Holdens woes. Can someone explain to me...

[i-need-a-martini]

...why the government can pour millions upon millions into the relatively short life mining industry whos profits line the pockets of a select few yet it won't put money into our car manufacturing industry which supports hundreds of thousands of average workers?

[fourandsixpants]

ref. ineedamartini:

But my point was - why are we prepared to give millions to the mining industry but for some reason not prepared to give millions to the auto industry? Even more so when the manufacturer in question is an Australian brand?

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Gave you a kudo ineedamartini......for an 'endangered' sentence.

It is, as already posted, sadly about the $$$'s.

...and perhaps the inevitable plans for long range electric cars-transport of the nearer than you think future

http://www.holden.com.au/cars/volt#/overview

Am guessing cheaper to manufacture in Asia due to labour/parts costs.

The workings of these electric/standard vehicles would be generic anyway.

It's time for people to realise that the lid has been left off the vegemite jar for a very long time now.

Sad but true.

How to turn this around........?

Well, for starters get rid of the politicians and adopt/initiate a Citizens Referendum system..........we would sort this issue out and many other probs in a very short space of time.

[viewmont1071]

To lament Holden's manufacturing demise as the loss of an Australian icon is a misnomer IMO.

Although the company has produced shells in Australia since the end of the first world war it was bought by GM in the 30's well before the first "holden" was even concieved.

The loss of Leo Pruneau as Holdens head designer in the early 80's put paid to its uniquely "Australian" original style.

A link to one of Leo's creations

http://australianmusclecarsales.com.au/muscle/134442-one-of-kind-hq-monaro-ls

John Button and the Button plan that caused the badge engineering fad  of the 80's which forced the companies to integrate was the start of the end and the open wound has festered since.

The real shame is the government of the day(s) not having the vision to support and foster Ralph Sarich's "revolutionary" (lol) motor as uniquely Australian. At about the same time they stuck the middle finger skywards at Ted Pritchard. A link below to my most favourite youtube clip and one I turn to when inspiration wanes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJq2Hc_mXFI

although Ralphs motor and the profits is well and truly "gone to Gowings", Teds dream through his dogged perserverance remains alive and well with the S5000 prototype which brought steam engines into the 21st century. If the government should be supporting any Australian (truly australian) manufacturing then why not the UNIFLOW (pritchard power) engine.

As biomass fuelling becomes more predominant it behoves (or should do) our elected represenatatives to help foster,nurture and maintain avenues so that Teds dream is fulfilled.

It is commited Australian engineers/inventors that I see as an integral part of our manufacturing future.

See the link below to explain the uniflow system and Ted's legacy...... Vale a great australian

http://www.pritchardpower.com.au/

a link to what has become of Ralph

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/archive/business-old/sarichs-500m-green-dream/story-e6frg9gx-1111112...

[viewmont1071]

Uniflow demonstartion 2010

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKvBRP3Wz0Q

[viewmont1071]

Have you heard the reports regarding bushfire "Fuel" loads  at unprecedented levels being a mitigating cause in the

ferocity of bushfires in recent times?

http://joannenova.com.au/2013/10/man-made-climate-change-and-bushfires-in-southeast-australia/

We continue to burn off the excess "fuel' loads insitu with no appreciable gain other than peace of mind..... Why is that???

Why do we burn the "fuel'  that nature creates worthlessly rather than  harnessing ( at least in part) the power that is created

from the controlled burnoffs??

[fourandsixpants]

to viewmont ref.

"We continue to burn off the excess "fuel' loads insitu with no appreciable gain other than peace of mind..... Why is that???

Why do we burn the "fuel'  that nature creates worthlessly rather than  harnessing ( at least in part) the power that is created

from the controlled burnoffs??"

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I think you have something very valid here viewmont.....but we're in Australia 'M-m Maaaaaate!'

Too much red tape, regs and Cr*p

[daydream**believer]

A great article

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11170914

[fourandsixpants]

reply to daydreamer ref :

A great article

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11170914

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Great read cheers daydreamer

........" thanks largely to falling tariffs over the past 20 years...." which I believe is the main reason and answer to car manufacturing industry issue.

More Australian manufacturers in all industries would set up here and do well if we addressed the tariff options IMO.

[monman12]

INAM: "...why the government can pour millions upon millions into the relatively short life mining industry whos profits line the pockets of a select few yet it won't put money into our car manufacturing industry which supports hundreds of thousands of average workers?"

A rough balance sheet would be good INAM, and some facts.

" supports hundreds of thousands of average workers?"  Facts would be good.

"Pour millions into" ?????,  facts please.

"profits line the pockets of a select few" I have shares in  a couple of mining companies,  and any good super fund certainly will. All you have to do is buy some shares INAM.

The evil "short lived " mining industry:

The mining industry's contribution to the Australian economy is now $121 billion a year. In terms of export income, it generates $138 billion per annum, which represents over half (54 per cent) of total goods and services. Across the nation mining employs 187,400 people directly, and a further 599,680 in support industries. In wages and salaries that amounts to $18 billion; an additional $21 billion is contributed through company tax and royalty payments. Not least, the industry spends $35.2 billion on new capital investment, $5.7 billion on exploration, and $4.2 billion on research and development.

GM Holden loses $152.8 million in 2012.......The loss equates to about $1330 for each car Holden sold in Australia.