End of an era

THE city of Adelaide lost an important part of its identity this year.

On October 19, the last car rolled off the production line in Holden’s Elizabeth factory in Adelaide’s northern suburbs.

The Elizabeth facility opened in 1958, initially building car bodies before becoming a vehicle assembly line in 1965.

Hundreds of Holden workers were on hand to witness the end of production at the plant, with more than 1000 Holden fans pulling up outside the factory, many driving some of the manufacturer’s most iconic models, in tribute to the Lion’s history.

The last vehicle to come off the line shortly after midday was a red Holden Commodore, which will become a museum item. It was the 7,687,675th vehicle to be produced by the company.

The historic occasion marks the end of almost a century of automotive manufacturing for the nation, and 69 years for Holden.