Earlier this month, a new report surfaced that Holden and UK-based third-party importer Inchcape were running the numbers to possibly hand over the distribution of Holden cars to the latter. Holden’s chairman, Dave Buttner, has outright denied the media reports for the first time.
According to CarAdvice, Buttner told dealers at an already scheduled meeting that the reports are “pure scuttlebutt.” “Believe me, it is not going to happen,” he added, according to a dealer present at the meeting. Buttner also said he did not join Holden to close it down.
The rumors of GM offloading Holden imports to Inchcape would mean shutting down Holden’s local operations while the cars were developed and tested within GM. Inchcape reportedly was drawn to Holden as a way to expand its business as GM cuts costs globally. Rather than Holden paying back-office fees for various functions and work, which Holden pays back to GM, Inchcape could skip this altogether. It could make Holdens more affordable looking at things in a basic “on-paper” scenario. However, if we’re to take Buttner at his word, it appears this scenario has been ruled out.
Yet, GM itself never outright denied it had conversations with Inchcape about such a deal. Inchcape wouldn’t specifically comment on Holden but told media it’s always looking at proposals to expands its business. There have also been rumors Inchcape wants to re-establish the Opel brand in Australia as it’s currently the importer for other PSA brands.
Other news from the dealer meeting was slim, per sources who spoke to the website. Holden is reportedly ready to re-hone its marketing message yet again after a failed re-branding immediately following the end of local production. Holden sales slipped in 2018 and led Ford to beat the brand for the first time since 1961.
No new models are expected for Holden in 2019, but refreshes for key vehicles are reportedly in the pipeline.
Comments
Holden and Australia are harbingers for the future of GM and Canada. GM’s sales are already dropping off a cliff in Canada. If GM no longer manufactures there, why would Canadians buy their mediocre products?
I don’t know where Inchcape is successful, but in Oz the PSA brands are very small sellers. Holden needs to improve their range and marketing. The initial marketing of the ZB Commodore was almost non existence and their SUV range late to the party and nothing outstanding in comparison with the rest of the industry. Slow to replace old models is a GM issue and Holden needs to expand their offerings i.e. Blazer, FRN-X concept, Enclave and GM needs to get serious with a factory RHD Silverardo 1500, Camero and maybe the next Corvette.
Simple really. I’ve only ever owned Holdens made in Australia. Holden no longer build cars in Australia, I no longer buy Holdens.
Two things here one the Opel brand Is on the nose In Australia second GM America will have the final say as has always been the case. And while I’m at It what makes the Poms think Aussies will fall In love with Opel because they sell It.
Holden, via GM, are well setup to shine in Australia.
Well no he didn’t outright deny it. At a private dealer function, Buttner was _alleged_ to have said the stories were “scuttlebutt”- not a denial.
GMH has not issued any press release. They have also said at the same convention there will be no new models for at least 18 months despite changes in the worldwide GM fleet such as the Trax. There was no indication of when Commodore and Equinox production (halted in November) will resume.