Holden NZ’s ‘heavy heart’
An announcement – in white text on a red back with part of the marque’s logo – dominates the home page of Holden NZ’s website this morning.
It starts with these words: “General Motors has announced the retirement of the Holden brand in Australia and New Zealand. This announcement is felt deeply by the entire Holden family, our customers and our fans.”
Then come the pledges: “Holden will continue to support customers in the following ways – honour all existing warranties and guarantees, honour all free scheduled servicing offers, ongoing call centre support, provide servicing and spare parts for at least 10 years.”
It’s the end of Holden in New Zealand – lock, stock and barrel – over the next decade. It’s a message being delivered to Kiwis “with a heavy heart”, as the company puts it.
“We will immediately begin working with our dealer partners to implement an orderly transition, including support for our existing customers,” states the website, adding servicing and spare parts will be provided through national after-sales networks in this country and across the Tasman for at least a decade, which will also deal with recalls and safety-related issues if they arise.
“GM has taken this difficult decision after an exhaustive analysis of the investment required for Holden to be competitive for the long term in Australia’s and New Zealand’s new car markets,” adds Holden NZ. “Regrettably, this assessment determined such an investment could not meet GM’s investment thresholds, including delivering an appropriate return.
“Factors weighing against further investment in Holden included the highly fragmented right-hand-drive domestic markets, the economics to support growing the brand and delivering an appropriate return on investment.
“More broadly is the issue of scale. The global consolidation of the automotive industry has made it increasingly challenging to support a brand and a business that operates in only two markets, which represent less than one per cent of the global industry.
“This decision has not been taken lightly, especially considering the iconic status of the Holden brand and the contribution it has made not only to GM, but to the development of the economies of Australia and New Zealand.
“It impacts all aspects of the Holden business, including the wind-down of the national sales company, GM Holden Engineering, GM Design Australia, Holden Financial Services and Maven Australia.
“We are commencing work with our dealer partners on timing to cease sales of new vehicles, as well as transitioning dealerships to authorised service outlets.”
Questions and answers
With so many big corporate decisions, this one is no exception with Holden NZ posting some Q&As online, no doubt – in part – to help customers and staff left in shock and bewilderment by General Motors’ decision to pull the plug.
Question: Where can I get my Holden serviced?
Answer: Holden will establish a national after-sales network to support existing customers for at least the next 10 years. All current Holden dealers will be offered the opportunity to transition to Holden authorised service outlets.
Will you honour my warranty?
Yes. Holden will continue to honour all existing warranties.
For how long will Holden provide spare parts?
Holden will provide existing Holden customers after-sales support for at least 10 years, including warranty, service, spare parts and any required recall or field actions.
How far will I need to travel to get my car serviced in future?
Holden will establish a national after-sales network. All current Holden dealers will be offered the opportunity to transition to Holden authorised service outlets.
What happens if there is a vehicle recall?
As required, Holden and its after-sales network will also continue to handle any recalls or safety-related issues if they arise, working with the appropriate governmental agencies.
Can I still buy a new Holden?
Yes, Holden dealerships still have a range of new, demonstrator and used vehicles available for sale. If you are interested, you should contact your local dealer while stocks last.
When will Holden close?
We are committed to looking after existing Holden customers – and our plan is to provide after-sales support for at least 10 years. We will work closely with our dealers and customers around the appropriate timing to cease sales in Australia and New Zealand.
What parts of the Holden operation are impacted by this decision?
The national sales company, design, engineering, Maven, Holden Financial Services. We will retain a team to support our aftersales operation.
Wouldn't it have been better to close Holden when local manufacturing ended?
We believed at the time that Holden could continue as a full-line importer.
What happens to Lang Lang Proving Ground?
We will explore options around the Lang Lang Proving Ground.
What happens to HSV?
We plan to focus our growth strategies in these markets on the speciality vehicles business and plan to immediately begin work with our partner on that focus.
What happens to Holden's collection of historic vehicles, vehicles of national significance?
We will preserve key heritage vehicles and are working through plans with GM and local partners and institutions.
Is Corvette still coming to Australia and New Zealand?
We will work through this and share information in the coming months.
What is the future of Holden in Supercar racing?
We will begin discussions with the organisers of Supercars and Red Bull Holden Racing Team. We will update you on these discussions at the appropriate time.
Will Holden continue to sponsor Red Bull Holden Racing Team Racing?
We are aware of our commitment and we will work through with Red Bull Holden Racing Team the implications of this decision.
The Q&A sessions ends with this: “If after reading this information you still have questions, Holden customer care is available to answer inquiries. Holden customers in Australia can call 1800 46 465 336 or visit www.holden.com.au; Holden customers in New Zealand can call 0800 465 336 or visit www.holden.co.nz.”
