Does HSV understand its Market?

[Martin_D]

A stripper VE weighing in at sub 1650kg with LS3 and a stick shift
Its something we have all been waiting years for....if only they would make such a thing
Notably most of the serious manufacturers make a motorsport version for clients. Subaru with Spec-C, Mitsubishi with EVO-RS, Porsche with GT3RS, Nissan with GTR Super Taikyu, even Chrysler with the ACR. Not Holden or HSV, which is why you never (rarely) see these cars at track days, which is also a shame and a genuine reason why these cars are losing their cred on the road

And while they are at it rebody one of the new GT3 Camaros with VE Panels and race it in the Australian GT Series.

[nailit]

That's all nice wishful thinking Nailit, and if our market was bigger it would make sense for Holden to take the operations back, but you and i know its not going to happen. Also HSV (or any car manufacturer) dont pass on aditional costs "at cost", it gets marginalised up, so 15K at cost is double that at RRP. There is no way you'll see a LSA powered car under 100k, happy if im wrong but W427 should have taught us something. Im getting a feeling of DeJaVu with this special if it happens.

We all know that we wont see a SC car for $100 from GM/HSV . . . but it must shit you as it does me that the guys from Broadmeadows have entered the SC market for less that $60K . . . So whatever you and I think. . . or wish for . . . or debate over . . . we actually know it is do - able if the structure was different!

Yes the W427 has taught us something . . thats for sure. . . but the LSA is a production line item that wont require the messiness of getting the core vehicle fro Elizabeth with an LS3 and then remove the thing and replace it at Clayton with an LS7. . . . HSV & Holden did do a fair bit of due dillegence on this in 2008 but gave up cos of the Dry Sump ONLY LS7

Holden, as the Main Entity in this situation will do whatever it takes to ensure volumes stay at a necessary level . . . and that includes decisions about how their (Read Holdens) Special Vehicles are taken to the market. . . stay popular. . . stay profitable. . . and keep volumes rolling!!

Its no good just giving up and throwing our arms in the air . . . I doubt that Fishermans Bend will do this . . . . there is a fine line and balancing act that will need to be managed by HSV & Holden in the next period. . . . and hopefully us "Holden Men" will be the winners

[4VMan]

We all know that we wont see a SC car for $100 from GM/HSV . . . but it must shit you as it does me that the guys from Broadmeadows have entered the SC market for less that $60K . . . So whatever you and I think. . . or wish for . . . or debate over . . . we actually know it is do - able if the structure was different!

Yes the W427 has taught us something . . thats for sure. . . but the LSA is a production line item that wont require the messiness of getting the core vehicle fro Elizabeth with an LS3 and then remove the thing and replace it at Clayton with an LS7. . . . HSV & Holden did do a fair bit of due dillegence on this in 2008 but gave up cos of the Dry Sump ONLY LS7

Holden, as the Main Entity in this situation will do whatever it takes to ensure volumes stay at a necessary level . . . and that includes decisions about how their (Read Holdens) Special Vehicles are taken to the market. . . stay popular. . . stay profitable. . . and keep volumes rolling!!

Its no good just giving up and throwing our arms in the air . . . I doubt that Fishermans Bend will do this . . . . there is a fine line and balancing act that will need to be managed by HSV & Holden in the next period. . . . and hopefully us "Holden Men" will be the winners

Agree with you on all that! Interestingly if you go over to AFF many of the tight arses over there grizzle 60K is too expensive for the S/C GS! LOL

[nailit]

A stripper VE weighing in at sub 1650kg with LS3 and a stick shift
Its something we have all been waiting years for....if only they would make such a thing
Notably most of the serious manufacturers make a motorsport version for clients. Subaru with Spec-C, Mitsubishi with EVO-RS, Porsche with GT3RS, Nissan with GTR Super Taikyu, even Chrysler with the ACR. Not Holden or HSV, which is why you never (rarely) see these cars at track days, which is also a shame and a genuine reason why these cars are losing their cred on the road

And while they are at it rebody one of the new GT3 Camaros with VE Panels and race it in the Australian GT Series.

Another post full of common sense Martin. . . HSV will need to look at many facets of the market in the future and "Milk" them. . . . there is many market segments to address if they want the Title of being Holden's "Special Vehicle" supplier . . . and every facet of the business CAN make a Quid!!

