General Motors’ arm Holden is to axe the Opel-designed Zafira minivan as Thai production comes to an end, local website carsales.com.au reported.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more


The report said GM’s plant in Thailand would now concentrate on expanded Isuzu-designed Rodeo pickup truck production and the Germany-only sourcing for the second generation Zafira – just being introduced in Europe – would make it too expensive Down Under.


In addition, Australian buyers preferred either larger minivans (called people movers there) or SUVs (dubbed four wheel drives).


Similarly-sized rivals to the Zafira had either been axed from the Australian market or never introduced in the first place, carsales.com.au added.

Just Auto Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Just Auto Technology Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact.

Excellence in Action
Continental has secured the Window Displays Innovation Award in the 2025 Just Auto Excellence Awards for its Window Projection solution, transforming side windows into dynamic, data-rich canvases. Discover how this compact projection technology and intelligent software are reshaping in-car UX and opening fresh revenue streams for OEMs and mobility providers.

Discover the Impact