Holden operations to close by 2021

Just months after killing the once popular Commodore, General Motors has announced it will stop investing in Holden altogether, ending a stellar 160-year journey.

HOLDEN will be axed in Australia within one year with parent company General Motors announcing it will no longer invest in the 160-year old brand.

Just two months after it decided to stop production on the four-door Commodore, General Motors has pulled the pin on the Holden brand altogether.

The American car giant revealed today Holden would be retired from sales in Australia and New Zealand and local design and engineering operations would end by 2021.

In Queensland about 39 listed Holden dealers now face an uncertain future, with the carmaker ceasing sales to focus insted on its “specialty vehicles business”.

The announcement means Holden’s lion badge will no longer be seen on any new vehicles.

General Motors says the company will honour all warranties and servicing offers made at time of sale.

Queensland’s first VC Holden Commodore rolls out of the Acacia Ridge factory in 1980.

Holden will provide servicing and spare parts for at least 10 years through national aftersales networks in Australia and New Zealand.

About 600 Holden workers are expected to lose their jobs, with employees provided separation packages and employment transition support.

How dealers are affected is not yet clear, but the company says it will work with its dealer network “on appropriate transition arrangements, including offering dealers the opportunity to continue as authorised service outlets to support Holden customers”.

GM International Operations Senior Vice President Julian Blissett said GM had taken the difficult decision after implementing and considering numerous options to maintain and turn around Holden operations.

Thousands of fans paid tribute to Holden when the Elizabeth factory closed in 2017. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

“Through its proud 160-year history, Holden has not only made cars, it has been a powerful driver of the industrialisation and advancement of Australia and New Zealand,” he said.

“Over recent years, as the industry underwent significant change globally and locally, we implemented a number of alternative strategies to try to sustain and improve the business, together with the local team.”

GM did a detailed analysis of the investment required for Holden to be competitive

beyond the current generation of products and found it could not “prioritise the investment” required for Holden to be successful in the long term.

GM Holden Interim Chairman and Managing Director Kristian Aquilina said it was critical the company worked with all stakeholders to deliver a dignified and respectful wind-down.

“Holden will always have a special place in the development of our countries,” she said.

“As Australia and New Zealand grew, Holden was a part of the engine room fuelling that development.

“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.”