Even after Australian production stops in 2017, residents will still be able to get their hands on a performance-focused Holden product. Opel has announced it will once again begin to export its vehicles to Australia and New Zealand starting in 2015, only this time they will be wearing a Holden lion and stone badge.
The models will be the Astra GTC and range-topping Astra VXR, as well as the Insignia VXR. These will also be joined by Opel’s Cascada convertible, which will be the first Holden-badged drop top since 2007.
The announcement comes just a month after Opel announced the Russelsheim plant would also be manufacturing a vehicle for the U.S. market.
“We at Opel/Vauxhall are pleased to manufacture these high-quality automobiles at our European plants for Holden. With their performance, design and quality, these vehicles will meet highest expectations,” said Opel CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann. “This is the second piece of good news regarding exports within just a few weeks. Around one month ago, we were able to announce that we will be manufacturing Buick vehicles for the American market in our Rüsselsheim plant.”
Opel announced in August of last year it would cease all activities as an independent brand in Australia after 11 months of operations due to deteriorating market conditions. The decision to re-enter the market was first referenced in August 2013 when the automaker said it would conduct “analysis together with Holden regarding the potential for future Holden- badged niche product, in order to ascertain if opportunities for individual carlines exist.”
Comments
I’m sure the Delta II Cascada will more than make up for the loss of Zeta Commodore. Australia, you’re welcome.
Umm, what!?
Andrew I’m sure Chris meant this as a gesture expressing his understanding and appreciation of not so subtle sarcasm in our Aussie humour and culture. Chris you are welcome.
ihiii thist time HOLDEN.
I think this proves that the decision to cease manufacturing in Australia was taken alot earlier than it was actually announced and was the real reason for pulling the plug on Opel’s Australian adventure.
This was done a while ago as even before the SS came here it was made clear that the car was short term on the Zeta. We just thought it was the platform and not the entire line.
The hints of the Buick/Opel on the screen in the Holden ad was a scream of where they were going. Why would a new Buick/Holden be on the computer in Australia other wise?
Like I have said Holden may sadly lose production but they will get some of the best GM global cars in the end. They will see things that they would never have gotten independently.
This is the good side of global models for small markets. They can get the things they could not support on their own.
We had the equivalent of all these models (Astra, Astra convertible and Vectra) before the decision was made to switch to Korean Chevs sometime last decade. Whether we wouldn’t have gotten these Opels back if the shutdown wasn’t planned is debatable as most people could see the damage these products did to the brand. It still doesn’t make up for the loss of Commodore but we’ll see what pans out in future. I still can’t see Holden getting back Number one though.
It is not so much getting back the same models.
It is all about the new models that are coming as they will be a little more to them this time around as Opel’s mission is much more than just winning sales in Germany at this point.
You need to look forward not back. Holden is going from just being a rebadge Chevy with a couple local models to a full line of some of the best cars GM sells globally.
If you guys call a 1.6 l turbo 4 cylinder a “performance vehicle” then you have no right commenting on a “Holden” blog.
Performance Holden’s have 8 cylinders, stretched to include GTR’s and XU/1’s but that’s about it.
How long will it take until GM understands what Holden means to real car people over here ??????
It is more than 1.6 Turbo.
You will see V8 engines in a wider variety of vehicles than you have now,
Besides the Turbo performance engine is the 2.0. I own one now with 23 PSI of boost and 300 HP. I love this thing for a daily beater.
I never liked a Turbo 4 till I drove this one. Till you have driven one you have no idea of how great the flat torque curve is.
I have owned many powerful V8 SBC and BBC and would place this engine right with any of them for fun.
Hi Scott, as the owner of 3 Holden’s I’m keen to know what V8 options GM are going to offer us in Australia after the demise of the Commodore.
I own a 2013 HSV (6.2l LS3) a 69 HT (350) and a Cruze Sri/V (1.4 l turbo) and a Mazda SP23 (2.3l 4 cyl)
The Cruze 1.4 was bought because it was sold as a HOLDEN….. Big mistake. Gutless from a standstill albeit ok when moving at over 50 kph..
If we are lucky we might see the SS camaro for approx $80 to $100, 000 ( Grey imports converted to right hand drive sell for $120k plus over here.
I saw one last Feb in Orlando FL for USD$23,000.
