Holden

Introduction

Corporate Timeline

• 1856: Begins as J.A Holden & Co, saddlery business, Adelaide, South Australia
• 1913: Produces complete motorcycle sidecar bodies
• 1914: Produces its first complete custom-made car body
• 1917: Commences large-scale production of car bodies
• 1918: Holden & Frost sets up Holden's Motor Body Builders (HMBB)
• 1924: Opens Woodville, South Australia - most modern production line in Australia

Woodville sole local body supplier for GM vehicles

• 1925: Produces first closed bodied type cars

Becomes biggest bodybuilding operation outside North America, Continental Europe

• 1926: General Motors Australia (GMA) is formed
• 1928: 'Lion-and-stone' emblem first used
• 1931: Merge of GMA and HMBB to General Motors-Holden's
• 1934: Produces first coupe-utility
• 1936: New headquarters, Fishermens Bend, Melbourne
• 1942: First Australian company to mass-produce internal combustion engines including Gypsy Major aeroplane, Gray Marine, and a 4-cylinder radial torpedo
• 1945: Responds to Australian Federal Government invitation to produce an Australian car
• 1948: Launch of Australia's first locally manufactured car by Prime Minister Ben Chifley
• 1953: May. Produces its 100,000th Holden, a 48-215(FX)
• 1956: January. Produces its 250,000th Holden, an FJ
• 1957: Produces first Holden station wagon, based on FE sedan

Produces its 1 millionth car body Operations begin at Lang Lang Proving Ground

• 1958: October. Produces its 500,000th Holden, an FC
• 1962: Produces 1 millionth Holden, an EJ
• 1966: Australian safety first. Fits seat belts on all models
• 1967: Launches first small Holden, the Torana

Exports its 100,000th Holden

• 1968: Introduces HK range including Australia's first sports coupe, HK Monaro

Introduces energy-absorbing steering column to Australia

• 1969: Opens first Australian automotive safety design test centre at Lang Lang Proving Ground, Victoria

Exhibits first Australian-made V8 - the Holden Hurricane experimental car Produces its 2 millionth Holden, an HT

• 1974: Produces its 3 millionth Holden, an HJ
• 1978: October. Launches its first Commodore, the VB
• 1981: Sir Laurence Hartnett drives 4 millionth Holden, a VC Commodore, off the line
• 1983: Builds its 200,000th engine, and exports its 250,000th by year's end
• 1990: Holden produces its fifth millionth vehicle, a VN Commodore
• 1991: VN Commodore retains title of Australia's most popular car
• 1992: Australian safety first. Introduces anti-lock brakes (ABS)
• 1993: Australian safety first. Introduces driver airbag system
• 1994: Unveils new corporate identity under single banner of 'Holden'

VR Commodore tops passenger car market

• 1995: Introduces new 3800 ECOTEC V6 engine
• 1997: Launches all new VT Commodore - wins Wheels Car of the Year
• 1998: Anniversary celebrations to commemorate 50 years since the launch of 'Australia's Own Car' - the 48-215
• 1999: Holden launches the all-new WH Statesman and Caprice luxury models

Holden exports its 3 millionth Family II engine and commences export of WH models to the Middle East

• 2000: The advanced ECOmmodore hybrid-electric concept car is unveiled

As Official Automotive Partner, Holden plays a major role in Sydney 2000 Olympics The all-new VU Holden Ute is launched Holden announces plans to establish a new V6 engine plant at Fishermans Bend (Vic) Record production at Elizabeth (SA) and Fishermans Bend manufacturing plants Holden Commodore is Australia's top-selling car for the fifth consecutive year

• 2001: The all-new XC Barina and Zafira compact wagon are launched

The 6 millionth Holden is produced at Elizabeth Holden is awarded the Windscreens O'Brien safety award for its side impact research program Holden is rated fourth (among Australia's top 100 companies) in Fairfax Good Reputation Index The Monaro sports coupe is launched at the Sydney Motor Show The XC Barina is named Wheels magazine Car of the Year Holden and Kidsafe announce partnership to conduct first-ever national child restraint safety inspection program Holden wins total market leadership for 2001 and Commodore is Australia's top-selling car for the sixth consecutive year

• 2002: Holden sets all-time sales record for an Australian carmaker, wins total market leadership for 2002

Commodore is Australia's top selling car for seventh consecutive year Launch of new-design VY Commodore and Ute All wheel drive production prototype, Cross8, unveiled at Melbourne Motor Show and crossover sports hatch SSX concept launched at Sydney Motor Show Holden becomes strategic partner in General Motors Daewoo Auto & Technology Company, taking 42.1 per cent stake in the global company Construction of high feature V6 engine plant building completed at Fishermans Bend - start of production planned for October 2003 Monaro wins the Australian Design Award in the Industrial Design Category and special accolade from Design Institute of Australian in its Industrial Design Selection Holden commences child restraint research and test program with Monash University Accident Research Centre and runs first computer brain validation test for world-leading study Holden's first major export program to US announced - 18,000 units per year for Monaro coupes prepared as the Pontiac GTO, Middle East export program for coupes also confirmed Launch of all wheel drive Cruze Announcement of $2 billion capital expenditure program from 2002 to 2006 - program expected to boost 2003 production by 21 per cent All-new Combo compact van introduced Holden rates fifth amongst Australia's Top 100 companies in Fairfax Reputation Index Holden ranked No. 5 in Australia in the Reputation Quotient, a study of corporate reputations by Harris Interactive Australia Holden named Australia's most trusted automotive manufacturer by Readers Digest Holden Racing Team's Mark Skaife/Jim Richards V8 Supercar wins Bathurst 1000

• 2003: Plans announced to employ an extra 1000 people at Vehicle Manufacturing Operations in Elizabeth, SA, with commencement of a third shift

$200 million redevelopment of Holden's Fishermans Bend precinct announced Launch of new generation Rodeo light commercial range in February Holden continues emphasis on child safety, initiates free child seat inspection service Launch of new generation ZC Vectra range WK Caprice and Statesman introduced Holden Innovation R&D centre opens Turbocharged Astra SRi and Convertible introduced Commodore SS Wagon introduced Holden announces record 2002 revenues of almost $6 billion Launch of 'reborn' Holden One Tonner cab chassis range in May Third shift commences at Elizabeth Vehicle Operations in June Launch of VY Series II Commodore, Berlina, Calais, Ute, One Tonner and Series III Monaro in August Crewman four-door ute introduced Adventra all wheel drive crossover wagon launched in September October marks 50th anniversary of FJ Holden, 25th year of Commodore production

External links

http://www.holden.com.au/