Holden to end local manufacturing, 2900 jobs to go Employees arrive for the 6am shift at the Holden manufacturing plant at Elizabeth in Adeleaide as the company announces it will pull out of manufacturing in Australia by 2017. Holden has confirmed that it will cease manufacturing in Australia by 2017, saying it expected the move would cost 2900 jobs. In a statement, the company said it would "transition to a national sales company in Australia and New Zealand." Holden will "discontinue vehicle and engine manufacturing and significantly reduce its engineering operations in Australia by the end of 2017," the statement says. "The decision to end manufacturing in Australia reflects the perfect storm of negative influences the automotive industry faces in the country, including the sustained strength of the Australian dollar, high cost of production, small domestic market and arguably the most competitive and fragmented auto market in the world," GM Chairman and CEO Dan Akerson said in the statement. Holden said it expected that over the next four years approximately 1600 jobs would go at its Elizabeth plant in South Australia and 1300 jobs would be lost in Victoria as a result of the move. "This has been a difficult decision given Holden's long and proud history of building vehicles in Australia," GM Holden chairman and managing director Mike Devereux said. With Holden coming under attack the federal Government this week, Mr Devereux said GM recognised "the need for change and understand the government's point of view" "Moving forward, our business model will change significantly however, GM Holden will remain an integral part of its communities and an important employer both directly and through our dealers," Mr Devereux said. Victorian Premier Denis Napthine had told parliament that Holden is leaving Australia. He said that his office had been told it was an irreversible decision made in Detroit. Dr Napthine said is was a sad day for Victoria and Australia. Holden staff had been bracing for an announcement at 2pm at the company's Port Melbourne plant. Total votes: 16098.