Holden Epica CDX now $25,990 drive-away

[Hamico]

The Epica is now $25,990 drive-away. Most small cars are this price or more after you add on road costs, and with fuel prices sky rocketing, it makes the Epica a very attractive deal........


http://www.holden.com.au/www-holden/action/vehicleentry?vehicleid=31


http://www.holden.com.au/www-holden/action/latestofferscontent?regionId=1&offerId=657


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Vehicle Summary:

Four-door sedan body style; RHD and GM V
1,993 cc 2.0 liters in-line 6 engine with 75.0 mm bore, 75.2 mm stroke, 10.2 compression ratio, double overhead cam and four valves per cylinder engine code
Multi-point injection fuel system
Manual five-speed transmission with shift lever on floor manual
Front-wheel drive
Seating: five seats
Luxury trim alloy look on center floor console, alloy look on doors and alloy look on dashboard
Front seats and rear seats cup holders fixed
Air conditioning
Front power windows with one one-touch, rear power windows
Power steering
Four-wheel ABS
Electronic traction control via ABS & engine management
Six speaker(s)
Cruise control
Tachometer
Gloss paint
Chrome/bright trim around side windows
65 liter, 17.2 gallon main fuel tank for premium unleaded 14.3
Performance:
Fuel economy ADR 81/00: 8.2
Remote power locks


Vehicle Specifications:

General: Trim level: CDX
Charges: VAT GST (10%), Registration Tax LCT (25%), 2,362.73 and 0.00
Four-door sedan body style; RHD and GM V
Paint warranty: duration (months): 36 or distance (miles): 62,100, distance (km): 100,000
Variable delivery charges:
Powertrain warranty: duration (months): 36 or distance (miles): 62,100, distance (km): 100,000
Full car warranty: duration (months): 36 or distance (miles): 62,100, distance (km): 100,000
Anticorrosion warranty: duration (months): 36 or distance (miles): 62,100, distance (km): 100,000
Road-side assistance warranty: duration (months): 12 or distance (miles): Unlimited, distance (km): Unlimited

Comfort: Clock
Element antenna
Seating: five seats
Six speaker(s)
Bucket reclining driver seat with fore/aft adjustment, height adjustment, lumbar adjustment and tilt adjustment, bucket reclining passenger seat
Three asymmetrical bench front facing rear seats with zero adjustments
Tachometer
Front seats and rear seats cup holders fixed
Luxury trim alloy look on center floor console, alloy look on doors and alloy look on dashboard
Audio system with AM/FM and CD player CD player reads MP3
Driver and passenger power partial-painted door mirrors indicator lights
Manual five-speed transmission with shift lever on floor manual
Front power windows with one one-touch, rear power windows
Driver and passenger vanity mirror
Cruise control
Power steering
Front reading lights
Plastic multi-function steering wheel with tilt adjustment
Cloth seat upholstery with additional cloth
12v power outlet: front
Air conditioning
Ventilation system with micro filter
Steering wheel mounted remote audio controls
Dashboard

Safety: Four-wheel ABS
Four disc brakes including two ventilated discs
Remote power locks
Front side airbag
Driver and passenger front airbag
3-point reel rear seat belts on driver side, passenger side and center side
Height adjustable 3-point reel front seat belts on driver seat and passenger seat with pre-tensioners
Crash test results ANCAP
Isofix preparation
Electronic traction control via ABS & engine management
Electronic brake distribution

Exterior: Gloss paint
Front and rear alloy wheels with 16 inch rim diam and 6.0 inch rim width
Body color front and rear bumpers
Projector beam lens halogen bulb headlights
Rear window
Spacesaver steel rim internal spare wheel
Rear view mirror
Headlight control with dusk sensor
Chrome/bright trim around side windows
Part galvanized non-corrosive body

Performance Premium unleaded fuel with additional unleaded 95 octane, 91, unleaded and 91
Front-wheel drive
Power: 105 kW , 143 HP EEC @ 6,400 rpm; , 195 Nm @ 2,600 rpm
1,993 cc 2.0 liters in-line 6 engine with 75.0 mm bore, 75.2 mm stroke, 10.2 compression ratio, double overhead cam and four valves per cylinder engine code
Strut front suspension independent with stabilizer bar and coil springs, multi-link rear suspension independent with stabilizer bar and coil springs
Multi-point injection fuel system
Performance:
Fuel economy ADR 81/00: 8.2
Fuel consumption: ADR 81/01, combined (l/100km): 8.2, combined (mpg): 29, 12.2 and 34
Emission control level - carbon dioxide level (g/km): 205

