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Lawrie 02-17-2020 01:02 AM

Ford Holden
 

Even though I,m a Ford man through and through, sad news today in Australia that Holden will cease to exist later this year,
Lawrie

petehoovie 02-17-2020 01:18 AM

Re: Ford Holden
 

Will there be any cars manufactured there?

mercman from oz 02-17-2020 04:21 AM

Re: Ford Holden
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...p;d=1389828693
This is the new sign for Holden, as the Parent Company in the USA, General Motors have decided that there will be no more vehicles sold here with the Holden name attached to it. After production of the local Commodore ceased back in 2017, General Motors Holden decided to replace the local Holden Commodore with an import from Germany manufactured by Opal, however, GM sold off Opal to a conglomerate consisting of Citroen and Peugeot. Sales of the imported rebadged Commodore (similar to the USA Buick Regal) have absolutely bombed, and GMH have stopped importing them. During the mid fifties, Holden accounted for 50% of the local market. while I am a Ford man, having Holden as opposition kept both manufactures on their toes. Sad days indeed. What once was a proud motor industry in Australia has all gone now. All vehicles are imports, which does not help our economy.

Tinker 02-17-2020 04:30 AM

Re: Ford Holden
 

Ford never took bail outs in 06. Last of the private big car companies give or take. I'm sure the manufacturing is just moving here.... or maybe. not. Tariffs.

mercman from oz 02-17-2020 05:58 AM

Re: Ford Holden
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...p;d=1389828693

This is a good article to read about the demise of Holden in Australia.

https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/nati...auto-industry/

tub1 02-17-2020 06:27 AM

Re: Ford Holden
 

bloddy holden cars no good anyway , however I feel for all the employees of the company and all the companys that feed off, holden, supliers of parts etc

supereal 02-17-2020 02:59 PM

Re: Ford Holden
 

My youngest son has owned a Holden for years. It is the Aussie version of a Pontiac, only better. With many of the U.S. manufacturers cutting back on both variety and production, it is likely that imports will become scarce too.

mercman from oz 02-17-2020 05:12 PM

Re: Ford Holden
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...p;d=1389828693

A few years ago, one in four cars sold was a Holden. These days, it is one in thirty. Even Mercedes Benz outsells Holden in Australia - go figure? At one time, General Motors Holder exported the Holden Monaro which was sold in the USA as a Pontiac GTO. Then, the Australian Holden Commodore was exported to the USA and sold as a Pontiac G8. More recently, the latest version of the Holden Commodore was exported to the USA and sold as a Chevrolet SS. It was this Australia car that was used as the basis of Chevrolet NASCAR. This rich history is all gone now. Very sad for the people who work for General Motors Holden in Australia.

Mart 02-17-2020 05:15 PM

Re: Ford Holden
 

It's a shame. My name is Holden so I always felt an affinity with the Aussie car brand.

Graeme / New Zealand 02-18-2020 02:04 AM

Re: Ford Holden
 

The latest Opal based commie have been a flop as Police cars here in NZ. We've used Holdens since the late 50's except for a 10 year period mid 80s to mid 90s when we used Falcons. The big question is what will replace them here. Our Association president said on the radio this morning "BMW was showing an interest", who knows Toyo Camry hybrid?

I'm a Ford man to the bone and really liked the Ef model but Holdens have been a good workhorse and we punished them.

GB

Alaska Jim 02-18-2020 02:44 AM

Re: Ford Holden
 

I have heard on the T.V. , that in a few years there will be no more Ford or GM cars except the Mustang and Camaro. The are only going to manufacture suv's and trucks

mercman from oz 02-18-2020 05:20 AM

Re: Ford Holden
 

Ford has come out saying that they are committed to stay in Australia following Holden's closure. Read this report.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-02-...osure/11973896

mercman from oz 02-18-2020 05:27 AM

Re: Ford Holden
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...p;d=1582021458

Ford 'committed as ever to Australia' following Holden's closure
Ford says it is open to hiring some of the workers let go by Holden. Ford has reassured the Federal Government it is in Australia to stay and may be able to offer jobs to some of the laid-off Holden workers. Key points:Ford remains Australia's biggest automotive employer despite ending its manufacturing operations in Australia several years ago Ford says it is open to the possibility of recruiting some workers from Holden An expert says US-based automotive companies are under pressure to move

Talkwrench 02-18-2020 06:40 PM

Re: Ford Holden
 

Very sad indeed... My first car was a HR sedan, even had a ute that I supercharged before getting into old Fords..

