Holden Commodore News

More than 1000 engineers pored over the car, drove it more than 3.4 million kilometres in Australia and overseas, subjected it to minus-20 degrees and more than 50 degree heat and crashed it 79 times.GM Holden executive director of engineering Tony Hyde said the $480 million engineering project had produced a quieter, safer, more reliable and refined Commodore than the VZ model.However, he also revealed that the longer, wider, taller car is now more than 100kg heavier at 1690kg.Weight gains were in the chassis up 33kg, body up 70kg, doors 5kg, exterior 6kg and electrics 10kg, offset by savings of 16kg in the interior.Hyde said the added mass made the car stiffer and safer.However, together with extra power and torque, it had also made it thirstier in some models.The base model four-speed auto Omega is a marginal .1litres per 100km more fuel efficient than the VZ base model while the biggest saving was .4l/100km in the six-speed manual SV6.However, five models with the new American-made six-speed auto from Cadillac recorded 0.3l/100km more.While Holden will release a dual-fuel LPG/petrol Commodore later this year, a fugal diesel-powered model is at least 18 months away."We have a diesel engine on test in a Commodore at the moment, which we bought from Germany," he said."Its pretty good and we've asked how much, but GM (in Detroit) would have to make a decision and I have no idea how long that would be."In the current circumstances of high fuel prices where it is a pressing issue, it would still be 18 months to two years before we could have a diesel in a Commodore."He dismissed suggestions of a hybrid in the near future."The car hasn't been designed with a hybrid in mind at all," he said.Hyde was speaking during the second week of a three-week media launch program at their Port Melbourne headquarters.Last week it was revealed the Commodore would come in seven models: the new base Omega, Berlina, SV6, SS, Calais and two special V variants in SS and Calais.There will be five transmissions, including the new US six-speed auto, with all other transmissions upgraded.This week, engineers have revealed a host of other facets about the new CommodoreThe body is 50 per cent stiffer than VZGaps and margins in the exterior panels and interior trim have been reducedRepairs will be reduced thanks to a bolt-on front module and hinged doorsNew flat-blade wipers will include washersThe French-made windscreen is made of sound-deadening glassThe headlight projections are whiter and widerThe heating system warms up 15 per cent fasterThere are more air vents inside the cabin The glovebox is 50 per cent largerThere are more storage bins and bigger drink holdersThe battery is now located in the boot with jump-start posts in the engine bay.

Electrical engineering group manager Paul Gibson said one of the engineers sought the help of his mother to make sure controls for the information systems were easy to use. The result is an intuitive system that even includes a help button modelled on the Microsoft help button. When pushed, the help button will describe how to operate various functions. The new electrical functions are co-ordinated by a GM Local Area Network (GMLAN) which not only allows communications between functions, but also allows simple dealer retro-fitting of functions such as satellite navigation. Gibson said that although the system was twice as complex, it was also faster and more reliable thanks to substantial testing on a new $500,000 simulator. Features of the cars new electrics include: Three instrument illumination colours. A Saab-inspired night lighting system which only displays crucial information. Roof-mounted aerial for stronger AM reception. Roof-mounted DVD system which can be retro fitted in all models. Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity standard in most models and available in Omega. Fully integrated satnav available later this year. A more accurate fuel gauge system. Front and rear parking assist on selected models. Auto headlights and rain-sensing wipes on selected models. Holden has also boosted its telematics security systems through GPS and mobile phone technology with the addition of a fleet control system so owners can monitor whereabouts, speed and other information. The private security system has also been boosted with Holden Assist Ultra offering the ability to immobilise the vehicle if stolen.

