Another Aussie icon bites the dust - closure of Holden
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382240)
Rockingham, Australia
February 18, 2020 5:19pm CST
Australia manufactures very little now. With the wages we pay, manufacturers can’t compete with imported goods, clothing, appliances, etc, from China, Japan and other Asian countries. Now, another well-loved Aussie icon will disappear.
General Motors are closing their last Australian branch with the loss of 600 jobs. Founded in 1856 as a manufacturer of harness and saddles, it moved into car manufacturing in 1908. For a period, it even built the Ford Model T before becoming a subsidiary of the US-based General Motors in 1931. Changing market tastes, less protection against a multitude of imported vehicles, and a few other factors have led to the demise of the Holden.
Many Australians were fiercely loyal to the Holden and will lament its disappearance from the scene. There were many models produced over the years including the Torana, Kingswood, Monaro and Commodore.
Since 1968, Holden has been involved with factory backed teams in Australian touring car racing. It has won the Bathurst 1000 thirty-two times.
The photo is of a Holden Sandman. This was immensely popular with surfers in its time and was also known as a ‘shaggin’ wagon’.
22 people like this
20 responses
@moffittjc (128837)
• Gainesville, Florida
19 Feb 20
I used to have a shaggin' wagon, but it wasn't a Holden. It was a Dodge Caravan. I actually never did any shaggin' in it (who would in a minivan anyway?), but I used to joke to people about it being a shaggin' wagon. I inherited it after my divorce, so I told people I was going to go cruising for girls in my shaggin' wagon. Never worked though. But I don't blame any girls for not want to shag in minivan! haha
4 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (49766)
• India
20 Feb 20
@JudyEv
At least some manufacturing companies should be indigenous.
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (122208)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
19 Feb 20
It is a shame that an icon from Australia is coming to a close.
3 people like this
@Deepizzaguy (122208)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
19 Feb 20
@JudyEv That is true since the public cannot afford to buy expensive autos anymore.
3 people like this
@allen0187 (59830)
• Philippines
19 Feb 20
'Shaggin wagon' is an appropriate name.
Hate to read about people losing their jobs.
2 people like this
@allen0187 (59830)
• Philippines
19 Feb 20
@JudyEv it is never a good feeling to be retrenched.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (382240)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 Feb 20
@allen0187 Especially when jobs are so hard to find.
3 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (49766)
• India
19 Feb 20
Many domestic industries in India too face competition from China and Bangladesh.
But we still have cheaper labour than many countries.
It is sad to see an iconic brand shutting down.
2 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (49766)
• India
20 Feb 20
@JudyEv
Yes that is why countries turn to anti-dumping duties and higher customs duties.
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (91297)
• United States
18 Feb 20
Such a sad shame. The poor old shaggin wagon lol
2 people like this
@RebeccasFarm (91297)
• United States
19 Feb 20
@JudyEv Yes I imagine so Judy..it is a handsome car alright
2 people like this
@Alexandoy (65302)
• Cainta, Philippines
18 Feb 20
I saw the news last night about Holden. It reminds me of our neighbor whose car was a brand new Holden. He was very proud of it.
3 people like this
@Alexandoy (65302)
• Cainta, Philippines
19 Feb 20
@JudyEv some good things never last.
3 people like this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
19 Feb 20
i grew up in Indiana where there once were a number of car companies. All had either joined GM/Ford/Chrysler by the time I was old enough, but there were still the brands.
sad that they are gone.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (382240)
• Rockingham, Australia
20 Feb 20
@DocAndersen Is that so? I didn't know that.
2 people like this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
19 Feb 20
@JudyEv it is funny because in the US and Europe, many of those brands are bought by the bigger companies just to have logos!
3 people like this
@yanzalong (19091)
• Indonesia
19 Feb 20
I've heard of Holden when I was a little boy.
2 people like this
@louievill (28846)
• Philippines
19 Feb 20
Holdens were popular in our country during the 60s and 70s but were slowly replaced by smaller, sleeker and more efficient Japanese cars but were no good for shagging
2 people like this
@changjiangzhibin89 (17242)
• China
19 Feb 20
What a pity ! with the increasing globlization of world trade,manufacturers have to make their products competitive on markets.
2 people like this
@vilma143 (2915)
• Dipolog, Philippines
19 Feb 20
Sad to hear, but as I heard from other big companies they will close for the reason of Taxes payments, but they will change the Company's name to a new one, most of the big company will do that. Some will upgrade. Sad to hear if this company did not do anything for their workers and etc. Will, that's depend of the owner of the company and the management.thank you, @JudyEv.
1 person likes this
@florelway (23339)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
22 Feb 20
I just hope the displaced workers will find another job soon.
1 person likes this
@florelway (23339)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
22 Feb 20
@JudyEv it would be very difficult for those older employees because it would be very hard for them to look for another job especially on this computer age. I just hope that they will be compensated for a separation and retirement pay.
1 person likes this
