General Motors New Zealand

General Motors New Zealand Limited is General Motors' New Zealand subsidiary. Established in 1926, it was created to build and operate a locally owned vehicle assembly plant and became GM's first overseas factory that it owned rather than leased. The company initially assembled North American GM products, including Chevrolet, Pontiac, Buick and Oldsmobile vehicles, from semi-knock-down kits. British Vauxhall cars and Bedford commercial vehicles were later added, while the local manufacturing operation also expanded into non-automotive production during the twentieth century. The company's first factory was at Petone in the Hutt Valley. The first New Zealand-assembled Chevrolet appeared in August 1926, followed by Pontiac and Buick vehicles. Oldsmobile joined the programme in 1928, and the first Vauxhall vehicles came off the line in 1931. The Petone operation expanded before the Second World War and produced Frigidaire refrigerators and freezers as well as vehicles. During the war it made munitions, Universal Carriers and other equipment. Vehicle production resumed after the war, although import and foreign-exchange controls limited the number and range of cars that could be supplied. From the late 1950s, the New Zealand product mix shifted away from the original North American marques toward Australian-sourced Holden vehicles. This transition reflected the practical importance of regional manufacturing and the relatively small size of the New Zealand market. Holden eventually became the company's principal passenger-vehicle identity, with the changeover substantially completed during the 1970s. General Motors New Zealand also handled products associated with Isuzu, Opel, Vauxhall, Bedford and other GM marques at different points in its history. The company operated a second major assembly site at Trentham, opened in 1967. Petone subsequently focused more heavily on appliances and other manufacturing activity, while Trentham became the principal vehicle assembly location. In 1983 GM announced the closure of the Petone plant, with the facility sold for warehouse use the following year. In 1988 the company announced that most remaining passenger-car assembly would end, leaving the Holden Commodore sedan as the principal exception for a limited period. Local passenger-car assembly ended in 1991, after which General Motors New Zealand operated primarily as an importer, distributor and parts organization. The former Trentham site was later sold to Weta Digital, while part of the wider site continued to be associated with the New Zealand Army. After local production ended, the business imported complete vehicles and components, especially from Australia and South Korea, while also supporting Holden's New Zealand dealer and service network. Holden products included passenger cars, sport utility vehicles, light commercial vehicles and performance vehicles. Chevrolet products returned in selected forms, including the Chevrolet-derived Colorado and Trailblazer sold under Holden branding, the Holden-badged Volt, and the Equinox. Chevrolet-badged Silverado and Camaro vehicles were introduced through Holden Special Vehicles after conversion for right-hand-drive use. General Motors' withdrawal from right-hand-drive markets changed the company's role. On 17 February 2020 GM announced the retirement of Holden and its withdrawal from the remaining right-hand-drive markets. In New Zealand, the successor structure included GM Specialty Vehicles, Holden Aftersales and an Isuzu-truck business. Chevrolet products continued in selected specialist and commercial segments, including the factory-right-hand-drive C8 Corvette, Silverado pickups and other imported vehicles. Thus, General Motors New Zealand moved from being a large-scale local manufacturer to a smaller market organization focused on specialist vehicle distribution, commercial products, parts and customer support.

General Motors New Zealand was incorporated on 4 January 1926 to establish a General Motors-owned assembly operation in New Zealand. The Petone plant began production later that year, with Chevrolet vehicles assembled first, followed by Pontiac and Buick. Oldsmobile was added in 1928. In 1931 the plant began assembling Vauxhalls, and Bedford trucks subsequently broadened the commercial-vehicle range. The factory was expanded before the Second World War and also produced Frigidaire domestic appliances. Wartime activity included munitions and Universal Carriers, alongside other manufacturing work. After the war, Chevrolet production restarted in 1947. Government controls, foreign-exchange shortages and restrictions on vehicle imports affected the volume and variety of cars available. Buick and Oldsmobile disappeared from the regular local range, while Chevrolet, Pontiac and Vauxhall continued for periods. From the late 1950s the company increasingly adopted Australian-sourced Holden vehicles. The Holden brand gradually displaced the earlier marques and became the central identity of GM's New Zealand passenger-car operation during the 1970s. A second assembly plant at Trentham opened on 26 August 1967. It became the main vehicle-production site after Petone shifted toward appliance and other activities. In 1980 Petone also produced spark plugs for General Motors operations in Australia and New Zealand, but GM announced the plant's closure in 1983. The property was sold by September 1984. In 1988 GM New Zealand announced that most local passenger-car assembly would cease, with the Commodore sedan retained temporarily while models such as the Commodore wagon, Camira, Gemini and Suzuki Swift were replaced by imports. All local passenger-car assembly ended in 1991. The post-assembly company operated mainly as an importer, distributor and parts supplier. It handled Holden vehicles from Australia and products sourced from other GM operations, including Isuzu, Opel and Chevrolet programmes. Selected Chevrolet vehicles were marketed under Holden badges in Australasia, including the Colorado, Trailblazer, Volt and Equinox. Performance and large American vehicles were later introduced through Holden Special Vehicles, including the Chevrolet Camaro and Silverado after engineering work to convert them for right-hand-drive markets. GM's decision to withdraw from right-hand-drive markets culminated in the 17 February 2020 announcement that Holden would be retired and the remaining right-hand-drive businesses would be exited. The New Zealand operation continued in a changed form, comprising GM Specialty Vehicles, an Isuzu-truck business and Holden Aftersales. The first factory-right-hand-drive C8 Chevrolet Corvette arrived in New Zealand in 2021. Current activities are therefore centered on specialist vehicle imports, trucks, parts and servicing rather than manufacturing.

