Breaking News: Holden to cease manufacturing in Australia in 2017

[DanielXR8]

Originally Posted by Crazy Dazz

Much as I hate Holden, I’d actually hoped that after the Falcon dies the Commode would pick up a few sales, enough to keep manufacturing ticking along for a bit longer.

But seriously, where do buttwipes get off blaming Abbott? He’s been in charge for all of five minutes. Writing has been on the wall for a few years at least, which means the blame lies fairly and squarely with KRudd, Joolya, and Shorten.

I'm not worried personally, there’s still a lot of WA we haven’t dug up and sold yet, so we’ll be right. Don’t know what the rest of you poor sods are going to do for a crust though.

Lets see. He doesn't support ongoing commitments from the previous government. It might be hard to believe, but multinationals don't care about Abbott's grand standing. They actually want consistent ongoing policy that has bilateral agreement between the two parties. Something that allows them to make clear, concrete long term plans - essential given the lead time in the auto sector. Before Tony they got that - with him they don't. Now Australia is a third world basket case, when it comes to foreign investment, because apparently no matter what the agreement, its all up for grabs when our Tony is after votes and gets elected.

His front bench is half full of morons who are ideologically driven to destroy the bogan car industry as they see it. When Holden didn't conveniently roll over for them, they leak stories to the press to destabilise the position of Holden and cause many who work at Holden sleepless nights - and over Christmas too. Nice one. Abbot does nothing except criticise Holden when they come out and say nothing is decided.

Chris Pine fresh from screwing up the Gonski funding - which the Liberals were also not going to support, after saying they would, then puts his two bobs worth in about Holden to help destabilise things. Thats two major screw ups by this minister in as many weeks. Abbott should sack him or at least demote him - he does nothing instead.

Holden after saying they needed a decision before Christmas are told to put a sock in it and they can wait until March 2014 for the government to get yet another report about nothing in particular that they didn't already know. Holden says we need answers, but shuts up anyway and continues negotiations in private. Liberal front benchers meanwhile leak everything like a siv and then Abbott comes out today and says Holden needs to make up its mind.

Holden and Toyota in their submissions to government say they need fair trade agreements to be actually fair and enforced. Abbot does absolutely nothing about this and instead announces his plans to implement yet another free trade agreement with South Korea - a major competitor to Toyota and destroying any last viability of Cruze production for Holden.

Is that enough for you?

As for the "rest of us poor sods". I don't give a stuff about you either, but I do care about your children and mine and theirs. We are digging up their future inheritance and selling it for cents in the dollar, while destroying their industry and future. Perhaps we better start thinking beyond ourselves.

[b0son]

Originally Posted by tranquilized

Can you imagine how shattered all the bogans would be. No more Holden, Ford Mustangs everywhere...

Mustangs everywhere? I think the Monaro showed pretty well, no one wants a coupe when push comes to shove (beyond a small minority).

[DanielXR8]

Originally Posted by barra240t

This article must sting for Holden fans.

http://www.themotorreport.com.au/578...ms-for-gm-here

Because only Holden fans should get upset about the collapse of the Australian car industry? Perhaps thinking Australians might be upset, irrespective of what brand of car they prefer.

[DanielXR8]

Originally Posted by Loud_Noises

Yes the Ford line appears to be strong post-Falcon, but unless FoMoCo pull the dealers into line and improve the post sale experience 1000% (ie no more warranty retorts of "they all do that" and getting rid of the generally poor service experience), their future path is not necessarily one paved with gold.

I'll go one further and say they will never be in the top five brands in this country ever again.

They have a LOT more work to do beyond sacking staff. The culture at Ford Australia has destroyed their market share and allowed their dealer network to run riot. All of which is at the expense of their market. They can't keep blaming supply problems for everything.

[Spammy]

Originally Posted by mr smith

2016 recession, guaranteed.........

Last recession was 1990/91 - Ford sold 7-8000 Falcons per month, Holden sold nearly as many Commodores.

Sales of both are much lower = yet our economy is much stronger. So why do you think we will have a recession in 2016?

[Rico 110s]

Originally Posted by Kieron

I'd say the reason it's not popular with our elected officials is due to it in fact being an unpopular move with Australians...

Pushing import duties up = more expensive cars, both Aussie and O/S built.

How does taking import duties from imported products then giving the manufacturing industry in Australia shares in the imports making Australian made dearer, this is the trick of what the pollies are telling you?

