The decision to shut down the Holden brand has left the local car loving community "devastated", according to a Hunter car club life member.
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Pete Morris, a former president and life member of Hunter Valley Torana Club, said the announcement on Monday that General Motors would retire the brand from sales was "an absolute shame".
"A part of Australia has finished and we'll never get it back," he said.
"On a personal note, it's devastating. But I really feel for all the people who have tried to keep it going and are going to lose their livelihood."
While it remains to be seen what will happen on a local level with Heritage Motor Group stocking Holden vehicles, it has been confirmed that about 600 employees are set to lose their jobs when the brand finishes up later this year.
GM International Operations Senior Vice President Julian Blissett said the company had made the difficult decision after implementing and considering numerous options to maintain and turn around Holden operations.
Factors impacting the decision included the "highly fragmented" right-hand-drive markets, the economics to support growing the brand, and delivering an appropriate return on investment.
Mr Morris said he could understand why they made the decision, but believes it was announced in a "poor way".
Despite the dwindling sales, people around the country were shocked by the sudden announcement on Monday, including Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
Mr Morris said his whole family have owned Holdens and many more who grew up through the 60s, 70s and 80s would feel a connection with the iconic brand. He said fellow members of the Torana club were also shattered.
GM Holden Interim Chairman and Managing Director Kristian Aquilina said the announcement would "be felt deeply by the many people who love Holdens, drive Holdens and feel connected to our company which has been with us for 160 years and is almost ubiquitous in our lives".
The 48 to 78 Holden Car Club Hunter Valley is holding an all Holden day and swap meet on May 23 and 24. For details, visit the club's Facebook page.