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Future bright for Commodore

  • By Paul Gover
  • Herald Sun
  • 12 January 2010
  • image

    There are no details of the car that follows the VE Commodore, which is itself set for a major lifecycle tweak in 2010, but designers are already talking positively about the program.

The future of the Holden Commodore is looking good as design work on the next all-new model shifts up a gear at Fishermans Bend.

The locally-bred family fighter is also getting backing from Detroit despite the latest uncertainty over the future of the rival Ford Falcon in motown.  There are no details of the car that follows the VE Commodore, which is itself set for a major lifecycle tweak in 2010, but designers are already talking positively about the program.

"I think that's already in development. In terms of styling we are working on something," says Ondrej Koromhaz, one of the lead designers at Holden and the man responsible for the all-new Barina being previewed at the Detroit Motor Show this week.  "We want to find a clever solution. That's what we're working on right now."

Koromhaz is a transplanted Czech with 12 years on the General Motors' payroll, including time in Korea and China, but has just returned to Australia.  He is vague about his latest job following the Barina program but is clearly close to the next Commodore. And he also has Holden history, as his concept for the VE Commodore finished as runner-up to the design by Mike Simcoe - who now heads external design for all GM cars in North America - which eventually went into production.

Koromhaz admits Holden has challenges with the design but says they are no different to Ford.  "We have the same problem, the same challenge. We want to protect the size and proportions," he says.  "I'm hoping we can complete it and protect it and move it on. It will be ... where it has always been."

"We are still seeing the Commodore as an Australian family car. (But) I don't think we're going to the same extreme (on a reported front- drive switch) that Ford has."

But Simcoe, who is tapped into the top management levels in Detroit, rules out any switch from traditional rear-wheel drive.  "Holden Commodore going front-wheel drive is not on the books right now. For the foreseeable future that I know about," says Simcoe.

Comments on this story

Displaying 3 of 15 comments

  • You guys all have no idea. Both Ford and Holden source many parts from overseas, just as Toyota Australia does. e.g. The window glass for VE Commodore's comes from China. In the globalised world we find ourselves in today, there is simply no such thing as a100% Australian car. The major difference is that for every V8 Holden imports from Mexico, they export about a dozen Australian made V6s all around the world. If you take that import/export balance into account, then Commodore probably comes out slightly in front overall but none of them can claim 100% Australian content.

    MotorMouth of Sydney Posted on 07 June 2010 11:10am

  • Nudge Baiada - You have no idea, what are you rambling about? Ford is more Australian than Holden! Been here longer as well. Currently, the aussie Falcon is totally made in Australia, while your VE CRAPADORE still imports its V8 engines from America. How can you say its "100% new made here" Holden has had the most recalls than any other Aussie car, so get educated yourself.

    Peter Posted on 12 February 2010 12:49pm

  • Ford girls always crying over spilt ford milk. So when ford Australia imports it's engine line-up will the hypocrites bend over and kiss their hypercritical behinds goodbye with their RWD's?. Get educated yourself. The Ford design has always been based on it's American partners. Always using it's platform and stealing designs from Americana cars such as mustang. On the other hand, you wont be able to match much of the opel and holden cars. For starters the un-educated fesbians wouldn't be able to work out a single part used from the cars or which platforms used for that matter. The VE commodore is truly the first and only car build and designed ground up. No platform sharing or using old architecture 100% new made here. Be proud of your country men and women, they were allowed to do this and they did it well. Stop moaning about holden every 5 minutes you sound like a bunch of sulking little school kids.

    nudge baiada of south melbourne Posted on 05 February 2010 2:56am

  • Pride of Australia, get educated. The Falcon has been fully Australian since the 1972 XA model. Unlike the crapadore, which is designed around an OPEL and still IMPORTS its V8 engines from America. So its not "FULLY AUSTRALIAN MADE" like you claim. Looks like Holden's marketing campaign has brainwashed you as well. Ford has been in OZ a hell of a lot longer than Holden as well.

