Holden VE Ute and Wagon
August 3, 2006 by Alborz Fallah
Holden confirmed today that the next generation Holden VE Commodore Utes and Wagons will not get built for an unspecified period of time. Instead Holden says it plans to build two generations of Commodore at its South Australian vehicle operations at the same time to meet ongoing market demand for its wagon and utility body shapes.
Holden will not upgrade the VZ Ute and Wagon to the VE model but will instead manufacture them alongside the all-new VE Commodore and WM Statesman and Caprice. Holden denys lack of resources as the issue but instead says the decision to stick with the VZ model is much the same as the previous program with the VS Utility after the last new generation car, the VT Commodore, was introduced in 1997. The idea is to keep the focus on the current VE Sedan models before moving onto other body shapes.
Nevertheless, Holden claims the new 2007 model Holden Commodore Ute and Wagon come with some new and interesting things to keep the sales going. These upgrades include, dual fuel LPG systems will being offered as an optional on the automatic transmission version of the base level Ute as well as the auto-only Executive and Acclaim model wagons.
As part of the changeover, Holden will introduce an SV6 model in the Ute range to replace the outgoing S model.
VE and WM represent the biggest section of the market for our local manufacturing operations. We have spent more than $500 million preparing the plant to make the new cars. It has been critical that everyone at Holden has kept focus on these vehicles and done an excellent job of launching them into the market.
We believe our VZ Ute, Crewman, Wagon and Adventra have an important role to play in the marketplace, especially in the commercial market. It adds extra challenges to our manufacturing operations but we have heard what our customers have said and we will meet their needs. GM Holden Executive Director – Manufacturing, Rod Keane
Keane said the major upgrade works helped to enable the plant to manufacture two different model ranges at once, despite a range of manufacturing differences.
Our Bodyshop has significant flexibility. One section will focus on VE and WM, while another section will focus on VZ variants. The revamp of our general assembly will greatly enhance our ability to manage the increased complexity. Improvements include much wider laneways for material flow as well as manufacturing processes aimed at continuous improvement and first-time quality. he said.
Holden said the relatively low number of common parts shared between VZ and VE was a challenge from a logistic and supply perspective, but arrangements had been made to ensure VZ supplies would continue.
Crewman Cross6 and Cross8, One Tonner Cross6, Adventra V8 and Monaro coupe models have already ended production.
Details and timing for Holden’s future programs on wagon and light commercial applications have not been confirmed or announced.
VZ series model lineup
- Ute – Ute, SV6 (previously S), SS
- Crewman – Crewman, S, SS
- Commodore Wagon – Executive, Acclaim, Berlina
- Adventra – SX, CX, LX
Color changes
- Ignition (new) – chromatic red orange with fine mica gold highlight (S Crewman, SS Crewman, SV6 Ute, SS Ute)
- Nickel (new) – mechanical dark silver with coarse metallic highlight (Ute, SV6 Ute, SS Ute)
Devil Yellow Quicksilver and Turismo deleted
Recommended retail pricing
(excluding Dealer and Govt Charges)
| Wagon | ||
| Executive | $35,990 (A) | |
| Executive Dual Fuel LPG | $41,110 (A) | |
| Acclaim | $41,790 (A) | |
| Acclaim Dual Fuel LPG | tbc | |
| Berlina V6 | $46,890 (A) | |
| Ute | ||
| Ute | $26,990 (M) | |
| $27,990 (A) | ||
| Ute Dual Fuel LPG | tbc | |
| SV6 Ute | $33,990 (M) | |
| $34,990 (A) | ||
| SS Ute | $41,490 (M/A) | |
| Crewman | ||
| Crewman | $32,990 (M) | |
| $33,990 (A) | ||
| S Crewman | $38,990 (M) | |
| $39,990 (A) | ||
| SS Crewman | $47,690 (M/A) | |
| Adventra | ||
| SX Adventra | $41,190 (A) | |
| CX Adventra | $47,290 (A) | |
| LX Adventra | $53,190 (A) | |
| Metallic paint | $315 | |
how do you hotwire a vt commodore
Wow troy, that was the stupidest comment I have ever read.
ead.
when will the 2007 VZ ute be ready?
just need to find out how the dickie seat works in the commodore wagon and which way do they face. Also how do the kids get into the back seat.
