Holden to cull VF Commodore range

[jpd80]

Holden to cull Commodore range words - Bruce Newton

Model lines to go as Holden searches for improved VF Commodore quality GM Holden will pare back the model
range of the 2013 VF Commodore as it seeks to improve the build quality of its locally manufactured large car.

The models disappearing seem certain to come from the entry-level end of the range, where Omega,
Berlina and Calais are crowding into a smaller sales space.

Exactly how the VF range structured may not become apparent until May, when it goes on sale, although
it is expected that some details and the look of the substantial midlife facelift will be revealed in March.

Holden’s US export version, the Chevrolet SS, will break cover even sooner, firstly as a NASCAR racer
in the next few days.

GM Holden Managing Director Mike Devereux said there were would be no culling of performance models, as
sales have held up well even as Commodore sales have slid in recent years, dipping 26.6 per cent in 2012 alone.

“I think if you look at the retail sales of Commodore over the last 10 years even as …. more fleet buyers
have moved to smaller engines and that kind of stuff, what has been interesting to note over that time
period has been the steadiness and then the increasing sales at retail of the sports model.

“The stability of that volume is what gives us great hop for that segment... we do have bright
spots in the equation.”

Mr Devereux said it was only necessary to study the market and see that Commodore entry-level
models were where the adjustments would come.

“You guys probably know what you would do if you were in our shoes just in terms of cleaning up
the range and we will do some of that as we launch the car.”

Mr Devereux said that cutting Commodore models would not improve profitability significantly but
would assist quality because it would lower complexity at the Elizabeth assembly plant, where 55
different variations (between Commodore and Cruze) are currently produced.

“The fewer things the folks have to build the generally easier it is to build cars, and we would be
in deep trouble if we didn’t have such a good workforce in Adelaide because it is one of the more
complex assembly operations we have in GM with so many different variants coming down the line.

“Cost-wise, different variants isn’t a massive cost reduction. (It’s) Likely we will do some reworking
of ourmodel range for VF but it won’t be for cost reasons.”

Mr Devereux, who has now had several hours behind the wheel of pre-production VFs on different
surfaces at the Lang Lang proving ground, unsurprisingly praised the improvements in the car over
the seven-year-old VE.

“It is a significant upgrade. The car moves in textiles and materials … significantly upmarket. It is a
very different feeling car to drive, which is wonderful. The upgrades are significant, it moves extremely
upscale in its feel.

“The car feels a lot nimbler on its feet and the fuel economy numbers are great – world-class.
The car feels quite different; it’s still a great driver’s car.”

Mr Devereux reaffirmed the VF, which introduces various fuel economy initiatives including lighter
weight and better aerodynamics, will have a fuel economy figure that starts in the 8.0L/100km range.

However, he stopped shy of predicting a sales boost for Commodore on the back of VF.

“You guys (media) and the customers that buy the cars will have a lot to say about that. The vehicle will be
a significant upgrade over what we have today in a number of ways. It has no excuses to make for anything.

“Will we sell more of them? We hope we do, but the market continues to fragment, people continue to flock
to SUVs … so we are engineering a world-class car. The dealers in the USA have seen the Chevy SS and they
are rapt with the vehicle. “I am sure it will be sold out in the USA.”

However, Mr Devereux said it was “unlikely” that the Chevy SS will sell in larger numbers in the USA
than the Commodore range will sell in Australia.

http://www.carpoint.com.au/news/2012...re-range-33842

[Nikked]

Wow...


thats the bleakest GM press release i've seen about the commodore...

Mr Devereux said it was “unlikely” that the Chevy SS will sell in larger numbers in the USA
than the Commodore range will sell in Australia.

So less the 2500-3000 p/m on exports? Good for the factory, but I wonder on the costings...

[Dr Smith]

Originally Posted by Nikked

Wow...


thats the bleakest GM press release i've seen about the commodore...