After more than six years and $1 billion, GM Holden has finally ripped the wraps off its all-new VE Commoore. The car was unveiled in Melbourne this morning ahead of sales from the middle of August and production is already building rapidly at Holden's factory at Elizabeth in South Australia. The VE is a dramatic change from the outgoing VZ Commodore, with a much more angular and European look. The cabin is a huge improvement in design and finishing. The VE was previewed to Australia's motoring press and an invited audience of Holden executives at the Melbourne Convention Centre, where three cars   the Calais, new SS-V muscle car and long-wheelbase Caprice -- shared the spotlight. "Today is a big day for the Australian car industry and VE Commodore is a big car for the future of Holden," the chairman of GM Holden, Denny Mooney, says. "A car more Australian in its design and engineering than any Holden before it. A car which carries more global significance for us than anything we have done before." Mooney revealed a few tidbits on the VE but refused to discuss a range of subjects from fuel economy to final pricing. But he did confirm that there will be a new base car, the Omega, which replaces the Executive and the Acclaim and that V-series models will sit at the top of each series. GM Holden has already confirmed that Electronic Stability Program will be standard on all VEs and both side and curtain airbags will be available. He also confirmed that power has lifted a little to 180 and 190 kiloWatts in the 3.6-litre Global V6 engine, with 270 kiloWatts and 530 Newton-metres of torque in the SS. The V8s will also have a six-speed automatic and 20-inch alloy wheels will be available on the SS, with 19s as standard. The VE also has all-new front and rear suspension and its microprocessor power has been more than doubled over the VZ. GM Holden will show the car to its dealers on the Gold Coast this week, when Holden Special Vehicles will also preview its cars. But HSV chairman, John Crennan, would say nothing about the work at the hot Holden factory beyond confirming that details would be public on August 21.

That is the day it will be unveiled in Melbourne. GM Holden is planning a massive blitz leading to the still-secret day when it will start sales and is planning a media tease program which will run for more than a month. It starts with the official reveal of the car, followed by styling briefs, intensive technical briefings and the first driving events towards the end of July. The program points to an on-sale date in August, trailing the all-new Toyota Camry but ahead of the V6-powered Aurion which Toyota plans to take up against the Commodore and Falcon for the first time. It will also put the VE into showrooms before GM Holden's make-or-break challenger to the Ford Territory, the Captiva. Testing of the VE is becoming more intense each day and cars are now being spotted almost every day in Melbourne. But Holden is still not saying anything about the VE. "You will know when you get to the 16th. There is no point in unwrapping your Christmas presents before you get to Christmas day," the spokesman for GM Holden, Jason Laird, says. "We know there is a lot of excitement around the VE and we're looking forward to getting on with showing people how good the car is,"

1. How are your Chinese lessons going and, as an ex-patriate Australian who started with Holden and also led Vauxhall in Britain, how are you finding the country and culture?"I am fine with Nihao (hello), Qing shuo man yidian (please speak a little bit slower) and Wo zhongwen bu hao (My chinese is not very good). "Chinese lessons are tough and progress is slow. However I will battle on. I do think it is important to make an effort to communicate in the language of the country in which you live."China itself is lots of fun and very diverse. Shanghai - where I am based - is a very modern metropolis moving ahead at an incredible speed. The people are friendly and the eastern culture with its thousands of years of history provides an unbelievable contrast from what I was accustomed to in the western suburbs of Melbourne."2. What are the biggest challenges for Kevin Wale, and General Motors, in China?"As the second-largest vehicle market in the world and the fastest growing market, our challenge is to carve out a leadership position in China."Winning in China is clearly an important objective, not only for General Motors but for most of the other major automotive companies in the world. China has quickly become one of the most competitive markets anywhere. We expect to see about 40 new competitive products reach the market this year alone."We know what we have to do, we have made a great start growing from less than 1 per cent of market share in 1997 to a market leadership position last year at just over 11 per cent share."The key to our success will continue to be, together with our partners, building a great local team in China while fully leveraging the best of our global and local resources - and we are making excellent progress in that area."3. Is this the toughest