Does HSV understand its Market?

[MPRSV8]

I tend to agree, i think there should be some exclusivity amongst owning a HSV, especially the GTS namesake.

I remember the days when I was in school and dreamt of owning a VS HSV, my old man too shared my love for cars and bought one of the first VX R8s off the line, and 3 years later I took over the repayments as soon as i left uni and got a full time job.

I still yearned for a GTS, and i sold the R8 and bought the GTS... 6 years ago which i still own today! Back in the VT/VX/VY range owning a GTS was 'special'. Not only was it a limited build number, but you got a different engine spec in the C4B, as well as better sorted suspension, bigger brakes and Coulsen seats.

I still would love a new E3, but i cant let go of my VX, especially since i honestly only see 1 or 2 other VX GTS/SV300s per year. Whereas im bound to see an E1/E2/E3 atleast once a day!

Going back to the OP, i think they need to stop building these cars in bulk and move back to exclusivity, however this will never happen, as build numbers result in more profit for HSV, and as a business decision thats where the buck stops.

[macca_779]

Yep thats the one.
It was a bit hush hush at the time and was dealer only.
Holden/HSV obviously dont encourage that sort of driving by its customers in brand new cars.

Those VYII R8`s were a good a bit of gear and went hard/sounded good for a stocker.
I know of a situation with a new VYII GTO Auto,the owner complained the trac cont light would come on when changing gears. Turns out it was on the 1-2 change under WOT. The thing (stock) was spinning into 2nd on the change and was enough to bring on the trac light and it allows a fair bit of wheel speed difference before it step`s in!

Mate it was streamed all the time at the motor show that year. Hardly hush hush


iPad 2

[Martin_D]

That man has one of the best collections of HSV's and HDT's around and a Datsun just for you Martin D

I dont think the Datsun was bought for me.....its more about trying out the modern day performance benchmark I would think?

[VYSHSV8]

I dont think the Datsun was bought for me.....its more about trying out the modern day performance benchmark I would think?

Yeh I know it wasn't bought for you , I think yes the benchmark but also to compare what HSV's need to do as well

[Martin_D]

and the quick answer would be - "everything" if the R35 is the yardstick...
Thankfully its not

[Pickles]

Aaahhh...A bit of HSV knocking....nothing really unusual about that though, is there?
Well, whilst I certainly don't necessarily agree with everything HSV does, & I reckon they're arrogant, & actually could care more about their customers, I reckon they do a pretty fair job overall.
Looking through this thread, there's some that want this, some that want that etc etc etc.....everybody is looking for something "different"......the plain fact is, in a business sense, HSV can't do that, they just can't produce something different to suit everyone, if they want to stay in business that is.....so they just have to go down the middle road & produce something that will "generally" appeal to the market....which is what they do.
I've had my issues with HSV, even put 'em in print to HSV to voice my dismay.
However, at the end of the day, HSV's product is based on a Commodore, & there's only so much they can do .....keeping that in mind, I reckon they do a pretty fair job.
C'mon HSV...get that LSA out there!
Cheers, Pickles.

[1R8_HSV]

These are the 3 that I want...
The 2 reason's I don't own an HSV atm are
1. the cost associated
2. lack of exclusivity

You would like a more rare, exclusive car at a cheaper price?

[VYSHSV8]

You would like a more rare, exclusive car at a cheaper price?

No I would like what I said at the current price not an everyday run of the mill re-badged Holden that is overly priced..

[nailit]

I tend to agree, i think there should be some exclusivity amongst owning a HSV, especially the GTS namesake.

I still yearned for a GTS, and i sold the R8 and bought the GTS... 6 years ago which i still own today! Back in the VT/VX/VY range owning a GTS was 'special'. Not only was it a limited build number, but you got a different engine spec in the C4B, as well as better sorted suspension, bigger brakes and Coulsen s.

Interestingly enough . .. back when the VX GTS was new, HSV had a rewards program that flew the new owner to Melb. . . . took them to Calder . . . and Skaife or Bright took them for a lap or 2 in the Racecar . . . I can still remember the excitement around the house as Dad was too busy to go and Mum and one of my brothers went. . . . those treats are now long gone. . . but not forgotten. . . but what is HSV offering like this to the next (Me) generation???? . . . . it makes you think. . . maybe Crennan spoilt everyone he could back then. . . but he was building a Brand. . . . the question still remains . . . what are they really doing to our brand. . .

I say "our" brand. . . cos we buy the things. . . . I cannot imagine a HSV staffer going down to Garry & Warren Smiths and buying one. . . .

