While the true end of an era closed this past October, when Holden ceased manufacturing cars, another one is closing before our eyes. Holden Special Vehicles confirmed it will not offer a ZB Commodore-based car in the future. It will be the first time HSV will not sell a high-performance Commodore.
Tim Jackson, HSV’s managing director, told Car Advice in a report published Thursday that the new Commodore does not present a viable business case for the company. That will make the ZB Commodore VXR with its 3.6-liter V6 engine and all-wheel drive the most sporting variant of Commodore when it arrives next year.
“If you kid yourself on the desirability of a product, it doesn’t matter what your business case is, it’s going to be wrong,” said Jackson. “We know with the history we’ve had working off that [Commodore] name, the expectations are reasonably high. Now those expectations may be tempered with pricing, what buyers are willing to pay, what is expected and what can be delivered,” he added.
HSV instead feels comfortable in the pickup segment and is proud of the work it’s performed with the Colorado SportsCat. It also doesn’t help that the market has shifted tremendously towards SUVs and utility vehicles. But, knowing that, HSV does think an SUV would fit its portfolio.
“For our future products, we think we need to have an SUV in there,” Jackson said.
Holden recently launched the 2018 Equinox, and the larger Holden Acadia will arrive next year. The Holden Trailblazer seems like an obvious choice for HSV, however.
HSV announced its 2018 lineup will not only include the off-road Colorado SportsCat, but the Chevrolet Camaro SS and the Silverado HD. Both Chevys go on sale next year.
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