Dimensions Weights: curb weight (kg): 1,452, curb weight (lbs): 3,201, gross trailer weight braked (kg): 1,200, gross trailer weight braked (lbs): 2,646, gross trailer weight unbraked (kg): 700 and gross trailer weight unbraked (lbs): 1,543
65 liter, 17.2 gallon main fuel tank for premium unleaded 14.3
Cargo capacity: rear seat up; to lower window (liters): 480 and rear seat up; to lower window (cu ft): 17.0
External dimensions: overall length (mm): 4,805, overall length (inches): 189.2, overall width (mm): 1,810, overall width (inches): 71.3, overall height (mm): 1,450, overall height (inches): 57.1, wheelbase (mm): 2,700, wheelbase (inches): 106.3, front track (mm): 1,550, front track (inches): 61.0, rear track (mm): 1,545 and rear track (inches): 60.8
Internal dimensions: front headroom (mm): 998, front headroom (inches): 39.3, rear headroom (mm): 962, rear headroom (inches): 37.9, front leg room (mm): 1,072, front leg room (inches): 42.2, rear leg room (mm): 960, rear leg room (inches): 37.8, front shoulder room (mm): 1,443, front shoulder room (inches): 56.8, rear shoulder room (mm): 1,430 and rear shoulder room (inches): 56.3

[GPT]

Still $5000 too dear.

A very ordinary car, don't know why they bothered with the 6cyl its hopeless.

[BigFella]

more price reductions means poor sales.... and very very poor resale value!

[Danv8]

The Epica is as popular as a dog turd sandwitch.

[G4mbl3r]

im not sold on the epica either.. id rather a second hand VY SS

[Hamico]

With fuel prices sky rocketing again, the Epica is looking a great deal though, and is about $12,000 to $15,000 cheaper than a base Commodore sedan on the road, drive-away.

I can see the Epica sales increasing as a result.

You only have to look at the Barina, every time Holden do deals on the Barina sales take off.

.

[Marco]

It's good value at $25k driveaway, but you'd need to pay more and get the 2.5 litre version to have any hope of keeping up with the traffic. I mean really, it's a 105kW engine pushing a 1450kg car.

Then again, if you wanted a big, comfy car and cared not for performance, this could be your car.

[ACUZED]

With fuel prices sky rocketing again, the Epica is looking a great deal though, and is about $12,000 to $15,000 cheaper than a base Commodore sedan on the road, drive-away.

I can see the Epica sales increasing as a result.

You only have to look at the Barina, every time Holden do deals on the Barina sales take off.

.

hey hamico u looking at buyin one ? if ya do let us kno how they go... couple of people i kno are looking at buying them... would like to know ur thoughts on the pros and cons of the epica they seem like a nice tidy package to me...

[dt86vyss]

I had to have my diff fixed in the ss. While the car was at Holden, they lent me an Epica........ I have to say, it was the worst car i have ever ever ever driven!!!!!!!!!! an absolute peice of s**t!! i cant say that it was a couple of things that i didnt like about it. It was just overall the entire car. From shape to power. you would be better of going for a jog to pick up the milk. You would be back quicker than you would if you drove this thing. The interior is cheaper looking than that of a Dihatsu Sirion!!! and as for the front, what are they aiming for?? the Euro look? 5 series bmw? who knows. Regardless of all this, the car is a Daewoo with a Holden badge. At the time i was driving the car, i didnt know the RRP. I assumed that it would be around the 13 - 15k mark. When i heard 25 - 30k i almost fell over!!!!

[Marco]

You sure they lent you an Epica? The one I sat in at my local dealer last time my SS was being serviced had a very nice interior - lots of leather and good quality plastics.

It's not a car that I'd buy (it's probably not a car that is targeted at the sort of person who would post here), but it's not nearly as bad as people make out. Just slow, and a bit out of date on the safety front.

[Hamico]

You sure they lent you an Epica? The one I sat in at my local dealer last time my SS was being serviced had a very nice interior - lots of leather and good quality plastics.

