No More Commodore or Astra

[Smoke Pursuit]

Holden announces exclusive SUV and Ute line-up
Holden·Tuesday, 10 December 2019·4 minutes




We encourage all of our followers to please read the following press release with care.
Please direct message us with any further questions, our customer care hours are Monday – Friday: 8am – 7pm AEST. Please be conscious that due to a high volume of messages, it may take our team a little longer to respond, but we will endeavour to respond to every direct message.
Holden is today announcing a modified portfolio dedicated exclusively to SUVs and light commercial vehicles.
Holden Interim Chairman and Managing Director, Kristian Aquilina, said the focus of the portfolio was consistent with customer preferences, with the Acadia, Trailblazer, Equinox and Trax rounding out a comprehensive SUV portfolio; and the Colorado tackling rivals in the light commercial vehicle (LCV) segment.
“Holden is taking this decisive action to ensure a sharp focus on the largest and most buoyant market segments.
“So far this year SUVs and Utes have increased to 76 percent of Holden sales, a trend we only see continuing,” he said.
The company has elected to retire the ZB Commodore and the BK Astra in 2020.
At its peak, the large car segment in Australia accounted for 217,882 sales in 1998. This year it is projected to come in at about 8,700 units.
The large passenger car segment declined by over 87 percent between October 2013 and October this year, with private buyers in the segment down by 93 percent in that period.
“The SUV segment is approaching half a million units, and LCVs over 200,000 units. That’s where the action is and that’s where we are going to play,” Mr Aquilina said.
The new Holden boss also paid tribute to the Commodore nameplate and its place in the Australian automotive industry over time.
“The decision to retire the Commodore nameplate has not been taken lightly by those who understand and acknowledge its proud heritage,” he said.
“The large sedan was the cornerstone of Australian and New Zealand roads for decades. But now with more choice than ever before, customers are displaying a strong preference for the high driving position, functionality and versatility of SUVs and Utes.”
Sales and deliveries of Commodore and Astra will continue through 2020, albeit with diminishing model availability as part of an orderly runout.
Existing Commodore and Astra customers can be assured that Holden will continue to back warranty and roadside assistance commitments, with spare parts supply guaranteed well into the future.
In addition, all MY19 ZB Commodores and MY19 BK Astras ordered or delivered from today onwards will be subject to Holden’s market-leading seven-year free scheduled servicing offer.
All arrangements for accessing warranty, servicing and spare parts for Holden’s entire model line-up via the Holden’s national dealer network remain the same.
Holden will be launching the MY20 Equinox in the first quarter of 2020 followed by a significant MY21 upgrade to the highly regarded Colorado to launch in Spring. Holden will also lodge production orders to GM’s Bowling Green factory for the highly anticipated mid-engine right-hand-drive Corvette next year.
Will Holden still honour the warranty on my new Commodore (or Astra)?
Yes, Holden will of course honour the warranty on your new Commodore, and we will ensure the supply of spare parts for it as well. All arrangements for warranty, servicing and spare parts for both ZB Commodore and BK Astra via the Holden’s national dealer network remain the same.
How will I get my Commodore (or Astra) serviced now Holden is closing?
Holden is not closing, and you will still be able to get your Commodore (or Astra) serviced at your local Holden dealer. We are launching updated models next year. Holden is here for the long term.
Does Holden really have a future in Australia without the Commodore?
Holden is much more than any individual nameplate no matter how successful it may have been. With our design and engineering capabilities and long history in this country we are well placed to improve the drive for everyday Australians.
Holden will be launching an MY20 Equinox in the first quarter of 2020 followed by a significant MY21 upgrade to the highly regarded Colorado to launch in Spring. Holden will also lodge production orders to GM’s Bowling Green factory for the much anticipated mid- engine right-hand-drive Corvette next year.
Why have you discontinued the Commodore?
The large passenger car segment declined by over 87% between October 2013 and October this year. That along with unfavourable currency exchange rates means that Commodore is no longer a viable proposition for Holden.
Why have you discontinued the Astra?
The Astra is an excellent vehicle but the Australian car market has changed and it is no longer a volume proposition for us. Significant investment is required now to remain in this segment beyond next year, and we cannot see a future where we compete profitably with a small car out of Europe.
Can I still buy a Commodore (or Astra)?
At the moment, yes, your local Holden dealer will very likely have various Commodore (or Astra) models in stock, and if not, they can order most models from us. Stocks will run out in the coming months.
If, after reading this information you still have questions, we encourage you to contact us further via direct message.

