THE VE COMMODORE will continue to be exported to the US despite reports of its impending demise, according to former General Motors Vice President of Global Product Development, Bob Lutz.
(After announcing his retirement in February this year, Lutz is to return to the ‘New GM’ as a product Czar - a role described in a press statement from new GM CEO Fritz Henderson as Vice Chairman for “creative elements of products and customer relationships”.)
In a conversation with Automobile Magazine, Lutz appeared to confirm that the Pontiac G8 would find its way into showrooms as a Chevrolet Caprice in the future.
It’s encouraging news for Holden Australia, as the curtain was set to fall on the G8 export program, despite its relative success in the US market.
Lutz had this to say of the decision:
“The last time we looked at [the G8], we decided that we would continue to import it as a Chevrolet. It is kind of too good to waste.”
The confirmation, if correct, reverses earlier statements from CEO Henderson that the G8 would be killed off in the US with the demise of the Pontiac brand. Henderson commented at the time that he was “not a fan of rebadging”.
Lutz reportedly told Automobile Magazine that GM will not let “the car” die and referred to existing export agreements with Holden, noting that the Commodore already sells into export markets as a Chevrolet (predominantly in the Middle East).
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Good news for the Australian car industry
I would have thought that the VE would become the new Chevy Lumina Sedan or the Chevy Beretta.. given that the WM statesman is already sold as a Chevy Caprice in the Middle East..
In the article in Auto magazine; Lutz also mentions plans for the New Cadillac CTS-V Wagon - so maybe there’s a possibility of the Sportwagon heading Stateside as well..
Now that Lutzys Back.. we could also end up seeing the Camaro being sold in Oz - given how much of a Holden fan he is
How dumb is this? If GM want to keep the Holden commodore in the US line-up, re-badging it as a Buick GS makes much more sense. The GS was a performance oriented, four door sedan with upscale interior appointments. The Caprice was a staid family hauler. In addition, since Buicks will continue to be sold thru the former Pontiac/Buick/GMC dealer network, badging it as a Buick keeps all the spare parts in the same stores!
Hire me Fritz, Bob has lost it!