Help keep us competitive, Holden pleads Political correspondents David Crowe and Sid Maher share their thoughts on what Ford's job cuts could mean for Australia's car industry. HOLDEN'S chairman says the carmaker is working closely with both sides of politics to ensure Australia remains globally competitive as he reaffirms the company's commitment to local manufacturing. Mike Devereux said economic conditions had changed over the past two years but "both sides of the equation understand how critical the auto industry is to the economy and how plugged-in in terms of its viability." We have a pretty solid plan. We will need to work closely with the opposition and government to make sure that Australia's policy setting are competitive globally," he said. Mr Devereux said he did not want news of Ford ceasing production in Australia from October 2016 to detract from the focus on the new VF Commodore. The Ford announcement could not have come at worse time for Holden as it launches the new VF with a 500km drive through the Snowy Mountains. He was confident about the future for the industry and Holden, with the VF reviving the company's export program when it begins shipping to the US later this year as a Chevrolet. "I believe that not only can automaking survive but I believe it can thrive," Mr Devereux said. It starts with making products that people want to buy. Even in the last months of its seven-year life the Commodore is a top 10 selling car. The new one will be a top 10 car. To those people who say we don't make cars in this country that people want, that is factually inaccurate. Mr Devereux said Holden had set out a 10-year manufacturing plan that was agreed with the federal government last year. "That plan would see Holden invest a billion dollars in this country and secure production of two all-new global vehicles out to 2022," he said. The impact on parts makers would vary depending on how dependent they are on Ford, but Australia had plenty of world-class suppliers who could overcome these sorts of challenges. "There's a different story for every supplier," Mr Devereux said. We have a very tight relationship through our supplier council and we've been working really closely with them to improve efficiency and effectiveness to make a world-class supply chain.