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General Motors New Zealand

From Alfawiki
General Motors New Zealand Limited
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryAutomotive
FoundedJanuary 4, 1926; 100 years ago (1926-01-04)
Headquarters
New Zealand
Area served
New Zealand
ParentGeneral Motors

General Motors New Zealand Limited, previously known as Holden New Zealand Limited, functions as a subsidiary of General Motors, responsible for distributing GM vehicles, engines, parts, and components throughout New Zealand.

Established on 4 January 1926, it marked GM's inaugural overseas assembly facility. The company initially assembled American GM brands such as Chevrolet, Pontiac, Buick, and Oldsmobile. Five years later, British Vauxhalls were incorporated into production. Following World War II, Vauxhall manufacturing continued alongside a limited output of Chevrolets and Pontiacs due to currency restrictions, while Buick and Oldsmobile lines were discontinued. By the late 1950s, Australian-manufactured Holden models gradually replaced Vauxhall, Chevrolet, and Pontiac vehicles, completing this transition by the 1970s.

Assembly operations ceased in 1990, shifting the focus toward importing GM vehicles and parts primarily sourced from Australia and Korea. Starting in 2017, General Motors began withdrawing from right-hand-drive markets, exiting countries including the United Kingdom, Japan, India, and Thailand over the subsequent three years.

With Holden's market share in Australia declining to 4.1% by late 2019, General Motors announced on 17 February 2020 the discontinuation of the Holden brand along with its departure from all remaining right-hand-drive markets. Additionally, GM sold its right-hand-drive manufacturing facility in Thailand to Great Wall Motor.

As of 2022, General Motors New Zealand comprises three divisions: GM Specialty Vehicles (GMSV), Isuzu trucks, and Holden Aftersales.

Petone

The assembly plant located in Petone commenced operations in 1926, producing New Zealand’s first locally assembled Chevrolet on 31 August that year. Shortly thereafter, production expanded to include Pontiac, Buick, and Oldsmobile models, with British Vauxhall cars and Bedford trucks added by 1931. The facility underwent enlargement in 1938 and 1939 and diversified into manufacturing Frigidaire refrigerators (a GM-owned brand until 1979) as well as wartime goods such as munitions and Universal Carriers. By the time of World War II, the plant spanned nearly six acres under a single roof. Post-war Chevrolet assembly resumed in 1947 but was constrained by government regulations. Starting March 1980, Petone produced spark plugs for GM’s Australian and New Zealand markets before being sold in September 1984 as part of efforts to streamline operations.

Trentham

The assembly site at Trentham was inaugurated on 26 August 1967, allowing the Petone plant to concentrate on Frigidaire appliance production. At its peak, GM New Zealand operated close to one million square feet across three locations in the Hutt Valley—Petone and Trentham for assembly and manufacturing; Upper Hutt for parts handling, assembly, warehousing, and administrative offices—covering a total area of . In 1990, local passenger vehicle assembly was phased out. The former Trentham facility was sold to Weta Digital in 2015; portions of the site are currently utilized by the New Zealand Army.

Brands

Throughout its history, General Motors New Zealand assembled and imported vehicles from American marques (Chevrolet, Buick, Oldsmobile, Pontiac), Australian Holden, Japanese Isuzu, German Opel, as well as UK-based brands like Vauxhall and Bedford. Given the relatively small market size, GM streamlined its brand offerings starting from the 1960s.

1926–1968

Chevrolet vehicles were initially brought in as factory-produced right-hand-drive Semi-Knock-down kits from GM's Canadian facility in Oshawa, then assembled locally. The first Chevrolet constructed domestically rolled out in August 1926, followed by the arrival of Pontiac models in December of the same year. Production was halted during World War II but recommenced in 1947 at the Petone plant, which handled assembly for models such as the Chevrolet Thriftmaster pickup, Chevrolet Deluxe sedan, and the Chevrolet 210.

Between 1955 and 1960, GM New Zealand manufactured the four-door sedan variant of the Chevrolet Bel Air, and throughout the 1960s, assembled Canadian four-door sedan versions of the Chevrolet Impala.

In 1968, GM USA discontinued all exports of right-hand-drive Chevrolet and Pontiac passenger vehicles worldwide, effectively ending Chevrolet’s mainstream availability in New Zealand for approximately thirty years, aside from limited special-use imports like ambulances and hearses.

