Despite the fact that the Holden Cruze received a minor facelift just the previous month, it won't live beyond October 2016.
The decision was first forecast in 2014, after the manufacturer has announced it would cease assembly in Australia in late 2017, and it was discussed in weekly staff meetings and forums, openly, at the Elizabeth factory.
Besides preparing to drop the Cruze from its Oz lineup, the firm's priority is to support workers through the transition process and allow them access to career counseling, training and job-search assistance.
"Every Holden worker has access to a suite of transition services and up to $3000 in approved training; all part of Holden’s $15 million contribution to the Federal Government’s Growth Fund for specific support of our manufacturing and engineering employees", said Ashley Winnett, Holden Executive Director of Human Resources.
During the five and a half years of Cruze assembly, nearly 125,000 examples were built and sold across the country. At its peak, the model was delivered in roughly 33,000 units annually. GM will not leave Australians without a compact car, as the Cruze will be replaced by the all-new Astra, as part of Holden's plan to launch 24 models by 2020.