The Rise and Demise of Holden | Why Australia Turned Its Back On Their Most Iconic Car

[@pakjohn48]

I was born in 1948, the year that the first Holden model was released. I finished high school and went to work at GMH Woodville SA first as an apprentice then as a cadet gaining an engineering degree. They looked after me well during my early career. Needless to say I was a committed Holden man. I eventually left for the mining industry both in Oz and overseas. I've retired now but my last car was a VE - quite an improvement in so many ways.

[@jeffking4176]

I’m an American, but always into cars. Sad to se the great marque disappear. Most will know, but some may not, that Holden did export to North America: we got the Pontiac GTO, and the Pontiac G-8. Sadly, the Pontiac name was also dropped. 🚗😢

[@johnd8892]

And later the Chevrolet SS and Chevrolet Caprice PPV were built by Holden in Australia and exported to the US.

[@nolesy34]

ive seen some people import and do up Holden in the US of A and they are absolutely amazing 👌👍 i can imagine the reverse would happen also we have 300s and Chrysler used to be a popular car until they co built with Mitsubishi giving the brand a nasty smudge

[@Mcfreddo]

GM is a shadow of itself. We've got a cooktop that's still going.

[@andrewgc8100]

I’m not going to lie, this almost had me in tears , Holden for life !!! Good video mate 👍🏽

[@351clevelandmodifiedmotor4]

Holden sucks arse nuts,🖕 I'm so happy to see filthy scumbage cheaters in a racing category that's designed to beat up on Ford just to sell stupid Holden crap go dead, they always have more than twice the cars in the field , take ford's championship winning teams and drivers, have race control up their arse , remove black flags a first in all motorsports history ,crash the Ford that's going to win off the track, slow the signed off on by all teams mustang down, keep doing that until Holden is faster and wins all the time, why?????? just because 1 mustang was winning Scott McLaughlin's mustang, yeh enjoy your hollow victories, Holden can go fuck themselves to death🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕

[@peterpiper831]

I believe there were numerous reasons behind the demise of local manufacturing. By the late 1970's, demographics were changing. Up until then, generally most households had 1 family car - in the late 1950's, Holden had 50% of the market. When the kids grew up, they were married by their early/mid 20's and buying their own family car. That started changing, people married later, and younger singles started buying Sigma or Corolla sized cars. The decline of the Australian car industry, from a political angle, began as far back as the mid '80's when john button introduced the "button plan," which step by step took away the tariffs on fully imported cars, thus the protection of the local manufacturers. The "reasoning" behind it was to make local cars more competitive. Yeah, right. As the local cars got bigger, many people realised a medium car was sufficient. Then the small cars got large enough. An EH Holden from the '60's was considered a full-size car. The Mazda 3 is now about the same size and weight, with more power. Then of course, along came the SUV. (I hate that term.) The CX-5s, Forresters and RAV4s were a more than adequate replacement for the older full sized wagons. The other issue was the changes to leasing. I can't find any info now, but I remember back when all cars leased had to be Aussie made, businesses often had a fleet of Holden or Falcon wagons. The rules changed so any imported car could be leased, leading to less sales of local cars. So a combination of factors led to the loss of local manufacturing.

[@MartinJones123]

Well written though I'd like to add a couple of points: - The bad reputation Aussie cars had with quality... People that have never had a Falcodore think that these cars are horrible even though they're usually the opposite... - Both Ford and Holden (especially the latter) failed to plan in the future and their products were considered ancient and inefficient by the general public even though that isn't entirely true... - As large car sales fell down, Holden and Ford were almost relying on these models to keep the company afloat and were also relying on fleet companies to buy their cars...

[@TassieLorenzo]

@@MartinJones123 "People that have never had a Falcodore think that these cars are horrible even though they're usually the opposite..." What do you mean think? A 1992 Ford Falcon or 1992 Holden Commodore genuinely was lower quality than a locally made 1992 Toyota Camry (or the larger imported Cressida) or 1992 Nissan Skyline, or imported 1992 Honda Accord or Legend, no? E.g., the casting sand that wasn't properly cleaned out of the EA/EB Falcon's engine block and myriad other quality issues.

[@MartinJones123]

@@TassieLorenzo The key word is "usually" as the 1990's wasn't a good time for Aussie build quality, particularly the early 90's...

[@351clevelandmodifiedmotor4]

read it and weep , at one stage 75% of all cars were Ford's, the model T Ford is the most successful car of all time, the Sierra rs cosworth is the most successful race car of all time, Ford has more race victories than all other car manufacturers combined 😂🖕

[@351clevelandmodifiedmotor4]

@@MartinJones123 pfffffff I have a 1991 Ford EB Falcon , what's the date you clown????? 2022, my car has a modified 351 Cleveland in it, it sounds a whole universe better than ANY Holden or GM product, and it's fast, the cars body is as it is factory , it's been out in the weather it's whole life and there's no rust or any broken bits on the car everything works ,every light every cigarette lighter, every bell and whistle works and it only cost me $700 for the car with the factory 6 in it, the modified 351 Cleveland engine was $4600, all road legal

[@tripsadelica]

It's a tragedy of epic proportions and one that Tony Abbot and Joe Hockey should hang their heads in shame over. It's not just the loss of a much-loved and storied brand, it's the loss of that engineering prowess, the capacity to build other things during wartime. In WW2 Holden factories were turning out huge supplies for the war effort. If we were to go to war today we might be lucky to cobble together a woomera and a boomerang.