[Trump]

Originally Posted by Spammy

Last recession was 1990/91 - Ford sold 7-8000 Falcons per month, Holden sold nearly as many Commodores.

Sales of both are much lower = yet our economy is much stronger. So why do you think we will have a recession in 2016?

Because despite the constant bleating of govco and the media, the fundamentals of the economy are not sound and what is presented as strength is actually smoke and mirrrors. Australia cannot survive as a massive hole in the ground surrounded by warehouses full of cheap plastic poo and cafes on every corner.

[mr smith]

Originally Posted by Spammy

Last recession was 1990/91 - Ford sold 7-8000 Falcons per month, Holden sold nearly as many Commodores.

Sales of both are much lower = yet our economy is much stronger. So why do you think we will have a recession in 2016?

Ford, Qantas, Holden, Shell, Alcoa etc. + all on the periphery will equal high unemployment.
I don't know what economy you live in but around my way shops are shutting and factories have "for lease" out front. There is money floating around but once manufacturing is gone, eventually there will be nothing propping up the base.

[Kieron]

Originally Posted by Rico 110s

How does taking import duties from imported products then giving the manufacturing industry in Australia shares in the imports making Australian made dearer, this is the trick of what the pollies are telling you?

No mate, I rarely listen to pollies, common sense tells me. If you tack say 10% onto the cost of imports, do you think the locals will keep their products at a lower price or do you think they will jack it up in line?

[JG34JA]

Originally Posted by barra240t

This article must sting for Holden fans.

http://www.themotorreport.com.au/578...ms-for-gm-here

From that article:

"Its salvation is not to be found in the Malibu, 168 sales for November."

The Mondeo got 172 so that's a win for Ford in the modern Red vs Blue thing... but with such poor sales figures for both there's the answer to that 'Will Mondeo replace the Falcon?' thread.

[ryeman]

Originally Posted by b0son

KRudd couldn't even save himself from a slow-talking numpty that couldn't walk anywhere without tripping over.

The other side passed on the poison chalice, the 'workers' seem to like slagging off their party.
The so called debt problem kept hundreds of thousands from the dole and Sen Kim Carr was committed to maintaining a manufacturing capacity if only to support defence manufacturing consumables eg tank barrels engine and track refurb....anyway back to big brother.

[Pedro]

Originally Posted by DanielXR8

Lets see. He doesn't support ongoing commitments from the previous government. It might be hard to believe, but multinationals don't care about Abbott's grand standing. They actually want consistent ongoing policy that has bilateral agreement between the two parties. Something that allows them to make clear, concrete long term plans - essential given the lead time in the auto sector. Before Tony they got that - with him they don't. Now Australia is a third world basket case, when it comes to foreign investment, because apparently no matter what the agreement, its all up for grabs when our Tony is after votes and gets elected.

His front bench is half full of morons who are ideologically driven to destroy the bogan car industry as they see it. When Holden didn't conveniently roll over for them, they leak stories to the press to destabilise the position of Holden and cause many who work at Holden sleepless nights - and over Christmas too. Nice one. Abbot does nothing except criticise Holden when they come out and say nothing is decided.

Chris Pine fresh from screwing up the Gonski funding - which the Liberals were also not going to support, after saying they would, then puts his two bobs worth in about Holden to help destabilise things. Thats two major screw ups by this minister in as many weeks. Abbott should sack him or at least demote him - he does nothing instead.

Holden after saying they needed a decision before Christmas are told to put a sock in it and they can wait until March 2014 for the government to get yet another report about nothing in particular that they didn't already know. Holden says we need answers, but shuts up anyway and continues negotiations in private. Liberal front benchers meanwhile leak everything like a siv and then Abbott comes out today and says Holden needs to make up its mind.

Holden and Toyota in their submissions to government say they need fair trade agreements to be actually fair and enforced. Abbot does absolutely nothing about this and instead announces his plans to implement yet another free trade agreement with South Korea - a major competitor to Toyota and destroying any last viability of Cruze production for Holden.

Is that enough for you?

As for the "rest of us poor sods". I don't give a stuff about you either, but I do care about your children and mine and theirs. We are digging up their future inheritance and selling it for cents in the dollar, while destroying their industry and future. Perhaps we better start thinking beyond ourselves.

