http://www.thecouriermail.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,11986453%255E1702,00.html



Holden posts record exports
By Tim Dornin
19jan05
CAR producer Holden posted a record export result in 2004, shipping more than 52,000 vehicles to international markets including the Middle East and the United States.

The company said today its export tally of 52,372 was the first time overseas sales had topped 50,000 and came in the company's 50th anniversary of export trade.

The result represented a 45-per-cent increase on the 36,069 vehicles exported in 2003.

It was also a 27 per cent improvement on its previous best single-year performance of 41,181 set in 1973.

Holden's export director, Peter Keley, said it was fitting that the long-standing record should be broken as the company celebrated the golden anniversary of the first FJ sedans being sent to New Zealand in 1954.

"Holden vehicles play an important role in the product portfolios of various GM entities and joint ventures around the world," Mr Keley said.

"Holden has a responsibility to contribute to General Motors brands around the world where possible to offer the best possible range of cars and trucks in each local market.

"We have been able to leverage our manufacturing flexibility to deliver products to the Middle East, the United Kingdom, the United States, South Africa, Brazil, New Zealand and across the Asia-Pacific region."

In the Middle East, Holden wholesaled 23,511 vehicles while more than 16,000 Pontiac GTOs were sent to the United States and 10,331 vehicles were shipped to New Zealand.

Holden did not release an export forecast for 2005.


Good for Australia :D lets hope that number continues ot rise. Lets also hope we will own Holden again some day

http://www.thecouriermail.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,11986453%255E1702,00.html





Good for Australia :D lets hope that number continues ot rise. Lets also hope we will own Holden again some day

Sorry but I dont see the Americans giving it up that easily and BTW we never " owned " General Motors Holden the Holden part was only a partner that made the original Fisher bodies for the GM cars before the "Holden" was launced in the late 1940s with aid of a large government grant from the then Labor govt.The original was based loosly on the 1940s Cheverolet.

hmm well at least is dubbed an aussie car.

Good to hear. However, I hope Denny Mooney doesn't screw up the VE car platform with increased association with the yanks. Peter Hanenberger (spelling) was a very good manager, Denny Mooney seems way too connected to the US.

Word has it, the next Monaro, Ute & Statesman/Caprice will be built in the USA. It will be a sad day for Holden if that happens.

Great news for Adelaide's northern suburbs. However, people shouldn't be conned into thinking that this sort of growth can continue forever and still benefit Australia. If Holdens explode in popularity in the world, GM will simply transfer manufacturing to cheaper locations. Holden will always maintain a presence here, but it won't rise to rule the world.

*edit* And of course, after posting that, I see Wezza's post which basically confirms what I was saying. It's sad, but that's just the way it works. But as I said, Holden will always be an important Australian manufacturer, no matter what.

where are HSV made?

The HSV factory is at Clayton in Victoria. The basic vehicle is shipped there from the Adelaide plant where HSV finishes it off.

hope that is never moved.

^ It's not likely. Maybe moved within Australia, but thats about it.

To be honest it's better for Aussie manufacturers to stay away from the American influence. The Seppos always manage to screw things up either though being run by bean counters or through 'corporate identity' aka the AU Falcon. The American automotive industry is a black hole and the further the Commodore, Falcon, Camry and Magna/Galant stay away the better!!!

^^ I can't agree more!! Look how they managed to deface the Monaro when they turned it into a Pontiac GTO!! It's pretty well common knowledge that America can be pretty sloppy with the build quality in some of their cars.