GM looks east to Asia Pacific in new era of opportunity for Holden

GM HOLDEN will become part of a powerful new Asian-based global operation under the ‘New GM’ that emerged from General Motors’ Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Friday.

In a dramatic swing to the east, where GM operations have been smashing sales records in contrast to the company’s decline in the US and Europe, all of GM’s overseas operations will be managed from Shanghai under a new branch, GM International Operations.

It will be run by GM Asia Pacific president Nick Reilly, who has been promoted to GM vice president of international operations under the restructuring announced by GM CEO Fritz Henderson.

The decision reflects the rise of China and Korea in the GM orbit and the decline of GM Europe, where Opel, Vauxhall and Saab are all being sold off.

In China, GM and its local partners are on target to sell more than 1.6 millions vehicles this year, based on record first half sales of 814,441 units – up 38 per cent.

The move places Holden closer to the epicentre of GM’s overseas operations under Mr Reilly, who has overseen GM Holden as part of his Asia Pacific division.

Just last weekend, an Australian government delegation led by trade minister Simon Crean and industry minister Kim Carr visited China to push Holden’s case for stronger design and engineering links with GM affiliated car-makers, including Shanghai Auto and Wuling.

The decision by GM to put all of its overseas operations under one umbrella has the potential to break down borders between global regions and open up export opportunities for GM operations such as Holden, which a Holden insider said had a reputation within GM for quickly identifying opportunities and acting on them.

Full article:

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf/story2/...

In another story from the same website, Holden engine exports to China to quadruple :

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf/story2/...

Go Holden.

Nice Mate. Good news finally trickling.

This move was in the works for two years, don't be surprised if Holden goes totally away in favor of the name GM Asia Pacific as Holden is merged with GM China and GMDAT... I think I even told ocnblu that 2 years ago that this was coming ...