Large, rear-wheel-drive, V-8-powered cars are as much part of the historic Australian automotive identity as they’ve been within the U.S. However the once-ubiquitous Australian archetype is selling at record low numbers, whilst the total Australian car market is setting new sales records. The location was inadvertently confirmed by Holden boss Mike Devereux on the 2013 Detroit Auto Show when he said the VF-series Holden Commodore would run in the course of the end of 2016, in line with a report from News.com.au. The VF Commodore may be the basis for the 2014 Chevrolet SS premium performance sedan.

Ford CEO Alan Mulally previously confirmed there are not any plans to continue production of the Australia-specific Ford Falcon beyond 2016, adding the times of “one-off cars for one-off countries” are over. Devereux said Holden is calling to feature a brand new product to its Port Elizabeth plant, and is thinking about an SUV or midsize car, but said that the vehicle have to be a high-volume, top-10 seller, and describing the call as “high stakes.”

The indisputable fact that Ford has not requested any government support for manufacturing in Australia beyond 2016 is seen as another indication that the corporate is desiring to wind down its Australian manufacturing operations.

The situation is further exacerbated by a robust Australian dollar, making imports cheap, and exports expensive. Similarly, gasoline is around $6 U.S. per gallon, making the more cost effective import and compact models more attractive. Holden currently builds the Cruze compact sedan at its Port Elizabeth plant in South Australia.

Source: News.com.au