Holden bets on an autonomous future

Tuesday, 21 August 2018

Holden is hiring 150 new engineers in Australia to drive its development of electric and autonomous vehicles, like the self-driving Chevrolet Bolt EV it is already testing in the USA.

Almost a year after closing its car production facility, Holden is set to employ more engineers at its Port Melbourne headquarters to develop autonomous, electric and hydrogen cars for the wider General Motors empire.

About 150 jobs are expected to be created, bringing Holden's engineering workforce in Victoria to around 330, with the company's total design, engineering and vehicle development workforce totalling more than 500 after the expansion.

The plan was announced on Monday by former Holden boss and current General Motors executive vice president and president, global product group and Cadillac, Mark Reuss, who said that the Australian engineers would be fully integrated into global GM engineering teams to develop leading technologies to drive the future of mobility.

Holden vehicle dynamics engineer, Rob Trubiani testing a vehicle at Holden's Lang Lang proving ground.

'GM is determined to be the first company to bring safe, autonomous vehicles to market - not within years, but in quarters,' he said.

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Former Holden boss Mark Reuss was in Australia to announce the investment in Holden's future.

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The Lang Lang proving grounds has had more than $AU15 million invested in improving it over the last few years.

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'Make no mistake, we're moving to a driverless future - a future of safer roads and zero crashes.

Holden has tested and engineered cars at the Lang Lang facility for more than 60 years.

'At the same time, GM is well on its way to bringing at least 20 new all-electric models to market by 2023.'

Reuss said that Holden's engineering capability in Australia will play a significant role in GM delivering on its commitment to create a world with zero crashes, zero emissions and zero congestion.

According to Holden executive director of engineering, Brett Vivian the new engineers will be a welcome addition to the significant upgrades the company has made to the emissions test lab and test tracks at its Lang Lang proving ground.

'Holden's engineering unit has a bright future undertaking important local and global work, from ensuring imported Holden vehicles can master Australia's unique driving conditions, to developing the technologies that will power the future of mobility globally,' said Vivian.

'With today's announcement, we will now be spending more than $120 million annually on automotive research and development at our operations here in Australia.'

Holden recently spent AU$7.2 million dollars upgrading and resurfacing the Lang Lang proving ground, following a previous investment of close to AU$9 million in upgrading the proving ground's emissions and testing facilities.

'Today's announcement is the latest investment which strengthens Holden's future,' said GM Holden Chairman and Managing Director Dave Buttner.

'Australia is one of the key sites outside of North America for Maven businesses, including car sharing, and we will be offering industry-leading connectivity with the rollout of OnStar beginning in Australia from next year.

'This is an exciting time for Holden and our customers.'