General Motors’ Australian unit Holden will retain the Commodore nameplate for the next generation large car to be imported from 2018, sales director Peter Keley said.
Holden is due to end local Commodore production in 2017 and switch the iconic model – originally an adapted Opel design with local engines launched in 1978 – from rear to front wheel drive. It will be a locally-fettled variant of the next generation Opel/Vauxhall Insignia which is currently also sold as the Buick Regal in North America and China.
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Over the years, the Commodore had been sold with I4, I6, V6 and V8 engines and GM executives have confirmed I4 and V6 options for the new Holden.
In contrast, Ford will bury the long-serving Falcon nameplate when it ends Australian car production by October 2016.
“The next-generation large car we have selected from GM’s global portfolio is worthy of the iconic Commodore nameplate,” Keley said.
“When it arrives in 2018, our new large car will honour Commodore’s heritage and support a long and successful future for Holden in Australia and New Zealand. Holden and Commodore aren’t going anywhere, they will remain pillars of Australian motoring for many years to come.
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By GlobalData“Customers have confirmed that retaining the Commodore nameplate is the right decision for Holden.”
Local reports suggest some controversy over how Holden polled customers and at least one unofficial poll – by news.com.au – shows readers over 90% opposed to keeping the nameplate going.
“Ultimately, the overwhelming response from customers was that Holden should continue the Commodore nameplate into the future with our next-generation large car,” Keley said.
“We know the decision to retain or retire the Commodore nameplate will stir passionate responses among Holden fans and customers. That’s why we’ll ensure the next-generation car drives like a Commodore should.
“The vehicle will be tuned and honed by Holden engineers and technicians at our world-class Lang Lang Proving Ground in Victoria, ensuring it performs in Australian conditions and to Australian expectations. Right now, our vehicle performance team is helping shape the next-generation Commodore for Australian customers.”
The president of GM International, Stefan Jacoby, said the decision to retain the Commodore nameplate for Holden’s next generation large car was not taken lightly.
“I cannot reveal full details of the next-generation vehicle, but I can say it will either compare very favourably or improve on the current Commodore’s dynamic performance, acceleration, fuel economy, running costs and mass,” Jacoby said.
According to the local Wheels magazine, Jacoby earlier told journalists at the Detroit show the switch to front drive would not be a problem, pointing to his experience with the VW Group which had no problem selling a front drive Audi against a rear drive BMW.
He also noted that BMW, once a trenchant rear drive company, would go front drive with the next 3 series model.
