Look Out FG, here comes Holden

[Twinpiston]

Found this on Carpoint, I don't think it has been posted yet.

Hopefully Ford responds with PLAN B for the official sale start.

Never mind the road toll, Holden has upped safety specs in the VE range to resist the new Falcon's sales impact


Is it too cynical to suggest that there's no such thing as coincidence where the motor industry is concerned?

Holden has just raised the stakes in new car marketing by including side impact (curtain) airbags and air conditioning as standard for all Commodore sedan models -- a matter of weeks before Ford's new FG Falcon goes on sale (more here).

The curtain airbags provide dedicated protection for the heads of vehicle occupants in both front and rear seats. Side impacts are the major contributing factor in crash-related head trauma and this has been neglected by car makers in the past, so -- irrespective of any ulterior motive Holden may have -- the change of specification is a welcome one for buyers of Omega, Berlina, SV6 and SS models in the VE Commodore range.

Along with the safety upgrade, Holden has also effectively raised the base Omega model's specification to mirror that of the Lumina limited edition model, adding side-impact airbags (to protect the thorax -- separate from the curtain airbags), alloy wheels, a revised grille and body-colour door handles and mirror housings. In addition, the Omega is offered in a new exterior colour, 'Karma'.

The added features will also be standard for the coming Sportwagon models, with the further addition of rear park assist sensors. Buyers will start taking delivery of the new wagon variants from around the middle of the year.

"With six airbags and ESP now standard on Commodore sedan and the soon-to-be-launched Sportwagon line-up, we believe potential buyers will see this as a fantastic value-for-money proposition," said Alan Batey, GM Holden Executive Director of Sales, Marketing and Aftersales.

The revised VE Commodore range goes on sale March 15.

Thanks

[MRJUCY]

I wonder how many Commodores they've sold in the last 20 years without air conditioning anyway.

[Kryton]

air con as standard.......look out Ford.

[irlewy86]

Is it too cynical to suggest that there's no such thing as coincidence where the motor industry is concerned?

Holden have made an extra 50 million selling their precious VE without the best available safety features.

It doesn't matter how one eyed you are. Competition keeps the bas%^#$ honest.

[davocol]

Fantastic news, good to see one of the big aussies jumping on board the safety bandwagon.

[red_hotxr6]

Originally Posted by Twinpiston

Found this on Carpoint, I don't think it has been posted yet.

Hopefully Ford responds with PLAN B for the official sale start.

Never mind the road toll, Holden has upped safety specs in the VE range to resist the new Falcon's sales impact


Is it too cynical to suggest that there's no such thing as coincidence where the motor industry is concerned?

Holden has just raised the stakes in new car marketing by including side impact (curtain) airbags and air conditioning as standard for all Commodore sedan models -- a matter of weeks before Ford's new FG Falcon goes on sale (more here).

The curtain airbags provide dedicated protection for the heads of vehicle occupants in both front and rear seats. Side impacts are the major contributing factor in crash-related head trauma and this has been neglected by car makers in the past, so -- irrespective of any ulterior motive Holden may have -- the change of specification is a welcome one for buyers of Omega, Berlina, SV6 and SS models in the VE Commodore range.

Along with the safety upgrade, Holden has also effectively raised the base Omega model's specification to mirror that of the Lumina limited edition model, adding side-impact airbags (to protect the thorax -- separate from the curtain airbags), alloy wheels, a revised grille and body-colour door handles and mirror housings. In addition, the Omega is offered in a new exterior colour, 'Karma'.

The added features will also be standard for the coming Sportwagon models, with the further addition of rear park assist sensors. Buyers will start taking delivery of the new wagon variants from around the middle of the year.

"With six airbags and ESP now standard on Commodore sedan and the soon-to-be-launched Sportwagon line-up, we believe potential buyers will see this as a fantastic value-for-money proposition," said Alan Batey, GM Holden Executive Director of Sales, Marketing and Aftersales.

The revised VE Commodore range goes on sale March 15.

Thanks

Wups and there go holden, still hoping...GO FORDS..

[RPO83]

Nice slight re-word of a press release from Carpoint. In any case, the benefits of Holden raising standard equipment is also good news for consumers of other competing vehicles in its segment.