1998–2001

From February 1998 until January 2001, Australia and New Zealand imported the right-hand-drive Chevrolet Suburban produced in Silao, Mexico. In both markets, this model was marketed under the "Holden" brand.

2012–2020

The Isuzu-based Chevrolet Colorado was introduced to Australia and New Zealand in June 2012, sourced from General Motors Thailand located in Rayong, Thailand. The refreshed 2017 version was a Brazilian-built dual-cab Chevrolet S-10. Kristian Aquilina, managing director of Holden New Zealand, emphasized that this partnership among Holden, Chevrolet Brazil, and Chevrolet Thailand reflected the strategic direction for the Colorado. Both the Colorado and the Trailblazer SUVs were manufactured at GM Thailand for distribution across North America and Australasia, with both models sold under the "Holden" badge in these countries.

The initial generation of the Chevrolet Volt was available in New Zealand from late 2012 under the Holden marque. However, due to disappointing sales figures and high pricing, the second-generation Volt was not introduced to either New Zealand or Australian markets.

The third-generation Chevrolet Equinox (EQ series) launched in December 2017 in Australia and New Zealand, produced at GM’s Ramos Arizpe plant in Mexico. It replaced the Korean-made Holden Captiva. Despite Holden Australia halting Equinox production in October 2018 because of sluggish sales and surplus stock, sales continued in New Zealand through to 2020.

In 2018, New Zealand saw the arrival of U.S.-manufactured Chevrolet Silverado and Chevrolet Camaro models through Holden Special Vehicles (HSV). HSV Australia’s Clayton South facility converted these vehicles from left-hand-drive to right-hand-drive while preserving their original Chevrolet branding. The Silverado range included several heavy-duty variants; meanwhile, Camaro offerings were limited to the ZL1 and 2SS trims. Of the initial batch of 550 Australian-built 2SS Camaros produced in 2018, 38 units were allocated for New Zealand. HSV Managing Director Tim Jackson highlighted that this project involved a multimillion-dollar investment with extensive engineering efforts. Production of updated 2019 models began in Australia in April that year, with New Zealand receiving Camaro ZL1 units later on.

In 2019, the Holden Colorado achieved fifth place among New Zealand’s top-10 new car sales; no other Holden models made it into this ranking.

2021–

In July 2019, Holden New Zealand revealed intentions to introduce the first factory-produced right-hand-drive, mid-engine Chevrolet Corvette specifically for the Australian and New Zealand markets. Despite General Motors announcing Holden's shutdown in February 2020, Chevrolet confirmed the Corvette initiative would continue, with an expected release in 2021 through GM Speciality Vehicles (GMSV), which succeeded HSV. The inaugural factory right-hand-drive C8 Corvette arrived in New Zealand in October 2021, followed by an additional 28 units in 2023, all sold prior to arrival. These vehicles are manufactured at GM's Bowling Green plant in Kentucky and shipped directly to both New Zealand and Australia. Pricing in New Zealand begins at NZ$154,990 for the 2LT Coupe and increases to NZ$197,990 for the Carbon Edition Coupe. Each model is equipped with GM’s mid-mounted 369 kW 6.2-litre V8 engine.

As of 2023, the Chevrolet Silverado remains available in New Zealand via imports from Australia, offered in three trims: the 1500 Trail Boss (NZ$119,990), 1500 LTZ Premium (NZ$130,990), and HD LTZ Premium (NZ$159,990).


Pontiac

Pontiac was General Motors New Zealand’s second brand assembled at the Petone facility, commencing production in December 1926. Similar to Chevrolet, Pontiac vehicles were right-hand-drive and assembled from knock-down kits supplied by GM’s Canadian plant located in Oshawa, Ontario. Production halted during World War II and unlike Chevrolet, Pontiac did not resume manufacturing after the war.

Assembly of Pontiac resumed at Petone in 1959, producing Canadian Bel Air-derived Pontiac Laurentian and Pontiac Parisienne models until 1968. In Australia, General Motors-Holden assembled the Laurentian up to 1963 and continued with the Parisienne until 1968.

