The company's area of expertise extended until in 1913 when the Holden workshop began producing motorcycle sidecar bodies. Thus, Holden's Motor Body Builders Ltd, or HMBB, came to be in 1999.Again, the company's activity broadened to the point of manufacturing different types of bodies to match chassis important form different foreign producers, such as Chevrolet. GM, who had already encompassed Chevrolet and had started to establish subsidiaries worldwide caught an eye of Holden's business and purchased it in 1931. Holden has been part of Gm ever since, having been renamed into GM Holden Ltd.
The Australian car manufacturer was a great investment as it soon turned into Australia's main car maker. Following Holden's merger with the American automotive industry colossus, the latter was persuaded by the Austalian government to build an 'aboriginal' vehicle. In response to these demands, the 48/215 was released in 1948. Based on a 1949 Chevy design, the medium-seized 2.1 liter engine equipped car was strange to any fancy mechanics. Instead, it was reliable and powerful enough to become an instant favorite.
Its supremacy was threatened by increasing competition but managed to hold the top-selling car position throughout that time. The futility of the competitor's efforts allowed Holden to focus on developing new models and reach new grounds. Several cars such as the Kingswood and Ute were released and exported to New Zeeland, South Africa and Indonesia among others where they sold as rebadged Holdens or Chevys.
During the 70's, Holden has produced a variety of Vauxhall based cars, including the popular Tonara that was later replaced by the medium-sized Camira. Ironically, Camira became the inspiration for a later Vauxhall model, the Cavalier.
The 80's brought forth a government conducted automotive industry restructuring plan which allowed full model share among local manufacturers. Following an agreement with Japanese producers Nissan and establishment of a joint venture (UAAI) with Toyota, Holden began selling rebadged versions of the Nissan Pulsar and Toyota Camry and Corolla.
Holden kept these models in production until the 90's when the UAAI, the Australian Automobile Industries, was dissolved. Subsequently, Holden leaned towards GM and began producing cars inspired from GM owned products. Opel became a constant source of Holden vehicle offerings with models such as the Astra and Vectra. The Corsa was also acquired, having been sold as the Holden Barina.
Starting with the 21st century Holden has partially discarded the Opel models and has started looking into the GM owned Daewoo auto-catalog for inspiration. It is still one of the leading brands in Australia while its lion-badge is a common sight on cars in South Africa, Trinidad Tobago, Indonesia and other countries where Holden cars are exported.
Holden brand killed off in Australia by General Motors - CNN. Holden went on to dominate the Australian car market for much of the next half century and shape the nation’s culture, accounting for up to half of all new vehicles sold in the late 1950s, while. The '70s brought Holden legendary status. The first Torana model appeared in the late '60s, however it was really a true icon of the '70s. Claiming motorsport success, the Torana became one of the most respected vehicles in the Australian car.
Hundred of people are set to lose their jobs by the year's end as General Motors axes Holden after 72 years of operation in Australia. The shutdown is expected to cost at leas...
Vintage Holden Cars
Hundred of people are set to lose their jobs by the year's end as General Motors axes Holden after 72 years of operation in Australia. The shutdown is expected to cost at least 600 jobs as General Motors ceases making vehicles suitable for Australian roads. It comes three years after local manufacturing ended when the Holden plant in Adelaide was closed. General Motors will no longer produce any right-hand vehicles.
This Holden dealership in Sydney was demolished to make way for the WestConnex. More dealerships are expected to disappear. Picture: AAP Image/Joel CarrettSource:News Corp Australia
The Holden brand will disappear at the end of the year after its owner General Motors (GM) announced it would no longer make cars suitable for Australian roads.
Exiting the Australian market and other right hand drive markets such as Thailand is expected to cost the company “north of $US1 billion” ($A1.5 billion).
The move comes just three years after local manufacturing ended with the shuttering of the Holden plant at Elizabeth in Adelaide’s northern suburbs.
Late last year the company also announced it would stop selling its most iconic car, the Commodore.
GM announced on Monday it would stop producing vehicles for right-hand-drive markets.
