World reacts to Holden leaving Australia

Holden’s shock announcement yesterday that it would stop selling cars in Australia by the end of the year has been met with anger and sadness across the globe.

Australians were shocked when Holden announced plans to stop selling cars in Australia.

But a former communications director for the brand said the decision “should surprise nobody” as Holden’s “bogan” image “had no place left in a cosmopolitan Australian society”.

That view was echoed by some motoring enthusiasts coming to terms with the loss of Holden, further recognising a business built on Australian heritage could not survive without building its own product.

Holden will stoop selling cars in Australia by the end of this year. Photographer: Liam Kidston.

Sunrise host Sam Armytage said “for everybody out there saying, you know, ‘We loved Holden’, why didn’t they buy Holdens? They wouldn’t be in this problem.”

But supporters of the brand on social media said “most of us knew the writing was on the wall” when it stopped producing the local Commodore in 2017, that Holden’s closure came because “nobody wanted them anymore” and that it was an inevitable consequence for a brand that stopped “listening to your customers”.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he was “disappointed but not surprised” by Holden’s decision.

The last Holden Commodore made in Australia, 20 October 2017. Picture: Supplied.

Mr Morrison said he was “angry, like I think many Australians would be,” at the level of public investment made in Holden.

“I think that’s very disappointing, that, over many years, more than $2 billion was directly provided to General Motors for the Holden operations.”

Karen Andrews, Federal Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, also said she was “very disappointed Holden is walking away from Australia after billions in support from successive governments”.

On the other side of the political spectrum, Anthony Albanese blamed Liberal governments for questioning whether Holden was worth public support.

Here’s an ad we’ll never see again.

Holdens will ceast to exist by the end of 2020 – a decision that dates back to 2013 when the Liberals dared Holden to leave.

This is about more than just a car.

For many Australians, Holden is part of their family story.

The end of an era. pic.twitter.com/ZRrwbLSjRo

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) February 17, 2020

Former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd did not hold back, calling on “all of us to boycott GM brands”.

Time for all of us to boycott GM brands. My stomach turns when I think of successive Labor governments working to build the car industry. Including our 2009 New Car Plan.All torpedoed by the Liberals decision to kill it in 2014 thru pure ideological spite. https://t.co/JIsmwbumt8

— Kevin Rudd (@MrKRudd) February 17, 2020

A common thread throughout reaction to Holden’s decision was then-treasurer Joe Hockey’s view in 2013 that further funding in Holden might not be a sound investment.

Pointing out that Mitsubishi and Ford shuttered local factories despite receiving significant assistance, Hockey said at the time that “if all that money has made a difference, why have two of the four major manufacturers left Australia?”.

“There’s a hell of a lot of industries in Australia that would love to get the assistance that the motor vehicle industry is getting.”

Hockey said the government was prepared to invest $1 billion in the automotive industry, but that Holden had to “come clean with the Australian people about their intentions here … either you’re here, or you’re not”, in a speech interpreted as daring General Motors to leave the country.

As #Holden annnounces its exit from Australia, it’s important we take a look back how the demise of Australia’s car industry began. #auspol pic.twitter.com/kC23Yh0MK9

— SA Labor (@alpsa) February 17, 2020

Not all politicians used Monday’s news to score points. Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk paid tribute to one of her first cars, a bright red Holden Barina that “never let me down”.

One of my first cars was a bright red Holden Barina like this. Never let me down. Today is a sad day for Australia. #Holden pic.twitter.com/CXd4VS5Dqc

— Annastacia Palaszczuk (@AnnastaciaMP) February 17, 2020

Sky News host Paul Murray praised Holden as a common thread throughout Australian culture.

“This was a brand of the suburbs … this was a brand that we loved in Australia, because it was our own.

“They weren’t just Murray mobiles, they were the prime minister’s car.”

Award-winning motorsport commentator and Holden enthusiast Richard Craill said “the Australian culture without Holden is, to me, unthinkable. I never thought we’d ever experience that”.

Veteran English motoring writer Andrew Frankel said Holden joined several storied brands on the General motors “scrapheap”.

