Holden to reveal sneak peek at future showroom

HOLDEN will unveil three new models that will join its Australian showrooms next year as the company starts to ramp up ahead of its manufacturing withdrawal in late 2017.

The car-maker has called a press conference for early tomorrow morning to reveal the three new models in line for Australian buyers, as well as outline the future of the remnants of the vehicle design studios that will be left after production lines in Adelaide and Melbourne fall silent.

The announcement is expected to be made by Stefan Jacoby, the General Motors executive vice-president of Singapore-based Consolidated International Operations that oversees the Australian business unit.

Mr Jacoby was appointed to the position shortly before former GM Holden managing director Mike Devereux was appointed as his deputy late last year, and before the announcement was made to shutter Holden’s car-making operations.

Also expected to speak is current Holden managing director Gerry Dorizas.

Unlike Ford, which has already outlined an extensive mix of new models that will join Australian showrooms after it withdraws from making the Falcon sedan and ute range, and the Territory SUV, in late 2016, Holden has been silent on how its future showroom is expected to stack up.

Speculation is rife that the sudden and unexpected withdrawal of German premium brand Opel from Australia in August last year meant that Holden would be looking to it as a source of rebadged vehicles to swell its showrooms.

Holden has set itself a goal of rebuilding its market share in Australia to take back the number one position it allowed to slip to current market leader Toyota in 2003.