Comments on: Pontiac responds to G8 rumours, sort of

By: Marvin McConoughey

Marvin McConoughey — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 23:20:04 +0000

Mostly true, Missile, when you say, \”those in the USA in particular were able to see how good the quality of car we Australians can design and build and how inferior the Average American built car is.\” I live in the USA and went shopping the past week for a new car. Pluses for the G8GT include the powerful engine, good automatic, and roomy interior. The looks were good, but not superior. We didn\’t choose to pursue the G8 GT further because of the dark, gloomy interior, the very high seat side bolsters, and the very poor fuel mileage in town. We were not impressed with the faux air scoops on the hood. We are now looking at a Hyundai Genesis V8, which I admit is not a direct equivalent.

USA cars have, in my parochial view, generally better looking interiors but lag behind in the mechanicals.

By: SamR

SamR — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 15:08:09 +0000

I used to be a huge Holden fan in the 70’s and 80’s.

Now there is not ONE car they make that I would even dream of buying. Sure I would like to drive a HSV 427 but no way would I want to own one.

Their smaller cars are rubbish too, either Korean crap or unreliable expensive to maintain Euro crap.

The Govt should stop buying Commodores and buy Greener cars as in their Greenhouse policy

By: Dlr1

Dlr1 — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 11:24:56 +0000

i do find it somewhat amusing that a number of people who champion the “Torana” cause criticise other manufacturers for offering a number of models in a particular segment that they believe are almost the same size… i think their little mantra goes something like “Rav4 is a wannabe Kluger is a wannabe Prado is a wanna be Landrcruiser” or something like that.
Wouldn’t the Torana be a wannabe Commie? As such i think its probably one or the other, not both.
On a small sideline Autonews reports that Ford has plans to reduce the number of platforms it builds cars on globally from 35 down to 9. Such a plan could easily spell the end for the RWD Falcon as we know it.

By: Andrew M

Andrew M — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 11:04:46 +0000

Spitfire,
I agree.
Im not really feeling the Torana vibe either

By: Spitfire

Spitfire — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 10:59:32 +0000

The Torana is a pipe dream (no pun intended). The numbers do not stack up.

By: Andrew M

Andrew M — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 10:38:01 +0000

Tom,
a 1400kg Torana is very unlikely since their current small car (Astra) already weighs pretty much that

By: Tom

Tom — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 10:25:12 +0000

Holden, we really want a 1400kg Torana, thankyou.

By: Wheelnut

Wheelnut — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 09:41:26 +0000

If Pontiac decide to continue selling the G8 which they are expected to do as they need a RWD car of some sort [be it the size of a Commodore or the new Torana which Bob Lutz said is the perfect car to become the new Pontiac G6 compact sedan] to compete against the Japanese and Europeans… Then expect Production of the LHD variants to be built in Canada alongside the Camaro as it to uses the VEs platform

However; If Pontiac do decide to stop selling the G8 then Holden can focus more on the Middle East and the UK – with the potential to go into Europe too. Not to mention the new medium sized car [Torana] they plan to make at Elizabeth

By: Rising Asia

Rising Asia — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 08:09:54 +0000

Bavarian Missile Says:
October 30th, 2008 at 10:48 am
Manly – Whether or not Pontiac do eventually decide to stop selling the VE based G8 doesn’t alther the fact that by exporting the Commodore and the Statesman to the USA Middle East and the UK got them noticed internationally..

The current economic crisis might see this not happen, what then. Would they be bought out by another?

By: Wheelnut

Wheelnut — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 06:36:13 +0000

You took my identity babe….so Im taken yours hehehe.

By: JEYKL & HYDE

JEYKL & HYDE — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 04:41:55 +0000

everready,

also might have to do with the fact that holden arn’t making many more anything locally before 09(big holiday break)

By: George

George — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 04:07:12 +0000

Guys, your fantastic comments are much appreciated! Good to see so many constructive and well thought out responses!

By: B-Man

B-Man — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 02:16:38 +0000

Eveready

The commodores at Manheim-fowles in Altona are there for storage only, they are not assigned to auction. As far as i am aware, it is to free up some space at holdens own storage facility in the area, so i wouldn’t be taking it as any kind of sign as to the astanding of commodore sales.

