An agreement to manufacture 50 low-emission buses in North Adelaide may help retrenched automotive workers in South Australia, according to the ABC.
Some 29 automotive workers are involved in the project including engineering and other roles. The venture is a partnership between Precision Components and Bustech.
The first four environmentally efficient buses will be trialled as part of Adelaide’s public transport network, and the South Australian government said it would provide the department of planning, transport and infrastructure with data on how electric and low-carbon emission buses might be used for the longer term across Adelaide.
The bus project has received a A$2 million grant under the Northern Economic Plan, which the government put into place after Holden announced its Australian future.
Precision Components director Mat Fitch hopes it will soften the impact of Holden’s closure when it withdraws completely from manufacturing in South Australia.
“We’re fully aware of what the impact will be but obviously, with the State Government’s support, by creating this platform we are reducing the effects of the closure of Holden and transitioning into new industries,” Fitch said.