D-Day for Holden tomorrow

[BroadyFord]

Workers at Holden will tomorrow vote on a new EBA agreement which will determine (among other things) whether or not the company remains a manufacturer in Australia.

The new EBA is aimed at shoring up Holden's local manufacturing operations - which are running at an unsustainable loss - through approximately $15 million in annual savings.

Importantly, Holden have confirmed that if workers vote "no", then they will be forced to cease manufacturing in Australia in 2016/17, regardless of additional government funding. Furthermore, a decision to quit manufacturing would likely result in an end to the entire car industry given that the supply base would be sub-scale and too costly to supply the sole remaining manufacturer, Toyota.

Hence, I thought it would be appropriate to start a thread which will deliver the verdict and facilitate the inevitable postmortem discussion.

[Guzz226]

Given how ****ed Holden were that their VF launch was spolit by Ford annoucing the end of local manufacturing, isn't this ironic?

Holden could now be seen to taking the wind out of Ford's sails knowing that what they had already planned and announced.

[malazn mafia]

And tomorrow is Ford Vision Day: Go Further or whatever they are calling it. Imagine if the closure announcement takes place during the Ford show...

[Nikked]

So...


Holden have all-but put the blame on its workers for its existence...

Brand rivalry aside, that's disgusting.

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by Nikked

So...


Holden have all-but put the blame on its workers for its existence...

Brand rivalry aside, that's disgusting.

I don't think Holden is necessarily the bad guy here. It's not their fault they can't produce cars for pennies like the foreign companies, but at least they are trying to stay viable (whether it's in vain, who knows).

[TC200six]

Originally Posted by malazn mafia

And tomorrow is Ford Vision Day: Go Further or whatever they are calling it. Imagine if the closure announcement takes place during the Ford show...

What ever the outcome, a Holden announcement always overshadows anything Ford does on the same day.

[Maka]

I just hope for the workers sake they are not getting taken for a ride whether the vote is yes or no, i'm worried it's a charade, Holden going through the motions when they know the enevitable is on the horizon.

cheers, Maka

[EDManual]

as if a tiny $15 million makes any difference to the situation they are in! Putting the blame on the workers is rediculous!

[Nikked]

Originally Posted by EDManual

as if a tiny $15 million makes any difference to the situation they are in! Putting the blame on the workers is rediculous!

not to mention the naming rights sponsorship of just about everything on TV now...and the "buy-us-a-championship" thing they are doing at the moment...


Mind you, its a shame such things overshadow the VF...

[Joe5619]

Originally Posted by Nikked

not to mention the naming rights sponsorship of just about everything on TV now...and the "buy-us-a-championship" thing they are doing at the moment...


Mind you, its a shame such things overshadow the VF...

You just don’t get how a big company works!!! Holden is trying to reduce the cost of how much it costs to build a car, & NOT the cost of their A&P spend. There is a HUGE difference between the two & if you don’t get that, you'll never understand it.

[kevino]

With the election campaign on is it a great chance for Holden/GM to ratchet pressure onto the incoming liberal Govt to promise extra funding?
I thought 15 million saved by the workers is not big ticket enough to save Holden making cars in Oz.

[BHDOGS]

Ive talked to a few workers there all voting yes there biggest fear is the Victorian guys saying no and sinking the whole thing they reckon the yes vote will Get up but won't know the full outcome till end of week

[Joe5619]

I have more respect for a company that is fighting bloody hard to stay here, then one that just walked away with no fight at all!!

Heres hoping we get a "YES" & holden can build from here!!

[P6LTD351]

Originally Posted by Joe5619

I have more respect for a company that is fighting bloody hard to stay here, then one that just walked away with no fight at all!!

Heres hoping we get a "YES" & holden can build from here!!

I have more respect for a company that knows it's over when it's over.

A company that tells it like it is.

A company that does not hold the tax payer to ransom.

A company that knows when to make changes to ensure it can continue globally without putting their handout and declaring bankruptcy.

Yes. That's the company that I respect.

[Joe5619]

Originally Posted by P6LTD351

I have more respect for a company that knows it's over when it's over.

A company that tells it like it is.
A company that does not hold the tax payer to ransom.

A company that knows when to make changes to ensure it can continue globally without putting their handout and declaring bankruptcy.

Yes. That's the company that I respect.

Hang on, Holden is yelling you how it is, but people on here don’t like it!!! It is disgusting to them!!

I guess as an Australian, I like things to be built there.. Call me dumb!!

[P6LTD351]

Originally Posted by Joe5619

Hang on, Holden is yelling you how it is, but people on here don’t like it!!! It is disgusting to them!!

Oh C'mon! GM has already made the decision to pull out. If you believe that they are here until 2022, then you best go and check out LS1.com.au

[Joe5619]

Originally Posted by P6LTD351

Oh C'mon! GM has already made the decision to pull out. If you believe that they are here until 2022, then you best go and check out LS1.com.au

I don’t believe that for one second. IF the decision was already made, they'd tell us, they wouldn't put everyone through all this BS for nothing.

[P6LTD351]

Originally Posted by Joe5619

Hang on, Holden is yelling you how it is, but people on here don’t like it!!! It is disgusting to them!!

I guess as an Australian, I like things to be built there.. Call me dumb!!

