Holden to Cull Holden Commodore to Six Models?

[csv8]

Holden will take the red pen to its burgeoning Commodore range before the end of 2019, despite improving sales for the iconic nameplate.

With 15 variants currently available across two powertrains, three engines and two body styles, reports indicate that Holden's complex Commodore line-up will be pared down to best reflect its best-selling set by the end of the year.

After a slow start, the Commodore is selling more strongly than it has in recent months. In the face of a softening new car market and slumping passenger car sales, the Commodore has lifted to its best figures since its launch with 670 sold in May, and it remains the best-selling large sedan in the country.

However, it’s still around half of what Toyota’s medium-sized Camry sedan sells, and about a third of what Holden’s Colorado - the company’s best-selling model - does in a month.




Many brands across the spectrum are offering vastly simplified powertrain options to their customers, and Holden’s long-held strategy of offering a wide array of specs and options to suit multiple buying profiles – including fleet purchasers and private buyers – isn’t as effective when the sales volume isn’t there to support it.

WhichCar understands that the diesel variants – offered in the base model LT and luxury Calais – are first in the firing line, while the V6 version of the RS may also go in favour of the four-cylinder FWD version to simplify the ‘price walk’ between the various cars.

Similarly, we reckon the V6-powered RS-V may be culled in favour of the four-cylinder RS, while Holden will also be looking hard at the Calais/Calais-V pairing, with the latter likely to survive in its role as range-topper of the Commodore fleet. https://www.whichcar.com.au/car-news...ge-help-holden

[Sprintey]

Toyota Camry runs the midsize FWD Barter Town!

[blue sleeper]

They should just bin the V6 altogether it's not a great engine compared to it's rivals, given the platform it is on....

[au2000]

Just pull it all together

[Cav]

What happened to all those unsold cars?

Where are they parked?

Psst

Wanna buy a VW?

[prydey]

Spin machine alive and well, calling it the 'best selling large sedan' while calling the Camry 'medium'....

News flash. New Commodore isn't a large sedan.

It does sell ok compared to it's rivals, but just like the large segment, the medium segment is also out of favour with the punters.

[Dr Terry]

Originally Posted by prydey

Spin machine alive and well, calling it the 'best selling large sedan' while calling the Camry 'medium'....

News flash. New Commodore isn't a large sedan.

It does sell ok compared to it's rivals, but just like the large segment, the medium segment is also out of favour with the punters.

While you are correct, it's not Holden who classified it. The mob that record the sales (VFacts ?) are the culprits.

Commodore is classed by them as a "large" car, up against the Skoda Suberb & the Kia Stinger. The Camry is classed as a "medium" car up against the Skoda Octavia & the Mazda 6. IMHO these cars are all of a very similar size, but they must have a "technical definition" hidden somewhere.

Dr Terry

[Venomous1]

6 models then 2 models then no models.

[DJR-351]

Originally Posted by Venomous1

6 models then 2 models then no models.

It's known as a *cough* tactical advance away from the competition......

[MrZ]

Is the Commodore discontinued? I see that there are no 2019 Commodores in the country yet, even though we're now in July. Every single one being sold now is 2018 build. To me this says they've stopped imports?

[turbo4]

Originally Posted by MrZ

Is the Commodore discontinued? I see that there are no 2019 Commodores in the country yet, even though we're now in July. Every single one being sold now is 2018 build. To me this says they've stopped imports?

Well they did stop the imports, don't know if they've started receiving more.
Didn't they have thousands of unsold cars from last year to get rid of first?

[cheap]

I am yet to have seen 6 of these new commodores on the road let alone being told they’re reducing the range, time for GM to hoist the white flag.

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by cheap

I am yet to have seen 6 of these new commodores on the road let alone being told they’re reducing the range, time for GM to hoist the white flag.

I find it hard to believe that you wouldn't have seen more than 6, I see them everywhere, however, id believe that you haven't noticed many as to be fair they are extremely unassuming amongst the plethora of white goods on the roads today, particularly in base form.

