Holden has been spied testing a re-badged version of the newly released Buick LaCrosse on Australian roads.
The ingeniously named Daewoo LaCrosse will be produced for the Korean market and built in both the USA and China.
The LaCrosse is powered by three engines, two of which are common to the newly updated VE Commodore range.
A 2.4-litre, four-cylinder ECOTEC engine opens the range, while a 3.0-litre SIDI V6 and 3.6-litre SIDI V6 are available in upper models, identical to the current Commodore offering
Holden spokeswoman, Kate Lonsdale, told CarAdvice “As for evaluating other vehicles in the GM portfolio, we’re always looking at what’s available to Holden and we are taking a close look at some very exciting products at the moment.”
While the Cadillac brand remains on hold, the Daewoo LaCrosse could be the next international to debut in the Australian market.
Pictures by Pavle.com.au
I can see a resemblance to the Cruze (Must be a new brand styling) but no thanks Holden. I think it will compete too much with the Commodore.
(I may have the sizing wrong, thats just how big it looks in these photos.)
You’d be right wiht the sizing if it is similar to the Buick Lacrosse.
Is this a potential Epica replacement?
The Cruze is the Epica replacement D. This would merely be brought in to add another tear to Holden’s lineup I must say I like the styling and agree that there are cues to the Cruze.
Perhaps we will see a similar headlight treatment on next year’s commodore VF?
For Daewoo
Epica is like camry
Cruze is like Corolla
so this would replace Epica
Holden would sell it as a Epica replacement (for Vectra class)
The Cruze is far smaller than the epica with the ecpica being more the size of a toyota camry… I agree that this would be a good replacement for the epica except that it would make the commodore lose many customers… so i think it would be ok to sell but only if we made it here in Australia!
Cruze is Viva replacement
Don’t forget the Astra
…though the grill would need to be changed :)
Interesting article, especially the comment made to caradvice by Kate Lonsdale, Holden spokeswoman, “As for evaluating other vehicles in the GM portfolio, we’re always looking at what’s available to Holden and we are taking a close look at some very exciting products at the moment.”
The reason i point reference to this comment is that it totally contradicts what the Holden Boss says about Holden’s future for Australia, in that he wants to see all products wearing a Holden Badge to be produced in Australia; hence the stupid decision to spend some $400 million dollars in developing a Holden built and designed Cruze, to be produced in Adelaide; even though it shares the Delta platform with the 2010 Opel Astra (which is a beautiful looking car) which has been scrapped.
It seems that Holden has no clear view on where they intend on taking their product; i guess selling Daewoo’s is what they do best (and well known for to many). However, in my opinion, spend the extra money Holden and bring back the Opels.
As for the interesting and exciting products that they are currently looking at; my guess is the Daewoo Matiz / Spark, i fail to see the ‘exciting’ behind it – looks like a fridge with the interior of a cheap Malibu Barbie Toy, and kinda looks like the last Daihatsu sirion that we got here.
Interested to hear some responses to my views :)
Anything has to be better than the Epicafail. And by the review ive read on this thing it is very good to drive and has very good standard equipment. As for bringing back Opel, ive said this time and time again no one was willing to pay “that much” for a Holden last time and no one will this time.
Shak, you must walk around with your eyes shut. There are many Opel models on Australian cars, they are also used as Government cars and even hire cars. If people were not willing to pay the money, we woud not see them on our roads. Perhaps if they came here as Opels as an independent brand, they would probably kick ass.
It always makes me wonder why cars such as Fiat / Alfa Romeo, Citroen, and even Saab are still here. They never seem to sell a car, and they are hardly seen on our roads, yet they still struggle on – Holden just saw the chance to sell cheap cars to the public loaded with everything that they want, taking the easy way out.
I dont see any Opel on the Road, and if youre being smart about all older commodores and astra’s being Opels then you sir are mad.
This looks like the Opel Insignia. Im guessing its made on the same platform. It would be good if Holden could brin it down here to compete with the Mondeo.
Ahh. If it replaces the Epica, then I retract my comment and say “Yes Please! Anything but the Epica!”
I like the Cruze, possibly enough to buy one, but I’ll wait until its built here, and the Diesel is available in the CDX (Yes – I know its coming in 2010) so that more of my money stays in Australia.
