2011 Holden VE Series II Commodore

A fountain of tears was shed when the Pontiac G8 sedan bit 'the dust along with their parents' brand, the poncho-market Holden Commodore was one of our best races -.. Especially in its delicious appearance LS3 GXP powered with a six-speed stick as You know, Holden are now ready for export Zeta-based sedans in the U.S. as a new long-wheelbase Chevy Caprice police car, but the civilian versions are not part of the program. This brings us to the latest Scuttlebutt by Drive.com.au, after which a new export agreement for sending standard pitch Holden VE Commodore returns to the United States could be on the horizon like a Chevrolet published reports.

Drive prices of General Motors engineer Al Heiser Oppen to confirm that negotiations are taking place now, GM and a second anonymous source told the site that is a done deal. A spokesman said Holden Drive in terms of exports, the focus is currently on PPV Caprice, but added that other deals being pursued. There are good reasons for hope. The president of GM North America Mark Reuss was the head of Holden 2008 and 2009, and clearly knows how good the product.

The G8 has won much praise during his short tenure, and the lack of a legit sport sedan is a glaring gap in the otherwise comprehensive Chevy lineup. It is also important to remember that, thanks to the Pontiac G8, the majority of developing countries federalization of the Australian four-door has already been done. Probably not much to the current VE Series II sedan to get ready for an encore of the United States. Hell, if it really happened, perhaps this time GM could ute also to the introduction go. Rename the Chevy version would be a breeze after all.

READ MORE - 2011 Holden VE Series II Commodore

2011 Holden VE Series II Commodore

A fountain of tears was shed when the Pontiac G8 sedan bit 'the dust along with their parents' brand, the poncho-market Holden Commodore was one of our best races -.. Especially in its delicious appearance LS3 GXP powered with a six-speed stick as You know, Holden are now ready for export Zeta-based sedans in the U.S. as a new long-wheelbase Chevy Caprice police car, but the civilian versions are not part of the program. This brings us to the latest Scuttlebutt by Drive.com.au, after which a new export agreement for sending standard pitch Holden VE Commodore returns to the United States could be on the horizon like a Chevrolet published reports.

Drive prices of General Motors engineer Al Heiser Oppen to confirm that negotiations are taking place now, GM and a second anonymous source told the site that is a done deal. A spokesman said Holden Drive in terms of exports, the focus is currently on PPV Caprice, but added that other deals being pursued. There are good reasons for hope. The president of GM North America Mark Reuss was the head of Holden 2008 and 2009, and clearly knows how good the product.

The G8 has won much praise during his short tenure, and the lack of a legit sport sedan is a glaring gap in the otherwise comprehensive Chevy lineup. It is also important to remember that, thanks to the Pontiac G8, the majority of developing countries federalization of the Australian four-door has already been done. Probably not much to the current VE Series II sedan to get ready for an encore of the United States. Hell, if it really happened, perhaps this time GM could ute also to the introduction go. Rename the Chevy version would be a breeze after all.

READ MORE - 2011 Holden VE Series II Commodore

2011 Holden VE Series II Commodore

A fountain of tears was shed when the Pontiac G8 sedan bit 'the dust along with their parents' brand, the poncho-market Holden Commodore was one of our best races -.. Especially in its delicious appearance LS3 GXP powered with a six-speed stick as You know, Holden are now ready for export Zeta-based sedans in the U.S. as a new long-wheelbase Chevy Caprice police car, but the civilian versions are not part of the program. This brings us to the latest Scuttlebutt by Drive.com.au, after which a new export agreement for sending standard pitch Holden VE Commodore returns to the United States could be on the horizon like a Chevrolet published reports.

Drive prices of General Motors engineer Al Heiser Oppen to confirm that negotiations are taking place now, GM and a second anonymous source told the site that is a done deal. A spokesman said Holden Drive in terms of exports, the focus is currently on PPV Caprice, but added that other deals being pursued. There are good reasons for hope. The president of GM North America Mark Reuss was the head of Holden 2008 and 2009, and clearly knows how good the product.

The G8 has won much praise during his short tenure, and the lack of a legit sport sedan is a glaring gap in the otherwise comprehensive Chevy lineup. It is also important to remember that, thanks to the Pontiac G8, the majority of developing countries federalization of the Australian four-door has already been done. Probably not much to the current VE Series II sedan to get ready for an encore of the United States. Hell, if it really happened, perhaps this time GM could ute also to the introduction go. Rename the Chevy version would be a breeze after all.

