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Government grants Holden


Government grants Holden

Author: Trent NikolicDate: 20 May 2011
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As you’d expect, Holden has welcomed this announcement with open arms. The co-investment funding, part of the Federal Government’s New Car Plan for a Greener Future, will allow Holden to work on the development of a range of different fuel efficient and carbon emission reducing technologies for upcoming Commodore models.

It would be easy to be cynical and assume that this money will be directed toward the development of yet another hybrid engine but that’s not the case. These innovations that will be developed include aluminium body panels to reduce weight, improved aerodynamic development to reduce drag, all in an attempt to reduce fuel consumption by a not inconsiderable 7 per cent. Holden claims that this reduction in fuel consumption would save around 3.6 million litres of fuel and reduce C02 emissions from the Commodore fleet alone by around 9000 tonnes per year.

The announcement was made by Senator the Hon. Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research together with Holden Chairman and Managing Director Mike Devereux in South Australia. Mr Devereux said the funding was critical for the Australian automotive industry to compete globally and to continue to bring affordable and new technologies and innovations to locally-made cars like Commodore.

“Holden continues to be one of the country’s largest investors in research and development and to invest in the future of automotive design, engineering and high-tech manufacturing in Australia,” Mr Devereux said. “The assistance from the Federal Government will enable Holden to bring Australian-made firsts in fuel efficiency and weight saving to market and to secure local jobs in the broader automotive industry.”

There is no doubt that Holden has made great leaps forward with fuel efficiency thanks to technology such as Active Fuel Management on V8 models and Spark Ignition Direct Injection on V6 powered vehicles. “The success of Holden’s product development program, and co-funded programs like the new locally made Cruze, shows new vehicles and technologies have to be affordable and return real-world savings for the environment and for Australian drivers,” Mr Devereux said. “Holden is also continuing to develop other low emission and alternative fuel solutions in our Ecoline portfolio including a dedicated LPG Commodore and E85 flex-fuel capability on the 3.6-litre SIDI V6 engine later this year.”

This is not the first grant that Holden has received through the green Car Innovation Fund. The company also received $149 million over three years in order to fund the small car program that resulted in the Cruze – the only small car built in Australia. The end result was that the Cruze became the largest engineering and manufacturing program in Australia since the development of the VE Commodore.

 

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