For those of you who are unfamiliar with the History of Holden, look no further than this page. Here we have compiled a basic timeline outlining Holdens car releases and other relevant bits and pieces. This timeline starts in 1948 with the first Holden ever produced. With that being said, the company itself has roots stretching back to 1856 when it began as a business that made saddles and other horse related accessories. Through time the company evolved from horses to assembling cars and components until it was granted as the company to make Australia’s very own car.
1948 – The 48-215 Holden is launched at Fishermens Bend on 29th November. Initial production capacity averages 10 vehicles per day.
1950 – New vehicle registrations in Australia total 206 087 – almost 70% up on the previous year. Total sales of GM-H products exceed the 1949 total by 60%.
1950 – The number of Holden employees Australia-wide exceeds 10 000.
1951 – Production rates reach 100 units a day. Total 48-215 production passes 50 000.
1951 – The first Holden Ute is sold
1953 – The famous FJ Holden is launched in September. The extended model range now includes a Special Sedan, Standard Sedan, Business Sedan and Utility. The Panel Van arrives in December.
1953 – Based on record sales, GM-H makes the largest profit in its history and creates 1700 new jobs.
1954 – Exports of Holden to New Zealand begin in November.
1954 – One in every three vehicles on Australian roads is a GM-H product.
1956 – In January, the 250 000th Holden, an FJ, is built and the tubeless tyre is introduced.
1956 – The first entirely new Holden since the 48-215, the FE, is launched following four years of development and a £4 million investment.
1957 – The first Holden station wagon, based on the FE sedan, is produced in March.
1957 – The one millionth car body is produced at the Woodville plant.
1958 – The FC Holden is launched in May.
1958 – The total number of Holdens produced exceeds 500 000.
1960 – The FB Holden is launched in January.
1960 – Left-hand drive production for export market begins, the first shipment to Hawaii follows.
1960 – The Elizabeth hardware plant opens.
1961 – The EK Holden is launched in May.
1962 – The EJ Holden is launched in July.
1962 – When the millionth Holden is completed on 25th October, it is estimated that if these cars were placed bumper to bumper they would stretch from Geraldton, WA to Townsville, QLD. The 1 000 000th Holden is a Euroa Gold EJ Premier sedan.
1963 – The new 6-cylinder engine plant and foundry commences operation at Fishermens Bend. Capacity is 700 engines per day.
1963 – The EH Holden is introduced
1965 – HD Holden is introduced.
1965 – The 1 500 000 Holden is produced. Australian content exceeds 95 per cent.
1966 – The HR Holden is launched in April
1966 – GM-H is the first Australian manufacturer to fit seatbelts on all models.
1967 – HB Torana introduced
1967 – The 100 000th export Holden is produced.
1968 – The HK Kingswood introduced, along with the Holden Monaro and Brougham.
1969 – The HT Holden launched in May.
1969 – Australia’s first automotive safety design test centre opens at the Lang Lang proving ground.
1969 – The first Australian made V8, developed at the cost of $22.5 million at its new Fishermens Bend plant, and introduced with the HT range.
1969 – The 2 000 000th Holden, a HK Brougham, is produced.
1970 – The HG Holden launched in July.
1971 – Holden’s first luxury long-wheelbase derivative, the Statesman, is launched
1971 – The 18 model HQ range is introduced in July, following the most ambitious product development program undertaken by GM-H since the first Holden.
1971 – The first car based Holden cab/chassis light truck, the ‘one tonner’ is launched.
1972 – The LJ Torana is launched
1973 – A record year for Holden, with 41 000 vehicles exported. Seven overseas plants also assemble Holden vehicles from Australian-manufactured components.
1974 – The three millionth Holden is produced.
1974 – The HJ Holden is launched in October.
1974 – Launch of the all Australian LH Torana range, one of the few cars ever offered with a choice of 4-, 6- or 8-cylinder engines.
1975 – The Holden Gemini TX is launched, a version of GM-H’s first world car. Soon becomes Australia’s most popular small 4-cylinder car and 43 099 TX models are built.
1975 – GM-H Pty Ltd becomes General Motors-Holden’s Ltd.
1976 – The HX Holden is launched in July.
1977 – The HZ Holden is launched in October.
1978 – VB Commodore introduced in October
1980 – WB versions of the Statesman deVille, Caprice and Holden’s car based commercial vehicles are launched.
1980 – The VC Commodore is introduced in March.
1981 – The four millionth Holden, a VC Commodore, is produced. It is driven off the line by Sir Laurence Hartnett, acknowledged as the father of the Holden car project.
1981 – The VH Commodore is launched in September.
1982 – Holden’s version of GM’s international ‘J-Car’, the Camira JB sedan, is released. It is the first front-wheel drive car produced by Holden, powered by the Family Two 4-cylinder engine.
1984 – The VK Commodore is launched in February, with some new model names – Executive, Berlina and Calais.
1984 – Production of Statesman models and car based light commercials discontinued.
1986 – The VL Commodore is launched in February.
1988 – The VN Commodore is launched in August.
1988 – Formation of Holden Special Vehicles (HSV).
1989 – The VN Commodore range wins major car of the year awards.
1989 – Holden Commodore is Australia’s best selling car for 1989.
1990 – Holden rejoins the long-wheelbase field with the introduction of the new Statesman and Caprice luxury models. They feature the first independent rear suspension (IRS) fitted to a locally designed and built mass produced car.
1990 – The Holden Ute returns (Model code was VG, but it was known as the VN Ute).
1990 – The five millionth Holden is produced
1991 – The VP Commodore is launched in October.
1993 – The VR Commodore is launched in July
1995 – VS Commodore launched with 3800 ECOTEC engine, million dollar technology investment, and the first application by and Australian manufacturer of driver and passenger airbags.
1996 – The Supercharged 3.8L V6 is made as an option on Calais, Statesman and Caprice.
1997 – The VT Commodore is launched in September.
1999 – Gen III 5.7L V8 replaces Australian V8, sourced from Chevrolet.
1999 – VT Commodore is sold in the Middle East, rebadged as a Chevrolet Lumina.
2000 – WH Statesman and Caprice are launched in Australia.
2000 – VU Ute is introduced
2001 – V2 Monaro introduced
2002 – VY Commodore unveiled
2003 – WK Statesman and Caprice launched
2004 – VZ Commodore, Monaro and Statesman announced
2006 – VE Commodore launched
2014 – VF Commodore launched
2017 – Holden ceases production in Australia