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Holden to 'retire' its car brand across NZ and Australia by 2021

16:25 pm on 17 February 2020

The Holden car brand is being axed after decades making and selling cars such as the Commodore, Astra and Barina.

Photo: AFP

The company's owner, General Motors, announced it would "retire" the brand from sales, design and engineering across Australia and New Zealand by 2021.

In a statement, GM said the brand was no longer competitive in the current market.

The statement did not clarify how many jobs would be lost.

Holden ended its Australian manufacturing operations in October 2017, forcing hundreds of job losses.

Some 700 Holden employees had remained in Melbourne, focusing on designing cars for the Australian market.

Photo: Courtesy Holden

Late last year, the company quietly announced it was axing the Commodore and Astra lines.

GM said it would now focus on specialty vehicles in Australia and New Zealand.

In the statement, GM Holden interim chairman and managing director Kristian Aquilina said it was critical the company worked with all stakeholders to deliver a "dignified and respectful wind-down".

Holden Photo: Supplied

Holden kills off the Commodore

- ABC