In time it will all go overseas and cheaper as all things seem to do.. :(

KiWinUS 02-18-2020 08:16 PM

Re: Ford Holden
 

I finished my apprenticeship at a Holder dealership in early 70’s they were great cars. I then moved to Australia & in 2 weeks went from nobody to rectification inspector at Holden assembly plant building HJ’s. I new these cars inside out. Unfortunately union strikes forced me to pursue my race engine passion ( or should I say Fortunately). Those 70’s Holdens were great cars. Similar to Chevelles of same era. The same era Falcons also great cars. A sad loss to some awesome automotive past.
Cheers
Tony

mercman from oz 02-19-2020 05:45 AM

Re: Ford Holden
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...p;d=1582109045

Ford Australia has reassured the Australian government that it is in the country to stay. Ford’s comments come after General Motors announced this week that it would shutter the iconic Australian brand Holden and shut down all Australian operations. GM’s move will see about 600 employees lose their jobs.

Ford says that not only will it stay in Australia, but that it may be able to offer jobs to some of Holden’s laid-off workers. Following GM’s surprise announcement, Federal Industry Minister Karen Andrews called Ford Australia and New Zealand president and CEO Kay Hart to inquire about the stability of Ford’s Australian arm. Andrews says that Hart indicated very clearly that Ford was as committed as ever to Australia and that it intends to continue its investment in the country.

Ford no longer has any manufacturing operations in Australia as both it and Holden ended those operations years ago. Ford does retain workers within Australia and is the largest automotive employer in the country. The automaker currently has over 2,000 engineers, designers, and technical and automotive specialists working across four different locations in Victoria. Ford also noted that it plans to invest $500 million in its Australian operations in 2020.

Hart noted that Ford had a big design and engineering team in Australia, hinting that some of the displaced Holden workers with expertise in those fields could find positions with Ford. She said that Ford was hiring at the moment and that she felt sure there was “great talent” in that Holden team. Hart also pointed out that Ford has one of the top-selling vehicles in Australia with the Ranger mid-sized pickup that is designed and engineered in the country.

Lawrie 02-19-2020 07:46 PM

Re: Ford Holden
 

Also , are they not building the 500 hotted up mustangs in the old factory.and what about the mustang engined rangers that will go on sale at the end of 2020.
Lawrie

petehoovie 02-21-2020 02:06 PM

Re: Ford Holden
 

Good Read > https://www.hemmings.com/blog/2020/0...ign=2020-02-21

Lawrie 02-21-2020 06:22 PM

Re: Ford Holden
 

I too did my apprenticeship at GMNZ in Petone as a toolmaker,It was,nt until years later I realised how fortunate I was to get such a great skills base,we could and did make anything there.
We were into hotrods and river buggies then and anything we made for them was of the highest standard,manifolds, rear end and g/box swaps ,all made at work on our 1 day a month to do our own stuff ,using the best materials and equipment.
Lawrie

mercman from oz 02-22-2020 04:20 AM

Re: Ford Holden
 

Ford Australia Praises Holden As GM Shuts Down The Iconic Brand

There a lot of cars from Ford and its competition that are offered overseas that we never had the chance to buy or drive in the United States, but we really wanted to. One of those cars for us was always the Holden Commodore. Everyone was surprised recently when GM announced that it would be shuttering Holden and laying off all the employees.

At the time, Ford Australia stepped forward immediately and said that it would continue operations within the country. Ford went so far as to say that some of the workers that were being let go at Holden might be able to find jobs with Ford. Ford Australia has also tweeted about the end of the iconic Holden brand.

The automaker tweeted that everyone at Ford Australia was saddened to hear that Holden would cease operations. The tweet went on to say that Holden was an iconic brand that held “a special place in the heart of many Australians.” Ford also praised Holden as having “done so much to shape the Australian automotive industry and the country.”

The demise of Holden comes as automakers all around the world shed brands, lay off employees, and close factories in the wake of sagging car sales and increase competition. Ford said previously that it intended to invest $500 million in its Australia operations in 2020. Australia is also where the current Ford Ranger was designed and developed. Ford’s operations in Australia consist mostly of design and engineering teams with over 2000 engineers, designers, and technical/automotive specialists working in four locations in Australia. It’s sad to see Holden go.


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