Back in May we told you about Ford’s announcement that they planned on stopping domestic production for Australian cars by 2016. At the time we wondered aloud how that decision would shape the futures of Holden (GM) and Toyota as they are the only other companies making cars in the country currently. Our thought was that once Ford went, GM would be soon to follow and Toyota would probably end up shutting off the lights. We’re not bragging or particularly proud of a least half of that prediction coming true, but it sure seems like it. Several Australian news sources are claiming that Holden will be following in lockstep with Ford and shuttering their plants in 2016 if not before. From what we are reading, the company has decided to delay the announcement until after the beginning of the year for some sort of business or tax advantage but government officials are trying to beat a public statement out of the company.
Like Ford, we’re sure that Holden’s eventual statement will talk about sales volume, costs, and efficiencies just no longer existing to make Australian production a viable option for the company. We’re also sure that there will be lots of governmental teeth gnashing over this as the country has been subsidizing their auto-industry for many years in an effort to keep the jobs for factory workers and other automotive company employees. The soundness of that investment will be questioned, the reasoning behind not offering the manufacturers more subsidies to stay will be questioned, and ultimately governmental heads will roll because of how the public perceives this whole situation as having happened. Ideally the government would like to vilify the manufacturers and that’s why we believe they are trying to get Holden to make an official announcement right before Christmas. We seriously doubt that the company will break their (reportedly) self-imposed silence before the turn of the new year.
Like Ford, there will still be Holden cars sold in Australia, they just won’t be built there. How will this change buying habits of die-hard brand loyalist customers in the future? Where will the jobs go that will be lost in Australia? If ‘Utes will be made in American factories, can we finally get a friggin’ Ute sold over here? Will Toyota wait one month or more to make their announcement on this front?
We’re saddened by this news because Australians have lots of national pride and huge love for cars like we do here in the USA. For many people this announcement along with Fords is a crushing morale blow. There is really no way to sugar coat the cold hard facts. We’ll be following the story to find out any new wrinkles or details over the current days.
wow, the cars cost this much WITH subsidies?
They’ll most likely ship the jobs to India. I look for US manufacturers to do the same.
if they cant make money building and selling holdens down under, than how would moving production save $$, they would then have to ship the completed car?
how has demand for new chevy/holden cars fallen this much?
Simple the hourly rate is much less over seas. The guys working in the factory would be on good money for what skills they possess also less entitlements to pay (leave etc) and some would say they work harder in developing countries. It will go the way of the British car industry and probably for similar reasons. I love the old models and own a few but the only people really crying about this will be bogans (trailer trash) who would never be able to save up enough welfare payments for a new model anyway, hence their decline.
What a bunch of wankers!
The amount of taxpayer funded grants they get, these cars should be 1/4 of the price.
Basically taxpayers fund this company and its still going broke WTF.
People are moaning about it but are HAPPY to hop in their Korean or Tiawaneese built shit box because they saved a couple a bucks – Disgusts ME.
Manufacturing in Australia is going down the TUBES/TOILET and nobody can see it or give a damn.
In future generations its going to get worrying – there will be very little in the way of tradesmen. Everyone wants cheap and think it all comes via the internet ??????
Its not just Holden and Ford closing up – the amount of companies closing up and are now importing everything is TRULY scary shit.
I hope all the future generations are happy to live on welfare because that’s the way Australia is headed. Probably a good thing long term because most of the boat people who arrive don’t care to work anyway – apparently they are to stressed /traumatized. WTF
Something to think about !!!!!
Um can you please clarify where you got the information? I cannot find aby evidence online of this statement that holden is ceasing production in Australia.
Mark Furgal oh.. stop with the b/s you and everyone else walk right past the American made anything. to buy the cheaper made elsewhere stuff. and cars it’s no different.. the aussies have the same issue we do.. their people don’t SUPPORT the homeland TEAM… so in closing.. MONEY TALKS SUCKERS WALK..
copied and pasted from f/b and it put my name at beginning it’s not a post towards myself..lol
wtf is gonna happen to V8 Supercars, is what I want to know. Ford made their announcement and still provided factory backing for FPR. What about Holden now? It’d be a shame for V8 Supercars to become Mercedes vs Nissan vs Volvo…
I’d still watch it though. :/
Holden announced yesterday it will be finished in 2017 and probably never produce another V8 car .
But surprise surprise they say they will import Holdens manufactured in CHINA.
Can’t wait for that to happen. Image buying a Holden built in CHINA – NOT.
As they announce the upcoming closure and no more V8’s – they also have the hide to say the are speaking with the promoters of the V8 supercars series about running a 6 cylinder in the series because that’s what will be coming out of CHINA. WTF
Like I said above it is truly scary shit/times.
Another bit of info – holden was looking for a government/taxpayer handout of $500million. (don’t know if that was a annual expectation)
And now the Australian government has announced in their wisdom that they are going to replace the Aus government fleet (currently holdens) with some lovely imported cars BMW’s.
Meanwhile some 5 thousand workers are to be put out of work
The Aus government still rambles about Aussies should work harder and even be prepared to take cuts.