[@Hapkido82AUS]

It was the Australian buying public's fault. Badge snobbery. And pure maths. It cost 3 times as much to build here than in Thailand for example.

[@tripsadelica]

@@Hapkido82AUS Yet retailers still charge full price for Thai-built vehicles so price isn't an issue...obscene profits margins are. I agree...badge snobbery but I would put my VF Commodore up against any lower price German car. Too many decisions made in Detroit, not South Australia.

[@peterlaustra2892]

Is it time then to resurrect the Zeta car brand?

[@23yearsand76]

You know Holden were given absolute MILLIONS of tax payer dollars right?

[@tripsadelica]

@@23yearsand76 So what? EVERY western nation supplements their car manufacturers...often far more than we ever did. Holden and Ford received government subsidies, it's true BUT compared to other nations and their subsidies these were very small. Offset the subsidies against the employment and import revenue these companies earned and the argument is moot.

[@TheFleetz]

66yo been Holden since buying my first car a LJ Torana the rest is history. All Holdens ever since too many model to list and finished with my VF MY15 GTS which I have today and never selling. Very sad that Holden get to the level of performance and technology only to see it disappear.

[@noelgibson5956]

No please.........I wanna know?? It's a Holden video Afterall.😃

[@ianriordan6382]

Germany and Japan have both high import tariffs and huge taxpayer funding of vehicle manufacturing. If you do the maths on the bad years of the 1980s and 1990s, both Holden and Ford Australia were employing Aussies at a loss. Blame the Hawke labor government, Joe Hockey and Tony Abbot who wanted to ride in 7 series BMWs rather than the FAR superior Holden Caprice, and govt departments who would rather buy imported 4 cylinder cars than fuel efficient 6 cylinder Holdens and Falcons. My 2005 5.7l Statesman has over 365k up and will still pull 8.5l/100km between Melbourne and Sydney. No toxic DPF or battery packs to dispose of. Cleaner than a Tesla and made here by Australians.

[@noelgibson5956]

If you have high wage and production costs, then you need high tarriffs. Plus:- manufacturers should actually build what the market dictates.

[@johnd8892]

The Australian market for large sedans was declining over time from about 2000. Buyers of these going for even larger SUV types or smaller cars. Even though you preferred larger sedan cars the public did not. Australian makers were stuck in the large sedan segment, even Toyota with the locally made Camry. Not good being unable to respond to market trends easily.

[@orion5813]

@@johnd8892 suv's are farken shite. can't wait for the suv craze to be over

[@michaelmcdermott8022]

The VE Commodore was imported to North America and sold as a Pontiac G8. The best Pontiac in a long time. In 2010, GM of Detroit canceled Pontiac brand. Sadly, it couldn't save a classic American brand either.

[@MrLurchsThings]

At least Ford had the decency to retire the Falcon nameplate.

[@nolesy34]

i was offended.. and i didnt even have the decency to lift myself in the air 10 feet. i didnt care who was there

[@351clevelandmodifiedmotor4]

That's because Ford isn't dumb, no point trying to hang on to a dead horse, bail and live to fight a other day, and why couldn't they bring back the falcon?? it could be back as an electric car in the future,

[@adenovirus.]

The sound of that last one was awesome.

[@jb7591]

Good video, well narrated. The business strategy Holden ran with in the early 2000's was sound at the time but ultimately was proven to be flawed due to numerous reasons, some listed in other comments.

[@Hapkido82AUS]

Oh boo hoo.. I remember when Ford shut down local manufacturing. A line worker was interviewed for the evening news. He was crying, he couldn't believe it. Then the same dude drove out of the Ford employee car park, in a frikkin Hilux, with Ford flags stuck out of it 🤣 WTF And a few years before that at V8supercar events, watching the fans turn up in Mazda 3s, Hilux's, Hyundai's etc, and then put on their HRT or FPR jackets and go to buy tickets lol The writing had been on the wall for over a decade...

[@nolesy34]

yes it sucks that Holden couldn't possibly cater for every single need that customers were demanding of cars... and if they built a car which had everything then the price would have to be matched.. ie a holden as expensive as a mercedes no the only way out of the bind would have been of holden made a very trendy new product as ive said a iHolden or something to keep it alive its a shame we all talk and try to help now its done and gone

[@351clevelandmodifiedmotor4]

not me i drove my Ford XF Fairmont 351 Cleveland modified in the v8suprcars to the VIP parking, parting the crowds by the merch tents on the way, was a great memory, everyone checking out my beast as it rumbbles along , white xF 1986 fairmont lowered on tridents with a Ford racing 100 years sticker on the back windscreen and a pissing on Holden sticker on the top of the rear winscreen👌👌👌👌👌🖕😂

[@maxrockatanksyOG]