assignment you have had with GM since you started at Holden?"To be honest, they are all tough and you always work at your maximum capacity so there is not much more you can crank up."China has a different culture, different business and political structure and is much more heavily based on the nuances of relationships so it is tougher in that respect. On the other hand it is very exciting because we are right in the middle of the fastest growing market in the history of the auto world."It's an opportunity not likely to be repeated in my lifetime."4. How do you see the future for you company?"We are doing very well in China. We are a market leader, we're profitable, we have an excellent and growing distribution network right across China, we have a well-established manufacturing footprint with the ability to expand rapidly to meet future demand."We have China's foremost automotive engineering and design centre, which enables us to tailor our global products to the needs and wants of our customers, and the broadest range of products and services in the auto industry in China."We also have an outstanding partner in SAIC and the full commitment of General Motors to continue to grow in China with the market itself, so we think the future is pretty bright."5. What about the potential for the upcoming VE Commodore and Statesman in China?"We already have the Statesman in China, which is sold as the Buick Royaum, and we are working to increase sales as quickly as we can."With respect to the VE Commodore, we know it will be a fantastic car but we already have a similar-sized car which we design and build in China so its opportunities are limited. All the more for those lucky customers in Oz!"6. How long before we see Chinese cars in Australia, not necessarily from GM, and do you think they will be successful?"I don't think you will see any in the next few years. The China domestic market is huge and that is where most people are concentrating their attention."There are some Chinese exports to the Middle East, emerging markets in Asia Pacific and very small amounts to Europe at this stage. They will continue to test the market around the world but they are not yet ready to export in large numbers."However, if you look at the Japanese and Korean experience, it seems inevitable that Chinese-made vehicles will turn up at some stage and ultimately they will be competitive."

The cars involved in the trials are genuine production models built on the line at GM Holden's factory outside Adelaide. This car was caught last week on Melbourne's Westgate Freeway, running with a light disguise. They provide the best look yet at the shape and style of the VE Commodore, and some tantalising details - including 17-inch alloy wheels, bigger brakes, twin-lens headlamps and some sort of scoop on the front mudguards. The most intriguing feature is the huge twin-pipe exhaust system, which points to something special in the engine room, particularly as Holden insiders tell us not to assume the scoop car is the next SS with a V8. "When I first saw the car I thought it was something special. Then I realised it was the new Commodore. As soon as the driver saw me taking pictures he got off the road," photographer David Caird says. The VE has hit the road as the GM Holden development team ramps up its testing program. It has moved on from basic engineering trials to the real-world certification, endurance and proof-of-program work needed to ensure the VE is right for showrooms. Cars are likely to be spotted more frequently in and around Melbourne in coming weeks and months, with one report of a disguised test car in Carlton in the past week. "Yes, we are testing cars. We have been for some time," spokesman for GM Holden, Jason Laird, says. "They are advanced prototypes. They have come down the production line in Adelaide. They are non-saleable cars." Laird says he can't comment on the details of the on-road development program for the VE and admits the on-sale date for the VE has been set, but will not discuss it or rumours it might be earlier than the September forecast. "We'll tell you the launch dates when we are ready. They are obviously extremely commercially sensitive," he says. The pictures confirm the car is much more angular than the current Commodore, which has roots in the VT. But the rear-on view shows a surprisingly rounded roofline and guards that are significantly flared out over the wheels. The rear spoiler is also a significant change from the current car and sits on a taller boot which is cut right down to the bumper. Finally, the car picks up a fixed roof-mounted aerial - set well back for smooth airflow and low-wind noise - in place of the electric wind-up aerial in the front-left mudguard. The side-on shot shows the new-style painted doorhandles, curved rear edge of the back door and taping to create a fake extra window in the C-pillar. It's easy to speculate on details of the the engine. Holden is committed to the global V6 built at Fishermans Bend and turbocharged versions for Saab and Alfa Romeo could point to a new-age performance six in the VE.

