Here's a mystery for you:
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,215
From: Coppell, Texas
How about bringing over the Monaro CV6 (supercharged 3800 series II powered) as a Buick? Buick needs a halo car... but then again they're supposedly making the Bengal now.
Realistically, I suspect the Ute is waiting on deck to come here. Especially after I saw that one testing about a year ago.
Realistically, I suspect the Ute is waiting on deck to come here. Especially after I saw that one testing about a year ago.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 599
From: Inland Empire, CA
Originally posted by DaxsZ28
I didn't think they would do the Ute because it was a truck and there is some kind of tarriff on trucks, not cars. I read that somewhere, probably here!
I didn't think they would do the Ute because it was a truck and there is some kind of tarriff on trucks, not cars. I read that somewhere, probably here!
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 564
From: Fletcher, NC, US
I remember reading in some magazine or newspaper that Holden's initial 2004 18K - 20K export figure was raised to "up to 30,000", and this included 2004, NOT sometime later after 2004. I wish I could find it now, but I don't know where it was. I suspect all those will be GTO's for the first couple of years at least. The demand will become rabid in 05 and if GM have any brains they'll maximize GTO imports to meet the rabid demand. I don't foresee the Ute coming over, at least not for a few years. We would've heard some buzz by now. Think about TWO Holdens coming over, both limited supply, both becoming major hits. Then the next model year you have two (instead of one) new markets whose demand you cannot fulfill. That's why it'll be 30K GTO's and GTO's only. Chevy has too many trucks as it is. I just think it's funny to picture all those GTO LS1's making a trip across the Pacific, only to be shipped back here. Hey if it's still profitable, more power to them.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 13,713
From: The Golden State
Originally posted by kizz
I remember reading in some magazine or newspaper that Holden's initial 2004 18K - 20K export figure was raised to "up to 30,000", and this included 2004, NOT sometime later after 2004. I wish I could find it now, but I don't know where it was. I suspect all those will be GTO's for the first couple of years at least. The demand will become rabid in 05 and if GM have any brains they'll maximize GTO imports to meet the rabid demand. I don't foresee the Ute coming over, at least not for a few years. We would've heard some buzz by now. Think about TWO Holdens coming over, both limited supply, both becoming major hits. Then the next model year you have two (instead of one) new markets whose demand you cannot fulfill. That's why it'll be 30K GTO's and GTO's only. Chevy has too many trucks as it is. I just think it's funny to picture all those GTO LS1's making a trip across the Pacific, only to be shipped back here. Hey if it's still profitable, more power to them.
I remember reading in some magazine or newspaper that Holden's initial 2004 18K - 20K export figure was raised to "up to 30,000", and this included 2004, NOT sometime later after 2004. I wish I could find it now, but I don't know where it was. I suspect all those will be GTO's for the first couple of years at least. The demand will become rabid in 05 and if GM have any brains they'll maximize GTO imports to meet the rabid demand. I don't foresee the Ute coming over, at least not for a few years. We would've heard some buzz by now. Think about TWO Holdens coming over, both limited supply, both becoming major hits. Then the next model year you have two (instead of one) new markets whose demand you cannot fulfill. That's why it'll be 30K GTO's and GTO's only. Chevy has too many trucks as it is. I just think it's funny to picture all those GTO LS1's making a trip across the Pacific, only to be shipped back here. Hey if it's still profitable, more power to them.
1: GM found a way around the tarriffs, and will be bringing El Caminos over (GTO did all the development work for it).
2: GM's bringing over 20,000 GTOs, and 10,000 "other" coupes.
The original 18,000 estimate was, as far as I can tell, was without the plant expansion factored in. Since the upgrades will come on line by January 2004, 3 months into GTO's production, 2,000 more cars does sound kinda low.
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 200
From: Sydney, Australia
Here's a curve ball ...
Holden’s AWD has Hanenberger hitched
By BRUCE NEWTON
PREDICTIONS that Holden's forthcoming allwheel drive wagon will be little more than a highrise Commodore are way wide of the mark, according to company boss Peter Hanenberger.
A bullish Mr Hanenberger told GoAuto exclusively that the cross-over due to go into production in the second half of 2003 would look dramatically different to the standard Commodore wagon.
He also talked up the off-road capabilities of the wagon that he confirmed would use "advanced permanent AWD with electronic traction and torque management systems". If Mr Hanenberger's confidence is backed up by the production vehicle, Ford Australia may have reason for concern. It has always believed its own cross-over, codenamed E265, which debuts early in 2004, is a far more complete and convincing execution than Holden's AWD wagon.
Ford Australia's attitude was summed up by president Geoff Polites when he announced E265 was a goer late last year:
"I only know what Holden is doing from what I read in the papers and, assuming that's right, they're spending either $100m or $150 million," he said. "So then you have to put that into perspective because we are saying $500 million. "I don't think they are three or four or five times more efficient than we are, so therefore we are doing something that is three or four or five times bigger than what they are doing. "So, quite clearly we are doing something different, although that's just reading what the numbers say."
