High-tech All-new Commodore Ready To Take Australia By Storm

[Sabantien]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Bogans probably make up half of their buyers, not sure why they are trying to move away from that, when a lot of non-bogans avoid Holden because of the bogan stigma with the brand.

They would be better off switching to Chevrolet and leave the Holden badge in the past where it belongs.

Exactly, but I do recall an article about it a while ago.
Which is why I don't get why they didn't kill off Commodore.

Even if they want to keep Holden (which I reckon will die off soon enough anyhow), they could have marketed the Insignia as euro luxury to appeal to a new audience. Instead the keep the name with a stigma and alienate pretty much everyone.

[Syndrome]

Originally Posted by lra

The 'they' in this case was not Holden, but the decision makers and bean counters in Detroit. Holden was definitely doomed after Peter Hanenburger was quietly sidelined into retirement.

Same with Ford when Dearborn 'promoted' the late Geoff Polities away from Ford Australia after he did too good a job.

[hackney]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Bogans probably make up half of their buyers, not sure why they are trying to move away from that, when a lot of non-bogans avoid Holden because of the bogan stigma with the brand.

They would be better off switching to Chevrolet and leave the Holden badge in the past where it belongs.

Chevrolet? Ugh.Wouldn’t the “bogans” love that.Cheers

[csv8]

Looks like a Jag from rear. Rear styling is like a Jag..

[lra]

Originally Posted by hackney

Chevrolet? Ugh.Wouldn’t the “bogans” love that.Cheers

Will it be OK to stick a Chev bowtie on a ZB Commodore ?

[Smoke Pursuit]

I can't wait for the *** to fall out of them so i can buy a VXR for 45k, theres no way ill pay 65k for a VXR.

They are a good car if you are happy with the V6. The V6 in my VF Calais V was great on fuel and had more then enough power to overtake road trains etc with ease.

[Bossxr8]

Wheels road test says they got 7.5 secs to 100 for the VXR, and 8.1 for the diesel. If thats accurate the VXR is an absolute slug. And 10k dearer than a VF SS was

[Smoke Pursuit]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Wheels road test says they got 7.5 secs to 100 for the VXR, and 8.1 for the diesel. If thats accurate the VXR is an absolute slug. And 10k dearer than a VF SS was

Other sources have 6.2...

[MITCHAY]

So basically the Stinger destroys it for about the same money.

[Sprint XR8]

That is one ****weak launch ad.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by Smoke Pursuit

Other sources have 6.2...

Must be a printing error in Wheels cause they have 7.5 in the stats part but say 6.9 in the story

But they say due to the awd is just bogs off the line and needs to wind up. The diesel is quicker to 60

[Cobra]

Originally Posted by MITCHAY

So basically the Stinger destroys it for about the same money.

The Stinger is a ripper car. I'm very impressed with it. I've never driven one, but there's a yellow one that parks near my work.

I checked it out once when I happened to be walking past. I really like it and it seems to go like the clappers from all reports.

[hackney]

Originally Posted by MITCHAY

So basically the Stinger destroys it for about the same money.

This report is one I really cannot understand.Sure the VXR is Holden’s “flagship” model,but it is obvious it is no match for the Stinger,really stupid comparison.I would have no issue buying the VXR.Holden have done a pretty good job on “localising” it for local conditions.(I have driven it’s “sister” car the Vauxhall Insignia in the UK)Really,really nice drive.People really need to get off the negative “bandwagon” regarding the vehicle.Hope it does reasonably well for Holden.Cheers

[hackney]

Originally Posted by Smoke Pursuit

I can't wait for the *** to fall out of them so i can buy a VXR for 45k, theres no way ill pay 65k for a VXR.

They are a good car if you are happy with the V6. The V6 in my VF Calais V was great on fuel and had more then enough power to overtake road trains etc with ease.

You can already buy second hand VXRs.Holden brought them in in 2015 when Opel pulled up stumps here.They only brought in the VXR Insignia with a 239kw & 435nm power plant.The current Insignia has less kw & torque(235kw & 381nm)Pick them up in the mid to high 20s. Cheers

[csv8]

Originally Posted by Sprint XR8

That is one ****weak launch ad.

Just as good as Ford's "walking fingers ad!!"

[roddy1960]

If you like a bit of real performance it's like getting rid of your Dyson vacuum cleaner and buying a Sabco carpet sweeper or broom with a fancy handle .

re the ads...What were they thinking ? "Are you sure / For sure.".

If it's so good that's the last thing you'd be saying to customers. I thought Ford Oz's lame "Girl in Blue" stuff was pretty tame but this is insipid and uninspiring at best .

Could come back to bite them on the bum , that stategy..




.

[Syndrome]

Because the French now own Opel, maybe it is not in GM's best interest for the ZB Commodore to sell well?

[brosk1s]

Originally Posted by Syndrome

Because the French now own Opel, maybe it is not in GM's best interest for the ZB Commodore to sell well?

Considering the amount of effort they put into the Buick Regal, I somewhat doubt that. Iirc, PSA said they will continue to supply GM with Insignia-based cars for as long as GM wants them, and it allows GM to relatively maintain/increase market presence without tanking massive losses (since they no longer run the manufacturing process) if the Insignias do not sell well, like the billions they lost with the VF.

