GM Holden Denies Decision on Commodore Replacement

Either somebody jumped the gun or the left hand doesn’t know what the right hand is doing.

Holden New Zealand says it has shown dealers the large sedan that will replace the Australia-made Commodore when General Motors ends production in Australia in 2017. But GM Holden in Australia insists no decision on a Commodore replacement has been made.

Holden New Zealand Managing Director Jeff Murray says the large sedan may even retain the Commodore badge, with the New Zealand Herald newspaper quoting him as saying a decision on the name will be made “in six to eight months.”

The vehicle will come from either Opel Europe or GM in the U.S., but Murray won’t say which one.

The replacement will be one of three large front-wheel-drive sedans available overseas, he says, and also will be available as a wagon. “We all know the (rear-wheel-drive) Commodore is disappearing but we will be replacing it with a Commodore-sized vehicle,” Murray says.

Murray was speaking to New Zealand motoring media before the Australasian launch of the 1.4L turbo Holden Trax compact SUV in Melbourne.

The Commodore is to have one final facelift next year before its 2017 demise.

Fairfax New Zealand media reports dealers were briefed on the large-car replacement and were sworn to secrecy.

“It might be a Cadillac, a Buick or an Opel,” the chain quotes Murray as saying. “But I am not saying any more. It is all highly confidential at this time.”

But GM Holden Chairman and Managing Director Gerry Dorizas refuses to confirm a Commodore replacement has been selected. “We’re looking at future product but there’s still a long way to go,” he says.

“General Motors has a very good product portfolio, and we will pick the best that will align with consumer needs.”

Media speculation is GM is keeping the replacement decision under its hat for fear an announcement would undermine sales of the current Commodore as would-be buyers await the arrival of the incoming model.

Speculation focuses on the Buick LaCrosse, which is about the same size as the Commodore and is being built in China; the Chevrolet Impala, which comes with a choice of 2.5 and 3.6L V-6 engines; and the European-built Opel Insignia, offered in sedan and wagon configurations.