In this episode, we explore the remarkable story of the Holden Commodore, one of the most iconic vehicles ever produced in Australia. From its debut in 1978 through to its retirement in 2020, the Commodore became far more than just a family car—it evolved into a symbol of Australian engineering, manufacturing, and motoring culture.
We trace the Commodore’s journey across five generations, examining how it transformed from a vehicle based largely on European Opel designs into a distinctly Australian product developed to meet local conditions and customer expectations. Along the way, the model introduced important advancements in performance, comfort, and safety, helping shape the direction of Australia’s automotive market for decades.
The episode also explores the fierce rivalry between Holden and Ford, a competition that captivated generations of Australian motorists and played out on roads, racetracks, and in advertising campaigns across the country. From family transport to high-performance variants, the Commodore became deeply embedded in everyday Australian life.
Beyond Australia, we examine Holden’s efforts to export Commodore-based vehicles to international markets and the challenges of competing in an increasingly globalised automotive industry. As manufacturing costs rose and market preferences shifted, the pressures facing Australia’s car makers became increasingly difficult to overcome.
We also look at the final years of local production, including the closure of Holden’s manufacturing operations in 2017 and the broader impact on workers, suppliers, and communities connected to the industry. The eventual retirement of the Commodore nameplate in 2020 marked the end of a vehicle that had been a fixture of Australian roads for more than four decades.
Join us as we revisit the history, innovations, successes, and legacy of the Holden Commodore—a car that became a national icon and whose story reflects the rise and decline of Australia’s domestic automotive manufacturing industry.
Please note that all episodes are AI-generated and are provided for general information and entertainment purposes only. While every effort is made to ensure relevance and quality, content may not always be 100% accurate and should be taken as a convenient overview rather than a definitive or official source of information.