One year from the closure of Holden

[Syndrome]

As 2021 progressed the closure of Holden became increasingly stark as dealers were slowly rebranded or closed and are now desolate. I've never owned a Holden but even I felt the pang of sadness as I drive past former Holden dealers.

What you others noticed?

[DJM83]

The price of aussie made commodores go up, and probably fair enough im guessing it started more than 12mths ago though
Would own a VF SSV Manual Redline ute.

[Franco Cozzo]

Who are they again?

[Syndrome]

Originally Posted by DJM83

The price of aussie made commodores go up, and probably fair enough im guessing it started more than 12mths ago though
Would own a VF SSV Manual Redline ute.

Same with the Falcon. I could get close to what I paid for my car in 2017.

[.:4:.]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Who are they again?

The most memorable holden in my book is the 1985 camira wagon, and for all the wrong reasons. My mum had one when i was a young kid. Tow trucks were cool. I missed so many birthday parties due to that car. It was mainly the times when the boot would open on its own at highway speed and my bike would fall out or the camping gear, as a young bloke that upset me. An unforgettable vehicle in my eyes.

[danzvtil]

Every Holden dealer I know are selling Hyundai/Kia or a Chinese brand now, and are flat out like Holden in the 90s. Holden who?

[In Focus]

I happened to pass the location of the old North City Holden dealership in Osborne Park today. I say "location" because it's gone, the whole setup, buildings and all - all that's left is a cyclone fence surrounding a lot full of weeds.

A couple of years back it was one of the largest Holden dealers in Perth.

[MITCHAY]

GM can get ****ed

[Rob 351]

Passed a former big Holden Dealer the other day which now sells LDV.
And another in my local area that now sells Ford.

[383hq]

Locally they're selling Kia in leiu of GMH, they did nothing for a year (legal reasons?)
they've also opened up an ironman accessory shop to cater for all the 4wd dual cabs that get around.

Bloke down the road has a "Discriminate - Buy Australian" sticker on his Thailand built Holden Colorado - so I guess life goes on for the average punter.

Its not about adding real value through manufacturing in this country any more, its all about the "service economy" so I feel the same sadness driving past.

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by Syndrome

Same with the Falcon. I could get close to what I paid for my car in 2017.

Oh i totally agree.

I reckon id get more than what i paid 4 years ago.

[FairmontGS]

I recently drove the Riverina wheat belt in NSW and there were a number of dealerships still trading under the Holden banner and signage. One even had ZB commos on the forecourt. Was Odd. I thought they were all wound up?

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by FairmontGS

I recently drove the Riverina wheat belt in NSW and there were a number of dealerships still trading under the Holden banner and signage. One even had ZB commos on the forecourt. Was Odd. I thought they were all wound up?

Mantello Holden in Roxburgh Park is still going, signage and all. Drove past it a few days ago.

Sunbury Holden also still had it's Holden signage up last time I went by, they're now Holden and LDV

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by FairmontGS

I recently drove the Riverina wheat belt in NSW and there were a number of dealerships still trading under the Holden banner and signage. One even had ZB commos on the forecourt. Was Odd. I thought they were all wound up?

Local dealer here still has the biggest signs saying holden, even though they sell great wall and suzuki. I thought gm were making them get rid of holden signage and making them replace it with gm delco signs?

[roKWiz]

Holden dealer in Wangaratta became a vacination hub. !!

[Big_Daz]

Ive had my 2017 SSV Redline for 4 years now, I deal with the same dealer to service it now that I did when I bought it... 2 things have changed in the service department, the Signage and the Courtesy Cars (now Hyundai's instead of Holden's). Same people, same fixed price servicing. Dont know about the parts, as I havent required any yet.

The dealer I purchased mine off now sells Mitsubishi, the one I get it serviced at is now Hyundai.

Am I sad that Holden is gone? Yeah, and so should anyone who likes Aussie cars; but in the end the stupid decisions they made about the imported products they chose to sell, only finally getting it right when it was too late, and how GM USA acted killed them and has, understandably, left a bad taste in alot of people mouth, including mine. I love my Redline, I'll never sell it but I'll never trust/buy GM ever again.. Hell, I LOVE the Camaro's that HSV converted and sold here.. But I could never buy one, simply because of the way GM treated Holden...

[Franco Cozzo]

This is an interesting article about manufacturing focusing on Holden went the way of the dodo:

https://www.whichcar.com.au/features/why-holden-failed

A lot of head office politics and interference has a play there, thats the thing when you are a subsidiary of a larger corporate monster based overseas.

