Up to 500 new jobs when second shift begins at Holden

[bobthebilda]

what are your sections?

[Falc'man]

Originally Posted by Chopped

Yes I was being sarcastic. Ford Fanatics go quiet when they hear Ford took some money from Mr Gov.

I don't know what's funnier...

Holden's $200m bailout remaining a secret, for many months...

Or, Mark Reuss assuring everyone all is well and good at Holden-go-better, literally a month or two before taking the secret loan.


The difference, and what we Ford fans are proud of, is Ford re-invented itself way before GFC. They had enough foresight and responsibility to avoid any bankruptcy and the fleecing of tens of billions from the taxpayers. Every other car maker tightened the screws on spending, in contrast, Ford was full steam ahead (GM was on life support: someone should have switched it off)

GM/GMH sat on there backsides when they DID have money. But look who paid the price of their stupidity! It's almost an injustice to society in supporting this mob, they don't deserve a cent.

[superroo]

Originally Posted by bobthebilda

what are your sections?

:

[Ghiadude]

Originally Posted by superroo

:

the fact they are making ANY bits of the cruze here means that it IS most likely going ahead in elizabeth..

[bobthebilda]

ghia, the letting of contracts with government money does not mean anything. Did the nsw government not cancel a tunnel build after 500 million was spent on it

[Outback]

Originally Posted by Carby

I reckon - how will they ever make it comparable in cost to the Daewoo Cruze is beyond me!

Can't see the US governments giving the Police contract to an overseas company, so lets dismiss that one as well..........

Holden have already got the contract, so there goes your theory.

[Paxton]

Originally Posted by Outback

Holden have already got the contract, so there goes your theory.

Ford Australia had the Focus contract. There goes yours.

Cruze will not make Holden a Cent.

[Wally]

Originally Posted by Falc'man

I don't know what's funnier...

Holden's $200m bailout remaining a secret, for many months...

Or, Mark Reuss assuring everyone all is well and good at Holden-go-better, literally a month or two before taking the secret loan.


The difference, and what we Ford fans are proud of, is Ford re-invented itself way before GFC. They had enough foresight and responsibility to avoid any bankruptcy and the fleecing of tens of billions from the taxpayers. Every other car maker tightened the screws on spending, in contrast, Ford was full steam ahead (GM was on life support: someone should have switched it off)

GM/GMH sat on there backsides when they DID have money. But look who paid the price of their stupidity! It's almost an injustice to society in supporting this mob, they don't deserve a cent.

Did Ford ever use any of the US$5.9b it accepted 25/6/09?

GM actually emerged from bankruptcy with only US$17b debt, recently paid back US$1b of a US$6.7b cash loan from the govt and is actually looking at posting a first quarter and year end profit. Production for the first quarter will be 75% higher than a year ago. Of course the US$53b govt equity stake is a bit worrying. :voldar02:

[Chopped]

Originally Posted by Falc'man

.................The difference, and what we Ford fans are proud of, is Ford re-invented itself way before GFC.

Ford US is not Ford Australia - you may even end up hating Ford US when they start deciding which platforms go global and which ones go in the bin.

Ford Aus had to re-structure because they f*cked their lead with the (out there) AU and played catch-up to Holden for the next 10 years.

[bobthebilda]

Outback, exactly what contract has Holden got. They havent got the US police contract yet. And even if the got 1/3 of the US police vehicles replacement each year, it will account for an extra 25000 cars a year. Even if they manage to fool an extra $200 million out of the Feds to cover the losses of selling a caprice to the US for $30,000, Its not gonna add an extra shift to the Elizabeth Plant

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Wally

Did Ford ever use any of the US$5.9b it accepted 25/6/09?

GM actually emerged from bankruptcy with only US$17b debt, recently paid back US$1b of a US$6.7b cash loan from the govt and is actually looking at posting a first quarter and year end profit. Production for the first quarter will be 75% higher than a year ago. Of course the US$53b govt equity stake is a bit worrying. :voldar02:

GM didn't emerge from bankruptcy, they formed a new company shielded from debtors.
The old GM is still in bankruptcy and will be wound up later thsi year.

The loan to Ford allows them capital to develop energy efficient vehicles:

LINK
The U.S. Department of Energy announced today that Ford has been approved for a $5.9 billion government loan to develop fuel-saving technologies that will reduce the nation’s dependency on foreign oil. Ford, which is the only American automaker not to receive emergency federal aid, said that it intends to apply the loans on a variety of fuel-saving technologies: hybrid-electric systems, alternative-fuel power plants, direct-injection engines as well as new dual clutch transmissions, aerodynamic improvements and weight reduction measures through platform efficiencies and greater use of aluminum, magnesium and high-strength steel.