There are a lot of relevent points being made in this thread and I can tell you that HSV are watching this thread daily. . . . hopefully a penny or 2 might drop if the comments are good enough!!!

[Toddler78]

It was interesting today to see a E3 GTS with the mellow yellow performance pack upgrade to not even include a strut brace in the engine bay. for a 90K + car and touted as a performance car I would have thought a factory fitted strut brace would have been a given, to stiffen up the car and provide better feedback through the wheel. hell even my 8 year old tired monaro has a factory fitted strut brace.

[Wonky]

The general consensus on here since the VE came out was that it didn't need a strut brace due to the stiffer body???

[1R8_HSV]

No I would like what I said at the current price not an everyday run of the mill re-badged Holden that is overly priced..

So I'm assuming what you are getting at is that the price premium to go from a Holden to an HSV isn't justified? Fair point, I get that for some, they would rather spend the same money on doing superior upgrades to their Commodore's brakes, suspension, power etc and are not concerned with the HSV's interior changes, bodykit and so on. However, let's say for arguments sake that HSV did what yourself and some others would like and for the current pricing, gave you more. Whether it be in the form of more power, race-spec technology or whatever. Now, the other problem that many are unhappy about -lack of exclusivity- will be worsened as more are attracted to the HSV. Surely, nobody would expect HSV to provide this extra bang for your buck and then reduce build numbers (and therefore profit) to manage exclusivity?!
Typically, what breeds exclusivity? Price. Unfortunately, not everyone can afford to be part of the club. Sure, it doesn't have to be that way, they could do an exclusive model, limited numbers run, for the same price, but then it just becomes a game of first in, first served.
There have been a couple of good examples of cars HSV have built, that have remained "special" to see on the road eg VTII 300kw GTS and GTS-R, but look at the price tags of these cars, compared to the rest of the range at the time. A hefty premium.

[1R8_HSV]

Don't get me wrong, I'd love a bit more for my money from HSV, like anyone! Totally open to being enlightened here, on how HSV can have a return to a higher level of exclusivity without it costing us all more of our hard earned cash. I just don't see it.

[Martin_D]

The general consensus on here since the VE came out was that it didn't need a strut brace due to the stiffer body???

[nailit]

Don't get me wrong, I'd love a bit more for my money from HSV, like anyone! Totally open to being enlightened here, on how HSV can have a return to a higher level of exclusivity without it costing us all more of our hard earned cash. I just don't see it.

Well the last thing I want to do is try and enlighten anyone around here but I am definately looking for more from HSV. . . . and more exclusivity!!!

Now the last thing I also want to do is compare HSV with FPV. . . but when you pull the data and facts apart , there is some interesting conclusions

Using the GTS with the options (brakes) in Auto and a Auto GTP as a comparo. . . the price is Highish on the HSV . . . yes, there is 20's and more tech. . . but not shit loads. .. and FPV have the DONK !!!. . . . so I actually think the GTS is in the real world $7 - 8K at RRP too expensive for what it is!

I actually think the TWG are greedier than Prodrive in a margin or markup sense!!!

If you look at the Falcon's market share or volume . . . the FPV in a Prorata sense is doing very well as a percentage of Falcon sales . . . and pretty much in line with the HSV in that context

. . . . and if HSV grabbed the LSA back when it went into the Caddy . . . and introduced it into E2 or something. . . . this thread probably would be a little tame . . . but they have left themselves open to scruteny that is gaining momentum and I think their sales at this time are a refection of their Greed/Compacency. . . in my opinion anyway

Sure they have had a reasonable run. . . but in that time Dealer Margins have copped a bigger hit than ever before and dealer stock is at record levels. . . . and trust me. . . they are not building extra dealer stock for the holiday period (unless we are about to have 5 months holidays)

Watch this space in 2012. . . . the finger is already on the panic button at Clayton. . . . and values and the punter will be the loser in the end. . . along with the dealers.

The long term viability of anything that gets turned over is always connected to resale values. . . . the RRP on a new Corolla is $21k . . . and the w/sale value of it is $14k after 40000ks as a renter . . . the RRP of an SV6 is $37k and the wholesale value is $20K . . . and its similar for the Falcon . . . . And its no secret that retained value is ONE of the reasons that Toyota has 21% of the market and Holden just scraped in with 11% in November . . . there are other reasons too. . . range and marketing and service value. . . and. . . and. . . but resale is a problem for HSV. . . and if they, at Clayton continue to flood the market. . . that problem will only get bigger . . . I am not trying to compare Corolla's with Senators. . . but when a cheque must be written to fix a "Negative Equity" problem. . . sooner or later the problem for the brand becomes insurmountable. . . Hmmm