Salt in the wound....
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,505
From: Charleston, WV
Salt in the wound....
Exclusive! Pontiac G8 revived in Australia
Holden to build limited edition run to clear Pontiac parts North America's loss is about to become Australia's gain. As Pontiac prepares to shut its doors in the USA, and with it the Commodore export program, it has emerged that the Commodore-based Pontiac G8 will be sold in Australia from late this year.
Holden exported approximately 41,000 Commodores as Pontiac G8 sedans between November 2007 and February 2009. A ute version of the Pontiac G8 was due to follow later this year but it was axed along with the rest of the Pontiac brand.
A top secret Holden dealer bulletin obtained by the Carsales Network has revealed that the Pontiac G8 will be sold locally in November and December, with production due to start on November 2.
The move has been designed to clear parts stock that was destined for the now axed Pontiac export program.
There will be sedan, ute and wagon versions in three colours -- black, red and 'voodoo' blue. This means the local Pontiac G8 will be sold in two guises not available in the US (where it was a sedan only), making the ute and wagon particularly rare.
Even though all cars will be based on the Holden Commodore SS V and wear SS V badging they are expected to become collector's items as they will mark an important milestone (and memory) in Holden history: when it last exported cars to the world's biggest car market.
Significantly, the limited edition models will not wear Pontiac badges, but they will get all the other Pontiac parts. The parts include the Pontiac G8 bonnet, front bumper and grille. On sedan models, the lower 'lip' boot spoiler will replace the SS V's high-mount spoiler.
It is unclear how many of each will be made, but dealer contacts have suggested it will be close to 1500 in total, or about 500 of each body style.
Prices of each limited edition model will be $1000 more than a regular SS V. The Holden bulletin outlined to dealers the following:
Pontiac G8 SS-V ute manual $47,490
Pontiac G8 SS-V sedan manual $55,290
Pontiac G8 SS-V wagon manual $57,290
Automatics are likely to be available although they were not mentioned on the price list.
Holden has so far refused to confirm the special model. Holden spokeswoman Kate Lonsdale said: "We are always looking to introduce exciting special edition packs but we haven't announced any special programs just yet."
Holden to build limited edition run to clear Pontiac parts North America's loss is about to become Australia's gain. As Pontiac prepares to shut its doors in the USA, and with it the Commodore export program, it has emerged that the Commodore-based Pontiac G8 will be sold in Australia from late this year.
Holden exported approximately 41,000 Commodores as Pontiac G8 sedans between November 2007 and February 2009. A ute version of the Pontiac G8 was due to follow later this year but it was axed along with the rest of the Pontiac brand.
A top secret Holden dealer bulletin obtained by the Carsales Network has revealed that the Pontiac G8 will be sold locally in November and December, with production due to start on November 2.
The move has been designed to clear parts stock that was destined for the now axed Pontiac export program.
There will be sedan, ute and wagon versions in three colours -- black, red and 'voodoo' blue. This means the local Pontiac G8 will be sold in two guises not available in the US (where it was a sedan only), making the ute and wagon particularly rare.
Even though all cars will be based on the Holden Commodore SS V and wear SS V badging they are expected to become collector's items as they will mark an important milestone (and memory) in Holden history: when it last exported cars to the world's biggest car market.
Significantly, the limited edition models will not wear Pontiac badges, but they will get all the other Pontiac parts. The parts include the Pontiac G8 bonnet, front bumper and grille. On sedan models, the lower 'lip' boot spoiler will replace the SS V's high-mount spoiler.
It is unclear how many of each will be made, but dealer contacts have suggested it will be close to 1500 in total, or about 500 of each body style.
Prices of each limited edition model will be $1000 more than a regular SS V. The Holden bulletin outlined to dealers the following:
Pontiac G8 SS-V ute manual $47,490
Pontiac G8 SS-V sedan manual $55,290
Pontiac G8 SS-V wagon manual $57,290
Automatics are likely to be available although they were not mentioned on the price list.
