Holden Caprice News

The car industry is reeling from the Federal Government's increase in the luxury-car tax.

Imported cars are hardest hit by the new LCT threshold but some of our homegrown brands also suffer.

In his first Federal Budget, Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan has implemented a luxury tax hike that will affect cars priced at $57,000 and above.

A new three year, multimillion-dollar export program will deliver a left-hand-drive Chevrolet-badged version of the 307kW/550Nm, six-litre HSV ClubSport R8; to be known as the Chevrolet Special Vehicles CR8.The company has shipped 150 cars to the region and expects at least that many to be delivered in each of the following two years.They will sell for about $49,000; about $12,000 cheaper than in Australia.The Middle East has been Holden's biggest export market, having sold more than 200,000 vehicles in the region since 1998.The VE Commodore and WM Statesman/Caprice ranges are sold in the region as Chevrolet Lumina and as Caprice.GM Holden executive director sales and marketing Alan Batey said the expanding product range in the region illustrated the growing maturity of the Middle East market.“Holden has been able to partner its expertise in tailoring vehicles for the Middle East with the high-performance expertise of HSV to deliver a vehicle that will make a great driving experience,” he said.Holden's export sales for last year totalled 46,074, with more than 31,000 going to the Middle East; a record export year to the region for the company.New HSV managing director Scott Grant said the announcement added another HSV export market to the Vauxhall program in Britain.“HSV is already a well-known brand among car enthusiasts in the Middle East, many of whom are fans of the Aussie high-performance cars and our racing activities,” he said.“The initial response from dealers has been exceptional,” he said.The launch of the new export program is timed to coincide with the Desert 400 V8 Supercar round in Bahrain. 

The shipment of Commodores, rebadged as Chevrolet Omega, also marks the 10th year of Holden exports to Brazil.Brazil joins the US, Middle East, South Africa and New Zealand as markets for the VE Commodore and WM Statesman.China, where the previous long-wheelbase Statesman was sold as the Buick Royaum, is expected to be next on the list.Holden has actively positioned itself as a global manufacturer to help underpin the continuing viability of its local operations.Holden and Toyota are the only local carmakers with an active export program, though Ford has export plans for next-generation Focus, which will be built here from 2011. It expects to ship 15,000 cars a year overseas.Mitsubishi had hoped to enter an export program with Proton for its 380 sedan, but that deal fell through.From next year, cars built by Holden will be sold around the world by five brands.GM-Holden chairman and managing director Chris Gubbey says the company was able to get the investment needed for the VE program because of its export opportunities.Apart from Brazil, VEs rebadged as Pontiac G8s are soon to be sold in the US.Gubbey says VE and WM Statesman and Caprice were specifically developed with design hardware and suspensions that can be easily adapted for different markets.“VE and WM are generating a great response from our global GM partners, so much so that we expect to export 50 per cent of the vehicles we make by the end of next year,” he says.Brazil's media has already praised the Omega after a preview last month.GM Holden export manager Kristian Aquilina says the ethanol E24-capable Omega is sold as Chevrolet's flagship model in Brazil.“The Omega's position as the top model in Chevrolet's line-up confirms Holden's ability to produce a world-class product,” he says.Holden has exported more than 9000 vehicles there since 1998.The Holden export program started in 1954 with a small shipment of FJ Holdens to New Zealand. Last year 46,074 Holdens were shipped, taking the tally to more than 700,000. 

Chris Gubbey, pictured, executive vice-president of Shanghai General Motors, will take up the position in August.Outgoing GM Holden boss Denny Mooney said Gubbey had been involved in the export of WL long wheelbase Holdens to China.“Chris spent a fair amount of time down here . . . so he also has some good familiarity with our operation. I think he is going to be a big benefit to the operation here as we continue to rely more on exports and . . . integrated business worldwide,” he said.“I don't know that it's a renewed focus (on China), because I think the focus has always been there.”GM Holden has been exporting engines to China for some years and recently announced a V6 export program.“China is now the second-largest car market in the world and it's great to have a partnership and a business relationship, and I see where Chris can strengthen that and help us find opportunities.”Gubbey began his career with Ford in 1979, has worked for Toyota and Vauxhall, and has been in Shanghai since 2000.Mooney has been appointed GM vice-president of global vehicle systems and integration based at GM's headquarters in Detroit.The American executive has a background in engineering and will have global responsibility in body, chassis and electrical engineering for GM. Mooney said Australia would now “have a friend” in Detroit.He was appointed to GM Holden in 2004 and during his time here has overseen the launch of the new VE Commodore and WM long-wheelbase Caprice and Statesman and development of the new-generation ute.The billion-dollar program for the large rear-wheel-drive cars was the biggest in Australia's history.During his time, Holden dropped from first to second in sales behind Toyota. He also presided over the termination of the Monaro model and the withdrawal of Daewoo from Australia in 2004. Six months later he brought back Daewoo small cars rebadged as Holdens to capitalise on record fuel prices.

