Holden Commodore News

Meet the two guys selling Holden V8 utes to Americans, something Holden tried but failed to do six years ago.Two workshop mechanics have managed to do what Holden could not achieve: export the Holden ute to North America.Holden came so close to selling the homegrown ute in the land of "pick-up trucks" that it had rapper 50 Cent unveil a Pontiac version of the Commodore ute at the New York motor show in 2008.But the export plans were scrapped once the Global Financial Crisis hit later that year, and General Motors chose not to revive the program and sell the ute as a Chevrolet.Enter two entrepreneurial mechanics from Denver, Colorado, John Ehrlich and Randall Reese, who started importing Holden utes from Australia 18 months ago, and are now up to their 16th delivery."General Motors is crazy," says Ehrlich. "They missed a massive opportunity here. The work was done to make these into left-hand-drive, we can't understand why they didn't bring them in as Chevrolets."The pair specialise in the V8 Holden utes and have just begun importing -- and converting to left-hand-drive -- the top-of-the-line Holden Special Vehicles Maloo, which has the same V8 engine as the Corvette."Holden has a real cult following over here, absolutely people know what it is when they see it," says Reese. "It reminds them of the Chevrolet ElCamino pick-ups we had in the 1970s."The Denver boys, who trade under Lefthandutes.com, sell their secondhand and converted utes for between $40,000 for a Holden SS to $95,000 for a top-line HSV Maloo, about 20 per cent more than what Australians pay for similar secondhand models.In the US, two Australians living in Florida have bought one each, but the remaining customers are American living in New York, Washington, and Virginia.What will the Denver boys do once Holden stops manufacturing in Australia by the end of 2017?"We'll keep buying them secondhand," says Reese. "There is nothing like this on the road in America. I can't believe Holden and General Motors are letting go of the ute. It's such a great concept: a pick-up with performance." 

The industry does not know what to make of Gerry Dorizas' sudden departure but time will reveal all.Time will tell us why Gerry Dorizas left the top job at Holden suddenly.In the meantime the dealers that have carried the brand with outdated cars will need to do even more heavy lifting.Mr Dorizas had barely been in the top job at Holden for more than a month when he boldly declared that the once proud brand would return to Number One and topple Toyota by 2020.It was a big call because Holden sales had just hit a 20-year low, and it hadn’t been at the top of the charts for 11 years.Behind the scenes, Mr Dorizas began blaming dealers for the company’s woes.In one of his so-called motivational speeches to the dealer network, he told them to sell more cars. If only it were that simple.The dealers quickly got off-side, but they continued to slave away selling a model line-up that has been left largely unchanged over the past few years.Sure, Holden sales are up 1.3 per cent year-to-date in a market that is down 2 per cent. But most of that growth has been disguised by the Commodore’s bounce back from the previous year’s record low.Holden has a handful of ‘new’ cars coming next year; but they’re simply rebadged versions of selected Opel models that were withdrawn from sale last year after just 11 months. Another monumental General Motors misstep.Holden won’t have any all-new-from-the-ground-up cars until early 2016. That’s when the new Captiva is due to arrive, ahead of the imported version of the second-generation Cruze sedan.In the meantime, Holden dealers will be pushing out the same metal it has been trying to move for the past few years — against competition with newer models and a more diverse range.Holden dealers don’t deserve the blame for the company’s current predicament. They deserve a medal, because without their tireless efforts with an ageing product range Holden would be in much worse shape than it is today.

