Holden Commodore News

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.

Unless they conduct major overhauls of their existing models, Australian carmakers will have difficulty meeting Industry Minister Kim Carr's target.

With Commodore sales down 24 per cent this year, Holden is examining ways to sustain Elizabeth production and complement its local and export business.This may mean a small car being built alongside the Commodore and Statesman.GM group vice-president and Asia-Pacific boss Nick Reilly confirms a rethink is happening.“We're certainly looking at offering a different portfolio, which we've already started to do,” he says.Reilly admits that, in the longer term, “one likes to think you're manufacturing to suit the domestic market, and that has clearly changed”.“In my view, that change is not going to be reversed. In fact, it may even go further than it has already. Longer term, I think we do need to consider what we make here.”However, he's cautious about what may eventually be built.“I can tell you, sitting here today, we have no plan to bring in a different model or a different vehicle.”Reilly says Ford Australia's decision to start building the Focus at Broadmeadows from 2011 makes sense “in the way the market has gone”.A decision would be made “in two to three years” about which manufacturing direction Elizabeth would take.“We have to also know what the long-term outlook is for the current products we produce here in our export markets.“Are they going to stay with those products? Are they going to stay with Holden-sourced products? These are the sorts of decisions made globally in GM.“We have to see what we're going to be called on for export business, then build into that the rest of our manufacturing plan.”Reilly says GM-Holden's current export business is strong, and he expects it to remain strong for now, despite the effect on exports of the strong Australian dollar.GM-Holden exports the Commodore and Statesman/Caprice to the Middle East and the US, where the Pontiac G8-badged Commodore sedan is now on sale.Despite the high dollar, Reilly says no export program is in doubt, “but if the Aussie dollar goes up another 25 per cent, I can't tell you what we might have to do”.Reilly says the Elizabeth plant was recognised in GM for its low-cost, low-volume expertise.“I think one of the most significant things about manufacturing here at a profit is it has as much to do with the supply base as it has with us.“I think we know how to make 20,000 or 30,000 or 40,000 vehicles and be quite efficient at Elizabeth.“But you also have to locally source at least 50 or 60 per cent of the vehicle in order to make it locally viable.“So we do need a supply network that can provide competitive quotes on components.“We have good relations with suppliers here, but if they're going to bring in new components and new sources of supply, they have to be competitive enough so they can export as well.“One of the things we're hoping for with the Federal Government automotive industry review is that it's not just a matter of the OEMs, it's very much a matter of the supply base staying competitive.” 

Reilly is in Australia for a series of meetings and had good and bad news when interviewed this week.He said the strength of the Aussie dollar meant local component suppliers were having trouble clinching export orders, something essential if Australia was to keep a viable manufacturing base.Holden's manufacturing plants were working at near-capacity with nearly 50 per cent of production being exported, but component suppliers had to have other outlets if they were to stay profitable.“We need a supply network that can provide us with competitive quotes on components,” he said.Quite a few component suppliers have gone to the wall recently.“Obviously that's a concern. The exchange rate is not helping them. If they are going to be competitive, generally speaking, they will need some export business as well.”He said as far as Australia was concerned the Commodore was here to stay, at least in the short and mid-term. HSV would continue to build big V8 performance cars although there was every chance there would be fewer of them in the future; and he admitted GM had been caught short by Toyota's successful sales push and the market's acceptance of a small hybrid Prius.In GM's case, he said, hybrids would almost certainly be first seen in large cars rather than smaller ones because it was where the biggest fuel and emission savings could be made.He said GM had not been idle when it came to alternative means of vehicle propulsion citing GM hybrid systems in buses and large SUVs, and the fact that the Volt, an all-electric GM car, will go on sale globally in 2010.Hybrids, he said, made sense environmentally but not economically, and he stressed GM was not putting all its eggs in the hybrid basket. Liquefied petroleum gas, compressed natural gas, fuels with 85 per cent ethanol and diesel all had a part to play when it came to alternatives.He said there was every chance a hybrid Commodore would appear at the same time as a diesel-powered version, though neither of those options was likely for a couple of years.He said the market segments in Australia had changed rapidly which had not helped the large car. “We are looking at offering a different portfolio (of vehicles) which we have already started to do. We don't have to change the manufacturing because we are now up to nearly 50 per cent being exported,” he said.His faith in the large car was reinforced by sales figures for Buick.“The growth in top-end large luxury cars in China is huge. We sell, now, more Buicks in China than we do in the US,” he said. “The same in India. But these markets do have segments that are emerging that are low priced. You have to be able to compete . . . and that is a change for GM.” 

