A lot of Australian car enthusiasts like American cars. GM-owned Holden had a rich history as an enthusiast brand in the region, bringing V8 muscle to the island in a compliant, right-hand-drive package. Although the Detroit automaker shut down the brand in 2020, it hasn’t forgotten right-hand-drive regions.
Australian publication Drive spoke to General Motors Specialty Vehicles (GMSV) chief Jess Bala about the process of considering whether a product is right for the Oceania region. “As GM as a whole starts to play in future products, whether it’s the next-gen of existing or actual all-new architectures, there’s always a discussion very early on – does right-hand drive make sense in this or does it not?” Bala said. “[Australia/New Zealand is] obviously not the only right-hand-drive market, so we closely [align] with UK and Japan teams as well – [we sort of] join forces and put in as one voice.”
Sadly for the storied Holden brand, it ended its life consisting only of badge-engineered General Motors vehicles from around the world. A few included Holden-ized versions of the Chevy Equinox, GMC Acadia, Opel Astra, and the Brazilian-built Chevy S10Â and Trailblazer. Even the legendary Holden Commodore, which was the basis for the Pontiac G8 and Chevy SS, was just a rebadged Opel Insignia/Buick Regal for its final generation.
In other General Motors news for the Australia/New Zealand region, 2025 Cadillac Lyriq orders officially opened, the hybrid 2025 Chevy Corvette E-Ray debuted, and the 2025 GMC Yukon was unveiled, all in October of this year. Orders for Stingray, Z06, and E-Ray opened up through GMSV last month, and the first-ever Cadillac Experience Center in Sydney was announced in August. Another General Motors product that recently became available in the Oceania region is the Chevy Silverado 2500 HD in a right-hand-drive configuration.
It’s unfortunate that the uniquely Australian Holden brand couldn’t last, but Australian enthusiasts are getting a GM lineup that looks a little bit more like the one in its American home market. That’s an exciting prospect for those who can afford the General’s premium offerings through Australia and New Zealand’s Cadillac and GMSV dealer networks.
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Note: The “Brazilian-built Chevy S10” was never sold under Holden. GMH imported the Thailand Built Holden Colarado, yes based on the Chevy but never from Brazil. Thailand has a government focused Motor Vehicle industry and produces most of the “UTES” imported into Australia.
Why does GM go to that market with both Chevy and GM full size? Would it make more sense to go to market with only Chevy and Cadillac? Streamline the marketing and increase brand value
I still don’t getting it. Why GM obsessed with RHD market? It’s a rude thing until they express regret. When GM took a “Great Escape” directed by Barra, GM’s every RHD markets are faced DOOM. through this situation, a lot of RHD markets criticize wicked action of GM. Aussies are one of those. This is the reason that I suspect the GM’s authenticity. Reap what you sow Barra!