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Why The Chevrolet Camaro Costs Thousands More In Australia

General Motors will make good on its promise to offer Australians a rear-wheel drive V8-powered car again after ending production of the Holden VF Commodore. But, the proposition comes at a rather steep price.

The Chevrolet Camaro will cost $85,990 AUD, or around $61,000 USD. Of course, that’s substantially more than what Americans can purchase a V8-powered Camaro for, but Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) explained what causes the price increase. Speaking to Wheels in a Monday report, Damon Paull, HSV’s General Manager of Marketing and Planning, said it begins with a trip across the ocean.

2016 Chevrolet Camaro 1SS exterior - GM Authority Garage 025

Freighting left-hand drive Camaros from the United States to Australia is the starting point for the price premium. Then, HSV deals with funding and finance charges, exchange rate losses, import duties and more.

When the Chevrolet Camaro finally makes its way to HSV, the car then receives 100 man hours worth of work to make it suitable for Australian roads. Part of the price increase comes from tooling and development recovery costs, manufacturing costs and charges for changes made to the interior and underbody. HSV must also bake in a warranty and roadside assistance. Oh, and the luxury car tax has its way with the pricing as well.

2016 Chevrolet Camaro 1SS exterior - GM Authority Garage 001

“Given the amount of engineering work, tooling and development, certification, and validation required to move the steering wheel from the left-hand side to the right-hand side, plus the niche volume and the impact of the luxury car tax, we are confident our customers will recognize the value equation,” Paull explained.

HSV will offer the Chevrolet Camaro in 2SS form only with a 6.2-liter LT1 V8 engine and a fully ticked options sheet. Heated and cooled seats, premium audio, sunroof, wireless phone charging and more are onboard. To start, HSV will convert 550 Camaros to right-hand drive. Depending on the car’s success, that figure could increase in 2019 when Australia receives the facelifted 2019 Chevrolet Camaro—and possibly the Camaro ZL1, too.

Former GM Authority staff writer.

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Comments

  1. What a way to approach. Have you heard of such stories? If so, great. Thanks !

    Reply
    1. China huggy! Panda say thanks to very much you!

      Reply
  2. “Freighting … Camaros from the United States to Australia is the starting point for the price premium. Then, HSV deals with funding and finance charges, exchange rate losses, import duties and more.“ – don’t the exact same issues apply to Camaro’s going to China?

    “When the Chevrolet Camaro finally makes its way to HSV, the car then receives 100 man hours worth of work to make it suitable for Australian roads. Part of the price increase comes from tooling and development recovery costs, manufacturing costs and charges for changes made to the interior and underbody.” – tell me they don’t make suspension and chassis changes for Chinese roads. Huh? They do, and that costs.

    “HSV must also bake in a warranty and roadside assistance. Oh, and the luxury car tax has its way with the pricing as well.“ – tell me GM China doesn’t offer these things, or bake the price for them into the sale price. Camaro’s in China also need certification, local development, and validation of unique-to-market parts.

    From GMA itself August 23 2018 – “the Detroit News reported Wednesday. President Trump told the audience that “taxes and taxes and taxes” create a $119,000 Chevrolet Camaro in China, which is inherently unfair to General Motors.“

    So the Aussie “Luxury Car Tax” is totally fine no worries mate, but Chinese taxes are an attack on America. Yeah! If you believe this, you are a dolt who Trump triggers just for fun.

    Reply
  3. So when is Camaro going to be sold worldwide?

    Reply
  4. We have a saying. “I think someone is trying to put one over us”

    Reply

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