A diesel version is also likely while a four-cylinder turbo-charged model was a “sensible suggestion” said Nick Reilly, General Motors Group vice president and president GM Asia Pacific.Mr Reilly said that, like the car industry in general, GM and Holden were keen for the federal government to offer incentives for people to shift to more environmentally-friendly vehicles.“The quickest things we can do are with alternative fuels such as CNG or LPG. Those would be our priorities,” he said.“Diesels we already have in several of our cars in Australia.“We don't yet have a diesel in a Commodore but that will come.”Mr Reilly said GM's strength in hybrids was in larger cars and he expected a hybrid Commodore to be one of the first off the production line.“I would put a time frame on that of probably a couple of years,” he said.Holden's commitment to a hybrid Commodore comes on top of the work Toyota has done on producing a hybrid version of the Camry in Melbourne.Mr Reilly said Holden needed both a diesel powered and a hybrid CommodoreHe said alternative-powered cars would likely be offered in addition to existing petrol-powered models.What do you think about hybrid cars, bio fuels and all things green? Take our survey and have your say!  

General Motors will celebrate 60 years of producing Holden cars in November but the reality is the first Australian-built 48-215 (FX) Holden rolled off the assembly line in April 1948.In secret, Holden ran off 10 cars at Fishermens Bend that April to clear the line in readiness for full production in November.Full production at that time was 112 cars in a month.When the big day came, on November 29, 1200 men and women, including Prime Minister Ben Chifley, stood around an ivory FX.The car appeared from behind silver curtains to the sounds of a 10-piece orchestra and was greeted with enthusiastic applause.This was the first production-run Holden, Australia's own six-cylinder, successful mass produced car.Holden's story goes back to James Alexander Holden, then 17, who arrived in South Australia from Staffordshire, England, in 1852.In 1856 he started a shop in King William St, Adelaide, as a leather worker and saddle maker.By 1885 the company was repairing and eventually building horse-drawn carriages and coaches a common beginning for many car companies.In 1924, GM took an interest in Holden and struck a contract for the company to build vehicle bodies, for GM only.When World War II started to wind down in 1943, along with GM Holden's military contracts, Holden revived a plan for an Aussie car.Engineers started designing Project 2000 and in 1944 the first prototype was completed using Willys mechanicals. Later that year, GM Corporation approved the project.In 1945 design work started on the Australian project in the US, and Project 2000 continued, becoming Project 2200.The following year Holden engineers were sent to Detroit with their ideas, styling models and drawings and they linked with their US counterparts.They produced three handmade working prototypes, virtually identical to the car intended for production and in late 1946 the cars were shipped to Fishermens Bend, accompanied by the Aussie design team and 22 American technicians.These Detroit-built cars were tested extensively on Australia's rough dirt roads outside Melbourne and, as a result, modifications were made to the steering and suspension.No doubt our roads then, as now, were inferior to America's flat track tarmacs.Then Holden would take on the best of British the Austin A40 which was Australia's best selling car in 1948.This Aussie icon was powered by a 2.15-litre six, the much revered and reliable 'grey motor' boasting a whole 45kW of power, with a three-on-the-tree manual gear shifter.It weighed less than a ton and could do 129km/h and return 48km to the gallon.The price was $1466.There were 120,402 FXs built and perhaps the most visual FX in Australia is the pink FX which could be found in the Gold Coast, it is half buried on the first floor of an ancient wrecking yard office facing the Pacific Highway at Reedy Creek.Each day thousands of vehicles pass the Gold Coast Auto Wreckers yard, owned by Will Smith.Smith said he got the car from Olivia's Malt Shop at Surfers Paradise where it was on display and where staff on roller-skates served patrons.Gold Coast historian Alex McRobbie recalled the shop being just south of Surfers Paradise on the beach side of the Gold Coast Highway. 