Ford are going to be quite clear about the fact that the all new Falcon will be the safest australian built car in history. No matter how many supplementary systems you offer, its the structural integrity of a car that really counts.

[Smoke Pursuit]

Alloy wheels now standard on a Base model car.. Said Ford should have done that with the FG, XT is way behind now!!

[nosliwedaw]

Originally Posted by RPO83

Nice slight re-word of a press release from Carpoint.

And where exactly did TwinPiston try and hide that fact that he got the info from Carpoint, I thought

Originally Posted by TWINPISTON

Found this on Carpoint, I don't think it has been posted yet.

would have been a dead giveaway :


All the same, i think this is a significant repositioning of the Bommadore, no longer will it look like a fleet special.(well a little less anyway) I am sure Ford will have an answer, but when.......

[RPO83]

Originally Posted by nosliwedaw

And where exactly did TwinPiston try and hide that fact that he got the info from Carpoint, I thought would have been a dead giveaway :


All the same, i think this is a significant repositioning of the Bommadore, no longer will it look like a fleet special.(well a little less anyway) I am sure Ford will have an answer, but when.......

I'll reword it for you. Great article from the talented at NineMSN Carpoint, it is a slightly warmed over press release from Holden reworked to include FG references. : : :

[Mighty Reds]

Honestly how bad will 16 inch alloys look on an Omega, small wheels with high ride height.

[Smoke Pursuit]

They will look better then the hubcaps it currently rides on...

[Bossxr8]

Doesn't matter how many airbags they fit, it still won't be a 5 star ANCAP car like the FG should be. :

[Smoke Pursuit]

I seen the Calais V has gotten a dress up to, change of wheels a bobtail spoiler!!

Its ths Series II without the Series II badge it seems, although holdens working in MY build series now like the euro cars, eg MY08 so we probarly wont see anymore series II's.

[AWD Chaser]

Meh - Pros and cons for every car/model... FG will have quite alot over VE... Really the BA should have had the Human Interface that the FG now has...

[Mighty Reds]

The Calais V is the best in the range, I hope they haven't ruined it with a crap set of wheels like the Calais has.

[Fairlane]

Originally Posted by MRJUCY

I wonder how many Commodores they've sold in the last 20 years without air conditioning anyway.

Quite funny acutually, my old man bought a VP at the auctions back in 1992 and it was taken for granted that they had airconditioning. Well the VP he bought didnt have it- was probably the only car at the auction that didnt have it and he bought it by accident. He didnt keep it long and that was one of the reasons.

So about bloody time that Holden made it standard.

To be deadly honest the Holden response is pretty lame (Its good cause Ford needs the start), i was really worried about a bigger upgrade, a real killer- So from Holden we have airbags & Aircon, the wagon and some dream concept eye candy- Still selling craptacular 180kw 4 Speed Omega.

[Mighty Reds]

I bet Holden fitted Air conditioning standard on all VE Omega's anyway. A way of making the base price look better than it is.

[ELtim]

VE's are butt ugly anyway.

[SSVPom]

A mate's dad tried to buy a VT Executive manual without air-con, basically refusing to part with anything more than the absolute minimum $.

He told the dealer he'd go elsewhere, even go and look at the new AU Falcon, unless he could drive it away for $30k approx. Didn't want air-con, "never use it" he said.

Upshot is that the dealer could not locate a non-aircon manual VT and ended up giving him an air-equipped sedan for the same money as one without !
:

[FordFella]

At least this means Holden recognises FG as a serious competitor, having ot outgun it. Funny they didn't change spec when the Aurion had 6 airbags standard? Aurion may be a serious competitor (3rd largest selling large car), but Holden certainly doesn't recognise it.

[Falcon Coupe]

I Digress.

Wheels 2008 COTY test possible quote " The VE against the FG has been weighed, measured and found wanting".

[Mesa]

That looks tough. I want one!!!!

[Buddy 1]

Originally Posted by Falcon Coupe

I Digress.

Wheels 2008 COTY test possible quote " The VE against the FG has been weighed, measured and found wanting".

Yes that is the Best I Agree Sooooo HOT!

[YAKXR8]

that is very nice, just one slight issue the blue oval badge should not be replaced. Dont get me wrong fpv is the stuff but you need the big blue oval