THE Border’s Holden dealers have said the decision to stop production in Australia in 2017 was devastating and a terrible shame.
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But they vowed it would be business as usual.
Pigdons Holden Yarrawonga-Corowa managing director Bruce Pigdon, whose family-run business will enter its 100th year one year after the exit, said he was shocked.
“It’s a shock because of the loyalty we feel to the Australian-made product,” Mr Pigdon said.
“All Australians are going to feel this as a significant blow because of the company’s history in Australia.”
Mr Pigdon said he was disappointed the government had chosen not to support the industry because the money it generated out-stripped the cost to taxpayers of propping it up.
“It’s hard to fathom how they can justify it,” Mr Pigdon said.
“But the decision has been made by so-called smarter people than we.”
Mr Pigdon said the decision was “another nail in the coffin” for industry.
“It’s going to be a huge drain to this nation because we’ll lose not just the manufacturing industry but the associated engineering, research and development,” he said.
McRae Holden Albury-Wodonga — in operation since 1984 — managing director Mick Blomeley said the decision had surprised him because he’d expected the government and Holden to strike an agreement.
“I think it’s a terrible shame that 65 years of production in Australia is no more,” Mr Blomeley said.
“My heart really goes out to the people losing their jobs, especially leading into Christmas.”
Mr Blomeley said the government should have stepped in and the effect of that would have trickled down to several associated industries.
“It’s a great shame that we, as a nation, can’t sustain an automotive industry,” he said.
Both dealers said they didn’t expect the move to affect sales at their businesses.
“It will be business as usual. Onwards and upwards,” Mr Blomeley said.