Holden Sportwagon picks up two design awards
June 1, 2009 by Matt Brogan
Holden’s popular Sportwagon has come home with two awards at the prestigious Australian International Design Awards (AIDA) over the weekend.
The awards were a 2009 AIDA award in Automotive and Transport and the Wheels Automotive Design Award.
The Sportwagon beat a number of competitors including the Hyundai i30cw, FG Falcon G-Series and Audi A4.
The AIDA award was judged by a panel of local and international design experts on a set of strict criteria including innovation, functionality, quality, environmental and emotional appeal.
Holden has sold over 12,000 examples of its Sportwagon since its launch in July last year.
For a full review of the Holden Sportwagon, click here.
Print it: 
Here you are boys,seeing you dont think its worthy of its award why dont you contact them directly to see how they arrived at the decision.
http://www.designawards.com.au/
Would have been a deserved award if who won then ? Lets us all know your reply please .
Oh dear BM, getting a bit touchy are we?
I personally don’t bag the crap out of everything Australian. I have said in other posts that an FG Falcon is miles ahead of an Aurion and in this article, where have I said this Sportswagon is a bad car? I said that I din’t see how it won a design award as it really doesn’t bring anything new to the table. I would see a G6ET or FPV F6 as being far more innovative than this.
Also BM, next time someone quotes a survey or award you don’t agree with, you will be contacting the producers of the survey or award directly to voice your concerns?
SteveH says; Wheelnut, three months ago, was there a VE Holden Sportswagon International? Probably not. (I don’t know for sure, so I’ll say probably) In three months time will there still be a Holden Sportswagon International as a current model? Probably not. Therefore, I see the current Sportswagen International as a limited edition.
So going by your definition all cars are Limited edition modlels. I mean the Calais which you consider to be a regular model wasn’t around until 1985 with the VK and back then no one could predict if it would be around in 3 years let alone 3 months time now could they?
Over that time the specifications and features etc of the Calais have changed which means that each model is even more limited now doesn’t it?
Not only that but there are a number of other cars that have cme and gone but the majrity of them aren’t considered limited editions or collectableare they..?
But that’s all this is just another regular commodore wagon with a few different features etc and a differnet badge[like the Calais is differnet to the Omega]
All companies do it from time to time.. that is add a range of different features [as "packages"] usually as a result to demand/popularity but it doesn;t make them any more collectable or anything like that does it?
Hopefully now you understand what I am getting at – its not limited or unique because you can get a wagon with the same optional features etc – its special because you’re not paying any extra for those features as you would normally
Bavarian Missile,
Do you have to resort to bring toyotas into every blog?
And isn’t a bit racist, to be calling us monkeys from Japan???
As for being Australian as ussual…
As an Aussie, i believe in giving credit where credit is due…. Not just because it is made here…
Will the Aurion Touring be around in 3 months time? Probably not! However; I suspect that Toyota [like all other car companies] will most likely offer a similar car in the future with similar featires at no extra cost now won’t they?
There is a difference between Special and Limited Editions.
Just like there is a difference between 4WD and AWD which is another automotive term people tend to get mixed up.
Touchy SteveH …………noooooo ,just if you have an issue with this car getting the award take it up with those that gave it.
Quote “Also BM, next time someone quotes a survey or award you don’t agree with, you will be contacting the producers of the survey or award directly to voice your concerns?”
Yep give me the details and Ill gladly request from them why it was chosen ,but surveys arent awards dear sir they are based on opinions !
Interestingly they had the Holden R8 Sportwagon on Top Gear tonight against the Audi R6 wagon. I think for a car thats a 1/4 of the price it did a bloody good job! A fraction under the M3s time,the Lamborghini engined Audi Wagon is amazing then so it should be at 270k !
I think this award is justly deserved even if you clearly dont :) Tomas,pppfftttttttttt wouldt expect anything less from him !
I see your point Wheelnut, but its getting a bit pedantic isn’t it? Lets just leave it at its only around for a limited time and has many special features at no extra cost.
Hows that?
Tomas put up or shut up stop changing the subject.
Dont like the fact the Sportwagon won then contact them directly for an explanation.
Tomas If you had a better understanding of the english language; I think you will find that by making the comment
“Now what is it they say about PEOPLE destroying Toyota blogs on this site !”
BM wasn’t Talking about Toyota [Cars or the Company] but the PEOPLE who make comments on Toyota blogs about other people [mainly Holden or Ford fans] who ruin Toyota blogs -by getting on and not being able to say anything good about Toyota.
Because There are just as many people [such as yourself] who get on Topics on this site [such as this] which relate to other cars such as Fords Holdens etc [anything that isn't a Toyota] and are unable to say aything good about them either.
Therefore for you to accuse us of ruining a Topic which relates to Toyota when you do the same thing is being hypocrytical [as usual]
I see lots of sour grapes here from the likes of Tomas79 and Mantle. In fact, it was Tomas79 who kicked the first negative comment here, so your constant complaints of Bavarian Missile and Wheelnut instigating the attacking are rice-paper thin, Boy.
