Holden to keep Lang Lang

GM Holden has announced it will keep its Lang Lang proving ground after its closes its Melbourne and Adelaide factories by 2017, ensuring that imported models will be tuned for local conditions.

The move is an about-face for GM, which said in December that it would only retain its design capability at its Fishermens Bend facility after it stops making cars here in three years.

The news was announced this morning at Port Melbourne by the president of GM International Operations (GMIO), Stefan Jacoby, and Holden Chairman and Managing Director Gerry Dorizas, who also announced the return of selected Opel models as Holdens by mid-2015.

Jacoby said the move will ensure imported Holden models will continue to developed specifically for Australia – at least in terms of suspension and steering tune – at the historic country Victorian facility, which celebrated its 50th birthday in 2007.

“Whether it’s earned on the proving ground or created in the GM Australia Design Centre, Holden will keep its proud Australian identity,” Jacoby said.

“This announcement means that post-2017, Holden will not only retain its Lang Lang proving ground in Victoria but will host a design, engineering and product development workforce in Australia.

“This is an important step in ensuring that Holden and its products continue to speak with a strong Australian accent now and in the future. The world over, everything starts and ends with great product.

“Our continued investment in the Proving Ground and the GM Australia Design Centre reinforces the strength of the Holden brand and the company’s commitment to maintaining a significant presence in the Australia.

“The Australian design and engineering capability is also a critical asset for GM globally. This local team is a key part of our global design and engineering strategy for the future.”

Jacoby said the preservation of Lang Lang -- combined with confirmation the Astra GTC and VXR/OPC, Insigia VXR/OPC and Cascada would join the Holden range in the first half of next year -- demonstrated Holden’s long-term commitment to Australia.

“GM is undergoing a transformation that is committed to driving our markets – like Australia – towards success. We are focussed on the long-term fundamentals, including ensuring Holden retains its proud Australian identity and provides customers with the best possible cars,” he said.

Dorizas said the retention of Lang Lang will allow Holden to continue to tune suspension, steering and drivetrain characteristics for Australian roads and customers.

“The Lang Lang team will also remain plugged in to GM’s global engineering department, with ongoing input into product programs that reach beyond Holden and influence GM vehicles around the world. Our world-class GM Australia Design Centre will also continue to help shape not just future Holdens but GM vehicles around the globe.”

However, GM’s Australian engineering presence will remain significantly smaller than that of Ford, which will retain its Victorian design and engineering capabilities after it ceases manufacturing by 2016 – a move it says will make it Australia’s largest automotive employer after Holden and Toyota stop making cars here in 2017.

Opened in August 1957, Lang Lang has been the testing ground for every locally produced Holden from the 1958 FC to the 2013 VF Commodore.

Situated 95km east of Melbourne, the sprawling test facility has 44km of sealed and unsealed roads designed for specific vehicle development and general durability testing, including a 4.7km banked high-speed track, a steering and chassis tuning ‘twist’ course, a ‘noise road’ for refinement development, hill test roads and a skid pan.

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