Welcome to Just Commodores, a site specifically designed for all people who share the same passion as yourself.

New Posts Contact us

Just Commodores Forum Community

It takes just a moment to join our fantastic community

Register

SUV set to replace Commodore

Reaper

Tells it like it is.
Joined
Aug 15, 2004
Messages
6,493
Reaction score
11,463
Points
113
Location
SE Suburbs, Melbourne
Members Ride
RG Z71 Colorado, 120 Prado , VDJ200, Vantage
SUV set to replace Commodore

Holden boss hints that Cruze-based crossover could be second locally built vehicle

GM HOLDEN managing director Mike Devereux has dropped his strongest hint yet that the vehicle to be built alongside the next-generation Cruze in Adelaide from about 2018 may be a compact SUV, not a Commodore.

Mr Devereux confirmed that the next all-new Cruze will be built here from the latter half of 2015 and that there will only be a second line, so building a Cruze-based SUV would spell the end - as expected - of the Australian-built Commodore large car.

Mr Devereux said GM had made the decision about local manufacturing but he was not prepared to divulge it because he does not want it to distract attention from the launch of the VF Commodore next year.

"We know what that second vehicle line is right now," he told journalists at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney this week.

"We are not giving you any indications about that second model line because it would infer what the future is for Commodore, and that is something that is an interesting debate because we haven't even launched our next Commodore.

"The second model just distracts people from what we should be focused on, which is Commodore VF.

"I have been on the record to say we would be pretty stupid not to build a small car given how big that segment is, so we will be building the global Delta next-gen product line (Cruze).

"We have yet to announce what that second line-up is. I wasn't even supposed to say what the first one was."

Mr Devereux ruled out building the Malibu medium sedan here.

"We don't have any plans to make the Malibu in Australia," he said.

And, while not prepared to confirm that Holden would build a Cruze-based SUV to replace the Captiva, he did underline the importance of choosing a model line that is represented by the 10 best-selling vehicles in Australia.

Mr Devereux also admitted that his company is currently suffering from not having more SUVs, and that building a vehicle from outside the growth segments would ultimately spell the end for Holden manufacturing.

"If we can't pick (two of the) top-10 cars, then we're not going to make it - and that's the bottom line," he said.

"In order for us to make the Adelaide plant work economically, we have to pick two top-10-selling vehicles. There is no room for error, and they have to be top-selling vehicles; rule number one.

"When you talk about SUV market growth, it has actually hurt Holden's market share overall because we only have Captiva to fight it out.

"Would I rather have 10 SUVs right now? Sure. But we are trying to expand our SUV line-up, and Colorado (7) is the first of those and Trax will follow in 2013.

"So we are going to have in a very short period of time four different SUVs, while today we only have two, and it's pretty hard to stay up with the market when you've only got two products to fight it out."

General Motors' next generation of the 'Delta' global small-car architecture - codenamed D2XX - is expected to underpin a host of C-segment vehicles from 2014, including the 2015 Cruze in Australia and its closely related Opel Astra cousin.

A significantly modified version is said to also serve beneath the replacement for the ageing Captiva mid-size SUV.

Mr Devereux revealed that early pre-production preparation work will commence during the Christmas shutdown at the company's Elizabeth facility, although it appears that designs for the D2XX vehicles have yet to be finalised.

Holden's design studio in Melbourne is one of several GM centres known to be pitching styling themes, and a decision is expected within six months.

"There is over a billion dollars of (vehicle manufacturing and engineering) investment, with four billion dollars of economic activity … from 2012 all the way to 2022," he said.

"We start to actually do work on this in two months' time. We have to start ground works in our plant in Adelaide to get ready for body shop stuff.

"In three years from now we have to launch the first of these cars – we are talking about the back half of 2015.

"And when you look at making the cars, and needing the time (to prepare) … you've got to start doing stuff literally two years in advance, and planning out the changes in the body shop."

Although Holden is not leading the engineering of the next-generation Delta vehicles, Mr Devereux said there might be a chance of some Australian design input after GM design boss Ed Welburn makes his decision next year.

"Absolutely," he said. "In the same way we have had input in the past.

"We are already right in the middle with both vehicles, with Holden people doing them work, and potentially moving on with the vehicles depending on themes that are chosen.

"With design, you want to push that to as close to the release of the car as possible, and all the global studios are duking it out right now for the right to have the theme – next-gen Cruze, next-gen Captivas, all sorts of vehicles.

