Photo: Chevrolet
Back in 2012, General Motors-owned Holden tried to save itself by planning a $1 billion injection into its car manufacturing business in Australia. However, the plan went sour after General Motors found no reason whatsoever to keep the manufacturing arm of Holden operational. Hence, December 2013 saw General Motors announce that Holden is going to cease production ops in Australia.
Many jobs will be lost this way and, when all will be said and done, Holden is going to be a shadow of its former self. Beyond the calendar year 2017, the GM-owned brand will consist of a design studio, parts distribution company, and a national sales company. Nothing more, nothing less. Although Holden will change for the worst next year, interest in its products is growing strong.
As per local publication Perth Now, General Motors has ordered 1,000 units of the Chevrolet SS for export into the U.S. This is a bit of a surprise, mostly because the Commodore and SS as we know them won’t live beyond the model year 2017. In Holden’s case, the VFII Commodore is expected to be succeeded by the 2017 Opel Insignia, which is a front-wheel-drive sedan that’s not nearly as large or exciting as the Commodore. As for the SS, heaven knows what will happen to the embodiment of a four-door Corvette.
Regarding the said 1,000-unit order for the Chevrolet SS, this bit of good news had little to do with the fate of Holden’s Elizabeth plant. According to the cited report, redundancies will fall from 320 to 280 workers by year’s end. The remaining 40 people will have to go as well. As per Scott Bachelor, the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union’s regional secretary of the vehicle division, the present development “gives our guys a bit of breathing space before moving on to their next career, or whatever they are going to do.”
On that note, beyond 2017 will see Holden rebadge Chevrolet, GMC, and Opel models to its liking. The Chevrolet Cruze, GMC Acadia, and Opel Astra are just a taste of things to come. What else the future holds, only Holden knows.
As per local publication Perth Now, General Motors has ordered 1,000 units of the Chevrolet SS for export into the U.S. This is a bit of a surprise, mostly because the Commodore and SS as we know them won’t live beyond the model year 2017. In Holden’s case, the VFII Commodore is expected to be succeeded by the 2017 Opel Insignia, which is a front-wheel-drive sedan that’s not nearly as large or exciting as the Commodore. As for the SS, heaven knows what will happen to the embodiment of a four-door Corvette.
Regarding the said 1,000-unit order for the Chevrolet SS, this bit of good news had little to do with the fate of Holden’s Elizabeth plant. According to the cited report, redundancies will fall from 320 to 280 workers by year’s end. The remaining 40 people will have to go as well. As per Scott Bachelor, the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union’s regional secretary of the vehicle division, the present development “gives our guys a bit of breathing space before moving on to their next career, or whatever they are going to do.”
On that note, beyond 2017 will see Holden rebadge Chevrolet, GMC, and Opel models to its liking. The Chevrolet Cruze, GMC Acadia, and Opel Astra are just a taste of things to come. What else the future holds, only Holden knows.
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