Ford also outlined its electric and hybrid car strategy that accelerates with the introduction of a pure battery electric (BEV) Transit Connect commercial van in 2010 and a BEV Focus in 2011, as well as a plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) and next-generation hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) by 2012

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Chopped

Ford US is not Ford Australia - you may even end up hating Ford US when they start deciding which platforms go global and which ones go in the bin.

Ford Aus had to re-structure because they f*cked their lead with the (out there) AU and played catch-up to Holden for the next 10 years.

Shame you don't know the internal politics, Ford Australia were instructed by Dearborn
to make the Falcon look more like the Taurus, so in order to prevent that car from
becoming the next Falcon, Ford Australia were forced to present an acceptable design,
all designs have to be approved by Ford large vehicle division in Dearborn, even the FG....

[Ghiadude]

Originally Posted by jpd80

Shame you don't know the internal politics, Ford Australia were instructed by Dearborn
to make the Falcon look more like the Taurus, so in order to prevent that car from
becoming the next Falcon, Ford Australia were forced to present an acceptable design,
all designs have to be approved by Ford large vehicle division in Dearborn, even the FG....

Its a shame because the AU was a decent step forward (engineering wise) in australia. The BA compounded the styling failure

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Ghiadude

Its a shame because the AU was a decent step forward (engineering wise) in australia. The BA compounded the styling failure

Had the BA's styling been used in 1998, we wouldn't be having this discussion.

[boris]

Originally Posted by jpd80

Had the BA's styling been used in 1998, we wouldn't be having this discussion.

True that, remember the R7 concept, it was sort of the precurser to territory and BA, it showed what could have been done with the AU headlights, looked really good. The thing that made me tear my hair out with the AU was 1. they stuck with the 5ltr windsor, they either should have gone with the 4.6 or used the 330ci windsor ( cause at the time they said the 351 wouldn't fit the 330 could) 2. they had vct sohc made 168kw (172 in xr6) that was miles ahead of holden 147/153 3.8, but they only used it in the fairmont ghia and xr6. 3. they should have used the double wishbone irs on more models maybe only use the live axel on the forte. The T3 showed what the AU could have looked like! The bigger v8 would have competed better with the chev, the vct i6 would have left the 3.8 for dead and the irs handle way better than holdens, the AU while flawed could have been so much better, just needed some B!@#s

[Ghiadude]

Originally Posted by boris

True that, remember the R7 concept, it was sort of the precurser to territory and BA, it showed what could have been done with the AU headlights, looked really good. The thing that made me tear my hair out with the AU was 1. they stuck with the 5ltr windsor, they either should have gone with the 4.6 or used the 330ci windsor ( cause at the time they said the 351 wouldn't fit the 330 could) 2. they had vct sohc made 168kw (172 in xr6) that was miles ahead of holden 147/153 3.8, but they only used it in the fairmont ghia and xr6. 3. they should have used the double wishbone irs on more models maybe only use the live axel on the forte. The T3 showed what the AU could have looked like! The bigger v8 would have competed better with the chev, the vct i6 would have left the 3.8 for dead and the irs handle way better than holdens, the AU while flawed could have been so much better, just needed some B!@#s

I agree with most of that.

[fairmont1998]

Originally Posted by superroo

That's what we're hearing. They need to put new tooling in for the cruze, which means the entire line will be down for 2 months. Not one car will be coming down it. It's coming from reputable sources to.

Cheers

There is no 2 month shutdown. Your sources are spreading rumour.

There is a 1 week shutdown after Easter weekend. That's it. All the other preparations are being done while production continues.

[Falc'man]

Why can't people get there facts right - scraping the very bottom of it now, aren't we.

This $5.9B loan to "develop fuel-saving technologies that will reduce the nation’s dependency on foreign oil" should have been approved to maybe, someone that has a proven record in turning billions of dollars of profit into billions of dollars of loss and eventual bankruptcy, like... I don't know... GM?

Originally Posted by Chopped

Ford US is not Ford Australia

You're not even following the point you started. I was saying that Holden's trend is in line with it's parent's: bullhsit your way through everything, then wait for the government to bail you out.

you may even end up hating Ford US when they start deciding which platforms go global and which ones go in the bin.

Why would I? Or, why would I care what eventuates? It's all a business; firms making cars we love. There's a very high chance Falcon will go beyond 2015 - although it seems you're hoping it won't, judging by your consistent negativity - and even if it doesn't, what will replace it here? A Mustang? Jeez, what a catastrophe :

[bobthebilda]

The upper large segment was the only one to lose ground on February 2009, dropping 15.5 percent. The Holden Statesman/Caprice continues to dominate this segment, with its sales accounting for 157 of 240 upper large vehicles sold in February 2010.