Who cares if the award errs on the lightweight side? Share a little joy, is all I’m suggesting.
Bavarian Missile, thats a really stupid reply…
As if they could, or would justify it to me if I contacted them!!
Wheelnut, I do have an excellent understanding of the English language, if not better then yours.
Golfschwein, don’t get your knickers in a knot… I Haven’t kicked off with negative comments on here, I’m just asking questions!!!
Sigh. Always fightin’, Tomas79. Always fightin’……
Just be nice to people. I tried that when I was in my twenties, and it’s paid dividends ever since. Oh, you should also have written “better than yours” and not “better then yours”.
Congratulations Holden, the sportwagon is the best looking wagon on the market and wholeheartedly deserves this award.
No wonder Commodore is Australias No.1 seller and outsells Falcon by nearly 2:1
See? Easy! Well done, Holden.
Being a top seller doesnt make it the best car……….its definateley not better than Falcon. Its a fleet vehicle sold at no profit to keep sales up. Anyway Holdens slales figures are bogus anyway because they include vehicles delivered to their dealers not vehicles actually sold. Typical Holden false figures………..
This is a design award.
Unlike many posters, they dont decide these awards based on emotive surveys or phone polls.
Perhaps if an Indian phone survey was behind these results some would find the results a little easier to digest.
The Sportswagon is a very slick looking vehicle, no arguments. sure the engine and tranny arent anything worth spruking about and neither is the interior, but this award isnt formulated around that.
Over 1000 sales per month for one configuration alone of a nameplate sounds pretty good to me for an australian product.
Toyota cant even sell enough to justify producing a wagon for starters.
On another note, I see GM has finally bitten the bullet and filed for bankruptcy
I also agree with Limited slip in that #1 selling doesnt count for anything but bragging rights.
By Daves theory then, toyota would be selling the best vehicles in the world.
But if you want to play sales figures, add all the aussie made Falcon variants including ute and teritory and you will see the Ford Aus manufacturing isnt faring that badly
Well Tomas79 if you do have an understanding of the English language which [as you believe] is better than mine; you would have realised BM was talking about the blog topics on this site which relate to Toyotas – and how hypocrytical people [like yourself] can be about those who ruin the blog topics on this site which relate to Toyotas;
when they themselves ruin blog topics on this site which don’t relate to Toyotas
NOT the Toyota Company or their cars [there's a difference] and you wouldn’t have had to make a comment as you did.
But as usual you made an inciteful comment which was off topic just becasue you wanted to be involved; even though you had nothing constructive to say [about the car]
god you people need to get a life……..
Mantle, I bet you are crying your eyes out as Holden has survived and GM will be reborn. Now if only you would just stay away and stop rubbishing one of Australia’s largest employers, the local car industry which includes Holden. You are a disgrace to Australia and should go elsewhere if you hate Australian Companies even if they are a a Subsibory of GM.
Well done Holden on designing such a attractive wagon at such a affordable price for the average Australian. With direct injection expected inside the next 6 months, Diesel engines, E85 and also a facelift due inside 8 to 10 months things will start to get better for Holden and the hopefully Mantle wont be able to cope with it and will quietly go away under his shell. Totally deserves the design awards, best looking Australian Wagon ever built and one of the best looking wagons in the world. By the way Direct Injection Commodores are being tested on Melbourne’s roads right now so if you listen carefully you will see a DI commodore on the road.
Actually, I have no life. Thomas did not say that his understanding of English is better than Wheelnut’s. He quite graciously said “I do have an excellent understanding of the English language, if not better then yours”. This means that he considers his grasp of english is excellent, but not better than [yours], i.e. that your grasp of english is equal to or better than his. Had he said that his grasp of english was “as good as if not better than…” then that would convey that his english was equal to or better.
How can I mention Volvo in this post? Ah, I just did! Mission accomplished.
quote “Tomas79 Says:
June 1st, 2009 at 11:03 pm
Bavarian Missile, thats a really stupid reply…
As if they could, or would justify it to me if I contacted them!!”
Why wouldnt they ,all you have to do is be nice and ask :)
Welcome to Australa, Land of Racists.
Bavarian Missile (.)(.) Says:
June 1st, 2009 at 9:14 pm
Here we have the 3 wise monkeys from Japan.
Thats a compliment, not racism
“Racist” seems to be the term thrown around loosly by those not really knowing what it is.
I do ask though, does racism not exist against Australians???
It seems to be a one way card you glass house livers seem to be playing
Only idiots think its a compliment to be called a monkey.
In this case, you are Andrew M.
If you don’t think its a racism, maybe we all should start calling you a monkey as a compliment.
As long as its a wise monkey…… ;)
Even if you were called a Monkey (without being wise) I still fail to see how the term Monkey is Racist
Maybe offencive if you have touchy feelings, but Racist???
QUOTE………..
“maybe we all should start calling you a monkey”
Well you and your friends have called myself and others a lot worse. Is this where we should be pulling out the racism card too.
Wasn’t the whole Andrew Symonds thing with Harbajhan Singh because Harbajhan called Symonds a monkey? In that context it was called racist. In the context of being called a wise monkey, I don’t see it as being racist.
