Some current Holden news that maybe of interest

Firstly from goauto (http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf/story2/FAEA63F6152253F9CA2572E90008091B) we have a little G8 nugget.

Meanwhile, it appears that Holden’s decision to export a vehicle based on the VE Commodore SV6 and SS models as the Pontiac G8 to the United States and Canada has muscled HSV out of contention for the time being.

"It’s pretty much complete (as far as the product is concerned)... there’s not much scope for us," Mr Crennan admitted.

Nevertheless, HSV is exploring other North American avenues with Holden, perhaps for a hardcore version of the Pontiac G8 to take on the likes of the Ford Mustang GT500.

"That’s a work in progress at the moment," Mr Crennan said.

"I don’t think there is lots of opportunity out there for us, but there may be some (in the future).

"That’s certainly something that we are doing a lot of work on, in conjunction with Holdens and Pontiac."


Now moving on to other bits and pieces this time from the GoAuto E-News newsletter (http://www.mellor.net/mellor/mellorweb.nsf/weben/GoAuto%20e-News) (you can subscribe or just download the latest from that link)

*These quote are from various articles throughout the newsletter*

Despite arguing that Holden was in a strong
position on the domestic front, and revealing
that Adelaide was in contention to build an
unspecified number of new export-oriented
vehicles, Mr Mooney said last week the
company needed a broader model range before
it could outmuscle Toyota in Australia.

“I mention the Camaro, and I can tell you
there are other vehicles that will spawn off of
this architecture, so I think there is a bright
future,” he said. “Believe me, I will always
have a finger in what’s going on here.
“There are still … numerous other vehicles
being considered to come off the global rearwheel
drive architecture. None of that has
changed. Timing of some of the vehicles moves
around as we kind of adjust our portfolio, but I
call that a natural part of product planning.”
Responding to a question on whether Holden’s
Elizabeth plant in Adelaide would continue
to miss out as the production source for global
cars – as will be the case for the Buick Park
Avenue in China and the Chevrolet Camaro in
North America, to name just two – Mr Mooney
also revealed that there were new vehicles in the
pipeline aimed at keeping the plant fully utilised.
“I can tell you, our current plans have us
fully utilised. The Camaro is going to get built
in Canada – and I’ll mention it, but can’t get
into specifics, there are some other vehicles
that are being worked in our future portfolio
and, quite honestly, we’re doing some studies
and we’re going to try and push Elizabeth to
the limit,” he said.


And the most interesting bit of it all (and its that good i'm making all of it bold) :P

Mr Mooney said work was about to
commence on the next-generation (and likely
smaller, lighter) Commodore, which GoAuto
understands could surface as early as 2012.
At this time, a replacement for Cadillac’s
BLS compact luxury sedan is also expected
to materialise, based on an all-new Holden developed
compact RWD architecture known
as “Alpha”. This leaves open the possibility of
Commodore being joined by a born-again, all new
Torana, the fate of which Mr Mooney will
now be in a position to help determine.

With Mooney leaving in less than a few months, it's going to be up to his successor to make the call.

Holden has 3 model intros planned to be spread out over 3 years. We already have the sedans. The Ute should be out by year's end. The following year or so will be that car I've mentioned before whose development supposedly doesn't exist. :)



If an HSV came to the US unlike what comes out of the Holden plant it's price can't be cheaper than what it goes for in Australia. Because of that and the low value of the US dollar on the world market, HSVs will probally cost very close here to what it goes for there.

The Clubsport R8 (I believe the cheapest HSV outside of ones based on the Ute) is $62,890A would equal $51,500 here. At that price, GM North Amereica is going to be concerned about peeling sales from the Cadillac CTSv. That's why there's no plans to bring the car in through official GM channels.

One option is through HSV setting up it's own network through Pontiac dealers to sell completed cars. But the cost of this for such a low volume car (probally less than 1000 per year, and probally closer to 500) would certainly jack the price of the car up farther. That would mean the GTS...the HSV most likely to be exported... would be well above $62,000 ($75,900AUS).

The only other option would be to export parts here for installation by Pontiac dealers.

Like the idea of exporting HSV cars in small amounts to Pontiac dealers. Just bringing over parts for service departments to fit would be a disaster seeing how some pontiac service departments are run.

Guy, I've been away from the board for a while. Please refresh my memory as to what Holden is "not in development" but comming soon.

I am guessing the GTO is the car that is "not in development".

Go Go GTO:)

Nevertheless, HSV is exploring other North American avenues with Holden, perhaps for a hardcore version of the Pontiac G8 to take on the likes of the Ford Mustang GT500.

<~~~~ Drool

I get sick of reading that GM will not bring a vehicle over here (read, performance G8) for fear that it would step on a different brands toes.

Lets face it. A Cadillac CTSV buyer will NEVER consider a Pontiac G8 GXP. They are not in the same league. As a Pontiac buyer (and only Pontiac) I expect to be able to graduate into something larger with more power when my Solstice is paid for.

I won't look at a Cadillac CTSV because it's simply not what I want. GM robs itself of sales all too often I'm afraid.

I get sick of reading that GM will not bring a vehicle over here (read, performance G8) for fear that it would step on a different brands toes.

Lets face it. A Cadillac CTSV buyer will NEVER consider a Pontiac G8 GXP. They are not in the same league. As a Pontiac buyer (and only Pontiac) I expect to be able to graduate into something larger with more power when my Solstice is paid for.

I won't look at a Cadillac CTSV because it's simply not what I want. GM robs itself of sales all too often I'm afraid.
Thank you!

I just doubt a Pontiac can take a Caddy sale on someone already considering close to $60 grand for a Car...

I'd love a return of the GTO, I never wanted it to leave, no matter what people said about it.

Given rumours of the future G6 riding on a RWD chassis , I'm not surprised that a 'Torana' is being developed. It makes sense as GM could sell this to China and other Asian countries as well.