Holden shakes up NZ management, fast Opels on the way

The Holden Astra VXR is a product of European GM brand Opel. Photo / Supplied

Holden New Zealand's managing director, Jeff Murray, is being recalled to head office in Australia, leaving his post at the beginning of next year.

Australian Murray has been boss of the car company here for more than three years but will return to Melbourne as director of sales operation, taking a "leadership role within in the company" a GM Holden spokesperson said.

He will be replaced on January 1 by Kristian Aquilina, GM Holden Australia's current sales manager of Victoria.

Murray will be vital as GM Holden transitions from producing vehicles to importing the line up when the company's Australian factory closes by 2017.

GM Holden, and Holden NZ, will be importing a third of its lineup from the Opel brand of General Motors, it was announced at the opening of the Paris motor show.

The first three vehicles to arrive here next year from Opel will be the Insignia medium sedan, the Astra hatch and Cascada premium convertible.

Holden NZ will also be bringing in the performance VXR versions of the Opel products, the European equivalent of Holden's HSV line up.