The Colorado light commercial range will be launched with a choice of petrol or diesel engines, 4x4 or 4x2 models, and numerous body styles such as single cab, space cab and crew cab.The Rodeo name has been dropped because it belongs to Isuzu with which Holden no longer has any ties.Isuzu is taking the name back and releasing a Rodeo in Australia under its global name of D-Max.Meanwhile, Holden has released 60th Anniversary Special Editions of the run-out Rodeo LT and LX 4x4s with $3000 worth of extras and price reductions up to $8000.LX 4x4 Crew Cab Pick Up, LX V6, petrol and TD (auto and manual) get a chrome sports bar, side steps, towbar package, Bluetooth connectivity for compatible mobile phones and special 60th anniversary badge.The LT 4x4 Crew Cab Pick Up, LT V6 petrol and TD (auto and manual) get chrome sports bar, side steps, rear park sensors, Bluetooth connectivity for compatible mobile phones and badging.The 4x4 Crew Cab Pick Up LX V6 petrol manual now costs $32,990 compared with its previous price of $39,690, while the diesel is $33,990 down from $41,990.The 4x4 Crew Cab Pick Up LT V6 petrol manual is $39,490 down from $43,990 and the diesel is down from $46,990 to $41,490.Add $2000 for auto and $1000 for ABS.Holden has also unveiled its VE Ute 60th Anniversary Special Edition at the recent National 4x4 Show in Brisbane.It arrives this month with more than $2000 worth of extras above the standard SV6 ute, including leather-faced seats, alloy foot pedals, Onyx leather seat trim, Bluetooth, sports steering wheel, six-disc MP3/CD player, anniversary floor mats and badge.Prices are $36,990 for the manual and $37,990 for the auto, which is $1000 above the SV6 ute. 

Most of the country's popular makes have shed sales during April.The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries' monthly market bulletin, to be released tomorrow, will reveal a 7.7 per cent contraction on March sales.More vehicles have been sold this year to date than last year, but the 84,296 new cars and trucks sold in April is almost 7000 sales down on March.This reverse follows record results for January and February this year and in 2007, when more than a million cars sold for the first time in a calendar year.“We're seeing the impact of all the interest-rate hikes, the continuing surge in fuel prices and the huge slump in consumer confidence,” AMP economist Shane Oliver said.“Car sales have held up pretty well, but all those factors are starting to catch up.“People can put off a decision to buy a car, but they can't put off rent or food or health.”The worst news is for local car-makers. Holden sold 650 fewer Commodores in April than in March. The company's mainstay car is 5000 units down for the year to date, compared with the same period in 2007.The one-time market leader was outsold by Toyota's Corolla, with 3722 of the imported four-cylinder compacts sold during April compared with the Commodore's 3325 sales.Toyota also lost sales, but extended its market lead. With almost 21,000 sales, it sold more than twice as many vehicles of all models as second-placed Holden.Toyota's Yaris, Camry, Aurion and HiLux models, as well as the Corolla, were among the 10 most popular models.Ford, whose new Falcon goes on sale soon, was third, with 8246 sales — its worst result.Mazda was next with 6749, then Mitsubishi on 5014.Ford and Holden's fortunes rely on large V6s, which continue to decline in popularity.The only Ford- or Holden-badged cars to improve sales during March were the Focus andthe Astra, both made in Europe and fitted with economical, four-cylinder petrol or diesel engines.Each of the top five makes lost about 1000 sales in April, but sales remain ahead of the corresponding period last year.A total of 347,749 new vehicles were sold to April 30, compared with 330,682 during the first four months of 2007.New-car sales had been forecast to pass the million mark again this year, but Mr Oliver said this was now unlikely.“Big-ticket discretionary items will be sacrificed, whether it's flat-screen TVs or cars,” he said.“The only thing that will help is tax cuts, but I would say they will be swamped by all these other factors.” VEHICLES SOLD IN THE PAST TWO MONTHS...........................March .... AprilToyota ............ 21,669 ... 20,842Holden ............ 11,203 ... 10,193Ford ............... 9206 ...... 8246Mazda ............ 7565 ...... 6749Mitsubishi ....... 6177 ...... 5014Other makes ... 35,465 ... 33,252Total new passenger vehicle sales of all makes........................ March .... April........................ 91,285 ... 84,296 (-7.7 %) 

