Commodore ends in 2016, Holden leave Aus 2017

[dedja]

Reports coming in that Holden will cease Australian manufacturing in 2017 ...

[Psyber]

It seems to me that Australian manufacturers have been slow to adapt to producing what most of the public want to buy.
The dominance of the small Mazda and Toyota on the chart posted above reflect that - the Hi Lux is a work vehicle and in a separate category.
Reputation for reliability is clearly a factor.

I had three Holdens before moving on to Japanese and then later European cars, mainly because of irritating faults, and poor performance to economy ratios. (The last Holden was the Monaro HK 327 Bathurst model when petrol was affordable.)

[Squids]

If Holden can't compete now they have no chance once China works out how to build cars.

[RustyCage]

Holden 'to close Adelaide operations in 2017'

BREAKING NEWS: HOLDEN will close its Australian operations, including Elizabeth in 2017, the company has told its South Australian workforce.

General Motors has also told the Victorian Government that it will cease operations in 2017.

In a statement, the company says it will discontinue vehicle and engine manufacturing by the end of 2017 and significantly reduce engineering operations in Australia.

About 1600 positions at the Elizabeth plant will be "impacted", statement says, and about 2,900 across the country.

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/business/companies/gm-to-name-mary-barra-ceo-as-holden-decision-nears/story-fni0d54v-1226780247370

[Psyber]

Ive only ever owned Falcons, but once they get phased out, Id probably stick with Ford and get a base model Mustang imported. Costs about $24,000 US plus shipping which would be a few grand, then the conversion. Probably be about $40,000 all up but would still be good value. I would rather that than drive a Hyundai.

Give Hyundai a try my friend.
I'm not really a sedan or station wagon buyer, but I've driven a few Fords, and never liked the handling, which seemed imprecise to me.
While I was working in WA early this year I was lent a Hyundai i45 for 3 months and was surprised by its good handling and performance.

[Bully]

If Holden can't compete now they have no chance once China works out how to build cars.

thailand already make 2.3 million a year

[dedja]

HOLDEN has announced its biggest ever financial loss — $553.8 million after tax for the calendar year 2013 — after posting its lowest sales in 20 years and announcing its factories would close by 2017.

The latest figure brings Holden’s total losses to a staggering $1.28 billion over the past eight years — even though the car maker has received more than $1.8 billion over the past 12 years in taxpayer support, including $86.2 million from the public purse in 2013.

[HH3]

Of course they're gonna have a decline in sales when people know in 2 years spare parts and mechanical support for them is going to get more expensive, and they've put tens of thousands of people out of work.

[dedja]

This loss is for the period before the close was announced though ...

[dedja]

Updated info including Ford. There was no other choice by both manufacturers to close up shop.

THE balance sheets of Holden and Ford are covered red ink as both brands prepare to close their car factories by 2017.

Holden has announced its biggest ever financial loss — $553.8 million after tax for the calendar year 2013 — after posting its lowest sales in 20 years, while Ford is $267 million in the red, its second-worst result on record, as its sales hit a 22-year low.

The latest figures bring Holden’s total losses to a staggering $1.28 billion over the past eight years; Ford has lost $1.1 billion over the same period.

The losses come despite both car makers receiving generous taxpayer support, with Holden receiving more than $1.8 billion over the past 12 years, including $86.2 million from the public purse in 2013.

Meanwhile, Ford has received more than $1.1 billion in government funding over the same period, including $72 million in 2013.

Holden’s previous record loss was $210 million in 2009 but its most embarrassing result was in 2011, when its profit of $89.7m was exactly the same as the government funds it had received that year.

Ford Australia’s worst result on record was a loss of $274 million in 2008.