An email arrived the other day and we were unsure whether it was bonafides or just a crank letter. Hydroplaning is especially dangerous while the car is on cruise control, as the increased reaction time and lack of pedal feel can cause the car to accelerate without warning, our correspondent wrote."The problem with cruise control is that it may try to accelerate while the car has uneven traction. This can cause the vehicle to veer to the low traction side. The same problem can occur if the driver uses either gas or brake under uneven traction. When braking, the car will veer to the high traction side. I've had a cruise-fitted car for five years now; use the facility whenever I can, and I had never thought about this."Our correspondent was referring to an unconfirmed incident that occurred recently in NSW. A 36-year-old female driver was travelling between Wollongong and Sydney when she had an accident in which she wrote off her car.It was raining, though not excessively, when her car suddenly began to hydroplane and literally flew through the air. She was not seriously injured but stunned by what had happened. When she explained what happened to a police highway patrolman, he told her something that every driver should know. That is: never drive in the rain with your cruise control on.She thought she was being cautious by setting cruise and maintaining a safe, consistent speed in the rain. But the highway patrolman told her that if cruise is on and your car begins to hydroplane, it will accelerate and take off like an airplane. She told him that was exactly what had occurred.The Highway Patrol estimated her car was travelling through the air at 16km/h to 23km/h faster than the speed set on the cruise control. The patrolman said this warning should be listed on the driver's seat sun visor: `Never use the cruise control when the pavement is wet or icy', along with the airbag warning.We tell our teenagers to set the cruise control and drive a safe speed - but we don't tell them to use the cruise control only when the pavement is dry. The only other person the woman found, who knew this (besides the patrolman), was a man who had had a similar accident, also totalled his car and sustained severe injuries.One of the Holden Commodore websites had this to say: The man was driving to work in his Holden VR Commodore with cruise control set to exactly 110km/h. As the car started to go uphill, the cruise control kicked down a gear. Unfortunately, at this exact time, he went over a patch of water, which combined with the acceleration of the cruise control caused his car to aquaplane. The car fishtailed, he lost control and went head-on into some trees.Carsguide contacted two respected manufacturers for advice on this phenomenon - Subaru and Audi. Without explanation Audi states: "For safety reasons, the cruise control should not be used . . . under unfavourable road conditions (slippery, wet)." Subaru, under the heading 'Cruising Safely or Cruise Control' states: "Many drivers are surprised to learn that cruise control should never be used on slippery or wet roads."Russell White from the Holden Performance Driver Training Centre said cruise control should be turned off on wet roads and also on twisting roads. "Cruise control is designed for long, dry good roads without too much traffic," he said.  Pass the message on. It seems like good advice for a rainy day. 

Where once the big front-engined, rear-drive sedans and wagons ruled the roost, other styles have made inroads with a view to heading off-road.Industry pundits muse over the rise of light and small cars – blamed on petrol prices and the age of the present crop of large cars – but the latter stages of 2006 will see a refreshing change.The present crop of medium and large family cars is considerable, with words such as boring, bland and banal not often applicable to the bulk of these segments any more.While it might not be the segment leader, Mitsubishi's make-or-break 380 sedan has been the focus of intense attention, as the future of the company's Tonsley Park manufacturing facility hangs in the balance. With some awards to back it, the 380 is undergoing a major revamp and is slowly gathering momentum, thanks to decent looks, a strong on-road package and local patriotism among the positives going its way.Holden's VZ Commodore has been updated with a new six-litre V8 in the sports and luxury models, fi ghting on in the face of renewed competition from its other locally built opposition.The potential for a segment resurgence at the end of the year will rest largely with the VE, an all-new model that replaces the VZ.Ford’s Falcon received a minor facelift and plenty of underbody work with the introduction of the BF, but the main claim to fame for the new big sedan from Broadmeadows was the addition of a six-speed automatic.The new transmission pips Holden's latest auto by one ratio, or two if you include V8 availability, and the Ford six-speeder has a background that includes applications