Some car brands are more open than others; some owners are in the dark. Australia is on track to post a record number of vehicle recalls this year. It has already eclipsed a 10-year high.In 2004, about 776,000 cars were recalled - so far this year, the figure is more than 800,000 and looks certain to surpass the 855,000 in 2001.So are cars becoming less reliable or are manufacturers more concerned about being sued for negligence, and so being more open about problems with their vehicles?The answer to both questions is yes.As car companies drive down costs, they outsource more parts that can be bought more cheaply due to global economies of scale.For example Japanese company Takata makes airbags for most leading car brands. But when something goes wrong, it's monumental.There is currently a global recall of 16 million cars from nine brands - including about 100,000 in Australia - because Takata airbags could inflate with excessive force and potentially spray shrapnel at occupants. So far, the fault has been linked to at least four deaths in the US.General Motors, meanwhile, recalled 2.6 million cars in North America because of a faulty ignition switch that could turn off the engine and disable the airbags. So far the fault has been linked to at least 27 deaths in the US, according to Reuters.US authorities found General Motors executives hid the fault for almost 10 years. Senior staff involved in the scandal have since been sacked.Recalls are in the spotlight in Australia because Holden - possibly spurred by the investigation into the parent company's handling of the ignition switch recall - has been more open than it might have been in the past. Holden's 13 recalls so far this year is more than any other car brand in a calendar year and more than half of these relate to Australian-made cars.Would you rather buy a car from a company that is more open about its faults and more likely to fix them quickly?The next highest on the local list are Jeep (nine recalls) and Toyota (seven). Some Holden recalls, such as a faulty windscreen wiper, may seem overcautious. Some, however, are disturbing.One of the latest recalls was issued because manual transmission versions of the Holden Trax compact SUV and Barina small car can unintentionally 'bunny hop' and then stall if the driver bumps the key when it is in the ignition - even in the off position.Authorities argue that safety is safety, though the definition of 'safety' is open to interpretation. Despite the tough wording, recalls in Australia are still voluntary.This is why some brands don't issue a recall and instead divert the repair work to a 'dealer service campaign'.For example, Hyundai Australia last year voluntarily called 227,000 cars to dealerships to replace a faulty brake light switch in eight models, representing most of its range. News Corp Australia exclusively unearthed the fault the year before.But the company stopped short of calling it a safety recall because the Federal Department of Transport advised the consumer watchdog that the brake light switch fault was "not a safety issue".Hyundai has previously shown a reluctance to recall.In November 1998 it refused to recall 46,000 examples of the Excel even though several were found to have a welding defect that could lead to the collapse of the front suspension.In words eerily similar to the brake light issue, Hyundai claimed at the time it was "not a safety issue".An NRMA technical report said of the Excel's suspension: "In extreme cases the right front wheel and drive shaft can become detached and jam the wheel in the housing." The Federal Government threatened to issue a compulsory recall - which it had never done - if Hyundai did not take action. Despite the seriousness of the fault, and the tough talk from government, Hyundai issued a dealer service campaign.Holden may be more transparent now but it too has recently avoided at least one serious recall. It insists there is no local recall required for a faulty ignition switch despite 46,000 export versions of the Australian-made Commodore and Caprice being recalled in the US earlier this month. In doing so Holden has avoided what would become the biggest recall in Australian automotive history as it would involve approximately 432,000 Commodores made since 2006.Holden engineers insist the GM ignition fault in the US does not affect Commodores in Australia because the position of the key is different.The risk of faults increases as cars become more complex and incorporate more parts from outside suppliers. Furthermore, the handling of recalls differs from brand to brand.Would you rather buy a car from a company that is more open about its faults and more likely to fix them quickly?The alternative is to hope for repair work under the guise of a 'dealer service campaign' - but that is contingent on taking the car back to the selling dealer rather than an independent mechanic.Federal authorities need to provide a clearer definition of what constitutes a safety recall to make the response more consistent across all brands.For now, some car brands are more open than others in this respect and some car owners are none the wiser.

Comparing the contenders has always been a great way to bag a new-car bargain. So you might be looking at a Holden Commodore but, after watching the Bathurst win last weekend by Paul Morris and Chaz Mostert, decide instead a Ford Falcon is more your style.Or you could be convinced you need a new Toyota HiLux, until you check the prices for rivals such as the Nissan Navara and Mitsubishi Triton. But there is a new twist in the tale.It's all about brands stopping rivals gain ground. And stealing their customers. It's called ambush marketing and it's becoming more common.Earlier this year, on the same day BMW was ripping the covers off its hot rod M3 sedan and M4 coupe, Mercedes-Benz boosted power and cut the price for its belter C63 AMG.As Ford continues the build-up to its FG X, which goes on sale in early December, Holden has just done a 2015 update on its excellent VF Commodore."Ambush marketing is all about stealing someone else's glory," says John Startari, who heads Peugeot and Citroen in Australia. They're challenger brands and he's always looking for a way to lure people from the mainstream. "Remember the Holden blimp? The day it accidentally got blown towards the MCG in a Toyota-sponsored ALF game? Ambush marketing."Even Toyota's AFL sponsorship is a way to one-up companies, like Mazda and Renault and Fiat that support individual teams." There are no boundaries in ambush marketing, with Kia doing a job on half-brother Hyundai in a people-mover stoush this week.As Hyundai previews its updated 2015 seven-seater Santa Fe, Kia has done a value-added package for its rival Sorento. Kia says the "Family Pack" is a $3400 value boost, which is sure to tickle shoppers who put value at the top of their priorities.

