Holden Commodore 2009 News

The only bright spot for General Motors is that GM-Holden's local Commodore, again remains the number one seller.However, the Commodore's local success is likely to do little for the woes of the parent company in Detroit.GM-Holden is believed to be close to making a decision on its immediate future with a full audit of its operations and staffing levels.A decision could be announced as soon as next week.In the past three months GM-Holden has slashed production days and further down days could be on the cards as demand for the Commodore stagnates.The company has fast-tracked production of its new small four cylinder car as buyers move to smaller cars.Senior management at the company, including boss, Mark Reuss, have already taken pay cuts of up to 10 per cent to protect jobs.Last month's VFACTS sales figures due out tomorrow are expected to show that about 3500 Commodores were sold last month, beating the popular Toyota HiLux.Despite the Commodore's success, GM-Holden and other car brand sales are tipped to be down again.However, Toyota is expected to remain market leader but its sales have also taken a battering.March sales are down about 17 per cent across the board compared to March 2008.About 75,000 vehicles were sold last month, compared to the 91,285 vehicles sold 12 months ago.But as private buyers desert showrooms, there is still some strength in the light commercial business end of the market.One analyst said most carmakers are positioning their brands for a tougher market this year."Sales this year will, in effect, be down to 2003 or 2004 levels, which is hardly disastrous and still better than some overseas markets," he said. Top 101. Holden Commodore 35002. Toyota HiLux 32003. Toyota Corolla 30004. Mazda3 28005. Ford Falcon 19006. Toyota Yaris 17007. Hyundai Getz 16508. Hyundai i30 16259. Toyota Camry 160010 Mitsubishi Lancer 1400* approximate figures  

There is more to towing than just hitching the trailer or caravan and pulling into traffic for a trip.Anyone who has lost control of a loaded trailer or caravan can tell you that getting it wrong can have serious consequences.Even taking a load of junk to the tip or picking up a box-trailer load of garden supplies can get ugly — or worse — if you are not adequately prepared.And learning to back and park with a trailer on the tail takes skill.The potential for disaster is everywhere: from choosing the right tow vehicle and preparing it for the job, to carrying too much weight, incorrectly distributing the weight of the load, or failing to maintain a trailer or caravan.STARTING POINTThe first step into tow land is to decide what you want to tow.More importantly, you need to calculate how much it weighs when fully loaded and ready for the road.This will help you work out if you can keep your existing car or whether you need to buy something new, perhaps a four-wheel-drive if you have horses or a big boat, to handle the tow work.TOWING CAPACITIESAll modern vehicles have a rated towing capacity.For example, a big 4WD such as a Nissan Patrol has a maximum towing capacity of 3500kg, but a small car such as a Toyota Corolla has a towing capacity of only 1300kg.The towing capacity includes the trailer or caravan, as well as all its contents, so people intending to tow a caravan should include everything they plan to take with them, including full water tanks.If you already have the caravan/trailer and can borrow a friend's tow car for a while, then it is easy to work out the weight of what you are towing.Just go down to a public weighbridge and roll the trailer on to the scales.Most new caravans have a rating that tells you how much the van is able to safely weigh, then you can compare this figure with the car's towing capacity.If your vehicle doesn't have a specified towing capacity (this often happens with older cars), you are allowed to tow up to 1 1/2 times the unladen mass of the tow vehicle, as long as the trailer and braking system complies with the relevant Australian Design Rule.If the trailer is not fitted with brakes, the mass of the caravan/trailer must not exceed the unladen weight of the tow vehicle, or 750kg.BRAKESThere are two common types of trailer brakes.The older type is mechanical, which triggers a hydraulic system that reacts when the tow vehicle decelerates.New trailers and caravans have an electric braking system that is much easier to control.Apart from being adjustable, electric brakes can be operated separately from the tow vehicle's brakes. If a trailer or van starts to sway, the driver can apply its brakes separately and have a much better chance of bringing it under control.WEIGHT-DISTRIBUTION HITCHA tow vehicle running with its nose in the air and rear almost rubbing on the ground is dangerous.Apart from all the wear and tear it causes, it also affects steering and braking.So a weight-distribution hitch is an important part of safe towing.OTHER GEARIt is a legal requirement for drivers to have a clear view of the road at all times, so you should consider fitting larger mirrors or mirror extenders, especially if towing a caravan.SPREADING THE LOADThe way a trailer or caravan is loaded is important.Put too much weight at the front or too much at the back of the caravan/trailer and it will negatively affect the handling, perhaps leading to a crash.MAINTENANCEMost trailers are stored in the back yard and are not used often, so it is important that they be regularly check and maintained.Wiring can easily corrode, causing lights to stop working, tyres can crack from old age, wheel bearings can dry up and braking systems can seize.The same goes for caravans.They may also be fitted with gas cylinders for cooking, which need to be regularly checked.GETTING IT RIGHTTow-Ed driving instructor John Eggenhuizen, who runs a national towing course, says towing accidents happen far too often.He tells of a just-retired couple who bought a $70,000 Toyota LandCruiser and a $65,000 caravan to set off on holiday, only to lose control and write them off in a crash.Eggenhuizen says such accidents are often caused by poor caravan/trailer set-up and a lack of experience.He says proper training prepares drivers for such situations, but also helps drivers with the sometimes difficult task of backing a trailer or caravan.BUYING A TOW CARBigger is usually better when it comes to tow cars.You don't need to have a giant 4WD, but they are often the best machines for the job.Vehicles designed for carrying heavy loads, including 4WDs such as the Nissan Patrol, Toyota LandCruiser and Land Rover Discovery, are the best if you have a heavy caravan/trailer.Mid-sized 4WDs such as the Nissan Pathfinder and Toyota Prado are also excellent, and family machines such as the Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore are good.Ford Falcon wagons and utes make better tow cars than Holden Commodores and regular Falcons because they have leaf-spring suspensions, and the Ford Territory's extra weight and reduced rear overhang makes it a good tow vehicle.Small 4WDs such as the Subaru Outback or Nissan X-Trail are OK for towing relatively light loads.Turbo diesels are the prime engine choice for many tow cars because they have lots of torque and don't use as much fuel as a petrol engine.Six or eight-cylinder petrol engines are good because towing requires maximum pulling force. The more torque an engine has the better it will be for the job.Four-cylinder petrol engines can pull lighter loads, but often struggle with heavier cargo.TOW DRIVING TIPSAllow extra distance in traffic.Apply throttle and brakes more gently.If the caravan/trailer starts to sway do not apply the tow vehicle's brakes. If the trailer/caravan is fitted with independent electronic brakes, apply them slowly. If not, continue at a steady speed or accelerate slowly.Engage a lower gear for better control downhill.If possible, pull off the road to allow faster traffic to pass and stop more often to rest. 

