The Factual Lowdown on Holden Motors

Pittwater's Retro Rockets: The Factual Lowdown on Holden Motors

Ah, Pittwater – that breezy Northern Beaches enclave where the waves lap lazily at the shore, the yachts parade like they're in a fashion show, and every now and then, you spot a vintage Holden rumbling down Mona Vale Road, evoking memories of barbecues, beach drives, and that unmistakable Aussie grit.

Holden Motors, the iconic brand that put Australia on wheels, isn't just a car company; it's a slice of national history wrapped in chrome and V8 thunder.

From its saddlery roots to becoming General Motors' Down Under darling, Holden churned out vehicles that conquered outback dust and city streets alike. But alas, all good revs must end. In this fact-stuffed tribute, we'll trace Holden's journey, pinpoint when and why it shut shop, tally up the millions of cars it produced in its heyday, and peek at other Aussie auto makers – some gone, some still grinding gears. No nostalgia overload, just solid data with a cheeky quip or two – because who knew a horse-drawn carriage maker could evolve into a V8 legend? Let's hit the gas!

Saddles to Sedans... Holden's Humble Beginnings and Rise

Holden's story kicks off in 1856 as J.A. Holden & Co., a saddlery in Adelaide crafting horse harnesses and coach bodies – think leatherwork for the bushranger era, not turbocharged engines. By 1908, it pivoted to automobile upholstery under Holden & Frost, repairing and building car bodies as motor vehicles trickled into Australia. The Great Depression hit hard in the 1930s, slashing production from 34,000 car bodies in 1930 to just 1,651 in 1931, but a lifeline came in 1931 when General Motors acquired full ownership, forming General Motors-Holden’s (GMH). This merger turned Holden into a powerhouse for assembling imported chassis with local bodies, employing thousands by the mid-1930s.

World War II shifted gears dramatically: GMH's factories cranked out military gear, from aircraft parts to amphibious vehicles, delaying civilian car plans but honing manufacturing prowess. Post-war, under Prime Minister Ben Chifley's push for an "Australian car," the first Holden 48-215 (nicknamed "FX") rolled off the Fishermans Bend line in Melbourne on November 29, 1948 – priced at $1,466, with 18,000 pre-orders. It was a game-changer: a sturdy sedan designed for Aussie roads, blending American engineering with local tweaks for harsh conditions. By 1953, the FJ model boosted production, and Holden hit one million units by 1962 with the EJ.

The 1960s and '70s were Holden's golden era. The EH (1963) introduced innovative unibody construction, while the HK Kingswood (1968) became a family staple. Peak market share? 50.8% in 1958, when one in two Aussies drove a Holden. Exports kicked off in the '70s, with models like the Torana hitting UK shores. The 1980s brought the VN Commodore (1988), a rear-drive icon that defined Aussie muscle, though collaborations like the Button Project (1980s) with Nissan and Toyota introduced front-drive models like the Nova (rebadged Toyota Corolla).

By the '90s, Holden was exporting Commodores to the Middle East and US, hitting two million exports cumulatively by 2005. Milestones piled up: five millionth car in 1990 (VN Calais), six millionth in 2001 (VX SS), and seven millionth in 2008 (VE Commodore).

Fact... Holden's Elizabeth plant in South Australia alone built over 3 million Commodores from 1978-2017.

The 2000s saw innovation amid challenges: The VE Commodore (2006) introduced global platforms, while the Cruze (2011) marked a shift to small cars. But with plants in Elizabeth (vehicles), Fishermans Bend (engines), and Dandenong (transmissions), Holden employed 6,000 at peak, symbolizing Aussie ingenuity. Humorously, if Holden were a Pittwater surfer, it'd be the one riding the biggest waves – from wartime grit to V8 glory.

The Final Lap... When and Why Holden Closed

Holden's manufacturing swan song played out in stages, culminating in a full brand retirement that stunned the nation. Vehicle production ended on October 20, 2017, with the last car – a red VFII Commodore SS Redline manual – rolling off the Elizabeth line in Adelaide, after 69 years of local building.

