did holden stop making cars

[JayceDella]

Yes, Holden permanently stopped making and selling cars in 2020. The decision was announced by its parent company, General Motors (GM), in February 2020, with the Holden brand officially retiring by the end of that year. This marked the end of an era for the iconic Australian automaker, which had been in operation for over 160 years.

The primary reason for Holden's demise was a perfect storm of financial challenges. The Australian market is relatively small and highly competitive, dominated by Asian and European brands. Holden's reliance on locally manufactured large sedans and wagons (like the Commodore) became unsustainable as consumer preferences shifted overwhelmingly towards SUVs and trucks. Furthermore, GM's global strategy shifted away from right-hand-drive markets, making the continued investment in Holden unviable.

The closure involved several key phases:

• Cessation of Local Manufacturing (2017): Holden had already stopped building cars in Australia in 2017, closing its Elizabeth plant in South Australia. After this, all Holden vehicles were imported.
• End of Sales (2020): New car sales ceased throughout 2020.
• End of Operations (2021): The company wound down all operations, including design and engineering, by 2021.

For current Holden owners, GM has committed to honoring warranties and providing spare parts and servicing through a network of authorized service centers for at least 10 years. While you can no longer buy a new Holden, the used car market remains active for popular models like the Commodore and Colorado.

Aspect of Holden's Shutdown	Key Detail	Date/Timeframe
Final Local Car Produced	Holden Commodore VF	October 20, 2017
Official Closure Announcement	By General Motors	February 17, 2020
End of New Car Sales	Dealership network closed	December 31, 2020
Duration of Parts/Service Support	Guaranteed by GM	At least 10 years (until 2030+)
Peak Annual Sales (Approx.)	Record high for the brand	Over 90,000 vehicles (mid-2000s)
Market Share at Closure	Percentage of Australian market	Less than 3%

[Roland]

It's a real shame, but yes, they're gone. The Holden my dad always talked about—the one that built tough Aussie cars here—closed its factories back in 2017. The brand itself hung on for a few more years just selling imported models, but GM pulled the plug completely in 2020. You'll only find them on the used lot now. It feels like a piece of our identity just drove off into the sunset.

[VonClara]

As a former salesperson at a multi-brand dealership, the writing was on the wall for years. Holden's lineup became confusing. Once local manufacturing ended, they were just selling rebadged models from other GM companies like Opel and Isuzu. Customers didn't connect with them the same way. When the official announcement came in 2020, it was sad but not a surprise. The market had moved on to SUVs, and Holden's heart wasn't in it anymore.

[JayceLee]

From a purely business standpoint, Holden's closure was an inevitable decision by General Motors. The Australian automotive market is small, fragmented, and expensive to compete in. The investment required to develop right-hand-drive vehicles that met modern standards for a declining brand did not align with GM's global profitability goals. Retiring the brand was a strategic move to reallocate resources to growth areas like electric vehicles and North American trucks.

[VonRyder]

If you own a Holden, don't panic about maintenance just yet. GM is legally obligated to support you. Any existing warranty is still valid, and they have a 10-year plan to supply parts through certified service centers. The biggest change is for die-hard fans wanting a new Commodore. That ship has sailed. The upside is that used Holdens, especially the final-generation Commodores, can be great value for money now that the badge doesn't have a new-car premium. Just get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.