In 1968, GM discontinued exports of both Pontiac and Chevrolet right-hand-drive models, effectively ending their presence in these markets.

Pontiac briefly returned to New Zealand between 1988 and 1993 with a rebadged version of the Opel Kadett E-derived Daewoo LeMans, marketed as the sixth-generation Pontiac LeMans.


GMC

GMC has never been established as an official brand within New Zealand but has occasionally entered the market through private grey imports.

Historically since the 1920s in the U.S., GMC and Chevrolet trucks shared platforms and body designs but targeted distinct customer bases: GMC catered to commercial users while Chevrolet focused on private consumers. GMC lacked a presence in right-hand-drive truck markets, which were served by Chevrolet alongside Bedford and Isuzu.

During the 1970s and ’80s in New Zealand, ambulances were predominantly Bedfords or International Harvester models. After Bedford ceased production in 1984, the Ambulance Advisory Transport Board evaluated replacements and shortlisted Ford Transit and Chevrolet C/K-GMC Sierra vehicles. Due to Ford’s unsuitability, GM New Zealand proceeded to import right-hand-drive converted GMT400 Sierra trucks from 1989 exclusively for ambulance applications. Though known as "Sierra" in the U.S., these vehicles bore Chevrolet badges locally. Australia imported comparable Sierra ambulances retaining GMC badges.

The GMC Vandura van was also brought into New Zealand during the 1990s–2000s for conversion by Wellington Free Ambulance and St John Ambulance Service, similarly badged as Chevrolet.

When the C/K series was succeeded by the first-generation Chevrolet Silverado (the second-generation GMC Sierra) in 1998, imports persisted under the "Chevrolet Silverado" nameplate. These continued serving ambulance fleets throughout the 2000s. Since the 2010s, ambulance services have predominantly employed Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Ford Transit, and Fiat Ducato vehicles fitted with local bodies. Nevertheless, some Sierras, Vanduras, and Silverados remain operational within private EMS providers such as Medimax, TransitCare, and Horizons Healthcare.

Following Holden Australia's cessation of local manufacturing in 2017, Holden began sourcing models from GM’s global lineup. As GM had never previously produced GMC-branded right-hand-drive vehicles, it engineered its first factory right-hand-drive offering: the second-generation GMC Acadia, launched as a Holden-badged model across Australia and New Zealand in November 2018. Manufactured at GMC’s Spring Hill facility in Tennessee, this is GMC’s sole right-hand-drive vehicle produced in the United States exclusively for the Australasian market.

Buick/Oldsmobile/Cadillac

From the early 1900s, Buick and Oldsmobile automobiles were brought into New Zealand and assembled domestically at GMNZ's Petone facility—Buick starting in 1927 and Oldsmobile from 1928. By 1933, American-made vehicles represented 86% of the cars on New Zealand roads, with Buick making up 7% of that share. Cadillac vehicles arrived in smaller numbers, frequently as knock-down kits sourced from Canada.

Beyond GMNZ's operations, companies such as Newmans Coach Lines utilized Cadillacs for passenger transport during the 1930s, particularly the Cadillac 353E model. These vehicles were typically imported second-hand from the United States and underwent local modifications by Crawley Ridley in Wellington. Several of these Cadillacs remained operational into the 1950s across both islands.

In 2008, General Motors intended to introduce Cadillac to both Australia and New Zealand but abandoned plans for the Australian market. As a result, of the 89 factory-produced right-hand-drive Cadillac CTS units originally designated for Australia, 88 were sold via New Zealand’s Ebbett Group, which became the exclusive Cadillac distributor in the country. Ebbett subsequently imported an additional 71 Cadillacs from the UK market, all accompanied by three-year warranties covering up to 100,000 kilometers.


Vauxhall

Following General Motors' acquisition of Vauxhall Motors in 1925, GM New Zealand commenced assembly of British Vauxhalls at the Petone plant in 1931, beginning with the Vauxhall Cadet. After World War II, production expanded to include models such as the Velox, Wyvern, and between 1955 and 1960, the Cresta. The Victor was introduced in 1957 and followed by the Viva in 1964. Initially imported until 1965, the Cresta was then manufactured locally at Petone and later Trentham until production ended. The upscale Cresta "Viscount" variant offered luxury features like power steering and electric windows but was seldom imported. The final UK facelift of this model in 1971 was never launched in New Zealand.

