Will the Holden brand survive?

[CATXR8]

Last person out turn out the lights.

[383hq]

It was only a matter of time - from the wheels website:

Wheels article:
Holden halts production of Commodore and Equinox
By Toby Hagon, 17 Oct 2018 News

Mail
Slow sales of key models leaves Holden with thousands of excess vehicles in stock
Holden has made an extraordinary decision to stop production of many of its popular models, affecting factories as far flung as Germany, Thailand and Mexico.

The order to stop the boats delivering more new cars was made to address a worsening stock crisis due to slow sales

Fresh from its worst ever sales result – just 3927 cars in July – and months of market share below 5 percent, recently appointed Holden boss Dave Buttner has negotiated to halt production and deliveries of crucial models to clear existing stock.

Holden has thousands of cars gathering dust in paddocks and holding yards, a result of excess orders before anyone predicted the dire position the brand would be in once it ceased local manufacturing late in 2017.

“The sales were going like that,” Buttner says, motioning to the ground. “… and the tap hadn’t been turned off, so the production’s still coming towards us - and that horrified me as an old [product] planner.”

“We’re trying to get back to a reasonable stock carry level by the end of the year, so we can get into the new year in a healthy position.”

Buttner’s request to turn off much of the supply had the support of General Motors executives in Detroit, who hired the former Toyota Australia chief to try to turn the Holden brand’s fortunes around in what has been its most challenging period.

With some Commodore models, Holden has requested the Opel factory in Germany (a factory now owned by the parent company of Peugeot and Citroen) not to build cars until 2019.

Similarly, the Equinox SUV has also been put on hold to address its poor sales position; in the first nine months of 2018 Holden has sold just 3621 Equinoxes. That’s about as many as top-selling competitors sell in six weeks.

Buttner says stopping the boats – in turn putting pressure on factories to deal with lower production levels – is about being realistic and accepting Holden has an uphill battle to build sales.

“If you don’t recognise the state of your sales and own up to it quickly you’ve got a pretty huge pipeline coming towards you.

“We’ve looked at the whole portfolio, looked at what our standard stock should be … it was just a normal sales stock rundown … it’s not rocket science.”

But Buttner is adamant the slowdown in orders is a one-off about positioning the brand for challenges ahead.

“You have to be able to turn production down, but the idea is that you don’t have to do that often,” he says. “This is a fairly unique situation where we allowed the stock to keep coming towards us. Being an old manufacturing guy I’m fully cognoscente of the burden that puts on a manufacturing plant.

“We’ve had good cooperation from the plants but it wouldn’t be something I’d like to repeat on a regular basis because from a credibility point of view you don’t build it by doing that.”

It’s understood Holden has recently been clearing some cars produced in 2017, which is far from ideal in the last quarter of the year.

[FairmontGS]

I think the RS-V @ ~ $45k has to be great value. It's a Grand Tourer in the classical definition and a good-looking car to boot. But people just don't want this sort of car any more...

[kevino]

Originally Posted by FairmontGS

I think the RS-V @ ~ $45k has to be great value. It's a Grand Tourer in the classical definition and a good-looking car to boot. But people just don't want this sort of car any more...

Agree v6. Awd. Even more of a bargain as a demo.
People still seem to buying Mercedes sedans very popular.

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by kevino

Agree v6. Awd. Even more of a bargain as a demo.
People still seem to buying Mercedes sedans very popular.

Funny how a car built in Germany won't sell. But the German car built in South Africa seems to be selling in numbers. Funny how the badge sells.

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by vztrt

Funny how a car built in Germany won't sell. But the German car built in South Africa seems to be selling in numbers. Funny how the badge sells.

Well some C class are anyway

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by GasOLane

Well some C class are anyway

The sedans are south Africa. The coupe and wagon are Germany.

[roddy1960]

Originally Posted by FairmontGS

I think the RS-V @ ~ $45k has to be great value. It's a Grand Tourer in the classical definition and a good-looking car to boot. But people just don't want this sort of car any more...