No one is calling you dumb. And yes, I would like cars to be made here too.

I don't like the way Holden and GM have carried on for years. They are arrogant, fanciful, and it is finally coming home to roost. Sad for the workers; especially since they think their piddly $15million saving that they are voting on will actually change anything.

[Auslandau]

Originally Posted by Joe5619

Hang on, Holden is telling you how it is, but people on here don’t like it!!! It is disgusting to them!!

I guess as an Australian, I like things to be built there.. Call me dumb!!

They are saying .... as suggested above ..... that if the employees do not take the offer then it is over? That is what they are telling us? Is that not blaming the workers? So they can say, we tried, the employees didn't, so we are closing up shop because of it? I think it would be better to give a 3.5 years of warning and wind down rather than blaming the 'other' party and shutting up shop quicker?

Thats how I am reading all this.

[P6LTD351]

Originally Posted by Auslandau

They are saying .... as suggested above ..... that if the employees do not take the offer then it is over? That is what they are telling us? Is that not blaming the workers? So they can say, we tried, the employees didn't, so we are closing up shop because of it? I think it would be better to give a 3.5 years of warning and wind down rather than blaming the 'other' party and shutting up shop quicker?

Thats how I am reading all this.

You would be reading correctly then.

[XBGTFGGTP]

Originally Posted by Joe5619

Hang on, Holden is yelling you how it is, but people on here don’t like it!!! It is disgusting to them!!

I guess as an Australian, I like things to be built there.. Call me dumb!!

Holden were just waiting for Ford to announce closing down so Ford cop the most crap. It's easy for Holden to now follow so people think they are the good guys. If it wasn't for the govt GM would of closed Holden years ago.

[Joe5619]

Originally Posted by XBGTFGGTP

Holden were just waiting for Ford to announce closing down so Ford cop the most crap. It's easy for Holden to now follow so people think they are the good guys. If it wasn't for the govt GM would of closed Holden years ago.

Exactly, Ford has made it much easier for them to close. So why go through all this BS, if they "have already decided to close" & "Ford has now made it easier to do so". This line of thinking just doesn't add up IMO. Holden are trying to keep the doors open, it is clear for everyone to see!!

[malazn mafia]

Originally Posted by P6LTD351

I have more respect for a company that knows it's over when it's over.

A company that tells it like it is.

A company that does not hold the tax payer to ransom.

A company that knows when to make changes to ensure it can continue globally without putting their handout and declaring bankruptcy.

Yes. That's the company that I respect.

And that company is Mitsubishi ? Look where they are now (actually doing better than before)

[Auslandau]

They would have known 100% probably 12 months ago ...... but I would suggest a few years. There would be a lot of discussion between HQ and AU on how it would work. Hell of a lot of stuff to work out.

I would suggest with confidence that GM knows exactly the when, why and how GMH will pull out if they need to and most probably had it planned the same time as FoA

[BroadyFord]

Can someone tell me why Holden announced two new models last year after being given $275 million to do so? They even told the government in confidence what those two vehicles will be, so it sounds like they have a plan but need the right conditions to exercise it.

Like others have said, it doesn't make sense that they've made the decision to close given last year's announcement.

Also, with the AUD now coming down, exports are more lucrative than they were just a few months ago so maybe that's now been factored in.

[malazn mafia]

Originally Posted by BroadyFord

Can someone tell me why Holden announced two new models last year after being given $275 million to do so? They even told the government in confidence what those two vehicles will be, so it sounds like they have a plan but need the right conditions to exercise it.

Like others have said, it doesn't make sense that they've made the decision to close given last year's announcement.

Also, with the AUD now coming down, exports are more lucrative than they were just a few months ago so maybe that's now been factored in.

And can someone tell me why Ford spent all that money installing a supercharged Miami motor into the Falcon, a 2.0L EcoBoost engine into FG, ecoLPI upgrade to the I6, EPAS into SZ Territory, Diesel into SZ Territory, integrating new Ford global PCM and modules into local product. These were not signs of an imminent retirement, something doesnt add up . If Ford AUS knew their fate all along, why all the effort? Ford Aus Engineers must have been very passionate and dedicated to their product. Poor blokes must have spent endless hours pouring their heart and soul into the product. Can't say that Ford AUS didn't try. Driving any of their latest creations, you can definitely 'feel the difference'. Guess the Australian buying public wouldn't care less. Same thing cannot be said about VE Commodore or Cruze. Both are as stale as something from 2001 (VE feel like a reskinned VX and Cruze on par with a 90s Vectra), have yet to see if VF is a major change.

[Cuyper]

The VN-VS is truly a new skin on a VB but come on the VE is a totally different car, its a Commodore by name only. In fact its the most Holden Holden ever. The HQ is a straight up F body chev with a different skin...

[GQ_Smooth]

Looks like the unions will be winning the PR war if they agree to the new terms.

Although saying mentioning the workers are stressed with the future of their employment, welcome to every job in 2013 (unless you work in a criminal detention facility).

[EDManual]

any news?

[bobthebilda]

Originally Posted by EDManual

any news?

They just had John Camillo on ABC news, indicating that it was a yes vote to the changes. On the condition that Holden commit to the 2016 updates.