Demise of the Commodore name?

[andrewslr]

A random thought for consideration.

With the demise of local production and a subsequent Holden large car to be imported from the US, Europe or Korea, how would the LS1 community feel if the 'Commodore' name plate was also to be dropped in favour of something else?

[Aus8]

Extremely supportive of the name dropping. The imported FWD car is not and should not be called a Commodore.

[andrewslr]

For my part I agree with you Aus8. If it is a RWD or even AWD replacement, Commodore stays. FWD opens up new possibilities.

[crisis]

Pretty much going to be as bigger change as it was from Kingswood to Commodore so the name should change. Any attempt by GM management to continue the name on a front drive import would be cynical. New Holdens are going to be as generic as a Camry. Not looking forward to it. :(

[planetdavo]

The thread a few months ago about the dropping of local production pretty much confirmed that most people were against the re-use of "Commodore" on a non-RWD car.
As it stands though, I'd be very surprised if even half the new market was aware the current Commodore was rear wheel drive to begin with...

[crisis]

Indeed, which is inherent in the whole issue really.

[amckiwi]

Calling it a Holden is also cynical!
Stu

[tom_holden]

Still got some mixed feelings about it. Something tells me that there could something great behind it all but I kind of want it to stay the same.

Some people just fear changes.

[Smitty]

The thread a few months ago about the dropping of local production pretty much confirmed that most people were against the re-use of "Commodore" on a non-RWD car.
As it stands though, I'd be very surprised if even half the new market was aware the current Commodore was rear wheel drive to begin with...


well I bet the 40% of Commodore buyers who purchase V8 versions (in any model) are aware its rear wheel drive :)

[redvxr8clubby]

The thread a few months ago about the dropping of local production pretty much confirmed that most people were against the re-use of "Commodore" on a non-RWD car.
As it stands though, I'd be very surprised if even half the new market was aware the current Commodore was rear wheel drive to begin with...

As far as 6 Cyl buyers go, how many are actually private buyers, fleets might generally be moving away from Commodore, but I think a lot of 6's are sold to rental companies, I think a lot of SV6's on the used market are ex rentals (I have an ex rental SV6 myself). This makes me wonder how many V6's are actually sold to private buyers.

[planetdavo]

well I bet the 40% of Commodore buyers who purchase V8 versions (in any model) are aware its rear wheel drive :)

Of course.

[planetdavo]

As far as 6 Cyl buyers go, how many are actually private buyers, fleets might generally be moving away from Commodore, but I think a lot of 6's are sold to rental companies, I think a lot of SV6's on the used market are ex rentals (I have an ex rental SV6 myself). This makes me wonder how many V6's are actually sold to private buyers.

SV6 is the favourite private buyer Commodore. Brand new.

[Smitty]

SV6 is the favourite private buyer Commodore. Brand new.

and a fave with us fleet buyers (both sedan and wagon) since Holden knifed the Berlina and caused its demise.
a rep gets an EVOKE so what does one do with a line Manager (when his boss is in a Calais)? an SV6 of course :)

just had this dilemma with a couple of cars to be replaced in Brisbane which i am about to purchase
... the rep is getting the EVOKE, the product manager the SV6 (to replace an Omega and Berlina respectively)

[planetdavo]

and a fave with us fleet buyers (both sedan and wagon) since Holden knifed the Berlina and caused its demise.
a rep gets an EVOKE so what does one do with a line Manager (when his boss is in a Calais)? an SV6 of course :)

just had this dilemma with a couple of cars to be replaced in Brisbane which i am about to purchase
... the rep is getting the EVOKE, the product manager the SV6 (to replace an Omega and Berlina respectively)

A popular used model usually means happier fleet operators...;)

[sjhugh]

Drop the Commodore name and replace it with Kingswood.

[SUPERH2377]

drop the name and start fresh
that way it may add value later in life

[Angeldust]

i also think they should drop it if the replacement car is not in the spirit of the commodore.

[redvxr8clubby]

I'm not sure it's going to make much difference what they call it, I think their sales are going to go way down. If the car is being downsized, the mid size segment isn't selling in big numbers either. I guess sales will split into the V8 offering whatever that may be, and the V6 offering. Overall I think it will be reduced numbers. They are certainly going to have to offer something very good to have any chance of keeping good numbers. If you look at the next segment down from Commodore, Holden has never done very well. Malibu back to Epica and the Vectra - none of them ever sold very well, maybe the first Vectra series didn't sell to badly, but after that anything in the last 10 years have been pretty dismal sellers. Since about 2006 the Korean offerings in the Holden lineup are pretty average. Even in todays newspaper (Carsguide), someone wrote in about advice for a replacement car for a 2012 Cruze with 70,000 km, looking to replace it due to servicing costs being too high.

[Drewie]

drop the name and start fresh
that way it may add value later in life

Tend to agree, the name Commodore has been around a long time and unfortunately it seems to have become tarred with the Bogan tag.

[jc_sv8]

Drop the car, Drop the name.
A Commodore is a Commodore, not a Camry.

[tom_holden]

Could work. It is sad that Commodore used to be really good but seeing the latest ones, I know most of you will say that it isn't and I will agree with you. Still hard to let go for me because Commodore just sounds so classic but a new name might mean newer car styles which everyone will love.

[Woodchukka]

Even if it is RWD or 4WD I say drop the Commodore name. No longer made in Australia no longer a Commodore. Or a Kingswood for that matter...

[crazymaso]

Extremely supportive of the name dropping. The imported FWD car is not and should not be called a Commodore.

I agree 100% with this.

Any car named a commodore that is not RWD would just feel..odd.