New car prices are on the rise, demand is on the decline, used prestige cars have become hen's teeth and yet interest rates are spiralling to historic lows.It's a difficult market for the new car buyer who's chasing value.So we've come up with the list of the six best light cars and sports cars: Ones that will hold their value more than others over a five-year period.And just to show you how better these cars are compared with others, we've included the model that is expected to devalue the most.Australian-built cars provide a comparison. For example, the base-model Ford Falcon is expected to retain 27 per cent of its value after five years, slicing more than two-thirds off its $37,690 purchase price to $10,176. Toyota and Holden products are similar.Glass's Information Services' Operations manager, Chris D'Sousa, devised a future value list that forecasts what new models will be worth in five years.It's used mainly for fleet buyers — government, councils and big business — though has implications for private motorists.Rather than crystal-ball gazing, Mr D'Souza says there's a lot of analysing of data from a broad field."Forecasting includes 20 indicators and to that is applied an adjustment factor," he says."For example, we knew the VE Commodore was coming so values of the then current VZ Commodore were adjusted downwards early."We use the data of 40,000 cars each month and then adjust for odometer readings, condition, the type of model, the options and so on."These are some of the factors that are used to determine future value."Private buyers can determine the future value of their next car by visiting www.glassguide.com.au and clicking on the yellow VW Beetle. LIGHT CARS: 1. RENAULT Clio Sport 197:new $36,490after 5yrs — $15,690retained value — 43% 2. PEUGEOT 207 (range):new from $26,990after 5yr $11,336retained value — 42% 3. VOLKSWAGEN Polo GTi:new $26,990after 5yr $11,336retained value — 42% 4. FIAT 500 Lounge:new $28,990after 5yr $12,176retained value — 42% 5. SUZUKI Swift:new $19,990after 5yr $7996retained value — 40% 6. MAZDA2:new $20,860after 5yr $8344retained value — 40% 7. KIA Rio hatch:new $16,990after 5yr $5267retained value — 31% Sports cars have traditionally held their heads higher on the resale list because of their emotive value.Buyers yearning for an exotic sports car generally wait until one falls in their price range and often that means a used example.So prices are stronger than, say, sedans. However, all are not equal.Note that the Top 6 in this list are, with the exception of the RX-8, all convertibles. The RX-8 enters this fraternity partially because it is a four-seater sports car.Unusually, an Alfa Romeo makes it into the Top 6 with the Spider 3.2-litre V6. However, in the same breath, one of the lowest in the list is also an Alfa — this time a GT Coupe. SPORTS CARS:1. BMW 125i Convertible:new $79,644after 5yr $36,636retained value — 46% 2. MAZDA MX-5:new $49,835after 5yr $22,426retained value — 45% 3. ALFA Romeo Spider 3.2new $92,990after 5yr $41,846retained value — 45% 4. NISSAN 350Z Roadster:new $75,490after 5yr $33,971retained value — 45% 5. MAZDA RX-8:new $58,084after 5yr $26,138retained value — 45% 6. VOLKSWAGEN Eos:new $50,430after 5yr $22,694retained value — 45% 7. ALFA Romeo GT Coupe:new $69,990after 5yr $19,597retained value — 28% COMPARISON CARS:FORD G6E Turbo:new $56,390after 5yr $18,045retained value — 32% HOLDEN Calais Sportwagen:new $57,290after 5yr $18,333retained value — 32% HOLDEN Commodore Omega:new $36,890after 5yr $11,067retained value — 30% TOYOTA Camry:new $28,490after 5yr $8262retained value — 29% TOYOTA Aurion Prodigy:new $39,990after 5yr $11,197retained value — 28% FORD Falcon XT:new $37,690after 5yr $10,176retained value — 27% 

