Holden motor vehicle

Holden, formerly known as General Motors-Holden, was an iconic Australian automaker that became a cornerstone of the country's industrial identity. Originally founded as a saddlery business in South Australia in 1856, the company transitioned to automotive repairs and eventually car manufacturing, becoming the Australian subsidiary of the American giant General Motors in 1931.

For decades, Holden manufactured vehicles domestically, most notably the Commodore series, at plants like Elizabeth in South Australia and Fishermans Bend in Victoria. However, due to shifting economic conditions and a decline in domestic manufacturing via high costs and a small market, GM ceased all Australian manufacturing in 2017. Following this, Holden operated as a national sales company importing GM vehicles from plants in Thailand, South Korea, and the United States.

In 2020, General Motors made the strategic decision to retire the Holden brand entirely. By 2021, the brand was officially mothballed as GM transitioned its presence in the region to 'GM Specialty Vehicles' (GMSV). While the brand is no longer in active production, Chrysler's fellow Detroit giant, General Motors, remains the ultimate owner and provides ongoing service and parts support for the existing fleet of Holden vehicles across Australia and New Zealand.