Commodore to be built overseas after 2014

[SpoolMan]

Politics and the rest of the venting going on in this thread will see another thread close.
Lets concentrate and try and stick to the thread topic.

[kiwimark]

i personally see that as a sign that holden is slowly killing off the name .... just the same as ford is now doing with the current run out limited edition xr6's not one of them has a falcon badge on the boot anymore.....[/QUOTE]
I disagree - An iconic car doesnt need a name badge - the 911 hasnt had one for years, Ferrari dont use them - Falcon and Commodores brand is as strong enough in Aus as the 2 examples.
On the flip side remember how bad the badge was on the AU, perhaps that turned buyers off rather than the crate grill?

[GhiaEB]

I do find it funny, that we only ever get stories/rumors of Ford and Holden packing up production here and moving offshore. Never of Toyota.

I'd say the media likes to drum up a story moreso on these two rather than Toyota.

[Gman_86_xr6]

I honestly think this story has about as much credibility as all of the rumours revolving around Ford doing the same thing with Falcon. Both FoMoCo and GM have shown serious interest and investment in Engineering in Australia. The reality is, in a business as volatile as car manufacturing, nothing is certain.

Originally Posted by Nikked

Im surprised Glover hasn't had his spin on it.


"Holdens Iconic Commodore is set for world wide domination"

He wasn't quite that blatant, he settled with just denying it and suggesting it was hogwash (As heard on 3AW in his usual 2PM Thursday spot)

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by GhiaEB

I do find it funny, that we only ever get stories/rumors of Ford and Holden packing up production here and moving offshore. Never of Toyota.

I'd say the media likes to drum up a story moreso on these two rather than Toyota.

Toyota did it not long ago, saying if the government doesn't work with them they can easily make the Camry in one of the other 7 factories across the world that build Camry. They are probably the one under the most pressure really, they could be shut down overnight with next to no loss of supply, they would just source it from elsewhere.

Ford and Holden can't get Falcon and Commodore from anywhere else.

[jpd80]

Here we go again.
Anyone who has been following GM's RWD programs will know that they announced some time ago
that quite a bit of RWD development work would be heading away from Holden in Australia to places like:

1) Shanghai GM id working on Zeta II which is specifically LWB Zeta versions like The Holden Caprice and Buick Park Avenue

2) Sigma Platform has n\been modified to use Zeta's suspension modules, Cadillac CTS is set to grow next year.

3)Alpha Platform, started as a light weight Torana TT36 vehicle but since Cadillac and GMNA have
played with it, it's now a car for everyone and has grown both on size and weight to just under Zeta.

I don't know what the future holds for Holden's design team, I heard they were working on the
large version of Epsillon II for Cadillac and Chevrolet due to their large car expertise.


Looks like Ford isn't ready to announce anything yet, maybe the media buzzards have found new prey to crunch on..

[galaxy xr8]

Hmmm I remember this thread back in '09,

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthr...256013&page=14


and my certain post, number 412, on page 14, to which I was canned for, anyone think differently now.

This is what I posted back then,

I know of a certain CEO of one of the major 4 bank's in Aus to which my Partner had a one to one meeting with the other week, and talked exstensivley to him about such topic's and according to him,
He believe's that Australia should not have an auto car industry, it is not viable.

__________________
Weekend duties : AU II XR8 230+kw, Herrod mod's, mmm .
His : XW GS Wagon 221-2V.
Her's : Laser-a-mazer.

[svo supporter]

Originally Posted by Rapid_Axe

It IS becoming too expensive to manufacture here, what with all the lazy SOBs on production lines wanting more for less...

Wake up pal. Not all the production line workers are lazy SOB. Like every employment place. You have your easy jobs and you have jobs where you're busting your ***. And just for your information, ALL assembley line workers, within their particular plant area, rotate jobs. So one week, you're taking it easy and the next you're busting your ***.

So pull your head in and stop writing bulldust, when you know bugger all about their employment conditions

[Franco Cozzo]

Feels good that the shoe is on the other foot IMO.Z

[Whitey-AMG]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Ford and Holden can't get Falcon and Commodore from anywhere else.

The massive decline in sales figures for these 2 over the last decade makes it obvious that not many aussie buyers really give a $&/7 about whether falcon or commodore can be sourced elsewhere and the painful truth that these 2 large car icons will be dead and gone in less than 5 years. It may give many that incentive to drop a couple of kilos as the Cruze is substantially smaller and the holden yards will be full to the brim with them in all colours of the rainbow. Question is what Ford will be replacing the Falcon with in 2 - 3 years time ?

