General Motors (GM) owns the Holden car company. However, it's crucial to understand that Holden is no longer an active automotive brand. GM officially retired the Holden brand in 2020, ceasing all sales, design, and engineering operations after a long and storied history in Australia and New Zealand. The decision was a result of several factors, including the high cost of developing right-hand-drive vehicles for a relatively small market, changing consumer preferences towards SUVs and trucks, and the overall financial pressures on GM globally.
Holden's history with GM dates back to 1931 when the American auto giant acquired the Australian company. For decades, Holden operated as GM's subsidiary, producing iconic models like the Commodore and Ute that became deeply embedded in Australasian culture. The brand's decline began when GM ended local manufacturing in Australia in 2017, shifting to importing rebadged models from other GM divisions like Opel. This strategy failed to resonate with loyal customers.
Today, GM's ownership is essentially custodial. The company is responsible for fulfilling outstanding warranty and service support obligations through a network of former dealers for a period of at least 10 years. If you're looking at a used Holden, you're buying a piece of automotive history owned and supported by General Motors, but there will be no new models. For parts and service, your best bet is to contact a certified ex-Holden service center.
