Jobs and lives on scrap heap following Holden's decison to quit in 2017 Holden's decision to quit in 2017 will have an impact on 29,000 Australian components jobs. THE Victorian auto supply chain faces losing thousands of jobs from its 14,000-strong component workforce and a major slice of the state's $2.7 billion parts industry following Holden's "bombshell" decision to shut operations. Of the 29,000 jobs in the auto components industry in Australia, half are located in Victoria and Holden work supports an estimated 10,000 of those, according to the Federation of Automotive Products Manufacturers. "It's a devastating day for Australia, it's a devastating day for Australian manufacturing," said Diver Consolidated manager Jim Griffin, whose firm employs 100 staff and specialises in Holden instrument panel, door hinge and heat shield components. Mr Griffin was in Canberra yesterday as part of a delegation of suppliers trying to stave off the Holden closure. Holden's decision to quit in 2017, on top of the 2016 withdrawal of Ford, will have a major impact on 29,000 Australian components jobs - 150 firms, of which almost 100 are in Victoria - and affect another 60,000-70,000 jobs in the downstream supply and services industries, he said. It's a dark day and extremely disappointing. A bombshell. Suppliers had sought urgent government subsidies to double Australia's exported vehicles to 200,000 within three to four years. At present, of the 220,000 vehicles produced in Australia, about 80,000 go overseas. Mr Griffin said Australia's high dollar was a major factor, but the global market was not a level playing field. "Australia is the most open and prolific market on the planet," he said. Mr Griffin said the US restricted the number of car brands in its market - currently fewer than 40 - while Australia had 67 brands. Australian government subsidies - set in November 2008 to go through to 2020 - had fallen from $6.2 billion to $5.4 billion and failed to take in the global financial crisis or the booming dollar, he said. Mr Griffin said auto subsidies were less than other industries, including agriculture, mining, finance and services. The mining industry received $1.9 billion in fuel tax credits alone, he said. Free trade agreements had also taken a toll, with the Thailand agreement seeing 200,000 cars imported but none exported. The recent FTA with South Korea would also see a nil return for the auto balance of trade, Mr Griffin said. "Can you see the South Korean government buying Australian cars?" he asked. Holden's decision could end the industry in Australia with only Toyota left from 2018, Federation of Automotive Products Manufacturers chief executive Richard Reilly said. "It has rocked the supply chain ... a lot of our members won't make it," Mr Reilly said. Premier Denis Napthine said he would seek a commitment from the Federal Government to provide a comprehensive adjustment package for affected suppliers.