So less the 2500-3000 p/m on exports? Good for the factory, but I wonder on the costings...

and latest sentiment is a high $Aust for a long while

[bobthebilda]

Originally Posted by Nikked

Wow...
thats the bleakest GM press release i've seen about the commodore...

So less the 2500-3000 p/m on exports? Good for the factory, but I wonder on the costings...

I thought they were only planning on selling a few (400-500) hundred a month anyhow. After all they did loose $7000 to $8000 a car for each G8 they sold, and that was when the dollar was alot lower.

[Dauphin]

I guess they can reduce the number of models and rework the options list for customers to create the cars they want. I was reading how Chrysler Australia did it in the seventies with the Valiant.

[Smoke Pursuit]

Whats the bet Berlina and Calais are the first 2 to go...

Commodore (base)
SV6 (luxury pack opt called SV6 V)
SS (luxury pack opt called SS V)
Calais V
Caprice V

[FPV GTHO]

I think they'll just drop Berlina to match Fords lineup.

[T3ts50]

Originally Posted by FPV GTHO

I think they'll just drop Berlina to match Fords lineup.

Ford's G6 would have to be the equivelant of the current Berlina, but I agree, I think it would be the first to be dropped.

I reckon they will keep the Calais name and have the "V" as an options pack for Calais and SS.

[FPV GTHO]

Well nobody can agree whether G6 replaced Futura or Fairmont. Some point to it taking the Futura price while others say the pairing if G6 and G6E replaced both Fairmont models and claim similar spec levels.

[bigwil]

My moneys on the omega getting the chop

[Mr Hardware]

Yep, i reckon the berlina will be the first one to go.

[Smoke Pursuit]

Originally Posted by bigwil

My moneys on the omega getting the chop

They sell lots of Omegas to fleet and government agency... My guess is they will delete both Omega and Berlina names and call the base model "Commodore". No doubt it will probably have the equipment level of the Berlina standard as they progress to VF.

I would also say they will build a luxury SV6 variant, as they suggest the sports models are their main private sellers.

This is my guess.. we will see how far away I am.

VF Commodore (VEII Omega plus)
- 17 inch alloys
- Foglamps
- 195kw V6 that drinks 7.9 per 100
- Rear Camera
- Rear Sensors
- LED Interior Lighting

VF Commodore SV6 (Based on VEII SV6 plus)
- Projector headlights
- Rear Camera
- Rear Sensors
- Led Interior Lighting
- 220kw Hi Tech V6

VF Commodore SV6 V (VF SV6 plus)
- 19 inch alloys
- Xenon Headlights
- LED rear Lights
- Leather Trim
- Satnav
- Auto Wipers
- Keyless enter / start
- Front park assist

VF Commodore SS (Based on VEII SS plus)
- 19 inch alloys
- Projector headlights
- Rear Camera
- Rear Sensors
- LED interior lighting
- Front Park Assist
- 300kw 6.2 V8.

VF Commodore SS V (VF SS plus)
- 20 inch alloys
- Xenon Headlights
- LED rear lights
- Leather Trim
- Satnav
- Auto Wipers
- Keyless enter / start

VF Calais V V6 (Based on VEII Calais V plus)
- Xenon Headlights
- Auto highbeam
- LED rear lights
- Keyless enter start
- 220kw Hi Tech V6
- Adaptive Cruise
- Blind spot assist

VF Calais V V8 (VF Calais V V6 plus)
- 20 inch alloys
- Rear lip spoiler
- Sunroof
- 300kw 6.2 V8

WN Caprice V (WM II Plus)
- 19 inch alloys
- 300 kw V8 standard (option of Gas V6 for fleet / taxi)
- Led Parking lamps / lighting throughout
- Xenon Low and High beam
- Cornering headlights
- Adaptive Cruise
- Blind Spot Assist

This is all speculative by the way!

