Holden follows Ford and Toyota as all the big automakers exit domestic production in Australia
Holden has ended its production in the Australian automotive market after nearly seven decades. It marks a sad moment in history as the brand was one of the very few global automakers present that was instrumental for the local economical growth of that vast space. It has come as a hammer-blow as Toyota decided to quit production down under only a while ago.
The final Australian built vehicle has rolled off the assembly lines a few days ago signaling an extraordinary end to the manufacturing aspiration of the previously thriving market. The very last Holden car was a VFII Commodore Redline and it will have a special place in the history as it is the last vehicle to be produced by a mainstream manufacturer due to the exit of Ford and Toyota, let alone the final one from Holden.
Holden, owned by General Motors, says it is the second oldest transportation company in the world as it began its saddlery business in 1856. It has been building cars since 1948 and Australian market was the most popular for the brand due to its sales figures over the years.
The company on a total has produced 7,687,675 vehicles there. In a private ceremony for employees, Holden Chairman Mark Bernhard said the brand is the icon it is today only because of these passionate people and thanked everyone for their services.
The closure of the plant has certainly been a tough moment for the employees but he says 85 percent of them have successfully transitioned to other jobs and the brand worked closely with them for further support. Holden’s employee transition center will remain open for at least two more years for successful transition of supply chain employees. Including the design and engineering teams, Holden still employs 1,000 workers in Australia.
