Holden announced on Thursday the immediate implementation of new measures that it said will allow the carmaker to sustain its current production capability while bringing down costs at the same time.

Holden, according to Chairman and Managing Director Mike Devereux, has decided to adopt a full-day production shift that aims to roll out the same number of cars as before but with faster output for every unit.

The new production technique, Devereux added, will help Holden to realise more savings, which is crucial at this time for the company to cope with the consistently rising value of the Australian dollar.

"Holden has set a very clear business strategy to grow sustainably, lower its cost base and make a small car in Elizabeth to ensure we are profitable on domestic production," Devereux was reported by the Australian Associated Press (AAP) as saying in a statement.

Devereux, however, admitted that the new Holden production strategy will lead to the separation of some 100 workers from its Elizabeth in South Australia, most of which were casual or contractual employees that the carmaker relies on during the so-called peak production seasons.

Despite the decision to opt for a single day production shift, Holden has assured that its current production volume will be maintained, which was pegged at 90,000 units as of the end of 2011.

The company also conceded that difficulties are ahead for most of 2012, which Devereux said would be largely due to the high local currency, prompting him to focus Holden's sight more on the local market.

"At the current exchange rate we won't be able to realise further growth in our export programs, so the shift changes allow us to maintain production levels and do it more efficiently," Devereux said.

And the adjustments laid out by the company, he stressed, were meant for Holden to deal with the challenges, continue its productivity and in the process survive the crunch.

"With these tough economic conditions it's our obligation to our people, and those that invest with us, to build a sustainable business and to continuously improve productivity," Devereux said.

Holden also noted that the South Australian government has been made aware of the changes, including the looming job cuts, which was confirmed on Wednesday by SA Premier Jay Weatherill.

The company also sent notice to state authorities that while it's doing its best to stay in business over the long-term, its role in the country's manufacturing sector cannot be ascertained at this time.

Weatherill said that Holden has been in constant communication with the government and assured that measures are now underway to win more subsidies from federal authorities.

While the SA government has been looking for ways to prevent Holden from axing more jobs, Weatherill admitted that changes may be necessary to protect the car industry in the area as a whole.

For now SA officials are working hard to ensure the preservation of up to 8000 jobs keeping the car industry in the region running, including the 2000 workers benefitting from Holden's Elizabeth plant, Weatherill said.