    Peter Posted on 29 January 2010 12:38pm

  • HOLDEN COMMODORE, A FULLY AUSTRALIAN MADE CAR(UNLIKE THE FORD FALCON WHICH IS ORIGINALLY BASED ON A NORTH AMERICAN DESIGN) FOR THE WIN

    Pride Of Australia of Australia Posted on 28 January 2010 10:02pm

  • Surprise!....Another holden add disguised as journalism! Does this site have no shame? Where is the info regarding all the recent holden recalls...oh that's right you reserve the negative reporting for Ford.

    Andrew of Brisbane Posted on 22 January 2010 1:39pm

  • Is the commodore's future as bright as the airbag warning light? My brother in law purchased a new International Sports wagon and the airbag warning light went on and stayed on. When he took it back to the dealer he was told "you can keep driving it" Too bad if he was in an accident eh? They told him it would take 4 months to fix! This is not an isolated case. Just about everybody I know with VE commodores have had various problems with them yet the only problem I can recall carsguide reporting was the battery problem. Bias journalism? Perhaps. So how can the future be looking bright for commodore when they make rubbish?

    Peter Posted on 19 January 2010 6:18pm

  • Quote: "this is nothing more than promotional tripe with useless references. Of Coarse they're working on a new model..." Exactly right, and this is why Holden continues to outshine Ford, even with inferior cars. They are opportunistic promoters. Sadly, Ford Australia doesn't have a clue how to market/promote their vehicles properly and the recent statements pertaining to the Falcon's possible demise in a few years are a classic example....

    Bartman of Perth Posted on 19 January 2010 6:00pm

  • Ron, > If it weren't for a 200-million dollar > Commonwealth Government loan earlier this > year (nicely kept quiet) Holden would > certainly be in the dire straits right now > anyway. So...is the future REALLY that > bright? You could say that about a lot of industries and companies, not just in Australia but in other countries as well. There's nothing unusual about it - the practice is widespread.

    Steve Posted on 19 January 2010 12:45pm

  • Get a good 2.2 bi turbo diesel from PSA in it like i have in my Citroen C5 STI and then you have a REAL motor car !! 125 Kw(168 H.P.) 370NM the 6 spd Asin Warner auto box is a winner too but we can but hope.

    James Hunter of Metford NSW Posted on 19 January 2010 12:08pm

  • Yep Eric, the journos will take any opportunity to write something good about Holden. And to think they get paid for this "work"... about as useful as a Richard Wilkins movie review

    Matt of Newcastle Posted on 19 January 2010 11:15am

  • Knowing that the the Commodore has been the #1 selling car in Australia for 14 years in a row it clear they are in touch with what we like. The coupe 60 is a great design why this has not been put into production is beyond belief. The cost of the car is not a issue when you see mercedes couple Jaguar coupes so why not the Commodore in coupe. Call it Monaro called Coupe GTS call it what you want just build them. GMH sold all the last Monaros some 12,000 were built. We need something to want to drive, not spoon fed the shopping trollies with lids that get imported.

    Holden Man of Brisbane Posted on 16 January 2010 8:10am

  • Good Call Eric, this is nothing more than promotional tripe with useless references. Of Coarse they're working on a new model...every manufacturer is! In fact it's long overdue; notably due to the fact that there is no money flowing from Detroit. If it weren't for a 200-million dollar Commonwealth Government loan earlier this year (nicely kept quiet) Holden would certainly be in the dire straits right now anyway. So...is the future REALLY that bright?

    Ron Posted on 16 January 2010 3:43am

  • Yel Commodore is doing great & look like more new model will come in the Future. What about the Statesman/Caprice will there be another model line for that Luxury Holden?

    Car Lover Posted on 13 January 2010 12:33pm

  • This really is disappointing journalism. I've just learnt more about a designer from the Czech Republic than I have about the next Commodore. So, they're working on something? Of course they're working on something - they're always working on something. But where are the details? Where is the journalism? Any pictures of Koromhaz's failed VE design to give insight into his style and ideas? No. Any commentary on that design? No. And to finish, a quote from Simcoe that adds absolutely nothing. The guy is in external design, not product development and doesn't really know about what the platform's future will be. Will it be given access to foreign markets so that Holden could employ more people and achieve full economies of scale? Or will Australians have to subsidise the development of a RWD architecture that is denied market access for inferior American product? Again.

    Eric Smith Posted on 12 January 2010 1:09pm
Read all 15 comments

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