Holden is preparing to shift the design work for its iconic Commodore model to General Motors design studios abroad.
The Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers (APESMA) believe Holden will make a decision soon on their most popular product and say such a move could cost 350 jobs at Holden’s Fishermen’s Bend Factory in Port Melbourne.
The association’s chief executive Chris Walton says it is likely that Holden are going to re-locate their design and engineering departments overseas and replace the Commodore with a medium front-wheel drive car. APESMA spokes person suggested it is highly likely that the 2014 Commodore will be the last one engineered in Australia.
This decision may also compound the demise of the iconic Aussie locally produced large car, as Ford is also preparing to scrap the Falcon in favour of an American designed medium car in the near future. Holden’s managing director, Mike Deveraux, said if any changes were to be made, they would not take effect for a long time possibly after the end of this decade. He also added that the next model Commodore will have a multi-year life span with a number of face lift models.
Looking at all the possibilities there is a very confronting one – I do not think that the Australian motor racing public will ever come to terms with Bathurst not having any Commodores and Falcons competing for line honours
