STAFF at Golden West Holden have been left reeling by the sudden announcement that Holden will be scrapped in Australia and New Zealand by 2021.
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Just after midday on Monday, global automotive giant General Motors (GM) delivered the final death blow to Holden, with the brand to shut down and 600 jobs to be axed.
This follows the closure of the company's Australian manufacturing operations in 2017.
The shut down has left the future of 185 dealerships across Australia, including 10 dealerships in this region, in doubt.
Golden West Holden employ almost 40 staff who work across three manufacturers at the site - Holden, Renault and Honda - along with an auto paint centre.
"My intention is to hopefully keep everyone employed," dealer principal Michael Adams said.
"I see it as a family and we've been here a long time. It holds a very dear place in my heart."
Mr Adams said he and his staff were left shattered and stunned by GM's sudden announcement.
"We got notice there was a broadcast on the internet at 12.30pm, there was speculation, but I didn't expect it to be this," he said.
Mr Adams said consumer tastes had changed when it comes to vehicles and these days more people preferred a four-wheel-drive to a Commodore.
"The crux of it is that we simply don't sell enough cars," he said of Australian Holden sales.
"From a business point of view, everybody's there to make a profit and if the profit's not being made that's a decision that has to be made."
Mr Adams said for Holden fans like himself, the shut down announcement was very hard news.
"They were the Australian car, they were the only true Australian brand," he said.
Mr Adams has pleaded with the Dubbo community to keep on supporting Golden West Holden.
"Don't lose faith, we're a local business and we employ local people here in Dubbo ... now is not the time to turn away from us," he said.
"We can service any car, so if you want to service your car bring it in."
Mr Adams said GM will still honour new car warranties and capped price servicing deals.
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