Australia
Overview
Australia’s first large scale automotive manufacturing facility was formed in 1931 when General Motors Australia merged with Holden’s Motor Body Builders to form General Motors Holden’s Limited (now Holden Ltd). The Holden name, however, is older than the motorcar itself and has been associated with transportation in Australia since the gold boom days of the early 1850s. That’s when it first appeared above J.A. Holden’s leather and saddlery business in Adelaide, South Australia.
Holden has a special place in Australia’s history as the manufacturer of the first all-Australian passenger car in 1948. Today, Holden has evolved from a domestic manufacturer into an internationally competitive global company exporting vehicles, engines and automotive expertise to diverse markets. Holden employs more than 6500 people Australia-wide and has produced more than 6.8 million vehicles, most with a locally built engines and an additional 4.3 million engines for export purposes.
Holden’s major operating facilities are located at Fishermans Bend (technical centre, administration and engine manufacturing plants), Dandenong (spare parts operation) and Lang Lang (automotive proving ground) in Victoria; as well as Elizabeth (vehicle manufacturing plant) in South Australia.
Holden design and manufacture the Commodore – the nation’s top-selling passenger car since 1996 – and are the provider of a comprehensive and highly competitive model range,
Holden is also GM’s centre of rear wheel drive vehicle development and is home to GM’s third largest design centre and a key global GM design team.
The Holden passenger model range is made up of Caprice, Statesman, Berlina, Calais, Calais V, Commodore Omega, SV6, SS and SS V, Captiva, Epica, Astra, Viva and Barina. The light commercial vehicle range is comprised of Holden Ute, Rodeo and Combo.
Although Holdens of the future will change in profile, be powered by different engines and introduce ever more innovative features, the process of change generated through such initiatives will be forever linked to the company’s heritage by the lion emblem displayed proudly on its products.
Head Office, Engineering & Design Centre
Port Melbourne, Victoria
Design; engineering; national sales and marketing; customer satisfaction and quality; finance; human resources; product, business and strategic planning; purchasing and logistics; corporate affairs; legal; information systems and services; vehicle line executive group.
Holden Engine Operations
Port Melbourne, Victoria
Manufacture and assembly operations for Family II four-cylinder and Global V6 engines, foundry and component manufacturing facilities.
Year opened: 1942 (1981 in L4 Family II production form).
Global V6 plant opened: 2003.
Plant size: 39.61 Hectares
Vehicle Manufacturing Operations
Elizabeth, South Australia
Products: Caprice, Statesman, Berlina, Calais, Calais V, Commodore Omega, SV6, SS, SS V and Ute. Plastics, body tool design, stamping, sheet metal and body fabrication, paint and vehicle assembly.
Year opened: 1959 (hardware operations)
1962 (body assembly)
Plant size: 123.86 hectares
Holden Service Parts Operations
Location: Dandenong, Victoria
Distribution and marketing of Holden service parts and accessories for the Holden dealer network and international customers.
Automotive Proving Ground
Location: Lang Lang, Victoria
Vehicle development, durability testing, safety test centre and exhaust emission facility.
Holden Innovation
Location: Port Melbourne, Victoria
Identifies future consumer needs and develops the products, technologies and skills for Holden to compete in global markets. Its activities encompass initiatives such as safety, in-car IT systems and alternative propulsion systems.
State Sales Offices
Locations: Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland and Western Australia.
State sales offices
Provide a direct interface between Holden and its dealer network, giving support in the areas of fleet sales, service and parts.
Headquarters/ contact info
Fishermans Bend
Head Office
191 Salmon Street
Port Melbourne Victoria
Postal Address:
GPO Box 1714 MELBOURNE VIC 3001
Phone: +61 3 9647 1111
Fax: +61 3 9647 2550
www.holden.com.au