Local assembly of Victor sedans included distinct variations primarily serving government fleets, whereas wagons were fully imported. Production ceased prior to the release of the final UK model in 1972. These last Victors incorporated Holden gearboxes. Between 1967 and 1969, New Zealand assembled the HB Viva; meanwhile, Australia marketed a related model as the Holden Torana, which evolved into a separate Australian design. Additionally, New Zealand produced a unique Viva van version. From 1975 onward, higher-spec Viva models featuring UK Magnum styling but standard interiors were branded locally as Vauxhall Magnums.

By 1977, Vauxhall’s lineup had narrowed to just the Chevette and Viva as Australian Holdens gained market prominence. The Chevette was assembled domestically from 1976 until 1981 and regularly ranked among New Zealand’s best-selling new cars. All UK body styles were available locally despite it not being sold in Australia. Powered by a shared 1,256cc OHV engine used in the Viva and Magnum, the Chevette also included a commercial variant known as the Chevanne. In 1979, it received Holden-developed "Radial Tuned Suspension" along with wider tires that improved handling beyond that of European versions. Although facing increasing competition from Japanese imports, production ended in June 1981; this marked the conclusion of British-sourced GM vehicle assembly in New Zealand. The Chevette was replaced by the Australian-built Holden Gemini TE series, leading to discontinuation of the Vauxhall brand locally.

From 1989 through 1994, the Mark III Vauxhall Cavalier was marketed as the Opel Vectra A before being rebadged under Holden until 1996. Subsequent Vauxhall Vectra models based on Opel designs continued to be sold under Holden branding within New Zealand.

In both 2008 and again in 2015, Holden Special Vehicles New Zealand imported the HSV VXR Turbo—a right-hand-drive variant of the Vauxhall Astra VXR (the Opel Astra OPC tuned by Vauxhall UK). Modifications were limited to replacing all "Vauxhall" badges with "Holden" insignia.

Holden also applied the VXR badge to its sportier V6 ZB Commodore liftback (2018–2019), supplanting the previous SS performance label; this version was available for sale in New Zealand.

In 2017, Holden launched a station wagon version alongside its Opel-based BK Astra hatchback. This badge-engineered Vauxhall Astra Sportwagon was manufactured in the UK and marketed under that name in both Australia and New Zealand.

Bedford

Bedford trucks and buses began production in New Zealand in 1931, coinciding with the introduction of Vauxhall vehicles. During the 1940s, General Motors New Zealand created what became the primary bus model for New Zealand Railways Road Services (NZRRS), utilizing Bedford truck chassis fitted with bodies crafted by New Zealand Motor Bodies. After the British launch of the Bedford SB in 1950, NZRRS continued operating SB buses equipped with NZMB coachwork until 1980. This resulted in the world's largest SB fleet, with a total of 1,280 units manufactured between 1954 and 1981.

Following World War II, Bedford trucks gained widespread acceptance across New Zealand in various industries such as freight transport, towing, firefighting, and ambulance services from the 1950s through the 1970s. The Bedford TK model was produced at the Petone facility during the 1960s and 1970s, with global production exceeding 500,000 units. It was eventually replaced by the Bedford TM range, which was followed by "Bedford-by-Isuzu" trucks assembled from Japanese knock-down kits. These trucks carried the Bedford badge to capitalize on Bedford's established reputation and enhance Isuzu's market penetration.

In New Zealand, Bedford vans were assembled throughout the 1960s and 1970s, with production of the final CF series concluding in 1984 when the Petone plant shut down. During the 1980s, the original four-cylinder 1.8L engine was replaced locally by Holden’s 202 cubic-inch straight-six engine in both New Zealand and Australia.

Holden

Prior to 1957, all Holden vehicles were imported fully built from Australia. The first locally assembled FE sedan rolled off GMNZ’s Trentham plant on 31 January of that year. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Holden expanded its lineup to include models such as the Special, Belmont, Kingswood, Premier, as well as mid-sized cars like the Torana and Sunbird. However, the Monaro continued to be imported as a complete vehicle.

