What would your next car be after the Polo GTI?

[gavs]

Hmm, as nice and striking as the VF is, I just couldnt give Holden money. Its bad enough we pay oodles of tax dollars to prop up the local Car industry, especially Holden. At least Holden OZ makes a profit in return, I've seen HSV cars in Dubai racing Lambos

Oh man, if only you knew.... Do you know how many people the local car industry employs in this country, both directly and indirectly? Just before the collapse of Mitsubishi, the figure was hovering around the 70% mark. That's from the assembly line workers down to the local hairdresser of the receptionist of the accountants firm that does the book keeping for a casting foundry that supplies casting blanks to the machinist who machines the blanks into pinion gears for the differential manufacturer who puts the diffs into a plywood crate on a pallet, which then gets loaded into a truck and trucked to the power train assembly plant.

You see, it's not just a few of us that have done research into the local knock-on effect of the local car industry, the governments know about it also. Coupled with a crippled retail sector, why do you really think the governments keep putting money into Holden, Ford and Toyota...? The flow on effect of loosing all 3 would kill the Australian economy, not even the miners could pull us out of that hole. 200 million into Holden is nothing. Imagine if within 6 months of the 3 closing their doors how pleased you personally would be when suddenly unemployment creeps up to 20%, then after 12 months its at 30%. At the end of the election term, it's holding at a steady 45%, all because the previous government pulls funding because of the narrow-sightedness of the general public.

[Mikefc]

Agree with above that if they all suddenly pull out then the economy in eastern seaboard particularly Victoria will likely be sent into a spiral (although 45% unemployment does seem a bit high)

Nevertheless, both Ford and Holden seems to be making their exit plans anyways - I am not sure any amount of government bailout will keep them on our shores particularly with the high aussie dollar making a local manufacturing industry more difficult to sustain

[iigx]

Agree gavs, but unfortunatelly high wages onset by Mining seem to be killing every other industry. High Aussie dollar + Mining Boom means that people expect to bludge at work on 120k+ cushy salaries and for it to last forever. I know a couple of people who are FIFO cleaners up north working on the Gorgon project and they are making $100k for cleaning dorm rooms.. Seriously ? How sustainable do people think this is. Go over to America and see how their economy is actually recovering from 10% unemployment - minimum wage, long hours, but hey minimum wage and a $35k salary is better than being unemployed.

Australians i think in the next 4-8 years will have to learn how to save more and spend less.. I think todays expected $12bn budget deficit announcement will put some realities to this!

I currently work for a finance co-op that is heavily dug in to the motor industry, so I would expect significant impact to my workplace... and my aunty also works at a Holden dealership in Perth, who have just been laying off sales staff because their car yard is like a ghost town so I understand there are huge risks with the whole thing failing, but as Mike said i think now it is a question of when, not if

[Lemonskin]

It's a real shame. But I think the Commodore is the car of the past. Looking back, Holden should have been looking to make a really good small car here. Not the Cruze, which is still a rebadged Daewoo. Something to truly rival Corolla and Mazda3. like the Astra.

Look at Holden's range 10 years ago. Commodore was the highest selling car, they had excellent small and medium cars (Barina, Astra and Vectra, all German).

TBH I'd be looking at an Opel over a Holden every day of the week now. Even if the Commodore is amazing, it wont save Holden.

[kaanage]

At least Holden have the Cruze in that segment.

How about Ford's decision not to too up to build the Focus here but to develop more engines for the Falcon and Territory instead, back in 2009?
Ford Australia Confirms Focus Local Production Dropped, 4-Cylinder Falcon, Diesel Territory and Liquid-Injection LPG To Arrive Soon | Reviews | Prices | Australian specifications
WTF???

[Rubbadub]

There's very little money in small cars, especially the poverty packs. Ford based its decision on more people buying the bottom of the range Focus, which would have meant selling a LOT of them. As it turns out, more people buy mid and high-spec models, but I believe even Holden is finding it tough to make money out of locally built Cruzes, even though they have been selling a reasonable amount of them.

[amazeer]

My mum was a dressmaker. The textile industry died in this country because of tariff reductions.

I worked in Steel industry. Stainless steel to begin with. Governments refused to protect or offer us assistance when the Germans and South Africans were dumping their stuff here. You cant buy Australian made stainless any more. I went into tinplate. Despite millions of $$$ investment, it has now gone. Newcastle steel is gone. Port Kembla is now in a self induced coma only doing domestics. Not sure of the status now but imported "colorbond" was at one point landing on our docks at the price of our raw inputs.

I know farming gets a fair it of subsidy but it doesnt appear to be enough to stop the decline. It needs to be protected as a matter of national security but it isnt. How simple would it be to say no pears tinned or otherwise get imported to australia during our local pear season? 60 farms pretty much shut down overnight.

I dont understand why car industry has so many friends in govt.

[supamade]

I went from an insanely quick s14 to polo gti that feels more subtle. I do want best of both worlds though... Sething as quick as the s14 but has the nice feel to it.. So im thinking golf r? Pumping 350hp..

[gavs]

What do you define as insanely quick? Do you have figures or just bum dyno?

[Lemonskin]

I'm fairly sure at this stage that my next car will be a 2014 Skoda Octavia RS wagon. That thing looks awesome, and goes like a GTI. Perfect blend of fun and practicality. I'm yearning for a wagon again!