It's not a car that I'd buy (it's probably not a car that is targeted at the sort of person who would post here), but it's not nearly as bad as people make out. Just slow, and a bit out of date on the safety front.

I agree Marco, it's not as bad as some people try to make out. For the money and considering it's target market is the Camry, then it's a great buy. Cheaper than a Camry by about six grand too.

[Fnomna]

They had to do it because of the Ford Mondeo.
I'd say Holden's not too worried about this segment at the moment. They have good sales and exports with the VE.
Will be interesting to see if the new Falcon's release changes this. If Ford come back strong in the large segment too, then Holden need an answer or they may as well just do exports.

[XR6T GEN]

The Epica is as popular as a dog turd sandwitch.

its an epic car

[Hamico]

Crash test results for the Epica awarded 4 stars

http://www.mynrma.com.au/cps/rde/xchg/mynrma/hs.xsl/6128.htm?cpssessionid=SID-3F5768EC-86F9B201


Wednesday, 21 November 2007

Holden Epica awarded four ANCAP stars

Read the latest media releases | 2007 Media releases | Holden Epica awarded four ANCAP stars

The new model Holden Epica has been awarded four out of five stars for occupant protection in crash tests under the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP).
The results were released today by the NRMA along with a new ANCAP brochure detailing the ratings of 36 vehicles crash tested in Australia and Europe this year.

NRMA vehicle safety expert, Mr Jack Haley, said the crash performance of the Holden Epica was assessed through a series of tests at the Centre's Crashlab.

"The tests included a side impact and a simulated head-on collision as well as an optional pole test to assess the Epica's likely performance in a collision with a narrow object such as a power pole or tree.

"The outcome was a four star rating - a reasonable result, but several similar size cars have achieved full five-star ratings.

"All manufacturers should be aiming for the top 5 star rating to give consumers the highest level of protection when they purchase a new vehicle."

Mr Haley said while the Holden Epica had side head protecting airbags on all variants, it did not provide Electronic Stability Control (ESC) on any variant.

"As we announced last week, a Monash University study funded by RTA and NRMA showed ESC braking technology to be highly effective in saving lives.

"The analysis demonstrated that single vehicle crashes causing driver injury reduced by up to 66 per cent in vehicles fitted with ESC.

"From 1 January 2008, ANCAP will require ESC to be fitted to vehicles as a prerequisite to scoring 5 stars. This shows the importance ANCAP attaches to this valuable safety technology."

"We believe all new vehicles should have front, side and head protecting airbags, and ESC, as standard equipment. This would help in reducing the overall crash fatalities and injuries in Australia and New Zealand."

ANCAP also carried out testing on the Holden Epica for its pedestrian protection qualities.

Mr Haley also noted that its pedestrian protection rating of 2 stars out of a possible 4 stars was being exceeded by several manufacturers.

"This shows the technology is available to provide better protection for this vulnerable group of road users," he said.

[VNV8]

sorry but 105kw in a korean piece of crap (dont deny it) just doesnt cut my mustard. id rather buy a beautiful couple-of-year-old SS for my money. in the time it has taken you to read my post, an epica will have accelerated to 20km/h flat out. do you really want to buy one?

[paul05]

Still $5000 too dear.

A very ordinary car, don't know why they bothered with the 6cyl its hopeless.

holden always come up with a dud every few years,is this the new camira???
there are to many well established cars in the apica's range.

[Campaign]

Hamico the best advice I could give you is do not buy one. Spend around four grand more and get a Mazda6 or six grand more and get a Ford Mondeo.
Each of these cars will age better and will actually be resaleable in a few years time, not to mention drive much, much better.

If you must have a Holden badge then buy a Commodore. This car will come back to haunt Holden i rekon.

[Belzey]

I would not recommend them, my mum has one and it is a POS. Put your foot flat down and it has absolutely no response at all. It is gutless plasticy and the seats are uncomfortable, there is no room in the back seat (I have to move the front seats forward for my 7 and 5 year olds when they sit in the back) not to mention how damn ugly they are.

My dad got it for my mum as she was running their statesman up kerbs etc haha so he got it to punish her and she HATES it.

[slolux]

sorry but 105kw in a korean piece of crap (dont deny it) just doesnt cut my mustard. id rather buy a beautiful couple-of-year-old SS for my money. in the time it has taken you to read my post, an epica will have accelerated to 20km/h flat out. do you really want to buy one?

