Australia

2008-07-16 -- GM Holden’s value-packed mid-size Epica sedan just got even better with the introduction of a new fuel efficient four-cylinder diesel engine plus six-speed automatic transmission with Active Select, Electronic Stability Program (ESP®) and six airbags standard across the range.

Holden Epica’s new four-cylinder 2.0 litre diesel variant is the latest addition to Holden’s growing diesel range and delivers not only great performance but also impressive fuel economy of a low 7.6 litres per 100km*.

2008-07-02 -- GM Holden announced today a three year partnership with The Smith Family to provide education opportunities for disadvantaged youth. The Smith Family is a national, independent social enterprise which supports children and families living in financial disadvantage to create a better future through education.

GM Holden’s support involves the introduction of a Homework Club in the Northern Territory and provides Learning for Life scholarships for primary school students in South Australia and Victoria.

The Homework Club is a program designed to enable students of Moulden Park School and Neighbourhood Centre to fully participate in their education. Moulden is a suburb of Palmerston, situated 20 minutes from Darwin.

2008-06-20 -- GM Holden announced today that after over 35 years of service, Rod Keane, Executive Director – Manufacturing will retire effective 1 September. Rod has enjoyed an impressive career with GM Holden, joining the company in 1972.

During his time with GM Holden he has overseen some extraordinary change, perhaps the most significant being the consolidation of the company’s domestic vehicle assembly operations from facilities across the country to a single vehicle assembly plant at Elizabeth, South Australia.

Rod became Assembly Plant Manager at Elizabeth at the age of 34 and in 1987, was instrumental in converting the plant from a single shift operation to double shift, representing a significant expansion in capacity.

2008-06-05 -- GM Holden today confirmed a timeframe for ending production of its Family II, four cylinder cast iron engine at Fisherman’s Bend, Melbourne.

GM Holden will continue to build the Family II engine, which has been in continuous production for 27 years, into the final quarter of 2009. The Family II facility, which includes the foundry, will then cease operations. There are 531 people directly employed in Family II production.

In the Beginning

2008-05-28 -- This year, Holden will commemorate the 60th anniversary of Australia’s own car, the 48-215.

In the countdown to this significant anniversary, Holden will revisit the iconic models that cemented its place in Australian history, beginning with the first decade of Holden cars built for Australia’s unique conditions.

1948-1958 was a decade which saw Holden complete the challenge of building the nation’s first successfully mass-produced car and rapidly expand to meet the growing order bank. It was also when Holden began its first export program, shipping FJ models to New Zealand.

2008-05-26 -- GM Holden introduces the VE Calais V 60th Anniversary Special Edition, with a range of interior and exterior features including an electric sunroof and 19-inch alloy wheels.

“The Calais V 60th Anniversary Special Edition is another example of Holden’s commitment to value with levels of luxury and sophistication set to rival any vehicle in its segment,” said GM Holden’s Director of Marketing, Philip Brook.

“The Calais V 60th Anniversary Special Edition is the perfect vehicle for the individual or family looking for something extra special, along with the drive capabilities, safety and performance of the award winning VE Commodore.”

In addition to the standard VE Calais V features, the VE Calais V 60th Anniversary Special Edition includes:

2008-05-25 -- Australia’s biggest-selling European imported car in 2007, the Holden Astra, is now available in a turbocharged diesel wagon, bringing the number of diesel models in Holden’s line-up to four.

The feature-packed Holden Astra CDTi Wagon boasts ESP® as standard and a 1.9 litre turbo diesel engine delivering exceptional performance and fuel economy.

The Euro 4 compliant Astra CDTi Wagon will be available in a six-speed automatic transmission and delivers outstanding fuel economy (ADR 81/01) of 7.1 litres/100 km.

GM Holden’s Director of Marketing Philip Brook said the Holden Astra CDTi Wagon was another example of the fantastic choice offered by Holden’s Astra range.