Ho Hum, another labor tragic.
It's got nothing to do with politics.
Australia just can't build cars for the price they can be built for in other countries. Ford accepted that and GM knows that and has always been going to close down Holden. Our economies of scale just don't cut it any more. As an example, Ford announced it would cost half the price to build a Falcon in South Africa and a quarter in Thailand.

[Rico 110s]

Originally Posted by Kieron

No mate, I rarely listen to pollies, common sense tells me. If you tack say 10% onto the cost of imports, do you think the locals will keep their products at a lower price or do you think they will jack it up in line?

Theory of import duties are that they flow onto the local so they can drop their prices and if people are that jaded that they think this wont happen then we do not have any faith in competition and how it works, cars from China and other Asian countries are already cheaper than they should be, it is this that is undermining our own industry not the fact that they have to undermine their own prices to try and sell against the cheaper imports.

I think it should be fair, other countries do this for their own industry to survive, Mercedes don't build crappy cars or BMW or Audi and they are all subsidised.
Why cant we take good ideas from countries that know how to make money?

[Mighty Reds]

Just curious but how many cars does Australia actually export, its hardly worth comparing to other countries when their exports as a percentage would be far greater.

[PepeLePew]

Enough unrelated political grandstanding. Stick to the topic please and discussion that is directly relevant.

[Rico 110s]

Originally Posted by PepeLePew

Enough unrelated political grandstanding. Stick to the topic please and discussion that is directly relevant.

Hey Pepe

If your referring to me as political grandstanding and how this is not all about the loss of Australians losing their manufacturing industry in a couple of years?
It seems that solutions to helping overcome the problems of keeping this business alive is not important anymore.

[LTDmonger]

Truth or not,this is going to decimate sales of a just released new model Commodore just like
Falcon sales suffered after Ford's announcement.
The media will have blood on their hands once again.
Or is this what GM want's...a scapegoat?

[Mighty Reds]

Ford has given GM an easy out.

[Windsor220]

I'm wondering how Holden will go without Commodore/Aussie built Cruze. Its not like any of their other cars are class leading. Might kill the brand completely.

[Charliewool]

Originally Posted by PepeLePew

Enough unrelated political grandstanding. Stick to the topic please and discussion that is directly relevant.

The old... "Politics is a no go zone"
Bejesus.. If there is ONE topic that's not only pretty important to our countries future, peoples livelihoods, AND totally "car related", it's this one!
And I reckon politics is a HUGE denominator in the whole car industries past, present and future?
If this subject has to be discussed MINUS the vital ingredient of politics, then it's simply a waste of a thread....... Close it....
and we'll all return to communal Mustang high fiving and backslappin

[MethodX]

Would you people buy Falcons and commodores if they shipped the production lines to China, Thailand or India?

Just Curious.

[Charliewool]

Originally Posted by MethodX

Would you people buy Falcons and commodores if they shipped the production lines to China, Thailand or India?

Just Curious.

If either still produced a fairdinkum ute like they presently do, then.. Absobloodylutely..
I'd even learn the language so I could read the owners manual..
V8 or turbo 6 utes... If WE don't make them anymore, then I don't care if they're made by the friggin Taliban, providing I can still buy one!

[OCTANEBOSS]

Originally Posted by MethodX

Would you people buy Falcons and commodores if they shipped the production lines to China, Thailand or India?

Just Curious.

No way. Would have to buy a hoist to replace the parts that **** emselves every month. IMO QA/QC has a long way to go in china.. A hoist would be good thou

[fte50]

I personally would never purchase a vehicle manufactured in China or India.
Although China is the global manufacturing powerhouse and China & India will continue to evolve and improve its quality, at present I believe the workforce does not have enough vested expertise to compete with our quality standards in practice, and that will take at least a generation to realise, despite the corporations investing in the best quality systems.
But that's just my thought.

[Charliewool]

Originally Posted by fte50

I personally would never purchase a vehicle manufactured in China or India.
Although China is the global manufacturing powerhouse and China & India will continue to evolve and improve its quality, at present I believe the workforce does not have enough vested expertise to compete with our quality standards in practice, and that will take at least a generation to realise, despite the corporations investing in the best quality systems.
But that's just my thought.

Ok, agree about China & India (won't be long until they're up to spec though)
Thailand then?.... An R-spec 335 GT Falcon made in Thailand???? Yes or No?

[fte50]

If they were 10-15K cheaper I would seriously consider. I think that's a fair call given the high profit margins after paying its workforce the equivalent of a Big Mac per week.
Otherwise no, I would look at Euro.

