Victoria's GM Holden to export 30,000 cars to the United States
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8 February 2007
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General Motors Holden has announced an export deal that will see 30,000 Commodores re-badged and exported to the American domestic market.
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At the announcement at GM Holden’s Port Melbourne plant, Industry and State Development Minister Theo Theophanous said the new export deal would result in re-badging 30,000 Commodores as Pontiac G8s for export to the American market from 2008.
“This project shows that Victoria is leading the way on automotive R&D. The backbone of this GM Pontiac G8 was developed and built right here in Port Melbourne” Mr Theophanous said.
Mr Theophanous said that GM Holden’s decision to develop the G8 Pontiac in Victoria demonstrated that the Victorian Automotive industry was globally competitive.
“Americans will be driving around the streets of Detroit, Los Angeles and New York in cars that were born right here in Melbourne,” Mr Theophanous said.
Mr Theophanous said Victoria was home to Holden’s Global Rear Wheel Drive architecture team which is preparing for future product programs around the world. The Global Rear Wheel Drive architecture team developed the new G8 Pontiac.
“The rear wheel drive architecture is already in use in the new local Commodore and Statesman models, and development work will focus on safety improvements and environmental systems,” Mr Theopanous said.
The Bracks Government has contributed $3.4 million to assist GM Holden in developing the R&D on its Global Rear Wheel Drive Architecture.
“The success of this project demonstrates Victoria's automotive strengths in innovation, design and engineering capability, in active fuel management systems and the international ANCAP 5 star Safety Qualification program,” Mr Theophanous said.
This will have substantial flow through benefits to components manufacturers in the auto supply chain in Victoria including major automotive companies such as Robert Bosch Australia, Air International, Mahle ACL limited, and Pacifica Group Technologies.
“The project will also substantially boost production of the locally built HSV6 six cylinder engines assembled at Port Melbourne. This joint investment will ensure Victoria can continue to develop world-class products that will find a place in GM’s global network,” he said.
Since 1999, 2500 new jobs have been created in the automotive industry in Victoria. The Bracks Government is committed to working in partnership with the automotive industry to promote Victorian manufacturing and develop export opportunities.
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