New Australian car

Cover of advertising brochure featuring the first all-Australian made car, the Holden 48-215.

In the late 1930s, the idea of producing a car made entirely in Australia was first conceived, but plans were put on hold after the outbreak of World War II and all GMH factories became engaged in production for the war effort. In 1943 the project was revived and in 1944-45 designs and plans are made in both Australia and the US. Prototypes of the car which would become the Holden were constructed and tested at Detroit, US, and sent to GMH headquarters at Fishermen's Bend in Victoria in late 1946. On 29 November 1948, GMH launched the 48-215 (later to become popularly known as the FX) at Fishermen's Bend. Official launches were subsequently held in Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth.

The name Holden was selected for the first all-Australian car to commemorate brothers Edward W. Holden and William A. Holden, pioneers of motor body building in South Australia.

The 48-215 was a medium-sized car with seating for five or six passengers. It had a 2.15 litre six-cylinder engine and three-speed manual transmission. In 1950 the Holden was the most popular passenger car in Australia - with 19,203 sold (14 percent of the market). The 48-215 model range produced between 1948 and 1953 included the standard sedan, the business sedan and the utility.

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