| Holden Apollo | |
|---|---|
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| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Holden (General Motors) |
| Production | 1989–1997 |
| Assembly | Australia: Port Melbourne, Victoria (1989–1994) Altona North, Victoria (1994–1996) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Mid-size |
| Body style | 4-doorsedan 5-doorestate |
| Layout | Front-engine, front-wheel-drive |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Holden Camira |
| Successor | Holden Vectra |
TheHolden Apollo is acompact and latermid-size car that was distributed from 1989 to 1997 in Australia byHolden.[1] As a successor to the GM-engineeredHolden Camira, the Apollo was abadge engineered version of theToyota Camry, also sold in Australia.[2] In paralleling two generations of the Camry—theV20 coded as the JK and facelifted JL series Apollo—and theXV10 recoded as the JM and updated JP—there were minor cosmetic differences in the grille, lights and trim.[3][4][5][6]
This model sharing occurred due to theUnited Australian Automobile Industries (UAAI) joint venture between Toyota Australia and Holden starting in 1987 that resulted in model sharing between both automakers from August 1989.[7] UAAI was in turn a result of theButton car plan, which aimed to make the Australian motor business more efficient and eliminate importtariffs.[7][8] Production ceased in late 1996, although enough cars remained until the replacementHolden Vectra arrived in mid-1997.[9] It was produced at Toyota'sPort Melbourne plant until 1994 and then atAltona.[10]
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On Friday 11 December 1987 at 2.30 pm came the announcement: "Holden's Motor Company Ltd, AMI Toyota Ltd and Toyota Manufacturing Australia Ltd, are joining forces to create Australia's largest automotive group." [...] The press statement outlined plans to co-ordinate design, engineering and product sharing strategies while keeping marketing operations and dealer networks totally separate, and the decision was described as consistent with the Government's 'Button Plan' for forced rationalisation of the industry. [...] The joint venture organisation was to be called United Australian Automobile Industries or UAAI.
In May of 1984, theMinister for Industry in theHawkeLabor Government, SenatorJohn Button, unveiled the federal government's new plan for the industry. It quickly became known as the 'Button Plan'. This blueprint was [...] to make the local industry more internationally competitive. [...] But its major thrusts were to lower tariffs and to reduce the number of different models manufactured locally from thirteen to six, shared between three production groups.
Production of the JP ceased in late 1996, but the series continued to be sold until replaced by the Opel-designed JR Vectra in mid-1997.