[Chopped]

The Holden brand is in big trouble

[Smoke Pursuit]

Holden just sent me a $2,000 cash back certificate on a new ZB Commodore if I buy before June 30.

I drove the base model 4cyl on the Weekend and its a pretty good package for a sedan. Still thinking about buying one but even with the 2k cash back they are still too fresh to the market.

For reference if I buy one now it will be the 4cyl Calais for the Mrs as she does around 35,000 kms a year, and I will sell our Focus Sport.

[Bossxr8]

First one I saw I thought it was an astra. Horrid looking thing.

[Syndrome]

Originally Posted by brosk1s

Considering the amount of effort they put into the Buick Regal, I somewhat doubt that. Iirc, PSA said they will continue to supply GM with Insignia-based cars for as long as GM wants them, and it allows GM to relatively maintain/increase market presence without tanking massive losses (since they no longer run the manufacturing process) if the Insignias do not sell well, like the billions they lost with the VF.

But the profits will not go to GM but to PSA. There will be an ex-works price which GM no longer control.

[Syndrome]

https://www.wheelsmag.com.au/news/18...e-zb-commodore

"Way back when the VF Commodore was unveiled in early 2013, then-Holden chairman Mike Devereux dropped the bombshell that the next-generation version was already on the drawing board and slated for local production from late-2016. That was just 10 months before General Motors announced it would pull the plug on Aussie manufacturing."

Holden's plans all changed on 23rd May 2013...........

[roddy1960]

Over the years I've become more skeptical than I'd like. GM USA took in 12,000 Commodores LHD built here in Australia sold as the Chevrolet SS between 2013 and 2017 that sold only by basically word of mouth there was almost zero advertising anywhere.

Those cars are genuinely highly regarded and have become very sought after by enthusiasts begging for an affordable big V8 rear wheel drive sedan again from GM but with plenty of great features , yet no genuine attempt was made apparently to meet the bigger demand by Chevy devotees to the car they wanted to see more of in that category .

What does this do but drive away traditional customers to other brands like Dodge that had sedans with RWD and V8's .

Otherwise they were force fed FWD , mostly V6 or fours or a plethora of SUV's and crossovers ..

Sounds familiar dunnit ...

[Maka]

Its all about profits $$$ & survival in the market place, suv's etc have destroyed conventional passenger car sales/markets while fuel is relatively cheap..

cheers, Maka

[roddy1960]

Originally Posted by Maka

Its all about profits $$$ & survival in the market place, suv's etc have destroyed conventional passenger car sales/markets while fuel is relatively cheap..

cheers, Maka

I agree but we have been 'directed' and brainwashed collectively that way . Spin doctoring I think it's called.

There are some of us though that will not be brainwashed by a bit of tech , cheap price or a ho hum all the same SUV and will keep our old dinosaurs no matter what . I have two of them . I think many of us still do.

My favourite sci fi movie of all time was the original Independence Day in 1996 . Just before they took on the alien ships for the last battle the Prez said "We shall not go quietly into the night . We will not vanish ,we will fight " ...Woo hoo , Could be a battle cry for us old dinosaurians that want to keep our V8's and big 6's...Look out SUV's , big Falcons and Commodore's comin' through for a while yet .

Got to add this .....Cheezy but really cool ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9t1IK_9apWs . I love this movie .

[Maka]

Originally Posted by roddy1960

I agree but we have been 'directed' and brainwashed collectively that way . Spin doctoring I think it's called.

There are some of us though that will not be brainwashed by a bit of tech , cheap price or a ho hum all the same SUV and will keep our old dinosaurs no matter what . I have two of them . I think many of us still do.

Wow Roddy, dont know about the brainwashing bit mate lol, imo car buying demographics have dictated what direction car manufacturers take & as time moves on the market evolves too.

Versatile suv's etc have evolved over time to the point where today they've become the no1 choice for families etc displacing sedans as the go to vehicle for the masses.

Us dinosaurs will proudly hang on to our beloved Falcons etc prefering the look, sound & feel of a car that in many ways are superior to anything else for our own certain needs imo.

cheers, Maka

[GT450]

I Have seen two (2) ZBs on the road since the release, if that's taking Australia by storm i'd be very surprised. If the rate of take up does not improve the slippery slope to oblivion beckons. The truth is they don't have anything in their lineup catching peoples eye and there is too much choice elswhere.
Holden, like Ford are now just an importer and the trouble is , unlike Ford, they have nothing the public wants. The days of one model supporting an entire brand are long gone and some Manufacturers caught on early, Holsden was not one of those.
GT450

[V8 Ghia Mike]

I drive in Adelaide traffic every day and have not seen a single ZB yet. The only one I have seen was in front of a dealership and was, putting it kindly, a forgettable looking car. So sad.

[Interceptor]

Originally Posted by commodorenutt

Hasn't stopped the cheap FWD hatchback parade from using Maccas trays or doing reverse donuts....

Park brake works on the rear wheels too....

Originally Posted by lra

Will it be OK to stick a Chev bowtie on a ZB Commodore ?

Nope, over there, its a Buick....