Paul Gover gets behind the wheel of Tim Slade's Supercheap Auto Racing V8 Supercar ahead of this weekend's Bathurst 1000.Many of the people who tune in for the Bathurst 1000 secretly believe they could be a contender at Mount Panorama.Television makes it look easy, from the 290km/h blast down Conrod Straight to the romp across the top of the hill and the dive down through the Esses to the Dipper and on to Forrests Elbow.But it's not. Not even a little bit.A V8 Supercar is a wild beast, noisy and hot and fast and furious and ready to bite you any chance it gets. And that's just driving, not worrying about actually racing a bunch of hotheads who would give almost anything to claim the biggest prize in Australian motorsport.I know because I've just been crammed behind the wheel of Tim Slade's Bathurst racer to see what it's like. It was only a handful of laps at a track called Winton, not the peak of Mount Panorama, but I now have a crystal-clear picture of the difference between a road-going Holden Commodore and its race car cousin.Mostly, it's scary. It's also uncomfortable, intimidating and difficult. Did I mention fast?When smiling Scotty McLaughin and jumping Jack Perkins blast past while I'm finding my feet it's something else again. Fear and intimidation at a different level.But, sitting to write, I cannot stop smiling. Perhaps it's the lingering effects of adrenalin.As I arrive at Winton there is a mix of fear, anticipation and excitement. This is Bucket List stuff for me and a childhood dream for any V8 Supercars fan. I've already been on email to Supercheap Auto Racing's pitlane boss, Jason Bush, for a some tips and a copy of the driver's manual for the car. Just learning the buttons on the steering wheel is tough."Don't worry, you'll be fine," Slade reassures me."Hah. You're going to make a right goose of yourself," chimes in James Courtney, a former champion and serious Bathurst contender. And I thought he was a friend.The toughest job all day is getting into the car. The racer might look like a cushy Commodore, but it's a hand-built thoroughbred constructed from kilometres of super-tough steel tubing. I have to squeeze in through the gaps and then plop into a seat built for someone about 10 centimetres shorter and 30 kilograms lighter.I make it into the Slade slot, but I cannot straighten my arms and my legs are jammed up against my chest. But I don't tell anyone, because I'm here now and I'm staying.The engine starts easily even though it has 480 kiloWatts, but I know it's a temperamental beast and I'll have to be careful not to stall when I head for the track. Now there are six giggling race drivers all waiting for me to fluff it.But I clunk the six-speed gearbox - there is no synchro to ease the shifts - into first and manage to rumble down the pitlane with the speed limiter controlling the car and my enthusiasm.Out onto the track, I know I have to get going quickly. The tyres must be kept hot, the engine has a narrow operating range, and there are a bunch of drivers doing serious test laps ahead of Bathurst."Remember to make your gearshifts strong, all the time. Don't muck around," says Bush over the radio.So I push the long-travel accelerator pedal down, work up through the gears to fifth, and try to take it all in. That's the tough part, because I'm using all I have just to drive the car. How do the racers have time to talk tactics and wave to mum?I realise, in just two seconds, the difference between a journalist driver and a Bathurst racer.As I find some speed, things get easier. I don't notice the stifling heat, or the violence of the response, or the shattering noise.I can feel the gears dropping smoothly into place, enjoy the super-sharp response of the steering, luxuriate in power that seems unlimited, and brakes that kill speed.Now I can watch the gearchange warning lights flicker across the electronic dash, catch sight of Dave the Cameraman at turn three, and even begin to push a tiny bit towards the car's limits. It's moving around, squirming as I unleash the power, then pitching and rolling through the corners, and I'm keen to discover more.But I'm not remotely fit and this is not easy. My chest is crushed by the cornering forces, pushing the brake pedal is like stepping on a brick, and I have to wait-wait-wait for the power if I don't want to flick into a spin.Not just that, but the Dunlop racing tyres on the car are rubbish. They have probably done too many laps, but they feel like giant marshmallows at each corner of the car. I cannot get any sort of feeling of what's happening and I know I could do more with better grip."Are you going to print that," one of the drivers asks me later. "You should, because we all agree about the tyres but we cannot say it."After a quick stop to catch my breath, and babble to the crew about what I've learned, I'm jumped by three of the serious racers