Vinfast relists ex-GMH proving ground
Vinfast has relisted the landmark ex-General Motors Holden Lang Lang Proving Ground.
The campaign comes two and a half years since the Vietnamese car maker last offered the 877 hectare property; it had just shelved plans to set up here, firing some 50 staff, many executives it poached, and abandoning a Port Melbourne office it leased.
It paid GMH $36.3 million for 44 Rayner Hoff Drive in 2020.
More than $30m is still being sought, according to sources.
Offshore car makers and high net worth individuals, for personal use, are amongst the niche prospective buyers CBRE’s Andrew Bell, Lee Holdsworth – a recent Bathurst 1000 race winner, David Aiello and Trent Hobart would be chasing, the asset having undergone a major upgrade in 2017.
Agricultural and conservation related groups as well as sustainable energy providers are also expected to look in.
Modernised facility
GMH also offered the Lang Lang property after quitting the local market.
Built in 1957, based on its 1623ha Milford, Michigan, facility, it was the country’s first automotive testing and development complex, also utilised for its offshore brands including America’s Chevrolet and Cadillac (story continues below).
Walkinshaw Andretti United, which Mr Holdsworth drives for, has an agreement to use it.
Vinfast has been maintaining and staffing it.
GMH’s 2017 capital expenditure included a $7.2m upgrade to a circular raceway; all up there are 44 kilometres of track – sealed and unsealed roads, dust and rough roads amongst them.
It also refurbished some 11,920 square metres of improvements: offices, testing laboratories and a (now decommissioned) collision centre – spending another $1.5m.
Abutting the Bass Highway, the asset contains a 98 metre skid pad and fuel pump too.
Zoned Farming, Lang Lang is c88km south east of Melbourne’s CBD.
It is about 30km south east of Clyde – an edge of the city’s Urban Growth Boundary.
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