Axed

"PG; the scalpel wielder" (pgr34) 12/10/2019 at 05:55 • Filed to: None

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Commodore and Astra axed in Australia.

I learnt how to drive on my dad’s VT series v6 car (we had it for about 15 years and 250k km). Many family memories in that car.

I drove the last model around tasmania last month (4 cylinder) and found it do be a very comfy cruiser with huge highway overtaking abilities. A modern day Avalon in my eye. Its difficult for Holden, because the commodore nameplate killed it but I doubt they would have sold as many calling it something else. Makes a great buy in the used market. Its unfortunate for them that the Camry exists which is always the better long term/resale buy. Underrated product, but understandably I wouldn’t want to own one outside of warranty.

Milky > PG; the scalpel wielder 12/10/2019 at 09:21

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What happened to Holden is a shame.  

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > PG; the scalpel wielder 12/10/2019 at 16:28

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The odd thing about the announcement is that Holden say they want to focus on SUVs and utes.

The issue they have (as I see it) is that they don’t have access to a decent choice of SUVs in RHD from the GM stable and they certainly don’t have the purchasing power within GM to ensure appropriate specifications for the Oz market.

And in terms of the utes...they have the increasingly aged Colorado. And no development partner for a new one. Given that everyone else in the ute market except Toyota (probably) and Holden will have a new generation coming through in the next two years... they is troubled.

Bringing in the Silverado and whatever is a hiding to nought as they have to be converted from LHD so volumes will be low there.

I’ m honestly bemused at their future prospects... currently, Holden sell less cars here than Mercedes-Benz and sit outside the top ten brands by sales .

PG; the scalpel wielder > SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media 12/11/2019 at 04:36

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They did it to themselves by selling cheaply built cars for decades on the premise to the public that they were an Aussie company. Those sorts of sheningans don’t get you far in the modern day world where consumers are more informed of what they are getting. To be honest the current gen astra and commodore are probabaly amongst the best built and designed cars they’ve ever sold. Just underappreciated due to the marketing and branding.

I fear Mazda is about to head down the same path with its trek upmarket.

The next big thing is hybrids and plug ins, seem by the demand for the rav4, camry and corolla hybrid variants. Holden isn't even on the same page with that