as I'm heading to the fourth-gear left-hand sweeper. And I realise, in just two seconds, the difference between a journalist driver and a Bathurst racer. There is a blast of noise, a flash of colour, and they're gone.I try to keep up for a couple of corners, but I'm already wheezing and cramping from Slade's seat, and I have no chance. So I stop.Hours later, as I rewind and replay the laps inside my head, I think of all the things I coulda-shoulda-woulda done, and how much more I could have got from the car. But I also know I'm kidding myself.So, as I plonk down in front of my television on Sunday morning for The Great Race I will be watching with extra respect. And just a touch of pride. But I'm not kidding myself. I know what it really takes.If you think you could be a contender at Bathurst, I've got news. Take it from me, a paid-up pretender, it's never going to happen. Bathurst by the numbers - road car versus racerHolden Commodore VF SS-V vs Supercheap Auto V8 Supercar CommodorePrice: $48,490, $700,000Seats: 5, 1Airbags: 6, 0ABS: yes, noParking sensors: yes, noBlind spot warning: yes, noEngine: 6.0-litre V8, 5.0-litre V8Power: 260kW, 480kWGearbox: 6-speed auto, 6-speed manualFuel economy: 11.5L/100km, 37L/100km 

Holden unveils the Craig Lowndes special edition Commodore in Bathurst today ahead of its arrival in showrooms next month.Holden hero Craig Lowndes has followed in the tyre tracks of his fallen mentor and idol Peter Brock, unveiling a limited edition Commodore ahead of this weekend's Bathurst 1000 car race.Holden originally planned to build just 161 Craig Lowndes Edition Commodores -- a tribute to the number of laps in the Bathurst 1000 endurance race -- but demand was so strong Holden increased production to 233 cars, one per Holden dealer.The car costs $60,000 and comes with no more power than a regular Commodore V8 but does get a load of extras that are fitted in a special projects area on the production line at Elizabeth, near Adelaide.RELATED: Brock Commodore concept revived with Craig LowndesMORE: Holden builds the 'Collingwoodore'The car goes into production next week and all models will be built by the end of this year.Buyers will also get a "money can't buy package" including a tour of Lowndes' Triple 8 V8 Supercar race team headquarters in Queensland.The Lowndes special edition comes as Holden figures reveal 37 per cent of all new Commodores sold are a V8: more than any other time in the model's 36-year history.I think (Peter) Brock would be proud of what Holden has done with this oneLowndes, who celebrates his 20th anniversary at the Bathurst 1000 this weekend, says he is humbled to have his name on a limited edition road car."I think (Peter) Brock would be proud of what Holden has done with this one," Lowndes told News Corp Australia."It's no secret that Brock was a great mentor and an idol to me. To be able to emulate what he did and get some recognition from Holden by putting my name to a Commodore has been a very humbling experience and very much an honour. For me, it's a dream come true."Lowndes says Holden came to him earlier this year with the idea of a limited edition road car. His reward: the first one built."I'm getting car number one," said Lowndes. "I'm hoping to wheel it out in pristine condition in the years to come and that it will become collectible over time."Although Lowndes raced for Ford between 2001 and 2006, he launched his V8 Supercar career in a Holden 20 years ago when, as a rookie driver, he challenged for the lead in the final laps of the Bathurst 1000, finishing a close second."I was never ear-marked to do the last stint (of the race) because I was the rookie guy," said Lowndes. "But (co-driver Brad Jones) did a double stint in the middle of the day so it forced the team to put me back in the car at the end of the race. And that was the beginning of my career. It's a moment I will never forget."Lowndes says he is saddened by the end of car manufacturing in Australia. Ford will close its factories in 2016 and Toyota and Holden will follow in 2017."Growing up I always watched the Ford and Holden rivalry and was very proud to have cars made in Australia," said Lowndes. "It was something I never thought would change. But of course times have changed and it's going to be a very sad day to see Holden and Ford cease to be manufactured locally."Lowndes said he feels for the thousands of factory workers at Holden, Ford and Toyota."During my time with Ford I got to know the guys at Broadmeadows and Geelong, I know how much that's going to impact workers those areas, and of course all the guys at Holden and Toyota. It really is sad what is happening," he said.As for this weekend's race, Lowndes is of course in it to win it -- and is still a chance at taking out this year's V8 Supercar championship, despite being 273 points behind series leader and teammate Jamie