The reason Ford Oz & GMH closed, was because they refused to really listen to what their customers wanted. Add on union wages, a myriad of BS imports getting subsidised and having taxpayers prop up failing car builders (which the money for both GMH & Ford went back to the USA), it could only end one way. The Territory was seriously considered for the US market as it was miles ahead compared to the US SUV's but the Yanks turned their noses up at, and GMH was pretty much just a car rebadging company- bar building the Commodore, which no one wanyed anyways

[@351clevelandmodifiedmotor4]

nope, it was because of the a global ressesion , GM had to cut many brands off to try survive even then they couldnt and needed major help from u.s government and now they ain't even called GM anymore, Ford sold off alot of their brands and Ford Australia was discontinued, GM thought that by keeping Holden running longer than Ford that they'd rule the roost lol, that was not wise , Ford was smart to discontinue ford Australia , they also sold many of their other brands like Volvo , jaguar, fiat, Mazda, Landrover etc to bring all their funds together to keep Ford alive, FORD survives and is making money again and is a major player in the vehicle manufacturing market up your sad nuts arse Holden

[@area51isreal71]

Too many Commodores. Before the Commodore Holden did very well, the HQ was a highpoint. The Torana was the first compact six. The Holden One Tonner is still legendary and the list goes on. These Holden's are worthy of recognition.

[@black7844]

as i G8 owner this is still depressing to this day

[@nolesy34]

Dont worry i still think your fly like a g6 Like a g6...... 🎶 … Poppin' bottles in the ice, like a blizzard When we drink, we do it right gettin' slizard Sippin' sizzurp in my ride (in my ride) like Three 6 Now I'm feelin' so fly like a G6 Like a G6, like a G6 Now I'm feelin' so fly like a G6 Like a G6, like a G6 Now I'm feelin' so fly like a G6 … Gimme that Moët ('et) Gimme that Crystal ('stal) Ladies love my style, at my table gettin' wild Get them bottles poppin', we get that drip and that drop Now, now, give me two more bottles 'cause you know it don't stop … Hell yeah Drink it up, drink-drink it up When sober girls around me, they be actin' like they drunk They be actin' like they drunk, actin'-actin' like they drunk When sober girls around me they be actin' like they drunk … Poppin' bottles in the ice, like a blizzard When we drink, we do it right gettin' slizard Sippin' sizzurp in my ride (in my ride) like Three 6 Now I'm feelin' so fly like a G6 Like a G6, like a G6 Now I'm feelin' so fly like a G6 Like a G6, like a G6 Now I'm feelin' so fly like a G6 … Sippin' on, sippin' on sizz', I'ma ma-make it fizz Girl, I keep it gangster, poppin' bottles at the crib (crib) This is how we live, every single night Take that bottle to the head, and let me see you fly … Hell yeah Drink it up, drink-drink it up When sober girls around me, they be actin' like they drunk They be actin' like they drunk, actin'-actin' like they drunk When sober girls around me they be actin' like they drunk … Poppin' bottles in the ice, like a blizzard When we drink, we do it right gettin' slizard Sippin' sizzurp in my ride (in my ride) like Three 6 Now I'm feelin' so fly like a G6 Like a G6, like a G6 Now I'm feelin' so fly like a G6 Like a G6, like a G6 Now I'm feelin' so fly like a G6 … Yeah, it's that 808 bump, make you put yo' hands up Make you put yo' hands up, put yo', put yo' hands up (You can't touch this) It's that 808 bump, make you put yo' hands up Make you put yo' hands up, put yo', put yo' hands up (You can't touch this) … Hell yeah Make you put yo' hands up Make you put yo' hands up Put yo', put yo' hands up (You can't touch this) Hell yeah Make you put yo' hands up Make you put yo' hands up Put yo', put yo' hands up … Poppin' bottles in the ice, like a blizzard When we drink, we do it right gettin' slizard Sippin' sizzurp in my ride (in my ride) like Three 6 Now I'm feelin' so fly like a G6 Like a G6, like a G6 Now I'm feelin' so fly like a G6 Like a G6, like a G6 Now I'm feelin' so fly like a G6

[@MrWilliam.Stewart]

"Holden, as Australian as McDonald's"

[@nolesy34]

as Australian as meat pie hills hoist victa and vegemite.... WAS

[@351clevelandmodifiedmotor4]

I'd rather mc Donald's any day

[@nolesy34]

@@351clevelandmodifiedmotor4 well you like modified things... You'll have plenty of it there... GMO's processed and cut and shut food prep, greased machinery and the lot! Budda ba ba ba

[@77iam97]

RIP Holden GM the best Australian car's Legend

[@peterlaustra2892]

Why not set up a consortium to re-acquire the Holden brand from GM?

[@hmayerv8]

Indeed the best

[@rabbit73au]

@@peterlaustra2892 our government tried to buy the Holden name off GM but GM won’t sell the name so no one can bring Holden back

[@peterlaustra2892]

Ìn that case how about resurrecting the Zeta cars?

