Goodbye... Holden :(

[Overwatch]

The VE platform was 'supposed' to be GMs base for a huge range, and exports, which should have followed the VZs.

Yes, and it was. The Zeta platform Commodore was exported to the US, NZ, South America and the Middle East. In the end, a lot of factors conspired to make it ultimately not worth continuing: No. of units sold, GFC, public's move to smaller cars due to rising fuel costs etc. It cost Holden a lot to develop VE and to their credit, GM was onboard but business cases are not only assessed once, they are continuously reviewed as more and more data is accumulated and is compared to current economic conditions to make decisions on a continuing basis. The fans were not enough to make the platform sustainable over the long term.

As for Chinese partnerships, history shows that once brains have been picked, information and expertise gained, partnerships are no longer needed.

Totally agree with you on that, but in business, it's all about (unwisely) the money (and usually short-sighted at that).

if it wasn't built here, then it isn't a Commodore and Holden faithful are not going to accept it as one.

That is true but the faithful started deserting the badge a few years earlier than the start of the ZB series. Sales started declining in 2003 and have never recovered since then. There were simply not enough of the "Holden Faithful" to keep it going.

this was inevitable from the day they ceased local manufacturing.

Yes, but not for the reason you think, local manufacturing was ceased because Australians weren't buying local anymore, not because Holdens were now made overseas. Everyone is buying smaller, more affordable cars that tend to be imported because it's cheaper to make them overseas.

 

[Immortality]

Clearly you missed the current trend in fuel guzzling utes (trucks) and SUV's...

 

[VS 5.0]

China will make good quality after market parts

lol

 

[Fu Manchu]

A petition to the Federal Government to push for asking for our money back on that large we dropped on Holden a few years back?

Will ZB Camira owners get support from Peugeot?

How will Rocky and Bullwinkle **** over Australia some more?

 

[VS 5.0]

A petition to the Federal Government to push for asking for our money back on that large we dropped on Holden a few years back?

They can ask all they like.....won't change anything, just a waste of breath.

 

[Fu Manchu]

I think the Rocky and Bullwinkle bit eludes to the tone of the post and it’s usefulness.

 

[Trevor loves holden.]

A petition to the Federal Government to push for asking for our money back on that large we dropped on Holden a few years back?

Will ZB Camira owners get support from Peugeot?

How will Rocky and Bullwinkle **** over Australia some more?

Lol, doubt that they are the biggest crooks.

 

[holdensupporter2005]

Now that Holden are going / gone,
What Brands and models are people going with in the future?

 

[Trevor loves holden.]

Now that Holden are going / gone,
What Brands and models are people going with in the future?

Holden.

 

[Trevor loves holden.]

Email I received from Holden,

Dear Trevor,

By now, you may have heard the news that General Motors will be retiring the Holden brand in Australia and New Zealand. This announcement will be felt deeply by the entire Holden family, our customers and our fans.

While we understand the impact that this decision may have on you, we want to provide assurance that Holden will continue to support customers in the following ways:

· Honour all existing warranties and guarantees

· Honour all free scheduled servicing offers

· Ongoing call centre support

· Provide servicing and spare parts for at least 10 years, through national aftersales networks in Australia and New Zealand

· Recalls or safety-related issues if they arise

We have a long transition in front of us and we are focused on supporting our customers and our Dealers through this change. The doors do not close tomorrow. In fact, your local Dealership remains in operation and any existing bookings and agreements remain in place.

We are commencing work with our Dealer partners on timing to cease sales of new vehicles, as well as transitioning dealerships to authorised service outlets. Any future changes to our Dealer network that have a direct impact on you, will be communicated at that time.

This decision has not been taken lightly, especially considering the iconic status of the Holden brand. Holden will always have a special place in the development of our countries. As Australia and New Zealand grew, Holden was a part of the engine room fuelling that development.

This announcement will be felt deeply by the many people who love Holden, drive a Holden and feel connected to our company which has been with us for 160 years.

Kristian Aquilina

Interim Chairman and Managing Director
GM Holden