(Excuse the spelling of Harbajhan, but you get the general idea)
Actually, the three wise monkeys ARE from Japan. The expression comes from a carving of the monkeys in the Toshogu Shrine at Nikko, about 1 1/2 hours out of Tokyo (one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen, in the snow). As a result, the expression “3 wise monkeys from Japan” is geographically correct.
Come now, I don’t think people who comment on a website about cars ALL day and ALL night on a website are really qualified to have the debate over what does and doesn’t constitute racism. Leave that one to the grown ups, and just go back to oohing and aahing over your big fast cars….
SteveH,
But it was proven that what ever term news paper headlines wanted to throw around, the term Monkey wasnt Racist.
Claims to the Symonds case being Racist are just as false as the ill informed on here claiming it is today.
No real proof to what was said has been shown. The stump microphones didnt pick up the conversation and the Umpimers didnt here the exchanged words either.
For all we know there could have been more said between the two which brought about the Racism tag being thrown around.
End of the day, Monkey doesnt = Racism
Thats it AndrewM “Monkey doesnt = Racism”
Back on topic
Here is the full list of the winners from AIDA
http://www.designawards.com.au.....inners.pdf
I did contact them directly for an explanation for their choice on the Sportwagon but got this reply only SteveH………
“”Hi Lisa,
Thanks for your enquiry about the 2009 Australian International Design Awards. At the Presentation Night last Friday the judges gave the following comment on the Holden VE Sportwagon:
“The family vehicle stereotype is completely reconsidered with great packaging and finishes. Innovative tailgate and solid rear tray offer excellent access.”
The Sportwagon also received ‘Best Overall’ in the Wheels Automotive Design Awards at the same event. More information about this Award win will be available in the upcoming June issue of Wheels magazine.
Form more information about the Australian International Design Awards visit http://www.designawards.com.au or sign up to our mailing list at http://www.australiandesign.org
Regards,
MITCHELL WADE
Creative Director, Australian International Design Awards
Standards Australia
Level 10, 20 Bridge Street Sydney NSW 2000 GPO Box 476 Sydney NSW 2001
P +61 2 9237 6048 F +61 2 9237 6091 mwade@designawards.com.au “”
So I did try for you ,I guess you could push harder for a more detailed answer from each of the judges .Their detail are on the site :)
BM, as I said before, the context that you used monkey in, ie three wise monkeys, is in no way racist. Using the Andrew Symonds example again, he was called a monkey because of the way he looked, not because he was sitting there eating a banana. Therefore, that use of the term monkey is racially motivated.
I had a look at the website you provided BM and all I can say is that it must have been a pretty slow year automotive wise if a fancy tailgate justifies giving the Sportswagon the award.
Soapbox I do apologise. I can tell that you are my elder and I hope you go back to your bowls club and share your experience there.
A well deserved award for Holden. I’ve seen afew of these around my area but mostly in the R8 guise and am a fan of it’s meaty looks. Personally I do like it better than the europeans especially the strange looking BMW wagons.
I’ve never been inside a VE Sporstwagon myself so can’t say what I feel about how it goes and all. For the price, one can do alot worse.
My fav out of all the wagons would be the same as Pious’s…The Sportwagon would be my second choice ,R8 is great bang for your buck I think!
Steve,
Calling Andrew Symonds a monkey in no way refers to a race unless the Andrew symonds of the world declare themselves a race
The Andrew Symonds incident was nothing more than an offencive remark.
BM – say it…..VOLVO!…my anti spam word is “VOLVO” Kismet, eh?
Andrew, as I said, I believe Andrew Symonds was called a monkey because of the way he looked, ie dark skinned. I don’t see many white people being called a monkey in a derogatory way.
Also, agree with Nobody that the R8 version is a good looking car for a wagon.
Yes Congratulations Holden. Well done.
Ok Steve fair enough.
No racism had here though.
Plenty of people crying out for it in an attempt to try and defame certain individuals.
And on the R8 version,
It sooo needed the sedan style tail lights to really set it off
I have a 2005 VZ sedan thats done 225,000kms and have had no problems with it, however my sister in law has a new Omega Sportswagon company car and has had heaps of trouble with it after doing 30,000 kms. She had the preivious VZ executive wagon before and it was sold after hitting a huge 350,000kms with no problems (it was just 3 yrs old). She has also said that the space is horrbile as well as the blind spots compared to her VZ wagon and would prefer to drive a 350,000kms VZ executive before jumping happily into the new sportswagon. I have to purchase a wagon myself, in order to care for my grandmother, but I am definately going to look for a VZ executive wagon before even going into Holden to purchase a new sportswagon.
According to what the Motor Vehicle Fleet Mananger at work told me – the VE Sportwagon is apparently out selling SUVs including the Kluger and the Territory.. maybe trends are changing…. or people are just being more practical
I am thinking about buying a new Calais Sportwagon but I think the tailgate will open too high for the height of my garage ceiling (it’s pretty low). Is there anyway of limiting how high the tailgate can open??