My thoughts exactly... test drove one and it was really awful.

If you want a korean POS just buy a second hand hyundai and save yourself ten grand in the process.....

[GODSMACK]

I had one try and race me off the lights this morning.. Needless to say i could hear the engine reving its balls out, i had my throttle at 1/4.. Waste of money....

[LWB_Legend]

Well the Epica is a POS. No not because its Korean, but just because it is a dodgy antiquated design. Hey a Sonata 4 is about the same cost and puts out the same grunt with better fuel economy. Not mention that a Mitsu 380, Runout Mazda 6 or Toyota Camry Sportivo can be had for only grand more.

So yeah Epica is a dumb move- It was an overreaction to the stagnation of the Vectra- Holden wanted volume, but Epica is the worst of both worlds it isnt producing volume and is cheapening the brand. Hopefuly holden learns the lesson and either takes on the midsize market with a decent machine or diverts its resources elsewhere. Probably best to go elsewhere, midsize is the hardest maket to get into and the last decent Holden midsize was the Torana in the 70s.

[Holden_is_xcrmt]

its aight if ur into daewoos n males

[calaisrat]

It is a stupid move by holden and I dont know why they would bother trying to get into the market with such a poor effort i don't know what they were hoping to achieve.
When you go up against the likes of the Mazda 6 the Honda Accord and the Toyota Camry which are well established and popular cars, you want to come out with something that looks decent (I dont hate the Whole Epica just that back end) goes decently and has a good level of comfort and quality, and I dont think the epica is competitive in any of these key factors.
Oh well hopefully holden will learn ........ one day.

[Danv8]

its aight if ur into daewoos n males

LOL

He lasted long here. :)

[Aus8]

The Epica is now $25,990 drive-away. Most small cars are this price or more after you add on road costs, and with fuel prices sky rocketing, it makes the Epica a very attractive deal........


http://www.holden.com.au/www-holden/action/vehicleentry?vehicleid=31


http://www.holden.com.au/www-holden/action/latestofferscontent?regionId=1&offerId=657


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Vehicle Summary:

Four-door sedan body style; RHD and GM V
1,993 cc 2.0 liters in-line 6 engine with 75.0 mm bore, 75.2 mm stroke, 10.2 compression ratio, double overhead cam and four valves per cylinder engine code
Multi-point injection fuel system
Manual five-speed transmission with shift lever on floor manual
Front-wheel drive
Seating: five seats
Luxury trim alloy look on center floor console, alloy look on doors and alloy look on dashboard
Front seats and rear seats cup holders fixed
Air conditioning
Front power windows with one one-touch, rear power windows
Power steering
Four-wheel ABS
Electronic traction control via ABS & engine management
Six speaker(s)
Cruise control
Tachometer
Gloss paint
Chrome/bright trim around side windows
65 liter, 17.2 gallon main fuel tank for premium unleaded 14.3
Performance:
Fuel economy ADR 81/00: 8.2
Remote power locks


Vehicle Specifications:

General: Trim level: CDX
Charges: VAT GST (10%), Registration Tax LCT (25%), 2,362.73 and 0.00
Four-door sedan body style; RHD and GM V
Paint warranty: duration (months): 36 or distance (miles): 62,100, distance (km): 100,000
Variable delivery charges:
Powertrain warranty: duration (months): 36 or distance (miles): 62,100, distance (km): 100,000
Full car warranty: duration (months): 36 or distance (miles): 62,100, distance (km): 100,000
Anticorrosion warranty: duration (months): 36 or distance (miles): 62,100, distance (km): 100,000
Road-side assistance warranty: duration (months): 12 or distance (miles): Unlimited, distance (km): Unlimited

Comfort: Clock
Element antenna
Seating: five seats
Six speaker(s)
Bucket reclining driver seat with fore/aft adjustment, height adjustment, lumbar adjustment and tilt adjustment, bucket reclining passenger seat
Three asymmetrical bench front facing rear seats with zero adjustments
Tachometer
Front seats and rear seats cup holders fixed
Luxury trim alloy look on center floor console, alloy look on doors and alloy look on dashboard
Audio system with AM/FM and CD player CD player reads MP3
Driver and passenger power partial-painted door mirrors indicator lights
Manual five-speed transmission with shift lever on floor manual
Front power windows with one one-touch, rear power windows
Driver and passenger vanity mirror
Cruise control
Power steering
Front reading lights
Plastic multi-function steering wheel with tilt adjustment
Cloth seat upholstery with additional cloth
12v power outlet: front
Air conditioning
Ventilation system with micro filter
Steering wheel mounted remote audio controls
Dashboard

