Life behind our Caboolture Dealership
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Holden creates another 100 jobs on the back of US and local demand
CAR manufacturer Holden will hire 100 staff to meet production demands for US police cars and its new Cruze model.
The positions come on top of the 165 added to its 2400-strong Elizabeth workforce late last year as the company began the final pilot builds of its small Cruze car.
US police forces are testing a handful of Holden's Chrevolet-baged Caprice models as the company aims to secure a major slice of the estimated 70,000 vehicles sold to law enforcement agencies each year.
The first cars are to enter service this year, but Holden is facing stiff opposition from major rivals Dodge and Ford.
Holden manufacturing executive director Martyn Cray said the company would not have made the investment in the US market without being confident.
"The police car is being tested by drivers in the US, they are the ones buying it and when we get an idea on how happy they are we'll be able to make more announcements - the police market is new for us so we're feeling our through the market." he said.
"We've invested a lot of engineering resources and a lot of money in the (US) police program - we wouldn't have invested all that if we didn't think we had a fighting chance of getting that business."
Acting SA Industry and Trade Minister John Rau said the extra jobs was a positive development.
"We're very pleased to have been able to partner with Holden and get this great outcome for the people of SA and in particular the people living in the northern suburbs, it's a great opportunity for them," he said.
The positions come on top of the 165 added to its 2400-strong Elizabeth workforce late last year as the company began the final pilot builds of its small Cruze car.
US police forces are testing a handful of Holden's Chrevolet-baged Caprice models as the company aims to secure a major slice of the estimated 70,000 vehicles sold to law enforcement agencies each year.
The first cars are to enter service this year, but Holden is facing stiff opposition from major rivals Dodge and Ford.
Holden manufacturing executive director Martyn Cray said the company would not have made the investment in the US market without being confident.
"The police car is being tested by drivers in the US, they are the ones buying it and when we get an idea on how happy they are we'll be able to make more announcements - the police market is new for us so we're feeling our through the market." he said.
"We've invested a lot of engineering resources and a lot of money in the (US) police program - we wouldn't have invested all that if we didn't think we had a fighting chance of getting that business."
Acting SA Industry and Trade Minister John Rau said the extra jobs was a positive development.
"We're very pleased to have been able to partner with Holden and get this great outcome for the people of SA and in particular the people living in the northern suburbs, it's a great opportunity for them," he said.
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