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Holden's big Chinese order

More good news for local manufacturer from both China and America
The future of Holden is looking brighter today following confirmation that the company has increased its vital engine export deal to China. Senator Kim Carr, Industry and Innovation Minister, announced during a press conference that Holden will increase its current deal from 6000 units to 20,000 by 2013.

The new deal is a significant expansion of the current arrangement that sees versions of the High Feature V6 fitted to Chinese made Buick Park Lane vehicles (pictured), a local version of the Holden Statesman. Further versions of the V6, in an undisclosed capacity, will form the basis of the new agreement as part of General Motors' Chinese car building operations.

Carr said he believes the deal shows the potential for the Australian automotive industry to expand into the lucrative and vast Chinese market, which will help shore up the local sector that has been hit hard by the Global Financial Crisis.

Carr is in China with Trade Minister Simon Crean following up trade talks from a visit earlier this year.

"The Australian government is firmly committed to the sustainability of the Australian automotive industry," Carr said. "We've invested $6.2 billion towards the transformation of that industry.  We want to see the Australian automotive industry prosper, and to prosper the Australian automotive industry must integrate within the world.  We have seen already substantial progress in terms of the implementation of the government policy and as Simon has indicated, we have been planning this trip for some time, to improve the level of collaboration between the Australian automotive industry and the Chinese automotive industry, which is of course the largest in the world.

"Today we have met with General Motors and their joint venture partners, the largest automotive company in the People's Republic of China.  We've seen part as a result of that conversation that engine exports from General Motors plants in Port Melbourne are likely to increase by 400 per cent over the next four years to move from a present 6,000 volume through to a 20,000 over a four year period.

"Now that one particular event demonstrates the opportunities there are here for the Australian automotive industry in the People's Republic of China, its automotive industry, to be able to collaborate to improve its cooperation whether it be in light metals, whether it be in battery technologies, whether it be in fuel systems, whether it be in composite materials.  Both the industries want to move towards a green future.  We have the technology, we have the quality. We are one of the fifteen countries in the world that can make a car from the very beginning to the showroom floor and we want to share that technology and work with the People's Republic of China in ensuring that we are able to improve the operations of both our automotive industries."

Holden was naturally pleased with the announcement and took the opportunity to thank the government for its assistance.

"We anticipate an increase in V6 engine exports, particularly to the key Chinese market in coming years,” said a Holden spokesman. "That's obviously contingent on future model programs in China.

"It's very pleasing to be recognised overseas for our technical capabilities and having Shanghai GM being enthusiastic about the opportunity with senior Australian Government Ministers.

"We very much appreciate the Government's support in promoting our expertise to important overseas markets. Once again, it demonstrates their commitment to an Australian automotive industry.

"We said at the time of the decision to end the Pontiac brand, that we would get back out there and find new export opportunties for our engines and vehicles around the world. We're continuing to do just that."

But that isn't the only good export news for Holden. General Motors' newly installed marketing chief, Bob Lutz, has revealed more details about plans to continue exporting the Commodore to the United States.

Speaking in a live blog on the GM FastLane website, Lutz said the company was trying to revive the plans to import the Commodore after its Pontiac deal collapsed. Lutz confirmed that GM is trying to bring the car in as both a public offering and for law enforcement agencies under the Chevrolet Caprice badge.

"The G8 has finally been discovered by a broader percentage of the buying public," Lutz said. "The owners are ecstatic about them, many calling it the best sedan they've ever driven. We consider it too good to waste. So we're studying the feasibility of bringing it in as a Caprice for both law enforcement and the public."

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Published : Tuesday, 14 July 2009
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