Some Possibilities for After the Closure of Holden

The upcoming closing of the Holden’s Adelaide factory has apparently sparked interest around the world and Motoring reports that many companies are eyeing the site after the year 2017 when it’s all planned to go quiet – funny how GM thinks it’s irrelevant and found shutting it down as being the best bet…

It’s been noted by the South Australian Premier, Jay Weatherill, that he’s had meetings with industry leaders to find solutions for the absorption of the 1,600 layoffs.

“We're receiving unsolicited propositions from a range of companies and others that we've gone out and pursued ourselves. We're obviously working through them,” he noted, adding that it’s not only automotive companies that are interested in the plant, as “there's also armored vehicle manufacturers and other whole sectors that have completely different industry opportunities, for instance in the food industry… All of those things are on the table and they're being given consideration, too.”

The SA Premier is confident that they could even create a surplus of jobs in the “tens of thousands” if the plan is carefully thought out, realistic and actually aimed at supporting the people, instead of just treating them as numbers in a statistic.

Another idea would be to create “world-class” LPG conversion facilities in three major cities (Melbourne and Geelong aside from Adelaide). This one was put forth by Victoria’s Automotive Chamber of Commerce (VACC) and Gas Energy Australia.

The Victorian Premier, Denis Napthine, conceded that “there is a new game in town. It's the closure of Holdens. It does mean that we have to consider things that perhaps haven't been considered before,” concentrated on the “augmentation of the infrastructure around water or transport or electricity or gas, they may actually be able to make their investment decision… We want to identify and accelerate that.”

Do check out the spoof video below, before you go; it’s based on the concept of the official “We’re here” promo released by the company not so long ago…

By Andrei Nedelea

VIDEO

Next Holden Commodore Rumored to be Rebadged FWD Buick Made in China

We learn from Cars Guide of Australia that there may be more know about the story of Holden shutting down. Apparently, GM did some kind of prior deal with Holden to have it design the next Commodore along with a Buick for the Chinese market. The Holden would have been made in Aussie, while manufacturing of the Buick-badged car would have been outsourced to China.

Now that the production halt of 2017 is official, and GM denied getting rid of Holden as a brand, the quoted report has firm footing to believe that the car destined for the Australian market will now be built alongside the Buick.

The worst part of all, for those used to rear-wheel drive cars being called Commodore, is that this future model is neither of those things… Four cylinders and front-wheel drive are expected.

It will be a Euro-inspired car, and from what we understand a bit of a four-door coupe, sleeker than the car it will replace; length will be almost five meters so it will be about the same as the current one, in that area – the only similarity.

By Andrei Nedelea

PHOTO GALLERY

It’s Nice That HSV can Still Wish Us "Merry Christmas"

There has been a lot of talk recently about GM’s Australian branch, Holden, shutting down production from 2017 onward, being stirred by rumors (that were later denied) insisting that said year would also mark the end of the brand completely; the hole in the Aussie market would end up being plugged with front-wheel drive Chevys, if that dark scenario was to actually unfold.

However, in spite of all the imminent hardships that it’s predictably going to endure within the next few years, HSV (that’s Holden Special Vehicles) has just released a lovely video to wish everybody a Merry Christmas via the LED-infused body and neon-clad underbody of a GTS sedan.

The result is oh so colorful, and if its exhaust smelled like pine trees and didn’t kill you within minutes, it would have been the perfect fun new Christmas decoration.

Scroll down and check it out after the virtual jump.

By Andrei Nedelea

VIDEO