The introduction of the Holden HQ series in 1971 marked a transition towards local assembly using knock-down kits that incorporated some domestically sourced components. Subsequent models including HJ, HX, HZ, and WB were also assembled locally except for the Monaro. During the 1970s, Belmonts and Kingswoods became standard issue vehicles for New Zealand police forces.

GMNZ produced Statesman models from HJ through WB series until 1984. A version of the HQ series known as the "Chevrolet 350" (1971–1974) featured a larger American V8 engine but was essentially an Australian Statesman rebranded for New Zealand markets. While Statesman was a distinct marque in Australia, it was marketed under Holden branding within New Zealand.

The Holden Commodore—derived from the Opel Rekord—was introduced in 1979. By 1983, GM New Zealand offered a comprehensive range including the entry-level Isuzu-based Holden Gemini, Australian-built Camira mid-sized model, and locally assembled Commodore large car. These were available as sedans or wagons along with sportier or luxury trims. Due to quality concerns with the Australian JB Camira, GM replaced it with the Japanese-built Isuzu-based JJ Camira badged as Holden; this model performed better until replaced by the Australian JE Camira in 1987.

Australian Commodore variants were either imported or assembled locally featuring unique engine and trim options exclusive to New Zealand under the "Holden Commodore Royale" name:

  • VH Royale (1981–1984): Equipped with a Holden Starfire inline-four engine paired with manual or automatic transmission.
  • VK Royale (1984–1987): Based on VK Calais featuring either a 1.9L or optional 3.3L Black straight-six engine alongside distinctive alloy wheels.
  • VL Royale (1987–1989): Offered Nissan RB20 or optional RB30E six-cylinder engines coupled with a four-speed automatic transmission.
  • VN Royale (1992): Australian-built specifically for New Zealand markets with an Opel C20NE four-cylinder engine.
  • VS II Royale (1998): Exclusive to New Zealand; combined front styling from Holden Caprice VS with Berlina VS wheels and Opel X25XE V6 powertrain.
  • VT Royale (1998–2000) and VX Royale (2000–2002): Australian-made Berlina sedans sold solely within New Zealand.

Local assembly ceased on 21 November 1990 following production of a Commodore V6 powered by a 3.8L engine; subsequently, GMNZ’s Trentham plant closed in June 1991. Afterward, all Holden Commodore sedans, wagons, and utes were imported from Australia until their discontinuation in 2017. Statesman production ended in 2010 while Caprice continued until that same year.

After importing Korean-made Chevrolet Cruze models until 2009, Holden Australia launched a locally produced "Series II" JH Cruze at its Elizabeth factory in South Australia during March 2011 for both Australian and New Zealand markets. This variant featured unique styling elements differing from global versions and underwent a facelift in 2013. Production ended in 2016 when it was succeeded by fifth-generation Opel Astra hatchbacks and second-generation Chevrolet Cruze sedans marketed under the Astra nameplate starting early 2017.

Opel

During the mid-1980s, the future of Holden Australia appeared uncertain, with General Motors reports indicating a potential end to its existing operations and a shift towards models designed overseas. Amid this uncertainty, General Motors New Zealand considered reintroducing other GM marques, turning its attention to Europe’s Opel. Opel made a comeback in New Zealand offering a select lineup of upscale European vehicles such as the Opel Kadett GSi, Ascona GT, Senator, Manta, and Monza. At the same time, Holden Australia developed the fourth-generation VK Commodore, which combined elements from the Opel Senator and Opel Rekord Series E.

Between 1989 and 1994, the Opel Vectra A was marketed in New Zealand under the Opel badge, then transitioned to Holden branding until 1996 when it was succeeded by the Vectra B, also sold as a Holden. These cars were essentially British Mark III Vauxhall Cavalier models with their badges swapped first from Vauxhall to Opel, then to Holden.

Holden Australia manufactured the Vectra B between 1998 and 1999 at its Elizabeth facility for export to right-hand-drive markets including New Zealand. This model continued production globally until 2002.

The Opel Astra F was introduced to New Zealand in 1995 carrying the "Holden" nameplate, despite identical second-hand Opel imports arriving from Japan. Australia received the Astra F a year later in 1996, marking its third Astra generation following earlier rebadged Nissan Pulsar versions during the 1980s. Early Astra and Vectra variants sold in New Zealand featured the UK's signature 'V' grille before adopting design cues aligned with Australian models.