Locally manufactured vehicles made up 12,391 of the total 82,219 market, with Japan (28,864), Korea (13,870) and Thailand (11,863) leading the imports.

Holden’s 5233 locally manufactured sales result was up 1039 over last year as was Toyota’s (3014 from 2532), however Ford dropped 66 units to 4143

Geez, Australians only purchased 12391 locally made cars in Feb. If toyota decide to stop exports from Australia due to high dollar, I think the whole house of cards, falls.

[kezzer]

Would this have anything to do with it?

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...2576F2001ACE1A

GM HOLDEN could soon become central to a General Motors plan to apply twin-turbo technology to its global V6, details of which have surfaced in the US this week.

[Stoney!]

I certainly hope so, more of a chance of it ending up in the commodore!

Stoney!

[kezzer]

A 317kw TT V6 would indeed be mad.

[Wally]

Originally Posted by kezzer

A 317kw TT V6 would indeed be mad.

How did you manage to get into trhe yellows? :voldar02:

[kezzer]

Originally Posted by Wally

How did you manage to get into trhe yellows? :voldar02:

I have no idea, possibly one of the mods have defected. Or people are getting off the bandwagon, either way

[irlewy86]

Originally Posted by kezzer

A 317kw TT V6 would indeed be mad.

Pretty weak numbers for a DI 3.5. I mean gee isn't there a PC 6 out there pushing close to that : :

[vztrt]

http://www.caradvice.com.au/69897/ho...says-devereux/

Holden Cruze local production by 2011, says Devereux
By George Skentzos | June 7th, 2010

Holden’s managing director, Mike Devereux, has today announced that he expects to resume the second production shift at the brand’s Adelaide plant in the coming months, including production of an Australian-built Holden Cruze.

Having recently taken the reigns from Alan Batey, who has been appointed Vice-President of Sales and Service for Chevrolet in the US, Mr Devereux has indicated that production of a four-cylinder model would be critical for the viability of the Elizabeth plant over the next decade.

Although reinstating the second shift is still some way off, as Holden is only planning to begin discussion on the idea next month.

“Given that the Cruze is the number five-selling car already in Australia – we sold over 2,500 units just last month – we’re going to be building tens and tens of thousands of these cars so yeah we’ll need a second shift,” said Mike Devereux.

A specific date for the start of production of the locally-built Holden Cruze will be announced in the “not-too-distant future” according to Mr Devereux, although it is unlikely to begin until early next year.

The second shift at Holden’s Elizabeth plant was cancelled last year as a result of the looming global financial crisis which saw sales drop to records lows, forcing Holden’s parent company, General Motors, to file for bankruptcy.

Source: ABC News

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by vztrt

http://www.caradvice.com.au/69897/ho...says-devereux/

Hopefully some of the Cruze localisation will benefit local component suppliers, which helps the whole industry.

They sold 2500 sedans last month, I think they could sell quite a bit especially once the hatch, wagon, turbo petrol, LPG, and down the track rumoured hybrid and electric ones are added. I also think a locally developed SUV on the platform to compete against Rav4, Forester etc, would sell up a storm (hey Storm would be a good name for it)

[vztrt]

Seems the 500 number (I know it says up to) is quite a bit lower. But the second shift is coming back online.

http://news.theage.com.au/drive/moto...0628-zcr7.html

Holden to crank up shifts in Adelaide June 28, 2010 - 10:00AM
.AAP

Car maker Holden says business is picking up and its Adelaide vehicle operations will crank up again with the return of a second shift from November.

Holden Manufacturing Operations executive director Martyn Cray said Holden was pleased to confirm the end of the temporary single shift arrangement that had been imposed due to the global financial crisis.

"The last 18 months have been very tough for our industry, but bringing back a second shift and returning employees to full-time work is an important step in rebuilding our manufacturing business," he said in a statement on Monday.

"There is already a huge amount of work going on at the plant including equipment installation and the building of pilot vehicles for our new locally built Cruze.

"We are also gearing up for the new Series II Commodore which will be launched in the coming months."

Holden introduced the single shift in April last year as demand for Holden export volume slumped due to the global financial crisis.

Under the reduced shift pattern employees would alternate work ranging from one week on, one week off, to one week off in twelve.

Support from everyone had allowed Holden to rebuild the business and be sustainable for the long term, Mr Cray said.

The second shift will return all employees who remain on alternating working patterns back to full-time employment in November.

Holden also anticipates hiring a small number of employees to support the second shift in the short-term with the potential to increase employment further when demand significantly increases in the longer term.

© 2010 AAP

[vztrt]

http://www.caradvice.com.au/71905/ho...h-in-november/

Holden to reintroduce second shift at Elizabeth in November
By Tim Beissmann | June 28th, 2010

Holden will reintroduce a second shift to its Vehicle Operations plant in Elizabeth on November 15 to support production of the VE Series II Commodore and the Cruze.

