In a bit of disconcerting news, the Australian government has revoked its previous agreement to have Australian based BAE Systems armor the next batch of government limos.
Previously, the $6 million AUD contract had been awarded to BAE Systems in 2012 to fortify and armor the Holden Caprice for state use, but the latest report from CarsGuide has the government completely nixing the agreement in favor of German automaker, BMW.
The Aussie government deemed the contract it had struck with BAE to build and fortify the Holden Caprice was “too risky.” At the time, the government argued Holden had not tendered a bid, but new information in the report shows the company did indeed submit a bid, and were successful.
After the newest Australian party came to power, it withdrew industry support for Holden. Almost immediately after the announcement, Holden announced it would cease manufacturing in 2017.
A South Australian senator is questioning the whole process saying the government is waging an “irresponsible campaign against the Australian car industry.”
Countering this statement, the Aussie government said it had received four bids total for the new limos. But shortly after awarding the contract to BAE/Holden, it realized the two could not guarantee the required level of production.
Comments
All hail the Caprice. Coincidentally, a lot like a BMW, just not as snooty. Rock solid at 150 mph, turns sharply, digital display hurtles its increases by tens and not single digits when you step on it.
My experience with one included reminders it is built by GM, complete with intermittent airbag, and tire pressure warning lights that came on when they felt like, and not when something was actually wrong. Still it’ll be sad to see it depart and be replaced with something neutered.
So Holden was on a fulltime govt bailout. nice.
Americans talking about governments bailing out car companies is slightly hypocritical don’t you think?
Perfect reason for GM to leave Australia. If Australia doesn’t want to support GM, then GM should not support Australia.
Australia should get used to a deteriorating working class, increased violence, increased incarceration, increased government debt, and a car in every driveway from Japan, Korea, China, or Thailand.
You do know Joe G that there’s plenty of us Aussies that are disgusted by this right? Our current Prime Minister has the lowest rating of any PM EVER. Also don’t tell us what to get used to like your some great socio economic prophet, we can all ready see it happening and a great many of us are very vocal on saving local industry (including we never wanted GM and Ford to leave). Making us out to be all the same in Australia and not supporting GM is like me saying all Americans are as ignorant and lack insight like yourself which thank god the majority are not (I have many American friends thanks and the only difference is the side of the road we drive on, the way we handle a football or hit a ball with a bat) You should have some idea as to what your talking about before making such posts.
I do know what I am talking about and see it everyday. Crime and incarceration are sky high in the U.S. and the government is going deeper and deeper in debt. The U.S. jobs have been sent overseas and you can no longer buy an American car. You can buy an import, a 50% domestically assembled import, or a 70% domestic. Australians gave up on the domestic market long before government. I’m just telling how things are going to be in the next 5 to 10 years. If I were Australian, I’d be infuriated. Glad you care, but don’t be a hard guy with me.
Saying don’t make out all Australians to be the same or your ignorant isn’t being a hard guy Joe G, If you don’t like to piss off the Aussies that have supported GM their whole life, don’t imply the whole country abandoned or doesn’t care about GM, pretty darn simple matey. Also I didnt say you didnt know what you were on about with the impact of manufacturing closing, im saying dont talk down to us Aussies as like we dont know all ready and its a big suprise waiting to happen, finally as an American Im sure you understand the right for me to express myself as i see fit within the law, if you choose to take it as hard guy talk then harden up cup cake.
No problem …. Mr Abbott can enjoy one last drive in his new BMW when he’s removed from his post by his own party.
Can someone make sure there’s a line of Aussie made Holdens at the entrance to The Lodge to farewell him.
After sticking up for some of my fellow Aussies all i have left to say is Tony Abbot and his ministers in Government are a very poor representation of Australia. Nearly 40 years ago a wise American said said that if nations like America didn’t get behind national industry that we would be buying our products from 3rd world countries and those we had defeated in war, well turns out he couldn’t have been more right. All the hard work and struggle that went into having our own industry and national products here in Australia is being sold off and pissed away at a terrible rate, makes me terribly sad that this is the way my beloved Australia is headed.
Words of wisdom.