Holden u-turns on sale of Lang Lang test track

[Wretched]

Holden has back-flipped on selling its iconic Lang Lang test track, confirming the top-secret facility will remain operational even after the company closes its manufacturing plants by 2017.

The Aussie car maker confirmed today that it will maintain its local engineering division beyond 2017 as an outpost of its parent company, General Motors.

The decision means Holden will continue to play a significant role in the development of GM's global product portfolio, building on the decision to maintain its Australian design centre.

It has yet to confirm precisely how many engineering jobs it has saved as a result of the decision, but the company expects to maintain a Victorian workforce of around 200 employees across the design centre and test facility - significantly less than current count of around 1000.

Holden could also not confirm yet if Lang Lang will maintain all of its current facilities, but it is likely to be reduced after Commodore production ceases.

What it did say was the facility will remain operational to ensure future imported vehicles sold by Holden will maintain an "Australian accent" and that its primary role will be to tune cars specifically for local conditions.

"Whether it’s earned on the Proving Ground or created in the GM Australia Design Centre, Holden will keep its proud Australian identity,” General Motors' President for International Operations Stefan Jacoby said today.

“This announcement means that post-2017, Holden will not only retain its Lang Lang Proving Ground in Victoria but will host a design, engineering and product development workforce in Australia.

“This is an important step in ensuring that Holden and its products continue to speak with a strong Australian accent now and in the future. The world over, everything starts and ends with great product.

“Our continued investment in the Proving Ground and the GM Australia Design Centre reinforces the strength of the Holden brand and the company’s commitment to maintaining a significant presence in the Australia.

“The Australian design and engineering capability is also a critical asset for GM globally. This local team is a key part of our global design and engineering strategy for the future.”

http://www.drive.com.au/motor-news/h...501-37j2a.html

[rdmr]

Well that can only be good news. A sigh of relief for some who work there.

Poorly written article though. I felt I was reading the same three lines over and over.

[Aquarius]

That is good news for local workers

[Blue Roo]

Finally, a bit of common sense for Holden management.

[Smoke Pursuit]

Good news for some workers and the country!

[Dr Smith]

Yes it's good news, stupidly Ford maintaining 6 times the number of workers always gets lost.

[Lotte]

Good news for Holden. Pity it's not going to be a huge workforce, but it's there nonetheless.

[CyberWasp]

I am glad they are keeping this facility.
It will come in most handy in testing the glue on the Holden Badges to make sure they don't fall off in Australian driving conditions.

[DanielXR8]

Originally Posted by CyberWasp

I am glad they are keeping this facility.
It will come in most handy in testing the glue on the Holden Badges to make sure they don't fall off in Australian driving conditions.

Given each generation of new cars, means manufacturers must by some unwritten law apply larger and larger badges, its certainly an issue. We are still a couple of generations away from Commodore having the bonnet as just one giant badge casting, but its going to get there.

Ford will follow of course, before on the third generation of new Mustang, deleting the bonnet as a mid life decontenting exercise and hoping no one notices.

Good news on Lang Lang. I suspect there are still some within GM who aren't thrilled with the original decision to sack the engineers.

[Bossxr8]

I'm was initially confused on why they were going to close the proving ground, as they had done a lot of work there trying to polish their imported Korean turds in the past, to get them to a point where gullible fools might find them acceptable to purchase.

Maybe they have now decided they need to keep polishing their imported turds in the future. Wise move.

[1TUFFUTE]

Think there's more to this then "Holden deciding to do the right thing" and keep the track for tuning and or a few jobs.
Not only are the cars they will be using in no way ever designed to even cruise on a test track..... the main thing is that they will only be selling tech pumped little crap boxes anyway. Tuning for our local conditions.....PLEASE

[Bossxr8]

You can bet Holden will be absolutely pumping the "tuned for Australian conditions" sales line in the future, which is trying to mislead the buying public into thinking they are Australian made or something.

They have no problem stooping to this level to sell cars. But the fact is even with the proving ground still here all they will be doing is having a little tweek of the springs and shocks, which is no different from what most of the other importers do for cars headed here.

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

They have no problem stooping to this level to sell cars. But the fact is even with the proving ground still here all they will be doing is having a little tweek of the springs and shocks, which is no different from what most of the other importers do for cars headed here.

Kia seemed to have had a good run with the partnership they have with Graeme Gambold. Since he started tweaking the suspension (springs, dampers, anti roll bars, etc) and tyres of their cars they've been getting pretty good reviews, still a way behind the Focus but far ahead of the Holden Cruze, Hyundai's (strange that they allow the "cheaper" brand have the better styler and suspension tuner) and Toyotas.

[MethodX]

Good on them.
Don't have to look for the negative in everything.

[1TUFFUTE]

Originally Posted by MethodX

Good on them.
Don't have to look for the negative in everything.

Yes but the way Holden aus has been acting it's not very hard is it!

[XR Martin]

Originally Posted by Wretched

Kia seemed to have had a good run with the partnership they have with Graeme Gambold. Since he started tweaking the suspension (springs, dampers, anti roll bars, etc) and tyres of their cars they've been getting pretty good reviews, still a way behind the Focus but far ahead of the Holden Cruze, Hyundai's (strange that they allow the "cheaper" brand have the better styler and suspension tuner) and Toyotas.

I think you'll find Toyotas have extensive local suspension tuning.

[Wretched]

Well Graeme Gambold was ex Toyota.
I am sure they do but they're still not great. From my experiences, Kia has surpassed the Corolla/Camry handling (not really an achievement).

[1TUFFUTE]

Originally Posted by XR6 Martin

I think you'll find Toyotas have extensive local suspension tuning.

Yes but how much tuning do you even need for non performance cars. Jack all I'd suggest. Probably have the apprentice throw some softer shocks at them and call it a day.
Why does Holden need a test track. They could testntune their Chinese rebadges in the car park