The Australian Automotive Dealer Association (AADA) has expressed disappointment after the Supreme Court of Victoria ruled in favour of General Motors (GM) in a long-running case brought by eleven former Holden dealers. The group claimed GM breached agreements made in 2018 to supply new Holden vehicles for five years, leaving them without stock or support when the brand was retired in 2020. While some dealers accepted GM’s compensation package — reported as $1,500 per vehicle sold in 2019 plus additional payments for showroom upgrades — the eleven dealers rejected the offer and pursued legal action, arguing it failed to reflect the scale of their losses. Australian Automotive Dealer Association CEO James Voortman said that the decision comes as a massive blow to those dealers who have gone through the exhausting and emotional process of taking on a giant multinational car company. Voortman continued, noting the legal argument successfully put forward by GM that they had no obligation under the Dealer Agreement to supply cars to their retailers is incredibly disappointing and sets a dangerous precedent for the automotive industry. Voortman added that dealers upheld their end of the bargain, investing in facilities and employing staff who dedicated their talents to selling Holden vehicles under the belief that the Holden brand was set to stay in Australia for the long haul. He stressed the importance of the franchising protections introduced by the government and urged swift bipartisan support for their enactment. Voortman concluded by calling for a broader conversation on how franchisees can access justice, highlighting the lengthy and costly court processes often faced when taking on large companies.