GLOBAL NEWS
Australian Automobile Company Holden Ends Manufacturing After 161 Years
Last year, Ford ceased its local manufacturing operations in Australia and at the beginning of this year, Toyota also pursued. 2017 is not turning out to be a good year for Australia’s automobile industry, as the country’s only remaining vehicle manufacturer Holden, announced it will be ceasing its vehicle manufacturing operations as well. On 20 October 2017, the company closed its last remaining vehicle plant in Elizabeth, South Australia, ending its 161 years of heritage as a truly Australian vehicle brand.
The final vehicle to roll out of the company’s production line was a red Holden Commodore SS-V Redline sedan, which will be retained by the company as a part of its heritage.
Holden saw its humble beginnings back in 1856 when James Alexander Holden started the company as a manufacturer of leather goods. A few decades later in 1905, Holden began producing motorcycle sidecars and vehicle body shells. 1948 was a major manufacturing milestone for the company when it unveiled the Holden 48-215. The car propelled Holden into becoming a household name in Australia.
Nevertheless, the gradual decline of Holden came in the 90s when Japanese vehicles started flooding the Australian market. The trend continued in the early 2000’s until the company closed its doors this year. Holden will continue to sell cars but now as an importer of foreign vehicles to Australia.
Image Source: caradvice.com.au
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