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/