Holden Colorado News

Ryan Walkinshaw himself explains how one of the brand's most controversial HSV models was the springboard for local re-manufacturing.

Could the Australian car industry have been saved?

Law firm Maurice Blackburn has launched a class action lawsuit against General Motors Australia and New Zealand.It alleges faulty transmissions were fitted to “hundreds of thousands” of Holden Commodore and Colorado models, with owners possibly getting a pay-out. The gearboxes in question are codenamed: GM 6L 45, 6L 50 and 6L 80, along with their derivatives. They were sold in new vehicles between January 1, 2011 and December 24, 2024. Models include the Commodore VE and Commodore VF also in Ute, Caprice and Calais guises. Some versions of the Colorado ute and its derivatives — the Colorado 7 and Trailblazer — also used the automatic transmissions. Maurice Blackburn’s class action “alleges that the transmission systems in the affected Holden vehicles are defective due to a design fault in the Torque Converter and Torque Converter Clutch.” “As a result of the alleged defect, the affected vehicles have a propensity to experience various problems including intermittent transmission shudders, excessive vibrations, harsh gear shifts, leakage of Automatic Transmission fluid, accelerated degradation of the components of the transmission system and greater servicing requirements. “The class action alleges that General Motors failed to comply with the guarantee of acceptable quality under the Australian Consumer Law and engaged in misleading and deceptive conduct. ”The class action is open to those who bought new or used vehicles affected. It is also open to those who have sold their vehicle or who own a vehicle, and those who have not yet experienced any issues. Maurice Blackburn is seeking to recover compensation from General Motors Australian New Zealand for loss and damage on behalf of the consumer. A GM spokesperson told CarsGuide, "GM does not comment on ongoing litigation."GM stands by its commitment to achieving the best outcomes for Holden customers."There is precedent for transmission-related class actions, with one being brought against Ford’s ‘Powershift’ dual-clutch transmission in 2016. The case evolved into an ACCC matter and Ford was ordered to pay a $10 million fine for its handling of the situation.

The Chevrolet S10 ute - a Brazilian-built relative to the Holden Colorado once sold in Australia - has been updated for its home market, giving us a look at how the ute could have looked in 2024 here.

There's no doubt that Aussies love a ute, just a glance at the sales charts will reveal the Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger, Mitsubishi Triton and Isuzu D-Max all within the top-10 best-selling vehicles.And this love affair is expected to continue, with the bur

Is it a coincidence that General Motors timed the global announcement of the all-new Chevrolet Colorado between the Australian launches of the Ford Ranger and its Raptor flagship? Probably. 

Holden is no more, and while the pain of its departure is now beginning to fade, it is quickly being replaced by a new and furious anger over the fact that - as is becoming increasingly obvious - we really got a raw deal, and then some.

Is this the ute that could have saved Holden?

The demise of Holden was a sad chapter in the Australian automotive industry, with what was once considered unthinkable eventually becoming inevitable.

Episode 209 - The V8 Colorado we never got to see... until now