READ MORE - 2011 Holden VE Series II Commodore

Holden's HSV Considering 286 hp Twin-Turbo Cruze to Compete With Focus RS

When Holden axed its Opel-sourced Astra small car in Australia in 2009, it also dealt a death blow to Holden Special Vehicle's wicked 177kw (237 hp) / 320Nm VRX hot hatch. Now the high performance brand is searching for a replacement for its entry level model, setting its sights on the Daewoo / Chevrolet-sourced Cruze.

In the event that Opel does come to Australia as a stand-alone brand, HSV is looking for its own hot hatch to go up against the likes of the Focus RS and Subaru WRX, and the Australian developed Cruze 5dr hatchback is on the cards.

In a recent interview with news site GoAuto, HSV Managing Director Phil Harding confirmed that HSV was investigating a performance version of the Cruze:

"I am not saying we are doing it, but we are looking at it. We would be silly if we didn't."

Mr. Harding also stated that the proposed model would have to fit in with HSV's brand image, delivering performance, driving pleasure and style.

"I am not going to screw with the brand by getting it wrong," he added.

The Cruze may use the same 213kw (286 hp), 2.0 L twin-scroll turbo-four destined for the upcoming Opel Astra OPC / Vauxhall Astra VRX in late 2011. As both the new Astra and the Cruze are based on GM's Delta II platform, it would be a comparatively simple job to transplant the engine from one to the other. When asked about this, Mr. Harding was dismissive:

"We are looking at a couple of options."

The Cruze may also need suspension upgrades and front end modifications to handle the expected FWD torque steer, as its torsion beam rear suspension is not as sophisticated as the independent rear setup on competitors like the Focus RS.

The Cruze hatch will follow its sedan sibling into production at Holden's Elizabeth plant in the second half of 2011, with a wagon variant possible in the future.

By Tristan Hankins

Source: Go-Auto

Opening photo: Carscoop Artist's Impression of a Holden Badged Cruze Hatchback

__________________________________________________________________

Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback Show Car

READ MORE - Holden's HSV Considering 286 hp Twin-Turbo Cruze to Compete With Focus RS

GM May Introduce Opel in Australia as VW-Rival and Stand Alone Brand

With Saab's recent sale to Spyker and the global financial crisis effectively killing plans to import the Cadillac CTS into Australia, GM Holden is contemplating adding Opel as a premium brand in order to go head-to-head with Volkswagen.

In more recent times and without forgetting cars like the Vauxhall Viva-based Torana and the Opel Rekord / Senator / Omega rooted Commodores, the introduction of the Opel-sourced Corsa supermini in 1994 marked a return to prominence for Opels down under. The Corsa was followed soon after by the Astra small car and Vectra mid-size sedan / hatch. The Astra was particularly successful for Holden, though it all came to a head with GM's purchase of Daewoo in 2001.

The marriage between GM and Daewoo saw the slow phasing out of Holden badged Opels, the last holdover being the Astra which was replaced by the Chevrolet Cruze in Q3 2009. Now, Opel wants back in.

Nick Reilly, Chairman of Adam Opel GmbH, has identified Australia as one of the key markets needed for returning the brand to profitability by 2012.

"For markets such as China, Australia and South Africa, Opel can be a premium brand," Reilly was quoted as saying, adding, "We have to be able to compete with Volkswagen."

Mike Devereux, Holden Chairman and Managing Director, has confirmed that Opel is under consideration for Australia:

"There's obvious synergy between Opel and Holden," Devereux told news site Go Auto. "There could be a niche for that kind of brand here in Australia. I don't know how we would position it, but we're looking at it."

Insiders say that the strong Aussie dollar and recovering economy make a good business case for Opel, and cars could arrive in showrooms as early as mid-2012.

Whether or not Opel can pull this off will have to be seen. Will style be enough to win buyers away from the established brands like Volkswagen? We welcome your thoughts in the comments section below.

By Tristan Hankins

Source: Go Auto

Gallery: Opel's European Range

READ MORE - GM May Introduce Opel in Australia as VW-Rival and Stand Alone Brand