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Holden’s Future Still Safe

By Alborz Fallah |

About two weeks ago we reported that GM America had pressed pause on their rear wheel drive architecture (spearheaded by Holden Australia), the reason being proposed tougher emission laws requiring American manufacturers to learn a few lessons from the Japanese and Europeans and improve fuel efficiency by 4% every year, with an end target of 6.9L/100km.

Pontiac GT8

However GM Holden chief Denny Mooney has confirmed that there will be no change of plans (yet) for Holden’s rear wheel drive platform.

“We’re doing a lot of engineering work here on all of the future rear-wheel drive alternatives, and I can tell you that we have not changed our work one bit. From an execution standpoint, with what our engineers are working on – that is, executing programs that are currently in the plan – we’re still doing what we were doing.” Mr Mooney said.

From that statement it seems that Holden are waiting to see if the proposed american emission laws will actually pass the senate in the states. If they do, it will be a different story.

“That doesn’t mean that in a couple of months, as we make decisions or as we see what is going to happen in some of these different areas in the world relative to potential legislation requirements, that some of what we’re working on today may change.” Mr Mooney said.

It seems that the “bigger is better” attitude is starting to slowly change in the states. With the Japanese working hard on Hybrid and other technologies, GM is reviewing its entire porfolio and coming up with contingency plans amid the growing fear of Global Warming and consumer awareness.

Mr Mooney was confident that despite a possible change in plans, there will always be work for the GM engineers in Australia.

It does feel that Holden is playing a game of “wait and see” as oppose to simply realizing that inevitably, tougher emission laws will come into affect, so the sooner plans come into affect the better. Saying that, we reported earlier that Holden has been quietly working on both hybrid and diesel technologies, so perhaps Mr Mooney is keeping the good news as a surprise.


 
  • bonehead_51@hotmail.com

    fukin japs and there gay battery shit…so wat now the world has 2 drive these stupid hybrid shit? coz they cant controll there population fukn pin diks make smaller condoms

  • Paul

    What a very well thought out and intelligent comment you bonehead.

    A very interesting program on SBS last night called ‘Crude Impact’ was on, highlihgted how the world really is in crisis in relation to oil, as we have already passed ‘peak oil’, essentially oil production is only going down now, not up. And you mention the Japanese when in fact you twat it is China who are consuming a significant amount of fossil fuels … not Japan. Even the U.S I believe consume more then Japan. And its not related to Asia, the world has expanded significantly. Once again showing your intellect bonehead.

    So moral of the story, unless people wan this world to end, these battery powered cars you speak of are a solution to the crisis the world faces, so stfu you racist ignorant bogan.

  • Paul

    Hahaha yes proven wrong… umm I believe in the TRD Post people have been agreeing with me lol

    Anyway you have impllied in your original post that they have a population problem and as a result need more oil to survive, resulting in them needing to create hybrids. You are wrong as usual. How about stop flicking through Holden brochures for the 20th time around and get some education and have a clue about what you are writing. Hybrids are the future (albeit long term) for motoring… not that this is bad, companies such as Lexus already have petrol/battery powered cars that produce plenty of power, so its not as if car enthusiasts will cease to exist!

  • Paul

    Oh and fyi bonehead its China that has a limit on the Children people can have, I dont think Japan has such restrictions in place. Wrong Again

  • Myke

    bonehead no one is forcing you to drive a Hybrid so chill, there will be other alternatives for the future. What you have said may be true, but the way you have worded it, is racist and if you so strongly dislike hybrids go to a site that will listen to your crap.

  • Damo

    This bonehead guy, he must be real immature. Trash talking Paul, the person on here who seems to make the most sense. I am 15 and I thought I was slightly immature. What does that make bonehead? 12 maybe. I think he thinks global warming is just another thing made up to scare people and oil is just made up of an endless supply. I still don’t get why he bothers arguing on here because even if he was right we will never believe what he says. Whose side is he trying to be on? Steane’s maybe? I think Steane would get pissed off at him and his illiteracy. Oh, why are cocktards allowed on the internet? We need restrictions. Ooh, that’s the end of my rant.