The federal election has put the brakes on Holden making any decision on its manufacturing operations in Australia.
Holden chairman and managing director Mike Devereux says the decision on a $1 billion investment to develop two new cars will be made after the election.
"We would need to wait until, frankly, the outcome of the election to be able to commit that $1 billion investment," Mr Devereux told reporters on Monday.
"Because it's such a long time period. We're talking about investments that will take us out beyond 2022 now to 2023."
Both the South Australian and federal governments are still negotiating with Holden about providing more financial aid.
The two governments last year offered a $275 million package to kick in from 2016 but it's now thought the company needs another $200 million to remain viable.
Discussions are ongoing and SA Premier Jay Weatherill said the company's reluctance to finalise a deal before the September 7 poll was understandable.
"They want to see who the prime minister is," Mr Weatherill said.
"Not unnaturally, because they've got one of the major parties, (Opposition Leader) Tony Abbott saying they want to rip $500 million out of automotive assistance."
The coalition has reaffirmed that policy to reduce industry aid but remains committed to a wide-ranging review of all auto industry assistance by the Productivity Commission.
Federal Industry Minister Kim Carr urged the opposition to take a bipartisan approach to the auto sector saying it was important to develop a plan Holden could sign up to.
As well as government investment, a key to Holden's future in Australia is its Adelaide workforce voting next week in favour of a new enterprise agreement to save the company $15 million a year in labour costs.
The new labour agreement does not include the 10 per cent pay cut the company initially called for but does allow Holden more flexibility on a range of measures including new shift arrangements.
Australian Manufacturing Workers Union state secretary John Camillo said if the workers rejected the plan Holden had made it clear the assembly operations in Australia would close from 2016.
