Holden Commodore 2007 News

The NRMA Insurance reversing visibility index shows 12 vehicles, including the Toyota Corolla and Holden Commodore, fail to receive any stars in testing.The test, established because of the deaths of 17 children killed by reversing cars in driveways, measures how well a driver can see out of the back of the vehicle.Of the 12 vehicles with a zero rating, five fit into the small-to-medium segment.The result has prompted the NRMA to call on manufacturers to consider installing reversing camera technology in all cars, not just bigger vehicles.“Without a camera, blind space can range from 3m to 15m,” NRMA Insurance road safety manager Pam Leicester said.“That's a large range for children to be hidden from a driver's view.” With an average of one child run over in their own driveway every week, Ms Leicester said it was time to start focusing on improving visibility in all models.“There has been a focus on four-wheel-drives and reversing but as our results show, that's an issue for all types of vehicles right down to small cars,” Ms Leicester said.“This is a real concern because many of these vehicles have hazardous reversing blind areas, usually caused by high rear window lines and boots.”Vehicles that received a zero rating included the Holden Commodore (Epica and Viva), the Hyundai i30, Mitsubishi's Lancer and 380, Toyota's Corolla, Prado and RAV4, the Honda Civic and the Odyssey, as well as the Hummer H3.Overall, however, the results have improved from last year with more manufacturers adopting reversing cameras.This is especially the case in the four-wheel-drive and luxury segments. Only five vehicles offered reversing cameras either standard or as an option last year.The technology was available on 15 vehicles this year. They gained either a 4 1/2 or 5-star rating.Ms Leicester said they were particularly impressed with the new Toyota Kluger, which has a reversing camera as standard on all models.The top performers given a five-star rating were the BMW X5, Ford Territory, Honda Legend, Lexus GS430, IS250 and LS460, and the Toyota Kluger; all offering a camera as standard or as an option.“We encourage all manufacturers to start thinking about putting reverse cameras in their vehicles,” Ms Leicester said.“At the time of manufacture, it's a very small cost.”Ms Leicester said after-market reversing cameras also could improve visibility and were available for between $200 and $300. How they rated NRMA insurance reversing visibility indexBest: BMW x5, Ford Territory, Honda, Legend, Lexus GS430, Lexus IS250, Lexus LS460, Toyota KlugerWorst: Holden Commodore, Honda Civic, Honda Odyssey, Hyundai i30, Mitsubishi Lancer, Toyota Prado, Toyota Corolla 

Holden Assist Ultra, which will be available as a $1990 option, provides owners with round-the-clock assistance covering the inconvenience of lost keys to checking on the safety of occupants, or deploying emergency services if your vehicle's airbags or seatbelt pretensioners are activated.Holden has about 5000 Assist Ultra customers and in the past 12 months has unlocked more than 360 cars remotely, detected 17 crashes and tracked 14 stolen vehicles. It has also provided SOS support in more than 600 cases.Previously only available as a factory-fitted option, the system uses integrated in-vehicle GSM mobile phone network and global positioning satellite technology to provide full-time assistance.In an emergency, an SOS button on the rear vision mirror will immediately connect the driver to Holden Assist Ultra, who can contact emergency services.If your car is stolen, Holden Assist Ultra can track the vehicle's movements and safely disable the engine on instructions from the police. Or if your vehicle's alarm is triggered, Holden Assist will contact you and dispatch the police if required.A new Holden Assist Ultra feature also allows owners to send text messages from Holden Assist's web portal to the vehicle's console screen.GM Holden director of marketing Philip Brook said existing VE Commodore owners could fit Holden Assist Ultra as an accessory."Our customers appreciate the extra level of protection from Holden Assist Ultra, especially when considering their family's safety," he said."It's easy to use, integrates seamlessly into Commodore's controls and the 24/7 contact with Holden Assist operators gives customers extra peace of mind."Holden Assist Ultra can be fitted to all VE Commodore sedan and Ute models and WM Statesman and Caprice. 

