SA premier seeks to keep Holden open

[csv8]

SA premier seeks to keep Holden open
Tim Dornin
January 10, 2012 - 8:54AM
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AAP

The South Australian and federal governments are negotiating to provide a funding package to car maker Holden to ensure the future of the company's Australian assembly operations.

South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill says Holden's parent company, General Motors (GM), is considering closing its Australian operations.

"We are, of course, urging GM not to pursue that option," Mr Weatherill said on Tuesday.


The SA premier is in the US where he joined federal Manufacturing Minister Kim Carr in talks with GM chief executive Dan Akerson on the future of Holden's operations.

That includes discussions on an investment package from the state and federal governments that will help secure Holden's future and also the future of local component suppliers.

"In the light of ongoing speculation about Holden's future in Australia, I have come to Detroit to put South Australia's case for being a strong part of GM's future global plans," Mr Weatherill said.

"Today we received a clear message from Mr Akerson and (Holden boss Mike) Devereux that they are committed to working with government to secure Holden's future in Australia and, in particular, the Elizabeth plant."

The SA premier said it was likely the future of car making in Australia would involve a smaller but more secure industry.

"This will require us to build on those elements of our local industry which are world class and to lift standards in the balance of our industry," he said.

"This will be achieved through the agreement we are currently negotiating with General Motors.

"This agreement will involve co-investment by state and federal governments and a much closer working relationship with General Motors and Holden and component suppliers in Australia."

As part of the discussions, GM has agreed to establish a working group to look at increasing opportunities for local component suppliers in global markets.

Mr Weatherill has not disclosed the level of funds the two governments will commit, but said the package would be significant.

Mr Devereux said Holden and the state and federal governments had a "strong mutual desire" to retain Holden's capabilities in design, engineering and manufacturing.

But he said there was unprecedented competition for capital investment in manufacturing and product development for the next generation of global vehicles.

"Car makers are investing billions of dollars to develop future vehicles, so it's critical for Australia to have consistent and competitive long-term polices that make this country an attractive place for General Motors and other companies to continue to invest," he said.

"The discussions with the minister and the premier have been very positive and productive.

"We're making good progress in developing a new co-investment plan to help secure a long-term future for Holden and the automotive and manufacturing industry more broadly."

© 2012 AAP

[aussie muscle]

things must be pretty bad if the second biggest car maker in australia is considering pulling out. methinks it's just a ploy to get more govt dollars, so that might help offset the lack of tariffs.

[fou_bleu]

As you can see, the Cruze is starting to pay off *sigh...

Honestly, when will they realise that production quantity alone does not equal profitability! Old GM is still at work here folks!

Hopefully GM and other involved parties can at least keep the plants open - even if it means utilising or building U.S. or European derived platforms or models (ie: the next Insignia will be as big as the Commodore (just sayin') )

Plain and simply, if we want future Fords built and developed in Australia, we NEED Holden and Toyota...

[sgt_doofey]

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/s...-1226240487340

[mik]

Originally Posted by 4RD4TW

As you can see, the Cruze is starting to pay off *sigh...

Honestly, when will they realise that production quantity alone does not equal profitability! Old GM is still at work here folks!

Hopefully GM and other involved parties can at least keep the plants open - even if it means utilising or building U.S. or European derived platforms or models (ie: the next Insignia will be as big as the Commodore (just sayin') )

Plain and simply, if we want future Fords built and developed in Australia, we NEED Holden and Toyota...

it`s a double edged sword i think, yes we need local manufacturing to keep jobs and skilled workers, but we also have too many car brands in this country imo.
we have a flood of of imports, why do we need twice as many different brands of car than the US for 20 odd million people....or about 10 million drivers?
i`d love to see govco put restriction on imports.

[blueoval]

Question is, will the hand outs given be used to benefit the continuation of GMH or will it go into the pockets of the directors as a cash bonus/pay rise?

Sorry to sound skeptical but Im sure I am not the only one who asked the question to oneself.

[fou_bleu]

I was originally going to say GM are on their annual handout tour... :P

[Flat Top]

Local suppliers supplying in to GM global network ?? - proof of pudding in the eating, especially as decisons are made in shanghai??

