2010 Chevrolet Camaro Australia Bound After All

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Jun 11, 2009
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WE WEPT WHEN GM announced that a right-hook version of the 2010 Chevy Camaro would not be built, but now there's reason for Australian pony car fans to smile again.

Queensland-based car importers Performax International has announced that it will be bringing in left-hand-drive Camaros, converting them to right-hand-drive and offering them for sale to Australian motorists.

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Performax will take delivery of its first car in the next few weeks, which will be used by the company to set up all the tooling and parts needed to convert the Camaro to RHD and comply it for road use.

Once the converted Camaro is approved, Performax expects to start selling them to private buyers by Christmas this year.

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Why the delay? In order to satisfy Australian design rules and import requirements, the LHD-RHD conversion process is a lengthy one.

Performax will be spending coming months taking the test car apart, studying it and figuring out how best to do the swap, as well as manufacturing their own OEM-quality replacement parts.

 

"The whole process will take time," said Performax General Manager, Nicholas Vandenberg.

"Tooling up for the conversion process which will involve digitally scanning and reverse engineering of the OEM dash to suit RHD then moulding the dash for our plastic injection machine.

"Every aspect of the retooling process will take time to reverse engineer the components that need to be remanufactured. This also extends to brackets, clips, mounts, and all of the steel components will have to be CAD drawn then laser cut and folded.

"We are very fortunate to have the technology in house such as the laser scanner, 3 dimensional printer and plastic injection machine to assist with the process giving unprecedented quality for RHD vehicles. We are very experienced in this process and don’t expect any unusual difficulties."

 

Under the Federal Government's Registered Accredited Workshop scheme, Performax will be allowed to bring in 100 Camaros per year once approval is granted; and initial interest is already high. The order books aren't open just yet, but Mr Vandenberg says it has received a large number of inquiries from interested parties.

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Performax will be focusing its efforts on getting approval for its LS3-powered Camaro SS manual, but the company plans on eventually offering other Camaro variants in the near future.

 

"The intention is that we will offer various models such as the V6," said Mr Vandenberg.

"However this will be subject to change depending on some ADR test determinations that may rule out some of those vehicles."

 

It's still far too early to talk about pricing, but don't think the Camaro SS will be anywhere near as cheap as its mechanical cousin, the HSV GTS.

Current estimates place the cost for an imported and converted Camaro to be in excess of $100,000. Considering the car's rare-bird status and iconic looks, we'd wager there'd be at least 100 people out there who reckon that's money well spent.


GALLERY: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS

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Comments

  • AutoCritical [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    I guess it is an option for people who want it that badly! What a shame it was developed in Australia, but not see the Australian roads in production form (and official sale).
  • Steven [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    This is the equivalent of selling our ore to China and buying back the steel.