[@ImmortalInflames]

Good solid video with as about as much information 9 minutes can contain.. However I do believe it's important to see the outside perspective what what was really going on.. During the 00's Peter Hanenberger had an big impressive plan to use the commodore platform for multiple uses (Remember some of those cool concepts we got like the Sandman, SSX, Monaro convertible etc) a bit like Lee Iacocoa did for Chrysler. It worked, every year profits were up.. (~1997 - 2008) So what happened.. Zafia, Captiva, Barina, Epica, Trax (just to name a few).. Yes, it's a quick easy answer to say Holden was greedy & wanted more profit, but that wasn't really the case Peter Hanenberger fought hard against General Motors to keep Holden building cars in Australia (Commodore etc). As soon as Peter retired GM saw their chance to swoop in and make Holden the distribution centre of S.E.A/Oceania (South East Asia). The American suits banked on Australian consumers happily buying "Holden" even though they weren't Australian made.. and had serious quality issues. TL;DR - GM wanted more money and wanted Holden to supply cheaply made cars all around S.E.A. but the market wanted very little to do with it. Phase two... The GM Bailout.. GM being so busy stuffing their pockets with money (and share holders) they had very little money if they ran into a bump into the road, let alone a recession. So GM along with other companies ran over to Uncle Sam (The American Government) crying for money to stay a float.. We all know that GM got about $11 Billion USD (~$15B AUD) however, as corrupt as many politicians are, they at least put some conditions on to receive the money.. GM would have to shut down some of their brands, as the government felt having so many simply at in GM's bottom line.. making cash. So to secure the government tax payer money such brands were sacrificed.. Saturn, Pontiac, SAAB, Hummer & some where in there was Holden. Holden on a global scale was small, not many people liked Holden selling rebadged Daewoo's which really was GM's future plans for Holden, so they simply phased out Holden, like they did with Oldsmobile a decade earlier. Holden under the watchful eyes of Peter Hanenberger had a bright future, but greedy suits on the other side of the world not understanding that the market was very different f**ked for the lot of us. So when GM cried to Uncle Sam for money & lots of it.. The stain on Holden's reputation (caused by them) was the very thing that made it that much easier to cut loose. There are far too many sources list and tbh, I forget most of what I read over the past 10 years.. That said, there are a couple videos made more recently that go into some detail about what is listed above. Regular Car Reviews - The Life & Death of Pontiac Donut Media - What really happened to Holden I love my Aussie Holden's, I own a HG Kingswood that needs some love, but it's been apart of the family since new & my daily is a VZ Avalanche.

[@351clevelandmodifiedmotor4]

that's a horrifying book you wrote us

[@joshj4416]

Ngl I was tearing up toward the end

[@chopperking007]

We've lost all vehicle manufacturing to Asia....should never have dropped the tariffs....criminal.

[@perpetualgrin5804]

A product people didn't want , simple economics.

[@Brandonvscars695]

All in all I’m a Nissan guy, brought up with them as a kid and as soon as I could drive I was back in another Nissan however, when it came to ford vs holden I’d always back ford first but that doesn’t matter bc without holden ford was nothing, without ford holden was nothing They’re were the 2 biggest things (to me) what said welcome to Australia so while I’d choose a ford first, I’ll still always respect holden and miss them

[@351clevelandmodifiedmotor4]

read it and weep , the world's fastest Ford bara powered falcon does a 7,4 quarter mile , the world's fastest Nissan skyline does 8'2

[@ham_sanga7]

Amazing video you deserve so many more subs and likes :)

[@perpetualgrin5804]

I've been lucky enough not to own a Holden especially a ' 253 '.

[@nolesy34]

or a gemini that was the basic version

[@351clevelandmodifiedmotor4]

hell yeh those were arse nuts, sounded like utter garbage, my uncle's HZ Ute👎👎👎 the most discussing V8 you could ever imagine, my 351 modified Cleveland is a whole universe better sounding and would tow it backwards at 250 kph lol

[@351clevelandmodifiedmotor4]

@@nolesy34 that car has the worst crash test in history

[@nolesy34]

@@351clevelandmodifiedmotor4 why backwards? I dont wanna see the clevelands rear end

[@351clevelandmodifiedmotor4]

@@nolesy34 how would you see that, you'll see the road the Cleveland's under the bonnet it's clear is really

[@bumblenina3122]

Did anyone else experience a leaky eye when that last car rolled out? Bloody cruze built tear ducts

[@351clevelandmodifiedmotor4]

nope I burst into laughter, the engine sounded like a wild pig that got shot Dead

[@johnodonnell1222]

This is a great video, seriously made me wanna cry

[@carlingcars]

Thank you so much!

[@351clevelandmodifiedmotor4]

yup Holden cry babies, slow the mustang down in the v8supercars so that we can win all the time again, even though only 1 mustang was winning, McLaughlin v power mustang

[@johnodonnell1222]

@@351clevelandmodifiedmotor4 idc.

[@stevenkral4782]

I never lived in Australia but this makes me cry

[@hmayerv8]

Me too ... Holden for life!!!! Holden is in my blood, I call my Blood group Type H

[@rsc68er]

I wanna cry when I think of what we have lost. We Aussies made bloody beautiful cars whether it be a Holden , Ford or Valiant. What a effing tragedy ! Wouldn't it be great if someone started making them again, but with all the emissions BS I doubt it will ever be again.