[cheap]

I’m serious ... I see a lot of late model VF’s but zero new commodores. Zero around my Brisbane suburb and I’m currently in Sydney and zero seen here so far. FWIW Sydney seems to be the epicentre for late model BMW’s.

[BAWITHLOT]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

I find it hard to believe that you wouldn't have seen more than 6, I see them everywhere, however, id believe that you haven't noticed many as to be fair they are extremely unassuming amongst the plethora of white goods on the roads today, particularly in base form.

Unfortunately there is looking and seeing. Some people pay attention and then there are the others.

I like the ones with the "this is the new commodore" decals down the side and there is always couple in every carpark as they are a nice looking car ( just not really a commodore as its a hatchback)

[Fordman1]

Originally Posted by cheap

I am yet to have seen 6 of these new commodores on the road let alone being told they’re reducing the range, time for GM to hoist the white flag.

Yep, a few Rentals, and some fleet cars.

It’s going the way of the dinosaur.

[Franco Cozzo]

**** the 'Commodore' - RHD Silverado 1500 and forget the rest of the range

One car - family car, ute, V8, V6, I4T, covers all bases, fixes all problems, multi-tool

Looks tough as a $2 steak

https://www.chevrolet.com/trucks/sil...0-pickup-truck

[BA-XT]

I've seen some around... No more than 20. I think the new V6 Camary is nice. They are very unassuming, but I can't judge as I haven't driven one.

But yes, they maybe should have canned it and cashed it a day with the falcon.

[danzvtil]

Yesterday I had a Calais AWD V6 wagon for the day as a loan car, lots of toys and goes like stink, but the roof feels too low, the view out the windscreen feels like peering thru a mail slot. A quick google shows you can have one for mid forties which is great value, but unfortunately it’s not an SUV so it’s bound to fail.

[cheap]

I saw a new Commodore (and I wish I hadn't).

Commodore Wagon, looked like a rice grain on steroids - not a big seller I'd guess.

[MITCHAY]

They could cut it down to zero and no one would care less. Lucky there are heaps of real Commodores to last a long time.

[csv8]

Trax outsold Commodore in June.!

[TUF_302]

Originally Posted by csv8

Trax outsold Commodore in June.!

That made my day, thank you!

[jpd80]

Would it have really killed Holden to have hung in there
and done a VF 3 with upgraded engines and gearboxes...
I think not...

Life was simple and peaceful for holden before it decided to
try flogging Commodores to the USA and got noticed..

Local divisions did much better when they flew under the radar
and didn't get noticed...

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by jpd80

Would it have really killed Holden to have hung in there
and done a VF 3 with upgraded engines and gearboxes...
I think not...

Life was simple and peaceful for holden before it decided to
try flogging Commodores to the USA and got noticed..

Local divisions did much better when they flew under the radar
and didn't get noticed...

If they produced everything in house then quite possible, but with Ford pulling the pin it would be hard for suppliers to survive with smaller volume.

[prydey]

I don't think the Commodore is doing as bad as what the haters like to suggest. How does it compare to mondeo, mazda6, Hyundai sonata, kia octavia etc etc.

Can't comment on its profitability, but I see plenty around the place now and they aren't a bad looking car. Can't judge it on sales of previous Commodore because clearly it's a different car and the market place has changed. It's pure speculation that a vf3 would have performed any better long term. One thing is for sure, they weren't enough to justify local production.

Where it goes from here is anyone's guess. It's just another car in a sea of cars.

[pottery beige]

you will spot a vt with a fuel flap before spotting a zb

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by pottery beige

you will spot a vt with a fuel flap before spotting a zb

Birdwood mill doesn't count...

[prydey]

Originally Posted by pottery beige

you will spot a vt with a fuel flap before spotting a zb

I only spend about 1hr on the road each day and I reckon I see more zb's than fgx's. Not exactly a big claim,I know, but I do see at least one every day. More than I can say for mondeo as well.

[nstg8a]

I see more rams on the road than either fgx or zb.