Engine production wrapped November 29, 2016, at Port Melbourne (over 10 million units since 1948), and the Dandenong transmission plant closed in 2014. Post-2017, Holden imported rebadged GM models from the US, Korea, and Thailand, but on February 17, 2020, General Motors announced the brand's retirement by the end of 2020, citing no more right-hand-drive production globally. Trading ceased December 31, 2020, leaving about 600 of 800 remaining workers redundant. Warranty support lingers for 10 years, but the Holden badge vanished from showrooms.

Why the shutdown? A perfect storm of economic pressures. Australia's small market (under 1.2 million annual sales) couldn't justify high local costs: wages, materials, and a strong Aussie dollar (peaking above parity in 2011-2013) made exports unviable. Intense import competition from cheaper Asian rivals eroded market share from 15% in 2000 to under 10% by 2017. Government subsidies dried up: Despite $5.5 billion in assistance since 2001, the 2013 Liberal-National government under Joe Hockey refused further aid in 2014, citing fiscal responsibility amid a budget surplus push.

GM's global strategy favored SUVs and EVs over right-hand-drive sedans, with losses mounting: $780 million in 1986 alone, plus billions more. The 2017 closure followed Ford (2016) and Toyota (2017), ending mass production Down Under. Fact: Elizabeth workers voted for a three-year wage freeze in 2013 to save jobs, but it wasn't enough. Why not pivot? GM's sale of Opel/Vauxhall in 2017 to PSA (Peugeot-Citroën) shifted focus, and by 2020, no RHD viability remained in a fragmented market. Cheeky aside: If Holden's closure were a beach party at Pittwater, it'd be the one ending early because the tide (of imports) came in too strong.

The fallout? 2,900 direct jobs lost in 2017, plus 20,000 in supply chains, hitting South Australia hardest. Yet, legacy endures: Supercars racing Commodores, and collector values soaring (a 1950s FX fetches $100k+).

Production Powerhouse... How Many Cars Did Holden Build?

Holden's output was staggering, a testament to Aussie engineering. From 1948 to 2017, GMH built 7,687,675 vehicles across plants in Victoria (Fishermans Bend, Dandenong), South Australia (Elizabeth, Woodville), and New South Wales (Pagewood, closed 1981). That's enough to circle the globe 300 times if lined end-to-end. Peak year? 2005, with 153,026 VZ Commodores, coinciding with 60,518 exports to 10 countries. Cumulative milestones: 1M by 1962 (EJ, Dandenong), 2M in 1969 (HK), 3M in 1974 (HQ, Pagewood), 4M in 1981 (VC Commodore, Dandenong), 5M in 1990 (VN Calais, Elizabeth), 6M in 2001 (VX SS), and 7M in 2008 (VE Commodore).

Engines? Over 10 million from Port Melbourne since 1948, including grey six-cylinders and V8s that powered legends like the Monaro (2001 revival, 10,000+ units). Exports totaled over 1 million by closure, with Commodores a hit in the UK as Vauxhalls. Models spanned sedans (Commodore: 3M+), utes (over 500,000), and small cars like the Cruze (200,000+ from 2011). Elizabeth alone produced 4.5 million from 1963-2017. Why so prolific? Government protectionism pre-1980s tariffs shielded the market, and Holden's adaptability – from wartime to V8s – kept lines humming. Fact: Pre-war, Holden built 34,000 bodies yearly; post-1948, it scaled to 500,000+ annually by the '70s. In Pittwater terms, that's like building a yacht for every household – practical, tough, and built to last.

Beyond the Big H...Other Australian Car Manufacturers and Their Status

Australia's auto scene wasn't just Holden; a patchwork of pioneers and giants dotted the landscape, though most faded as imports dominated. Early 20th-century tinkerers included the Pioneer Australian Horseless Carriage Syndicate (1897-?), building steam and petrol buggies, and J.A.C. Ziegler (1898-?), crafting experimental runabouts. The 1900s saw Haines & Grut Motor Buggy Co. (1908-1909) produce a handful of three-wheelers, while Knowles Automobile (1903-?) dabbled in luxury. By the 1920s, Ford Australia (est. 1925) assembled Model Ts in Geelong, producing millions until 2016 closure. Toyota Australia (1963) built Camrys and Avalons in Altona until 2017.