[dimka100]

Ford should be culling the Falcon range too ... I say there only needs to be 3 models offered with various engine options and a few extras:

Falcon - (base) <- for fleets and elcheapo
Falcon GE (luxury) <- available with EcoBoost, I6, I6T, LPI, V8
Falcon XR (sports) <- available with EcoBoost, I6, I6T, LPI, V8

That's it ...

[Buntz]

As always... Holden following Ford's lead.

[csv8]

And they will stay have a wagon !!! as it has been seen in mule testing!!!

[Elks]

Originally Posted by Dr Smith

and latest sentiment is a high $Aust for a long while

The high $A hurts with local parts but With most interior plastics, large pressing and lamp ware imported from Asia and the LS engines and auto trans from the USA all those parts just got cheaper.

[Smoke Pursuit]

Originally Posted by csv8

And they will stay have a wagon !!! as it has been seen in mule testing!!!

Ofcourse they will..

VF is just a nose job.... Its not going to be an entire new car... Roofline /doors etc will all be carry over, just like VX - VY...

They would be silly to dump wagon at this point considering the changes are predominately bolt on's shared with sedan.

My guess is wagon will keep the same rear end treatment as will ute, but sedan will get an adjustment.

[Moby Vic]

Originally Posted by bobthebilda

I thought they were only planning on selling a few (400-500) hundred a month anyhow. After all they did loose $7000 to $8000 a car for each G8 they sold, and that was when the dollar was alot lower.

Our economy doesn't show any signs of recovering anytime soon, and the SS won't be cheap. I expect it to be a money loser just like the GTO and G8.

[Buntz]

Originally Posted by Moby Vic

Our economy doesn't show any signs of recovering anytime soon, and the SS won't be cheap. I expect it to be a money loser just like the GTO and G8.

The economy might not be recovering but the new car market is healthy.

[Moby Vic]

The new expensive performance car market isn't that healthy.

[Buntz]

Originally Posted by Moby Vic

The new expensive performance car market isn't that healthy.

Put a Bowtie on it... and they will come.

Just like putting on a Kitty Cat with it's paw on a ball.

[Moby Vic]

Uh ... Chevy doesn't sell so well here, at least not for cars. Trucks and SUVs are a different story.

[Jesmol]

Berlina is definitely gone, as is Statesman.

[TC200six]

I thought Holden has too many Commodore models. Right now they have:
Omega
Berlina
Calais
Calais V
S V6
SS
SSV

While Falcon comes in fewer models
XT
G6
G6E
XR6

I even think having both Statesman and Caprice is unnecessary. So one of the two will probably be axed.

[TC200six]

Originally Posted by Buntz

Put a Bowtie on it... and they will come.

Just like putting on a Kitty Cat with it's paw on a ball.

I don't think the bowtie logo is as cool there as it is here. Holden could help themselves and offer Chevrolet badges, then they'll run out the door

[Vormund]

Statesman was axed a while ago. It's just Caprice, and Caprice V.

[TC200six]

Sorry I stand corrected. I should've said having Caprice and Caprice V is unnecessary.

[Smoke Pursuit]

Originally Posted by Jesmol

Berlina is definitely gone, as is Statesman.

Statesman's been gone for nearly 2 years...

Caprice / Caprice V is all they have.. Im betting Caprice goes too.

[Vormund]

I'm thinking something like this:

Omega (may just be called Commodore)
Sv6
Calais (maybe specced like a V though)
SS (specced like a V also)

Caprice

There will probably just be a few more option boxes to bridge the gaps.

[Buntz]

Originally Posted by TC200six

I don't think the bowtie logo is as cool there as it is here. Holden could help themselves and offer Chevrolet badges, then they'll run out the door

It's also a good way to profile undesirables.

Originally Posted by DASH GT

Statesman's been gone for nearly 2 years...

Caprice / Caprice V is all they have.. Im betting Caprice goes too.

Something tells me they will keep their LWB sedan... but I doubt the look will change, of maybe only slightly. They still have to provide the U.S. with Caprices.