From the late 1990s through the 2000s, Holden New Zealand followed Australia's lead by retailing badge-engineered Opel vehicles under the Holden brand. This included models such as the Calibra (Opel Calibra) from 1989 to 1996, Barina (Opel Corsa B) from 1994 to 2000, and Astra (Opel Astra) from 1995 through 2009. The Opel Vectra C was offered unchanged between 2003 and 2007 despite receiving a facelift in Europe in 2005, due to stockpiling for Australasian markets.

In September 2002, Holden introduced the XC series Opel Combo van in Australia under its own brand. Although European production ceased at the end of 2011, existing stock allowed Holden to continue sales until 2013 in both Australia and New Zealand, after which no successor was launched.

The Australasian region received the European Opel Antara as part of the Holden Captiva lineup from 2006 until October 2015. Marketed as the "Captiva MaXX," it served as a premium complement to more affordable Chevrolet Captiva-based Holdens sourced from GM Korea.

In 2015, Vauxhall’s all-wheel-drive Insignia VXR—essentially a rebadged Opel Insignia OPC equipped with an Australian-produced 2.8-litre V6 engine—was sold in Australia and New Zealand as the Holden Insignia VXR. This model introduced advanced features such as adaptive cruise control, lane change alert, and automatic emergency braking to Holden dealerships.

Following the cessation of Holden vehicle manufacturing in Australia at the end of 2017, Holden Australia chose the second-generation Opel Insignia as the new ZB Commodore. While this move met with considerable criticism and weak sales domestically in Australia, the ZB Commodore found success in New Zealand, becoming the best-selling passenger car in March 2018 according to data from the New Zealand Motor Industry Association.

After PSA Group acquired Opel and Vauxhall in March 2017, it announced intentions to phase out all GM-derived models in favor of new platforms based on PSA technology. This raised concerns about the ZB Commodore becoming an "instant orphan" model in Australia. Production of the ZB Commodore ended there in October 2018 due to sluggish sales and surplus inventory but continued selling remaining units in New Zealand throughout 2019. In December 2019, Holden declared it would discontinue the ZB Commodore; by February 2020 General Motors confirmed its full withdrawal from right-hand-drive markets and terminated the Holden brand entirely.

Daewoo/GM Korea

Market research revealed that the Pontiac brand held considerable recognition in New Zealand, prompting GM New Zealand in 1988 to import the Opel Kadett-derived Daewoo LeMans from South Korea's Daewoo, marketing it as the Pontiac LeMans. This approach aimed at the compact and mid-size vehicle markets until the arrival of the Opel Vectra, capitalizing on Pontiac's perceived "American" identity despite its Korean manufacturing origin. In its final production year, this model was also offered in Australia under the name Daewoo 1.5i.

Following Daewoo's insolvency and General Motors' takeover in 2002, Holden Australia and New Zealand introduced Daewoo models such as the Daewoo Kalos and Daewoo Lacetti starting in 2003. Due to underwhelming sales performance, Holden Australia discontinued Daewoo offerings by July 2004, with New Zealand withdrawing them by the end of the same year. Holden NZ attributed this to challenges in establishing the brand, citing its "chequered history."

In January 2005, GM rebranded Daewoo vehicles as "Chevrolet" for European and most other international markets, excluding Australia and New Zealand. Nevertheless, from 2005 onwards, Holden New Zealand imported a comprehensive lineup of rebadged Daewoo cars under the Holden badge, including:

  • 2005–2011 Holden Barina (derived from Daewoo Kalos)
  • 2007–2011 Holden Epica (Daewoo Tosca)
  • 2005–2008 Holden Viva (based on Daewoo Lacetti)
  • 2008–2011 Holden Cruze (also based on Daewoo Lacetti)
  • 2006–2018 Holden Captiva (Daewoo Winstorm)

In 2011, GM rebranded Daewoo as GM Korea, with its vehicles sold globally under the Chevrolet name except within Australia and New Zealand.

The Korean-manufactured Chevrolet Trax debuted worldwide in 2012, entering markets such as Canada, Germany, South Korea, and subsequently New Zealand and Australia in 2013, followed by China, Indonesia, and the Philippines in 2014, and the United States in 2015. A facelift introduced in 2017 updated its design to align with that of the Korean-built Chevrolet Malibu and Chevrolet Volt. The Trax was available during Holden’s final year in New Zealand as the Holden Trax LTZ.