But Mr Hanenberger believes Ford and the rest of us are in for a shock when the wagon breaks cover. "It will be a very outstanding difference," Mr Hanenberger said. "I would be very amazed if you were not amazed because no-one expected it this
way, it turns out so well. "I would be disappointed if you would say it looks like a Commodore wagon."
He said the wagon had already earned the thumbs-up from GM product czar Bob Lutz, who drove it recently. "We couldn't get him out of that bloody car. It was unbelievable. It's good. It's really good," Mr Hanenberger said.
He revealed the all-wheel drive range – which will include the Cross8 crew cab utility – has been subject to extensive outback testing by Holden engineers, with strong results.
"This car drives exactly like a station wagon or sedan but it has unbelievable ground clearance so you can go into terrain which was unthinkable. It's powerful and it's a very smooth four-wheel driving system," he said.
Mr Hanenberger estimates initial annual sales of around 5000-8000 for the AWD range, which will initially be limited to a V8 drivetrain, certainly mated to a four-speed automatic and with the
increasing possibility of a manual gearbox option as well.
But six-cylinder versions of the AWDs will have to wait for the HFV6 to come on line in 2004, as will left-hand drive export production, although the latter is a decision Mr Hanenberger is already ruing. "It's a pity we didn't have the money to immediately
design it for left-hand drive, because we just couldn't afford it … but we should have done it," he said.
Holden’s AWD has Hanenberger hitched
By BRUCE NEWTON
PREDICTIONS that Holden's forthcoming allwheel drive wagon will be little more than a highrise Commodore are way wide of the mark, according to company boss Peter Hanenberger.
A bullish Mr Hanenberger told GoAuto exclusively that the cross-over due to go into production in the second half of 2003 would look dramatically different to the standard Commodore wagon.
He also talked up the off-road capabilities of the wagon that he confirmed would use "advanced permanent AWD with electronic traction and torque management systems". If Mr Hanenberger's confidence is backed up by the production vehicle, Ford Australia may have reason for concern. It has always believed its own cross-over, codenamed E265, which debuts early in 2004, is a far more complete and convincing execution than Holden's AWD wagon.
Ford Australia's attitude was summed up by president Geoff Polites when he announced E265 was a goer late last year:
"I only know what Holden is doing from what I read in the papers and, assuming that's right, they're spending either $100m or $150 million," he said. "So then you have to put that into perspective because we are saying $500 million. "I don't think they are three or four or five times more efficient than we are, so therefore we are doing something that is three or four or five times bigger than what they are doing. "So, quite clearly we are doing something different, although that's just reading what the numbers say."
But Mr Hanenberger believes Ford and the rest of us are in for a shock when the wagon breaks cover. "It will be a very outstanding difference," Mr Hanenberger said. "I would be very amazed if you were not amazed because no-one expected it this
way, it turns out so well. "I would be disappointed if you would say it looks like a Commodore wagon."
He said the wagon had already earned the thumbs-up from GM product czar Bob Lutz, who drove it recently. "We couldn't get him out of that bloody car. It was unbelievable. It's good. It's really good," Mr Hanenberger said.
He revealed the all-wheel drive range – which will include the Cross8 crew cab utility – has been subject to extensive outback testing by Holden engineers, with strong results.
"This car drives exactly like a station wagon or sedan but it has unbelievable ground clearance so you can go into terrain which was unthinkable. It's powerful and it's a very smooth four-wheel driving system," he said.
Mr Hanenberger estimates initial annual sales of around 5000-8000 for the AWD range, which will initially be limited to a V8 drivetrain, certainly mated to a four-speed automatic and with the
increasing possibility of a manual gearbox option as well.
But six-cylinder versions of the AWDs will have to wait for the HFV6 to come on line in 2004, as will left-hand drive export production, although the latter is a decision Mr Hanenberger is already ruing. "It's a pity we didn't have the money to immediately
design it for left-hand drive, because we just couldn't afford it … but we should have done it," he said.
Last edited by Decromin; Dec 17, 2002 at 03:37 PM.
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,215
From: Coppell, Texas
But Mr Hanenberger believes Ford and the rest of us are in for a shock when the wagon breaks cover. "It will be a very outstanding difference," Mr Hanenberger said. "I would be very amazed if you were not amazed because no-one expected it this
way, it turns out so well. "I would be disappointed if you would say it looks like a Commodore wagon."
He said the wagon had already earned the thumbs-up from GM product czar Bob Lutz, who drove it recently. "We couldn't get him out of that bloody car. It was unbelievable. It's good. It's really good," Mr Hanenberger said.
way, it turns out so well. "I would be disappointed if you would say it looks like a Commodore wagon."
He said the wagon had already earned the thumbs-up from GM product czar Bob Lutz, who drove it recently. "We couldn't get him out of that bloody car. It was unbelievable. It's good. It's really good," Mr Hanenberger said.
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,428
i'm guessing that gm is going to get a deal on the imort tax/tariff thing cause australia is a good ally of the US maybe bush will help and i'm better their economy will improve some (not to say it is bad) i maybe they are ordering the extra cars for another brand like pontiac, or a bunch of promotions and special edition models
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