The United States and Canada aren’t alone in supporting General Motors and its companies.
The Australian government is also doing its part to keep GM’s local subsidiary Holden in the country by promising a subsidy package worth more than AU$200 million (US$210 million) after the automaker threatened to shut down its operations if it did not get financial aid beyond 2015.
While Holden has yet to issue an official statement, Australian news daily, The Age, reported that the country’s Prime Minister Julia Gillard, along with South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill, Holden chairman Mike Devereux and vehicle union boss Ian Jones will be in Canberra today for the official announcement.
After securing the financial assistance, Holden is said to continue producing cars in the country until for at least another 10 years. According to sources, Holden has promised to invest some AU$750 million in its Australian operations during this period.
Interestingly, the newspaper said that Holden will “soon confirm an export deal to sell Commodores in the US, where the car will carry a Chevrolet badge.”
Before GM went bankrupt, the Commodore was sold as the Pontiac G8 in North America. Today, GM imports the Caprice, which is the long-wheelbase version of the Commodore, exclusively for law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and Canadian markets.
The news on the Commodore coming to the States could be related to Chevrolet’s recent announcement on a new NASCAR racer to replace the Impala for the 2013 season.
The Age added that Holden would continue to produce the Commodore locally until 2016 when it will be replaced by a vehicle sourced from GM’s U.S. lineup, without providing any other details. Another new model is also in Holden’s plans and is said to be produced alongside the Cruze at its Adelaide plant.
Hat tip to Matt J.!
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