Between 2013 and 2014, the eighth-generation Chevrolet Malibu produced by GM Korea was marketed in New Zealand as the Holden Malibu. It replaced the Epica and was positioned between the Australian-built Series II Cruze and Commodore models, primarily targeting fleet buyers.

Although discontinued in Australia by 2018, sales of the Korean-made Spark persisted in New Zealand until Holden ceased operations there in 2020.


Suzuki

The inaugural generation of the Holden Barina arrived in 1985 as a rebadged version of the Suzuki Cultus/Swift, assembled at Trentham under contract for Suzuki New Zealand Limited until production ended in 1988.

The first-generation YG Holden Cruze launched in 2002 was based on Suzuki’s second-generation Suzuki Ignis, also marketed elsewhere as the Chevrolet Cruze. Developed through a collaboration between Holden Australia and Suzuki via a GM-Suzuki joint venture, this model was designed in Australia but manufactured at Suzuki’s Kosai facility in Japan. It featured a 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine paired with either manual or automatic transmissions and was sold across both Australia and New Zealand until 2006. Due to numerous grey imports from Japan, including a Japan-exclusive variant produced until 2008, Chevrolet versions remain prevalent on New Zealand roads. The following generation of Cruze (2008–2011) was essentially a rebadged Daewoo Lacetti.

GM

During the late 1980s, with Holden's future in Australia uncertain, General Motors New Zealand expanded its offerings by importing right-hand-drive vehicles from Opel, Isuzu, Daewoo, and Suzuki alongside Holden models. Commercial trucks and vans were promoted under the Isuzu name.

GM New Zealand highlighted the GM brand in its marketing efforts—for instance, the Holden Commodore was advertised as the "GM Holden Commodore," featuring the GM emblem in advertisements rather than Holden’s logo. Likewise, the Opel Vectra was branded as the "GM Opel Vectra." Despite this approach, it did not cultivate significant brand loyalty, as consumers generally did not embrace GM as a distinct brand given the variety of options available.

Isuzu

Prior to General Motors' 1971 collaboration with Isuzu, the brand had already been present in New Zealand through Campbell Motor Industries, which had been assembling the Isuzu Bellett since the 1960s. GM acquired a 34% ownership stake in Isuzu and maintained joint ventures across its networks for approximately forty years.

New Zealand's market included Isuzu's complete lineup of trucks and light commercial vehicles, along with selected passenger cars developed during this partnership. The locally assembled Isuzu Gemini, introduced in 1977 as "Isuzu," remained in production until 1984 before transitioning to Holden badging, paralleling developments in Australia.

In 1984, GM New Zealand selected the first-generation Isuzu Aska (Isuzu JJ) to succeed the poorly received Australian-built JB Holden Camira; it was marketed as the JJ Camira until 1987 while Australia continued refining its own Camira variants concurrently.

The Isuzu Trooper (produced 1981–2002) was sold in New Zealand rebadged as the Holden Jackaroo, although identical Isuzu Bighorn models were also commonly imported privately. The Trooper was available under the Isuzu nameplate domestically as well.

Australia launched the first-generation Isuzu Piazza in April 1986 as the YB Holden Piazza (turbocharged version only), but it was discontinued by 1988 due to limited sales success. In contrast, New Zealand retained the original Isuzu branding for this model.

The first-generation Isuzu Fargo (1980–1985) was marketed in New Zealand and Europe as the Isuzu WFR and sold in Australia under the name Holden Shuttle.

From early 1998 until late 1999, New Zealand offered the Isuzu MU as the Isuzu Wizard, while Australia sold it as the Holden Frontera.

Between 1981 and 2002, New Zealand produced and sold the Isuzu Faster under the name Holden Rodeo, featuring specifications distinct from Australian versions. Its successor, the Isuzu D-Max, launched in 2002 and was branded as the third-generation Holden Rodeo until 2008 when Isuzu ended its partnership with GM. Later facelifted models, no longer based on Isuzu platforms, were sold as the Holden Colorado, manufactured at GM’s facility in Thailand.

