VE Commodore a no-show

The all-new VE Commodore is being kept under wraps until it is ready for the road.

GM Holden resisted the temptation to preview the car at the show, instead rolling its EFIJY concept car, the upcoming S3X four-wheel drive and the very last Monaro into the spotlights. The company also previewed a diesel-engined Astra and the T2X concept, a four-wheel drive coupe.

It was a sharp contrast to Toyota, which did the best reveal of the show to introduce its upcoming Aurion V6, while Mitsubishi used the event to trumpet a Limited Edition 380 priced at $29,990. There was no big-six action at Ford, but it did rip the raps off its long-awaited Territory Turbo.

GM Holden's chairman, Denny Mooney, said the company had considered a preview for the VE but eventually decided against it.

"We've still got several months of current product to sell," Mooney said.

"We talked about it at length. At one time we had potential plans to show it, but ..."

"I wish it was here today."

GM Holden is still keeping as many VE secrets as possible, but Mooney revealed the company is considering a diesel engine for the car. "We have some diesel development work going on right now. But we do not have a production plan," he said.

"And diesels are more expensive. There is roughly 35 per cent more cost. So we either have to give them away or the consumer has to calculate the payback."

Mooney admitted the demand for traditional Aussie sixes is as bad as it has been, but he believes the January results - where were poor for both the Commodore and Falcon - do not necessarily point to more pain through 2006.

"I'm optimistic. I feel good about the next four to six months," Mooney said.

"I believe when we have new product we will regenerate the excitement and support."

The chief executive of the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries believes new products will also revitalise the big-car class. "I think it will clearly be revived this year," Peter Sturrock said. "It's a rare coincidence that we have so much new product in one year. There is the VE, the new Camry and Aurion, and the Mitsubishi 380 is still new.

"They will clearly stimulate things. It will be the acid test for the Aussie six."