[barra240t]

Originally Posted by DanielXR8

Because only Holden fans should get upset about the collapse of the Australian car industry? Perhaps thinking Australians might be upset, irrespective of what brand of car they prefer.

No Daniel I'm not referring to the Australian car industry, I'm referring to decisions of each car company.

Ford had a plan years ago obviously. Holden didn't.

Ford have a massive line up of world class cars. Holden don't.

Ford are a well known worldwide name. Holden isn't.

Get where I am going?

THIS IS A FORD FORUM ISN'T IT??

[GREGL]

Originally Posted by DanielXR8

Lets see. He doesn't support ongoing commitments from the previous government. It might be hard to believe, but multinationals don't care about Abbott's grand standing. They actually want consistent ongoing policy that has bilateral agreement between the two parties. Something that allows them to make clear, concrete long term plans - essential given the lead time in the auto sector. Before Tony they got that - with him they don't. Now Australia is a third world basket case, when it comes to foreign investment, because apparently no matter what the agreement, its all up for grabs when our Tony is after votes and gets elected.

His front bench is half full of morons who are ideologically driven to destroy the bogan car industry as they see it. When Holden didn't conveniently roll over for them, they leak stories to the press to destabilise the position of Holden and cause many who work at Holden sleepless nights - and over Christmas too. Nice one. Abbot does nothing except criticise Holden when they come out and say nothing is decided.

Chris Pine fresh from screwing up the Gonski funding - which the Liberals were also not going to support, after saying they would, then puts his two bobs worth in about Holden to help destabilise things. Thats two major screw ups by this minister in as many weeks. Abbott should sack him or at least demote him - he does nothing instead.

Holden after saying they needed a decision before Christmas are told to put a sock in it and they can wait until March 2014 for the government to get yet another report about nothing in particular that they didn't already know. Holden says we need answers, but shuts up anyway and continues negotiations in private. Liberal front benchers meanwhile leak everything like a siv and then Abbott comes out today and says Holden needs to make up its mind.

Holden and Toyota in their submissions to government say they need fair trade agreements to be actually fair and enforced. Abbot does absolutely nothing about this and instead announces his plans to implement yet another free trade agreement with South Korea - a major competitor to Toyota and destroying any last viability of Cruze production for Holden.

Is that enough for you?

As for the "rest of us poor sods". I don't give a stuff about you either, but I do care about your children and mine and theirs. We are digging up their future inheritance and selling it for cents in the dollar, while destroying their industry and future. Perhaps we better start thinking beyond ourselves.

A ex minister once had a hit song titled or included the words " Short memories , short memories " obviously originally composed with people like you in mind . Backflips and spin are part and parcel these days of politics of any persuasion and the sooner you start realising that the saviour of this country will not come from the current crop of elected monkeys the better off you will be mentally . I have switched off watching , reading or listening to the media when it comes to politics , it is all just b/**** now . No one stands by their word , they ALL lie when it suits them , and you know what I handle life a bit better nowadays , my tv has a chance to live to a ripe old age ( 1 week past it's warranty probably ) because it doesn't get a stubbie thrown at it every nite . Even the dog will sit under my feet , he senses the more relaxed attitude I have nowadays .
In addition to this new miracle cure for all aggro , I have also seen first hand in the last 18 months or so 3 blokes who have been diagnosed with cancer of differing forms . all at the early 50's mark and all unrelated circumstances , and to top it off mum has just been diagnosed as well ( but at 85 has had a good innings and accepts it ) . So it has made me realise that there are other things , more important things in life than worrying about politics /snake oil salesman and appreciating what you have now , they might not be there tomorrow .

[MethodX]

Originally Posted by Windsor220

I'm wondering how Holden will go without Commodore/Aussie built Cruze. Its not like any of their other cars are class leading. Might kill the brand completely.

They can import opels, they are quite good.
And give us the next Gen Camaro to take on the Mustang.

[GREGL]

Originally Posted by Charliewool

If either still produced a fairdinkum ute like they presently do, then.. Absobloodylutely..
I'd even learn the language so I could read the owners manual..
V8 or turbo 6 utes... If WE don't make them anymore, then I don't care if they're made by the friggin Taliban, providing I can still buy one!

Just imagine the customer care centre call ." hello my falcodore just died can you send a roadside assist person and is it covered by warranty ? "
Overseas operator " bloody aussie ringing during my dinner have they no manners ? "