In 2010, Isuzu Utes New Zealand Limited was founded to market passenger vehicles under the Isuzu brand. The Colorado model derived from Isuzu replaced the Holden Rodeo in June 2012 across both Australia and New Zealand; these pickups were produced at GM’s Rayong plant and carried Holden badging alongside similar versions of the Isuzu D-Max. The second-generation Colorado switched production to Brazil’s Chevrolet S-10 pickup starting in 2017.

Following General Motors’ cessation of Holden operations in 2020 and rebranding of Holden New Zealand to General Motors New Zealand, Isuzu Utes became one of three operational divisions within GMNZ, continuing to import both the D-Max pickup truck and MU-X SUV into New Zealand.

Name changes

In 1994, General Motors New Zealand adopted the Holden New Zealand name, a change that was undone in 2020 as the Holden brand was phased out. By 2023, GM New Zealand had organized its operations into three divisions: supporting roughly 250,000 Holden vehicles still in use, managing Isuzu Utes, and running GMSV New Zealand.

Historical differences between Holden Australia and GMNZ/Holden New Zealand

Distinct variations existed between General Motors' Australian and New Zealand branches concerning vehicle models and branding strategies:

  • While Australia offered the entry-level first-generation Chevrolet Biscayne, New Zealand provided only the more upscale Chevrolet Bel Air.
  • Pontiac Parisienne and Laurentian models were assembled locally in New Zealand up to 1968; meanwhile, Australia discontinued the Laurentian after 1963.
  • The Vauxhall Cresta was manufactured in Australia until 1965; New Zealand initially imported it before assembling it domestically until 1971.
  • Production of Vauxhall vehicles in Australia ended after 1967, with the Holden Torana emerging from the British Vauxhall Viva; both were assembled in New Zealand throughout the 1970s.
  • Between 1971 and 1974, New Zealand marketed an Australian-built HQ-series Holden fitted with a 350-cubic-inch V8 engine under the name "Chevrolet 350," essentially an Australian Statesman rebranded with Chevrolet insignia.
  • During the late 1970s, New Zealand sold the Isuzu Gemini T-Car model, whereas Australia developed its own version called the Holden Gemini.
  • The Vauxhall Chevette was available in New Zealand from 1976 to 1981 but was not sold in Australia, where the Holden Gemini took its place.
  • Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, various Opel models were offered in New Zealand while Australia rebadged Toyota and Nissan vehicles as Holdens.
  • The sixth-generation Pontiac LeMans was marketed in New Zealand, the US, and Canada but only reached Australia during its final production year under the name "Daewoo 1.5i."
  • From 1984 to 1987, New Zealand sold the first-generation JJ Isuzu Aska as the "Holden Camira," replacing Australia's problematic JB Camira; Australia's successor was a locally produced JD Camira.
  • Isuzu passenger cars were retailed under their original branding in New Zealand but carried the Holden badge in Australia.
  • Australia's initial two generations of Holden Astra (1984–1989) were badge-engineered versions of Nissan Pulsars; conversely, New Zealand's first Astra was the Opel Astra F (1995–1998), introduced earlier than in Australia and including a station wagon variant unavailable there.
  • The Astra H wagon debuted in Australia in August 2005 but did not arrive in New Zealand until June 2008.
  • The Opel Tigra was available in Australia but never offered to New Zealand consumers.
  • After local assembly ceased in New Zealand in 1990, distinctive versions of Australian-built Holden Commodores continued to be imported and sold there as Commodore Royale models.
  • Due to significant imports of used Japanese vehicles into New Zealand, many cars sold as Holdens in Australia appear under their global names there—for instance, Chevrolet Optra (Holden Viva), Opel/Holden Astra, Chevrolet Cruze (based on Suzuki Ignis), Chevrolet Sonic (Holden Barina), and Chevrolet Malibu (Holden Malibu).
  • The Mexican-manufactured Equinox stopped selling in Australia by 2018 but remained available in New Zealand until 2020.

Final lineup

By 2019, the assortment of vehicles available in Australia and New Zealand had become mostly standardized, with the exception of the Spark and Equinox, which remained in New Zealand after being discontinued in Australia. Prior to selling off the remaining inventory in 2020, Holden New Zealand's final offerings included:

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