in big names such as BMW, Jaguar and Land Rover.The BF Falcon also introduced some changes to safety equipment – traction and stability control on much of its range – as well as improvements in body sealing and sound insulation.The brand everyone wants to beat is Toyota, but the Japanese-owned Melbourne-based car maker is not relieving any pressure on the market. In fact, the foot on the throat of its opposition, if anything, will have more force behind it. The manufacturer has long been held as a yardstick for build quality, reliability and longevity, but was equally well known for building "white goods on wheels".Toyota Australia boss John Conomos has promised no more appliances on wheels and the new Camry speaks volumes for the modern design credo. Unveiled earlier this year at the Detroit Motor Show, the new Camry has lost its V6 power plant but gained styling to match the quality.Bold predictions of Avalon sales to rival Holden and Ford in the then-booming large-car segment soon came back to haunt Toyota, which has learnt much (by its own admission) from the Avalon experience and has put the knowledge to use with Aurion. The new Camry-based big car from Toyota has been styled to please the eye, and has also had much design and engineering input from Australia.The medium segment is growing and it's in no small part due to the rise of Honda's Accord Euro, the Mazda6 and Subaru's continued success with the Liberty. Mazda revived the medium segment with a sparkling fi ve-door four-cylinder range that offered decent dynamics, attractive styling and a bit of vigour beneath the bonnet.Honda has followed suit and the Accord Euro – albeit only in a sedan model – also has an enthusiastic demeanour on the road, plenty of features and a sharp price tag.Subaru has been the quiet achiever but the Liberty's fans are plentiful – the new look has introduced more room, more features and a wide choice of four and six-cylinder power plants.Subaru also offers a wagon – another point of difference to the other top-selling mediums. Only the Accord (a step up in size from the Euro) offers a V6 and Mazda offers a wagon. Never before have Australians been so spoilt for choice.

The Fiat Punto is of particular interest at the Adelaide Motor Show because it signals the return to Australia of passenger cars under the Fiat banner. The Punto is the number one selling small car in Europe so far this year and is sure to shake things up in Australia when it arrives in the middle of this year. Returning to passenger cars in Australia with a small car is a well-researched move for Fiat, at least according to movements within the local industry.Holden boss Denny Mooney stated clearly that 2005 was the year of the small car, at least for the Elizabeth-based manufacturer. With new models fl owing into the country from around the world, obviously the bosses at many other marques think a similar way.The trend to smaller cars began in earnest last year – in line with rising fuel prices. A total of about 90,000 light and 215,000 small cars were sold last year, with lights up 6000 units on the previous year and smalls up 34,000 units. In September, Toyota’s 1.8-litre four-cylinder Corollas out-sold the Holden Commodore – widely considered to be Australia’s favourite car – by about 100 units.There is no suggestion that Mr Mooney and other Holden heads were simply reacting to that little towelling by Toyota when it began rolling out its lightweight Korean-built products including Barina and Viva late last year, but it is indicative of how local makers have had to arrange their product line-ups to be competitive. Holden, with its highly successful Astra models and the Barina and Viva ranges, now has its largest fl eet of small car options – many of which will be at Wayville.Toyota certainly has not dropped the ball. Its Echo replacement, the Yaris, is selling like little hot cakes in its hatch version – with the recently released sedan model also expected to draw plenty of attention in coming months.Ford Australia boss Tom Gorman said heading towards the end of last year that Ford had completely under-called the growth in the small car segment. Ford struggled to get the number of Focus vehicles it could sell out of its South African plant. But the Blue Oval badge company will this year try to excite the small car segment with its much anticipated XR5 Focus.All the while, Asian car makers including Hyundai, with its award-winning Getz, and Kia with an all-new Rio range, added to the competition.Nissan has chipped in with the new Tiida and the Suzuki Swift last year won CARSguide Car of the Year as the small car range grew dramatically. As the popularity of the segment grows, so too does the commitment to safety.Toyota, with its Yaris range, appears to be leading the way. But other manufacturers, particularly Hyundai – with its safety pack on the Getz – judged Australia’s Best Small Car by the nation’s motoring organisations – also have not ignored the issue of safety.

