GMHolden dumps Astra

[phillyc]

Well, it's been speculated recently. Appears much closer to reality. In fact, i'd say it's true, just GMHolden in denial...

http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/Ar...rticleID=62948

Might make sense to concentrate on Cruze, but it confirms that GMH are massively short on cash.

Also, giving up 600-1200 cars a month isn't good for them. Not expecting Cruze to take up all the slack of Viva & Astra.

So, I will repeat a post of mine from another thread. "Ford will outsell GMHolden on a monthly basis by year's end. But not outsell for the calender year."

PS The new Astra looks very good.

[vztrt]

And this is what will replace it.

http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...2575BB00214969

Pricing

2009 Holden Cruze range pricing:
CD 1.8 $20,990
CD 1.8 (a) $23,290
CD 2.0 Diesel $23,990
CD 2.0 Diesel (a) $25,990
CDX 1.8 $23,990
CDX 1.8 (a) $25,990

[R-Design]

Originally Posted by phillyc

Also, giving up 600-1200 cars a month isn't good for them. Not expecting Cruze to take up all the slack of Viva & Astra.

Cruze is Sedan only until Australian manufacture. It's really going to hurt Holden in this Segment, which from memory is dominated by hatchbacks.

[Eu-GenixX]

thats not a bad looking car..

didn't holden have a 'cruze' a little while ago... looked like a midget 4wd?

[phillyc]

Originally Posted by Eu-GenixX

didn't holden have a 'cruze' a little while ago... looked like a midget 4wd?

Yes. It was a Suzuki Ignis.

[Bucknaked]

Originally Posted by phillyc

Yes. It was a Suzuki Ignis.

http://www.webwombat.com.au/motoring.../4_06_hold.htm

It's completely different to the original. Looks 10 times better.

[barbarian]

Originally Posted by phillyc

Might make sense to concentrate on Cruze, but it confirms that GMH are massively short on cash.

:baby bott

[Gaz]

the exchange rate?

the AUD is up again the Pound and about steady against the Euro? the euro is currently .56 and its only ever been as high at .63 or something over the last few years....

Someone is just plain out of cash.

(that is unless their using a different currency, but assuming its a euro car their not paying USD? or maybe they are? Even then the USD is back up to .76

[eb2fairmont]

Well 3 versions of deltaII don't cut it. cruze, "torana" and astra.

My bet is on the local version of the cruze being an australianised astra (the one thats just ben released in europe

[smciner1]

Would this mean the end for the HSV VXR also?

[Martys-Bionic-XR]

geez the new cruze looks like garbage.

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by smciner1

Would this mean the end for the HSV VXR also?

You could get the Walkinshaw s/c clubby.

[4Vman]

Originally Posted by smciner1

Would this mean the end for the HSV VXR also?

Did they sell any???!!!

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by 4Vman

Did they sell any???!!!

2-300 a year apparently.

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showpos...02&postcount=9

[4Vman]

Originally Posted by vztrt

2-300 a year apparently.

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showpos...02&postcount=9

Huh?
this one?

http://www.hsv.com.au/vxr/index.asp

id be amazed if they've 50 in total.

[barra240t]

The Cruze is a good package starting from 21k, check out todays goauto. Its actually a bit worrying.

Pros- 6 airbags, ESC, ABS, EBD- 5 star ANCAP, on paper good power outputs on petrol and diesel engines, big boot. If you go auto it is a 6spd auto.

Cons- Korean (which people are accepting e.g Kia and Hyundai), torsion beam rear, a bit bland looking but not ugly.

[Mr Hardware]

Cruze.. MORE LIKE CAMIRA

[GTP-814]

dead set ugly, just like it's brother......Tom

[vztrt]

Here's the first drive.....by Drive.

http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/Ar...3&vf=0&IsPgd=0

First drive: Holden Cruze
Toby Hagon, drive.com.au, May 19, 2009

The Cruze is crucial to the future of Holden. Does it live up to the hype?

It’s no secret the new Holden Cruze is a crucial car for Holden.

Not only is it the basis for the new small car that will be built alongside the Commodore from 2010, but it also has the job of replacing the long established Astra and the more affordable Viva. Whereas the Astra was known for its European feel and strong driving dynamics, the Korean-sourced Viva was more about value.

The Cruze has to perform both duties.

Like the Viva, it’s sourced from the Daewoo factory in Korea. Some may immediately be turned off by the thought, but Holden was at pains to point out the Cruze is a globally designed small car designed to suit tastes as far reaching as Australia, Asia and America.

While the Cruze may be produced and designed in Korea, the team that coordinated its development was based in Germany. Australian designers and engineers had crucial input to everything from the stance of the car and its wide track to the tuning of the suspension and automatic transmission.

“In many ways the Australian input became the default setting,” said one engineer to Drive.

In the same way as Hyundai’s i30 was a huge step up from cars before it in terms of interior presentation, sitting inside the Cruze reveals a more upmarket vibe.

The steering wheel is chunky and tactile, the front seat has more legroom than most people will come close to using and the dash of the entry-level Cruze CD has an interesting mesh weave on it in lieu of grained plastic. Good seat adjustability, too, means taller drivers can sit down in the cabin, rather than feeling perched on the seat.

The stubby manual gearlever is almost sporty in its presentation. Not so the optional automatic transmission selector, which sits unnaturally high. The manual also misses out on a driver’s footrest; it was omitted to improve crash safety and help the Cruze achieve the maximum five-star rating for independent NCAP testing.

