Tech boost for Holden

GM Holden has hired 150 new engineers to focus on advanced vehicle development (AVD), including autonomous and electric vehicles (EVs), with annual expenditure on research and design to reach over $120 million.

GM Holden’s Australian engineers will play a crucial role in developing future technologies that underpin autonomous vehicles and electric powertrains for the future, the company has announced.

Speaking at Holden HQ, GM executive vice president Mark Reuss, said Australian engineers would be fully integrated into global GM engineering teams to develop leading technologies to drive the future of mobility.

“GM is determined to be the first company to bring safe, autonomous vehicles to market — not within years, but in quarters. Make no mistake, we’re moving to a driverless future — a future of safer roads and zero crashes,” said Reuss.

“At the same time, GM is well on its way to bringing at least 20 new all-electric models to market by 2023.

“The world-class vehicle engineering capability we have at Holden in Australia will play a significant role in GM delivering on its commitment to create a world with zero crashes, zero emissions and zero congestion.”

Holden’s design, engineering and vehicle development workforce will increase to over 500 after the latest expansion. 

GM Holden executive director of engineering Brett Vivian said Australian engineers had played a critical role in vehicle development for Holden and GM globally since 1946, and this would continue with today’s announcement.

“This announcement of 150 new engineers at Holden to work on global advanced vehicle development comes on top of significant upgrades we have made to the emissions test lab and test tracks at our Lang Lang Proving Ground,” said Vivian.

“With today’s announcement, we will now be spending more than $120 million annually on automotive research and development at our operations here in Australia.”