All 2010 Holden Models Receive 5-Star ANCAP Rating

Holden, who earlier this week announced a 200 job cut in the domestic market, is now stepping in front of the media to boast about the safety of its 2010 models as they all achieved the maximum five-star Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) rating. The four models, the Commodore sedan, Sportwagon, Statesman and Caprice, will be officially launched next month in the local market.

Safety features on the aforementioned models include six airbags and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) which incorporates Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Electronic Brake Assist (EBA) and Traction Control System (TCS).

"We’ve always been very confident in these vehicles’ real world safety capabilities but even so, it is rewarding to receive this third party endorsement," Holden Chairman and Managing Director, Alan Batey, said. "The five-star result reflects our rigorous approach to all aspects of vehicle safety. We are committed to a policy of continuous improvement which is highlighted with the launch of this exciting range."

Separately, Holden earlier this week revealed that it plans to cut around 200 jobs, most of them currently working at the company's local headquarters.

"We're offering voluntary packages within some of our functions, primarily office-based functions at our Port Melbourne headquarters," Holden spokesman Scott Whiffin said this week when announcing the new layoff. "Some of these functions have remained more or less untouched over the years as we've gone down to one shift out at our Elizabeth plant, as export and engineering projects have come and gone, and as our domestic markets have contracted."