Before Holden’s new Managing Director and Chairman, Mark Bernhard, unveiled the 2016 VF Holden Commodore Series II, he took a few minutes to address media on the future of the Australian automotive brand.
As the brand transitions to an import-only brand, there will be an onslaught of 24 new models to overhaul Holden’s current lineup, with product coming from European, Korean and U.S. factories. Recently, we’ve heard more about the product inbound from U.S. factories, with the next-generation Chevrolet Equinox and a new, unspecified midsize crossover, poised to replace the aged Captiva 5 and Captiva 7.
During the reveal, The Motor Report picked up an interesting quote from an unnamed source. Speaking about the possibility of inbound U.S.-product, and a right-hand drive 2016 Chevrolet Camaro, the source was quoted to have said the new Camaro sits on the same chassis as “what will be found under the new Commodore.”
This, is news to us.
All signs have pointed to the 2018 Holden Commodore being a close-knit platform mate with the upcoming Opel Insigna-Buick Regal, riding on General Motors E2XX platform. The publication goes on to speculate the images of the “2018 Commodore” may not be the next Commodore at all, rather, the Commodore would move upscale in a sort of Buick Avenir like fashion.
That all sounds wonderfully ideal, but it doesn’t add up with the fact Holden has confirmed a “new V8-powered, rear-wheel drive performance car” is on the way. We’ve gotten a nearly certain “no” on the 2016 Camaro going right-hand drive, and intel from Bowling Green suggests it’s not feasible to export the 2016 Corvette Stingray to Oz.
That means there is something lurking for Holden. A move to the Omega platform seems unlikely, but anything can happen.
The upcoming V8 sports car for Holden will firmly remain as an unknown-known for quite some time most likely. Whatever it is, or whenever it arrives, it certainly has some large, Zeta-sized shoes to fill.
Comments
I mean, it’s not a huge secret that Avenir has been an option in the cards. I’ve never written it off, certainly.
Omega, unlike Alpha, supports RHD natively. If you can’t RHD Alpha, and you won’t RHD Corvette, Omega is the only option to make good on the V8 performance car promise.
I’ve wondered if this was “secret” that was being kept tightly under wrap. Mark Reuss ran Holden for several years, he knows that a RWD sedan is somewhat of an important, if shrinking market in Australia. I know GM is dense sometimes, but don’t think they will combine the double whammy of both closing the plant AND shoving a FWD Commodore down Aussie throats, that won’t fly.
I’ve sort of speculated that a cheaper Omega-Alpha combo or variant would be spread across other GM divisions after Cadillac launches the CT6. Using the US as an export base and home market for a new RWD lower cost Omega based sedan that will replace all global Zeta cars, giving us a new RWD Impala/SS/Caprice and Buick RWD here along with a Commodore exported to Australia, other Chevrolet Caprice/ETC exports to the Middle East, and some possible Opel/Vauxhall variants too.
That’s what I’ve thought, too. I see it as bizarre that they wouldn’t try to get some scale off of the platform.
There is no doubt that Omega will see more activity other then Cadillac. GM will produce a RWD Buick close to the Aviner. I am sure the car was approved even before it was shown at the auto show. As far as Holden getting Omega I dont think that wil happen. I can see maybe a Alpha platform maybe going that route though.
Problem with that logic is that Alpha can’t do RHD. Not slated until A2XX. Even Cadillac leadership publicly admits that was a misstep, but it’s done at this point. If you can’t get a RHD Cadillac on Alpha before 2020, you won’t see a RHD Alpha on Holden any sooner.
Avenir as a niche halo import, much like the Chevy SS is to America, is the more likely route. RHD-ready, and can be marketed more effectively under the Commodore namesake – mostly though to get people into dealerships to test drive the new FWD Opels.
I’d say it’s going alpha likeCTS
I think they’d be crazy not to send a Camaro and Corvette down to Holden and have them develop a RHD for both. It would help sales, as long as the R&D doesn’t kill the price.
Well here is the deal.
The Alpha was the idea of the new people at GM under the old system and it hurt it in several areas one being the RHD. Now that it may not have it now does not mean it will remain that way forever.
Cadillac has made it clear it will do RHD in the future so that is a sign it will be happing at all divisions using this platform.
The Omega will go down under at some point. Holden did not hide the fact they were working on it and with it.
It also has the ability to go RHD because it was more a new GM than old culture project.
The real limitation is where can GM build things and still send them where they can still make a decent profit. Moving them from here to there is a challenge with the changing money values and shipping. It can be good now and unprofitable in a year from now. Lots of risk there. Building in country is also limiting.
I really expect Holden to get a lot of product and a lot more variation of FWD, RWD and AWD. The real question is where it will come form.
Well this is most certainly some fascinating news! I suppose many are still holding their breath as to what Holden will reveal as the next Commodore. And I suppose it’s not to farfetched to believe it’ll be built atop the Omega platform, seeing as to how GM’s Australian team did have a hand in developing it. Not to mention the fact that the Omega platform has to be leveraged across more than just the Cadillac brand for profitability sake; it all makes sense that the next Commodore could remain RWD! Albeit with some turbo-4’s and 6’s being offered to power it. I’m all for this! I believe the Aussie’s will love this as well!!!
With the au$ falling to the high 60’s against the us$ all those cheap imports won’t be cheap for long, not having an in country factory will be a disadvantage.
I remember when they discontinued the Camaro after 2002. When they brought it back sales exploded. I wonder if there will be a gap in Commodore production while GM/Holden work on something RWD (or AWD w/ RWD bias) worthy to wear the name. If that is the case, I hope it doesn’t take 8 years. With the current Commodore ends, so does the SS, and so does Chevrolets entry in NASCAR. I’m not sure how they plan to address those gaps either. (Though, it wouldn’t be unheard of for Chevy to offer the Malibu to race against the Camry and Fusion.)