Holden will add a second production shift at its Global V6 engine facility in Port Melbourne after increases in export orders.
The Global V6 engine plant will increase the number of engines it produces each day from 240-320 to 440 from today.
Powertrain Lead Executive, Martyn Cray, said the production increase reflected improved export orders and a short term rise in manufacturing volumes at Holden vehicle assembly plant in Adelaide, where Commodore is made.
“Holden has received an increase in orders for our Global V6 engines which are exported to markets including South Korea, China and Mexico and we are lifting production of our engines as a result,” Cray said.
“We are also seeing increased local demand for Commodore after launching the new advanced Spark Ignition Direct Injection (SIDI) engine in 3.0 and 3.6 litre variants.”
The engine plant moved to a single shift in June following a fall in volume resulting from the Global Financial Crisis. Since that time the plant has been running at a daily rate of 240 to 320 engines a day, depending on demand.
The daily rate will rise to 440 engines a day until the end of the year and remain at 400 engines per day through January and February. “The past year has been an incredibly challenging time for Holden’s manufacturing workforce as they manage their lives around changes in our production schedule,” Mr Cray said.
The reintroduction of a second shift is being achieved within the existing workforce. "We managed to retain a skilled workforce through difficult times because we were confident things would turnaround. We are now able to lift production from within our existing team."
Holden Vehicle Operations at Elizabeth in South Australia, which will continue to operate on a single shift, is manufacturing 340 cars a day. The rate was increased earlier this month from the previous build rate of 310 cars a day.
This increased volume is intended to address anticipated demand for vehicles ahead of the 31 December deadline for the Government’s 50% investment allowance. It will also ensure cars are available to dealers across the Christmas shutdown period and into the New Year.