We might be being basically force fed a greater number of SUV's and crossovers these days .It's directed marketing in my view . Leading the charge is Ford and GM to the detriment of some of us who once upon a time liked to choose a family sedan , coupe station wagon or utility or might like to in the future instead of a sports utility vehicle or truck .

There are still manufacturers building actual cars in Asia and Europe but a couple of previously mentioned U.S . based giants are heading away from that now it seems except for one or two icons of their brands that many can't realistically afford . So be it I suppose . Just how it is and guessing that making more and more big SUV's and pick up trucks are where the money is for them so they're pointing and prioritising that sort of vehicle at us.

[383hq]

Yeah I'd consider a diesel wagon given the kays I do at these giveaway prices, but I doubt I'd get a 2T tow bar and smart bar like I've got on the FG sedan and RTV, so I haven't bothered

[arronm]

Commodore, it may be a good car or a bad car, BUT no one wants to buy one....

Got any VF Redlines left.....

If only the new car had a V8

[xeeclipse]

Just look into your crystal ball ie. asia/american market and all will be revealed. The

buying public are absolutely fed up with the imported tripe GM have been serving up for

the last 2 decades.

There's only so much abuse, smoke and mirrors and charlatanic behaviour the

public can take. Finally the skeleton has been let out of the closet..

[EgoFG]

I have a problem with this: "Holden Stops Production ..."


It seems, from the various articles, it should say "Holden stops/cancels orders ..."
The vehicles were being made at these plants for other markets aren't they ? - if so then will production actually stop ? if not then surely it is a GM or Pug decision to stop production based on (among other things) Holden cancelling their orders.


I know it is pedantic

[hackney]

Originally Posted by EgoFG

I have a problem with this: "Holden Stops Production ..."


It seems, from the various articles, it should say "Holden stops/cancels orders ..."
The vehicles were being made at these plants for other markets aren't they ? - if so then will production actually stop ? if not then surely it is a GM or Pug decision to stop production based on (among other things) Holden cancelling their orders.


I know it is pedantic

They have stopped production of Commodore @ Russelheim & also Equinox out of Mexico for the Aus market as they have a lot of unsold stock in the country.They will resume in 2019.You Should read David Buttners statement regarding this.Cheers

[b0son]

They were kidding themselves if they thought their forecasts were grounded in anything other than wishful thinking. Ditching the Commodore isn't what undermined them, look online at the level of hate for Captiva and Cruze from current/former owners. There's no picking yourself up from that. Once bitten, twice shy....

[hackney]

Originally Posted by b0son

They were kidding themselves if they thought their forecasts were grounded in anything other than wishful thinking. Ditching the Commodore isn't what undermined them, look online at the level of hate for Captiva and Cruze from current/former owners. There's no picking yourself up from that. Once bitten, twice shy....

Oh,don’t know about that,there is a lot(& I mean a lot)of hate for the ZB(unfounded) you only have to look @ the Commodore forums.Whinging,whining & anger.A few people on there have purchased them,they then get targeted,Really sad.Cheers

[Big_Daz]

Originally Posted by b0son

They were kidding themselves if they thought their forecasts were grounded in anything other than wishful thinking.....

Exactly right... The ZB Commodore competes with the Mondeo/6/Camry/etc which is a segment that's had a big downturn due to people blindingly buying SUV's.. Ford sold all of 180 odd Mondeo's last month (just using it as an example).. How the hell could Holden think that bringing in thousands of ZB's could end any other way than in disaster... The Equinox is a decent thing, but the Captiva has scared a lot of people from even looking at a Holden SUV..

It seems Holden management is asleep at the wheel..

[hackney]

Originally Posted by Big_Daz

Exactly right... The ZB Commodore competes with the Mondeo/6/Camry/etc which is a segment that's had a big downturn due to people blindingly buying SUV's.. Ford sold all of 180 odd Mondeo's last month (just using it as an example).. How the hell could Holden think that bringing in thousands of ZB's could end any other way than in disaster... The Equinox is a decent thing, but the Captiva has scared a lot of people from even looking at a Holden SUV..

It seems Holden management is asleep at the wheel..

