This article is saying Mike Devereux the Holden head boss is denying the claims......He's even talking with workers and unions saying all is fine... Looks like they're going to get the 500Mill that was agreed in September too.. http://www.skynews.com.au/topstories/article.aspx?id=931676
According to the ABC, $12 billion in taxpayer support has been given to the car industry over the past decade. As best as I can tell, 3 million cars have been produced domestically over that period. Hence, our tax dollars have been subsidising the car industry by just under $4,000 per car over the past ten years. (Not including the indirect subsidies via import duties and the effective banning of grey imports etc by regulation.)
If madness ever grips me and I choose to buy a Holden, I wonder if I'll be able to screw the dealer for my $4000 taxpayer subsidy credit?
Obviously the closure is not going to be announced while Mike Devereux is still around. He doesn't want his legacy to be closing operations in one country just as he's about to join operations in another country!!
Mr Toyota must be pleased to see his local competitors going to the wall. All the local market to itself. OC
^^^ I believe Ford and GMH will maintain their dealerships etc... just not manufacture cars from scratch (i.e. sell & service imports) Someone pointed out that Toyota currently only assembles imported parts. (although I beleive the hybrid Camry has a significant local imput)
Of course Ford and GM/H will still have dealerships, as it is they both have 2 locally produced models (and associated variants) amongst 8-10 imported models. Toyota produce engines here for use in the Aurion and Camry and export them to the world. They export more models than Holden and obviously have permission in Japan to do so. Ford Australia is hamstrung by having no such head office permission. Ford US long ago prevented Ford Australia from having an effective export programme beyond New Zealand - the unions in the US that make the Taurus have too much clout to let their jobs be at stake if the Falcon was allowed to become a competitor within the global brand stable.
Free trade agreement with South Korea will mean that Chevies will be the ones to take the Holdens place at much lower prices.. What about a Commodore for $22000. Yes they will make them in South Korea... Might be just BS but thats what I read on the net. Regards Errol 43
Won't be a Commodore. Will be a revamp of the Malibu, Korean-sourced and sold in Australia now in Holden dealers, or Canadian-sourced Impala that has Korean engines. The impala is a bland front wheel drive full sized car equivalent to the Ford Taurus.
The Wall street Journal has just prodeced an article saying GM ARE going to close Holden and also make cutes in Asia.......Could'nt read all of article cos i'm not subscribed. Toyota also asking to make changes to workers conditions.....Unions not happy!
Ye i'm 99% sure it will be full closure of both factories......More talk today of Holden asking for money again and Vic government bagging Abbott for saying no more......Interesting times!
I'm not talking about the car factories bu rather the States of Vic and SA. These states will be basket cases if the car manufacturing industry goes under. We might have to employ border guards once again just like in the days of Joe. No motorbikes allowed. Regards Errol 43
Daewoo don't exist and there will be no Commodore. That will be gone. Anyone who wants a reliable car will need a boring diesel chugging Landcruiser or hold on to their 10 year old Commodore or obtain a BF Falcon until it's engine dies around 400,000km.
Maybe I am a cruel and heartless blood sucking capitalist, but I find it very hard to find much sympathy for the workers at Ford/Holden/QANTAS. Been at war with the boss for decades, and now they will reap the whirlwind. OC
It is GMDAEWOO Daewoo were crap untill GM bought in & used a more reliable engine Still a piece of crap in my books