The iconic Lang Lang proving ground, formerly owned by Holden, remains unsold despite efforts by VinFast, the Vietnamese carmaker that acquired the facility in late 2020. Even after more than two and a half years since it was put up for sale, Lang Lang continues to seek a buyer.
VinFast, which purchased the site for $34 million, halted its operations at Lang Lang in August 2021, shortly after acquiring it. The intent was to utilize the proving grounds to enhance vehicle development, especially in anticipation of a local launch.
However, VinFast’s unexpected exit from Australia led to the official listing of Lang Lang for sale in October 2021. Despite ongoing efforts by commercial real estate group Coldwell Banker Richard Ellis (CBRE) to find a buyer, the facility remains on the market.
Managed by Lee Holdsworth, a notable figure in Holden’s history, Lang Lang boasts 44km of testing tracks, including sealed and unsealed roads, a 4×4 course, and a skid pad, along with a banked high-speed bowl covering most of the grounds.
The site also features various testing, storage, office, and laboratory facilities, totaling 11,920 square meters of building space. Renovations undertaken by Holden and General Motors in 2018, amounting to $16 million, included the installation of an emissions testing lab and significant building upgrades.
Since its opening in 1957, Lang Lang has played a crucial role in the development of locally built Holdens until the cessation of Australian manufacturing in 2017. Despite initial opposition from environmental groups, such as “Save The Holden Bushlands,” Lang Lang’s sale to developers remains unresolved, with the facility’s fate yet to be determined.