Beholden to a fine legacy

THE axing of Holden is almost inconceivable.

But US-based General Motors has wielded the axe and the proud Australian brand will no longer be sold from the end of the year.

It’s hard to believe that GM can be so brutal but it’s a business decision and Australia is not the only international market the US giant is abandoning.

GM has sold its Thailand factory to Great Wall and will no longer sell Chevrolets in Thailand, selling its Indian factory and restructuring operations in Korea and South Africa.

The writing has been on the wall for Holden since the Adelaide factory closed in 2017 and the end of big Commodore sedans, wagons or utes.

After being No. 1 on the sales charts for years, the brand fell to 10th with sales totalling 43,176, a 29 per cent fall, last year. Last month

Holden sold 2641 vehicles, a 37 per cent drop.

Last year it announced the axing of Commodore and Astra nameplates to concentrate on SUVs and light commercial vehicles but it was too late. Australians had fallen out of love with Holden.

For the long-established Ireland family, Holden has been part of the 97-year-old business since 1948.

They have invested millions of dollars in buildings, equipment and staff over the decades.

While yesterday’s decision came as a shock, Ireland Holden dealerprincipal Richard Ireland said the brand would live on for 10 years to look after parts and service customers. He said it was “a sad day” but the family firm had 11 other brands and 105 families to consider.

The business has survived the Great Depression, World War II and a devastating fire in 1993 and will overcome this challenge as well.

Nick Dalton

Deputy editor