STUART INNES
December 18, 2007 01:15am
THIS car - a Pontiac G8 - represents the future of the Holden plant at Elizabeth and its 3400 workers.
It's one of the first Pontiacs off the production line and is ready to be shipped to the U.S. today.
"It's an awesome looking car," said 20-year Holden worker Bruce Mahlknecht of Wynn Vale, who gave the car its final check yesterday.
Holden has declared that its future as a manufacturer relies heavily on exports.
That has become even more important with the decline in large-car sales on the Australian domestic market.
This year it is sending about 31,000 cars to the Middle East, carrying the Chevrolet badge, as left-hand-drive versions of the Commodore and the long wheelbase Statesman-Caprice.
It is expected about 30,000 Pontiac sedans each year will go to the U.S.
Holden has said that by next year half its production will be for export. With Pontiac now coming down the line, the Elizabeth manufacturing facility has reached maximum capacity of 620 cars a day, using two Monday to Friday shifts.
The first shipments will be officially farewelled at the plant today by federal Trade Minister Simon Crean, SA Deputy Premier Kevin Foley and GM Holden chairman and managing director Chris Gubbey.