege of a manufacturing plant.....

[Dr Smith]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

Wow, some of the comments really surprise me, I didn't think some of you guys had it in you.
If not for Holden's commitment to V8 racing from 82 to 92, when Ford AU got its Mojo back, there would likely have been no Tickford, no FPV and quite likely no Mustang now.

And don't it always seem to go, that you don't know what you've got 'til its gone...

Which comments..wasn't this your own:

Holden was only ever a clever marketing strategy by GM to sell inferior product to brainwashed Aussies and they swallowed it hook, line and sinker for decades.

btw..I do agree Holden outmarketed it's competitors when they sold locally built product and it wasn't always the "best in class"....still a sad day more because I'm in the manufacturing industry and it's been a slow death...

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Romulus

Can Government Motors in the US kindly return the billions in subsidies pilfered from the Australian taxpayer through Gillard/Rudd on your way out the door? GM in Detroit must be laughing all the way to the bank, aided and abetted by our illustrious leaders.

It made sense to support a local manufacturing industry while one existed,
ScoMoFo put an end to it when he called GM’s bluff
that turned out to not be a bluff, now we’re in the
economic “doldrums” but that’s fine, the govt needs
all the money it can get to help us recover from
the bush fires.

[Sprintey]

Originally Posted by ipn

So back on topic , when is the rego being increased for all those Parasite Vehicles so we the Taxpayers can get all that money back !

That day will occur the same day as Taxpayers' money is returned from mining company subsidies (diesel), and 40+ years of negative gearing subsidy which has helped distort the price of housing, making ours some of the most expensive in the world. It will be an amazing day, cash will be raining from the sky on top of the taxpayers. Maybe we could throw tree farms into that as well, solar rebates, health insurance rebates. Get a big bucket ready to catch it all!

[prydey]

Originally Posted by jpd80

It made sense to support a local manufacturing industry while one existed,
ScoMoFo put an end to it when he called GM’s bluff
that turned out to not be a bluff, now we’re in the
economic “doldrums” but that’s fine, the govt needs
all the money it can get to help us recover from
the bush fires.

while everyone likes to point fingers and find someone to blame, the reality of the situation often gets forgotten.

Is there another island, with the population size of australia, with an automotive manufacturing industry?

once globalisation started a couple of decades ago, it was going to become increasingly difficult to maintain an industry in this country even with support from within. Being surrounded by water has logistical challenges that other manufacturing countries, even the smaller ones, just don't have. Not to mention the population sizes are considerably larger in other manufacturing countries so demand is higher.

The reality is, the manufacturing industry in australia probably lasted about 10years longer than it should have.