Tunnel Vision won't work in 2012 . . . whether you are selling Cars. . . building Houses. . . making Breakfast Cereals . . . or whatever. . . . we must all look outside of the square

[nailit]

Agree with you on all that! Interestingly if you go over to AFF many of the tight arses over there grizzle 60K is too expensive for the S/C GS! LOL

Yes I am laughing with you. . . they still want to buy a HO for $5k. . . brand new!!!

[Martin_D]

We cant forget where the whole HSV thing stemmed from - HDT
Even though Brock was a spooky kind of dude he was a race driver, and he did build homologation cars that could be taken to the track and beaten on for a bit
Somehow with the Poms running the modified arm now the whole thing has lost its racing direction or so it would seem.

[nailit]

We cant forget where the whole HSV thing stemmed from - HDT

Somehow with the Poms running the modified arm now the whole thing has lost its racing direction or so it would seem.

Correct again - Your on fire today Martin!!

The Old man just said (he's keeping an eye on this) . . . lets not forget that other Great South Aussie - Vin Keane - that funded and backed Brock into the whole thing back in late 79!!!

. . LOL . . not that us South Aussies think we are good. . LOL . . we KNOW we are GOOD

ahhh, I can hear the knives coming!!! . . .

[4VMan]

We cant forget where the whole HSV thing stemmed from - HDT
Even though Brock was a spooky kind of dude he was a race driver, and he did build homologation cars that could be taken to the track and beaten on for a bit
Somehow with the Poms running the modified arm now the whole thing has lost its racing direction or so it would seem.

Yes but consumers want all the frills, bells and whistles now with the performance, not a stripped out racer, homologation specials were frightfully expensive to engineer and often cost more to R+D than they sold for.

[mmciau]

We cant forget where the whole HSV thing stemmed from - HDT
Even though Brock was a spooky kind of dude he was a race driver, and he did build homologation cars that could be taken to the track and beaten on for a bit
Somehow with the Poms running the modified arm now the whole thing has lost its racing direction or so it would seem.

Agreed.

IMHO, HSV currently build cars that appeal to "cafe latte" clients with what I view as chrome and glitz bits - the racing pedigree that evolved in HDT and earlier HSV has been 'dumbed down' over years.

Your proposal on an Omega type shell with real good "race capable" bits would be HSV's opportunity to re-enter the categories held currently by EVOs, Subaru, etc.


Mike

[SilverVH]

Agree with you on all that! Interestingly if you go over to AFF many of the tight arses over there grizzle 60K is too expensive for the S/C GS! LOL

Brand new $64,990 drive away no more to pay with a 6 year 175,000km warranty in an auto.

To think, if it had a HSV badge on it, it would probably out-sell the Omega!

[4VMan]

Brand new $64,990 drive away no more to pay with a 6 year 175,000km warranty in an auto.

To think, if it had a HSV badge on it, it would probably out-sell the Omega!

Very true, although i suspect the ones grizzling the most are either still riding pushies around, or live at auction houses praying on bargains.. That said they do seem more tight with their $ at a time when performance products from FPV and HSV have never been more affordable.

[bouka]

So HSV is going to put an LSA motor in a limited edition car with more ugly bits on it and charge north of 110k. A genuine enthusiast (not a brain washed monkey) can go the dealer accross the road and buy a sc car for 75k that will be just as quick.

I really wanted to come back to HSV, but i am not that stupid or that easily parted with my money.

Then there is the styling issues.

Does HSV understand its marked?

Uhm, NO.

[Martin_D]

Yes but consumers want all the frills, bells and whistles now with the performance, not a stripped out racer, homologation specials were frightfully expensive to engineer and often cost more to R+D than they sold for.

Never stopped HDT making a quid out of it
They were cars built with passion IMO

[Xjas]

Your proposal on an Omega type shell with real good "race capable" bits would be HSV's opportunity to re-enter the categories held currently by EVOs, Subaru, etc.

Would take a lot of "race capable" bits to make any VE based Commodore competative with EVOs and Subys.

[288vxgts300]

I,m wondering if the poofterization, of what they call racing today,as in the so called V8,s has anything to do with what has happened to our cars,like win on sunday buy on monday.

Bathurst and car racing today is a freight train of cars running around the track,it is flat out boring,they have lost the appeal to the real enthusiast,and i guess the manufacturers have been scooping up sales,based on the win on the weekend,the everyday person has no clue,they think they are buying the real deal.

But the fair dinkum car fanatics are not bluffed by the win on the weekend,as we know ,that car is nothing like what you buy.

just a thought .