Holden has sold those globally produced cars in Australia with its own badge on them since local manufacturing ended here in 2017.
The Holden logo outside its last manufacturing plant which closed in 2017. Picture: AAP / Mark BrakeSource:AAP
The company released its first all-Australian built car in 1948.
Holden’s financial services operations which provided finance for purchasers, as well as the ultimately short-lived rental service Maven, will also be wound down, as will design and engineering operations.
As many as 800 jobs are expected to go in the move, with many of them to cease by the end of June.
If you’re one of Holden’s many Australian or New Zealand customers your warranties and servicing packages you got when you bought your car will still be honoured.
The company also promised it would continue to provide servicing and spare parts for at least a decade through its aftersales network, which would also continue handling recalls if they arise.
A Holden fan flies the flag on their Commodore at the closure of the Elizabeth plant. Picture: Bernard HumphreysSource:News Corp Australia
GM has blamed “significant change globally and locally”, which despite attempts to “sustain and improve the business”, have ultimately brought about its demise.
“After comprehensive assessment, we regret that we could not prioritise the investment required for Holden to be successful for the long term in Australia and New Zealand, over all other considerations we have globally,” GM international operations senior vice president Julian Blissett said.
He said Holden had been a “powerful driver of the industrialisation and advancement of Australia and New Zealand” over its “proud 160-year history”.
“This decision is based on global priorities and does not reflect the hard work, talent and professionalism of the Holden team,” he added.
“This was an agonising decision for us and one we didn’t make lightly or easily,” Mr Blissett said. “We only did it after looking at every possible other opportunity.”
He wouldn’t comment on whether the company had explored selling the brand, but it was revealed the Thailand factory that made the Colorado ute has been sold to Chinese manufacturer Great Wall Motors.
“Today’s announcement will be felt deeply by the many people who love Holdens, drive Holdens and feel connected to our company which has been with us for 160 years and is almost ubiquitous in our lives,” GM Holden interim chairman and managing director Kristian Aquilina said.
“Unfortunately, all the hard work and talent of the Holden family, the support of our parent company GM and the passion of our loyal supporters have not been enough to overcome our challenges,” he added.
This Holden dealership in Sydney was demolished to make way for the WestConnex. More dealerships are expected to disappear. Picture: AAP Image/Joel CarrettSource:News Corp Australia
Mr Aquilina added the “Holden family”, including its dealers and employees, were some of the brand’s biggest fans.
He thanked the people who have shared some of the biggest moments of their lives with a Holden vehicle, whether it was their first car, a ride to their wedding or one home from the delivery room.
“Holden has been ubiquitous, deeply integrated into our landscape, streetscape and culture. We may be winding down a business today but no one can ever take away an icon.”
He likened the attempts to keep Holden alive to trying to defy gravity.
“We chased down every conceivable option, every strategy, every plan, we looked under every rock,” he said, adding the closure was an “inescapable reality”.
“We tried everything to keep Holden going until it was evident it would take good money over bad.”
“Holden employees will be given separation packages and help transitioning to a new job.'
The company said it would also work with its dealers, who may be offered the option of continuing as authorised service outlets.
The Holden dealer network includes 185 dealers in Australia and 31 in New Zealand.
Mr Aquilina has promised a “dignified and respectful transition” for Holden’s employees and dealers.
Holden Car Wash
The company previously went through a transition at the end of local manufacturing in 2017.
At that time, Holden bosses told news.com.au the brand would move away from its traditional status as an iconic Australian brand with revhead imagery to match and move towards one more fitting with “modern Australia”.
That move now appears to have backfired.
A Holden HSV 317 R8 car bearing the HSV badge. Picture: AAP Image / Alan PorrittSource:AAP
GM said it would be focusing its Australian and New Zealand efforts on the “specialty vehicles business”, which is likely in reference to the HSV badge that has gone on to high-powered variants in the past.
It could appear on a right-hand-drive Corvette model in the future.
Company bosses were quick to stress that the “doors are not closing today” and orders will continue to be taken on the stock already in the country, which will be supported through the same warranties and aftersales service.