Holden Apollo

Holden Apollo
Overview
ManufacturerHolden (General Motors)
Production1989–1997
AssemblyAustralia:
Port Melbourne, Victoria (1989–1994)
Altona North, Victoria (1994–1996)
Body and chassis
ClassMid-size
Body style4-door sedan
5-door estate
LayoutFront-engine, front-wheel-drive
Chronology
PredecessorHolden Camira
SuccessorHolden Vectra

Main articles: Toyota Camry (V20) and Toyota Camry (XV10)

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]

  1. ^ "Holden Apollo - Used Car Research". GoAuto. Archived from the original on 24 February 2014. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
  2. ^ Kenwright, Joe (1 September 2004). "Toyota Camry (1987–1993)". Motoring. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
  3. ^ "Holden Apollo (JK Apollo)". GoAuto. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
  4. ^ "Holden Apollo (JL Apollo)". GoAuto. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
  5. ^ "Holden Apollo (JM Apollo)". GoAuto. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
  6. ^ "Holden Apollo (JP Apollo)". GoAuto. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
  7. ^ a b Tuckey, Bill (1999). Commodore Lion King: Celebrating 21 Years. Middle Park, Victoria: Quil Visual Communications. p. 168. ISBN 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.
  8. ^ Wright, John (1998). Heart of the Lion: The 50 Year History of Australia's Holden. Crows Nest, New South Wales: Allen & Unwin. pp. 277–278. ISBN 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.
  9. ^ Bebbington, Terry (1998). 50 Years of Holden. Hornsby, New South Wales: Clockwork Media. p. 131. ISBN 0-947216-59-6. 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.
  10. ^ Toyota Australia closes manufacturing operations Toyota Australia 4 October 2017