Comments on: Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer variant

By: Bret

Bret — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 03:17:52 +0000

It has been quite widely reported elsewhere: try a search.
The Astra-Viva compete in the small car class, whereas the Insignia-Epica will compete in the quite broad medium class, where the range of buyers and their need is far greater. I agree though that upper and lower specs of a single vehicle would be far better than two individual competitors, as it tends to fragment the product range.

By: phillip

phillip — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 00:53:59 +0000

I seriously doubt the legitimacy of these reports. They are usually just rumours started by die-hard Holden fans who are obviously a little embarrassed by their beloved’s bargain-bin small car line-up. The most I’ve ever heard from Holden is that examine every model that becomes available (blah blah blah), but if someone can direct me to a report where someone from Holden is quoted committing the brand to the Insignia then I’ll gladly eat my words. The two-pronged attack isn’t working so well with the Astra-Viva so I doubt they’d repeat it.

By: Bret

Bret — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 00:32:13 +0000

Phillip, I think that you are “out of the loop”. This is a repost of an earlier comment:

I think you will find that the Insignia WILL be sold in Aus, alongside the Epicrapica, to give Holden a two pronged entry into the growing mid-size segment. Not sure if the wagon will make it though.
Insignia will compete against the like of Mondeo, Mazda 6, Liberty & Honda, whilst Epica will compete against the low end of the market (the other korean entries and Camry).

By: phillip

phillip — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 00:25:53 +0000

But the point though Myke is that the Insignia is not coming to Australia, therefore it is not a competitor. Holden are fully committed to the Epica (which since it’s recent update is slightly less appalling than it was) and have learned several expensive lessons about trying to market expensive European models with a working-class badge. The Astra only survives because of discounting but is losing its market share fast; as soon as the Viva improves it will be consigned to history just like the Vectra, Corsa and Zafira.

By: Myke

Myke — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 04:11:23 +0000

Phillip it is a different story in Australia, I think if I’m not mistaken it is our 2nd best seller in terms of medium sized vehicles.

By: phillip

phillip — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 13:48:23 +0000

Mazda 6? One of it’s main rivals? I guess you haven’t noticed, but the can-do-no-wrong Mazda 6 sells in negligible numbers in Europe. You can spend weeks on the motorways across the continent without ever seeing one.

By: t

Sun, 17 Aug 2008 11:38:51 +0000

can someone post a link to the real motorshow pix of this in the sedan.

i assure you all, in the metal…. the front doesnt look anywhere near as good as in the cgi!

By: Wheelnut

Wheelnut — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 11:16:24 +0000

Alex Says:
August 15th, 2008 at 4:09 pm

I am certainly not a Toyota fan Wheelnut. I hate the Camry with the rest of you, I think the Aurion is bland and pointless, I think the Corolla is boring and cant believe it sells better than the Focus and I generally dislike the Yaris. And dont even get me started on the Prius.

Good to hear Alex… you’re gonna get on really well with [the majority] of us on this site

Spot on Bavarian Missile – Holden are in the final stages of finalising plans to export the Commodore Sportwagon to the UK and then Europe

By: Myke

Myke — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 08:09:50 +0000

I prefer the look of the Commodore Sportswagon, the back of this is too Audi Q5/7. Glad to here Holden will be bring the Insignia to Australia.

By: Duck

Duck — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 02:20:38 +0000

Kiwi’s prefer auto’s. Ha! They are to dumb to know how to drive a manual! ;)

By: OSU811

OSU811 — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 01:04:49 +0000

greenroom, I will reserve my opinion/decision until the all new liberty arrives at the end of next year. From what ive heard it is meant to be a very nicely styled car aswell. Also the 2.0 boxer turbo diesel engine is meant to be made available in the new shape. If it does look good, drive well and have the diesel engine, then I probably will stick with the subarus. But if im not impressed then i will definately consider the insignia diesel awd..

By: Al Harris

Al Harris — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 13:05:03 +0000

Rip off Audi some more GM. Find your own design DNA for once.

By: No Name

No Name — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 12:51:25 +0000

No Fan – you sound a bitofadicktome.

By: technofreak

technofreak — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 12:21:09 +0000

I will be trading my Mazda 6 mzr-cd in next year for…the 2009 Mazda 6 CD. Quality and value that Ford and Holden never match.

By: no fan

no fan — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 12:08:35 +0000

Mate have you owned a vectra

HOLDEN GO BETTER- when there being towed!!!!

GM Euro stuff cant handle our climate trust me GMH spare dept could tell you this

By: Jake02

Jake02 — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 10:20:25 +0000

god this wagon looks awesome

i heard that holden is going to bring the insignia as the high-spec mid-size car (like epica: camry, sebring, skoda and insignia: euro lux, top-spec mazda6, high-end liberties not to mention the low-spec a4 and 3-series)

anyway has anyone noticed the lack of wagons in australia?
in nz they have the focus and mondeo wagon and the accord euro wagon (which is VERY nice). the astra wagon doesnt even come in a manual (let alone the SRi variant) ditto the mazda6 and they say people prefer autos. that maybe true, but dont be selfish and ruin it for the rest of us…

it seems that holden/ford really think that they’re dino-wagons will last the century – the new commodore wagon maybe new but the technology is old (and so is the large car) – so i really think this insignia wagon (plus mondeo and focus and accord euro) would look quite nice on aussie roads!

By: Bavarian Missile

Bavarian Missile — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 09:16:30 +0000

wow thats pretty tuff,but I thought GM were sending Sportwagons into Europe wont this compete too?

Ill still take a Volvo V70 thanks even though its not as pretty as this!

By: No Name

No Name — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 09:01:26 +0000

Looks fab – As a curent Vectra wagon driver its and improvement stylishly.
Sadly folks I don’t think the 4wd is available on diesels (yet) only on the V6 Petrol an 2litre turbo.

By: Duck

Duck — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 08:26:35 +0000

Nice and good looking wagon! The rear though looks very Audi-ish if you know what I mean. ;)

Alex Says:
August 15th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
“Well that looks WAY better than the sportwagon. Who still wants a commodore?”

And for you to say that Alex, saying the holden sportwagon is not a nice good looking car are wrong. It’s just the insignia looks more european then the sportwagon.

By: Riker

Riker — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 06:56:39 +0000

That’s right fella’s, it looks as though the Insignia will make it here as part of a 2 pronged attack along with the Epicrap….I mean Epica in the medium sector.

Finally, we will again have another top class car in the Holden fleet along with the Astra.