Almost every new arrival came with a major safety push, including the City Safety system we've already reviewed in the Volvo XC60 and plenty of airbag and ABS action in cars at every price point.The latest member of the five-star ANCAP crew, the Holden Commodore Sportwagon, was also announced.But the TAC wanted more and staged a protest at the show to highlight the need for safe shopping by every Australian family. It used actors dressed as crash-test dummies to push the message, even calling on motoring journalists to join the cause."If everyone upgraded their car to the safest in its class, the Victorian road toll could be cut by a third overnight," says the TAC's road safety manager, Samantha Cockfield."Your car's safety features could mean the difference between life and death for you or a member of your family."Find out more on the 2009 Melbourne Motor Show.The TAC, like Volvo and other safety leaders, is also asking people to take a deeper dive into safety, moving beyond airbags to the sort of systems which can prevent a crash or help the driver do a better job on the road.Cockfield says there are plenty of new developments that people need to know."These include Intelligent Speed Assist, active head restraints, assisted braking systems, driver fatigue detection and land departure warning."But the simplest message on safety is just to go to a website, www.howsafeisyourcar.com.au  before you buy.  ON THE PAD: March Audi A6, mid-sized luxuryAudi Q5, a major milestoneBMW 7 Series, the benchmarkLexus RX350, all-new SUVMazda MX-5, new smiling facePorsche Boxster, beats the 911Skoda Octavia, gets a boost April Honda Odyssey, fourth-generation people moverHyundai i30CW, baby wagonMazda3, a sales winnerMini Cabrio, second-generation droptop

