New Holden vans to challenge HiAce, Transit and Co

The company revealed last October that more than a third of its future product line-up would comprise vehicles imported from European sister brand Opel.

These will include passenger cars such as the Astra, Insignia and Cascada, though Holden knows it needs to be more competitive in the commercial vehicle sector beyond the Colorado ute.

Holden sold the fourth-highest number of light commercial vehicles in 2014, with 23,644 units, it trailed Mitsubishi (24,260) and Ford (30,220), while it was a long way behind Toyota’s 54,706 units.

Holden is studying a four-strong Vauxhall/Opel range of vans, where it can choose from the likes of the Corsavan (pictured below), Combo, Vivaro (main image) and Movano.

The first- and second-generation Combos, based on the Opel/Vauxhall Corsa, were previously sold here as Holdens, and the latest version (pictured below) – now based on the Fiat Doblo Cargo – would seem a logical target to take on the likes of the VW Caddy Van and Renault Kangoo.

A Corsavan, still based on the (three-door) Corsa, is also available, though offers a smaller cargo capacity than the Combo.

The 2.5- to 3.5-tonne van segment is the big one for Holden to nail, however, with nearly 16,000 sales in 2014 and featuring popular nameplates such as the Ford Transit Custom, Toyota HiAce, Hyundai iLoad and Volkswagen Transporter.

The Opel/Vauxhall Vivaro is built at Vauxhall’s Luton plant in the UK, though is based heavily on the Renault Trafic.

Vivaro is divided into Panel Van, Doublecab and Combi varieties.

The Panel Van comes in a choice of two wheelbases and two roof heights, and features a front bench that can accommodate two passengers.

Doublecab operates as more of a people-mover, capable of seating up to six people and featuring two glazed sliding rear doors for easy access.

The Vivaro Combi can seat up to nine, and its three-seat benches in the second and third rows can both be removed if loading space is a priority. Combi comes in both standard and long-wheelbase formats.

Opel and Vauxhall’s Movano (above) continues the General Motors/Renault link by being based on the Master and would provide Holden with an entry into heavy vans to challenge the Volkswagen Crafter, Renault Master, Ford Transit and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.

In Europe the model that has a gross vehicle mass of up to 4500kg comes in a broad range of body styles – double cab, chassis cab, crew cab, platform cab – offering a range of load lengths, roof heights and drivetrains.

It includes a 17-seater bus option if Holden even wanted to consider taking on the (21-seater) Toyota Coaster.

Read CarAdvice's Holden showroom 2020 feature for a full guide to the wide variety of imported models the company is targeting to help it overtake Toyota in the sales race.