Holden's operation at Elizabeth in South Australia has been given a good report card by General Motors' global manufacturing vice president Gary Cowger.Mr Cowger toured the newly revamped plant for the first time yesterday and was impressed with the factory and its products.Mr Cowger said the Adelaide-built Pontiac G8 for the US market was being well received and hinted at a bright export future for other models, including the Ute and the Sportwagon.“There's certainly lots of interest in it, nothing beyond the G8 has been approved but there's lots of interest,” he said.“We'll continue to look at the viability of it as long as you can make a good solid business case out of it because they're terrific products. There's a lot of excitement about those products in a lot of different markets.”But the Elizabeth plant was unlikely in the short-term to be producing alternative-fuel Commodores.Holden manufacturing executive director Rod Keane said Holden would have access to GM-developed alternative drivetrains; including diesel, hybrid, bio-fuel and fuel cells.“We have a global architecture and we have access to all of those technologies. We continue to look at which ones we'll use in the future but we're not in a position to talk about that at this point,” Mr Keane said.“We continue to look at diesel as one of the alternative technologies on offer globally ... is it yet a compelling case for the Commodore?”“We're still studying the impact of diesels in the other products, trying to come to that decision.”The GM vice-president wouldn't comment on the recent election result, but Mr Keane said the company was working pro-actively with unions. 

My friends can't believe it - I've fallen for a ute. They might have understood if this was a meaningless one-night stand with a HSV Maloo R8, born of short-term lust for the outrageous form of that beast, but they're assuming it's a case of 'beer goggles' because I've fallen for a bare-bones, steel wheeled, working Commodore VE ute.  Nobody was more surprised than me, but the moment I hopped in the VE, it began to impress.The high-output version of Holden's V6 is great, significantly perkier than the base V6, yet more pliable and controllable on wet Sydney streets than the V8. Enough of the right sort of noise to be sure you're not driving a diesel, and any quicker from the lights and you'd be leaving the contents of your tray on the car behind you. The six-speed box pulls away acceptably in second without a load, though with a load on and from an uphill start, you'll need first. On the highway, fifth and sixth cruise comfortably and quietly.The cabin had more storage than I expected and a higher trim level than I expected, especially the wheel, gear shift, electric seat and reach-adjustable wheel. In fact, I was surprised how much of the interior I recognised from the Commodore SS-V I'd been driving a few weeks before. Sure, the bright orange leather trim was missing (not at all sorry about that) but the lower-spec audio system was more than adequate, and having no trip computer on the central electronic gauge meant I was no longer wincing at my mileage after heading out in a hurry.The load bay has literally loads of room - not the biggest available, but adequate for anything other than a 2m spirit level or a big ladder. Trade that space off against dynamics and I'll take the dynamics any day. While the VE ute was a little light and springy in the rear when I'd offloaded my 2m of mulch, it was nowhere near as bouncy as a heavier-sprung Hilux, and the traction control nicely managed the standard tires on wet, greasy sydney roads.I found it easy to sweep out the dog hair and mulchy bits from the rear when I'd finished my errands, and the gate took a pounding without complaint from two 20kg six-year-olds determined to use the ute's tray as a temporary driveway playhouse.You'd never pick it from a line-up of glamour-pusses, but the VE ute could find a place in my garage.

JIMMY Barnes is said to have the hardest-working set of vocal cords in Australian rock. And he once lived an even harder lifestyle.  The former Cold Chisel lead singer and 51-year-old father of five had a brush with death earlier this year when he had surgery to correct the bicuspid aortic valve in his heart.While recovering, Barnes wrote Out in the Blue, his 13th studio album, on sale tomorrow.What was your first car?A Morris Oxford. I paid $25 for it and it had six months' rego and a full tank of petrol. I was 16 and living in Adelaide.What do you drive now?A Holden Commodore. I can take my dogs in it. I like Holdens, they're good cars. When I'm on the road, I hire them. I sang at Bathurst recently, which was great. I watched the race start from the pits. I had a bit of a word to Skaifey before he started. I've done Bathurst a few times. I've met Craig Lowndes and Mark Skaife a few times. They're pretty intense, serious guys. They're both incredible drivers. I think the whole V8 Supercars thing is great.Do you have a favourite drive and who would you take?I'd take my wife Jane anywhere, but we enjoy driving along the north coast of NSW.How far would you drive in an average year?Jesus! That's hard to say. I'm on the road all the time. I did 600km at the weekend.Your favourite motoring memory?We have a car in Thailand, a Chevy van that belonged to Jane's father. He gave it to us and it's like a boat. It has karaoke in it and big luxury seats. My friends call it the pimpmobile because it's done up with mirrors and light shows. We love getting all the family in there, driving along, watching movies, driving to the beach in Thailand.What would you buy if money were no object?I like my Holden, but if money were no object, I'd buy an electric car.What music is playing in your car?At the moment, The Hives' new album, The Black & White Album.How much is too much for a new car?More than you can afford!What should be done to make driving safer?I think we could bring down the speed limits . . . Trucks should have their own lanes and be made to stay in them.Are you sponsored by a car company?No!

