The part history of Holden and Are all Holden's just rebadged Chevrolets and Vauxhauls ? #BlogPost

Brief Early History

1856
Holden’s history started when James Alexander Holden started a saddlery business in Adelaide, South Australia. Holden continued to grow and begun repairing car upholstery and eventually the full-scale production of vehicle body shells.

1924
The company became an exclusive supplier of American car manufacturer General Motors in Australia. During the 20s Holden also supplied tramcars for Melbourne.

1931
Holden and General motors merged to become General Motors-Holden’s Limited (GM-H)

1936
Holden opened a new HQ and assembly plant at Fishermans Bend in Port Melbourne.

1940s

While the wars were happening, Holden’s car production was diverted to the construction of Vehicle bodys, weapons, aircraft and engines.

When the war ended, Holden returned to producing vehicle bodies for multiple car brands, some being Buick, Chevrolet and Vauxhall.

It wasn’t until 1948 that Holden achieved their long-term goal of manufacturing the first all Aussie car. This car was revealed on November 29 by the Prime Minister of the time. The car was the Holden 48-215. Also known as the FX Holden.

The FX was a strong and economical family sedan. Designed to withstand the Australian environment. The price for this bad boy was $733 including tax. Wow! So cheap yea? no. that was 94 weeks wage at the time. Did this stop people from buying it? No. Holden could not keep up with the demand. 18,000 people signed up and paid their deposit before seeing the vehicle.

1950s

Holden dominated the Australian car market during the 50s. By 1958 Holden sales accounted for over 40 percent of the total car sales in Australia. Off to a cracker of a start.

In 1953 the FJ Holden was introduced. Upgrades to engine power and a chrome face-lift came with the FJ. The FJ went on to become and iconic Australian car. Holden also started exporting vehicles to New Zealand.

1960s

The 1960s went just as well for Holden. A third model was introduced, the FB Holden. The FB was inspired by 1950s Chevrolets. No that does not make it a Chev.

The FB was also the first model that incorporated the Left Hand Drive set up. These cars were exported to Africa, the Middle East, South-East Asia, the Pacific Islands and the Caribbean. By 1962 Holden had sold a million vehicles. Over the next 6 years another million were sold.

It was in 1964 that Holden Employee numbers peaked at 23,914 across the seven facilities in Queensland, NSW, Victoria and South Australia.

The major competitors, including the Ford Falcon and Japanese cars arrived in Australia but Holden’s six and eight cylinder cars remained top sellers. Top job Holden.

1966 was the year that Holden became the first local manufacturer to fit seat belts to all models.

Let me know what you think of this so far. I really need to go find some new music haha so if you like it i will continue and get the final answer to the age old debate. Is Holden just rebadged Chevrolet’s and Vauxhauls?