Holden turns to Europe for new models

Holden has launched three new European models and will retain Australian design and engineering as it moves to end local car production.

Holden has for decades billed itself as Australia's own, but from next year the company will turn to Europe for a new generation of cars.

Holden has unveiled three new models it will sell in Australia from 2015 - the four-cylinder Astra hatch and Cascada convertible and the V6 Insignia performance sedan.

The model launch at Holden's national headquarters in Melbourne comes two years ahead of the end of local production in 2017, the end of the road for its Australian-designed Commodore, Statesman and Caprice cars and smaller Holden Cruze.

The company will also retain a design and engineering role in General Motors through its GM Australia Design Centre and its Lang Lang proving ground in Victoria.