Well while been some bad new's for us down under with Holden following Ford out of manufacturing in Australia (Thanks a lot to our incompetent government) has been some Good news. The Aussie Bushmaster PMV (aka Bushy) is getting more exports to Japan, Indonesia and Jamaica (in small numbers, 10, 3 and 12 respectively at first) and interest from Libya (to the tune of 100-400). http://www.news.com.au/national/high-demand-for-victorianmade-bushmaster-troop-carriers/story-fncynjr2-1226781870520 On the note of Holden pulling out, A common argument I hear against them is that tax payers shouldnt bear the cost of supporting them can I just point out that they too are tax payers. Company tax is 25% here and on their $4b in revenue last year they would have paid out $1b in taxes yet received less then $200m back in support. Maths is really going down hill if they cant work out we were still getting a good deal.... Cheers, V_N.
Agree, good argument...However, Holden has to shoulder some of the blame. They could and in my opinion should have put pretty much all their eggs into renewables/electric cars and gotten the jump on everyone, even Toyota. The lesser option was try to increase the luxury sport commodore and compete with the Aston Martins, BMWs etc etc, and tap into the burgeoning Chinese market. Holden did neither. Instead, in a world that is increasingly building smaller cars, it continued with its large models, marketing for their smaller models almost non-existent. The skills should stay in Australia, and, via Toyota will continue to stay here. GM are also importing Australia's design team (thought to be good). A good proportion may find work elsewhere, as has happened in the past (BHP - Mitsubishi)...or will be assisted in retraining. We've seen classics like the FJ...EH...Torana...Kingswood...Monaro...and of course, the Commodore...I hope that we will see glimpses of these thoroughbreds in future GM (Chevrolet) cars to come. And for the record, my last name is Holden.
Agreed that Holden has to shoulder some of the blame. While they should have gone into renewable/electric cars their was a plan for that which the government then decided to scrap eliminating the funding that would have helped Holden, Toyota and Ford to do that. Blame also lays with the government with the FTA's, Specifically the one with Thailand that should have allowed us to export vehicles their and vice versa, After it was signed they moved the goal post to price our vehicles out of their market ($100,000 for a Ford Territory basic model after they were done). To me Holden tried to save them selves (Not GM Detroit but Holden locally) but they had to much up against them and failed to act soon enough for the market shift. That being said removing the company tax and allowing for there losses they would have had profits to the tune of $800m+.. Those sort of dollars would bring some companies back to Australia... Great to know that the last 10+ years of government have been so great with our taxes right? =) As for the work, According to a study done two years after Mitsubishi closed down a third found full time work, a third only had part time work and a third were unemployed still. Include those in the part's supply industry that will collapse unless the government get's their act into gear and their will be major issues in the job market.
Well CAC, While sections are going downs Aussie smarts are still at it. http://www.motoring.com.au/news/2013/aussie-invention-eliminates-piston-rings-40773?WT.z_csource=Outbrain&WT.seg_4=Outbrain Would be interesting to see what this does for the engine industry as a whole (motor vehicles, planes, ships etc)