[Luke Plaizier]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

Feels good that the shoe is on the other foot IMO.Z

You know, I do concede to feeling that as well.


Lukeyson

[joolz]

Mr Button's plan worked too well (the very cheap imports) and with the GFC Detroit now needs more of the share but taking it from Australia. Meanwhile Bob Brown has a smile from ear to ear as another heavy poluting industry is slowly dying in Oz. We cant go back to horse and cart as horses fart!!

[2011G6E]

We're lucky we even have a car industry given our tiny population. It would have been far easier and profitable to just bring in cars from overseas.

[imugli]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Toyota did it not long ago, saying if the government doesn't work with them they can easily make the Camry in one of the other 7 factories across the world that build Camry. They are probably the one under the most pressure really, they could be shut down overnight with next to no loss of supply, they would just source it from elsewhere.

Ford and Holden can't get Falcon and Commodore from anywhere else.

THIS.

Toyota do it every time they're deciding which plant to build their new engine or new vehicle in. Looks like Holden have caught on, now...

[apfgxr6]

just think how mutch money every CHEV loving bogan will save from not having to buy there own badges, the cars will already have them fitted before they get to australia!

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by kiwimark

I disagree - An iconic car doesnt need a name badge - the 911 hasnt had one for years, Ferrari dont use them - Falcon and Commodores brand is as strong enough in Aus as the 2 examples.
On the flip side remember how bad the badge was on the AU, perhaps that turned buyers off rather than the crate grill?

hehe funnily enough the introduction of the 991 911 does have a 911 badge on the boot of the Carrera, though I think it is an option (hopefully).


As for the topic at hand, eh not really seeing any credibility in it.
I don't see them moving the engineering & design anywhere.
It could be the company wanting more money but who started all this?

I think this will be a good opportunity for the government to assess the viability of manufacturing in this country and work on ways to make it more attractive to do so. I am not talking about simply handing out $$ to big companies that have the $$ in the bank but want to hold the government to ransom. I am sick of seeing my money being poured out to large manufacturers dealing out mediocre products time and time again.

[Nikked]

I think Australia will (in the future) be more of a design and final assembelly stage.

I can see alot of the sheet metal being pressed overseas, and with most drivetrains being global, i'ld hate to say it but engines wont be built here.

Just a thought...

[jpd80]

There is still a market for large cars and it will remain so but not as large as it once was
now that people have more choices of vehicles in other segments like SUVs and PU/CCs
now being more popular.

If the anual sales increase from 1 million, it is logical that slight increases in large cars
and other and all other segments will happen, that could be good for our market.

I therefore wouldn't be so down hearted about the future of Falcon and Commodore...

[SSVPom]

Originally Posted by jpd80

Here we go again.
Anyone who has been following GM's RWD programs will know that they announced some time ago
that quite a bit of RWD development work would be heading away from Holden in Australia to places like:

1) Shanghai GM id working on Zeta II which is specifically LWB Zeta versions like The Holden Caprice and Buick Park Avenue

2) Sigma Platform has n\been modified to use Zeta's suspension modules, Cadillac CTS is set to grow next year.

3)Alpha Platform, started as a light weight Torana TT36 vehicle but since Cadillac and GMNA have
played with it, it's now a car for everyone and has grown both on size and weight to just under Zeta.

I don't know what the future holds for Holden's design team, I heard they were working on the
large version of Epsillon II for Cadillac and Chevrolet due to their large car expertise.


Looks like Ford isn't ready to announce anything yet, maybe the media buzzards have found new prey to crunch on..

There's a GMH registered small Cadillac running around near me, black and RHD. Rego begins UAM...

[Pub247]

Originally Posted by Rapid_Axe

It IS becoming too expensive to manufacture here, what with all the lazy SOBs on production lines wanting more for less...

Says the man post at 10:40 am.

Shouldnt you be at work? working?

[MethodX]

Originally Posted by apfgxr6

just think how mutch money every CHEV loving bogan will save from not having to buy there own badges, the cars will already have them fitted before they get to australia!

Its much, you a ford loving bogan that cant spell then?
On a serious note, Hopefully the car will continue in some from of rwd capacity, even if the platform is shared.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by SSVPom

There's a GMH registered small Cadillac running around near me, black and RHD. Rego begins UAM...

