Holden Ends Domestic Production in Australia

Legendary GM marque from Down Under closes last domestic auto factory, leaves Holden as importer.

The final domestically built Holden rolled off it South Australia assembly plant on October 20. That ended nearly a century of autobuilding for General Motors’ Australian nameplate.

As of October 21, it also means that no Australians are mass-producing cars in factories. In the last five years, the Aussie branches of Ford and Toyota have both ceased production. Holden held out longer, but their cars will now be badge-engineered corporate cousins.

That marks a sad day for a brand that has built so many iconic cars like the Commodore, Monaro, the Ute, and more. The LS-powered Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) Monaro and Commodore remain particularly potent. The burnout-ready cars were sold in the United States as the GTO and later G8, respectively.

For decades, Holden has badge-engineered some cars based on European, Korean, or American models. However, the closing of their domestic production reduces the company to business as an importer.

SEE ALSO: Last of the Great Australian V8s, the LS9-Powered HSV Commodore GTSR W1

That company’s most popular car, the Commodore, will continue selling as a car based on the same platform as the Opel Insignia and Buick Regal. For the first time in its history, Holden will sell the Commodore without a V8 engine. In addition, it will be either front- or all-wheel drive, rather than rear-wheel drive.

The closing of Holden domestic production also means many out-of-work factory employees. Reports have indicated that as many as 2,500 autoworkers need new employment. This becomes a tricky subject with forthcoming federal elections Down Under.

Holden arose from a saddlery business to an automotive repair shop in the early 1900s. As a result of World War I trade restrictions, they jump-started domestic car-body-building business by the late 1910s. Within five years, Holden’s Motor Body Builders were producing 12,000 car bodies annually to fit General Motors and Dodge chassis. GM began Australian production within a few years using HMBB bodies. From there, Holden has been GM’s Australian arm, infamous for wacky performance variants. It’s the end of an era.

Fortunately, HSV sent Holden’s V8 cars out with a monster LS9-powered Commodore.