While Holden’s VE Commodore will still be coming to the U.S. in the form of the Pontiac G8, it looks doubtful that any other Holden models will make it to our shores. Holden’s export program has been put on hold due to the high value of the Australian dollar, essentially killing rumors that the VE Commodore Ute will emerge in the U.S. market as a new Chevrolet El Camino or Pontiac model.
Bringing the car-based Ute to the U.S. would mean pricing it out of the market or outsourcing its production to keep costs down, something GM’s Vice Chairman, Bob Lutz, says is out of the question.
Plans to import roughly 50,000 Pontiac G8s remains unchanged, although margins on the cars will be slim. Holden currently exports about half of its annual production and was hoping to gain a foothold in the U.S. market.
Holden is also developing the 2009 Chevrolet Camaro.
09/17, 8:41 AM
posted by:
Deanster
Although the El Camino was a quirky in its day, now is not the time to play around with two-door pickups based on sedans. It’s dog-eat-dog out there, and the American three are getting slaughtered because they can’t even get the basics right.
So far, nary a competitor to the 3-series in sight (don’t say CTS it’s xxxxing twice as large), no crossover that will properly take on the Murano or Hyundai’s entries, and no well-designed, efficient compact that is actually interesting to drive.
They need to abandon stupid ideas like this and fix their core lineups.
09/17, 8:45 AM
posted by:
RicardoHead
Deanster, addressing the core lineup is what the Jeep Compass is all about!
09/17, 8:55 AM
posted by:
MY Si
looks like the UTE is going to stay down under.
09/17, 10:10 AM
posted by:
lamboz get a life
Though I would agree this is a stupid idea, how exactly is GM getting slaugtered??
Deanster is best friends with Tripleonefive.
The Murano, big discounts right now, never a big seller due to styling that not everyone wants, though, yes, nice vehicle.
09/17, 10:27 AM
posted by:
Fletch
Had a chance to sit in and check out a Commedore at a supplier down in Mexico. It’s an attractive sedan, smaller than a 300C. I’m not sure GM will sell 50,000 units at the price they will want for them though.
09/17, 11:31 AM
posted by:
jonnycat
All 50,000 units will be gone in no time. There’s a large demand for the G8.
09/17, 12:48 PM
posted by:
Scarface03
Agree that El Camino is a bad, bad idea. It was last on the scene when SUVs/CUVs weren’t. Besides, hasn’t GM learned its lessons with the quirky SSR.
Disagree with Deanster about the 3-series and CTS. Yes, the CTS is bigger, but the price puts it squarely as a competitor of the 3-series. The G35 and Acura TL are closer to interior volume to a 5-series, but they’re almost never compared to the 5-series because of their price.
Agree though that stupid ideas should be abandoned and the core line up refined.
09/17, 1:37 PM
posted by:
TOZO
Ute or El Camino! Ridiculous. And its a pickup that is not from NAFTA, so add a 25% chicken tax to that piece of crap.
09/17, 1:49 PM
posted by:
inline6
The Ute could work if they were able to sell only 15-25k of them/year at a profit.
But my bigger issue with this post is that GMNA is going to be building Zetas at Oshawa once that plant’s done with the old W-platform. The G8 being imported is only a temporary measure.
So once GM converts Oshawa, would could have the Ute in this market. Again, it would have limited appeal, especially if offered without 4wd. But it would have some appeal.
09/17, 2:15 PM
posted by:
67_L-88
Though the El Camino likely wouldn’t have been a high seller, it at least would have been a sweet ride. Great for turning heads, and a good cruiser. I actually have a buddy who probably would have bought one.
09/17, 2:28 PM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
They should bring back the El Camino.
The “G35″ and “TL” are never compared to the 5-series because the 5-series is a Luxury car
09/17, 3:17 PM
posted by:
Commodore
Good, I think the Ute was a bad idea..it’s cool, but it wouldn’t sell.
I still support an SS-V, pimped out, expensive limited edition
09/17, 3:48 PM
posted by:
Deanster
For the homos that think I’m talking ****, witness the stupid Chevy SSR. What a joke. I’ve seen 3 in my lifetime.
09/17, 4:22 PM
posted by:
Commodore
Well where do you live deanster? california?
09/17, 11:56 PM
posted by:
Kiwiguy
Stop bitching you two!!
anyway these holdens are absolute crap, weve had to suffer them down here for long enough, you can’t even pick up a magasine without this or the falcon having the front cover dedicated to itself!! as far as i’m concerened they are big, crude, un-sofisticated tanks. you can have them all if you want!!
09/22, 10:17 AM
posted by:
BLISS
I HOPE THINGS PICK UP SOON AS POSSIBLE.