One year from the closure of Holden

Syndrome · 01-01-2022, 07:31 PM

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** · 01-01-2022, 07:34 PM

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.

Syndrome · 01-01-2022, 08:34 PM

Quote:

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.

**DJM83** · 02-01-2022, 10:29 AM

Quote:

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.

Franco Cozzo · 01-01-2022, 07:34 PM

Who are they again?

.:4:. · 01-01-2022, 08:56 PM

Quote:

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.

Fast Eddie · 03-01-2022, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by .:4:.

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.

I had one of the last JE Wagons and can honestly say I had no problems with it whatsoever but naturally my MkI Focus is the best car I have owned.

danzvtil · 01-01-2022, 10:56 PM

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 · 02-01-2022, 12:39 AM

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 · 02-01-2022, 12:43 AM

GM can get ****ed

Rob 351 · 02-01-2022, 08:17 AM

Passed a former big Holden Dealer the other day which now sells LDV.

And another in my local area that now sells Ford.

383hq · 02-01-2022, 08:46 AM

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.

**FairmontGS** · 02-01-2022, 10:33 AM

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 · 02-01-2022, 12:02 PM

Quote:

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

DTFRMONT · 03-01-2022, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

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

Patterson Cheney in Vermont still has their Holden signage up (for now).

The dealer in Seymour that I bought my Aurion from a few months back put in an Isuzu dealership to replace Holden. From their FB feed, they seem to have no issues shifting D-Maxes....

xkxlxm · 03-01-2022, 05:50 PM

Is anyone trying to get hold of any Holden dealer signs while you can?

Franco Cozzo · 03-01-2022, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xkxlxm

Is anyone trying to get hold of any Holden dealer signs while you can?

Nah, but keen on pinching the massive VB sign thats on our pub thats been boarded up and closed for the past 5 years

**Rallye Sport** · 03-01-2022, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xkxlxm

Is anyone trying to get hold of any Holden dealer signs while you can?

I found one recently with its signs still up in regional WA, didn't think to ask about the signage but did get a couple of dealer stickers as a momento.
First time I'd ever been in a Holden dealership

Bossxr8 · 02-01-2022, 01:18 PM

Quote:

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 · 02-01-2022, 01:38 PM

Holden dealer in Wangaratta became a vacination hub. !!

Big_Daz · 02-01-2022, 01:41 PM

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 · 02-01-2022, 01:45 PM

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 · 02-01-2022, 01:52 PM

Quote:

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 · 02-01-2022, 01:55 PM

Quote:

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 · 02-01-2022, 01:57 PM

Quote:

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 · 02-01-2022, 02:03 PM

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 · 02-01-2022, 02:10 PM

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 · 02-01-2022, 02:18 PM

Quote:

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 · 02-01-2022, 03:33 PM

Quote:

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 · 02-01-2022, 04:32 PM

Quote:

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..