"We're not going to be the homeroom for the Delta, but we've got people doing themes, and the themes look great, and there’s more to do on Delta."

Mr Devereux also revealed that Holden’s investment in the future second line of vehicles out of Adelaide is not contingent on exports.

"We haven’t talked about the business side of the strategy or exports for the next-gen, but what I can tell you is that we are going to continue to execute that plan in the current generation with continued VF exports, both to the Middle East and to the United States, as part of our new (2014 VF Commodore-based) Chevy SS program.

"I wouldn't rule out anything in the future, but it will have a lot to do with what the economic conditions are relating to the dollar in five years from now: certainly a A$0.70 (would) change the whole equation (against parity with the US currency presently).

"I frankly can't predict where the Australian dollar will be … and it is a very large determinant for your ability to make your business case for export.

"The smaller the vehicle, the more difficult the situation becomes with that parity dollar.

"The business plan of the future does not rely on exports. We export today, and if the dollar was a different dollar, I reckon we'd sell more police cars. I would love to be selling more police cars than I am today."

Holden - SUV set to replace Commodore | GoAuto

Holden_Captiva_main.jpg
 

djdomohudson

Mad frogs
Joined
Aug 7, 2012
Messages
213
Reaction score
3
Points
18
Location
Werribee, VIC
Members Ride
VE Omega Sedan / VE International Sportwagon
There are a lot of sedan's in Australia, and I for one can't believe that they aren't a top ten selling car in this economy? You head straight on to your nearby highway and you're guaranteed to spot a bunch of them, including their competitors.
 

lmoengnr

Donating Member
Joined
Jan 15, 2012
Messages
6,889
Reaction score
44,471
Points
113
Location
Sunbury Vic.
Members Ride
MY12.5 Maloo R8, MY12 Redline ute, Magnum 224
I think he's been quoted out of context(not unusual).......

The Stupid Useless Vehicle is based on the Cruze platform, so can be built on the same line.
 

Mick1988

W.A. Cruise Moderator
Joined
Apr 6, 2008
Messages
786
Reaction score
14
Points
18
Age
35
Location
Perth, Western Australia
Website
www.sarichtechnology.com
Members Ride
Too many to list......
The above poster hit the nail on the head; the SUV will be build on the same line, just as the Caprice is built on the Commodore line.

Firstly, Commodore is still one of the most popular cars produced in Australia. It might not be scoring number 1 each month but it certainly sells more than the Cruze and Captiva, and also outsells all the cars in it's class. The Hilux isn't the top selling car in Australia so should Toyota axe that as well?

Secondly, Ford Falcon is no more shortly, therefore all the taxi companies will be looking to purchase LPG Commodores, and all fleets that are currently using Falcons will have to switch to Commodores. Therefore, sales are set to increase.

Thirdly, the Commodore has one of the largest fan bases in Australia and is Australia's iconic car.

They won't axe the Commodore, it doesn't make sense there are still a large number of australians who want a large family sedan. Perhaps bringing back the Adventura would be a good idea but actually spend some time to make it economical.

If everybody remembers, the VZ was going to be the last Commodore back in the days of the VX they were going to finish at Z and not produce any more. By the logic of Holden dropping the Commodore, Toyota should drop the Camry and Aurion and build another Corolla sized car.
 
M

mwb235

Guest
They could just call the 2018-on Cruze a Commodore (downsize like they did from the HZ to VB) and no one would care. Or better still just forget Commodore and call it a Torana. As long as you could option a V6 or V8 and not just a 4-pot. Maybe make the Omega a hybrid 4 cylinder, with an LPG-based (liquid injection) V6 for the taxi/fleet market and a flex-fuel V8 as an option on the upper-spec models like the Calais and SS. Downsize the V8 from 6L/6.2L back down to a 5L. But where would that leave the Caprice? Part of history I suppose just like the Fairlane. Seems silly but nothing would be surprising in the current market. Whatever they do, as long as Holden still make Holdens in Australia I could live with it.
 

RioTFoX

New Member
Joined
Aug 12, 2012
Messages
10
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Age
30
Location
Vic
Members Ride
VT Acclaim V6
Surely they cant stop making commodores! i also cant believe its not a top selling car :/
 

Red Centre Bluey

Active Member
Joined
May 13, 2012
Messages
177
Reaction score
43
Points
28
Location
Alice Springs
Members Ride
Caprice WN, Caprice VR
Commodore is Top-Selling CAR

Toyota is Top-Selling Manufacturer

Bigger model range, that's all...
 
Top