Initial impressions of the Cruze are generally positive, although there are some caveats.

Interior space is impressive and the layout friendly enough, although – like the outside – there may be too much fake chrome for some tastes. The buttons and dials are arranged in a tall feature that dominates the silver-flecked dash.

The boot is also deep and wide, although the space-sucking gooseneck hinges Holden took so long to replace in the Commodore are back in the Cruze.

The 1.8-litre engine – it’s expected to account for about 90 per cent of sales – looks OK on paper, with 104kW and 176Nm of torque. But the Cruze is one of the bigger small cars around, so weighs around 1.4 tonnes.

Compounding the performance gap to some competitors is the realisation many now come with gruntier 2.0-litre engines.

So the Cruze can feel a little underwhelming in the lower rev range. It’s not sluggish, but it’s not as perky as some others.

When revved, the engine is also a little coarse and noisy as it works hard to build pace.

Holden argues the 1.8 was chosen partly for its fuel economy – the petrol Cruse uses a claimed average 7.0 litres per 100km in manual guise.

The manual gearbox could be sharper in its feel, but its selections and operation are viceless.

The six-speed auto is a smooth performer, gently slurring changes and maximising the use of its class-leading number of ratios. Only during hustled changes does the mild hesitation between gears become more noticeable.

For those looking for something even more frugal, the diesel will be more appealing. It uses as little as 5.7L/100km, which equates to as much as 19 per cent less than the petrol model.

The diesel engine also makes more power and torque than its petrol counterpart; 110kW and a hearty 320Nm.

Teamed to the five-speed manual it requires a quick change from first to second to start utilising all that torque. Once the turbo is spinning (beyond about 1500rpm it’s working effectively) there’s ample urge to climb hills or overtake.

But it’s the six-speed auto that makes better sense with the turbo diesel engine. It’s adept at harnessing the engine’s torque and offering smooth shifts.

Only from a standstill does the diesel automatic falter, hesitating momentarily too long as it musters the energy to get moving.

We didn’t get to put the Cruze comprehensively through its paces dynamically, but early signs suggest it’s a decent contender.

Steering has reasonable feel in a straight line, progressively loading up through corners. It’s respectably light during parking manoeuvres, too.

Suspension is relatively composed while maintaining a comfortable ride over country roads.

Kumho tyres offered better cornering grip that we expected, although we’ll reserve judgement until we’ve tested the Cruze on our own roads and (hopefully) in the wet.

While our drive was relatively brief, it was enough to learn the Cruze is impressively quiet. Holden has put a lot of work into door seals and insulation to keep unwanted noise from dominating the cabin ambience.

The Cruze is certainly a competent small car that delivers on space and value.

But it’s up against some tough competition in one of the hardest fought categories in the world.

Holden Cruze CD

Price: $20,990 (man), $22,990 (auto)
Engine: 1.8-litre 4-cylinder
Power: 104kW at 6200rpm
Torque: 176Nm at 3800rpm
Transmission: 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic, front-wheel-drive
Fuel use: 7.0L/100km (man), 7.5L/100km (auto)
CO2 emissions: 166g/km (man), 179g/km (auto)
Safety: 5-star crash rating, 6 airbags, stability control
Standard equipment: Cruise control, trip computer, power windows.

Holden Cruze CDX

Price: $23,990 (man), $25,990 (auto)
Engine: 1.8-litre 4-cylinder
Power: 104kW at 6200rpm
Torque: 176Nm at 3800rpm
Transmission: 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic, front-wheel-drive
Fuel use: 7.0L/100km (man), 7.5L/100km (auto)
CO2 emissions: 166g/km (man), 179g/km (auto)
Safety: 5-star crash rating, 6 airbags, stability control
Equipment: As per CD, plus: 17-inch alloy wheels, front foglights, leather trim, heated front seats, rear parking sensors

Holden Cruze CD diesel

Price: $23,990 (man), $25,990 (auto)
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder
Power: 110kW at 4000rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 2000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic, front-wheel-drive
Fuel use: 5.7L/100km (man), 6.8L/100km (auto)
CO2 emissions: 149g/km (man), 180g/km (auto)
Safety: 5-star crash rating, 6 airbags, stability control
Standard equipment: Cruise control, trip computer, power windows.

[R-Design]

Last line sums it up, close but no cigar.

[Road_Warrior]

Personally I think it looks like a bashed crab, but hey that's just me.

[Mr Hardware]

what, you look like a bashed crab too?

ie i reckon my car looks stylish, but that's just me: stylish!

[Road_Warrior]

lol, no, I'm more of a crayfish person.

[Mr Hardware]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

lol, no, I'm more of a crayfish person.

[XR6_190]

It is really showing that GMH are struggling, they bring out their new wiz bang model, and it is already about 3 or 4 years past it's use by date, a 6 speed auto and free safety gear won't help it when the new Focus, Megane etc are released. The Cruze will look like any other boring old korean car. That said though, no doubt it will sell better than any other small car, because it's a Holden, and despite how bad they are, Holden's will always sell.

[Daymoe]

I quite like the look of it, for $20K it seems like a lot of car for the cash.

[Mongoose]

But really, wouldnt you just save another 2k and buy yourself a lancer/impreza? That are better all round, and will have some decent resale value?

[R-Design]

More Holden Cruze propaganda, and a never say never on the return of Astra.


http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...2575C100817691