These iconic Australian-made cars will exit a rapidly-changing market, with consumers demanding higher-technology and smaller-displacement engines in the premium sector.The long-wheel base versions of the Falcon have suffered a sales decline over the past five years, while its main opposition - the Holden Statesman/Caprice range - has increased export sales to offset slowing local demand.The Melbourne-based car maker said the decision coincided with the arrival of the medium-sized Mondeo, returning to the Australian market after a six-year absence.Ford said there was a major decline in sales of vehicles in the upper large-car segment.Industry observers have pointed to Ford’s product planning as being partly to blame, suggesting that Ford may have diluted the original premium perception of the Fairlane and LTD by reducing the specification of the models to bring them into reach of a broader market.

GM Holden chairman Denny Mooney has often talked about including the Corvette among American imports starting with the Hummer H3 next month.GM Holden national media relations manager John Lindsay said he had “no further update” on importing the Corvette or other brands such as Camaro and Cadillac.Meanwhile, Chevrolet has announced more power for the iconic Corvette next year.The 2008 'Vette coupe and convertible will get a bigger small-block 6.2-litre V8 engine, even bigger than Holden's 6-litre V8 in models such as the Commodore and Caprice.Chevrolet says it will have 321kW of power and 575Nm of torque, which compares with Holden's V8 figures of 270kW and 530Nm.An optional dual-mode exhaust system will boost power to 325kW and torque to 580 Nm.But the Z06 edition of the 'Vette will go even bigger with a 7-litre V8 with a claimed 376kW of power and 637Nm of torque.Chevrolet claims a 0-100km/h time of 3.7sec in first gear.It also maintains that the six-speed paddle-shifted automatic Corvette is its fastest automatic yet, capable of hitting 100km/h in 4.3sec.

