An automotive design and engineering company in Melbourne’s South East is transforming its operations and creating new jobs, thanks to support from the Andrews Labor Government.
Minister for Industry and Employment Ben Carroll visited Holden Special Vehicles in Clayton South to announce a $1.5 million Local Industry Fund for Transition grant.
The grant is helping the company embark on a $12 million project that will create more than 50 new jobs – all suitable for ex auto workers.
As part of its project, the company has established a purpose-built facility and purchased new high-tech equipment so it can diversify its vehicle production lines and expand into the modification of imported vehicles.
This includes converting imported General Motors Camaros from left hand drive to right hand drive, a process which requires hundreds of new parts to be designed, engineered and manufactured.
The company historically manufactured and enhanced high-performance vehicles for General Motors (GM) Holden. Since its inception in 1988, HSV has built over 85,000 vehicles for Australian and overseas customers.
The industry transition grants help businesses generate new investment and create jobs for retrenched workers in areas affected by the closure of car manufacturing, including Melbourne’s South East.
Despite the closure of car manufacturing, more than 16,000 jobs have been created in Melbourne’s South East in the last 12 months and almost 78,000 since November 2014.
The initiative has supported 40 projects so far, which are expected to create 1,150 jobs – more than 900 of which are suitable for former automotive workers.
For more information about LIFT, visit .
Quotes attributable to Minister for Industry and Employment Ben Carroll
“We’re helping Holden Special Vehicles create jobs, transform its operations and diversify its product offering.”
“We said we’d support businesses and workers impacted by the closure of car manufacturing – that’s exactly what we’ve done.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020