So now you can add the name of Holden to those of Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Saturn, Hummer and Saab on the scrap heap of @_General_Motors curated brands. #RIPHolden

— Andrew Frankel (@Andrew_Frankel) February 17, 2020

But GM President Mark Reuss, who led Holden in 2007 and 2008, said senior management at the automotive giant was well aware of Holden’s place in society.

“At the highest levels of our company we have the deepest respect for Holden’s heritage and contribution to our company and to the countries of Australia and New Zealand,” Reuss said.

“After considering many possible options – and putting aside our personal desires to accommodate the people and the market – we came to the conclusion that we could not prioritise further investment over all other considerations we have in a rapidly changing global industry.”

The imported Holden Commodore failed to drive big sales. Picture by Patrina Malone

Mary Barra, GM chair and chief executive, said “we will do the right thing, even when it’s hard, and this is one of those times”.

“We are restructuring our international operations, focusing on markets where we have the right strategies to drive robust returns, and prioritising global investments that will drive growth in the future of mobility, especially in the areas of EVs [electric vehicles] and AVs [autonomous vehicles],” she said,

“While these actions support our global strategy, we understand that they impact people who have contributed so much to our company. We will support our people, our customers and our partners, to ensure an orderly and respectful transition in the impacted markets.”

Holden’s traditional rival said “all of us here at Ford Australia are saddened to hear the news that Holden will cease operations”.

“Holden is an iconic brand that holds a special place in the heart of many Australians, and has done so much to shape the Australian automotive industry and the country. Its vehicles have been worthy competitors both on road and on the racetrack.

“To our friends at Holden, thank you for keeping us on our toes and inspiring us to keep aiming higher. We will miss you.”

DJR Team Penske, the Supercars team started by Ford legend Dick Johnson, said a great Aussie brand coming to an end “is sad for our country, no matter your allegiance”.

We are saddened by Holden’s closure announcement. Holden was always a fierce rival. A great Aussie brand coming to an end is sad for our country, no matter your allegiance. We feel for those affected, and look forward to continued strong competition on the track. #VASC #Holden pic.twitter.com/g16q44RUzS

— Shell V-Power Racing (@DJRTeamPenske) February 17, 2020

Graham Goodwin, British motorsport commentator, said Holden’s racing history was “quite an achievement” and that “the sorrow goes way further than your own shores.”

Racing legend Craig Lowndes said “I’ll always be so thankful to Holden.”

Posting a picture of his first championship-wining Commodore, Lowndes said he was fired up to perform well at a Supercars test day held at The Bend in South Australia on Tuesday.

“My thoughts are with the dealers, workers and their families,” Lowndes said.

“Thank you, I’m proud to pull on my helmet tomorrow at the Test Day and give it a seriously red hot go.”

New Zealand racer Greg Murphy agreed it was “sad news indeed”.

It was this guy and this car that made me a #Holden fan for life. Thank you Holden for allowing me to be part of the history! As I said last night on Insta my thoughts go out to the Holden Dealer Network in NZ and Aust. and the existing employees. Sad news indeed. pic.twitter.com/sIm5LV3BaA

— Greg Murphy (@gmracing51) February 17, 2020

The Red Bull Holden Racing Team said it was “incredibly saddened for all Holden employees, dealers and fans and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time”.

The team’s lead driver, Jamie Whincup, said “nothing will ever spin the rear wheels like a V8 Holden”.

Nothing will EVER spin the rear wheels like a V8 Holden. Sad day for the Australian automotive industry and my thoughts are with the employees and dealer group. pic.twitter.com/0aTe0Y1uXk

— Jamie Whincup (@jamiewhincup) February 17, 2020

Holden will continue supporting Supercars racing in 2020.

Walkinshaw Andretti United, the original Holden Racing Team where drivers such as Mark Skaife earned much of their success, said “our thoughts today are with the incredible men and women who make up the Holden workforce, the dealers, customers, and all Holden fans who have all been impacted by today’s news”.

“Our team has shared a long and successful relationship with Holden in Australia for three decades.

“It’s very sad to see them leave. We are thankful for their support, and proud of what we have achieved together, including seven Bathurst 1000 victories, and six driver championships.

“Our team and supporters have bled red for a long time, the lion and helmet will live on in our Team’s history forever.”

Originally published as World reacts to Holden leaving Australia