Safety: Four-wheel ABS
Four disc brakes including two ventilated discs
Remote power locks
Front side airbag
Driver and passenger front airbag
3-point reel rear seat belts on driver side, passenger side and center side
Height adjustable 3-point reel front seat belts on driver seat and passenger seat with pre-tensioners
Crash test results ANCAP
Isofix preparation
Electronic traction control via ABS & engine management
Electronic brake distribution

Exterior: Gloss paint
Front and rear alloy wheels with 16 inch rim diam and 6.0 inch rim width
Body color front and rear bumpers
Projector beam lens halogen bulb headlights
Rear window
Spacesaver steel rim internal spare wheel
Rear view mirror
Headlight control with dusk sensor
Chrome/bright trim around side windows
Part galvanized non-corrosive body

Performance Premium unleaded fuel with additional unleaded 95 octane, 91, unleaded and 91
Front-wheel drive
Power: 105 kW , 143 HP EEC @ 6,400 rpm; , 195 Nm @ 2,600 rpm
1,993 cc 2.0 liters in-line 6 engine with 75.0 mm bore, 75.2 mm stroke, 10.2 compression ratio, double overhead cam and four valves per cylinder engine code
Strut front suspension independent with stabilizer bar and coil springs, multi-link rear suspension independent with stabilizer bar and coil springs
Multi-point injection fuel system
Performance:
Fuel economy ADR 81/00: 8.2
Fuel consumption: ADR 81/01, combined (l/100km): 8.2, combined (mpg): 29, 12.2 and 34
Emission control level - carbon dioxide level (g/km): 205

Dimensions Weights: curb weight (kg): 1,452, curb weight (lbs): 3,201, gross trailer weight braked (kg): 1,200, gross trailer weight braked (lbs): 2,646, gross trailer weight unbraked (kg): 700 and gross trailer weight unbraked (lbs): 1,543
65 liter, 17.2 gallon main fuel tank for premium unleaded 14.3
Cargo capacity: rear seat up; to lower window (liters): 480 and rear seat up; to lower window (cu ft): 17.0
External dimensions: overall length (mm): 4,805, overall length (inches): 189.2, overall width (mm): 1,810, overall width (inches): 71.3, overall height (mm): 1,450, overall height (inches): 57.1, wheelbase (mm): 2,700, wheelbase (inches): 106.3, front track (mm): 1,550, front track (inches): 61.0, rear track (mm): 1,545 and rear track (inches): 60.8
Internal dimensions: front headroom (mm): 998, front headroom (inches): 39.3, rear headroom (mm): 962, rear headroom (inches): 37.9, front leg room (mm): 1,072, front leg room (inches): 42.2, rear leg room (mm): 960, rear leg room (inches): 37.8, front shoulder room (mm): 1,443, front shoulder room (inches): 56.8, rear shoulder room (mm): 1,430 and rear shoulder room (inches): 56.3

Dont matter how cheap it is you wont get me in a Daewoo! Bring back the Euro Opels!

[planetdavo]

Well surprise, surprise, surprise.
Just been having a look through what peoples rides are that are bagging the performance of the Epica, and also those that say they'd prefer a two year old VY SS...
THIS IS NOT MARKETED AT PEOPLE LIKE YOU! It is not aimed a buyers that want an "edit", a blower conversion, low ratio diff, or a twin 3 inch exhaust!
It is marketed at buyers that want a MID sized car, big boot, decent warranty, good fuel consumption, smooth ride, and acceptable performance.
This is what the Epica does pretty well! It competes with Camry, another car many of you also wouldn't look at!
To most people all that is really wrong is that it looks a little old (which it is because it's been out several years overseas already as a Tosca), and that when you hear 6cyl, you think "performance". It's not that quick, but they are very economical.
The last Vectra V6 CDXi was around $50,000 in the end by the way. Now, why did Holden drop the Euro's???


LOL

He lasted long here. :)
Yep, yet another of those "dec 2007" school holiday idiots thankfully shut down...

