The market still hasn’t been kind to the “new” Holden—one that is a national importer rather than manufacturer. Wheels reported last Wednesday that Holden sales continued to tumble in the month of August.
Holden sales continued their plunge in August as the brand dropped 37.6 percent due to worse than expected Astra sales, according to the report. The sales slide follows Holden’s worst sales record in history this past July when it moved just 3,927 new cars. In August, Holden sold 4,356 cars. Arch rival Ford was also down 10.6 percent in August, though it sold 5,962 cars.
As for the new Commodore, the ZB-generation tallied 682 registrations last month making it the best-selling large car under $70,000 AUD. In comparison, Kia’s highly publicized Stinger sold just 125 units. Both cars have been compared as many see the Stinger as a reprieve from the front- or all-wheel-drive Commodore.
On the other hand, the Ford Mustang actually managed to outsell Holden’s once bread-and-butter vehicle. Ford moved 734 Mustangs in August, which makes us wonder if some previous Holden Commodore owners have found solace in Ford’s pony car. The Mustang is the closest vehicle representing what both Ford and Holden once offered with the previous Commodore and out-of-production Falcon.
And the Mustang will remain atop the leaderboard since Holden Special Vehicles only plans to build 550 Chevrolet Camaros this year. HSV will convert the American-made pony car from left to right-hand drive as part of a labor-intensive process. It will cost $85,990 AUD when it goes on sale, almost $20,000 more than the Mustang.
New Holden chairman and managing director, David Buttner, has reportedly begun touring dealerships and talking with councils to understand what the brand needs to succeed in Australia post-manufacturing. Buttner formerly ran Toyota in the country, which continues to top the sales charts. In August, the brand sold 18,833 new cars.
Comment
It’s ‘fare well’ for Holden. Simple as that, the brand “Holden’ has run its short 70 year history and General Motors needs to move quickly to focus on just CADILLAC and CHEVROLET for its worldwide market