Hundreds of Holden workers have accepted a three-year wage freeze in order to prevent the company closing its production line in Adelaide's northern suburbs in 2016.

In a series of ballots on Tuesday, 1700 employees at the Elizabeth plant were effectively voting to keep their jobs and continue producing the carmaker's Cruze and Commodore models.

A planned 3 per cent wage increase from November will now be deferred as the carmaker looks to save $15 million in labour costs in order to remain viable and keep building cars in Australia.

Holden workers were also asked to approve changes to sick leave, overtime and shift breaks.

John Camillo from the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union did not give exact numbers, but said a clear majority voted in favour of the proposals.

"It was a tough choice. They've made the right decision," he said.

"The workers here made a clear majority vote to support the next generation of vehicles here in Australia, to make these vehicles here at the Elizabeth operation.

"I thought it was going to be very, very close but these people have made the right choice. It was a very, very strong vote in regards to a positive 'yes'."

Sorry, this video has expired Workers back Holden deal ( Nick Harmsen )

Mr Camillo became emotional while announcing the outcome of the ballot and says it has been a tough time for workers.

"It's a hard ask but these changes with regard to working overtime, flexible working arrangements don't hurt anybody. They'll get used to that," he said.

"[With] the decline of the auto industry, there's not much of a bargaining chip you have and while we sat down and discussed as much as we could, the ball's not in our court.

"There is a future in the automotive industry if we all work together in getting there.

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Listen Duration: 3 minutes 11 seconds 3 m 11 s John Camillo discusses the workers' decision Download 1.5 MB

"The next tick in the box will be the politicians, whether they're prepared to support GMH."

The outcome of the vote does not guarantee the plant's future, with Holden's survival now resting on a new government deal to be negotiated after the Federal election to secure funding for the period from 2016 to 2022.

The final decision about the company's future will then be made by General Motors in Detroit.

Mr Camillo conceded workers had no other option than to accept the changes if they wanted to keep their jobs.

"What do we do? Do we say no, we're not prepared to change, fold our arms and stare the company down? Not only [would] Holden close but the rest of the components sector [would] close," he said.

A proposed 10 per cent pay cut by the company was earlier taken off the table after strong resistance from the union.

The plant's work force was cut by 400 in July after workers accepted redundancy packages.

Holden workers in Victoria were advised by the union to abstain from the vote, which would not affect their pay and conditions.

Job losses still likely

South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill says he is committed to funding Holden into the future but bipartisan support is needed.

"This is a time when all of the political parties should work together, together with the company, the workforce, the community and support this strategically important industry," he said.

Automotive industry expert Professor John Spoehr says he is not surprised by the result of the ballot, but says it is unlikely to save all of the remaining 1700 jobs, even if federal funding is forthcoming.

"We're likely to see more jobs lost in the industry in the short-term despite any arrangement a future federal government might come to," he said.

Professor Spoehr says it would be devastating for Adelaide's embattled northern suburbs if the plant were now to close.

"It would be incredibly disappointing having been through a process of difficult negotiations to try and make a future contribution to the viability of the company, for it to close," he said.

"I think it's really the curtain raiser to the next part of the story and that is whether or not a future federal government is willing to provide upwards of $200 million on top of the $275 million already pledged."

Workers say the mood during the ballots was sombre and are concerned that the future of their jobs could now hinge on the upcoming Federal election.

Independent Senator Nick Xenophon says both the Government and the Coalition need to make policy changes to protect the car industry.

Mr Xenophon says he has spoken to Mr Camillo and Holden managing director Mike Devereux since the vote.

He says the Coalition should commit to restoring financial support for the car industry.

"It's time both the government and the opposition made the right decisions," he said.

"Firstly the ALP needs to scrap the ridiculous Fringe Benefits Tax changes which are killing new car sales and the Coalition needs to restore the $500 million they're planning to slash from the industry. Both decisions of the ALP and the coalition will put the industry on a knife edge."

State opposition leader Steven Marshall says he supports financing the car industry but has stopped short of saying how much should be invested.

Mr Marshall agrees that bipartisan support is needed to ensure Holden continues to operate in South Australia.

"I've called upon the Premier, going back as early as April this year to establish a bipartisan auto-industry taskforce," he said.

"We should all be working together on this to ensure that Holden remain viable into the future."