The diesel is already available on the CDX but you have to order it now if you want it within the next six months. The waiting list is stretching on and on and on. I got min after 4 months waiting
Shak what model Cruze did you get and how much did you pay for it?
Are you happy with the Cruze?
I unfortunately got the CDX with petrol and in Moroccan blue. i paid 24 driveaway because of very keen bargaining. I was very surpised that the dealer dropped the price as they have so many orders waiting.
That is a very good price.My dealer is stuffing me around.
Would there be any chance you could email me a copy of your paperwork??
Geeze, thats a while.
My apologies, I thought there was an article on here a few days ago saying it was only available in 2010.
Any idea when production starts in Adelaide?
Interesting that this Chinese version of the Insignia will be sold in the USA, but as a 4 cylinder car only – 2.2 litre or 2 litre turbo – but no 6, even though its competition the US built Mazda 6, the Honda Accord, and the Camry all have 6s.
I think everyone is forgetting one thing: the car in question is a BUICK LaCrosse. Daewoo will be selling a version of the Buick in Korea (the LaCrosse in made in the USA and China only).
I doubt Holden is getting this car as a Holden. Holden are probably testing the car for Daewoo, or planning on introducing the Buick brand in Australia (seems logical now that Buick has some good cars and Cadillac was coming too). Both brands will probably be here late next year.
Interesting point of view camry lover, if Buick were to come to Australia, we might then get the Buick Excelle / Astra, then Opel fans can rebadge it and Holden can see just how much of a quality product the Astra is compared to its Korean sibling Cruze
Why do people keep refering to Opels as being quality? You totaly amaze me with such narrow minded comments. The Corsa, Insignia and new Astra are nothing special. Come over to Europe and drive them or at least buy some European magazines before posting uniformed comments. The Insignia is totaly outclassed in driving dynamics by Mondeo and Mondeo is nothing special. Drive an Insignia and you will be amazed at the road noise, wind noise around the mirrors, overley fussy dash, uncomfortable drivers seat and tight rear legroom. Yes it looks nice but the engines are noisy and suffer from disapointing fuel economy. The new Astra is outclassed in every single measurable way by Golf and in most ways by the Focus which is 5 years old now. The Corsa looks ok but drive a new Polo or Fiesta, Mazda 2 and you would walk out of the dealership.
No, it IS a Daewoo LaCrosse. Designed by Daewoo, built/badged in the US for Buick, built in China for other markets. IF it comes here it WILL be badged as a HOLDEN and sourced from CHINA.
Thats just the way things work in a global market.
Well lets hope it doesn’t come here then if its coming from China – look at the Great Wall brand – ewwwww. I hate global market sometimes, especially when GM is involved; because OZ always gets screwed
Get your facts right, it’s a Buick that Daewoo also sells.
It was a Buick designed primarily for the USA and China where Buick is BIG.
Daewoo came along and said, “Oh that would make a good Hyundai Grandeur rival, let’s take it.”
Bulls1t
Nah, it IS actually a Buick, I was thingking of a diff car.
It’s Epsilon II based, but will wear Holden badges if introduced here.
Interesting looking car. I like it and would definetly consider it.
That title insinuates its a daewoo
when its actually a Buick, designed by Buick, they are testing it to export in RHD
Pretty bad first impression there. GM should want to make people think it’s anything but a Daewoo.
I think the majority of Australian Car Enthusiasts on this site [which is virtually all of us except the Realist; FIGJAM and Tomas 79 and co] would much rather see the OPC Insignia make its way to Australia than the [Buick] LaCrosse
Even though according to some of the reviews/articles that I’ve read; it appears to be quite an impressive medium sized car – in terms of features and performance
Of course we all want that but it wont be happening anytime soon.
Dont fool yourself Wheelnut, your though of same as the retards you mentioned
I think Holden should just bring it regardless. I looks heaps great, better than Epica. Epica seriously needs to go. Just look at its sales. If Holden wants more sales, now is the chance. Go HOLDEN!
This is the Commodore replacement. GM cant afford to sell such low numbers of Commodores so they will import this instead. This car is the start of the end for the ageing obsolete fleet car that is the Commodore. Fleet sales are very low profit and fleets are where GM sell most of the Commodores so it is becoming irrelevant and a non money making car. Ford sell very few base model Falcons and so they make more money selling less vehicles which is very smart as they make alot more money on XR6 G6 and G6E.
