After being on sale for roughly 4 years, the former Holden proving floor atSimply SimplyVictoria now has at the very least two patrons – however nationwide safety issues may find yourself dictating who its new proprietor is.
CarExpert understands Australian navy expertise firm Defendtex has additionally bid on the acquisition of the historic facility, situated 90 minutes from Melbourne.
The information comes simply weeks after CarExpert reported on Gumplans to accumulate the 877-hectare propertyafter the Chinese language automaker started leasing the proving floor for car testing – hiring former Holden engineer Rob Trubiani to tune its fashions for Australian situations in March, earlier than taking on ‘everlasting residency’ on the Lang Lang Proving Floor.
Nevertheless, whereas the Australian Authorities has the authority to probably step in and block the sale to GWM, sources declare GWM has but to formally submit a suggestion for the proving floor at this stage.
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CarExpert understands each Defendtex and GWM have been utilizing the power to check merchandise on the identical time.
It’s not clear what navy expertise Defendtex has been testing, and whether or not or not it was categorized or delicate.
In response to the corporate’s web site, Defendex received the Defence Innovator of the 12 months award in 2023 and 2024, and was a finalist in 2025. It was additionally a finalist for Sovereign Business Functionality Supplier of the 12 months on the Australian Defence Business Awards.
Whereas there isn’t any suggestion of improper or unlawful behaviour on the a part of both firm, Chinese language vehicles – lots of that are fitted with digicam programs as a part of their security suites – have been banned from navy websites in a number of international locations, such because the UK and Israel.
Underneath Australian legislation, the federal treasurer has the facility to approve or block any important international investments, with safety and defence concerns forming a part of the choice.
Whereas Treasury declined to remark for this text – and is legally unable to touch upon international funding assessment circumstances – pointers offered to CarExpert present a international entity could also be mandated to inform, or inspired to inform, the federal authorities of its intentions.
On this specific case – with a defence business contractor as a tenant, as outlined by the Safety of Important Infrastructure Act 2018 – it seems GWM could also be inspired to inform Treasury of its plans to buy the Lang Lang Proving Floor voluntarily.
Vietnamese automaker VinFast bought the property in 2020, following the axing of Holden that 12 months, and had bold plans to enter the Australian auto market on the time. Nevertheless, the model quickly modified course, closing its native workplace and placing the Lang Lang facility up on the market lower than 12 months later.
As a part of GWM’s announcement of its intention to buy the Lang Lang property, the Chinese language automobile firm claimed it was negotiating on worth with representatives of VinFast.
In response to sources near the most recent deal, VinFast’s Australian consultant is presently contemplating proposals from each GWM and Defendtex to buy the proving floor – although Defendex is believed to be the one celebration to have put ahead a proper supply right now.
CarExpert understands there’s a desire on the half of the present homeowners to promote the proving floor to a different automaker – which might possible assist safe the roles of car engineers presently employed there.
The Australian Authorities may take a distinct view, given the power is presently used to check navy gear by defence contractors.
In 2015, the Northern Territory authorities got here up in opposition to important public scrutiny after a Chinese language company signed a 99-year lease for the Port of Darwin – with each side of parliament vowing to return the port to Australian possession in the course of the 2025 federal election.
Defendtex didn’t reply to inquiries by CarExpert.
MORE: Chinese language auto big needs to purchase former Holden proving floor
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