We still have manufacturing capabilities in the country, we do train/tram and military vehicle manufacturing in Melbourne and Bendigo.

https://www.defence.govt.nz/the-late...roduction-line

https://www.australiandefence.com.au...ew-bushmasters

https://transport.vic.gov.au/our-tra...orders#Eclass2

https://transport.vic.gov.au/our-tra...rders#Vlocity2

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

This is an interesting article about manufacturing focusing on Holden went the way of the dodo:

https://www.whichcar.com.au/features/why-holden-failed

We still have manufacturing capabilities in the country, we do train/tram and military vehicle manufacturing in Melbourne and Bendigo.

And some buses. Mentioned before but good to see our new country Vline trains here built in Oz. Dumb*ss NSW want Spanish built cracked ones. (like whats happening to their new trams) NSW country train driver want the Aussie built stuff to.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by roKWiz

And some buses. Mentioned before but good to see our new country Vline trains here built in Oz. Dumb*ss NSW want Spanish built cracked ones. (like whats happening to their new trams) NSW country train driver want the Aussie built stuff to.

Chinese trains causing dramas in Sydney too, they had some built here in Australia and then went overseas to the mighty CCCP and now there's problems China throws their hands up in the air, not our problem.

I'm involved in something on that issue.

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Chinese trains causing dramas in Sydney too, they had some built here in Australia and then went overseas to the mighty CCCP and now there's problems China throws their hands up in the air, not our problem.

Gold Standard.

[lra]

GM can get F'd.
I am still dirty that GM USA knocked back Guido Dumary's offer to by the Holden plant and produce a VE type vehicle to export to the world.
But in hindsight, it is now doubtful of that sort of vehicle could have succeeded in the pants wetting excitement of EVs.
In 2016-17, who could have predicted 2021, and all the knock-on effects to ICE production.

[Itsme]

I will be honest I miss the brand as I previously owned many GMH vehicles in the day and my only comment is just shows you the s*** policies from our governments (Labour and Libs) along with the unions over the years that failed us miserably.
You watch history repeat itself as we will lose more iconic industries.

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by Itsme

I will be honest I miss the brand as I previously owned many GMH vehicles in the day and my only comment is just shows you the s*** policies from our governments (Labour and Libs) along with the unions over the years that failed us miserably.
You watch history repeat itself as we will lose more iconic industries.

Yep right on. And yet another business moves offshore I will no longer buy.
Oliver boots. Produced here for 132 years as of 2020 now made in CCCP.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by roKWiz

Yep right on. And yet another business moves offshore I will no longer buy.
Oliver boots. Produced here for 132 years as of 2020 now made in CCCP.

CCCP manufacture but still Australian manufactured prices, mine cost me $235 that I bought last year, under duress, they discontinued the CAT boots I've been buying for over a decade.

[hayseed]

Originally Posted by roKWiz

Yep right on. And yet another business moves offshore I will no longer buy.
Oliver boots. Produced here for 132 years as of 2020 now made in CCCP.

Baxter Boots are another One.. !!
Last pair I bought the Box had Australian since 1850 all over the It.. yet Waaay dooown inside the Boot a Little Tag with Made in China on It..

[Fordman1]

Originally Posted by roKWiz

Yep right on. And yet another business moves offshore I will no longer buy.
Oliver boots. Produced here for 132 years as of 2020 now made in CCCP.

CCCP is the Cyrillic version of the USSR.

CCP is the “Chinese Communist Party”

I think you mean China (by Xi Jinping).

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Fordman1

CCCP is the Cyrillic version of the USSR.

CCP is the “Chinese Communist Party”

I think you mean China (by Xi Jinping).

Sounds like a fashion label or fragrance

[Bolly47]

Did anyone know about few years ago Southern Cross Toowoomba Fountry had won contact from GMH to manufacture V8 cylinder head and rear diff housing for Holden plus manufacturing Truck Brake Drum for over seas export was going great however i dont know what happen then when i was employee for South Cross fountry approx 25 years ago lot of the sadly long time employee are not around any more At the momest i am member of steam train club 2 1/2 years and been involve working,rebuilding the 1910 steam locomotive was build in Toowoomba southern cross foundry finally got it running last November 20021

[xr8territory]

Every day I drive through the roundabout at the bottom of Mount Ousley Rd and Princes Highway, Wollongong ( Cholesterol Corner ) and marvel at the way the FORD signage has replaced Holden signage. To me, that signifies Game Set and Match to the Blue Oval.

[bb_zetec]

I think these words sum things up....

"Good Riddance to Bad Rubbish"