There has never been more diversity, or better value, in the business.And there are several very significant newcomers at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre, from exotics with pricetags of up to $1 million to the all-new Toyota challenger to the Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore.New vehicle sales are predicted to run steady at 980,000 through 2006 after reaching a new high of 988,269 last year. It was the fourth straight year of growth, which has seen sales rise by more than 27 per cent since 2000.The four local carmakers - Mitsubishi, Ford, Holden and Toyota - face big challenges in an industry that is more open than ever before but all believe they are set for success.Mitsubishi introduced its all-new 380 in 2005 and increased its sales performance.Ford has the excellent Territory, the baby Fiesta and Focus are the best small cars in the company's history and it is working on an all-new successor to the BF Falcon for 2007.Holden, now in the run-up to its all-new VE Commodore later this year, will also have a full-size four-wheel drive for the first time. It is also pushing ahead strongly with value-priced small cars imported from Korea.Toyota will unveil its new local hero at the motor show and has a new Camry ready for action in the second half of the year as well as such new models for 2006 as the RAV4, Yaris sedan and a new Lexus LS flagship.GM Holden chairman Denny Mooney says: "We are all looking forward to what appears to be another great year to be in the car business."The market will continue to be very active with many new competitive entries launching, as well. In addition, the all-new Commodore will represent the most significant ground-up engineered vehicle we have ever done."Holden has been runner-up to Toyota in the sales race for the past three years but its Commodore has been Australia's favourite car for a straight decade despite the massive rise in fuel prices through 2005.Still, importers led by Mazda, Honda, Hyundai and Nissan have been huge winners in recent years with a wide range of new vehicles at competitive prices. It is a fragmentation which has made it tough to measure the business with traditional yardsticks.Mooney says each company will have a different view on this development.He adds: "In 2006 we're entering the year of the family car, which means new large cars, new SUVs (four-wheel-drives) and a few other surprises as well."The industry is responding in many different ways, which makes it exciting. Everyone is looking for that segment-buster or a twist on an old theme to gain ground."Holden and Ford were both worried by the decline in large-car sales through 2005 but both believe that new products will bring people back to traditional Aussie sixes."There are many factors driving the recent decline in large car sales," says Ford Australia chairman Tom Gorman."Nevertheless, we believe the large-car market in Australia still represents a significant market opportunity for the future."Territory is the perfect example of Ford being flexible enough to respond to changing market conditions. Our ability to read the market and create an all-new vehicle to react to changing trends has proven very successful for our brand."Toyota has done a great job with a hugely varied model line-up, but even it was forced to withdraw the Daihatsu brand from Australia in 2005 because its cars could not compete with Korean price leaders.Now it is aiming for large-car success and another year at No. 1.David Buttner, executive director of sales and marketing for Toyota Australia, says: "We see a market for 2006 between 980,000 and 990,000."He puts this down to 14 years of economic growth, record-low unemployment and a lack of pressure on interest rates."The outlook for 2006 is one of sustained demand in those areas which have remained strong . . . there is an expectation of recovery in markets which did diminish in response to new and different vehicle offerings."Mitsubishi says it had one of the biggest challenges of any firm in 2005 - launching the all-new Mitsubishi 380 at probably the toughest time in the last 20 years.Mitsubishi Motors Australia managing director Rob McEniry says: "This will be another extremely busy and challenging year with many new product offerings."He predicts all categories of car will stabilise in 2006 and that "the large-car segment will bounce back".Returning the market to "normality" will be the year's biggest challenge, he believes."Fuel prices, interest rates and global political instability will all be significant contributing factors to consumer confidence," McEniry says.