GM ANNOUNCES THE CLOSURE OF HOLDEN IN AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND
It was inevitable, but the closure of Australia's indigenous brand, Holden, in both New Zealand and back home, is still headline news.
The Announcement is a shock. Perhaps not a big one, but a shock nonetheless, after it's rebranding a few months ago as an SUV/Ute producer.
The truth is, for General Motors (GM), developing vehicles for right-hand-drive vehicles is a costly affair. The writing for Holden was surely on the wall when GM pulled out of RHD markets like South Africa and Thailand in 2019, not to mention when local production was stopped the year before that.
Holden was a staple in Aussie culture for decades, selling in spades, and holding a special place in the hearts of many of the public. But, over the last 20-odd years, sales have declined as various other manufacturers have bought the brand. With current owners, GM, the left-hand-drive market accounts for 75% globally, placing enormous pressure on their bottom line.
We join the CarsGuide podcast, Tools In The Shed, as they unpack the news about their beloved brand. RIP Holden.