It’s not the one at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre, but the one played out under lights at dealerships across the country for almost every day of the year.When the sales top one million vehicles it has to be rated as a good year, even though there were plenty of tests, trials and tribulations on the way to the second-best result in motoring history.The eventual mark was 1,012,164, although that will not be matched in 2009 despite the excitement generated by the newcomers at this year’s Melbourne show.All forecasters are predicting a 10-15 per cent slide in new-car demand, as the global economic meltdown and rising unemployment take the edge off consumer confidence, with a likely result in the 850,000-900,000 range.But there is no questioning the million-car run through 2008, which followed a record in 2007, as Toyota stormed to its sixth straight year as sales leader while the Holden Commodore was Australia’s favourite car for the 13th consecutive year.“This is positive news for the Australian automotive industry,” says the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce’s Murray Collins.“There is little doubt that 2008 was a challenging year, so to achieve one million new vehicle sales is a very good effort.”There were plenty of highlights last year, as Maserati claimed “fastest growing car company” rights, Audi had another boom year, and Mazda, Subaru and Volkswagen also improved their results among the top-10 runners.But Holden and Ford went backwards again, as their big Aussie sixes suffered the worst results on record thanks to fuel prices.Mitsubishi, Nissan and Honda were also down from the highs of 2007. Their combined results were actually beaten by Toyota, which topped the charts with 238,983 sales — and also exported more than 100,000 Melbourne-made Camry and Aurion sedans.Brand T is almost certain to be No.1 again in 2009, thanks to its momentum and GM Holden’s decision to concentrate on profits ahead of outright showroom volume.“The next 12 months are expected to be tough for all concerned,” Collins says.“But the industry is looking ahead with confidence after receiving significant support towards the end of 2008.”The $6.2 billion New Car Plan showed the Rudd Government was committed to a sustainable automotive industry. And the Special Purpose Vehicle — the $2 billion floorplan rescue package — was a timely breakthrough by Treasurer Wayne Swan to end the dealer finance crisis.”The story of Australia’s new-car showrooms in 2008 was a win for buyers, as big dollar deals on everything from a $29,990 Holden Commodore to a $9990 Hyundai Getz helped prevent a total meltdown.Big stocks mean the analysts were predicting continued deals through to this month to clear ‘08 vehicles, followed by the arrival of the major newcomers of ‘09.But there will be a penalty, with prices rising off the back of the slide in the Australian dollar through the second half of last year. Greats ‘08 TOP MODELSHolden Commodore 51,093Toyota Corolla 47,901Toyota HiLux 42,956Mazda3 33,755Ford Falcon 31,936Toyota Yaris 26,097Toyota Camry 23,067Mitsubishi Lancer 19,688Toyota Aurion 19,562Nissan Navara 18,574TOP BRANDSToyota 238,983Holden 130,338Ford 104,715Mazda 79,826Mitsubishi 60,692Nissan 59,214Honda 52,571Hyundai 45,409Subaru 38,492Volkswagen 29,875 The 2009 Melbourne International Motor Show... 

PART-TIME V8 Supercar racer Nathan Pretty is still celebrating after winning the World Jetsprint Championship in New Zealand. Pretty, who has been a co-driving regular at Bathurst in V8 Commodores and is also racing in the upcoming 12-hour showroom battle in a Commodore Sportwagon, took the world crown after a victory in the 2007 Australian championship. Pretty won the Jetsprint title for the Triple X team at the Tauherenikau course near Featherston on New Zealand's north island.THERE will be a new 'voice' of V8 Supercars in 2009 as the former general manager of Jason Bright's Britek team, Chris Jewell, becomes the new series commentator. He will be the lead on-track commentator at the 14 rounds of this year's championship, taking over from Paul Marinelli.KIWI veteran Craig Baird will be back to defend his Carrera Cup championship in 2009, also looking to increase the total of 84 individual race victories which makes him the most successful Porsche Carrera series racer in the world. His attack on this year's Australian title begins at the Clipsal 500 meeting in March but Baird has been staying fresh by racing - and winning - in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge in New Zealand.HARDCORE biker Blake 'Bilko' Williams is using a Crusty Demons tour in New Zealand to prepare for a big year of FMX action in 2009. He will be back on the lucrative Dew Tour in the USA after being sidelined by an injury last year and will also take part in the X Games in Los Angeles as well as the new Dubai X Games in December."  AUSTRALIA'S World and American Supercross champion Chad Reed survived a nasty crash in practice to score his fifth podium in five rounds at the weekend. The Suzuki rider rode cautiously during his eight lap heat race, but pushed hard in the final to finish second in San Francisco begind James Stewart (Yamaha) and remain on top of the championship, six points in front of Stewart."I still have the points lead. Right now that is important and we go back to Anaheim next weekend to a track that has being designed by Jeremy McGrath, so I am looking forward to that," he said. AMA Supercross Season Standings after Round 5 of 17 1. Chad Reed, Suzuki, 108 2. James Stewart, Yamaha, 102 3. Josh Grant, Yamaha, 95 4. Ryan Villopoto, Kawasaki, 88 5. Andrew Short, Honda, 87 

It is believed to be the first time the brand has grabbed number one sales spot for a month.

