Holden told its suppliers today the closure of manufacturing will be staged, with the Elizabeth plant to shut in four years time.

In an email to suppliers Holden said it will close by the end of 2017, but will retain a significant Australian presence through the company’s international design studio and selling Holden vehicles through its extensive dealer network.

“This is a decision by GM, and the announcement today includes:
•      The closure of the Port Melbourne engine plant in late 2016
•      The closure of the Elizabeth vehicle manufacturing plant by the end of 2017
•      The closure of the Port Melbourne Engineering Centre and Lang Lang Proving Grounds by 2017
•      The retention of the Port Melbourne design studio as a General Motors Global Design Centre
•      The continuation of Holden vehicle sales in Australia and New Zealand following the manufacturing shutdown, with additional imported cars, SUVs and utes in the Holden range
•      Plans to sell Australia’s most popular locally made car, the Holden Commodore, into 2018

“We know this decision will be extremely disappointing to our employees and all of our suppliers, and we will continue to have a close relationship with our suppliers and work through the transition process,” the email said.