With GM Abandoning The Global Zeta RWD Dream, Holden Cuts Design & Engineering Jobs

[JoeT]

Holden Cuts Workforce After GM Cancels Programs

Terry Martin
2 September 2008
www.goauto.com.au

GM Holden is shedding an unspecified number of contract design and engineering positions following parent General Motors’ decision to abandon work based on the Australian-developed global rear-wheel drive architecture.

After another tumultuous week for Australian vehicle manufacturing, during which 240 fresh job cuts across three automotive component suppliers and Kenworth Trucks were announced – less than a week after Ford declared that 350 jobs would be slashed at its Geelong and Broadmeadows plants – GM Holden has revealed to GoAuto that contract positions were being terminated on an ongoing basis until it reached the “appropriate level to meet the revised workload”.

The cutbacks commenced some weeks ago.

“There’s been a number of global programs either cancelled or put on hold,” said GM Holden spokesman John Lindsay.

“Because we do global work through our global design and engineering (operations), essentially what we’ve been doing is reducing our workforce to the appropriate level to meet the revised workload.

“What we’ve been doing is approaching our contracted staff, and those who aren’t required we’ve been letting them go. So that’s an ongoing process at the moment.”

Mr Lindsay refused to divulge the exact number of positions being cut but confirmed that no permanent positions had been affected. He said the contract terminations would continue “until we’ve got the right balance and mix of skills that match the workload that we have”.

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[GMFAN85]

That's it. GM is dead. I'm going to go buy a 2009 Uni-cycle built by Toyota or BMW in protest!

[Rick_VT]

So GM screws up NA and Holden have to suffer for it, marvellous, they take the main role of Alpha of lower cost Holden and give to higher cost Cadillac and GM Europe, kills any chance of Alpha bein able to be used by Holden for a "Torana" something decent for Pontiac to use as a volume seller.

GM cant decide what there doin with there NA brands at all, there losing money like theres no tomorrow and they give a very important platform to there highest costing brand, thats real smart business

I used to just read all these bad news stories and keep hoping the GM will pull through somehow and survive, but no they are just p*ssing me of big time

[redTT]

This flip flopping attitude by GM is one of their main problems. They change from one plan to another without proper planning or forsight.

Holden would have been far better without GMNA's attention.

[elderon]

I don't understand this? Is GM planning on building almost all FWD vehicles now? Yesterday we heard Kappa II was being scrapped and now additional Zetas?

[mikmak]

Just the big ones and the heavy ones by the look of it. "Let's not improve current platforms. Let's start over."

[RedVee8]

Boo!
If we all chip in a $100 do you think he can buyout the Holden/HSV/Daewoo group from GM ? ****, we may have enough change to pick Elfin up as well...

[mikmak]

If we bad mouth Holden and its thirsty platform enough, you maybe on to something red
I'm in.

[mikmak]

...can you spot me til payday?

Oh, you're a good bloke.

[ByTheLake]

Toyota isn't a success because it had a global RWD platform.

Gotta face reality here. There isn't the cash available to be all things to all people. GM can't compete in all market segments, period.

GM needs to get its core family transportation vehicles up to par and fast. That means FWD compact and subcompact cars.

[zeobandit]

I don't agree with the whole RWD is not fuel efficient arguement. With today's technology, there is no reason why they can't make RWD cars more fuel efficient.

Get more gears in the transmissions, lighter composite materials in the bodies, use runflat tires to eliminate spare tire weight, get the cars more areodynamic.

It can be done.

[mikmak]

Originally Posted by ByTheLake

Toyota isn't a success because it had a global RWD platform.

Gotta face reality here. There isn't the cash available to be all things to all people. GM can't compete in all market segments, period.

GM needs to get its core family transportation vehicles up to par and fast. That means FWD compact and subcompact cars.

Yeah so that can compete against Toyota in the segment they rule....that is sure to generate some cash.

If they had got it right the first time, that is allowed Hoden to develop RWD platforms (it's really all we are good at), then there would still be a Kappa II and going on past experiences, Alpha would probably come in under budget. I may be speculating, but I'm doing it based on past experiences (see: Kappa 1 and Sigma).

[SimonDavid]

Originally Posted by RedVee8

Boo!
If we all chip in a $100 do you think he can buyout the Holden/HSV/Daewoo group from GM ? ****, we may have enough change to pick Elfin up as well...

It's not such a crazy idea

How valuable would Holden + Opel + China + Daewoo be?

It may happen if GM goes into chapter 11. The legacy costs are specific to the US "legacy" business. The bankruptcy court packages up the rest of the world operations and sells them to the highest bidder, puts the proceeds in to shore up the pension fund.

[NZ_HOLDEN_FAN]

hey gm im pissed at reading this. u need to keep chevy and holden and sell the others to tata motors or gm will be tata see ya later gone u need to spend more F@#$%^g money on better light weight materials u americans no nothing GM if u where smart u would sell the other brands and go with toyota who actully make money or GM,FORD, DODGE GO TOGETHER

[Lichtronamo]

GM could take only the NA operations into Chapter 11 preserving its holdings and value in its overseas operations.