The original VC Commodore he developed for the Holden Dealer Team has been re-created as a VE Commodore thanks to some of his biggest fans.Peter Champion, one of Brock's closest friends and the owner of more than 20 of his famous racing cars, began the VC retro project and it has picked up pace with help from Patterson Cheney Holden in Melbourne.The first VC-retro-VE Commodores is nearly complete and Champion is expected to appoint dealers in other states soon as production of the cars and HDT parts shifts into gear.The car is expected to be priced from $65,000, although there is no final pricing yet on parts including body kits, exhausts, suspension and brakes."We are behind the project with Peter Champion. He spent a lot of money developing the body kit and I though he was onto something. It pulled the sentimental heart strings for me," says Nick Batzialas, the new-car manager at Patterson Cheney in Vermont."I thought a lot of people would like a car like this. They have grown up knowing the original car and wanted something like it."The car has the same look as Brock's VC original thanks to the body kit, HDT striping and Irmsche-look 19-inch wheels.But Batzialas knew he needed more and went to Autotechnique in Victoria to find it."We needed a package that was fun to drive. So Autotechnique did the suspension and performance work," he says."They have come up with a package that puts a smile on your dial, even under 100km/h. It just feels like a muscle car."The work runs from a free-flowing exhaust to improved suspension and, with help from Harrop Engineering, there will be more HDT-badged performance gear in future.There is only one VC-retro-VC Commodore so far, but Batzialas believes there will be strong demand."We have just completed our first car. It's just been released. We've already got someone who wants the car, once it's completed with an interior upgrade," he says."We've only just got the ball rolling. But we've got a lot of interest."We are thinking the car is going to be $65,000 driveway."I think I could sell four or five cars a month. But it's going to be built on demand. And we're not planning on exceeding 500 cars, which is the same as the original homologation for the VC."The VC retro is based on a current SS-V Commodore sedan and Batzialas says initial problems with GM Holden have been overcome without worrying about a conflict with Holden Special Vehicles."It was a bit tickly, but we've steered around it," he says."We have been given the Victorian distribution and Peter Champion is negotiating with other states. We've got a proud history at Patterson Cheney with hot Holdens and we helped give Brocky his start."We're also coming up with a line of HDT products, so people can buy the brakes, the suspension or whatever. That's something Holden dealers haven't had, because a lot of people don't want the full HSV package." 

Bargwanna backJason Bargwanna is back in a full-time V8 Supercar ride this year. Since the collapse of the WPS Racing squad just before the start of last season, he has rebuilt his career at the top level, driving everything he could and starring in the Mini Challenge last year. The former Bathurst winner will now partner Greg Murphy at Tasman Motorsport, driving a Commodore in Sprint Gas colours.Algarve impressesGrand Prix drivers have begun testing at a new circuit in Europe on the Algarve in Portugal. Ferrari and McLaren were first on to the impressive new layout and have praised everything from its location to a track design that takes advantage of the rolling country where it was built. It has Formula One test approval until 2011.Detroit derailedIndycar racing has taken a hit with the cancellation of one of this year's headline events, the Detroit Grand Prix. Motown has been hit hardest by the economic downturn and the race, run since 1990 on Belle Island and revived in 2007 as an IRL event, has not been able to raise the sponsorship necessary to continue.Call to BathurstCashed-up racers are being called to Bathurst for the WPS 12-hour race next month. There are plenty of race places available, including several in HSV R8s built by former V8 Supercar racer Cameron McLean. Details on the spots, and the race, from www.bathurst12hour.com.auCruze controlThe latest Chevrolet Cruze compact, to be produced in Australia as a Holden from next year, will be General Motors' spearhead in the World Touring Car Championship. A three-car Cruze team will go up against factory entries from Seat and BMW in this year's series, replacing the previous Daewoo Lacetti hatchbacks.Daytona's old magicJames Hylton is hoping to become the oldest driver to qualify for the classic Daytona 500 when the Nascar season starts next month. Hylton, 74, who was Nascar's rookie of the year in 1966, aims to run a full program in the Sprint Cup this year.Hickman surprisesDarren Hickman was the surprise winner of the latest round of the SRA sprintcar series at Avalon Raceway in Geelong on the evening of Boxing Day. Hickman, a former star in super sedans, scored the unlikely win in a 350 racer from youngster Tim Rankin. Darren Mollenoyux finished third and is now second in the Eureka-sponsored series behind Matthew Reed as the championship moves on to Horsham on January 10. 

He has been the front man for Ford for so long that his days in a 1950s 'Humpy' Holden and giant killing Torana XU1 have faded into the pages of time.