I've just read an interesting article in
The Saturday Age, Dec. 14th 2013
entitled, "Abbott could've saved Holden.
He must hang on to Toyota."

We're told that, "The 'perfect storm' of the high
Australian dollar, high costs and low volumes was
used as the official reason for General Motors
discontinuing domestic production of the Holden
beyond 2017. But the real reason was the policy
uncertainty displayed by the Abbott government."

"Indeed, policy certainty and policy continuity would
have ensured that General Motors retained Holden to
this country beyond 2017. Just think for a moment
about the messages the company was receiving from the
new Australian government. First, a cut of half a
billion dollars to industry assistance. Then a
Productivity Commission review that was well outside
the timetable of December this year, set (and well
understood) by General Motors. And finally, to rub salt
into the wounds, a deliberate leak by selected federal
cabinet ministers to the ABC questioning General Motors'
real commitment to Australia. Federal Treasurer Joe Hockey's
comments in Parliament on Tuesday only served to confirm these
anonymous and authorised leaks."

The article tells us that "these matters were seriously analysed
in Detroit and understandably taken into account in assessing
the Australian government's likely policy. And GM's
assessment was that if the Australian government wasn't
committed why should it bother, given those additional
'perfect storm' issues. What a shame."

"That is not to say that federal industry Minister Ian
Macfarlane didn't try. Indeed, he understands the export and
global supply chain issues well and was no doubt arguing
his case to Prime Minister Tony Abbott and other cabinet
ministers. Iam Macfarlane must have felt severely let down,
and undermined over the past week."

" There is no replacement
for the Prime Minster (and the premiers) taking up these
issues directly - meeting directly with General Motors executives,
understanding their need for long-term policy certainty and then
driving any outcomes through cabinet."

"None of this happened with Prime Minister Abbott. He appeared
like a passive bystander left only to utter commentary
through scripted lines."

cont'd.

cont'd ...

"Now attention turns to Toyota Motor Company Australia,
one of the most efficient and effective Australian
subsidiary companies... Toyota Motor Company Australia
exports most of its assembled passenger motor vehicles,
The Camry, manufactured at the Altona plant, is the taxi
of choice across the Middle East, supported by an extensive
and impressive dealer network."

"Toyota is a great success story, which is now under pressure
because of the Australian government's policy vacuum. It is
under extra pressure because the supply base it relies on for
component parts has lost a key customer in General Motors
Holden. This will inevitably mean that a large number of
these component supply companies (probably about 150 of
them) will also close their doors. Some won't, becaue
they have already diversified and found additional
international markets..."

"But here is the challenge for the Australian government,
how does ti access the supply base needs of Toyota, and as
a consequence find ways to secure this base and therefore
secure Toyota's future in Australia? A less dispassionate
and more hands-on approach from the Prime Minister would
be a good start."

What is suggested is that, "What about an immediate visit
to Japan, led by the Prime Minister and including in his
delegation the leaders of Toyota Motor Company Australia
and key Australian component part suppliers?
And while the PM is there he could seek some private
discussions with his Industry Minister and Toyota executives
on what assistance would be required to relocate
The Bangkok Camry platform to Altona, thereby enabling
Australia to have the only worldwide Toyota Camry
production."

And as the author points out, "We might have a chance of
saving the rest of the Australian passenger motor
vehicle industry."

Foxy
And which of the Age"s leftie, Abbott haters wrote that crap.

If it's crap you're after I suggest you ask your
questions of the people who have the wisdom to
see things your way. You'll be talking to kindred
spirits with the same level of intelligence at
least, and the same comprehension skills.