Chrysler Australia (1951-1981) assembled Valiants in Tonsley Park, producing 200,000+ before selling to Mitsubishi. Mitsubishi (1980-2008) continued there until closure, building 1.5 million Magnas and 380s. Leyland Australia (1950-1975) in Sydney turned out 100,000+ P76s and MGBs. Smaller players: Bolwell (1957-present) hand-builds sports cars in Melbourne, producing ~500 units yearly; Koenig Specials (1978-present) crafts replicas like the Mustang Cobra. Elfin (1957-present) specializes in track cars, with ~300 built annually.

Today in 2025? No mass production remains post-2017 closures, but niche survivors thrive. Ford, Toyota, and Mitsubishi import and sell robustly (Toyota leads with 250,000+ annual sales). Chinese brands boom: BYD overtook Mitsubishi in August 2025, with four (BYD, GWM, Chery, MG) in the top 10, selling 20,000+ monthly amid EV surge (200% growth).

New entrants: 12 brands in 2025, like Zeekr, XPeng, and Denza (BYD's luxury arm), focusing on EVs. Legacy firms like Volkswagen and Mazda import successfully. Why the shift? Tariffs fell in the '80s, and EVs favor global scale. Fact: Australia's market hit 1.2 million sales in 2024, with imports 100%. In Pittwater, spot a Bolwell cruising Barrenjoey – proof small sparks endure.

Fun Facts and V8 Vignettes from Holden's Heyday

Holden's quirks? The FX's "grey ghost" nickname from its color; the Monaro's 2001 revival stunned with 5,000 coupes sold in months. Exports included 1980s Commodores as "Whites" in the US. Joke: Why did Holden close? To give imports a fair go – or was it the V8s guzzling subsidies? Over 7.6 million cars later, that's no small feat.

Cruising to a Close...Holden's Enduring Engine

From 1856 saddles to 7.6 million cars, Holden's 164-year run defined Aussie motoring, closing in 2020 due to costs, competition, and strategy shifts. While mass production's gone, niches like Bolwell persist amid EV imports. In Pittwater, a rusty Commodore sighting reminds us: Legends don't rust away. Here's to the roads ahead!

Key Models...From FX to VF

The 48-215 FX (1948-1953): 120,000 built, 2.2L straight-six, 60hp, top speed 80km/h – Australia's first mass-produced car. FJ (1953-1956): 155,000 units, improved styling, "Australia's Own Car" slogan. EH (1963-1965): 256,959, unibody innovation. Torana (1967-1980): 500,000+, including LH/LX V8s for Bathurst glory. Commodore (1978-2020): 3M+, VT (1997) exported as Pontiac G8, VE (2006) global platform. Cruze (2011-2019): 200,000, small-car shift.

Cultural impact: Holden powered Supercars (formerly V8 Supercars), with 20+ Bathurst wins. Exports to 30 countries, including Middle East Commodores as Chevrolets. Economic: $10B+ GDP contribution yearly at peak, 50,000 jobs.

The Button Plan and Collaborations

1981's Button Plan rationalized industry, leading to Holden-Nissan (Pulsar, 1987) and Holden-Toyota (Nova, 1989) ventures, producing 500,000+ shared models. Why? To boost efficiency amid tariff cuts.

Post-Closure Legacy

2025 sees Holden clubs thriving, with 50,000+ classics registered. EV conversions of Commodores gain traction, and GM supports parts for 10 years. Other makers like FPV (Ford Performance Vehicles, 2002-2016) built 5,000+ GTs before folding. Current small-scale: Gordon Murray Automotive (Australian ties via suppliers), but no new mass players.