General Motors Holden says it will reveal its VF-series Commodore sedan on 10 February.
The new Commodore is the latest in a long line of locally built rear-wheel drive Holdens and will also be the basis of a new, Australian-made model for the US market, the 2014 Chevrolet SS.
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The VF will use an update of GM’s Sigma Zeta platform but much re-engineering is said to be have been done in an effort to reduce weight and improve fuel economy. Updated wagon, pick-up and long-wheelbase bodystyles are also expected to be launched later in 2013, most likely at the Melbourne motor show in June.
Australians continue to shy away from the the Commodore and its locally made Ford Falcon rival, with 2012 sales for the big Holden down by a quarter over 2011, while the overall market for new vehicles hit record levels. Both fleet and private buyers nowadays prefer smaller four-cylinder sedans and pick-ups, with the Mazda3 and Toyota Hilux proving especially popular.
The new car will step in for the seven year old VE series but speculation in the local media suggests the new Commodore could be the last big, rear-wheel drive model series to be manufactured in Australia. Holden has committed to investing in new models to be made at its Elizabeth plant in suburban Adelaide out to 2022 but has so far confirmed only the next generation Cruze plus one other model for the facility. The identity of that second vehicle is yet to be announced.
Author: Glenn Brooks
