While the Holden brand has been disestablished in New Zealand and Australia, parent company General Motors has just announced a new venture Downunder that will start at the end of the year.

General Motors (GM) has confirmed today it will start-up a new venture in Australia

and New Zealand, to be known as GM Specialty Vehicles (GMSV). 

GMSV will supply a selection of hand-picked GM vehicles to Australia and New Zealand customers according to Kristian Aquilina, Interim Chairman and Managing Director of GM Holden.

“I am proud to be announcing GM Specialty Vehicles which represents an important new investment by GM in Australia,” said Aquilina.

 “This new venture directly adds sales, marketing and aftersales roles to GM’s 200-strong presence in Australia, and indirectly supports over 150 skilled engineering and manufacturing jobs at our partner in Victoria.

“The initial product line-up will feature the latest Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LTZ, with other derivatives, including the Silverado 2500 and spectacular mid-engine Corvette anticipated to follow in 2021,” Aquilina said.

The Chevrolet Silverado models will be remanufactured to right-hand-drive (RHD) by the Walkinshaw organisation at their state-of-the art facility in Melbourne.

The new Corvette will come to Australia and New Zealand in RHD directly out of the famous Bowling Green plant in Kentucky USA.

GMSV will be established alongside GM’s existing business units in the region: Holden Aftersales and Isuzu New Zealand.

The new venture will be headed up by Joanne Stogiannis who has been appointed to the role of Director – GM Specialty Vehicles. 

“I am thrilled to be leading a new automotive venture by GM in Australia,” said Stogiannis.

“Sales of large US pick-ups have been growing consistently and I believe the ongoing strength of that segment will provide a very solid basis for us to build a successful long-term business.

“The plan to bring the stunning new mid-engine Corvette in RHD direct from the factory is an enormously exciting opportunity for local performance car enthusiasts,” said Stogiannis.

“The new investment by GM in the Australian and New Zealand markets will bring extra competition to niche luxury and performance segments of the car market, enhanced choice to consumers while underpinning new employment opportunities,” she said.

GMSV will see GM’s long association with the Walkinshaw Automotive Group continue. “It is especially pleasing given their long track record with GM via HSV and the fact that GMSV can continue to draw on their renowned automotive engineering expertise,” Stogiannis said.

“We’re delighted to continue our 33-year association with GM through their new venture GMSV,” said Ryan Walkinshaw, Director Walkinshaw Automotive Group.

“It also means we’re able to keep significant automotive employment in Victoria, directly securing some 150 manufacturing jobs, and look to grow as we work with GM in this dynamic space.

“We have always enjoyed bringing exciting product to market, and we’re excited about the ability to continue that through our partnership with GMSV,” Walkinshaw said.

Long-time auto industry executive, Peter Keley who spearheaded the creation of GMSV has elected to leave GM at the end of October. As part of his transition, Keley will work with Stogiannis to establish GMSV’s dealer network in Australia and New Zealand.