[@perpetualgrin5804]

The Mitsubishis and Toyota's don't count.

[@rsc68er]

@@perpetualgrin5804 sure but it's all lost now

[@perpetualgrin5804]

@@rsc68er Reading ' wheels ' without the Australian cars isn't the same for me.

[@rsc68er]

@@perpetualgrin5804 I know Mate, it's a bloody tragedy

[@351clevelandmodifiedmotor4]

nah only Ford is the true Aussie car, Holden is a GM product ,that's American, and the bodies were designed in germany by Opel and the engines are Buicks or Chevrolets, what's Aussie about that???? Ford Australia was independent from Ford, ford had very limited Input into the company the falcons were designed by Australians and built by Australians in Australia, eventually ford Australia made their own engines, once the Cleveland engines were discontinued in the mid 70s

[@bghoody5665]

The Efijy is a pretty slick looking car. GM brought the Monaro and Commodore to N/A as the Pontiac GTO and G8 but not for long. The bail out of 2008 brought the axe down on the Pontiac division.

[@gibbsy81]

Honestly it's really sad the demise of local manufacturing. I've grown up for most of my childhood around Holden cars some of my most fond childhood memories are related to the brand. I now own a MY17 VF Series 2 SV6 it's easily the best car I have driven and something I don't see myself selling in the near future along with my late grandfather's WH Statesman. I don't know what I would buy now given I prefer bigger rear wheel drive sedans, one things for sure it won't be the same as owning a home built car.

[@thomasclayton169]

@tomas could not agree more. Same sentiments here about my 2013 sv6 sports wagon in Regal Peacock green. 150,000 km and has not aged since it was new. A brilliant car to go with my 2008 Wm series 1. Both full of character and built to last

[@nolesy34]

large rear wheels? go an SUV or Jeep type vehicle

[@nauseous3925]

nice vid mate RIP Holden

[@alansoler2653]

Bro that video got me so sad, that GM di that to such a great car.

[@thaibulldog6800]

The only consolation is that GM America is on the slide meaning that it was inevitable that we would lose production at some stage.

[@davidrayner9832]

Ford and Chrysler were selling locally made and RHD versions of existing American models but Holden decided from the outset to design their very own model. Ford didn't do that until the XA of around 1972 and even after that, the Escort and Cortina were British cars. It costs $X to design a car from scratch and get it to market whether you sell thousands or millions of them. I love some of the Holdens and I think Australian Falcons from the XL to the XY look better than their American cousins so from a purely petrolhead point of view, I'm glad Australia had its own models but from a business point of view, how did they ever think that designing a car from scratch for a country with a tiny population and export it to a few other RHD countries with even smaller populations could ever make sense? It's a wonder they lasted as long as they did.

[@johnd8892]

The first 48-215 Holden models were designed and assembled in Detroit using a pre war Chevrolet prototype as a starting point. Upset the Holden boss Larry Hartnett who's Australian team had developed a different car rejected by GM. Hartnett complained and was sacked. Eighties ABC documentary on it on KZbin. This was made when many of the key people were still alive. Photos of the first one on test with 1946 Michigan plates in the SA library.

[@johnd8892]

ABC informative documentary : kzbin.info/www/bejne/joCmen95m6mia6M

[@nolesy34]

@@johnd8892 DETROIT WHAT!

[@jayjaynella4539]

When Ford first brought the Falcon over from the US, the cars fell apart. US suspensions could not cope with the rough and rutted roads here in Australia. Ford then started making its own suspensions that turned out to be far tougher than the US suspensions. In the mid 00s, Holden sent some modified Holden HSV Commodores to Europe to compete on the track against the Euro cars 3 and 4 times the cost. The Holdens outperformed the Euro cars in spectacular fashion, especially in the wet.

[@darryllspalding5211]

Blame the people that did not BUY AUSTRALIAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

[@TassieLorenzo]

A Holden is an American car...

[@noelgibson5956]

@@TassieLorenzo That fact is:- they were still made in Australia, and supported their surrounding communities with employment, sponsorships and cashed up workers putting money into the local economy. Parts suppliers were also employing people, generating more employment further afield.

[@cypherpunk12]

It's taxes, and we pay far more than just 10% GST. You see here in Australia we tax stack, for example if we make a car tyre the rubber, kevlar and steel makers must all pay GST on the sale of these items, they pass this cost to the manufacturer then the Australian manufacturer makes the tyre, sells it to the wholesaler and charges GST, plus the price mark up from the raw goods supplier. Finally they sell to the retailer charging GST and the price mark up for the extra costs of everything else. Finally the consumer buys the tyre and they are indirectly paying the kevlar, steel, rubber, manufacturers, wholesalers GST, then of course the 10% GST on the item, that is why stuff costs so much, not to mention the massive taxes on the diesel for the trucks that move these goods. That example is just one tyre, how many different goods go into a car? Towards the end of Holden's life, a new Holden cost as much as a low level BMW or Mercedes, and did not have even half the luxury. No one wanted a Holden. How we could have saved Holden: we should have marketed the Holden Ute to the US under the El Camino badge. The Americans have been screaming out for a new El Camino since 1987 when they ceased production.