2008-05-19 -- As General Motors celebrates the 10 millionth Astra rolling off the production line in Bochum, Germany last week, GM Holden has extended its own 60th Anniversary celebrations to include a special edition Holden Astra. Available in hatch and wagon, the Astra 60th Anniversary Special Edition offers customers exceptional value with the inclusion of ESP®, 15-inch alloy wheels, and exclusive 60th Anniversary badging. This adds to a range of standard features including four airbags, steering wheel audio controls and air-conditioning.

Holden Astra 60th Anniversary Special Edition

2008-05-17 -- The annual Durban Motor Show was held in Durban exhibition centre during April 10 to 13, 2008. The biggest difference from previous shows was that one Chinese independent brand — Great Wall Motor (GWM) attended. At the exhibition, Great Wall Motor formally launched the New Logo and the new model Hover.

Debut of Great Wall Motors at Durban Motor Show

Great Wall Motor booth covers an area of 400 square meters which is the second biggest one next only to Toyota stand. Besides, all together 8 models were showed in the motor show, including Hover limo and GW Peri, their debut in South Africa market.

13/05/2008 -- Car buyers seeking an economical and well priced car in the current climate of rising fuel costs will receive an added bonus if they buy a 2008 Proton Satria Neo during May with $1200 worth of fuel thrown in at no extra cost.

2008 Proton Satria Neo

Already a frugal yet sporty three door hatch buyers will have the equivalent of 55 percent of their average annual fuel costs covered during the first year with twelve Caltex $100 fuel cards included with every Satria Neo sold during May.

Proton buyers will receive a $1200 fuel bonus when they purchase a Satria Neo during the month of May.

Green Credentials

13/05/2008 -- The green credentials of the new 2008 Proton Persona have been given official endorsement with the Federal Government Green Vehicle Guide awarding it a four star rating, the first Proton to achieve this level of energy efficiency.

2008 Proton Persona

The new Proton Persona is amongst the greenest cars on Australian roads, earning a 4 star rating in the 2008 Government Green Vehicle Guide. The four star rating is based on both the fuel efficiency and the low level of emissions the new Persona achieves from its 1.6litre Campro twin cam 16 valve engine.

Proton Cars has launched an all-new Proton Persona onto the Australian market with fresh styling, improved build quality and better performance

13/05/2008 -- The 2008 Proton Persona shares only its name with the previous Proton Persona model, a car that was sold in Australia between 1995 and 2005. The new model however is based on the Proton designed and developed GEN.2 platform and uses an improved version of Proton's own Campro 1.6 litre twin cam engine.

2008 Proton Persona: New Proton Persona delivers fresh styling, improved build quality and better performance in an economical and low cost package.

2008-05-07 -- GM Holden employees and retirees were joined today by the Premier of South Australia, local VIPs and community partners as the company celebrated a half century at its Philip Highway, Elizabeth site.

50 years to the day since the first concrete was poured at the Elizabeth facility on 8 May, 1958, GM Holden Executive Director Rod Keane and the Premier of South Australia, Mike Rann MP buried a time capsule, to be opened at the site’s 75th anniversary in 2033.

May 5 , 2008 [Australia] -- Subaru has achieved a new April sales record of 3158 vehicles, according to official VFACTS figures released today.

Passing the previous record of 3015 set in April 2005, it puts Subaru sales 16.5 per cent ahead of the same month last year.

New generation Subaru Forester sold 1107, up 22.6 per cent on last April, while Subaru Tribeca sales of 201 were up 86.1 per cent on the same month last year and ahead 61.3 per cent year-to-date (YTD).

Subaru Impreza sold 952, up 36.8 per cent on last April and 29.0 per cent YTD.

Subaru Liberty (Subaru Legacy) sales of 478 and Outback of 420, rounded out Subaru’s total.

2008-04-27 -- GM Holden has introduced two Rodeo 60th Anniversary Special Editions each offering over $3,000* worth of extra value and enhanced sports styling.

