Alas, the Holden division of General Motors no longer produces cars on Australian soil. Here’s a quick retrospective on one of the nation’s most beloved brands.
Founded in South Australia as a saddlery way back in 1856, Holden entered the automobile business in 1908 as a maker and fitter of bodies, and eventually it became the nation’s largest body manufacturer. General Motors took a controlling interest the successful venture in 1931, and in 1948 the company introduced its first complete automobile, the model 48-215, proudly marketed as “Australia’s own car.”
Between 1948 and 2017, Holden produced many of Australia’s most memorable cars: FJ Special, Commodore, Statesman, Monaro, and Torana, to name just a few. But unfortunately, Australian production of Holden cars came to an end in October of last year. In a fiercely competitive global marketplace, a nation of 24 million can no longer support native auto manufacturing, it seems: the scale simply isn’t there. Holden and General Motors will continue in Australia, but with vehicles produced elsewhere.
For non-Australians, here’s a very brief and breezy introduction to the Holden name, produced in 2008 and starring the classic Holden commerical jingle, “Holdin’ You in My Holden,” sung by the silver-throated Joan Clarke. It’s not a thorough look at the beloved Australian brand by any means, but it’s a start.
Holden has suddenly slipped to 10th place in the sales race Downunder. Now they are trying to get us to buy Opels and other assorted rebranded rubbish. The latest series Commodore would have to be one of the nicest, best driving, safest, bang for your buck cars ever produced Anywhere in the World. They literally drive like they’re on rails; and let me tell you’ the roads here ain’t too flash!! Who’s responsible for their sad demise? I couldn’t hazard a guess- but one thing is certain- a Holden imported from (a second rate factory) in Korea or Europe is not a Holden. We’ll just look elsewhere…
I have owned multiples of every one of those earlier models.In hindsight not so good cars. Ok engines, crap gearboxes most of the 60s and king pin front ends still in 65. Late 60s to about 80. Then the Commodore crossed over from 78. Though while those cars were quite good very dodgey traumatic trans’s and engines that did not like 76 on emmision rules.
Though the little Holden red 6 made very good power for motorsport applications. But not so good as a standard road engine later on.
As far as I am concerned once they started with the Euro design based Commodores they were all crap. McPherson strut suspension indeed. And then they used Datsun motors in the VL!!
The third generation Commodore with swing axle rear suspension eats up tyres rapidly and rapidly becomes a wallowing rear steer pig!!
And the fourth gen is so fat with the anemic 3.6 litre Saab gunker. At 1.8 ton a very fat pig!
Now all they sell is imported crap, and I mean crap. The new car is a Euro Insignia front drive crap and I have yet to see one on the road. After 2 months from release.
It does make the previous Oz built model look very good in comparison.
I went to the blue side decades ago, though now all they too sell is imported crap. But at least were smart enough to retire/ shelve the Falcon name unlike Holden who have put the Commodore badge on an Insignia.
And In Europe last year I saw very few of them as well. bigger cars were all Bimmers and Audis and a fair amount of Benz’s. And ofcourse millions of front drive 3 year throwaway prams.
And yes Holdens are now no10 in sales and going backwards daily!! And have culled about half of their dealers leaving many regions without a Holden dealer. And even large portions of the cities.
As a matter of interest the HD [aka Highly Dangerous] in the lead pic was the worst handling model ever produced, after what was probably the best in the EH [the squarest model in the clip. Too high, heaps of positive camber and early ones had a kingpin front suspension still.
The model after, the HR had resolved most of those hassles thank the Lord!