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Holden Special Vehicles Re-Hires Former Chief Engineer Joel Stoddart

Not long ago, Holden Special Vehicles appointed Tim Jackson as its managing director, replacing Phil Harding in the position. Hiring Jackson was indication that the performance sub-brand would continue on with its operations past 2017, when Holden is expected to wind down its manufacturing operations in Australia. Now, they’ve re-hired former chief engineer Joel Stoddart following a 12-month absence from the company, resurfacing rumors about what HSV may have up its sleeve for the future.

Stoddart is no stranger to engineering fast vehicles. He oversaw development of the fastest and most powerful car to ever come from Oz, the HSV GTS, in addition to helping out with many other hot Commodores.

With the production of the Commodore expected to come to a halt in 2017, it’s still a mystery what type of vehicles Stoddart and his team plan to bring to the market. Carsguide says Holden’s performance car division has been seen testing the 2.8-liter V6 engine from the Insignia VXR in Oz, leading to speculation that a vehicle similar to this will be HSV’s next step forward.

“There is a future for us to keep making great cars, and that’s why I’m here,” Stoddart told Carsguide. “We’re looking to the future and trying to realise some of the opportunities that are out there.”

Last month Holden announced it would bring the Astra, Insignia and Cascada convertible to the Australian market. HSV could be responsible for providing performance versions of smaller turbocharged vehicles like these in the future once the V8-powered Commodore has officially departed.

Sam loves to write and has a passion for auto racing, karting and performance driving of all types.

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Comments

  1. This is why I have told the Holden people not to throw their hands up and give up. There is a lot more going on than they can tell you now.

    Reply
  2. It is interesting how Ford and GM have taken opposite approaches in regards to what they are holding onto post shut down. Ford Performance Vehicles has already started closing up shop. The final GT Falcons are currently making their way down the production line and that will be it for FPV. They won’t be producing anything for the final FH model Falcon. However Ford are keeping their mainstream product development in this country and will still employ over 1100 staff for this post 2017.

    GM on the other hand are culling nearly all of Holden’s product development capability but HSV are going to be steam rolling ahead post 2017.

    Reply
  3. Ford has cut back in many areas of racing. They have done it quietly but they are no where as strong as they once were.

    They are not in Indy car anymore, They have cut back in NASCAR and they are leaving NHRA this year. I am not sure what the play is but Ford while still building decent cars still has a lot of loans to pay back yet and this may be a factor in their spending. They also have invested into things like the Aluminum trucks and have yet to see how the public reacts to the increased cost or the insurance and repair industry will treat them.

    GM on the other hand have taken different paths in trucks and other areas. GM has increase their presents in many racing circles again and many continue to grow.

    While Holden will not be making cars from the ground up they will still have a lot of influence and ability to tune and design things just for their own market. While some of the cars may look like what is in the states or Europe they will not be identical and have things that are not offered else where.

    To be honest I see Holden being in a good place right now as they have the ability to use the best of GM globally and tune and design it to their needs. They can now do cars they never had the volume to do before. While some will be disappointed with the loss of the Ute etc. others will be excited when they can buy a Camaro with RHD or other models that they only could read about before. Also they will share in future models we all will get vs. a few selected markets.

    Reply
    1. Ford wants to mimic VW by moving ever so slightly upmarket, be America’s “premium” value brand, & I’m not sure if racing fits that profile.
      They sell Mustang because it’s a highly profitable niche but have as much interest in racing as Toyota.
      Ford is the only American brand to reach the same demos as import brands from Japan and Germany and this is backed up by their sales progress in California.
      Ford avoiding Indy 500 had nothing to do with debt but instead the new image they are trying to build with Gen X and Millennials.
      GM under Reuss had been chasing niche categories that they can dominate: Large SUVs, the SS, mid sized trucks. This niche areas can be high margin and make up for GM weak points like mid sized car sales. They, nonetheless, require a lot of capital that could be better spent much Ford does.

      Reply

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