The state premiers of South Australia and Victorian are to meet Prime Minister Tony Abbott after Holden's decision to end its manufacturing operations in Australia.
Holden announced on Wednesday it is to close by the end of 2017.
Victoria premier Denis Napthine said on Wednesday the impact will be more significant than the closure of Ford and and would affect a significant number of people.
''We will assure that General Motors looks after their welfare during the period of transition and beyond," Dr Napthine said.
He said the suddenness of the decision meant proper consideration was not given to the state's submission to the Productivity Commission.
South Australian Premier Mr Weatherill said Holden's decision to end production will cost the Commonwealth much more than if it had chosen to support the company.
"This is going to have a dramatic effect on the South Australian economy, estimated by some economists in the order of 13,000 jobs and $A1.2 billion in our gross state product," he said.
AAP reports state manufacturing minister David Hodgett received a call from Holden chief executive Mike Devereux at about 1.45pm (AEDT) on Wednesday telling him of the news.
Dr Napthine was immediately asked about Holden in question time and confirmed the news, telling the house an "irrevocable decision" had been made in Detroit to end Australian manufacturing in 2017.
Mr Abbott told parliament on Wednesday the government would release a "considered package" of measures to rebuild confidence in the long-term future of manufacturing and the regions of Adelaide and Melbourne where Holden operates.
"I don't want to pretend to the parliament that this is anything other than a dark day for Australian manufacturing," Mr Abbott said.
Holden's announcement was not entirely unexpected but was "very bad news" that would cost 2900 jobs at the car maker and put at risk thousands more in up to 150 suppliers, he said.
AAP reports Mr Abbott said it was time for a strategic response to the difficulties in manufacturing, and particularly in the motor industry.
"It is not the time to play politics, it's not the time to indulge in the blame game, it's not the time to peddle false hope.
"It's a time for a candid and constructive conversation with the Australian people, and it is time for a considered and constructive response from government," the prime minister said.
"And that's exactly what this government will be providing in coming days."
Hard times
Mr Abbott said there was no way he could gloss over the fact this was "a sad, bad day" for Holden workers, their families and communities.
But he said there had been hard times before and Australian industrial centres had come through.
"They have flourished through hard times," he said, citing Newcastle's growth after BHP ceased steelmaking.
Adelaide in particular had suffered a series of knocks, including Mitsubishi ending operations.
"But there is much that we can be hopeful and optimistic about in the resilience of the South Australian economy, particularly if government can do all that is necessary to ensure that the Olympic Dam mine expansion goes ahead," he said.
"There will be better days ahead."