By: eveready

eveready — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 00:21:03 +0000

This may be a bit off topic, but I drove past Fowles Auction Yard (the one on Princes Hwy just past the Western Ring Rd) – and noticied it was jammed packed with Commodores. Does anyone know what the go is with that?

Is it a sign that Holden have been over producing cars?

I know Ford has drastically cut production output recently (causing the lay-off of staff reported by the media), this was to match production to demand. By the looks of it, Holden will have to do the same?

By: Bavarian Missile

Bavarian Missile — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 23:48:46 +0000

Manly – Whether or not Pontiac do eventually decide to stop selling the VE based G8 doesn’t alther the fact that by exporting the Commodore and the Statesman to the USA Middle East and the UK got them noticed internationally..

That is those in the USA in particular were able to see how good the quality of car we Australians can design and build and how inferior the Average American built car is.

Mainly because GM CEO Bob Lutz fell in love with the Monaro and was impressed that Holden could make it go from concept to reality in less than 3 years.

As a result Holdens position in GM world is a lot higher than that of Ford and even Toyota Australia; and they are now heavily involved in a number of future GM projects in both design and engineering ie – the Camaro for example

Whereas because of Mr Ford Jr Snr Jr’s ignorant arrogant self righteous attitude that American is Better… The Ford Falcon never got the opportunity that Holden did because Ford knew if the Falcon was sold in the USA it would make their Crown Victoria sedan look like a Model T.

So despite that Holdens export program may be cut back.. I believe its a good thing that Holden gae it a go and got some recognition at least… Hey the VEwon Middle East Car of The Year

Although I expect the G8 will eventually be built in Canada alongside the Camaro once they have been able to meet initial demand.. leaving Holden room to build other cars including the Torana and maybe even local versions of Chevs and Opels at Elizabeth

By: Frontman

Frontman — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 23:41:00 +0000

Manly,
Yes GMAC did finance a lot of dealer stock, as did GE AUTO (the old AGC), but it would a fairly poor dealership that didn’t get picked up by the likes of St George & Esanda (mods, I’m not intending to advertise, just explaining.) I seriously doubt that you will see wholesale dumping of brand new cars at an auction house near you anytime soon as was rumoured by another source earlier this week.
I personally don’t see GM going down. I can’t see either political party in the states allowing that to happen. It will shrink and go somewhat quiet in it’s restructure (possibly a lot more offshore) but it will survive. After all it survived the Depression.
Eveready is spot on with the evaluation of Ford though, as much as a lot of people put down Mullaly, that is his response. Convert truck Factories to Euro Ford product, replace US Focus with Euro Focus, bring in Mondeo again & for the First time intro Fiesta.
Pontiac’s response, dare I say it, really is what one would expect, much like the FWD Falcon, if these companies did not answer interms of “yes we will continue if the market demands” then one could really call them (as some already do) Pig headed and not prepared for change.

P.S To the moderators thank you for the standards, will keep this blog more focussed (unlike another popular bun fight)

By: Richo

Richo — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 23:20:05 +0000

That GMAC thing isn’t just hurting holden btw, GE money have also pulled out of Australia and a crap load of dealerships in australia have their floor stock owned by GE!

By: Dlr1

Dlr1 — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 22:54:35 +0000

Many dealers with GMAC floorplans have until 30 November to refinance/payout GMAC or risk GMAC taking their stock and auctioning it off to recover their money.

By: Manly

Manly — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 21:55:01 +0000

Does anyone know what effect the closing of GMAC next year will have on Holden dealerships ?? I think they finance the dealers stock ……….is that how it works ??

By: Manly

Manly — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 21:52:11 +0000

Well funny isnt it ?? a while ago we were hanging shit on Ford Oz for not exporting the FG ……..now as things pan out a bit more maybe it was a good idea to hold of on that idea. Maybe…..just maybe…..if Ford U.S. close more plants they might need Ford OZ to build them a large fuel efficient, multi fuel car……..Territory or FG

Anyway ..the only thing we know for sure is that alot more changes and job losses are imminent……