Garth Tander validated his switch to the Holden Racing Team by completing a clean sweep as the V8 Supercar championship was turned upside down following the inaugural Hamilton street race in New Zealand on the weekend. Tander, who claimed the 2007 championship with the HSV Dealer Team, resumed the flawless form he displayed at the non-championship grand prix races in Melbourne last month to guide the No. 1 Commodore to a trifecta of wins in round three of the series. “I was relieved to get my first round win for HRT because it was playing on my mind a bit,” Tander said as he clasped his hands around the Mark Porter trophy. The victory continued the unbeaten run of eight consecutive wins by Holden in V8 Supercar rounds in NZ, but it was the first round victory for the Lion badge this season. Ford had to rely on Steve Richards (Ford Performance Racing) and James Courtney (SBR Jeld-Wen Falcon) to salvage something from a Holden whitewash as the pair filled the podium spots. For all the hype of the first race around the tight, bumpy and raw 3.4km street course, the racing was mostly processional although there were a few spot battles. None were more spectacular than Courtney's team mate Shane Van Gisbergen, who put the sword to Mark Skaife and Russell Ingall among others. Van Gisbergen, who turns 19 at the next round in Perth starting on May 9, pulled off some breath-taking passes, which were sadly lacking at the front of the pack, on his way to 10th position. The complexion of the championship underwent a major transformation, with leader Jamie Whincup missing in action after crash damage ruled him out of lining up in any of the three heats. He dropped down to fifth in the standings. Rick Kelly, fourth for the round, assumes the lead on 672 points, 46 ahead of Tander, while Lee Holdsworth remains third on 580. It was a miserable weekend for DJRs Jim Beam squad and Team Vodafone. Will Davison was in the wars with a faulty starter motor that caused a pit blockage for his team mate Steve Johnson before his bonnet popped and smashed his windscreen. The No. 18 DJR Ford ground to a halt after completing just eight laps. Craig Lowndes managed to guide his No. 888 Ford from 19th after the first heat to 15th before scrambling up to seventh spot in the final race.   Standings Round positions 1 Garth Tander (Holden) 2 Steve Richards (Ford) 3 James Courtney (Ford) Championship points 1 Rick Kelly (Holden) 672 2 Garth Tander (Holden) 626 3 Lee Holdsworth (Holden) 580  

Ryan Moloney likes going around corners fast.  The 28-year-old actor, better known as Jarrod "Toadfish'' Rebecchi in Neighbours, loves throwing himself and his Honda VFR 800 motorcycle around the Black and Reefton spurs in the Yarra Valley for fun.Moloney, who has been in Neighbours for 13 years, prefers two wheels to four and believes our roads would be a lot safer if everyone spent time on a motorbike learning just how dangerous our roads can be.What was your first car?A red VL Commodore, and I absolutely loved it.What do you drive now?A mix between my motorbike, a Honda VFR 800, and a mountain bike. So bikes all round.Do you have a favourite place to drive and who would you take?My favourite ride is through the Mount Dandenong ranges, then off to Warburton or the Yarra Valley. And, just to scare myself, the Black and Reefton spurs. All stunning scenery, with lots of corners for fun.How far would you drive in an average year?I have no idea, depends how busy work gets.Do you have a favourite motoring memory?My first trips to the Great Ocean Rd -- every P-plater's rite of passage. I also loved my next car, a Nissan Pathfinder. I had it when my wife Alison and I first met, and she loved it too.What would you buy if money was no object?An F1 team. No preference for which one, as long as I got to drive them.What music is playing in your car?None. I like to hear the screech of the car's tyres before it hits me.How much is too much for a new car?No more than $15,000. You are going to thrash it, bash it and crash it. And you can get some really good cars for less than $15,000.What should be done to make driving safer?Everyone should ride a motorbike first. It gives you a feeling of just how dangerous the roads are and that you are not invincible. You develop a keen sense of reading traffic and can often tell what a motorist will do by subtle behavioural changes to a car. Above all, be courteous, obey the road rules, try to remember you are only trying to get somewhere. It's not worth the money if you crash, the anger and stress, or your life, even worse, someone else's.Are you sponsored by a car company?No, but I'm open for anyone to give me one.