Holden’s Lang Lang proving grounds sold
The dismantling of the Holden brand continues with the sale of the company’s Lang Lang proving ground to Vietnamese automotive manufacturer VinFast.
GM Holden announced on 9 September that they’d signed an agreement for VinFast to purchase the iconic proving grounds, confirming rumours that had been circulating as far back as March this year - months before the site was officially put on the market in June. The actual sale price has not been disclosed, but reports suggest VinFast paid $20 million for the facility, including all its infrastructure.
60 Years of Aussie History
Located at Lang Lang in Victoria (approx. one hour south east of Melbourne), the GM Holden Proving Ground is an 877-hectare facility, comprising 44km of sealed and unsealed roads, including the 4.7km high speed bowl that featured in Holden press shots and ad campaigns over the years, as well as numerous laboratory and engineering buildings.
Opened in 1957, the proving ground was the place where iconic Holden models like the Monaro, Torana, Kingswood and generations of Commodores were developed to suit Australian conditions.
With the end of Holden’s Australian manufacturing operations in 2017, the facility was used to test various other GM vehicles before being vacated in Q3, 2020.
The sale to VinFast means global automotive research and development will continue at Lang Lang. More importantly, that ongoing research will mean Australian jobs, according to GM Holden Interim Chairman and Managing Director, Kristian Aquilina.
“Over the past five years, GM has invested in the laboratories and tracks at the site, which will now be well utilised by its new owners.
“This deal hits a sweet spot of a fair sale value, a ready-made facility for VinFast’s needs, ongoing employment for departing Holden employees and the preservation of amenity for the community.
“In some ways, it’s the end of an era. We pay tribute to the rich automotive history created at the Proving Ground, and the brilliant Holden people who worked there. At the same time, its genuinely pleasing to know there’s a bright future there as well.
“The Lang Lang Proving Ground will continue to shape the global automotive industry,” Aquilina concluded
Aquilina added that the newly-created GM Specialty Vehicles operation (formerly HSV) will be able to access Lang Lang for testing and engineering validation of new products in local conditions.
As well as keeping the proving ground going, VinFast say they are committed to the ongoing protection of local bushland within the facility’s 18km perimeter and that they intend to allow access for community Landcare activities. VinFast also intends to honour Holden’s heritage at the site by allowing access for Holden car clubs and former employee open days.