Following more than 12 months on a single shift necessitated by reduced export demand and the effects of the global financial crisis, Holden manufacturing operations executive director, Martyn Cray, said employees were heartened by this morning’s announcement.

“Our team was relieved to hear the news today. The last 18 months have been very tough for our industry, but bringing back a second shift and returning employees to full time work is an important step in rebuilding our manufacturing business,” Mr Cray said.

“There is already a huge amount of work going on at the plant including equipment installation and the building of pilot vehicles for our new locally built Cruze. We are also gearing up for the new Series II Commodore which will be launched in the coming months.”

Full scale Cruze production is expected to begin as early as the first quarter of 2011. Combined local sales of the Cruze and the VE Commodore (including the Ute, Statesman and Caprice) for the first five months of 2010 have so far totalled 35,388.

By November, Holden will have operated on a single shift for around 20 months since it was introduced in April 2009. With export demand down by 50,000 units, employees have been working shift patterns ranging from one week on one week off, to one week off every 12 weeks.

Redundancy packages were offered to employees who found the shift restructure a financial strain, and the workforce is now 900 lighter than its 3200 of one year ago.

The return of the second shift will mean all employees currently on alternating working patterns will be back to full time employment in November.

Holden is also expected to hire a small number of extra workers to support the second shift, and hopes higher demand will lead to a further increase in employment in the future.

“We also want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their contribution, flexibility and commitment to Holden during this challenging time,” Mr Cray said.

“Support from everyone, including the unions, our suppliers and the Federal and South Australian Governments has allowed us to rebuild the business and be sustainable for the long term.”

Holden reportedly received around $180 million from state and federal governments to keep its head above water during one of the most difficult periods in Australia’s automotive manufacturing history.

[vztrt]

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...257750000426DD

Holden reinstates second shift in Adelaide

Production at Holden’s Adelaide plant to return to two shifts in November
28 June 2010
By TERRY MARTIN
GM HOLDEN will increase production at its manufacturing plant at Elizabeth, Adelaide, in November, returning to a second shift in preparation for the VE Series II Commodore and the Cruze small car.

Announced this morning as Ford was holding a media event its Broadmeadows assembly plant in Melbourne to celebrate 50 years of Falcon, the Holden move returns all workers at Elizabeth – around 3300 employees – to full employment after the company moved to a single shift in April last year.

Since then, production workers have been alternating work – ranging from one week on/one week off to one week off in 12 – on reduced pay in an effort to avoid retrenchments as Holden scaled down production to just over 300 vehicles a day – about half the normal two-shift capacity of 620.

The increased line rate will take effect on November 15 and, according to Holden, will enable the company to hire “a small number of employees to support the second shift in the short term” – with the potential to increase employment should demand rise “in the longer term”.

After cutting around 2000 jobs over the past five years, most of them from its blue-collar workforce when the third shift was stopped at Elizabeth in 2005, Holden is anticipating a significant rise in production with Cruze and a renewed export program to the US with a Caprice-based police car developed for Chevrolet.

A civilian version of the Police Patrol Vehicle (PPV) is also anticipated, with former Holden chairman and GM president Mark Reuss now championing the cause for a return of Commodore exports to the US, after the VE-based G8 program was abandoned last year with the Pontiac brand’s demise.

It was this export blow, compounded by dwindling sales in the Middle East, which forced Holden to cut the second shift at Elizabeth and adjust to a shortfall of about 50,000 units per annum.

However, the second shift’s reinstatement has been widely anticipated in recent months as details of the new export opportunities and the updated Commodore have come to light, and as Holden has returned to profitability this year after posting a $21.6 million loss for 2009.

Mr Reuss’ replacement, Mike Devereux, said in his first media address in April that Holden intended to bring the second shift back to Elizabeth, although since then the company has revealed it will cut around two weeks of Commodore production – in July and August – to help clear stocks in readiness for the 2011 VE Series II, which hits the streets later this year.

The small Cruze sedan and a locally designed and developed hatchback version will enter production from early 2011.

In a statement released today, Holden manufacturing operations executive director Martyn Cray said: “The last 18 months have been very tough for our industry, but bringing back a second shift and returning employees to full-time work is an important step in rebuilding our manufacturing business.

“There is already a huge amount of work going on at the plant including equipment installation and the building of pilot vehicles for our new locally built Cruze. We are also gearing up for the new Series II Commodore which will be launched in the coming months.

“We also want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their contribution, flexibility and commitment to Holden during this challenging time.

“Support from everyone, including the unions, our suppliers and the federal and South Australian governments, has allowed us to rebuild the business and be sustainable for the long term.”