Calaber
Nil Bastardo Carborundum
- Joined
- Nov 29, 2007
- Messages
- 4,334
- Reaction score
- 1,357
- Points
- 113
- Location
- Lower Hunter Region NSW
- Members Ride
- CG Captiva 5 Series 2
Recent statements on Holden commercials have stated "Holden is here to stay." The latest CEO indicates an intention to get Holden back on top of the market by 2020. To me, that at least suggests that they intend to keep the brand name. And if Opels can sell in the UK as Vauxhalls, why can't they sell in Aus as Holdens? "Even if Commodore numbers are removed from total Holden sales, there are considerable sales of other imported Holden models that have nothing more than badges applied. The reason some of those models don't sell well isn't because they are Holdens, it's because they are inferior to their competition or are nearing the end of their life cycle, but collectively, they still total a considerable number. Do you really think changing the brand name and badges will improve their fortunes here?
Think about this. Assume you are right and the name dies. We would then be faced with former Holden dealerships being converted to who knows what? but possibly Chevrolet. We enter the yard and are faced with some of the current models which won't have run their course by 2017, such as the last Captivas, the Barina, Malibu (unlikely - I think it will disappear before then due to dismal sales), Colorado. Only now they are Chevrolets. Chev Barina - who'd buy that? It's the Aveo overseas, so do we also dump all the model names as well as the brand?
The loss of the Commodore will be difficult enough for the traditional buyers to absorb. Kicking out all identifiable model designations will be a bridge too far.
You suggest that brand proliferation will create unnecessary duplication and costs. It's model proliferation that creates those problems and our models will all be common to larger overseas markets.
I'll stand by my view. The brand Holden will stay. It won't be trading on what was, it will be trading on buyer loyalty built up over six decades. It's a name that still has relevance to Australia and the company knows it.
Think about this. Assume you are right and the name dies. We would then be faced with former Holden dealerships being converted to who knows what? but possibly Chevrolet. We enter the yard and are faced with some of the current models which won't have run their course by 2017, such as the last Captivas, the Barina, Malibu (unlikely - I think it will disappear before then due to dismal sales), Colorado. Only now they are Chevrolets. Chev Barina - who'd buy that? It's the Aveo overseas, so do we also dump all the model names as well as the brand?
The loss of the Commodore will be difficult enough for the traditional buyers to absorb. Kicking out all identifiable model designations will be a bridge too far.
You suggest that brand proliferation will create unnecessary duplication and costs. It's model proliferation that creates those problems and our models will all be common to larger overseas markets.
I'll stand by my view. The brand Holden will stay. It won't be trading on what was, it will be trading on buyer loyalty built up over six decades. It's a name that still has relevance to Australia and the company knows it.