The choice, price, equipment, security, safety and quality is better in 2004 than it has been at any time in the history of the car Down Under.It sounds like a big call, but it's not.Australian cars have been getting better and better for more than 15 years, and apart from such blips as the AU Falcon, improvements have delivered never-better showroom deals. Sales of the big Aussie sixes have fallen a bit, mostly because families have migrated into four-wheel-drives, but the cars themselves are world-class machines.And with starting prices just past $30,000, or even less at the moment for a Mitsubishi Magna, they are also world-class bargains.The real proof of the improvements is the growing number of Australian-made cars being shipped overseas.The Toyota Camry is a huge success in the Middle East, Holden is building support for its Chevrolet-badged Commodore exports, the Monaro-turned-Pontiac GTO is finally starting to fire in the US and Mitsubishi even had a short-lived run with Magnas in the US.It should only take time, and the next all-new models in late 2006, before the all-wheel-drive Ford Territory and Holden Adventra, and perhaps even the work-and-play Crewman Cross8, also set sail overseas.Picking the best of the best from the local crop is tougher than ever.The Mitsubishi Magna is a good car, and a worthy family friend, but only runs fourth in today's rankings. It beats the Toyota Avalon, which is looking more and more like a taxi-only champion, but cannot match the all-round strengths of the Camry, Commodore and Falcon.The Ford, Holden and Toyota have all been updated this year.Taking a broad sweep through the locals, we rate the Falcon first. It's a close call, but in most cases it's the one we'd recommend to our friends and family.And the Falcon-based Territory is a winner. It's a Falcon with attitude and a high-rider cabin for families.The latest Commodore is a top car, and the new Alloytec V6 does a good job in the VZ model, but it doesn't ring our bell. We love the sporty V8 SS, the Caprice and the HSV hero cars, but Holden is just a couple of points behind in the overall scoring.The Camry? It's a classy car, and ruthlessly efficient in almost every area, but doesn't have the personality or punch of its rivals. That's why Toyota is pushing the Sportivo model, and working on a 2006 model that will have more personality than any previous Camry.Our ratings look at the individual star cars, some of the class champions and give an overall ranking of the Australian heroes of 2004.1. Ford Territory RWDLowdown: The rear-wheel-drive (RWD) is the first local to fill the gap between family car and 4WD. A Falcon wagon in disguise but more than a short-term fix.Verdict: Heavyweight off-roader that drives like a Falcon, with a friendly turning circle and punchy six. The rear-drive TX is the best value and drops the all-paw drive most people will never need.Plus: Light and easy to handle, with a big wagon body.Minus: Not as capable as a LandCruiser in the bush. Comes as a six-cylinder auto only.Rating: 18/20Former boss Geoff Polites had to sell the project in Detroit to win $500 million to make the $38,990 car in Broadmeadows alongside the Falcon. The Territory should ensure the Falcon's survival by giving a double-edged return on future investment.2. Holden Commodore SSLowdown: The best-value sports sedan on Australian roads. It has even forced HSV to rethink its Commodore performance cars, and is first choice with police pursuit drivers.Verdict: The one to have when you want an Aussie V8 muscle car with real driving enjoyment.Plus: Punchy 5.7-litre V8 with sporty handling, but still with Commodore comfort.Minus: Not as refined as an XR Falcon.Rating: 17/20If any car sets the standard for performance motoring in Australia, it's the SS Commodore at $50,990. It is more raw than an XR Falcon, but delivers the sort of stonking punch owners expect when they dream of a hot lap at Mount Panorama.3. Ford Falcon XTLowdown: The starter car in the Falcon family reflects all of the BA update work at a value price and with plenty of gear.Verdict: Tough but surprisingly refined. Punchy 4.0-litre in-line six has the edge over the Commodore's hi-tech Alloytec V6.Plus: Elegant styling with a rugged and well-proven mechanical package, plus good-value equipment.Minus: A bit rugged in some areas, fuel economy not great.Rating: 17/20When Ford decided to dump the Forte from the AU family it knew the BA base model had to hit all targets. The XT does the job well from just $34,255 with aircon, airbags, CD sound and electric mirrors. Ford has also stopped painting Falcons yellow to discourage their use as taxis.Ford Falcon GT 18/20Price: From $61,000Engine: 5.4-litre quad-cam V8The born-again GT is very quick and very refined. The loudest thing about it are the racy stripes being chosen by most owners. But when the going gets tough, it's going and gone.Ford Falcon 17/20Price: From $34,255Engine: 4.0-litre inline sixThe latest BA looks surprisingly elegant over the unloved AU basics, but it's the solid mechanical package and punchy performance that gives the Falcon a narrow edge over the Commodore.A six-speed manual gearbox is new in the BAII but the rest of the deal is more about value.Ford Territory 17/20Price: From $38,990Engine: 4.0-litre inline sixRated as a complete range, the Territory is very good but not quite great. The four-wheel-drive package costs an extra $4000 but you cannot get a V8 or manual gearbox. Still, a better choice for anyone looking at an imported 4x4.Holden Caprice 17/20Price: From $69,650Engine: 3.6-litre V6The long-wheelbase flagship has benefited from a makeover that gives it sharper styling and more driving enjoyment than the Statesman. Needs a V8 to do its best work, but the best choice for Australians who want everything in a local car.HSV GTO Coupe 17/20Price: From $78,690Engine: 6-litre V8The latest Z-Series Monaro from HSV has moved the bar on local muscle. The bigger V8 developed for the US Pontiac GTO is a welcome addition and restores bragging rights to the hot Holden shop. A bit raw but very quick.Ford Fairlane 16/20Price: $55,500Engine: 4-litre inline sixReversing the Holden deal, the Fairlane is better than the LTD. It has been tweaked for drivers but still feels a bit old and clunky compared with the Caprice.Holden Commodore 16/20Price: From $33,160Engine: 3.6-litre V6The VZ Commodore update brought the new Alloytec V6 and a considerably more refined car. But the value is not as good as a Falcon's and you have to pay extra for the power-up engine and five-speed automatic. That's enough to push it back behind the Falcon.Toyota Camry 15/20Price: From $32,000Engines: 3.0-litre V6Still operates like whitegoods on wheels, as efficient as a fridge with similar personality, and that's its greatest strength and weakness. Needs more visual punch and driving personality, which Toyota promises (once again) is coming with the new model in 2006.Mitsubishi Magna 13/20Price: From $33,210Engine: 3.5-litre V6The unloved local was done no favours by its nose job in 2003 or questions about Mitsubishi's future in 2004. Still a good car, but looking very dated. Mitsubishi is doing great deals to get cars moving, but the all-new 2005 Magna can't come too soon.Toyota Camry Sportivo 12/20Price: From $38,500Engine: 3.0-litre V6The Sportivo is proof Toyota wants a performance car, but also proves how far it is off the pace. It has a wonderful chassis and a spirited V6, but not nearly enough muscle or impact to compete with HSV of FPV.Toyota Avalon 11/20Price: $30,990Engine: 3.0-litre V6The plain Jane of the Aussie car family. Nice enough, but bland and boring. Has never delivered the promised challenge to the Falcon and Commodore and now doing very good business as a taxi. That says it all.Mitsubishi Verada 11/20Price: $42,950Engine: 3.5-litre V6The Verada highlights the shortcomings of the Magna range, despite impressive equipment and a refined cabin. It comes in only one body style, doesn't have enough style for the luxury class, and takes a heavy hit on the second-hand scene.

At the heart of the new model range is the all-new 3.6-litre Alloytech V6 being built at Holden's $400million Global V6 facility in Port Melbourne.