Thanks
Can someone please inform me if the VZ duel fuel ute(VE not available yet) is resticted in payload area by the addition of the LPG gas cylinder in the rear tray.
I am wanting to to carry a slide-on van which will take entitre area to rear deck.
Any update on when Holden will release a new Commodore Wagon?
Peter
Hey Peter,
by the looks of it, it wont be till mid-late 2008. Holden haven’t given the slightest clue when this will be done, but I suspect they will wait till the new Falcon is out.
Hey
Holden stopped producing Adventra’s around Christmas time according to Holden Dealers. Are they making them again now, or was this just said to try and make sure they are all sold?
hey guys and gals
If u look at the june 2007 issue of the motor magazine they have a few pics of the new ve commodore ute (spy pics), will hope fully be in showrooms by the end of the year they reckon.
hey guys and girls
If u look at the june 2007 issue of the motor magazine they have a few pics of the new ve commodore ute (spy pics), will hope fully be in showrooms by the end of the year they reckon.
Any idea when the VE crewman will be made (or if)?
there wont be a VE Crewman and they have stopped making the Adventura so yes they did only tell you they were stillmaking Adventura’s to try and sell you one.
ve ute will be out around sept/oct 07,the wagon is due first half of 08 ,I work for a Holden supplier and we have already sent 40 sets of wagon rear doors to holdens for pilot models.
THE CROSS TRACK SYSTEM HOLDEN HAVE IS GREAT
THEY SHOULD HAVE A BASIC UTE WITH SERIOUS GROUND CLEARANCE AND 20″S AND THEY WOULD KILL THE PIG
WILL THERE BE A VE CREWMAN
highly unlikely
hi reece
HI EM
THE VE LOOKS VERY GOOD WHAT DO U THINK PEOPLE
what is ur dream car reece
A HOLDEN VE UTE OR A NISSAN NAVARA
YOU TO STOP TALKING TO EACH OTHER
i love the holden there like cool what do u think people
Could anyone tell me if Holden will still be producing the Panel van canopy for the VE ute.
AH………So it looks like the new VE Ute is the safest ever,fantastic………seems however if you need to repair it it going to cost you/insurance company 3 times more than it use to.The panel along the side is made from one piece of tooling so when stamped out its basically half the car. MMMMM bit like Holdens $50 wiper blades/wiper arms.So this is how their making their money ?
And it looks like something else will be happening within the VE range on the 11th October? Ideas anyone? http://www.clearyourcalendar.com.au
Sorry but I think the VE is to much based on an audi, but you can still see that is a commodore, which is good for you holden fans. But you cant change the mind of the loyal ford fans!!!
From the eyes of a Ford fan, the Holdrolet VE looks abit ugly.
Me., the VE Commodorre is not ugly!
The Ve is a great looking car I am waiting for the wagon to arrive someone was aking about a third row seat in a Commodore wagon they fac forward. VN-VS 27kg and 700mm seated height per seat VT-Vz 38kg and 780mm seated height. I know because I have both VN & VX wagons. Though looking at the VE wagon Im not sure it will be able to take a 3rd row surpose the mrs will have to stay home.
Sorry for the spelling in the previous entry still getting used to typing with glasses on and I have 0 typing ability anyway
it might have cost em a billion dollars but the ve was the best thing any gm owned compeny has done for years, just a shame about fords reply to it, the ugly never wanna been seen in it wannabe commo the FG falcon, what a disgrace, just like the au, hahahahaha, what a waste of money ford!
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