Holden Apollo Explained
The Holden Apollo is a compact and later mid-size car that was distributed from 1989 to 1997 in Australia by Holden.[1] As a successor to the GM-engineered Holden Camira, the Apollo was a badge engineered version of the Toyota Camry, also sold in Australia.[2] In paralleling two generations of the Camry—the V20 coded as the JK and facelifted JL series Apollo—and the XV10 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 the United 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 the Button car plan, which aimed to make the Australian motor business more efficient and eliminate import tariffs.[7] [8] Production ceased in late 1996, although enough cars remained until the replacement Holden Vectra arrived in mid-1997.[9] It was produced at Toyota's Port Melbourne plant until 1994 and then at Altona.[10]
Timeline
- August 1989 - JK Apollo released [11]
- August 1991 - JL Apollo released [11]
- March 1993 - JM Apollo released [11]
- September 1995 - JP Apollo released [11]
- Late 1996 - Production ends [9]
- June 1997 - Apollo replaced by Holden Vectra[6]
External links
Notes and References
- Web site: Holden Apollo - Used Car Research . GoAuto . 20 February 2014 . 24 February 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140224015217/http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf/carfamilytree?ReadForm&make=Holden&model=Apollo . dead .
- Web site: Kenwright . Joe . 1 September 2004 . Toyota Camry (1987–1993) . Motoring . 13 August 2014.
- Web site: Holden Apollo (JK Apollo) . GoAuto . 20 February 2014.
- Web site: Holden Apollo (JL Apollo) . GoAuto . 20 February 2014.
- Web site: Holden Apollo (JM Apollo) . GoAuto . 20 February 2014.
- Web site: Holden Apollo (JP Apollo) . GoAuto . 20 February 2014.
- Book: Tuckey, Bill . 1999 . Commodore Lion King: Celebrating 21 Years . . Quil Visual Communications . 168 . 0-646-38231-4 . "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.".
- Book: Wright, John . 1998 . Heart of the Lion: The 50 Year History of Australia's Holden . . . 277–278 . 1-86448-744-5 . "In May of 1984, the Minister for Industry in the Hawke Labor Government, Senator John 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.".
- Book: Bebbington, Terry . 1998 . 50 Years of Holden . . Clockwork Media . 0-947216-59-6 . Bebbington (1998) . 131 . "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.".
- https://web.archive.org/web/20210309001631/https://www.toyota.com.au/news/toyota-australia-closes-manufacturing-operations Toyota Australia closes manufacturing operations
- http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf/carfamilytree?ReadForm&make=Holden&model=Apollo Holden Apollo, www.goauto.com.au
