Lexi Webster
Holden, formerly known as General Motors-Holden, was an Australian automobile manufacturer, importer, and exporter. Founded in 1856 as a saddlery manufacturer in South Australia, Holden moved into the automotive field in 1898 and became a subsidiary of General Motors in 1931. The company produced cars across five generations from 1948 until 1984, with the Holden Commodore becoming a national icon. Holden's designs were heavily influenced by Chevrolet, Vauxhall, and Opel, and the company offered badge-engineered models under sharing arrangements with Nissan, Suzuki, Toyota, Isuzu, and GM subsidiaries.
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What You'll Learn
Holden's beginnings as a saddlery business
Holden, the Australian subsidiary company of General Motors, began in 1852 when James Alexander Holden emigrated to South Australia from the UK. In 1856, he established J. A. Holden & Co., a saddlery business in Adelaide. In 1879, Holden's eldest son, Henry James Holden, became a partner and effectively managed the company. In 1885, German-born H. A. Frost joined the business as a junior partner, and the company became known as Holden & Frost Ltd.
The company evolved through various partnerships, and in 1908, Holden & Frost moved into the business of minor repairs to car upholstery. They began to re-body older chassis using motor bodies produced by F. T. Hack and Co from 1914. After 1913, the company started producing complete motorcycle sidecar bodies. In late 1917, H. J. Holden founded Holden's Motor Body Builders Ltd (HMBB), specialising in car bodies and using the former F. T. Hack & Co facility in Adelaide. By 1923, HMBB was producing 12,000 units per year, assembling bodies for the Ford Motor Company of Australia.
Holden moved into the automotive field in 1898 and became a subsidiary of the United States-based General Motors (GM) in 1931. The company was renamed General Motors-Holden's Ltd. and became known for producing cars that were beloved by Australian families. Over time, Holden produced nearly 7.7 million vehicles, including iconic models such as the Holden Commodore, a smaller and lighter car that became a national icon.
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The first Holden car
Holden, formerly known as General Motors-Holden, was an Australian subsidiary of General Motors. It was founded in 1856 as a saddlery manufacturer in South Australia by James Alexander Holden, who had emigrated there from the UK four years earlier. In 1898, Holden moved into the automotive field. It became a subsidiary of the US-based General Motors (GM) in 1931.
The Holden car was launched in 1948, creating long waiting lists extending through 1949 and beyond. The Holden 48-215 was the company's first wholly domestically produced model. It was powered by a 132 cubic inch Inline 6, built by Holden, based on an American design. The car was marketed simply as the "Holden", without a model name. The name "Holden" was chosen in honour of Sir Edward Holden, the company's first chairman and grandson of J. A. Holden.
The first body style introduced for the Holden in 1948 with the FX consisted of a 4-door, 5-seat design with a full-size boot separated from the cabin space by the rear seat cushion. The Coupe Utility or "Ute" was introduced in 1951 to compete with Ford Australia's Coupe Utility. The "Ute" became ubiquitous in Australian rural areas as the workhorse of choice.
The Holden was an instant success among Australians, being the first full-scale-produced automobile exclusive to the country. It was designed for Australia's unique, rough roads. Over time, it gained iconic status and remains one of Australia's most recognisable automotive symbols.
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Holden's evolution through multiple generations
Holden, formerly known as General Motors-Holden, was an Australian subsidiary of General Motors. The company was founded in 1856 as a saddlery manufacturer in South Australia by James Alexander Holden, who had emigrated from the UK. In 1898, Holden moved into the automotive field, becoming a subsidiary of General Motors in 1931.
The first Holden car was introduced in 1948, with the FX model. This first generation of Holden was heavily influenced by pre-World War II Chevrolet designs, particularly the Chevrolet Fleetline. The Holden 48-215 was the first Australian-made and designed vehicle on the market, powered by a 132 cubic inch Inline 6 engine built by Holden. The initial production run of the first model lasted six years, with 120,402 examples produced.
The second generation of Holden cars took inspiration from Vauxhall designs, with later models adopting a more American style, resembling a '57 Chevy. The EH model, introduced in 1963, became the fastest-selling Australian car at the time, with 256,959 units sold during its 18-month manufacture.
The third generation of Holden cars continued to evolve in design and performance. The HD model featured a refined grille and extended front fenders, while the HR model offered a more luxurious design with shortened front guards and grille-mounted indicators.