Whincup."I think we can win it still, yes," said Lowndes. "It really hinges on the Bathurst 1000 and the Sydney 500. We're only a couple of points in front of Frosty (Ford driver Mark Winterbottom) so these next two races will make or break the championship."Fast facts: the Holden Commodore by Craig LowndesPrice: $57,990 plus on-road costsEngine: 6.0-litre V8Power: 270kW and 530Nm0 to 100km/h: 5.5 secondsExtras: Brembo brakes front and rear, 20-inch wheels and tyres (wider at the rear), retuned suspension bushings, Craig Lowndes signature on dash, doors and boot, invidual build plate, roof painted black (the body colour of all cars are red or white). Just 233 will be built.The Craig Lowndes Q and AWhose idea was it to do a Craig Lowndes special edition Commodore?Holden were keen to do something, they approached us earlier this year and we were keen to be a part of it. It fell into place quite quickly in terms of the changes to the car and the design. It was great to work with the Holden engineers to get the 20-inch wheels on there, the different suspension bushing, the bigger brakes on the rear and the paddle shifters on the automatic models. I'm really pleased with the outcome and very proud to put my name to.Did you have input into the design? Did they come to you with a few proposals?Yes they did, Holden went through quite a few design changes and I went to Fishermens Bend a few times to see the car in different liveries. We looked at one stripe on the bonnet we looked at two, but we ended up with three and something that looks quite different. Having the black roof was something that was very special. It's not a vinyl stick-on, it's actually painted at Elizabeth at the factory in Adelaide.Did you have input into the engineering changes or were those changes coming any way?The changes were coming but it was great to have them first on the Craig Lowndes edition Commodore. Holden engineers had planned to introduce these changes but our car brought them forward. We changed the suspension bushes to suit the 20-inch wheels. To be honest the engineers were scratching their heads trying to make it better because it's already so good in the first place.Did you push for more power?There was a discussion about more horsepower. As a race driver you always want more power. But it was made pretty clear pretty quickly that Holden wanted to stay with the proven 6.0-litre V8. Let's face it, it's already a quick car. We did ask for more power but it was not negotiable. Instead we focused on the handling package, starting with the Redline version of the SS and then building on it from there.If this goes well would you do another one?I hope to look at an Evolution II, but it's something that Holden has to decide. They're as keen as we are to see how well it sells. I know Holden has done some limited edition Commodores for AFL, such as the 'Collingwoodore', to go with Holden's sponsorship of the team.Are you proud to be following in the footsteps on your mentor, the late great Peter Brock, who also put his signature on limited edition Commodore?I'm just really delighted to have the career that I've had. It's no secret that Brock was a great mentor and an idol to me. To be able to emulate what he did and get some recognition from Holden by putting my name to a Commodore has been a very humbling experience and very much an honour. For me, it's a dream come true.Is this what a Brock Commodore would look like today?Peter Champion has the HDT retro cars … but I think Brock would be proud of what Holden has done with this one. Like me, he probably would have liked more power, but as an overall package, as a complete driver's car, this is right up there.How many cars will be built?The original plan was to build 161 cars as a nod to the number of laps in a Bathurst 1000, but demand at the dealers has been so strong I believe we're going to build more than 200. That's about one car per dealer, but some dealers have told me they are holding orders for eight or nine cars. So there'll probably be a bit if scrambling among the dealers to secure the cars.Do you get a fee from each car or is your reward getting car number one?I'm getting car number one and I'm hoping to wheel it out in pristine condition in the years to come and that it will become collectible over time.Did you choose manual or automatic transmission?The automatic with the paddle shift is really good and the gear-changes are fast and easy, but as a race driver I prefer a manual, so I've ordered a six-speed manual.This car celebrates your 20th anniversary at Bathurst in a Holden but you raced Fords for six years from 2001 to 2006. Do you think you'll finish your career in a Holden?I hope to keep racing for Holden and for Triple 8. That said, with other manufacturers getting involved in the sport you just don't know what the future holds. But Holden have been very good to me over