So Scott, Plse tell me what 4 door, rear wheel drive V8 vehicles we’re going to see from GM after 2017 as I’ m keen to know.
At present the plan is to buy a new Mazda and , flick the Cruze and keep the 2 Holden ‘s in the shed.
Thanks in anticipation of your reply.
Tony the V8 engines you will see will be what they put in the next Alpha Chevy sedan and Camaro.
I fully expect the new SS Alpha to be exported to you in RHD as well as a Camaro. Both should have nothing less than the LT 1 engine we have now and should see special editions with possible the other engines to come. There is a LT5 coming as well as a GM registered L88 engine. Details are not clear yet but they all should be more power over the present LS models.
The Cruze is not a bad car but it is not a sport sedan and makes no claims to being one. It is a small family sedan that is to get good MPG. Now If they had an SS on the fender I could understand the disappointment.
Even the 50 MPG Eco version here is not what I would call gutless. It drives well but it is not a sport sedan either.
Now I own a HHR SS here that is now out of production. It is near 300 HP with a 2.0 Turbo from GM with 23 PSI of boost. It is a blast to drive and does claim to be an SS and will top out with 13 second 1/4 miles with and over 150 MPH top end.
I would love to see GM do a small FWD turbo sports sedan but I do not feel the Cruze is the right one. Now with Holden getting the Opel Astra a OPC version with the 2.0 Turbo would make you very happy. I wish they had it here for Buick.
Anyways GM has made it clear here that from the start the VF was only a limited car and they said work had already started on the replacement before we even got the Holden based car. The Camaro is coming in 2016 and 2017 would be just right to add a sedan to the plant line in Michigan.
With a more modern chassis and lighter platform the car with more power should be impressive. While the sedan will not share body parts with the Camaro I suspect they will share suspensions and drive lines so even in a sedan it should do well.
Just look at the present Camaro line and they will improve on each model.
Really keep up on what is going on outside Holden as your future is out there. All your models will be RHD and tuned for your needs there as Holden will still remain involved to make sure the cars are not just American or German cars shipped in as they are elsewhere.
GM has not confirmed the SS will be available after 2016. There’s no evidence such a program has been green lit.
It is my hope that Reuss unifies Impala, SS, and Commodore on Alpha in 2017, but that may be a pipe dream.
And you do not know everything that is going on either. Wink!
While true it is subject to change up till it hits the show rooms that has been the plan.
GM basically said that SS was dead shortly after the Commodore statement. The suggested a possible Impala SS which would be a nice vehicle for Holden should the.Buick rumor not turn out.
Holden is now a big experiment for GM regarding future line ups in non European markets. Truth be told, Opel products are a better fit for most Chevy markets sans China and the US.
Even in America, vehicles like Corsa could be reskinned so not to be confused with Buick models.
I see GM has created a similar design language for Chevy and Opel-Cruze is a good example as is the Adra low cost concept that could easily wear either an Opel or Chevy front facada due to the raised head lights.
In many ways, Opel and Chevy (with Buick) are being positioned as a global super brand with inner changable
parts.
A lot will be learned via Holden.
Thanks Scott for your constructive reply.
Any V8 engine RWD Sedan would be of interest. Camaro could do well here if offered in conjunction with a 4 door V8 RWD sedan.
FWD 4 cylinder cars don’t really interest me and would only be bought as a daily drive option in lieu of the above.
Yes, I’ll keep me eyes on ears open for the future.
PS – that was my first ever ‘blog’ !
Thanks Tony,
The FWD is not for everyone and that is why they will offer both.
I love my FWD HHR SS as it is my daily driver. But for fun on the weekends it is RWD. I like the fun to drive with the gas savings.
Watch for Al Oppenheiser as he is the one who speak a little more than the others. He is the one who made it clear that a replacement for the VF was coming a year before we even got the SS here. I have spoke to all several times and he often over speaks in private.
Also watch how production comes together for the Camaro as it will give us clues to where this is all going.
At this point the sedan is expected but as I stated above any and all things can change or be delayed. To do a sedan would be very easy and cheap for them since Cadillac has already done much of the investing in this platform. Chevy would have little investment and GM would gain a lot of income with a Chevy version.
There is a lot going on that you will not read in the headlines.
Welcome to the blog. Glad to have you and don’t mind the trolls as they are annoying but harmless.