Is end nigh?

Holden may drop the Commodore nameplate when the marque exits vehicle manufacturing in Australia in 2017 with executive director of sales and marketing, Philip Brook, refusing to commit to it beyond 2017. “It’s up for discussion,” he says – with some media outlets across the ditch claiming that’s first hint the nameplate may be discontinued. “You’ve got to talk to customers,” says Brook. “At the end of the day, you’ve got to do what makes the most sense from a customer and market perspective.” He says deciding whether or not to continue the Commodore is a short-term priority. “We’re just going to work through that. It’s a significant decision we need to make among a whole lot of other significant decisions to make.” Holden is also discussing what to do with its small car line-up in the longer term. It appears undecided whether to stick with the newer Cruze name or revert to the better-known Astra badge. Brook says the marque plans to launch a small and large car after 2017 as it tries position itself as the market leader. “We’re going to have the Cruze and Commodore in our plant through to late 2017. After that, there will be replacements. Details around the exact line-up, naming and everything like that will happen over the next couple of years.” He says Holden’s focus on the large-car market will continue as the brand transitions wholly to an importer, rather than an importer and manufacturer. “The Commodore is critical to our business and we need to ensure it performs well,” was the reply to what Holden’s response will be to Ford’s soon-to-be-updated new Falcon. Brook says Holden plans to defend the large-car market with a new model or models. It’s understood entry-level models of what may or may not be called the Commodore from 2018 onwards will be powered by a four-cylinder or hybrid drivetrain powering the front wheels. It’s being predicted that General Motors will work on a new V8-powered model performance sedan to replace the Chevrolet SS, thus giving Holden access to a high-performance model.