the years and I have a soft spot for Holden. When I did the cross-over from Holden to Ford and then back to Holden, the fans were very forgiving of me and most of them came with me and I'm always grateful for that. How long will you stay in V8 Supercars?I think I have at least another five years left in me. As long as I'm competitive and having fun I will stay in the game. I don't want to be at the back of the grid making up the numbers. I was lucky enough to get a start as a young driver so I don't want deny some young person an opportunity to become a star.Your first Bathurst race in a Holden got off to a bad start: you crashed the car in the warm up. Does that still haunt you?I remember it like yesterday. Wayne Gardner's car dropped oil, I hit it and then nosed the car into the fence. I drove the car back but what I didn't know is that one of the coolers split and the engine ran without oil pressure. The team repaired the car in time for the race but we didn't know if it was going to make it all the way to the finish. We went on to have a great battle with John Bowe challenging for the lead.You very nearly won the Bathurst 1000 in your rookie year.The plan of attack was for Brad Jones to finish the race. I was never ear-marked to do the last stint because I was the rookie guy. But Brad did a double stint in the middle of the day so it forced the team to put me back in the car at the end of the race. And that was the beginning of my career. It's a moment I will never forget.Are you sad about the demise of car manufacturing in Australia?Absolutely. Growing up I always watched the Ford and Holden rivalry and was very proud to have cars made in Australia. It was something I never thought would change. But of course times have changed and it's going to be a very sad day to see Holden and Ford cease to be manufactured locally. During my time with Ford I got to know the guys at Broadmeadows and Geelong, I know how much that's going to impact workers those areas, and of course all the guys at Holden and Toyota. It really is sad what is happening.The imported Commodore in 2018 will not be available with a V8. Will still be able to race in V8 Supercars?Absolutely. Holden have always indicated to us that they want to continue in V8s beyond 2017. They're committed to continuing in the sport. Nissan and Volvo don't have V8 sedans but they compete, so there is no reason we can't have a Commodore on the grid. The one question we don't have answered yet is what type of engines we will run in V8 Supercars, will we have smaller engines or will we stick with the V8s? We don't know.You're 273 points behind your teammate and series leader Jamie Whincup. Can you win this year's championship?I think we can win it still, yes. It really hinges on the Bathurst 1000 and the Sydney 500. We're only a couple of points in front of Frosty (Ford driver Mark Winterbottom) so these next two races will make or break the championship.

Paddle shifters, improved steering and new colours added to VF Commodore lineup.Holden have refreshed the VF Commodore lineup for 2015, just 17 months after the last Australian-built big Holden arrived in showrooms.The changes are largely centred around the sporty SV6, SS, SS V and SS V Redline models, although there are some improvements making their way into the entire range.Holden has tweaked the VF’s power steering system across all models, with three model-specific setups aimed at improving on-centre feel and precision.Evoke, Calais, Calais V, Caprice V use a comfort-focused Touring setup; while SV6, SS, SS V get a sharper Sport tune; and SS V Redline models benefit from dynamically focused Sport and Competitive calibration.Updated SS V redline models can be identified by new gloss-black 19-inch split-spoke alloys, and automatic Redlines models now come with steering wheel mounted paddle-shifters.Early in 2015 the SS V Redline customers will also be able to opt for a black roof.Two new colours have been added to the palette. Some Like It Hot Red will be available (at a $550 premium) across the entire range while metallic Jungle Green will be available on SV6, SS, SS V and SS Redlines.Safety has also been improved across all the VF variants with ISOFIX anchorage points for all three rear-seats across the whole range.The knee airbag fitted to US-market Chevrolet SS versions of the Commodore is still absent from the spec sheet however.SV6 and Calais buyers will now receive a standard full-size alloy spare wheel intead of a tyre sealant and air compressor kit.On the engine front, the LPG option for the SV6 model has been removed, although it will remain available as an option for both the Evoke and Calais V.The entry Caprice model has also been dropped, with Holden consolidating the long-wheelbase flagship down to the single Caprice V trim level. The Caprice V will now be available with the petrol V6 or V8.