Just a couple of points:
1. VE is “ageing” yes, but it is far from being “aged” and the basic archetecture will last for a while yet, however no sheet metal changes of note till 2012. There is enough volume, both fleet and non-fleet for Commodore to remain – and Ford need it to, because without each other, neither can survive long term.
( )
There, thats the “blank space” for all the anti-local nuts to fill in with all of your Govt aid this and that rubbish.
2. You said “Ford …… make more money selling less vehicles” Well Ford sold more locally built cars than Holden in November, and the numbers are aften close. People choose to forget that Ford’s premium wagon is the Territory, whereas Holden’s premium, the VE Wagon (branded Sportwagon), is lumped in with general Commodore sales numbers. Then there’s Utes, and LWB versions etc.
How did the ute sales pull up out of interest??
MB reckons he is keen on that battle….
Andrew,
Falcon Ute 1473 sales
Commodore Ute 1336 sales
This isn’t the Commodore replacement – if it was why did GM announce that Hodlen will have to develop the VE Platform for at least the next 5-8 years?
If it is the VE Replacement then why didn’t they/ haven’t they gutted the Holden factory and started installing the robots to build the La Crosse.
Ford sell less base models – really how many [fully optioned] G6 Taxis or Police Highway Patrol Cars with leather interior etc do you see…?
Ford sells just as many cars as Holden does to Fleets – mainly Taxis most of which are base models.
Taxis are mostly bought 2nd hand, not new from Ford. Ive only seen one FG taxi so far, and it was a G6E (silver service)
To be honest I havent seen many FG police cars at all apart from a few Highway Turbo models (which dont qualify as base models)
Most cop cars I see now are Aurions. From my take Toyota has marched big time into the police fleet deal
Are you serious? Taxis are mostly bought second hand? That is the biggest laugh I have had all day! You idiot! Ford and Holden no longer build taxi specials! They stopped around 5 years ago. All taxis are bought new and in the case of Melbourne are painted yellow and are fitted out with taxi meters by the VTA authorised fitters. The are no bought second hand (unless in special circumstance) as the purchaser gets special discounts and tax relief that saves them big dollars.
Max, perhaps get out of your own little fishbowl.
I personally know of at least two taxi companies that ONLY buy second hand cars. And ALL of the taxis in our area are white (by legislation).
Wheelnut,
The ratio of XT spec Falcons vs higher specs is so low that Ford are actually only building XTs “to order”. They are no longer part of the planned general production runs.
Sure fleet sales are still there, but the ratio has swithced dramatically with FG.
I am sure GM Holden is making much more money than Ford, sinmce they have more VE body styles and Commodore has been number 1 seller for 14 years. I see a lot more SSV’s and and Calais on the road than Falcon luxury models, not forget the selection of Statesmans getting around.
The Chinese market Lacrosse is exactly 5m in length, which means that it’s bigger than a Commodore, but smaller than a Statesman/Caprice. Whilst the top-spec Lacrosse in the US comes with AWD and a 3.6L V6, the top-spec Lacrosse in China is a 3.0L V6 FWD.
The Lacrosse is a good looking car, with the rear-end being reminiscent of a Lexus GS – I think it’s one of GM’s better looking cars. However, I doubt that Holden will ever bring it to Australia, due to our over-saturated large car market dominated by the big-three. If anything, the Lacrosse will start stealing Commodore sales.
HOLDEN STOP REBADGING!! Com’on Holden stop this stupidness and start making your own cars
I have another theory. I think this car could be one of the leftovers from when Holden was testing the LaCrosse about a year ago. They were doing dust tests and Hot weather testing.
This is not a Daewoo or a Buick, in fact its a Opel the Insignia which is the Vectra replacement, this is a very good car and i very happy to hear that it maybe coming to Australia.
Also for all the people who keep putting down the car out of Daewoo need to have a better understanding because all the cars coming out of there are designed by Opel/Chevrolet or Holden and most of the time its the Holden designers.
No this is the Buick LaCrosse
The [slightly smaller] Opel Insignia is set to become the new 2010 Buick Regal – visit the Buick Website; and you will see the headlights [for example] on the Regal are the same as the Insignias
Correct.
Both the LaCrosse and the Regal are based on the Epsilon II platform, along with the Insignia and the Saab 9-5.