[@kennethjones6650]

Holden never died it’s still with us you can never kill a legend it just lives on

[@nolesy34]

very true just like the old indian motorbike.. which still exists of course but the name has heritage that has good standing another one would be mini and bentley.. the modern car is a complete imposter but the old ones are still mint and have the heritage impact on collectors

[@OzDelphi]

09:13 Whether you knew the brand or not, -grew up- were conceived in a Holden -or Ford Family- etc, lol

[@nolesy34]

yes its an institution .. i remember toyota for shopping and little uses on week to weekday, the Premier for Sunday church, chrome polished rubber shiny and interior spic and span

[@BudoReflex]

When I was studying mechanical engineering, as a project I designed and proposed a mid engined Commodore of the future. To me, Holden was a beacon of hope that Australian engineering was viable, and that we could produce world class cars and careers to suit. That hope was in vain, on both accounts. We remain some weird mining outpost, without vision, and with an increasing decline in engineering and technology careers. There was no good reason why we should have given up our manufacturing. There are plenty of disgusting reasons why it happened though. Needless to say, I am not a mechanical engineer. Maybe I could feel the futility of it. Maybe I felt drawn away by more lucrative jobs.

[@351clevelandmodifiedmotor4]

dam I wish they'd of put your engines in their commodores, they would of been breaking down all over the place😂🖕

[@BudoReflex]

@@351clevelandmodifiedmotor4 haha, yeah probably.

[@jlacc1]

The problem was that GM Holden/Opel rebadged Deawoo 4 bangers and the small 6 banger Petrol and Diesel Sedans and CUV. Hence you got Korean Lemons. And know you will have to deal with Chinese Lemons.

[@nolesy34]

the only time i want lemon and chinese together is my lemon chicken pac pac

[@351clevelandmodifiedmotor4]

the whole company is a lemon, they would put a 2 litre 4 cylinder engine in a commodore , a car that also had 6 cylinder and V8 engines lol , roll up along side a falcon that has a 302 or 351 Cleveland in it and get absolutely smoked

[@theHONEYBONE]

9:34 and hopefully many other cruzes did also during the storm 🙏🏼🍋

[@nolesy34]

they arnt all lemons.. good for nanna drivers and just yeah

[@nolesy34]

shopping carts type action without worrying to scratch the Maloo

[@theHONEYBONE]

@@nolesy34 I beg to differ, these parts still corrode, break, fail etc. prematurely on all cruzes weather they drive like a nana or not. It’s honestly cheap Korean junk that shouldn’t have a holden badge on it

[@nolesy34]

@@theHONEYBONE oh absolutley re badged is a joke from lexcenus'sus to that ssang yong joke if your re branding something you may as well say your Aldi, here we have a special on beaded massage seat throwovers

[@theHONEYBONE]

@@nolesy34 😂😂😂

[@benp4339]

Awesome video. I have a series 2 VE SS and don't just have it parked up in hopes of making some money off it. Daily it because they are good reliable cars

[@nolesy34]

wouldn't you restore it and keep it collector? at least for future gen

[@benp4339]

@@nolesy34 No, don't think so. That's more thinking I shouldn't enjoy the car while I have it. I'm not too worried about resale value and it can be restored in the future if I really want to

[@nolesy34]

@@benp4339 be good to have a VR experience for the future gen then! V8 superlap

[@benp4339]

@@nolesy34 What are you talking about mate?

[@nolesy34]

@@benp4339 i would say the amount of holdens are so low that in future kids will either buy a crapolla or nofundai and never know the roar feel and comradeship with all mates having a cruise

[@noelgibson5956]

That billion dollars spent on the VE was money wasted. By 2006, the market had shifted from this type of car. The money should have went towards a locally designed and built SUV and twincab ute. Yes, they were importing these types of vehicles, but not being locally done, they failed to resonate with your average Holden buyer. I've had a few Holden's:- an old HG Kingswood and a VK Commodore wagon plus an LH Torana, but over the years, the brand was importing more and more models, with the only local model being exactly what buyers no longer wanted. Once even the Commodore became imported, I just lost interest. There was nothing 'Australian' about them anymore. The essence of Holden was now totally absent. I now run Toyota's, the logic being that if I must buy imported anyway, it may as well be of the most reliable brand. Still, I'll always have fond memories of what we once had. I can see us having a car industry again one day when our population is much greater, but they'll surely be electric and hydrogen cars and trucks.......and that won't nessessarily be a bad thing.

[@carlingcars]

I definitely embrace the new age of EVs and such, and look forward to them becoming more affordable for the average person. A return of a local industry would also be very welcome!

[@jb7591]

Ve was signed off prior to the SUV/Ute revolution, although they did see the US trend evolving. Holden was still gun shy after the size error of the VB, hence why they went with the full size vehicle. The Zeta platform on which the VE was based was world class but the business case Holden ran on was to import the 4 cylinder and SUV's which could be sold at higher margins to offset expensive local manufacture.