Was asleep.They have David Buttner an ex Toyota guy,he has kept Toyota @ #1 for a long time.They have nothing to lose.They have nothing now anyway.At least GM has looked outside the box to run this company.GM corporate seem inept @ running Holden anyway.Cheers

[Big_Daz]

Originally Posted by hackney

Was asleep.They have David Buttner an ex Toyota guy,he has kept Toyota @ #1 for a long time.They have nothing to lose.They have nothing now anyway.At least GM has looked outside the box to run this company.GM corporate seem inept @ running Holden anyway.Cheers

Ok cool I didn’t know they had him now... (sounds like it’s me who’s asleep at the wheel lol) hopefully he can sort it out... I’d like to see Holden stay for the long term... I’ve been passionate about Holden and Ford Australia because they are Australian (even though a) they are owned by a big us conpany and b) are just importers not manufacturers anymore). I’d like to see them both thrive!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[hackney]

Originally Posted by Big_Daz

Ok cool I didn’t know they had him now... (sounds like it’s me who’s asleep at the wheel lol) hopefully he can sort it out... I’d like to see Holden stay for the long term... I’ve been passionate about Holden and Ford Australia because they are Australian (even though a) they are owned by a big us conpany and b) are just importers not manufacturers anymore). I’d like to see them both thrive!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If you can get a copy of “Wheels” Oct 2017,there is a great article on Toyota and it’s rise to #1.Fascinating reading.Cheers

[Big_Daz]

Cheers hackney I’ve got that at home and haven’t had a chance to read it (subscriber to wheels and motor) I’ll check it out


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[LG17]

They've stopped production of the "new Holden."


https://www.whichcar.com.au/news/hol...re-and-equinox

[Pepscobra]

Originally Posted by LG17

They've stopped production of the "new Holden."


https://www.whichcar.com.au/news/hol...re-and-equinox

It really is quite sad to see a once mighty brand like Holden reduced to their current situation. Our old foe is no more.

[hackney]

Originally Posted by Pepscobra

It really is quite sad to see a once mighty brand like Holden reduced to their current situation. Our old foe is no more.

The only reason that they have done this(New CEO,David Buttner ordered this by the way.)is to address current stock levels.They have literally thousands in holding yards.(find this hard to bielieve)Equinox production from Mexico has also been temporarily halted until 2019.Buttner made the statement,”we have to stop the boats”.Cheers

[Syndrome]

Originally Posted by LG17

They've stopped production of the "new Holden."


https://www.whichcar.com.au/news/hol...re-and-equinox

Inevitable

[arronm]

Who cares>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>......... Dont want one wont buy one...

[GO FURTHER]

Is there a technical reason why Holden can't get the overseas factory to simply build the ZB to include a V8 in the range?

Seems to me that if 30% of Commodore sales have traditionally been V8's ... Then that's 30% they could have a chance at getting back at least.

[au2000]

Originally Posted by GO FURTHER

Is there a technical reason why Holden can't get the overseas factory to simply build the ZB to include a V8 in the range?

Seems to me that if 30% of Commodore sales have traditionally been V8's ... Then that's 30% they could have a chance at getting back at least.

I'd suggest there's probably no fwd v8 available that will fit, plus as it's now technically a peugot I doubt they have one or any interest in developing it for a 8

[davenl5l]

It was also sttated that they are selling 2017 models at the end of 2018 so i guess if holden survives the will jump straight to 2020 or 2021 models

[jpd80]

The alternative was to be like Holden and offer a FWD AWD V6 as a replacement sedan,
I prefer what they did, Mustang.

[GO FURTHER]

So its most probable Holden won't survive in it's current form, Commodore will eventually die, and Ford have announced it will cease production of passenger cars except Mustang and their SUV/truck lines.

Holden changing to Chevrolet in Australia anytime soon can't happen as they don't have a RHD platform.

So the big question for Ford fans, what will those members with Falcons one day be replacing them with?

Assuming Mustang / Camaro being two door does not fit your lifestyle.

Move to an SUV model?

Consider a Jap, Korean or Euro sedan or baby your Falcon so it lasts forever?