Available in LT and LX 4 x4 versions, the Rodeo 60th Anniversary Special Editions include a range of additional features such as a chrome sports bar, side steps and Bluetooth® connectivity for compatible mobile phones.

The LT Rodeo 60th Anniversary Special Edition features rear park sensors enhancing safety for passengers and pedestrians, while the LX edition features a towbar package.

GM Holden Marketing Manager Teresa Basile said that the Rodeo 60th Anniversary Special Editions would appeal to buyers looking for a light commercial vehicle that was tough enough to get all the hard jobs done.

2008-04-20 -- GM Holden will unveil its new value-packed VE Ute 60th Anniversary Special Editionat the National 4x4 Show in Brisbane this week.

Adding to an already impressive list of standard features including ESP® and 18-inch alloy wheels, the VE Ute 60th Anniversary Special Edition boasts over $2,000# of extra value, including leather faced seats and alloy foot pedals.

Based on the popular SV6 model in Holden’s award winning VE Ute range, the VE Ute 60th Anniversary Special Edition includes the following additional features:

· Onyx leather seat trim
· Bluetooth® connectivity for compatible mobile phones
· Sports profile steering wheel
· 6 disc in dash MP3 compatible CD player
· Alloy foot pedals
· 60th Anniversary floor mats

Singles date (in) Volvo models "Down Under"

April 17, 2008 -- Single, looking for a date - and ready to meet your soul-mate in a Volvo? Go to Sydney. That's where the world's first "speed dating" in Volvo models has just taken place.

Speed Dating in Volvos in Sydney, Australia: Young singles in Sydney speed date in Volvo cars.

Volvo Car Australia is employing an unusual tactic together with dating specialist Fast Impressions - speed dating in Volvos! In March, twenty of Sydney's sexy singletons were offered the unique opportunity to participate in Australia's first 'test drive dating' event.

2008-04-15 -- GM Holden will showcase its latest concept vehicle the Coupe 60 alongside a comprehensive line-up of soon-to-be released and current Holden models when the Perth Motor Show opens next Tuesday.

The stunning Coupe 60, which recently made its world premiere in Melbourne, will take centre stage on the Holden stand, providing a glimpse of Holden’s future directions in design, engineering and emerging engine technologies.

GM Holden will also preview two unreleased Sportwagon models in Calais V-Series and SS V- Series guise, and special edition anniversary models of the VE Commodore and Captiva to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Holden 48-215.

Coupe 60

This year’s show is expected to be hotter than ever, with the latest, greatest and sexiest that the auto industry has to offer.

The highly anticipated show that sees over 50,000 patrons come through its doors each year, will feature 6 jam packed days full of cars, fashion, entertainment and more activities than ever before, making it a great day for the entire family.

Show Hours:
Tuesday 22nd April: 10am to 9pm
Wednesday 23rd April: 10am to 9pm
Thursday 24th April: 10am to 9pm
Friday 25th April: noon to 9pm
Saturday 26th April: 10am to 9pm
Sunday 27th April: 10am to 6pm

Location:
Perth Convention Exhibition Centre, 21 Mounts Bay Road Perth WA 6000

Ticket Prices:
Adult: $16
Child (5-15): $9
Family (2 adults + 4 children): $42
Children under 5: Free

2008-04-08 -- The recently launched Older Driver Study by the Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) today moved to John Collins Holden in the Mornington Peninsula.

The Older Driver Study, funded by GM Holden, Auto Cooperative Research Centre (AutoCRC) and Monash University, uses one of the world’s most advanced portable driving simulators, the EF-X simulator, which is the first of its kind in Australia.

The important study focuses on the driving behaviour of people aged 65 or older – a demographic whose numbers are set to more than double on Australian roads over the next 30 years.

The study is led by MUARC senior research fellow, Dr Judith Charlton, who said there is a need to start focusing on this expanding demographic.