From: Holden boss gives biggest indication yet of new Aussie-built small car | Industry | Carcentral.com.au
Holden boss gives biggest indication yet of new Aussie-built small car
Written by Nelson Ireson
Tuesday, 10 June 2008
The move by Holden to cease production of its aging ‘Family II’ four-cylinder engine and focus on its new globally-viable HF V6 engine is seen as the biggest indication that the 3.6L engine could be used in more applications including a new Aussie-built small car.
At the announcement of the closure of the Family II engine plant on Friday, Holden chairman and managing director Mark Reuss said, “going forward, we will be focusing our business efforts on developing new domestic and export opportunities around our advanced global V6 engine plant, particularly in the areas of alternative fuels and fuel-saving technologies.”
Holden is also planning to step up the pressure in the fuel economy war, where the Commodore has been lagging against its rivals like the Ford Falcon and Toyota Aurion/Camry. Ford has confirmed that a diesel Falcon and Territory are in the works, as well as local production of the next-generation Focus small car in 2011, while Toyota today announced that production of Australia’s first hybrid model, a petrol-electric Camry, will commence in early 2010.
Combining smaller, more efficient V6 engines with a smaller and lighter car could yield big benefits for fuel efficiency and could be just what Holden needs to keep pace with its rivals in the fuel economy stakes.
New car won't be a Torana
The original concept shown at the Australian International Motor Show in 2004, called the Torana TT36, was a sleek five-door hatchback based on a pared-down Commodore platform. However, the Torana concept was designed to showcase Holden’s talent and ability to build a new car in a short period of time and was never meant to represent a future production model.
While the application in the Torana concept is an extreme example of the turbocharging trend taking hold of the global automobile market, it also shows that Holden's V6 is a suitable candidate for forced induction. Adding power through forced induction could enable Holden to maintain performance levels similar to today's V8 engines while greatly improving fuel economy.
Holden’s new small car would likely be based on a shortened Commodore platform, which would allow both cars to built off the same production line and further improve economies of scale.
Reallocating Family II production to Global V6 output
There is also hope at Holden that the production of new V6-based projects could help defray some of the job losses at the Fisherman’s Bend plant.
“We have exciting plans for our global V6 plant and one of our aims will be to grow this part of our business to absorb some of those who might be impacted by this decision,” said Holden’s Executive Director of Manufacturing, Rod Keane.
Production plans for a smaller car are yet to be unannounced, but the end of four-cylinder production at the Melbourne facility isn’t scheduled until the end of 2009. Given the company’s stated desire to move resources away from Family II production and towards global V6 and smaller car production, it’s unlikely the new project will start much in advance of the end of the old one.
Alternative fuels also on the table
Reuss has also spoken of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and ethanol-powered cars within three to four years. The alternative fuels will first appear in Commodores, with the potential to spread throughout the lineup from there.
Holden has been planning a large-scale implementation of new technology in its cars and engines since it began a $40 million upgrade to its Fisherman’s Bend facility a year ago. These new developments are the first fruits of that development.
One fuel that may not be in the cards for Holden is diesel. The high initial price of diesel engines offsets any potential savings in fuel prices thanks to the fuel’s superior economy, according to Reuss. Figures show LPG and similar fuels can offer more value for money at current prices.
Fuel economy battle soon to heat up
Ford’s announcement of a year ago that it would halt production of the long-lived straight-six built at the company’s Geelong plant and replace it with an imported V6 by 2010 puts it on a similar timeline to Holden. Local production of the Focus is due to start around the same time, putting even more pressure on Holden to compete in the fierce small car market.
Its imported Astra, the next generation of which has recently been spotted testing in Europe, is also essential to Holden's plans as it will share the burden of helping the company meet its fuel economy goals.
Holden: Hints of Torana
...but my choice can easily be overwritten.