Australian heads new Holden Commodore development in Germany as Opel confirms more than a third of Holdens will come from Europe.The Holden Commodore of the future will have an Australian accent even though it will be made in Germany.News Corp Australia can exclusively reveal one of Holden’s most senior engineers has been based in Germany on a top-secret assignment for the past four years working on the car that will become the next Commodore.Marinos Panayiotou, who worked at Holden from 2001, has been based at Opel in Germany since 2010 as the Lead Program Manager.In car industry terms this means he is the person in charge of taking a vehicle from a design sketch to production.Despite the posting to Germany almost four years ago, Holden insiders insist the company had no plans at that stage to end local production of the Commodore.RELATED: Global GM boss says Holden can beat ToyotaMORE:Car factories could close early if funding cutVIDEO:Holden says we're here to staybusiness networking website LinkedInthe Commodore of the future will be a rebadged version of Germany’s Opel Insignia sedanannounced last December it would end manufacturing in Australia in 2017has already confirmed certain models from the Astra range, as well as the current generation Insignia sedan and Cascada convertible are coming next yearThe story so far on the new Holden CommodoreWhy is the next Holden Commodore coming from Germany?Because Opel already builds more cars there and can export them more profitably. Opel has made 687,000 Insignia sedans and wagons since December 2008 and exported them to China, North America, the rest of Europe and parts of Asia. Over the same period Holden has sold 218,000 Commodores in Australia.Why is there no V8 in the new Commodore?Why is there no ute version of the new Commodore?Will Holden call the new car a Commodore?What will happen to Holden Commodores in V8 Supercars?

Holden revives Peter Brock-style limited edition with his protégé Craig Lowndes.Holden is putting the finishing touches on the Craig Lowndes special edition Commodore SS-V ahead of its debut at this year’s Bathurst 1000.These spy photos confirm that the updated V8 Commodore automatic models get racecar-style gearshift levers behind the steering wheel, and Craig Lowndes’ signature embroidered into the dashboard, above the glovebox.Although these photos don’t show it clearly, the rear brakes now have Brembo calipers to match the front.The photo confirms that the leak by Holden dealers on Facebook two months ago was accurate.The roof, rear spoiler, mirror scalps and other highlights are finished in contrasting black paint on red bodywork, and the badge on the back is more than just a sticker, it’s a chrome moulded design.RELATED: V8 sales soar as Commodore and Falcon near the end of the lineMORE: Ford unveils last ever Falcon GTHolden initially planned to build 161 Craig Lowndes edition Commodores (the same number of laps to complete the Bathurst 1000) but demand is so strong since the news broke that Holden now plans to build 230 cars, which will equate to roughly one per dealer.The Lowndes edition Commodore means the V8 Supercar star will continue the legacy left by his fallen hero Peter Brock, who put his magic touch on thousands of Commodores in the 1980s.The Lowndes edition gets no power upgrades and comes with the regular 6.0-litre V8, rather than the LS3 6.2-litre V8 used by HSV, but it does come loaded with all the available technology in the latest Commodore, including a heads-up display, crash avoidance alert, and keyless go, among other features.The launch of the Lowndes edition Commodore comes after the “Collingwoodore” was unveiled in April to celebrate Holden’s sponsorship of the Collingwood AFL team. 

Holden revives Peter Brock-style limited edition with his protégé Craig Lowndes. Holden has confirmed that its star V8 Supercar driver Craig Lowndes will put his name to a special edition Holden Commodore SS, continuing the legacy left by his fallen hero Peter Brock who put his magic touch on thousands of Commodores in the 1980s and 1990s. Lowndes' name will appear on a limited edition version of the Holden Commodore SS-V Redline, and each car will be individually numbered, just like the original Brock-enhanced Commodores. Although Brock Commodores typically were made in batches of 500, the Lowndes Commodores will be much more exclusive. Holden plans to build just 161 Commodores to commemorate the number of laps in the Bathurst 1000. The special edition is also designed to pay tribute to Lowndes's 20th anniversary of his first Bathurst 1000 race in a Holden. In 1994, a young Lowndes and his seasoned teammate Brad Jones came second in the Great Race in his rookie year. Carsguide understands the Lowndes edition V8 gets no power upgrades but it does come loaded with all the available technology in the latest Commodore, including a heads-up display, crash avoidance alert, and keyless go, among other features. It will also get race-bred Brembo brakes front and rear; until now the Brembo calipers have only been fitted up front. Visual highlights include a black finish for the alloy wheels, mirror scalps, fender vents and rear wing. There are also three thick black stripes on the bonnet and a flash of black along the doors on both sides. Production is due to start in November with deliveries due before the end of the year. In a Holden statement, Lowndes said: "I've had a lot of success on the racetrack behind the wheel of Commodores and to celebrate that with this special road-going version is a great privilege. I know fans and customers all over the country are going to love it."