Holden Woodville Plant
| Company type | Production facility |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive manufacturing |
| Predecessor | Holden's Motor Body Builders Ltd (HMBB) |
| Founded | 1923 |
| Defunct | 1991 |
| Headquarters | Cheltenham , Australia |
Area served | Australia |
Key people | Sir Laurence Hartnett |
| Products | Automobile bodies, Holden TriMatic transmission |
The Holden Woodville Plant was a production site owned by the Australian automobile manufacturer Holden, situated in Cheltenham, South Australia, close to Adelaide.
Etymology
Despite bearing the name of the nearby town of Woodville, South Australia, this facility was actually located within the neighboring suburb of Cheltenham.
History
In 1923, Holden's Motor Body Builders Ltd (HMBB) established the facility known as the Holden Woodville Plant. Within three years, the site expanded significantly, employing approximately 5,500 workers and influencing adjacent communities.
Initial contracts for the plant came from General Motors. Following Holden's appointment as General Motors' sole supplier of vehicle bodies, all such manufacturing was centralized at Woodville starting around 1949. The first Holden automobile was produced and dispatched from this location in 1948.
The expansion and success of the plant were largely attributed to Australian automotive engineer Sir Laurence Hartnett, whose leadership transformed Holden from a small brand into a major player on the international stage.
Between 1959 and 1965, equipment that remained functional was relocated to Holden's newly established Elizabeth plant. Meanwhile, Woodville continued to manufacture replacement components for models no longer in production. The Holden TriMatic transmission was produced at this site until 1987, despite the plant being sold in 1984. Throughout the 1980s, operations gradually moved to Elizabeth, culminating in Woodville's eventual shutdown.
The facility was demolished in 1991.
Achievements
During the 1950s, approximately one-tenth of all Holden vehicles assembled in Australia were produced at the Woodville plant.
Although it closed alongside other facilities such as the Elizabeth manufacturing site, Woodville holds an important place in Australia's industrial heritage and remains memorable among former industry employees.
See also
Further reading
- (Complete journal here)
External links
- Articles with short description
- General Motors factories
- Former automobile assembly plants
- Automobile assembly plants in Australia
- Vehicle manufacturing companies founded in 1947
- Vehicle manufacturing companies closed in 1992
- Buildings and structures torn down in 1991
- Demolished structures in South Australia
- Motor vehicle assembly plants in Australia