[mrghia]

I don't see how he would be able to change anything. I hoping they don't close as its not gonna be good for the workers. But it's a fairly pointless trip if they are gonna shut it down they will. He will accomplish as much as the australian army if they tried to over run the Chinese

[Bucknaked]

Bathurst won't be the same.

[BHDOGS]

Hopefully then we can ditch boring v8 supercars from tv

[Road_Warrior]

I don't know why people are being so critical of Holden for receiving "government handouts" when Ford has just this morning been the recipient of $34 Million from the Federal government and we still don't know how much the Victorian government contributed.

[Brazen]

Amazing that Holden would of closed without Cruze. I wonder what the effect on Falcon would have been? Would gaining extra Commodore sales help the Ford factory? Or would have loosing the component supplier base been a catastrophe for Ford.

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

I don't know why people are being so critical of Holden for receiving "government handouts" when Ford has just this morning been the recipient of $34 Million from the Federal government and we still don't know how much the Victorian government contributed.

I have no problem with GMH or anyone else receiving a handout if it's used to keep the company afloat and not pocketed to the directors as a pay rise/bonus.

[1TUFFUTE]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

I don't know why people are being so critical of Holden for receiving "government handouts" when Ford has just this morning been the recipient of $34 Million from the Federal government and we still don't know how much the Victorian government contributed.

YEAH THE DIFF IS THAT FORD DOESNT NEED THE MONEY
Holden in australia has been running off the same company model as the american GM...which just went bust taking 30billion of debt with it....starting with more gov funding with the new name of GMAH or something. More billions. Its not hard to see how holden aus is falling into the same bad economy traps that the parent company did. Ford austrlia taking grants is all about the gov supporting eco and new engineering steps forward. NOT TO KEEP THEM AFLOAT

[BFZ Wagon]

I don't care if it's Ford, Holden or Toyota building cars here. As long as they keep doing it and keep Aussies in jobs as well as local component suppliers in business, that's all I care about.

Yes I'm a Ford fan first, but Australian made is more important to me. So if Ford didn't build here, I'd probably go to the next Australian built RWD car or FWD (if I was desperate)

People need to realise if we stop manufacturing/producing everything in this country, we'll become a nation of importers and jobless. Australian manufacturing (even if it is with Govt assistance) is extremely important as it keeps people in jobs, taxes get paid and money stays here as well as exporting to other places.

Even if it is Holden, they need to stay making cars in Australia.
Just my thoughts.

[Nikked]

Originally Posted by 1TUFFUTE

YEAH THE DIFF IS THAT FORD DOESNT NEED THE MONEY

yes they do!

[charles_wif_xf]

Originally Posted by blueoval

Question is, will the hand outs given be used to benefit the continuation of GMH or will it go into the pockets of the directors as a cash bonus/pay rise?

Sorry to sound skeptical but Im sure I am not the only one who asked the question to oneself.

You're not the only one Blueoval. If Holden's parent company is any indicator, the CEO's and their ilk pocketed a large chunk of the US Govco bailout money, so it stands to reason that the same would happen here withouth oversight and accountability.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

I don't know why people are being so critical of Holden for receiving "government handouts" when Ford has just this morning been the recipient of $34 Million from the Federal government and we still don't know how much the Victorian government contributed.

I think the difference is the way they go about it. Ford works with the government and asks for help, Holden make threats to pull out and put a gun to the governments head.

Big difference IMO. GM are just so arrogant.

But keeping jobs in Australia is a good thing.

[mrghia]

If they do shut up here they should keep the Holden name so they can still make a profit selling Chev badges to Holden owners

[mash again]

seriously, if holden or ford or whoever isnt competative now, how are they going to compete in 5yrs or 10 with chinese imports. Dont howl me down, Kia are big now??

[GhiaEB]

Originally Posted by BFZ Wagon

People need to realise if we stop manufacturing/producing everything in this country, we'll become a nation of importers and jobless. Australian manufacturing (even if it is with Govt assistance) is extremely important as it keeps people in jobs, taxes get paid and money stays here as well as exporting to other places.

I agree wholeheartedly, we need to protect what is left of Aussie manufacturing. We need to reintroduce the tariffs. I don't mind if my tax dollers keep Holden, Ford or any other large scale plants and their suppliers in busness.

Just my 2c