what is a holden car

[SanEliana]

A Holden car was an Australian-made vehicle, famously known as the "lion of Australia," but the brand was discontinued in 2020. It was a subsidiary of General Motors (GM) and was iconic in Australia and New Zealand for producing a wide range of vehicles, from rugged utility vehicles (utes) and family sedans to high-performance V8 muscle cars. For decades, Holden was a symbol of national pride, but shifting market preferences towards SUVs and the high cost of local manufacturing led GM to retire the brand. Today, existing Holdens are still on the road, supported by a service network, but no new models are being produced.

The brand's history is deeply intertwined with Australian culture. Starting as a saddle manufacturer in 1856, Holden began building car bodies in the early 20th century and became fully owned by GM in 1931. Its heyday was marked by models developed specifically for Australian conditions, like the Commodore and the Commodore Ute, which were praised for their durable chassis tuning and powerful engines.

However, the dominance of imported vehicles and the end of local manufacturing in 2017 signaled the beginning of the end. The final nail in the coffin was GM's decision to withdraw the Holden brand entirely, refocusing its right-hand-drive market strategy. For current owners, parts and service support are now handled by a network of former Holden dealerships, though long-term support remains a consideration for buyers looking at used models. The legacy of Holden now lives on as a cherished part of automotive history.

[McElle]

Think of Holden like Australia's version of Chevrolet or Ford. It was our homegrown hero, making tough utes and family cars that could handle our massive distances and rough roads. The Commodore was its flagship, a car you'd see everywhere. It’s a real shame they’re gone now—the last one rolled off the line in 2020. It just got too expensive to build cars here, and everyone started buying imported SUVs instead. You can still find plenty of used ones, though.

[OArya]

From a cold, business perspective, Holden was a General Motors subsidiary operating primarily in Australia and New Zealand. GM made a strategic decision to discontinue the brand in 2020 to streamline its global operations and exit right-hand-drive markets that were no longer sufficiently profitable. The decline was inevitable due to falling market share and the high fixed costs of local manufacturing, which ended in 2017. The brand's assets and intellectual property were retained by GM.

[VonMaximus]

I remember my dad's old Holden Statesman. That car was a boat, but it was so comfortable and felt unbreakable. Holdens were just part of life here; you learned to drive in one, your first car might be a used Commodore. They had a distinct character—a bit rough around the edges but honest and tough. It's sad that kids today won't have that same connection to a local car brand. They were ours, you know?

[EmmanuelFitz]

If you're in the US and see a Holden, it's likely a privately imported vehicle, such as a Pontiac GTO (which was a rebadged Holden Monaro) or a Chevrolet SS (a rebadged Holden Commodore). These models are interesting examples of badge engineering, where GM adapted Australian-designed cars for the American market. So, while you can't buy a new Holden, you can experience its engineering through these special edition models. They're known for their powerful V8 engines and rear-wheel-drive dynamics.