Another loss of Holden legacy, with Port Adelaide’s Peter Kittle Motors shutting up shop

Another part of Holden’s legacy is closing in SA, with a long-standing Port Adelaide dealership shutting up shop today.

Adelaide has losing another part of its Holden legacy after long-standing business Peter Kittle Motors closed its doors at Port Adelaide on Friday..

A statement was released by the company, saying it was no longer feasible to keep trading at the Commercial Road

“It is with a heavy heart that we write to you to inform you that due to GM Holden ceasing vehicle supply in Australia in 2020 it is no longer viable for us to continue trading the Holden arm of Peter Kittle Motor Company in Port Adelaide,” the statement said.

“We would like to thank all of our customers, suppliers, community groups, who have all supported us over the years and helped us finish as Holden’s number one dealer.”

An empty Peter Kittle Motors on Commercial Road, Port Adelaide, which is closed its doors on Friday. Picture: Paula Thompson

The statement said all service, parts and warranty issues would be taken care of by Peter Page at Elizabeth.

This week’s announcement drew plenty of attention on social media, with one person writing: “A sad day for SA and for all Holden fans.”

Port Adelaide Enfield Mayor Claire Boan said the company had been a valuable contributor to the Port Adelaide economy for many years.

“With any big business that supports smaller businesses, it’s always sad to see them close their doors. But it was inevitable with the closure of Holden,” she said.

Holden Commodores on the production line at Elizabeth in 2017, its final year of production in SA. Photo: Joshua Dowling

In February last year, Holden’s parent company General Motors announced it would be retiring the brand.

Holden dealerships, predominantly family owned businesses with many stretching back generations, were blindsided by the news.

It followed production of Holdens in Adelaide ending in 2017, when the final cars rolled off the production line at Elizabeth.

The Port Adelaide dealership was contacted for further comment.