[@noelgibson5956]

@@jb7591 You may be surprised to discover that the VB is actually longer than all pre HQ models, but the styling disguises this. Where the VB truly loses out however, is in width.

[@noelgibson5956]

@@carlingcars Yes I agree on both points. EV's are kind of like mobile phones and the internet..........if the rest of the world is going that way, then we also have to, or be left behind. It will be a gradual transition rather than an overnight one. By the time the last ICE vehicle is built, EV's should be everywhere, affordable and accepted. And if we make our own, that would help them gain wider acceptance.

[@jb7591]

@@noelgibson5956 Somewhat true. VB had the smallest wheelbase since EH, compromising fore and aft space. As for width, you are correct. If they had applied the 55mm width extension on VB as they did later on VN, then the financial losses of the 80's may not have been as severe.

[@AnthonyTolhurst-dw1nc]

Holden used to export L/H cars up until HQ. No money left for engineering a L/H model after the completely new HQ body in 7 different versions. LAST aussie design. Kraut dunnydores from then on. 9:44

[@rabbit73au]

I have WN CapriceV I love it I am got keep it for as long as I can it is a awesome vehicle

[@23yearsand76]

Simply...Australians...and the World no longer wanted Big Family Bogan Wagons (Commodore)...especially 100k ones like HSV's...I saw the writing on the wall for Holden in the late 80s and early 90s if Holden didn't move with the times...they would FAIL...And they did

[@BrainztormProductions]

I wonder where you can get headlights for a VY like that 1:45, BTW the VE was still using GM engines, a big part of a car so was not all Australian at all

[@nolesy34]

have you tried rare spares/forums

[@BrainztormProductions]

@@nolesy34 na I havnt

[@anthonygoss9875]

The V6 engines were made and largely designed in Melbourne and exported to other countries for all other GM brands to use, except US the American version being made by Cadillac. The V8 was imported. BTW, I replaced the headlights in my VY recently plenty of new ones on ebay.

[@BrainztormProductions]

@@anthonygoss9875 I havnt heard that before, I need to look into that as I only know it as a GM engine and do you mean SSX Headlights you bought?

[@stevecallachor]

sentiment don’t play a big part in business……………..the politicians assure us that “The Market” sorts things out to everyone’s benefit,!!!!! Stavros

[@andresgizmos1271]

Nice video, you should have more subs

[@ozzyrock1523]

I lov my 2016 Calais v ls3 OTR HEADERS , 3'' EXHAUST lowered ,just a great cruiser ,THANKS HOLDEN 🦁

[@Quades_Life]

Cool video bro got a sub from me

[@nolesy34]

damn, all i got was a dominatrix

[@deanbritton7436]

Aussies started dropping Holdens when they decided to close down all manufacturing. I don't think all of the shitty rebadged Opal's helped much either.

[@jamieshields9521]

I have been lucky to own few Holdens like 83 VH SLX sedan with 202 six, 93 VR Berlina sedan with V6, 2000 VS Olympic ute with V6 n my favourite 93 Spack or really SS with 5.0lt V8 ute with few mods made a great touring vehicle. It doesn’t matter if Holden had made TT36 or put Diesel engine in VF when fuel prices were concern, GM had made its mind up in early 2000 to axe local built Commodore. If look at GM today they destroyed themselves with going Chinese manufacturing instead of South Korea, European n US manufacturing. Sad tale but Holden did make great concepts Holden Sandman, Utester n very nice dark blue Monaro.

[@nolesy34]

Lets say they did go the korean route.. what would happen

[@jamieshields9521]

@@nolesy34 if they gone SK, GM would have some control n better relationship, Australia might got better built Holden small cars.

[@nolesy34]

@@jamieshields9521 like a aus Opel of sorts... cool Austra The Bazzrina And the Cruise bro GTR

[@stephenvelden295]

Nothing lasts forever! Sad but true!

[@351clevelandmodifiedmotor4]

Ford is still strong

[@Poler777]

Can I get that license plate on the Holden Cruz. Useful as a bit of advertising…..for someone like me.

[@robinstuyvesant7187]

GMH blew their hold in Oz with apalling quality control.

[@nolesy34]

They had the quality control of red tick beer in the simpsons episode "Needs more dog"

[@dpgemail]

@@nolesy34 you're a joke mate

[@nolesy34]

@@dpgemail such is your judgment

[@jayjaynella4539]

Imagine cheering the demise of your job and workplace.

[@bobdown6055]

For someone who watched every Holden developed from from vs they dropped the the ball when ve went the way of Toyota one name plate for ten years.

[@sergeantmasson3669]

GM got involved, that's what happened.

[@nolesy34]

more like... and probably the Australian branch told the truth... and the truth didn't suit shareholders its a shame and its what companies go through universally the only way to keep it alive would have been if Holden diversified like made a iHolden or something.. anything that sold

[@351clevelandmodifiedmotor4]

Holden is only a name, it was always GM

[@sergeantmasson3669]

@@351clevelandmodifiedmotor4 FALSE. GM didn't take over until 1931. Quality then slowly began going downhill.

