REPORT: GM to close Holden brand, cease RHD production
Daniel Herrero
By DANIEL HERRERO
MONDAY 17TH FEBRUARY, 2020 - 1:00PM
General Motors has reportedly decided to end the Holden brand and cease production of right-hand drive cars around the world.
The news comes months after confirmation that Holden is axing of the ZB Commodore and Astra from showrooms this year.
A report from CarAdvice.com claims that the decision was made at GM’s head office in Detroit in the last two days, and will take effect at the end of the year, although no official confirmation has come from the global automotive giant yet.
The report adds that a General Motors Specialty Vehicles line could be established in Australia to sell converted versions of selected Chevrolet models.
I'm a Ford fan, but this is truly the end of an era
Two thirds of the world drive on the right. Maybe we should also.
Anyways things change.
Holden becomes history but so did the Eygiptian chariot...
Alex
Sad to hear indeed. I feel this is another nail in the coffin of Australian Culture. I feel old now, talking of things that were, but no longer are. Being a Ford man, I remember wishing for this day as a lad. Now that this day has come, there's no joy.
That said, the ZB "Commodore" (note the quotes) was an affront to many. Glad to hear it's gone. An example of globalism eroding local culture perhaps?
GM will be producing the C8 Corvette in right hand drive for Japan and Australia. The cars will be manufactured at the Bowling Green plant in Kentucky.
Yep, ironic that the epitome of the american sports car will probably come here as a factory RHD, but unless they change direction you can bet it will be the only one. And there is every chance in the world if it sells well in the US that the RHD version will get the axe to free production line volume for LHD ones.
Well if you didn't see that coming you had your head in the sand. Ford is also the same. Neither brand have looked Australian since production closed in Australia. GM obviously want to sell their cars here without any further competition of the Holden branding. It's good for their business model, which is to dominate every country with American products. Taking production off shore just made it that much easier. Car racing has been evolving since the closures to the point that Ford is really just US Ford Mustang. GM will likely do the same.
There will always be right hand drive vehicles made and if GM want to limit the potential sales that would be bad for their business. Turn over of fleets in Australia are some of the fastest across the planet. GM are likely to introduce a fully electric vehicle to this market also.
Totally not surprised by this announcement. I watched the televised announcement and they are saying they will provide support for all Holdens for the next ten years. Not that I plan to keep my crewman ute for that much longer.
Finally, I have owned both F-O-R-D's and Holdens. Every Ford I owned was either a Taxi or a Mazda. All sluggish, but reasonably reliable. Every Holden I have owned were either race breed or had that toughness which came from racing. Nothing like hearing a 186, V6 or V8 wind out top end. And getting to top end quickly. (not that you are allowed to do that on the roads). Only a few Fords have I driven or been in have apparent race breeding and most of them were from muscle cars of the 70's. I won't be buying either brand for my next vehicle, I'll be looking for EV and with pop.
RIP Holden. Always bound by the US and never really ours at all.
GM will be producing the C8 Corvette in right hand drive for Japan and Australia. The cars will be manufactured at the Bowling Green plant in Kentucky.
You may be right, but any cars supplied under this scheme will be small quantity and high cost "speciality" vehicles - and they won't carry a "Holden" badge.
This announcement effectively spells the end of GM's global RHD program - they've already withdrawn from the United Kingdom, Japan, India and South Africa. Now they've announced that they've sold their Thailand factory to Great Wall, ending the supply of RHD mass-market vehicles altogether. It's all based on "investment priorities", according to the GM press release - Bowling Green will need to make a very compelling argument that making a small number of RHD speciality vehicles makes sense to the GM bean counters.
If I was an authorised Camaro / Corvette agent in Australia, I'd be very nervous right now.
Camaro less so as they are converted but it would not surprise me at all for RHD Corvette production to get squeezed out to make volume for LHD cars if they sell well enough to make supply tight.
Two thirds of the world drive on the right. Maybe we should also.
Anyways things change.
Holden becomes history but so did the Eygiptian chariot...
Alex
Yeah I wonder how many people would get killed in the changeover.
Best left to when NRMA insists drivers no longer are allowed to drive and only computers are. Probably about 20-30 years from now. Can't you just hear them advocating for this?
Yeah I wonder how many people would get killed in the changeover.
Greg.
Of course we will need a spread sheet but no doubt the overall economic advantages will justify the expected loss of life... the main thing is that change over does not slow production or reduce GNP.
Alex
I doubt the right hand drive Corvette will last very long. There may be an initial rush of orders but by next year they will likely focus on LHD models of the Corvette. A specialist conversion operation might find some business but this was obvious.
Much easier to build left and right hand drive versions of electric cars, because the engine(s) are much smaller, no exhaust system, no cooling system, etc etc. Complexity is much reduced.
Be interesting to see what Great Wall does with the GM Thailand factory. Great Wall badged Colorado's, whoops there goes the resale value.
I actually see this as good for Australia, maybe the feds will wake up from their hydrocarbon addiction and get serious about encouraging electrics.
My 1st car was a Holden...it was a Holden Belmont 1968 Model bought in 1973...then I had a Holden HD Panel Van...and then a 1968 Holden Monaro 2 door GTS Coupe, pride and joy it was.... imagine what that would be worth today if I still had it.....Later on a Holden Kingswood again ( 3 on the tree )...I flogged that off cause it wasn't a ' chick ' magnet ...!!
I grew up as a kid with my Parents EH Holden...star of the show I was when they'd drop me off to High School.....right at the front gate where all the ' honey babes entered the School.
Wow ....what a time that was .... bring them back I say.
Rego was $65.00 / per year .... it cost $8.00 to fill my Holden's from empty to full ....your $ went a long way in those days.
Col.
Last edited by FlashDrive; 18-02-2020 at 12:02 AM.
Yes sad, and just heard that Trumps strategy of bringing back all US businesses to the USA will most likely mean that Ford Australia will be next.
Bought my first ever BMW the other week. I used to say my Subaru Liberty was the best car I've ever driven, handled like a dream. No longer, the bimmer is incredible!!
Edit- now when I see our highway patrols in their sleek, hard to spot 5 series, pulling over speeding motorists, I get a warm proud feeling as I pass by
I've had this in my cupboard for some 35 years , classic part for all Holden V8's with the 253 cubic inch V8 Engine.
Would be worth something to a Classic Holden Restoration ....you never know what people would pay for an Original Holden Part.
This could be ' cleaned ' up and made like new again ...a bit of a ' wash ' / paint and polish ....those who restore old cars can do wonders with a badge like this.
If my memory serves me right....The V8 Kingswood / V8 Premier / V8 Monaro's ( non 327cui ) displayed this Badge on the Boot and front Guard
I'm not aware of any non genuine ' Chinese ' copies available...I doubt it.
Col....
Pic's show the Model Monaro I had ..!!
Last edited by FlashDrive; 18-02-2020 at 02:22 PM.
.
entered the School.
