65 years of automotive tradition is coming to an end, as GM announced that Holden would quit making cars in Australia by 2017.  It means 2,900 Holden workers in South Australia and Victoria are losing their jobs and the ripple effects cause hardship far beyond the factory gates.

Holden's decision will leave Japanese carmaker Toyota as the only company still making cars in Australia from 2017, if Toyota decides to stay.  But one automaker is not expected to be able to support 160 components manufacturers.

“In fact, it's almost certain and this will spell the end of 50,000 automotive jobs,” said Dave Smith, national secretary of the vehicle division at Australian Manufacturing Workers Union.  “There's no dispute about that.”