Holden upping workforce for advanced vehicle development

Holden is growing its Australian design and engineering workforce to more than 500 for advanced vehicle development.

And it will put more than A$120 million annually into research and design.

GM Holden’s Australian engineers will play a crucial role in developing future technologies that underpin autonomous vehicles and electric powertrains, the company says.

Australian engineers would be fully integrated into global GM engineering teams to develop leading technologies to drive the future of mobility, GM executive vice president and president Global Product Group and Cadillac Mark Reuss says.

“GM is determined to be the first company to bring safe, autonomous vehicles to market — not

within years, but in quarters,” he says. “Make no mistake, we’re moving to a driverless future — a future of safer roads and zero crashes.

“At the same time, GM is well on its way to bringing at least 20 new all-electric models to market by 2023.”

Reuss says Holden Australia’s world-class vehicle engineering capability will play a significant role.

The 150 newest recruits to Holden Engineering will comprise experienced and graduate engineers.

Australian engineers had played a critical role in vehicle development for Holden and GM globally since 1946, and this would continue with the latest announcement, GM Holden executive director – engineering Brett Vivian says.

He says the engineers announcement comes on top of significant upgrades to the emissions test lab and test tracks at GM and Holden’s Lang Lang Proving Ground.

GM Holden chairman and managing director Dave Buttner says GM’s strong commitment to Holden is providing Australian motorists with benefits today and well into the future.

“Before any vehicle can earn the right to be a Holden, our engineers clock up 4000 hours and 200,000 kilometres in Australian conditions, testing everything from the suspension to radio performance and recognising Australian road signs,” Buttner says.

“This means that anyone who buys a Holden can have the utmost confidence that their vehicle can take anything Australian roads can dish out.”

He says the announcement is the latest investment which strengthens Holden’s future.

“Australia is one of the key sites outside of North America for Maven businesses, including car sharing, and we will be offering industry-leading connectivity with the rollout of OnStar beginning in Australia from next year.

“We are also establishing GM Financial here in Australia – so what we offer Holden customers continues to broaden as our industry and consumer expectations change.”