Grant for a 'greener' Holden Commodore

A $39.8m Green Car Innovation Fund grant will help Holden transform the way it designs, engineers and manufactures the Commodore, reducing fuel consumption by more than 7%.

This fuel consumption equates to an average of 3.6 million litres per year - and an average cut of 9000 tonnes of emissions - from the Australian Commodore fleet.

Announcing the grant, Innovation Minister Senator Kim Carr said environmental and economic benefits would flow from Holden’s innovation through reduced carbon emissions, increased employment and skills, and far-reaching commercial opportunities.

“Production of the new Commodore will contribute $1.13 billion in wages to the Australian economy over the life of this project and inject $420 million into the local components industry each year,” Senator Carr said.

“The research and development and technology advancement behind this project are vital to the future of Holden and its workers, complementing the localised Cruze launched earlier this year.”

This Commonwealth investment in partnership with GMH will help produce a better Australian-made car. This includes reducing the weight of the car by using aluminium body panels. Holden will also look at ways to increase the aerodynamic performance of the Commodore.

Senator Carr said the GCIF was an integral element of the Australian Government’s New Car Plan for a Greener Future and is transforming the Australian automotive industry for a more economically and environmentally sustainable future.

For more information on the New Car Plan, visit www.innovation.gov.au, www.ausindustry.gov.au or email hotline@ausindustry.gov.au.