Record-breaking performances by Holden's vehicle and engine manufacturing plants have capped off a year of major achievement for the company.

Responding to high domestic and export demand, Holden's vehicle manufacturing operation in Elizabeth, South Australia, lifted build rates to record levels, producing a total of 133,016 vehicles by the close of production today and exceeding last year's all-time record by 4,814 units. Holden Engine Operations at Fishermans Bend produced more engines in 2000 - a total of 390,000 - than at any time in the plant's 60-year history. Among them was the one millionth V6 engine.

Other highlights in 2000 included burgeoning vehicle exports, a consistently strong sales performance across the model range, a major role played in the successful staging of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and the recent confirmation of the company's successful bid to establish a new V6 engine plant in Australia.

The Holden Commodore emphasised its market appeal by claiming the title of Australia's top selling car for the fifth consecutive year. November year-to-date figures placed Commodore 18,144 units ahead of Falcon. With the introduction of the VX Commodore, the new range included a series of refinements, among them an advancement in safety design that reduces the risk of serious injury in side impact crashes.

The first completely new Holden Ute in ten years, the VU Ute made its public debut at the 2000 Sydney Motor Show. The first of its kind to be fitted with independent rear suspension, the VU combines class-leading passenger car attributes with the flexibility of a smart workhorse. Also unveiled and given an enthusiastic reception at the Motor Show was an updated concept version of Holden's 1970s Sandman panel van, created in conjunction with Mambo.

Holden's $1 billion vehicle export program received a boost with the first shipment of left- hand-drive VX Commodores to South Africa. By the end of the year, Holden will have exported a larger than forecast total of almost 29,000 vehicles to markets in the Middle East, Brazil, New Zealand, Japan and South Africa.

Holden's new V6 engine plant, to be built at Fishermans Bend, Victoria, will also make a significant contribution to future export earnings. Revenues are expected to amount to $450 million annually, and the new facility will position Australia as a technology leader in the Asia Pacific region.

On the environmental front, Holden showcased its unique hybrid-electric powered concept car, the ECOmmodore, which uses only half the fuel of a full-sized family car. Developed in conjunction with CSIRO, it represents a world-first application of hybrid-electric technology to a full-sized car and demonstrates a range of advanced technologies.

The company joined the Commonwealth Government's Greenhouse Challenge and announced that it would invest more than $7 million over the next few years in achieving significant emission reductions at its manufacturing plants. Holden will also begin construction next year of a $10.7 million emissions and fuel consumption laboratory at its Lang Lang proving ground.

The year 2000 also saw Holden play a pivotal role in the success of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. As Official Automotive Partner, Holden provided the largest fleet in Olympic history (3,500 vehicles) to 'keep the show on the road', providing 24 hour-a-day logistical support and transporting team members and officials with the help of 6,000 volunteer drivers.

In motor sport, Holdens once again finished to the fore, winning the Shell Touring Car Series and Bathurst's FAI 1000. The Holden Racing Team's Mark Skaife took the Shell title, and Holden Commodores filled seven of the top ten placings in the 2000 Shell Series Championship. Garth Tander and Jason Bargwanna took the chequered flag at Bathurst, and third placing went to another Commodore, driven by Greg Murphy and Steven Richards.