General Motors’ Australian Holden unit has unveiled its fully redesigned VE Commodore range, reviving, as the base model, the Omega nameplate previously used by GM Europe’s Opel and Vauxhall brands.
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The 2006 Commodore line, billed as Australia’s first $A1bn car development programme, is said to be the “most homegrown development project in almost 60 years of Holden vehicle production”. It effectively replaces the Omega, axed by GME in 2002; previous Commodores were widened and much–changed derivatives of the Opel-designed model.
There is little chance mainstream fourth generation Commodore models will go to Europe though a few examples of the previous-generation Monaro coupe derivative did make it there. A replacement for the Monaro-based Pontiac GTO shipped to the US has apparently been ruled out – that car likely will be replaced by a domestically designed and built model.
Holden does expect, however, to continue with Chevrolet-badged exports to the Middle East and has engineered the VE for left-hand drive accordingly. The previous generation was also shipped (RHD) to New Zealand, Pacific islands, various Asian markets including Thailand and South Africa while left-hookers also made it to South America.
There have been reports that the new Commodore may make it to the US now Holden is GM’s global ‘centre of excellence’. But it is most likely the Australian-designed platform will be used as the basis of new rear-drive cars developed and built in the States – the 3.6-litre V6 and six-litre V8, and their gearboxes, are already shared with GM’s US models. Holden in fact makes the V6 for several GM units worldwide including Saab.
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By GlobalDataHolden launched the original Opel-designed Commodore in 1978 – it then looked like much like its German equivalent but had local engines and much strengthening for the harsher conditions Down Under – and has since built 2.4m units for sale both in Australia and export markets. Left hand drive models were introduced in 1997.
GM Holden chairman and managing director, Denny Mooney said the VE Commodore, built on a longer wheelbase than the previous generation and fully redesigned (with engines carried over from the old model), had potential for GM markets around the world, having been engineered from a global architecture for left-hand-drive requirements such as the Middle East.
“Our targets have been some of the most expensive and most carefully crafted cars around the world and this careful consideration of global expectations is what should make this car work. We pored over every panel, the tiniest of details to place this car right up there in terms of refinement, quality and performance.”
Mooney added that safety was a key factor in the new vehicle, with electronic stability programme (ESP) now standard and curtain airbags now available on the entire range.
The Omega model replaces the previous Executive and Acclaim trim levels and there are also more upscale Calais and sporting SS models plus longer-wheelbase Statesman and Caprice luxury versions with different roofline styling.
The outgoing Commodore line has been Australia’s best selling car year to date, Holden said this was a significant achievement given buyers’ general awareness of the pending VE launch.
