Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) announces Singapore export deal

By Tim Beissmann | November 26th, 2010

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Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) has announced an export deal with Harvest Automobiles that will see models from Holden’s high-performance arm sold in Singapore for the first time.

Vehicles from the marque’s recently launched E3 series will be sold to the Singaporean market through Harvest Automobiles’ dealer network. The importer requested the vehicles be the highest specification possible, and as such all will be fully optioned with the brand’s SV enhancements.

HSV managing director, Phil Harding, today announced the launch of the export program, which has been 18 months in the making.

“This is really exciting for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it shows that we are beginning to overcome the export challenges that came about as a result of the GFC – people are becoming more confident around starting new business ventures,” Mr Harding said.

“Secondly, it shows that a home grown performance vehicle can find niche markets in a variety of international settings.”

Harvest Automobiles managing director, Daniel Au, said he had been familiar with HSV for a long time and believed the deal was a great opportunity for both brands.

“I am very confident that the car culture of Singapore will be very excited about this niche offering, and I have already sold my first allocation of vehicles,” Mr Au said.

Despite the early interest, the Harvest boss stopped short of setting a sales target for 2011.

“For the first 12 months it will be all about getting the brand established and delivering great service. We believe there is significant scope to grow as long as we deliver a premium sales and service experience,” he said.

“Our clients know HSV is a niche vehicle, and expect the special attention that comes with this type of purchase. We are gearing ourselves up to deliver.”

The new brand will be launched this weekend at the Changi Exhibition Centre, with driver training sessions and V8 Supercar rides with Greg Murphy and Garth Tander.

The vehicles will go on display in Harvest Automobiles showrooms from Monday.

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Dave S

Well done HSV
Cranky Franky

I wonder if the Singapore bogans will put Chev badges on them also
- j
  
  I believe they’re called “Ah Bengs”.
  
  What if they go the other way and put Vauxhall/Opel badges on it?
  - Cranky Franky
    
    I suppose that’s a possibility. Either would work
- thomas
  
  I heard in Singapore, they are going on sales as Daewoo. LOL
  - http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7709953372 North Shore people are shallow snobs
    
    Well one would certainly think so based on the ghastly styling of this bloated-pig-esque vehicle.
    
    In Sydney, I had the discomfort of seeing one of these in the western suburbs whilst purchasing a new récamier. They serve little purpose other than to facilitate the easy identification of the cashed-up-bogan whilst driving. I find this very important as this calibre of driver tends to make erratic lane changes without use of turn signals, and excessively speed up through orange traffic lights at as much as 20 km/h above the posted speed limit.
- Kaiju Fan
  
  Bogans don’t buy HSV’s… bogans buy cars that they feel elevates their status in society, you don’t do that with an HSV. HSV’s are for people who know what a good performance car/deal is.
Roadtard

Please export every last one of these ugly E2/E3′s!
- Mainman
  
  Hows that ugly?
  Its a HSV not a FPV.
  - Bluboy
    
    bro u must be blind,E2&E3 are the ugliest sedans i’ve ever seen.FPV are 10 times better this crap!
    - Dave S
      
      FPV 10x more bland HSV.
      XR8 or FPV – who can tell?
      No one will mistake a Holden for a HSV.
      - Joker
        
        Dave S, right you are….for all the wrong reasons.
Mainman

If you don’t like the cars why do you click on the link?
Some people.
- Cranky Franky
  
  Because I can
  - Mainman
    
    What a hero.
paulo

Awwww, shuks, youse guys are funny…
Frenchie

These things will be expensive in Singapore. They tax the life out of vehicles greater than 3.0L.
- Myke
  
  Yep, they will cost the equivalent of about AUD$320,000 in Singapore. All cars regardless of engine size are taxed considerably, a Mazda 2 would cost around AUD$80,000. It gives you some perspective, people complain cars are too expensive here.
  - MattW
    
    Yeh the tax is ridiculous, makes Australia look pretty good in comparison. Plus you need the 10 year permit just to have a car on the road… I’d be surprised if they sell many of these hideous things
Warren

I think that any export deal for an Australian manufacture is great. Well done to HSV. Toyota also do well with the Camry twins and Holden do some business with the Commodore (under Chevrolet), so why when there would be no dealer issues is the Ford Falcon not being sold OS in the RHD markets? Holden have proved there is a market for the large RWD car?
bangel

Whats the point no where to exceed 100k in singapore , and who would want a boring crummer any way .
- ANdyDandy
  
  Just becoz they can bangel. Every other car in Singapore is a useless V8, AMG, M-series, Ferrari, Turbocharged and Supercharged depreciation sinkholes.
  