Interesting, as Cadillacs are not normally RHD, this is unreleased ATS:

[new2ford]

Originally Posted by Wretched

hehe funnily enough the introduction of the 991 911 does have a 911 badge on the boot of the Carrera, though I think it is an option (hopefully).
image

Also this nose-end product of Porsche Design Studio shows its number!




And perhaps not entirely OT as it shows how a car manufacturer's design team can get work on a range of projects anywhere in the world.

It seems to me Holden is going the opposite direction to Ford with its Australian design team. As the Porsche example shows, a good design team can find work anywhere but manufacturing is sink or swim. If the story is true then Ford's strength is the swim option (design/engineering) and Holden the sticking with the sink option (local manufacturing).

[Watto_Cobra]

Originally Posted by Pub247

Says the man post at 10:40 am.

Shouldnt you be at work? working?

That is a broad assumption there. I've been working arvo shift (2pm to 10pm) for almost 11 years. The majority of my posts are 10am to midday or around midnight. But also, how do you know he isn't on an RDO or annual leave. I myself, right now, am on a weeks annual leave.

I agree with previous posters about the cost of labour vs. productivity. I believe I'm a hard worker, I put in more than my share, reliable, rarely call in sick.

The bludgers I see everyday at my work make me feel sick. Always on bookface or whatever on their mobiles, always using all their sick leave and much more, always late, always yapping away. I see one good employee in every twenty we give a try. It's no wonder we can't compete with countries with lower labour costs.

EDIT: I should clarify, that is what I've observed in my work place at a 24 hour plant with between 80 and 150 workers on each shift. I'm not saying Ford, Toyota, or Holden (, or Mitsubishi) had or have the same labour problems.

[Bossxr8]

Its good to see someone other than Ford copping it for once.

Ford should come out tommorow with the news Falcon is staying RWD just to sink the boots in.

[joolz]

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

We're lucky we even have a car industry given our tiny population. It would have been far easier and profitable to just bring in cars from overseas.

And what work force could afford to buy a car that can tow a caravan or even a boat . The Australian car industry employs thousands and the money made filters down to even the local bakery. The way Australia is going it will be just a tourist destination like Bali and nothing else.

[Watto_Cobra]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Its good to see someone other than Ford copping it for once.

Ford should come out tommorow with the news Falcon is staying RWD just to sink the boots in.

I hadn't visted the forum for a while, and that's the first thing I thought when my brother informed me (he'd seen it on Sky Business and the local news). So first thing I do is login and get my news from here.

We all saw the press hound Mitsubishi Australia until they finally closed Tonsley Park. They've been predicting either Falcon to be FWD or re-badged Taurus or to completely die for years now. Everytime, I've had to take stick from my Holden fan mates.

It was nice to throw something back at them for once. But the worry is, if either Ford or Holden or Toyota shut up shop here, the pressure on local suppliers may force the remaining two out of business here.

[Pub247]

Originally Posted by Watto_Cobra

That is a broad assumption there. I've been working arvo shift (2pm to 10pm) for almost 11 years. The majority of my posts are 10am to midday or around midnight.

I agree with previous posters about the cost of labour vs. productivity. I believe I'm a hard worker, I put in more than my share, reliable, rarely call in sick.

The bludgers I see everyday at my work make me feel sick. Always on bookface or whatever on their mobiles, always using all their sick leave and much more, always late, always yapping away. I see one good employee in every twenty we give a try. It's no wonder we can't compete with countries with lower labour costs.

EDIT: I should clarify, that is what I've observed in my work place at a 24 hour plant with between 80 and 150 workers on each shift. I'm not saying Ford, Toyota, or Holden (, or Mitsubishi) had or have the same labour problems.

Shhh let me troll in peace...

Seriously though i see it all the time people on internet telling people how much better they are or that others are lazy yet they're at work spending most of the time on the internet.

I work bloody hard and i dont get paid enough for what i do considering im qualified tradesman. If theres lazy people at your work maybe you should point them out to management

[b0son]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Ford should come out tommorow with the news Falcon is staying RWD just to sink the boots in.

If you're not expecting the car to be around much longer, is it really making that much of a statement?

[b0son]

Originally Posted by Watto_Cobra

I see one good employee in every twenty we give a try. It's no wonder we can't compete with countries with lower labour costs.

Does that really surprise you?

It never ceases to amaze me how little people care about their ongoing employment, acting as if their boss owes them a living. A nation of princesses.