A Monash University Accident Research Centre study, commissioned by 13 state and federal road agencies and automobile clubs, has confirmed stability control's effectiveness in local conditions.It found a reduction in the risk of single-vehicle crashes of 25 per cent for ESC-equipped cars, 51 per cent in sports utility vehicles and 28 per cent across all vehicle types.In single-vehicle crashes where the driver was injured, there were even bigger reductions; 28 per cent for cars, 66 per cent in SUVs and 30 per cent across all vehicles.The RACQ has urged consumers to insist that ESC is fitted to any new vehicle they purchase, particularly four-wheel-drives.RACQ executive manager of vehicle technologies Steve Spalding said ESC currently was being fitted to only 40 per cent of new vehicles in Australia.Often it is an extra-cost option, but some new releases, such as the new Holden Ute and Toyota Camry range, have it fitted as standard across the range.“This is life-saving technology and the safety specifications set for vehicles today will affect crash risk and injury outcomes for the next 20 years because that is how long these vehicles are likely to remain on the road,” Spalding said.The study analysed crash patterns of 7700 ESC-equipped vehicles manufactured from 1997 to 2005 that were involved in crashes across Australia and New Zealand between 2001 and 2005.These were compared with the crash patterns of about 203,000 vehicles without ESC during the same period.Previous international studies have shown ESC effective in preventing single-vehicle crashes.In Queensland, single-vehicle crashes accounted for 49.5 per cent of driver fatalities in 2006.The US has made ESC mandatory for the 2012 model year, while the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has labelled stability control the most significant development since the seat belt.Commonly referred to as ESC, but also with a number of different trade names, electronic stability control works to avoid the loss of control in an emergency.It anticipates a skid with a set of sensors, which then engages the brakes at one or more wheels individually and employs the anti-lock system to restore stability.In 2006, 43 per cent of all newly registered cars in Europe were fitted with stability control.Bosch, a maker of ESC systems, said stability control was largely standard equipment among mid-size and luxury vehicles from Europe. 

When the Ute was reluctantly returned after a few laps for the next driver, the smiles on the dials almost split their helmets.

BMW's X5 3.0-litre diesel, the all new Mercedes-Benz C280 and Holden's latest rendition of the tradie's sportscar, the VE Ute SV6, today join the previously announced contenders in the run to the winn

