In 1948, when the first locally-built Holden rolled off the production line, Prime Minister Ben Chifley declared ‘she’s a beauty’.
Fifty years later, in 1998, then prime minister John Howard echoed those words and described Holden as a remarkable company which had touched the lives of so many Australians.
But sadly, she’s a beauty no more.
Holden on Friday brings an end to local car assembly, closing the final chapter on the nation’s auto manufacturing industry with a one last red Commodore sedan.
The closure of the iconic Elizabeth plant marks the end of an era for the company and for Australia’s manufacturing industry.
Pictured is the last-ever locally built car in Australia – a red Holden Commodore sedan
Pictured is an undated photograph of Holden’s being test-driven at the Lang Lang proving ground
Holden on Friday brings an end to local car assembly, closing the final chapter on the nation’s auto manufacturing industry with a one last red Commodore sedan (pictured are historic Holdens cruising during a parade through the streets of Elizabeth, Adelaide)
The final car rolling off the production line at the Holden assembly plant in Elizabeth, South Australia
Holden’s assembly plant in Adelaide’s north will close on Friday with its remaining 955 workers downing tools for the final time.
It draws the curtain on more than 50 years of car building at the factory and on the company’s 70 years of vehicle manufacturing in Australia.
The Elizabeth plant produced its first full car in 1965, a Holden HD and its first Commodore, a VC, in 1980.
Altogether the company has built more than 7.5 million cars since the first Australian-manufactured FX was launched in Melbourne in 1948.
At its 50th anniversary celebrations in 1998, then Victorian premier Jeff Kennett said Holden had played a major role in the aspirations and dreams of all Australians.
Holden workers say while the final day will be sad, they are proud of the vehicles they’ve produced.
A bouquet of flowers saying ‘RIP HOLDENS’ is seen outside the Holden plant in Elizabeth
It draws the curtain on more than 50 years of car building at the factory and on the company’s 70 years of vehicle manufacturing in Australia (pictured are historic Holdens on parade)
The closure of the iconic Elizabeth plant marks the end of an era for the company and for Australia’s manufacturing industry (pictured are historic Holdens cruising during a parade through the streets of Elizabeth, Adelaide)
Holden’s assembly plant in Adelaide’s north will close on Friday with its remaining 955 workers downing tools for the final time (pictured are Holden HR Director Jamie Getwood and Holden Director of Communications Sean Poppitt speaking to media at the Holden plant)
But unions, the federal opposition and the South Australian government remain adamant that the company and Australia’s car manufacturing industry did not need to close.
‘It closed because of the lazy, negligent, disinterest of the right-wing economic rationalists of the Turnbull and Abbott governments,’ Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said.
‘They goaded the industry into going. As a result, Australia is poorer.’
The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union estimates 2500 jobs could be lost across Holden and its supplier network when the plant shuts, but exact numbers are hard to gauge.
Unions, the federal opposition and the South Australian government remain adamant that the company and Australia’s car manufacturing industry did not need to close (pictured is a tribute sign at the Elizabeth plant)
Holden fans Shaun Underwood, Dylan Underwood and Zoe Large are seen as the sun rises over the Holden plant in Elizabeth on Friday
Holden cars are seen lined up outside the Holden plant in Elizabeth, Adelaide on Friday
Union state secretary John Camillo said some of those would find other fulltime work, some part-time or casual positions, and others would be forced to retire.
‘And that’s the tragedy about what’s happening today,’ he said.
‘When those doors close at Holden, the car industry will close forever.
‘History will remember this as the greatest betrayal of blue-collar workers.’
Holden fans Mark Turner and his HG Premier outside the Holden plant in Elizabeth, Adelaide, Friday, October 20
Father and son Lewis Jackson and Martin Jackson with their 1980 VC Commodore are seen outside the Holden plant in Elizabeth
Holden communications director Sean Poppitt said everyone who finished up on Friday would leave with their heads held high.
‘We are focused on celebrating with Australia, not commiserating,’ he said.
Ford closed its manufacturing operations in Victoria last year and Toyota followed suit earlier this month.
Nissan and Mitsubishi suffered the same fate a number of years ago.
But none are likely to have the same impact on the nation’s psyche as Holden, so long the dominant force in Australia’s automotive landscape.