[V-Car]

To most people all that is really wrong is that it looks a little old (which it is because it's been out several years overseas already as a Tosca)

Not so, the current V250 Epica/Tosca was first shown at Geneva only in March 2006, and released here about 12 months later, so its not an old design, just looks old.

You may be thinking of the previous V200 Epica/Magnus/Evanda that was sold from 2000 till 2006, and was a development of the V100 Leganza.
It was also badged as Suzuki Verona in NA.


The last Vectra V6 CDXi was around $50,000 in the end by the way. Now, why did Holden drop the Euro's???

I guess that depends on how much profit Holden wanted to make on it? ;)

Id like to know how a struggling Ford Australia can import a top spec Mondeo for $42000, when the best Holden could do (with all their export credits) was around $50K for the Vectra, which is the same price as the Mondeo in Europe?
Holden have obviously gone the low quality, high profit, Korean route, and the Aussie buying public have them sussed.
The Epica comes nowhere near Camry in the quality stakes.

[planetdavo]

Id like to know how a struggling Ford Australia can import a top spec Mondeo for $42000, when the best Holden could do (with all their export credits) was around $50K for the Vectra, which is the same price as the Mondeo in Europe?
Holden have obviously gone the low quality, high profit, Korean route, and the Aussie buying public have them sussed.
The Epica comes nowhere near Camry in the quality stakes.
People didn't buy Vectra when Holden was losing money on every car, and people aren't buying Epica when Holden isn't losing the same money on each car.
I guess that means they are ahead!
The whole thing with the GM-DAT (FORMERLY Daewoo) deal is that it's really about the models coming AFTER the current ones. People will start to see what it's about then.
I'd wait and see on Mondeo too, by the way. The first lot a few years ago tanked, so the name isn't on a lot of peoples lips as a high level option.
As far as the buying public having Holden sussed on the Koreon "cheapies", go back a few years and check out Hyundai's sales of the Excel. There were better brands back then too.
Make it cheap enough and people get interested.


Not so, the current V250 Epica/Tosca was first shown at Geneva only in March 2006, and released here about 12 months later, so its not an old design, just looks old.

You may be thinking of the previous V200 Epica/Magnus/Evanda that was sold from 2000 till 2006, and was a development of the V100 Leganza.
It was also badged as Suzuki Verona in NA.

Quote...
"The V200 is a further development of the Daewoo Leganza (model V100), based on a stretched platform of that model. Launched in 2000, it was sold alongside the Leganza in Korea until the end of V100's production in 2002, when it also superseded it in export markets. The V200 itself has been given an extensive facelift for 2006, which resulted in the model known as V250, or Daewoo Tosca in Korea. The V250 will completely supersede all versions of the V200 during 2006."
It's nothing more than a major facelift, but it's still a pretty reasonable car for the money.

[Vulture]

Heck I'd buy a Camry before an Epica...

[superoo]

Heck I'd buy a Camry before an Epica...

You read my mind.....if I had to buy between the two, I'd go camry.

Camry's do sell heaps due to fleets but private buyers in the mid size class seem happy to spend a little more on mazda6 / accord / liberty and now you have to throw mondeo in there as well. Epica's only advantage is price but entry level mazda6 and mondeo are within about 5K of it and the quality difference in these models compared to epica is wide.

[Vulture]

Yep, think we might get next gen Mazda6 for the wife.

[ryno]

IMHO The Epica is nice in principle, just not in reality.

While it was mentioned above that it wasn't "aimed a buyers that want an "edit", a blower conversion, low ratio diff, or a twin 3 inch exhaust" many people who WANT mods also help their wife or Girlfriend buy a car which often isn't a V8..

I have driven them and to me they felt basic and were uninspiring to drive. $25,000 would get you into something like a Honda Civic that although built in Thailand feels a heap nicer to drive and is finished off a little better..

[V-Car]

As far as the buying public having Holden sussed on the Koreon "cheapies", go back a few years and check out Hyundai's sales of the Excel. There were better brands back then too.