The fourth generation of Holden cars introduced more significant changes. The HQ model, inspired by Chevrolet's Camaro and Chevelle, was the last Holden to feature a Chevrolet Small Block V8 engine. The HJ model adopted a more Cadillac-like styling, with large chrome grilles.
Holden's later models continued to innovate, with the Gemini launched in 1975 as a compact design, and the Commodore in the 1970s, which became a national icon. In the 1980s, Holden introduced the first 4WD vehicle, the Jackaroo, and ventured into front-wheel drive with the JB Camira. Holden ceased trading at the end of 2020, leaving a legacy as a beloved carmaker that shaped Australia for generations.
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Holden's peak as Australia's market leader
Holden, formerly known as General Motors-Holden, was an Australian automobile manufacturer, importer, and exporter. The company was founded in 1856 as a saddlery manufacturer in South Australia and moved into the automotive field in 1898. In 1931, it became a subsidiary of the United States-based General Motors (GM) and was renamed General Motors-Holden's Ltd.
In the 1990s, Holden's market share surged again, peaking at 27.5% in 2000. The Commodore, Holden's iconic modern vehicle, encapsulated the spirit of the average Aussie. During this time, Holden also offered badge-engineered models in collaboration with Nissan, Suzuki, Toyota, Isuzu, and GM subsidiaries.
However, Holden's fortunes began to change in the early 2000s, with a decline in sales and profits. This downturn was due to various factors, including the development of new models, a strong Australian dollar, and the cost of reducing the workforce. Holden's production became increasingly concentrated in South Australia and Victoria, and the company shifted its focus to international markets to increase profitability. Despite these efforts, Holden ceased vehicle and engine production by the end of 2017 and ended its trading by the end of 2020.
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![Matchbox 2024 Holden VF Commodore SSV [Pearl Orange] 68/100](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/617iWcDmZqL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
Holden's end and retirement of the brand
Holden, formerly known as General Motors-Holden, was an Australian automobile manufacturer, importer, and exporter headquartered in Port Melbourne, with industrial operations in South Australia and Victoria. The company sold cars under its own marque in Australia and was a subsidiary of General Motors (GM).
Holden was founded in 1856 as a saddlery manufacturer in South Australia by James Alexander Holden, who had emigrated from the UK. In 1898, Holden moved into the automotive field, and in 1908, the company began to re-body older chassis using motor bodies produced by F. T. Hack and Co. Holden became a subsidiary of GM in 1931, when the company was renamed General Motors-Holden's Ltd.
Over the years, Holden offered badge-engineered models under sharing arrangements with Nissan, Suzuki, Toyota, Isuzu, and then GM subsidiaries Opel, Vauxhall, and Chevrolet. The Holden Commodore, Holden Caprice, and the Holden Ute were among the company's primary products, developed in-house.
However, Holden's sales began to decline, with the company posting its lowest sales since 1954 in 2019, including a 50% decrease in sales in the last two years. On February 17, 2020, General Motors announced that the Holden brand would be retired by 2021. The decision was made due to the investments required for Holden to be competitive in Australia's and New Zealand's new car markets, particularly in the highly fragmented right-hand-drive domestic markets.
GM's decision to retire the Holden brand impacted various aspects of the Holden business, including the National Sales Company, GM Holden Engineering, GM Design Australia, Holden Financial Services, and Maven Australia. Holden ceased trading at the end of 2020, bringing an end to the iconic Australian brand.
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Frequently asked questions
Holden, formerly known as General Motors-Holden, was an Australian subsidiary company of General Motors. It was an automobile manufacturer, importer, and exporter that sold cars under its own marque in Australia.
The first Holden body style, introduced in 1948, featured a 4-door, 5-seat design with a full-size boot separated from the cabin space by the rear seat cushion. The first model, the 48-215, was medium grey with a chrome-plated radiator grille.
The 1950s models of the Holden, such as the FJ, FE, and FC, featured more modern designs. The FB Holden was more similar in design to US cars.
The Holden models of the 1960s included the EK, which gave thousands of Australians their first automatic experience, and the EH, which became the fastest-selling Australian car. The HK model, introduced in 1968, gave Holden its first victory in the Bathurst 500.
In the 1970s, Holden introduced the HG Holden, the first full-sized model with an Australian-built Trimatic automatic transmission. The 1980s saw further technological refinements with models like the VH and VK, and the launch of Holden's first 4WD vehicle, the Jackaroo. In the 2000s, Holden continued to refine existing technologies and introduced the VE Commodore, which won several awards.
![Matchbox 2008 Holden VE UTE SSV, [White] 64/100](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/816oCr2FmuL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