  And in any case, those true car owners go across the border into Malaysia and let their engines rip up the tarmac all the way to Thailand.
QueenMojo

I have seen a Commodore in Singapore in 2005 badged as the Chevrolet Lumina. So they would be badged as a Chevvy. But who the hell would pay over SGD$200,000 for the car? My friend paid AUD$130,000 for a base model Audi A4 over there and I presume the HSV would be priced beyond that! Crazy!
Bob

God that’s one ugly looking car!
Shak

Its funny that so many armchair experts are saying the price will kill this initiative, but HSV have already sold all of their first shipment.
- gms
  
  WRONG WRONG WRONG shak
Chucky

Cars are so expensive in Singapore because the Government puts a huge tax on them. Cars are expensive in Australia mainly because the car manufacturers think they can get away with price gouging us. Although its mostly the European manufacturers who are guilty of this.
Dennis

Singapore’s income tax ranges from 0% to 20%. And 20% is at $320,000!!!

GST is at 7%

That’s why cars and such are expensive…
Bimmer M5

That is ugliest HSV ever..
- Dave S
  
  Upset, they can keep up with your M5?
  
  And as we know BMW owners know ugly, Thanks again BMW for the X6 and the 5 GT. Two great examples of money cant buy taste.
  - Mainman
    
    dave s you are right, I have nightmares about the 5 GT.
    - Jabba the Hutt
      
      So true about the X6 Dave. There’s one up here and it is the most awkward design this side of a ssangyong. How can a company like BW get something so wrong? I thought they’d learnt after the Bangle mangle. Clearly not.
      
      Lot’s of HSV haters in here. I don’t like the styling of the new one but other than FPV you’ll be hard pressed to find better performance for your coin and the ride ain’t too shabby either. It will fit right in in Singapore. As someone said already, these cars are seldom driven by bogans or hoons. Like them or loathe them they are a status vehicle.
      
      I just HSV goes back to commonsense with the next styling upgrade. The daytime running lights look (and no doubt where) like an afterthought and the bonnets should have been shipped to the USA where they belong even if they were used for scrap metal at the end of it all.
Hector

Ford fan boys aside (and no i am not an HSV fan boy either) the E2/E3 does look a lot better in the flesh. they look fairly intimidating on the road as well when you come up alongside one

i still think HSV have failed by making this version look far too busy. both front and rear. there are just way too many vents and unfortunately this makes the body kit look cheap.

it should be less plastic, less vents, less busy. they’ve finally caught up with the interior though. the inside actually looks really good for this price.
http://www.caradvice.com.au Jim Goose senior

Where the hell in Singapore could you possibly enjoy the power and handling of one of these? They are obviously an open road car that needs to be unleashed,not stuck on a leash that is bumper to bumper traffic. That,combined with the excessive sales tax they pay means these things just make no sense in these places. I’ve been to Hong Kong which is very simular and there is just no room for cars like this,yet the public transport system is top notch.
- Shak
  
  I ask myself the same question everytime i see a Cayenne turbo or an AMG at my local school. People buy cars like this because of the status they give. In Singapore, these cars are seen as premium vehicles because they dont have to battle the “HSV=Bogan” stigma.
  - Tomas79
    
    The tacky appearance, the interior as well as the the fit and finish of this vehicle, will not fool anyone into thinking this is a premium vehicle!
- Igomi Watabi
  
  The traffic in Singapore’s not that bad, I reckon. I mean, I agree that there’s not a lot of point having such a car in Singapore (nor, in fact, in heavily-policed Australia), but, yeah, I’d just as happily drive a car in Singapore as in Sydney or Melbourne.
JAPH8R

HSV isnt bogan.
Bogan is a Holden VS Commodore Executive, with a Chev badge, a Clubsport bodykit, Kmart alloys, towbar, roobar and Harley headlamps.
- Tomas79
  
  Actually HSV is the cashed up bogans choice!!
- Dave S
  
  Lets not forget how many bogans are running around in 10year old jap imports – seems a lot these days.
  - Simo
    
    they adopted new religion called JDM maybe?
G Funk

real bogans can’t afford HSVs. they have to settle for SS Commonwhore’s draped in chevrolet badges.
Eric V

Is it too late to cancel the export of these hideously ugly monsters? As if the bodywork wasn’t ugly enough, look at the interior. What the hell were they thinking?
Sending them overseas will set back Australian exports by at least 20 years.
- Mainman
  
  Your no where buddy.
Sam

Half of these guys on here calling HSV a bogan car probably cry everynight dreaming of one, and wake up in the morning to drive their cheap crappy old cars. Yes you cant afford it, but dont hate it!