Difference is though that Hyundai got its kick along here by targeting the first car buyer with $13999 drive away deals.
If i remember correctly, Daewoo also sold a heap of cars in the early days by offering those same $13999 deals and free servicing.
But thats a whole different demographic to the one Holden is targeting with the Epica...and a market that has probably had a few cars in the past and who know a dog when they see it.
Hyundai is a manufacturer in its own right of cheap and cheerful cars, nothing more, nothing less, and people accept them for that.
Holden is a long established manufacturer of mainstream decent cars, and trying to dumb down their regular buyers is hurting them in lower segments now. Buyers expect more from Holden.
If they were still badged as Daewoo's, they would probably sell alot more.


Make it cheap enough and people get interested.

Coming from an employee, that says alot about Holdens philosophy on this market!

[Marco]

The whole thing with the GM-DAT (FORMERLY Daewoo) deal is that it's really about the models coming AFTER the current ones. People will start to see what it's about then.

That's why I still think the GMDAT strategy is a long-term winner, even though short term it's doing a lot of damage to Holden's image and reputation. If the cars that replace the Barina, Viva and Epica are as good as the Captiva is, then Holden is on a winner.

I guess Holden got unfortunately caught between model changeovers in the shift from Opel to GMDAT product, but it has left them with a model range that is largely uncompetitive (excluding Commodore and Captiva) when five or so years ago everything Holden sold was at the top of its segment.

[Hamico]

That's why I still think the GMDAT strategy is a long-term winner, even though short term it's doing a lot of damage to Holden's image and reputation. If the cars that replace the Barina, Viva and Epica are as good as the Captiva is, then Holden is on a winner.

I guess Holden got unfortunately caught between model changeovers in the shift from Opel to GMDAT product, but it has left them with a model range that is largely uncompetitive (excluding Commodore and Captiva) when five or so years ago everything Holden sold was at the top of its segment.


The first we will see of the new generation models will be the all-new Viva next year, built on the Euro Astra platform.

If it's anything like the new Hyundai i30, then Holden have made the right decision.

We may say Holden jumped Korean too early, but given time, the product will stand on it's own and today's small Holden's will be but a distant memory (night-mare?)

Patience is a virtue.

.

Just checking the sales figures between the Mondeo and Epica for the past 2 months makes for very interesting reading..............

Mondeo - 277 Oct + 159 Nov
Epica - 320 Oct + 290 Nov


Who's got egg on their faces now ..............:shock:

.

[V-Car]

Maybe these figures might put things a little bit more in perspective about
Epica, and how its doing in its market segment.

Epica 2.0 and 2.5
Aug 513
Sep 357
Oct 320
Nov 290

Camry 4 and 6 (Aurion)
Aug 4185
Sep 3758
Oct 3825
Nov 3885

:shock:

[BigFella]

also remember with camry and aurion how many go to fleet sales!
the are great fleet cars.

dont think any company would use the epica lol

[Hamico]

Maybe these figures might put things a little bit more in perspective about
Epica, and how its doing in its market segment.

Epica 2.0 and 2.5
Aug 513
Sep 357
Oct 320
Nov 290

Camry 4 and 6 (Aurion)
Aug 4185
Sep 3758
Oct 3825
Nov 3885

:shock:

Yeah, your right........they are both losing sales :shock:


Are your Mondeo perspective ? :shock:


.

[Party Pete]

In the latest Motor they have a cover story on why Holden must build a new Torana. They have some intersting facts on the Korean made cars badged Holdens (except Captiva). Basically the sales are awful and it is no wonder, they are all pretty bad. The Epica is even being outsold by the BMW 3 series. The Barina sold well at first because the majority of people who bought them didn't realise they they were a major downgrade on the previous Opel made one. I think in reality the buying public are buying on more than price and that is why more expensive but better cars are selling so well.

The problem is not that the cars are made in Korea, but that instead of investing in re-tooling the Daewoo factory to build the Opel designs in Korea, they rebadged the Daewoos as Holdens. The fact is that the Daewoos weren't selling because they were no good. Instead of fixing the design problems they cynically put a good badge on the old cars in the belief that we were stupid enough to be fooled. It appears they were wrong.

Anyway, it isn't Holden's fault. GM US insisted that they do this. I am sure that someday they will start making good cars out of the Daewoo factory (probably the new Torana if they decide to make one), the problem will be how much damage is down to the brand image in the mean time.

Back onto the Epica topic briefly, I find the design just bland and unappealing. I do drive a V8 now, but I may look at a smaller car one day. At the moment, if I was in that market, I would be very tempted by the Liberty. It just seems like a class peice of kit.