What's going to happen to Holden?

**Elysium** · 1st June 2009, 16:38

Some of you people may have heard the US govenment announced that GM will file for bankruptcy. Now GM also own Holden and it appears GM are only going to stick to four brands and the rest are gone.

So do any of you business minded people believe Holden can stand on its own? It would be a shame to see such an iconic brand go under.

**tri boy** · 1st June 2009, 16:42

GM Australia will go cap in hand to the Chinese, and they will be refinanced, and re badged as Ping Foo.
2 cylder diesels will be matched to a jigger gearbox and V8 supercars will be inundated with drivers who look like Jackie Chan. MHO

**Meanie** · 1st June 2009, 16:54

A bit sad realy, nothing like the rivalry between Ford and Holden and they do make a dam good car. Lets hope we dont see them disspear

**Hitcher** · 1st June 2009, 17:06

What's the problem? There are plenty of cars to choose from, and I'm sure people will find plenty of choice once Holden disappears. Good heavens, some Holden buyers may even buy Fords!

**JimO** · 1st June 2009, 17:08

Originally Posted by Meanie

A bit sad realy, nothing like the rivalry between Ford and Holden and they do make a dam good car. Lets hope we dont see them disspear

they only make 1 car, its called the commodore, comes in sedan/wagon/ute...all others are rebadged koreans

**p.dath** · 1st June 2009, 17:09

Originally Posted by Elysium

Some of you people may have heard the US govenment announced that GM will file for bankruptcy. Now GM also own Holden and it appears GM are only going to stick to four brands and the rest are gone.

So do any of you business minded people believe Holden can stand on its own? It would be a shame to see such an iconic brand go under.

Nothing will be happening. It is a technical bankrupcy. The US Government is taking a 75% equity stake in GM. This is being done by placing GM into backruptcy, so that the equity can be changed, and then it is being brought back out of bankruptcy.

Sure, they'll be looking to trim expenses, make things more efficient, but it will still be trading.

**Hitcher** · 1st June 2009, 17:14

I'd be more worried about the future of marques that have a significant GM shareholding rather than being owned outright -- like Saab and Subaru, for instance. Proper cars, not Holdens or Chevs.

**Blackshear** · 1st June 2009, 17:20

Apologies for the low resolution, couldn't find a bigger one.

**Chooky** · 1st June 2009, 17:46

Hey Hitcher first it was "shivering with delight" now its gone "chk chk BOOM".
Care to tell us.... I was thinking of getting one....

**tri boy** · 1st June 2009, 17:50

Originally Posted by p.dath

Sure, they'll be looking to trim expenses, make things more efficient,

That will include approx 40-50000 jobs worldwide.
Funny thing is, one of the Waikato agents no longer advertises Holden much, (since they were told to find their own purchase funding, rather than relying on GM).
But they have chosen to market Cadillac.
Talk about jumping from lame horse to another.

**davereid** · 1st June 2009, 17:52

My guess ?

Holden will become a car assembly plant, with the real australian 6 and 8 cyl cars becoming history.

You will still buy a Holden from your Holden dealer, but it will be a Daewoo small car, or an Opel large car.

The GM 6 cyl engine is made in Aussie and Michigan, it would be surprising if the US taxpayer poured money into the Aussie plant. Unless demand for the v6 increases, it will go out of australian production.

This engine is not really a good bet for any more development as Obama intends the US new car market to average 6-7l/100km within 7 years.

That doesnt mean the world will see the end of the V6 and V8, but GM in particular have to invest a lot in new engines, and the 6/8 cyl petrol engines won't get the funding.

Ford have already got modern engines, as they have invested in PSA for the diesel and direct injection engines PSA make, and will be able to use them, but GM lack suitable engine technology, and will have to access EU or asian technology.

So if half the car is sourced from the EU or asia, the RHD market is unlikely to be built in the US.

So your Holden will be an asian car, assembled in aussie.

**Hitcher** · 1st June 2009, 17:55

Originally Posted by Chooky

Hey Hitcher first it was "shivering with delight" now its gone "chk chk BOOM".
Care to tell us.... I was thinking of getting one....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0L2VaTWs9s

**popelli** · 1st June 2009, 18:18

Originally Posted by davereid

So your Holden will be an asian car, assembled in aussie.

possibly not

Saab Opel and Vauxhall are in the process of being sold off

Opel Vauxhall and Holden are are mirror images of each other the main difference being the badge

Chances are the commonality will continue as part of the package to sell off Holden

**Mully** · 1st June 2009, 18:24

The Aussie Govt will buy it if it comes down to it to protect jobs.

**geestring** · 1st June 2009, 18:27

Originally Posted by Hitcher

What's the problem? There are plenty of cars to choose from, and I'm sure people will find plenty of choice once Holden disappears. Good heavens, some Holden buyers may even buy Fords!

oh dear. you must drive a ford. even if ford were the only cars to choose from, never would we buy one

anyway 5 cents are no longer worth anything either.