It looks like the Insignia and Regal may be a fraction smaller for the Euro and premium US market, the US LaCrosse and Korean/Chinese? LaCrosse models will be a fraction bigger.
Same as Honda do with the 2 Accords or Mazda with its bigger US 6.
We’ll get the Korean GMDAT version in Australia.
If its 1/3 as successful as the Cruz Holden will finally be competitive in the medium car class again with a top seller.
Tough job camry firmly owns that class with a huge lead, then the Mazda 6 gets the bulk of the private buyers
If this was to wear a Lion badge, it would be around 2014 as the Commodore replacement. I am not saying that this is happening, I am saying you will find that will be under scrutiny if the market was to turn that way. Much the saem as Ford has the Taurus under consideration for Australia. Nothing firm but always a possibilty if the Local manufacturing does become completely non viable.. Wouldn’t affect Toyota as much, as even now you wouldn’t know if the Camry you are driving is from Australia or Asia, they are the same cars.
It’s better for Holden to loose a sale to another car sold by Holden then to loose a sale to ford! Holden should sell the Korean line of cars, the Opel line and the commodore. Also ford should sell a wagon falcon! Saying that it will compete with the territory is rubbish. Falcon wagon drivers will buy a sportswagon instead.
It\’s better for Holden to loose a sale to another car sold by Holden then to loose a sale to ford! Holden should sell the Korean line of cars, the Opel line and the commodore. Also ford should sell a wagon falcon! Saying that it will compete with the territory is rubbish. Falcon wagon drivers will buy a sportswagon instead.
Seems way too close to a Commodore not to cannibalise sales, I have a feeling they might be putting the toe in the water for a Commodore replacement. DSV Daewoo Special Vehicles might be a reality! At least there is an AWD option.
Holden should revive the old song from their ads but update the lyrcis… “Football, meat pies, kangaroos and Daewoo cars”
lol good point champ
Daewoo rhymes better as well
Wheelnut.you are wrong. The base XT sells only 3% of total Falcon sales. Commodore sells mainly to fleets so the majority are the base model. Dont see many FG taxis around either.
New LaCrosse looks interesting, I just hope it would offer new features. I’d be checking one out as soon as launched…
Looks good!
Not bad, except the front grill which I think will only work in US and China martket where they love big shiny chrome-finished grills…It also kinda looks like a Skoda…Could be a good thing or not depending how you look at it.
Anyway, Camry-sized car with a powerful and economical V6…interesting…can be a winner here.
Jesse says,
“Camry-sized car with a powerful and economical V6…interesting…can be a winner here”
Thats the formula for Aurion. And no it’s a flop for sales volume.
Well done Holden, yet another Korean import from Australia’s self proclaimed big car company. Dare say there will be some more redundancies at Holden in the near future.
If people would look at the article it says this is a Daewoo that Holden will rebadge, bot some buick from China. Although there may be one from China this one is from Korea. Read the full article first.
Shak says:
“Read the full article first”
Did YOU?
“Daewoo LaCrosse will be produced for the Korean market and built in both the USA and China”
Which means that IF this comes to Australia it most probably will be built in China and wear a Holden badge.
Gee, the Cruze is one neat little unit! Best looker in it’s class I reckon. Finish and detail in/out is first class.
3.0 SIDI would work a treat in it.LOL.
3.0 LTR sidi IS A PEARLER.
UNFORTUNATELY IT’S THE WAY OF THE WORLD SPLATCAT.
Cheap labour I surpose as multinationals have played workfotces against one another.
We’ll eventually just be a mine and a farm.
Think they call it the level playing field.
Just dig another hole and we can afford an ETS.LOL
What a lot of wishful thinking and speculative nonsense. In all liklihood this is exactly what it appears to be – a Chinese Buick – biggest selling brand there after VW – rebadged as a Daewoo for sale in Korea against the Hyundai Sonata and the Kia variant, undergoing hot weather testing. They don’t have much hot weather in the northern hemisphere at this time of year.
Welcome to the next fully imported Commodore. Reading the above posts only a couple of you have managed to grasp this truth. Holden doesn’t mean much to the US Government.
Daewoo is a GM product and soon to be obsolete in some markets in Asia and maybe even worldwide eventually. GM is trying to condense it’s brand and not be so broad so it can concentrate on vehicles that sell. I wouldn’t get too excited over Daewoo. They aren’t doing so swell.