Ford Australia has begun to wind down car production at its plants in Melbourne, 28 months out from ending its long-time manufacturing role across the ditch. It is now making 83 Falcons and Territory SUVs a day, a line rate down 50 vehicles since January. The departure of workers taking the volunteer redundancy packages is matching that of lower production at its … [Read more...] about Ford future: rebadged Ranger SUV to challenge Holden Colorado
Holden
May sales: Suzuki Swift the most popular new car
The Suzuki Swift was the best-selling new passenger car in New Zealand in May, trumping long-time front-runner the Toyota Corolla. There wasn’t much in it, the Swift (above) and Corolla each sharing four per cent of the segment but Swift recording 272 registrations to Corolla’s 241. In third place was the Mazda CX-5 with 230 units, a continuing reflection of the strong SUV … [Read more...] about May sales: Suzuki Swift the most popular new car
Holden blames 2017 exit for its biggest-ever loss
Confirmation late last year that it would stop building cars in Australia in 2017 is behind GM Holden’s biggest annual loss of just over NZ$600 million. The carmaker’s financial figures for 2013 included a one-off NZ$544 million write-down on property, plant and equipment and a NZ$133 million charge for employee redundancy and settlement costs, both allied to the … [Read more...] about Holden blames 2017 exit for its biggest-ever loss
General Motors no longer had its heart in Holden
No amount of Australian taxpayer money in the form of government subsidies was going to save Holden, says motoring industry commentator John Mellor. “The fact is, GM did not have its heart in Australian manufacturing any more,” says the owner of Australian website GoAuto. “Basically, the sales dominance GM once enjoyed in Australia, which delivered very large profits in … [Read more...] about General Motors no longer had its heart in Holden
Holden to shut down its Aussie plant in 2017
Holden is to shut down its carmaking operation in Australia in 2017 and thereafter become a vehicle importer, the company has announced. The decision ends speculation about Holden’s future after the Australian Federal Government said it would no longer use taxpayer dollars to subsidise the automotive industry across the Tasman. GM Holden has received around NZ$166 million … [Read more...] about Holden to shut down its Aussie plant in 2017