Holden unveils latest ?weapon?

GM Holden is fighting back in the car-sales war by entering a new model in the increasingly important medium-size segment and offering a unique “buy-back” scheme.

The Holden Epica is the mid-size car taking on the Toyota Camry. On sale from today, it sits between the Astra and Commodore and will have small six-cylinder engines.

Imported from South Korea, it will cost from $25,990, including alloy wheels, airconditioning, power windows and cruise control.

GM Holden's new buy-back scheme is aimed at giving a point of difference to other brands.

It gives other brand owners peace of mind in switching to Holden. The buy-back allows a private purchaser of a Holden Epica, who changes his or her mind in one month or 1500km and buys another brand car of equal or greater value, to get their money back.

“Customers can see switching brands as a risk so, to provide reassurance and confidence, we are introducing this new offer,” Holden's marketing manager for small and medium cars Teresa Basile said.

“Convincing buyers of other marques to switch is a key to achieving sales success.” The mid-size segment has become more important as such traditional Australian large cars, as Commodore, struggle largely because of high petrol prices.

GM Holden's mid-size Vectra last year sold just 1510 cars, whereas the Toyota Camry sold 24,221 and, in the first two months this year, 6447, Vfacts figures from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries reveal.

Holden executive director of sales and marketing, Alan Batey, said the money-back offer would apply to Epicas bought by December 31 this year. “This offer is unique and a differentiated marketing tool to launch the new nameplate in this competitive mid-size segment,” he said.

Epica in CDX form at $25,990 will have a two-litre, six-cylinder engine of 105kW power and manual gearbox with fuel economy rated at 8.2 litres/100km.

Toyota Camry uses a 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine of 117kW power, from $28,000; Hyundai Sonata has a 2.4-litre four-cylinder of 118kW power from $25,990 and Mazda6 uses a 2.3-litre four-cylinder of 122kW from $28,285.

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Fast facts: Lexus LS460
On sale: Now
Price: $184,900
Body: Sedan
Engine: 4.6-litre V8 petrol; power 280kW@6400rpm, torque 493Nm @4100-2750rpm
Transmission:Eight-speed sequential automatic, rear-wheel drive
Fuel: 11.1 litres/100km (combined claim)
Safety: The lot, including 10 (count 'em) airbags