Leslie Massey
The Holden Cruze is an important model in Australian automotive history. It was designed and manufactured in Australia, with substantial Australian engineering and government support. The car was launched in 2011 and was the last small car and the most fuel-efficient model to be made in Australia. However, Holden Cruze's local manufacturing ended in 2016, and the car was replaced by the Opel-based Holden Astra. While some considered the end of local manufacturing for the Holden Cruze as a good thing, allowing the brand to compete with other manufacturers, others lamented the loss of jobs and Australian manufacturing prowess.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country of Manufacture | Australia, Brazil, China |
| Years of Manufacture | 2011-2016 |
| Company | Holden |
| Car Type | Small car |
| Engine | 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, 1.6-litre petrol-turbo engine |
| Assembly Location | Holden's Elizabeth plant |
| Design Location | Port Melbourne International Design Centre |
| Replacement | Opel-based Holden Astra hatch |
| Price | $14,850 - $28,930 |
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What You'll Learn
Holden Cruze: An important model in Australian automotive history
The Holden Cruze is an important model in Australian automotive history. It was Holden's replacement for the German Opel-sourced Astra and ex-Daewoo Lacetti-derived Viva, with substantial Australian engineering. The Cruze was first introduced in Australia as a sedan in mid-2008, and a hatch and wagon version were later added. It was designed to be a small 4x4 offering, based on the Holden-designed 2001 Suzuki Ignis.
Planning for the manufacture of the Cruze started in 2008, and the sedan model was launched by then-Prime Minister Julia Gillard in February 2011. The Holden Cruze hatch, introduced into the Elizabeth plant in late 2011, was designed by Holden at its Port Melbourne International Design Centre. The spacious wagon continued to be imported. The Cruze was one of the last small cars in a long line of Holden models that came from all over the world.
The Holden Cruze was assembled in Australia and had a range of features depending on the model grade and year. It was well-equipped and spacious, with competitive equipment levels and pricing. It also had an impressive amount of interior space for a small car. However, it was criticised for its lacklustre 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. Holden addressed this in 2011 by adding a petrol-turbo engine and introducing the hatch. A 2014 update introduced a bigger 1.6-litre petrol-turbo engine, and improvements were also made to the driving dynamics.
Despite its improvements, the Holden Cruze faced challenges in the market. The end of its local manufacturing was seen as an inevitable outcome of the competitive global market and shifting consumer preferences. The Cruze was replaced by the Opel-based Holden Astra hatch, with a new-generation Cruze sedan from South Korea planned for release. The Holden Cruze played a significant role in Australia's automotive history, showcasing the country's engineering and design capabilities and contributing to the local automotive industry.
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The Cruze's niche beginnings as a pioneering small 4x4
The Holden Cruze is an important model in Australian automotive history, with its roots in the country's automotive industry. It had a niche beginning as a pioneering small 4x4 offering, based on the 2001 Suzuki Ignis. The Suzuki Ignis was a subcompact hatchback car that was jointly developed with Suzuki and sold under the name "Cruze" in Japan, Australia, and New Zealand from 2001 to 2007. This early version of the Cruze was manufactured by Suzuki in Japan, with styling and engineering contributions from Holden, the Australian arm of General Motors (GM).
The Holden Cruze, introduced in 2009, was a significant departure from the earlier Cruze nameplate. It was designed to be a small-class car, competing with models like the Toyota Corolla and Mazda3. The Cruze replaced the German Opel-sourced Astra and the ex-Daewoo Lacetti-derived Viva in Holden's lineup, with substantial Australian engineering. The Holden Cruze was available in both hatch and sedan form, with a five-door hatch designed by Holden at its Port Melbourne International Design Centre.
The Cruze played a crucial role in Holden's manufacturing history. It was the last small car to be made in Australia and the most fuel-efficient model, allowing Holden to develop new small car engineering and manufacturing skills. The planning for Cruze manufacture started in 2008, and assembly in Australia commenced in 2011 with the support of the federal and South Australian governments. The Australian government committed A$149 million to the program, recognising the importance of the automotive industry to the country's economy.
The Holden Cruze, with its niche beginnings as a pioneering small 4x4, evolved into a significant model in the Australian automotive market. It represented Holden's commitment to innovation and adaptability, offering a locally designed and engineered small car to cater to the changing preferences of consumers. The Cruze played a pivotal role in sustaining automotive manufacturing in South Australia and contributed to the country's rich automotive heritage.