This year has seen the market share of Commodore, Falcon and the Mitsubishi 380 fall to 19 per cent of new passenger vehicles, with only Toyota's Camry more or less immune.And while it was the biggest sales October ever, the share enjoyed by big Australian cars was reduced to 17.2 per cent. The lighter fare from Thailand achieved a best-ever 15.4 per cent. The Vfacts monthly bulletin, released this week by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, recorded that 89,289 motor vehicles were sold in October; an increase of 9359 on the same month last year.It beats the previous record for October, set in 2004, by more than 8000 sales. Year-to-date the market is up by 70,000 vehicles as it continues its charge towards breaking the one million mark for the first time.Yet against this bumper backdrop, 15,382 Australian-made units were shifted last month, mostly to fleets.Japanese-made cars continued their dominance but Thailand is where Honda's CR-V, Civic and Accord sedans are made. These and others, including Ford's Courier, which accounted for 13,825 sales in October.In sharp contrast to ever-diminishing local sales, that Thai-built percentage has increased by almost 50 per cent so far in 2007.Petrol prices are blamed for the decline of the great Australian six-cylinder. But the fact four medium-sized SUVs sold more than 1000 units each last month gives the lie to that.Yes, light cars, spearheaded by 1193 sales of the new Mazda2, experienced a sales surge, but the truth for the big Aussies is grimmer than the rising cost of the stuff that makes them go. The fact is that given wealth of choice, fewer and fewer Australians want the types of cars made in Australia.FCAI chief executive Andrew McKellar says the locals have never had it tougher.“The intensely competitive situation in the motor-vehicle market is being driven to a significant degree by the ongoing strength of the Australian dollar,” he says. McKellar says 4400 Commodores (excluding utes) were moved last month, so with about 300 more sales than the Corolla, it is the nation's number-one seller.Toyota's eggs are in more than one basket with the ever-competitive Yaris, Camry, RAV4 and Prado prominent among its 20,212 October sales. Holden managed 11,415 and Ford 8206. It was the first time that Toyota had outsold the combined total of Holden and Ford in any single month.Year-to-date Toyota leads Holden by 71,360 with the launch of the new LandCruiser this month.If Toyota's lead is unassailable, surely the success story is Mazda.At number four, the leading full-imported marque sells not a single car to fleets or rental companies. They all go to private buyers.October's best-ever 7271 sales represented Mazda's 10th record month in a row. Mazda's year-to-date total of 64,929 already surpasses its 2006 full-year sales result of 63,664.  Snapshot   Country of originJapan 31,838Australia 15,382Thailand 13,825Korea 9830Germany 3901South Africa 2434Belgium 1525US 1448Spain 1422France 1206 The biggest sellers1 Holden Commodore (Australia) 44402 Toyota Corolla (Japan) 41233 Mazda3 (Japan) 31254 Ford Falcon (Australia) 24395 Toyota Camry (Australia) 19946 Hyundai Getz (Korea) 18967 Toyota Aurion (Australia) 18318 Mitsubishi Lancer (Japan) 14469 Honda Civic (Thailand) 140910 Honda CR-V (Thailand) 129111 Toyota RAV4 (Japan) 129312 Toyota Prado (Japan) 127313 Suzuki Swift (Japan) 119714 Mazda2 (Japan) 119315 Ford Territory (Australia) 119016 Toyota Kluger and Subaru Forester (both Japan) 117317 Holden Astra (Belgium) 111818 Mitsubishi 380 (Australia) 110019 Holden Captiva (Korea) 109320 Nissan Tiida (Thailand) 1087 

GM and its Australian arm, GM Holden, however, have given technological and financial support to challenge entrants as part of the car maker's interest in potential future fuel needs and energy efficiencies, which mean lower carbon dioxide emissions.The Panasonic World Solar Challenge begins in Darwin on Sunday on its 3021km-run south across the Outback to Adelaide.The GM-backed entrants include a petrol-electric hybrid car, sun-powered solar cars and a production car running on fuel that is 85 per cent ethanol; a renewable energy resource.GM Holden director of innovation engineering Richard Marshall said although the company was committed to alternative propulsion break throughs, diesel fuel now was the best solution for typical Australian driving needs.“We think drivers will begin to understand and choose the alternative powertrain solution that suits their transport needs,” he said. “Where drivers spend most of their time in heavily-congested traffic, petrol hybrids may offer the appropriate level of performance with low fuel consumption."“For people whose driving habits typically include a mix of inner city, suburban and country driving, diesel vehicles may be more likely to deliver powerful performance and better fuel economy."“In Australia, most driving falls into this latter category where relatively low-density residential suburbs, rapidly-spreading coastal fringes and long distances between rural population centres are generally more suitable for diesel power trains.” Mr Marshall's assessment is all the more interesting because no hybrid or diesel car is made in Australia.GM Holden is experimenting with a diesel Commodore but says at $50 million to develop, plus tooling costs, it is too costly to put into production yet. A hybrid Commodore would be priced too high to attract buyers; unless government incentives and subsidies were given.GM Holden spokesman John Lindsay said the company offered diesel engines in imported models, the Atra small car, Captiva SUV and Rodeo ute.The government's green vehicle guide website rates the Astra diesel fuel use at just 5.9 litres/100km, which is 20 per cent more frugal than the petrol Astra's 7.4 litres/100km.The diesel Captiva is rated at 8.6l/100km, or 25 per cent more economic than the petrol Captiva's 11.5l/100km.