President of GM visits Auckland

Engle took the covers off  the three body styles on offer - Liftback, Sportwagon and Tourer - all of which will be available for sale at Holden dealerships around the country from March. “This new generation of Commodore will redefine one of GM’s most famous nameplates. Commodore is now a true global car for GM, and offers levels of technology, engine options and bodystyles that will challenge perceptions of the car,” Mr Engle said. For the first time, a diesel option with will be available on Commodore, cutting fuel consumption by a third compared to the equivalent previous model. All wheel drive (AWD) capability on some models is also a first for Commodore. The hero of the range is the new Calais-V Tourer with a raised ride height and AWD, engineered to take on New Zealand’s most challenging road conditions. Speaking at the event, Holden New Zealand’s managing director, Kristian Aquilina said this is the most important change in Commodore’s 40-year history. “The brief to GM’s designers and engineers was simple: create a beautiful car that give us a major step change in fuel economy, safety, functionality and technology. They gave us the most advanced Commodore ever,” Mr Aquilina said. In addition to unveiling the Commodore range, Mr Engle’s took the opportunity to review GM’s investment in the Holden business in New Zealand. Holden and its dealer network is investing $50 million dollars locally in new and upgraded facilities, technology, training and new products and services. The Holden team in New Zealand spans three head office sites, 51 dealer sites and 1,400 employees directly involved in selling and serving customers across New Zealand. Engle also managed to squeeze in a visit to Taranaki couple Steve and Joy Fabish, who received a surprise valentine, in the form of one of the latest Commodore, from Engle on Tuesday.    "When I heard about how much you love Holden, I wanted you to know that Holden loves you too. Holden and Kiwis ‘go way back’ (as you like to say) and I think we’ve got an exciting future together," said Engle in a letter addressed to the couple. The Taranaki couple established a Holden Museum dedicated to celebrating the history of the vehicles in New Zealand on their property last year.  For more news from Barry Engle's visit to New Zealand, be sure to read the March issue of Autofile magazine.