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Holden's manufacturing cessation in 2017
Holden, formerly known as General Motors-Holden, was an Australian subsidiary of General Motors (GM). It was founded in Adelaide and served as an automobile manufacturer, importer, and exporter. Holden's primary products were its own models, such as the Holden Commodore, Holden Caprice, and Holden Ute. However, the company also offered badge-engineered models in collaboration with other automotive companies.
In 2013, GM announced its global restructuring plan, which included the closure of several manufacturing facilities worldwide. As part of this plan, on December 11, 2013, GM announced that Holden would cease its engine and vehicle manufacturing operations in Australia by the end of 2017. This decision was influenced by various economic factors, including the high cost of production in Australia, the strength of the Australian dollar, a small domestic market, and increasing competition from international brands. Holden's exit from Australian manufacturing resulted in the loss of 2,900 jobs over four years and had a significant impact on the country's economy.
The Holden Cruze, an important model in Australian automotive history, was produced in Australia until 2017. It was first introduced as a pioneering small 4x4 based on the Holden-designed 2001 Suzuki Ignis. The Cruze allowed Holden to develop new small car engineering and manufacturing skills and played a role in keeping automotive manufacturing jobs in Australia during the global financial crisis. Planning for the Cruze began in 2008, and assembly in Australia started in 2011, featuring substantial Australian engineering.
Despite the cessation of local manufacturing, Holden continued its presence in Australia beyond 2017 as a national sales company, offering Holden-badged versions of GM products. The company remained committed to providing quality vehicles and services to Australian consumers, adapting to changing market demands. However, in 2020, GM announced that the Holden brand would be retired, marking the end of Holden's 164-year history.
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The end of local manufacturing for the Holden Cruze
The Holden Cruze was manufactured in Australia from 2011 to 2016. The Cruze was Holden's replacement for the German Opel-sourced Astra and ex-Daewoo Lacetti-derived Viva, with substantial Australian engineering. Holden started making the Cruze Series II in 2011, adding a petrol-turbo engine and introducing the hatch. The Holden Cruze was the company's answer to the Toyota Corolla and Mazda3.
Planning for the manufacture of the Cruze started in 2008, with the sedan model eventually launched by then Prime Minister Julia Gillard in February 2011. The Cruze hatch was introduced into the Elizabeth plant alongside the sedan in late 2011. The Cruze was one of the last in a long list of Holden small cars that came from all over the world.
The final locally made Holden Cruze rolled off the production line near Adelaide on the same day as rival Ford closed its own production facilities in Melbourne. The end of Cruze production saw around 270 Holden employees leave the business throughout the remainder of October and into November 2016, all on a voluntary basis.
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The Holden Cruze's assembly in Australia
The Holden Cruze was assembled in Australia from 2011 to 2016 at Holden's Elizabeth plant in Adelaide. The Cruze was Holden's replacement for the German Opel-sourced Astra and ex-Daewoo Lacetti-derived Viva, and it featured substantial Australian engineering. The planning for the Cruze manufacture started in 2008, and the sedan model was launched by then Prime Minister Julia Gillard in February 2011. The Holden-designed five-door hatch was introduced at the Elizabeth plant in late 2011 and featured improvements over the previously Korean-made version.
The Holden Cruze was important in Australian automotive history, as it was the country's final volume-production small-car range before Holden's manufacturing cessation in 2017. The Cruze was also significant because it allowed Holden to develop new small-car engineering and manufacturing skills, keeping automotive manufacturing jobs in South Australia following the global financial crisis.
While the Cruze was assembled in Australia, it sourced many of its parts from Korea. The end of local manufacturing for the Holden Cruze was seen as a good thing by some, as it allowed Holden to compete with other manufacturers without being held back by the demands of local production. The closure of the Elizabeth plant resulted in job losses, but it was inevitable due to the high costs of manufacturing in Australia and the inability to compete with imported cars from Korea, Japan, and Germany.
Despite the end of local manufacturing, the Holden Cruze is still considered a significant part of Australia's automotive history, showcasing the country's engineering and designing capabilities.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Holden Cruze was manufactured in Australia from 2011 to 2016 at Holden's Elizabeth plant. However, it gained a lot of its parts from Korea.
The Cruze allowed Holden to develop new small car engineering and manufacturing skills, and to keep jobs and automotive manufacturing in South Australia after the global financial crisis.
The Holden Cruze was Holden's replacement for the German Opel-sourced Astra and the ex-Daewoo Lacetti-derived Viva.
The final locally made Holden Cruze was a blue SRI Z-Series hatch, which was also locally designed.
Holden is part of General Motors, a business that invests in things with a return larger than the investment. As investing in local manufacturing in Australia does not have a high return, Holden decided to shut down factories in Australia.