    Great engineering by Performax but you could 3 of these in the States for this price.
  • mookers [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    I've seen two of them (or maybe the same one, twice) here on the roads in Melbourne. I don't know if it's an old development mule or not, but it was undisguised. Didn't see which side the steering wheel was on, though.
  • Jess [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    Not really bound for Australia. Just a private importer bringing them in and ripping off people who realyl want this car. $30K US does not equal to over $100K in Australia with or without the need to make it left hand drive. You would need to be a mug to pay that kind of money for the Comaro. Come on Holden pull the finger out and make this car part of the line up. Holden should be doing the conversion and selling them for $55K-$60K even same price as the previous Monaro.
  • AutoCritical [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    If you saw them in Australia they would probably be mules being road tested (Left hand drive?). I heard they didn't have any coverings on them as they were interfering with the results in testing (probably aero or cooling?)
  • G UNIT [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    who would want something that ugly anyway..
  • Isaac [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    the pricing is ridiculous to move a steering from one side to another holden should just build a right hand drive version the cars look beautiful, it should not triple in price.
  • Aneo [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    I don't know if my idea is too stupid or not but, if Holden could design a new car with a new amazing classic form like Mustang or Camaro (I don't mean the exact the same form) and sell it cheaper than that import and swap to RHD car, a lot of people's gonna buy. As we all know that most of the people are buying cars depending on its look. If your car is super luxury, comfort, high performance but looks like a coffin, who's gonna buy it? so if Holden will make the attractive american look cars, I would be very glad and very happy to buy Holden cars just like a lot other people. Cheer up Holden!
  • Somf [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    I was really excited to get this car, but if all we get is imports and conversions for over $100K, I'd rather buy a 2nd hand porche not a car that's worth US$35K ... what a joke, and I pity the suckers who actually pay the cash for one!
  • Jerry [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    can anyone tell me, when they gonna start selling and taking orders?????
  • Matt [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    As the old saying goes, a fool and his money are easily parted
  • Davide [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    I love this car...not only in looks but performance....ive been waiting and waiting for it to come to Aus.... Do i love it enough to spend 100k... I dont think so... wonder what it would cost to import one (43K Aus dollars) my self and then get it converted.... a whole lot cheaper than 100k i bet
  • TurkishMafia [reply]
    1 year ago 0 points
    I tought you were able drive LHD cars in Australia as i have seen couple of cars driven around with LHD... Anyways I wont be paying tha much money Ill just import it my slef and drive with LHD. No one will say anything or do anything because they wont have the guts mate...
  • wog boy [reply]
    9 months ago 0 points
    i don't know if you are aware of what cars sell in the states but i just got back from L.A and i did some home work,
    in general cars in the states sell for half to one third of the price of cars sold in Australia,
    for examble a bmw 335i sells for around $55-60 usd
    in Australia $120-130aud
    a 911 $110-120usd
    in Australia $250aud
    a Bendley $220usd
    in Australia $550+ aud,
    a f 430 ferrari $200usd
    in Australia $530
    so the camaro 2ss rs at a rrp of $38000 usd if it was available in Australia
    it would most likely sell for around $90-100 aud,
    know i had 911s, bmws,and other nice cars and i have driven ferraris and lambos and let me tell you this camaro is very special,
    it looks drives and performs a lot better than $200 dollar cars,
    i am not a big fan of american built cars ,the qaulity is not as good as most european even australian cars but this camaro is an exeption,it just looks right,
    so i have made my mind up ,i have talk to perforamax which are the only company that can do the convertion for $35200aud ,
    they will have the final import aprovals by jan 2010,
    i will be importing the 2ss rs ,
    i estimating a total cost around $95-100k,
    and i thing is worth EVERY CENT
  • wog boy [reply]
    9 months ago 0 points
    sorry i forgot,
    a pontiac G8 GXP (top of the line HSV) sells for $39500usd !!!!!
    starting price for HSV's $32000usd!!!!!
  • Randy [reply]
    8 months ago 0 points
    The Oshawa Plant is set up to built RHD,and now as the go ahead to built Export RHD Cars in late 2010 for Australia and the UK.
  • DMAN [reply]
    7 months ago 0 points
    The reason why the American & European cars are so expensive in Australia is due to the duty, GST & LCT the government leavies on 'imports' and pockets this into the coffers.
    Thus promoting Australian built & developed cars, thereby protecting our boys locally.
    Until GM actually allows the Comaro to be built in Australia by Australians then the price is going to be outrageous.
    What is ridiculous is that the Comaro was designed by Holden Australia originally and given to the Canadians.
  • [reply]
    14 days ago 0 points
    I'm from Sydney but am in Canada for holidays at the moment - and I test drove one of these. Absolutely awesome power, and I could not believe how cheap it is. I was heart-broken when I saw how expensive this mob is charging to import and convert. So I ask, as another person here already has, why can I not buy and import one myself and drive it as is? (ie LHD). I too have seen many US cars in Sydney with original LHD and no warning labels on back windows (which they always used to have). If I can do this, this would be the best way. Any thoughts, comments or suggestions?

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