The HQ model range released in 1971 proved a hugely successful export. The biggest single year for Holden exports was in 1973, when built-up and CKD shipments reached a record 41,181 units, representing 25 per cent of Holden's total annual production. The 1970s remains the most successful decade with 197,288 vehicles exported.
In the 1980s, while exports of Commodore and long-wheelbase derivatives continued, the emphasis changed from vehicles to engines. The first shipments of Holden Family II four-cylinder engines, manufactured in Port Melbourne, were sent to the United Kingdom in 1981.
One million engines had been exported to markets by 1988 and three million by 1999, by which time Holden engine and component exports had generated more than $3 billion in export revenue.
Holden's current four-cylinder engine export markets include South Korea, China, Thailand, South Africa and South America. Holden last year started exporting Global V6 engines from its new $400 million engine facility at Port Melbourne, capable of producing 900 engines a day or 240,000 engines a year.
Holden returned to volume vehicle exports in 1998 with the commencement of a major program involving shipments of left hand drive versions of VT Commodore to the Middle East and Brazil.
In 2004, Holden's largest vehicle export market is the Middle East, where the Chevrolet Lumina (Commodore) sedans and long wheelbase V8-powered Chevrolet Caprice sedans (based on Statesman/Caprice) are the region's top selling General Motors large passenger vehicles. The Chevrolet Caprice Royale was recently named Saudi Arabia's 2004 Car Of The Year.
Commodore is exported to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Syria, Lebanon, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Iraq, South Africa, New Zealand, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Fiji, Brunei and Brazil. The Caprice and Statesman are exported to Middle East regions and New Zealand. Shipments to South Korea will begin early in 2005 under the Daewoo brand.
A vehicle based upon Monaro is exported to the United States as the Pontiac GTO. Monaro is exported to the Middle East regions, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. The Holden Ute is exported to South Africa and to New Zealand, where the Holden Adventra, Crewman, Cross8 and One Tonner are also sold. In 2004, Holden Special Vehicles, in conjunction with Holden, commenced its first export vehicle program to the United Kingdom (HSV GTO), and the full HSV range is exported to New Zealand.
Further background information on Holden exports follows. Historical pictures of Holden exports, Holden vehicles in other countries and current General Motors product exported by Holden are available at media.holden.com.au under the Exports category.
Export Vehicle Comparison
Holden Export Timeline
Source: Holden Media Site.