The USA will not come to Australia’s rescue when it comes to sharing a similar love for burly V8 engines, rear-wheel drive application and a manual gearbox in a performance sedan.
Currently, Holden exports the VF Commodore to American roads, where we have been graced with the car under the Chevrolet SS name. While we await an official statement on the 2016 Chevrolet SS, which had its updates revealed through the General Motors fleet ordering guide, Holden unveiled its final locally-produced Commodore in the 2016 VF Commodore Series II.
But, following news from Stefan Jacoby, GM’s Asia-Pacific boss, the Chevrolet SS is on schedule to die after Holden ceases local manufacturing, with no successor in development in the U.S. to replace the vehicle.
“That (U.S. car) phases out when we see manufacturing end in Australia,” said Jacoby, when telling media the Holden V8-powered sedan is also a goner after 2017.
“I know they are charming and I like the sound of the V8 but times are changing. The technology is changing with more or less the same performance. The acceptance is changing, even in America,” Jacoby told CarsGuide and other Australian media.
Fans and enthusiasts had hopes a shadowy, secret project would save the idea of a rear-wheel drive V8-powered sedan for the General Motors portfolio. Unfortunately, that will not be the case.
2015 Chevrolet SS sales were up drastically last month, as those in the know scoop up these automotive unicorns.
If one was looking for an incentive to pick up a future classic, here’s all the convincing you need as we approach a brave new world, indeed.
Comments
Eh, I’d wait and see the whole picture, GM is usually tight lipped about future product info, if you asked them if there would be a 2017 Camaro, they wouldn’t confirm it. It could be the end of the nameless”SS” model itself, but not the end of a specialty RWD Chevrolet sedan.
So… does this mean there will be a 2017 model year SS build through 2016?
Or… is the 2016 model year that will be on sale soon is the last year of the car?
This is the news we need!
It’s highly likely the order books will stay open through the end of Australia production, at least in terms of model years.
They may cut off 2018 MY orders as that will be a very limited run, possibly just a thousand units depending on when the plan closes.
You’ll see a 2017 Chevrolet SS. Just don’t expect it to be very different from today, if at all.
0% for 72 mo. has been available recently on these, no surprise that more are finding homes.
The ’16 wheels are decent and have a more aggressive look but don’t care for the “SS” badge on the front. I’m still aiming for a lightly used ’15.
There have been rumors for years about the return of a Grand National/GNX? If this were to ever happen it would somewhat fill the void left by the SS. No doubt they would be turbo V6 powered and very,very pricey.
So, why not rebirth the Monte Carlo, the Caprice, the Chevelle, and the El Camino for Chevrolet built in USA and export to Australia as Holden Commodore coupe, Caprice, Commodore, and Ute. IT could e a good Idea…
I’m surprised that Stefan Jacoby is still employed by GM.
I’m surprised that he is still employed anywhere automotive !
Google his name and research, he is European and his experience is in that market. He is totally clueless about our region and only cares about pissy little cars and their pissy little engines.
For me, Holden will no longer exist in my heart (and many other Australians hearts) once the last Australian Holden is driven off the production line.
The goodwill and reputation of the Holden brand has been destroyed beyond repair forever. It is now terminal and will be dead in year or so, as Australians will no longer buy imported Holden cars. We may as well read Holden it’s last rites as it lays on it’s death bed.
It’s the Ponitac script being recited all over again.
What a disgraceful way to end a proud company that has proven to manufacture world class cars. I never ever thought I would see the end of the ENTIRE Australian car manufacturing industry happen in my lifetime. Jacoby and GM have seriously under-estimated the Australian market and culture and what Holden means to Australia and Australians.
I will now only purchase well kept pre-2017 Australian made cars (any Australian made brand) or any other imported brand that has not abandoned Australia. I’ve become a Tesla advocate of their products, to stick it to a few traditional industries all at once, that have screwed us (ie. automotive, electricity and oil).
Imagine this : How would Americans feel and what would they do, if Jacoby and GM were to do to Chevrolet, what they have done to Holden ?
May have to pick one up, maybe an off lease one. As mentioned on here, I have an affinity for oddball/enthusiat/whatever term you want to use for these types of cars from GM, over the years.
That said, in a couple years there will be some sort of next awesome/obscure replacement from GM that doesn’t get the credit (or marketing, or, thus sales) from the general public.
Next natural question is what does Chevy replace the SS in Nascar with?
So, will we get it for MY 2017 in the US, or is 2016 it?
Those who know won’t talk, those who do talk don’t know shit.
I was ready to go out and test drive the rolling Valhalla tomorrow until the end of the Chevy SS review hinted at discontinuance. I’ve gone from elated back to reality in one YouTube video. I’m depressed. 46 sucks.