No more Holden V8?

[C4B]

If ford are keen to bring the mustang, will the V8 exist through Camaros here? I can't see HSV removing themselves from the performance sector entirely. Plenty of good American muscle cars that can be sold here. The costs are in developing the RHD versions. Surely with all of the cash they spend on developing the commodore, they could use a portion of it to develop RHDs for at least one performance model for Import to AUS. If they brought camaros and mustangs here I honestly wouldn't mind sacrificing the commodore and the falcon. No one drives big cars anymore anyway....

HSV are currently using donor vehicles worth $40,000. The business case for importing high performance US vehicles just doesn't stack up because of the cost to land them here. A quick look at new Camaro prices in Aus shows a base price of about $90,000. Now HSV could probably get them cheaper but lets be realistic here, even if they could land/compliance them for $70,000 per unit, they're not gonna sell them for a dime under $100,000.

The fact that in its 20+ year history HSV have never done a single limited run US sourced V8 such as a Corvette suggests it's just not a viable proposition.

[calais190]

HSV are currently using donor vehicles worth $40,000. The business case for importing high performance US vehicles just doesn't stack up because of the cost to land them here. A quick look at new Camaro prices in Aus shows a base price of about $90,000. Now HSV could probably get them cheaper but lets be realistic here, even if they could land/compliance them for $70,000 per unit, they're not gonna sell them for a dime under $100,000.

I see your point, but I think your missing a something here. The Camaro's running around Australia are purchased at full retal price in the United States, imported over and slapped with compliance, levies and various taxes. This drives the price up to $90k. HSV would not have to a) pay retail for the vehicle and b) pay all of the import duties and taxes that we would for compliance (they could bring them over in parts and assemble a few pieces here). I don't think the cost would be anywhere near as high as 70k per unit. Keep in mind, we're not even talking wholesale prices here, we're talking parent company inventory.

The fact that in its 20+ year history HSV have never done a single limited run US sourced V8 such as a Corvette suggests it's just not a viable proposition.

You're missing one vital point here. In the past 20years, the Commodore has always existed. In 2016, it will no longer exist. This creates resources to fund the importation of vehicles that Holden previously never had the opportunity, due to the obligation of spending its funds on development of the Commodore.

[blackvussii]

HSV are currently using donor vehicles worth $40,000. The business case for importing high performance US vehicles just doesn't stack up because of the cost to land them here. A quick look at new Camaro prices in Aus shows a base price of about $90,000. Now HSV could probably get them cheaper but lets be realistic here, even if they could land/compliance them for $70,000 per unit, they're not gonna sell them for a dime under $100,000.

The fact that in its 20+ year history HSV have never done a single limited run US sourced V8 such as a Corvette suggests it's just not a viable proposition.

The reason we are getting the mustang is due to ford going to a global platform and for them to make it work here they are reportedly going to be priced close to 50k. The last time they bought them over they were closer to 100k and flopped as a result. I dont think we would ever see a corvette but maybe the camaro especially if they continue to use the commodore platform. Ford obviously feel its worth it so I dont see why GM wouldnt.

[offshore]

If anything GM should just allow Holden to make HSV commodore V8s alone. Every thing else can be imported but we still make the worlds best large V8 4 door sedans and make that the unique Australian built car.

[ti0350]

Well yes, but what else would the CEO of HSV say? Yeah, it's all true and we're closing our doors/shifting to hotting up Malibus and Captivas from 2016?

Either way, HSV needs to seriously consider its business model in the next little while. They've had many good years selling V8s but if the door is about to close on that, then it's time to leap into new markets. HSV Cruze for starters.

From what i was told HSV wanted to do a Cruze but GM in detroit said no.

[Jag530G]

The only way we will ever get a Camaro from a Holden dealer is if GM build RHD versions from the factory in America (production of the next Alpha platform Camaro moves from Ottawa I believe). The idea that HSV is going to assemble LHD CKD kits and convert them to RHD is crazy. All that would do is add on Australian production costs onto the car. HSV doesn't even have the capacity to actually build a car. Moreimportantly, what volume would a Camaro sell in? Nowhere near enough to justify a CKD/RHD programme. The other thing is what will HSV actually add to the car? GM already do the SS With the LS3, Z28 with the LS7 and ZL1 with LSA, the new Camaro will get the LT1, so there is nothing for HSV to do apart from reinventing the wheel.

BTW, Ford have just announced no more GT from 2014. There will be a low boost XR8 and that's it.

Cheers, Matthew

[Goggles]

talk about stretching a long bow!!
http://www.news.com.au/business/comp...-1226757600405

but it is the first articie in a couple of days on the demise of holden manufacturing. I was beginning to miss them....NOT

[Marco]

A journo wouldn't know this, but maybe a guy who is one of the top execs at GM is just a bit...busy?

[CLUBRED]

If anything GM should just allow Holden to make HSV commodore V8s alone. Every thing else can be imported but we still make the worlds best large V8 4 door sedans and make that the unique Australian built car.

HSV should move to the main manufacturing plant, and be put down the production line, surely having to ship, store and double handle each hulk is costing them.

[C4B]

HSV should move to the main manufacturing plant, and be put down the production line, surely having to ship, store and double handle each hulk is costing them.

That will NEVER happen....

[SCiFiRE]

The only way we will ever get a Camaro from a Holden dealer is if GM build RHD versions from the factory in America (production of the next Alpha platform Camaro moves from Ottawa I believe).

They currently do RHD Camaros for South Korea don't they?

[Marco]

I think South Korea is LHD.

[blackvussii]

Rhd production was approved by GM in 2010 for the UK and asian markets but then canned because of the GFC, could be wrong but i'm pretty sure none were ever made.

[SSer]

http://www.carsguide.com.au/news-rev...SS_DateWritten

He must be foaming at the mouth every time he gets an "exclusive", "rumour" or otherwise. Anyone have a spare 4L60e?