Holden has so far refused to confirm the special model. Holden spokeswoman Kate Lonsdale said: "We are always looking to introduce exciting special edition packs but we haven't announced any special programs just yet."
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 13,713
From: The Golden State
Well, Well, Well.....
Pontiacs are now Australian.
Holden is now effectively a 2 division company.
Meanwhile, no G8s or derivitives sold here, and GM-NA shrank.
Can anyone look up the definition of "Irony" for me?
Pontiacs are now Australian.
Holden is now effectively a 2 division company.
Meanwhile, no G8s or derivitives sold here, and GM-NA shrank.
Can anyone look up the definition of "Irony" for me?
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,712
From: Ontario
You'd think GM-NA could use the extra parts up here for the aftermarket ... I know certain G8 parts are already tough to get (I'm sure they're not all the same parts, but still, eventually everything will be needed here).
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 578
From: Cheektowaga, NY (Buffalo)
I'm wondering if these will have LHD or RHD configurations. It's pretty painful that the G8 ST was so production ready that they're going to build them despite the program being cancelled.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 10,285
From: Albany, NY
I wish they would just slap some GMC badges on it and make a limited North American run of say 5000. It would improve GMC's CAFE and with a limited and numbered run they could charge a premium. Everyone one could be a loaded $35,000 vehicle. Pure profit.
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Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 162
From: St. Louis, MO
I think I finally get the plan.
**** off all the die hard enthusiasts, because the new GM will have no trouble replacing them with unloyal toyota buyers who are just dying to jump ship.
Stupid bean counters. It's been 25+ years and those pontiac nuts are still bitching about not having blue paint in the engine bay, you really think they are going to get over killing of the brand in anything short of the next 75 years.
**** off all the die hard enthusiasts, because the new GM will have no trouble replacing them with unloyal toyota buyers who are just dying to jump ship.
Stupid bean counters. It's been 25+ years and those pontiac nuts are still bitching about not having blue paint in the engine bay, you really think they are going to get over killing of the brand in anything short of the next 75 years.
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Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 1,512
From: Miami, FL, US
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 10,285
From: Albany, NY
Super Moderator
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 9,507
From: Okemos, MI
These cars are being sold without Pontiac badges; i.e., they are not Pontiacs. Therefore, Pontiacs are not Australian, and Holden remains just Holden.
Oh, you mean the single most misunderstood word in the English language? Sure:
Originally Posted by Dictionary.com
The essential feature of irony is the indirect presentation of a contradiction between an action or expression and the context in which it occurs.
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 13,713
From: The Golden State
So if an Chevrolet Malibu is sold in Australia without Chevrolet badges as a Holden, then it's not an Malibu, and if GM decides to stick a Buick badge on a Corvette and sell it, it's not a Chevrolet Corvette?
And even though these G8s are designed, engineered, and manufactured in Australis, and in the doorjams of G8s and on the window sticker they say the car was manufactured in Australia, these Pontiacs aren't Australian.
OK. Got ya.
Oh, you mean the single most misunderstood word in the English language? Sure:
I don't see it here. Thanks for playing.
I don't see it here. Thanks for playing.
Last edited by guionM; Aug 19, 2009 at 01:31 PM.
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,165
From: Sterling Heights, MI
I would think this has to be a bit unprecidented isn't it? Australia builds a car for the American market, badges it as "American", the car is killed in America, but Australia decides to make it their own again to use up the rest of the American parts.
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Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 3,463
From: SoCal
Why couldn't they just finish the remainder of G8 sedans that will now be in Holden showrooms and put them in Chevy/Buick or whatever dealer that wants them here until they are gone??
Let them keep their Pontiac badges and use it as a way to let Pontiac buyers and owners know that GM dealers no matter the brand can service your Pontiac.
Let them keep their Pontiac badges and use it as a way to let Pontiac buyers and owners know that GM dealers no matter the brand can service your Pontiac.