[@351clevelandmodifiedmotor4]

@@sergeantmasson3669 all the money from GM made them go down hill? LoL they'd be still making saddles if it wasn't for GM, and only cunt would compete against Ford a car company that wasn't in it to make money all Ford wanted was everyone to have a good car to change their lives for the better,they could go places that were previously unreachable, he had a dream , he didn't give a shit about the money,

[@sergeantmasson3669]

@@351clevelandmodifiedmotor4 BULLSH*T.

[@declan6965]

God said be gone Holden cruise

[@nolesy34]

God said be gone but gave the restoreres and collectors extra powers for keeping the old ones in good nick

[@Mariazellerbahn]

4:08 Water expansion tank is a common fault on ALL GM cars.

[@antonhuman8446]

is this an orchestral performance or a verbal account? hole!

[@angelripper_420]

Americans took over that's what happened 🥺

[@351clevelandmodifiedmotor4]

GM got a very sore bottom so they had to snip Holden and a few other car brands of there's, GM isn't even called GM anymore because it's totally run by u.s government money, Ford survived and stands on its own feet ,they had to snip some of their brands , that's why Ford Australia closed up, global ressesion

[@dpgemail]

Turned out backs????? ALL CAR MANUFACTURERS WENT UNDER IN AUSTRALIA. no Holden fan turned their backs.

[@Mcfreddo]

A mix of government and management. Detroit management that was too interfering? Seems so. They want to cheapskate and have world car platforms. Note of those European takeover of the old GM brands are doing well now? Sad. Sad there's no more Aussie Ford. Too much to restart holden as your own gig?

[@CH-xx1td]

Why is a American company an Australian icon

[@beagle7622]

It was Nissan first, Mitisibishi, Ford , Holden & Toyota was last to announce. The ignorance of Abbott & Hockey who got their information from the Productivity Commission. A poorly researched video,

[@MeaHeaR]

Orrrsé-Strâylêan Lúv Thêrē Kommodé

[@twistandtoil617]

Not quite the Demise my ute has grunt and reliable as long distance the nullarbor

[@MrMofo01]

the Day Peter Hanenberger left holden was the end. The Americans took it back and ruined the brand.

[@coolkatz9012]

LNPs hatred for unions didn't help the cause also

[@letsgetem]

Fk, that was sad watching the last Australian made V8 come off the line.

[@MeaHeaR]

Plaza Hol-Den usto sell Excellenté Havéll unt Greát Wáll ôf Chinêsés go da Crêws

[@jrharryman32]

The Chevrolet cruzes in america are absolute Garbage. You fix one coolant leak and one starts somewhere else. I am American but I don't buy American cars anymore. The Car companies here are lazy and cheap and only want to rebadge something or build it in Mexico. Gm's Trucks are good, interiors are garbage across the board and the cars are pitiful. Dodge's are pretty awful they are throw away cars. The absolute worst is Ford. I didn't grow up a Chevy person, I have owned lile 50 cars of all types of brands. I did't hate Ford until I started working on them. I will walk before I own a Ford. I could write a book on their stupidity and the people that own them get bent over by them and just keep asking for more. I will say when we got your Holden rebadged as a GTO I could tell that they were made better and the materials were nicer. I always looked at the first VIN number to see what country it was made in and all the ones that had 6 were made better.

[@jayjaynella4539]

I was given a Ford econoline van in the US. Several years old. Working on it was like sticking your hands into a grinding machine. Always bit back hard. Eventually the front frame and chassis had severe rust and missing sections of steel. Never touched a ford since.

[@jrharryman32]

@@jayjaynella4539 i was putting a water pump on a Ford 3.7 today, Its a 10 hour job, For a water pump!

[@hobo1704]

because they made junk cars..

[@nolesy34]

Just because junkies drive them doesnt mean they are junky cars Rappers drive cadillacs and rap about crack and whatever the trending cool narcotic and you dont see people complaing about caddys

[@hobo1704]

@@nolesy34 you obviously don't know much about cars then. Some of the biggest lemons were made/sold by Holden. They even got voted worst interior in the world back in the early Commodore days.. The VF Commodore was good but it was far too late by then.

[@nolesy34]

@@hobo1704 im very well aware of things such as fraying seatbelts and cracked dash but given theh only got to work with back then.. no plastic injection methods etc id say give em a break

[@hobo1704]

@@nolesy34 I am talking about layout and design..

[@Whitevaliant01]

My first Holden was my last Holden.

[@Goobijunga]

The Australian liberal party help it roll its swag and leave ah ,

[@noelgibson5956]

'Conservatives' don't really conserve much these days. Never lifted a finger to do any good, and it's useless leader, Morrison, just stood for nothing.

[@colmastro4373]

Haha the billion dollar baby failure of the VE lol, the most undesirable (australian) commodore ever made. i have a ve ss as my daily and the breathtakingly beautiful VZ SS 6.0 sleeping away in my garage that comes out a few times per year.

[@Goobijunga]

Greed

[@ericrombouts7698]

Ausie cars are brilliant and they are very good for lasting quality and speed