• 2021

  Factory-right-hand-drive Corvette arrives

  [1]General Motors New Zealanden.wikipedia.org

  The first factory-right-hand-drive C8 Chevrolet Corvette arrived in New Zealand through the post-Holden specialist-vehicle structure.

• 2020

  Holden retired

  [1]General Motors New Zealanden.wikipedia.org

  General Motors announced the retirement of Holden and its withdrawal from remaining right-hand-drive markets.

• 1991

  Local passenger-car assembly ends

  [1]General Motors New Zealanden.wikipedia.org

  General Motors New Zealand completed its transition from vehicle manufacturing to importing and distribution.

• 1983

  Petone plant closure announced

  [1]General Motors New Zealanden.wikipedia.org

  GM announced the closure of Petone, affecting approximately 270 jobs according to the reference account.

• 1967

  Trentham assembly plant opens

  [1]General Motors New Zealanden.wikipedia.org

  A major new assembly plant at Trentham opened on 26 August, becoming the principal vehicle-production site.

• 1931

  Vauxhall production starts

  [1]General Motors New Zealanden.wikipedia.org

  The first Vauxhalls came off the Petone line, followed by Bedford trucks.

• 1928

  Oldsmobile added to local assembly

  [1]General Motors New Zealanden.wikipedia.org

  Oldsmobile vehicles joined the range assembled at Petone.

• 1926

  Company incorporated and Petone assembly begins

  [1]General Motors New Zealanden.wikipedia.org

  General Motors New Zealand was incorporated on 4 January. The Petone plant produced its first locally assembled Chevrolet on 31 August, followed by Pontiac and Buick vehicles later that year.

A local General Motors distribution and after-sales organization with a historic role in New Zealand vehicle assembly and a current emphasis on specialty Chevrolet vehicles, commercial trucks and Holden customer support.

• Passenger cars and trucks · 1926

  Chevrolet

  Chevrolet was the first major marque assembled by General Motors New Zealand. Early production included Thriftmaster pickups, Deluxe sedans, Chevrolet 210 models, Bel Airs and Canadian Impalas. The marque later returned in selected imported and specialist forms, including the Colorado, Silverado, Camaro and Corvette.

• Passenger cars, SUVs and commercial vehicles

  Holden

  Holden became GM New Zealand's principal vehicle brand as Australian-sourced products replaced many North American and British models. The range included Commodore, Colorado, Volt and Equinox vehicles. New-vehicle sales ended after GM retired Holden, but Holden Aftersales continues to support existing owners and vehicles.

• Commercial trucks

  Isuzu trucks

  Isuzu trucks form one of the business groups associated with the post-Holden General Motors New Zealand structure. The business serves the commercial-vehicle market separately from the specialist Chevrolet passenger and performance portfolio.

• Performance sports car · 2021

  Chevrolet Corvette

  The C8 Corvette brought a mid-engine Chevrolet sports car to New Zealand in factory-right-hand-drive form from 2021. It is distributed as a specialist vehicle rather than a mass-market product.

• Full-size pickup truck · 2018

  Chevrolet Silverado

  The Silverado is a large American pickup distributed in New Zealand through the specialist Chevrolet channel. Earlier Sierra and Silverado vehicles also had roles in emergency-service fleets after right-hand-drive conversion.

• 2020

  Retire Holden and exit right-hand-drive marketsStrategy

  Background

  GM cited the deterioration of Holden sales in Australia and the strategic decision to withdraw from its remaining right-hand-drive operations.

  Action taken

  GM announced the retirement of Holden and the withdrawal from remaining right-hand-drive markets.

  Aftermath

  New Zealand activities continued through GM Specialty Vehicles, Isuzu trucks and Holden Aftersales.

  Source

• 1988

  Phase out most local vehicle assemblyStrategy

  Background

  The New Zealand operation faced the economics of a small market and increasing reliance on imported vehicles.

  Action taken

  General Motors New Zealand announced that most locally assembled passenger cars would be discontinued, with the Commodore sedan retained temporarily.

  Aftermath

  Local passenger-car assembly ended in 1991 and the company became primarily a distributor and parts organization.

  Source

1. 1General Motors New Zealanden.wikipedia.org