[csv8]

Blind Freddy saw that coming....

[Franco Cozzo]

Commodore goes out with a whimper with the pillow over its face in the mental asylum

What a way to end such an iconic brand in this country.

Meat pies kangaroos and rebadged GM Korea ****boxes

[Smoke Pursuit]

I just wonder how much it has cost them to do it... Probably would have been more cost effective to let Commodore die with VF... Sad really was a good car for anyone who wanted a hatch backed sedan.

[Franco Cozzo]

I'm calling Holden brand dead by Q2 2021 and GM either rebranding as Chevrolet or pulling out of Australia.

[Dr Terry]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Meat pies kangaroos and rebadged GM Korea ****boxes

That's a bit harsh. I believe the only Holden built in Korea currently is the Trax which is reportedly a good little car, probably no better or worse than any Kia or Hyundai.

The others are sourced from Europe & North America.

Dr Terry

[Vekgib]

Oh well. Bound to happen. No great loss.
Back to discussing Fords

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

I'm calling Holden brand dead by Q2 2021 and GM either rebranding as Chevrolet or pulling out of Australia.

I'd expect an announcement Q2 2020 about an impending closure/re branding exercise.

[Citroënbender]

All remaining models becoming Chevrolet, makes perfect sense in the context of our confused national identity. Then people can drive them to the levee, as per the unofficial Drunk Anthem.

[unkey]

I see Toyota scoring the most ,with the few Commodore buyers now buying Camrys,and the few Astra buyers now buying Corollas...

[Franco Cozzo]

I saw a new Camry last night - it looks mint.

Same with the new Corolla, suddenly Toyota went from white goods bought by Indians en masse as a status symbol to now also attracting the attention of younger buyers.

[ozpacman]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

I saw a new Camry last night - it looks mint.

Same with the new Corolla, suddenly Toyota went from white goods bought by Indians en masse as a status symbol to now also attracting the attention of younger buyers.

I agree Franco. The latest Camry is a good looking car. I think it'd be a damn good family vehicle.

[Bossxr8]

Should have let it die with dignity 2 years ago. Way to tarnish the nameplate.

[Smoke Pursuit]

Good time to buy one. 7 year warranty and servicing... and they will be SUPER cheap!

[hackney]

Real shame that Insignia is being “retired” from the Aus market.Really a very good vehicle,with no inherent issues.Just a shame OZ buyers did not accept it.Yet they buy Camry,go figure.It is no better or worse than the Insignia.One of the best selling cars in Europe,with around 80,000 odd units sold.

[unkey]

Originally Posted by hackney

Real shame that Insignia is being “retired” from the Aus market.Really a very good vehicle,with no inherent issues.Just a shame OZ buyers did not accept it.Yet they buy Camry,go figure.It is no better or worse than the Insignia.One of the best selling cars in Europe,with around 80,000 odd units sold.

The Camry is far more reliable ,and way better built than the Commodore.
Worlds best selling D segment car, almost 800 000 units yearly .

[Vesper Martini]

As predicted off the back of GM canning the Buick Regal last week.

[hackney]

Originally Posted by unkey

The Camry is far more reliable ,and way better built than the Commodore.
Worlds best selling D segment car, almost 800 000 units yearly .

Still have a Insignia over a Camry any day.

[au2000]

Supercars will be in a mad scramble now for the 2021 season you would think?

[au2000]

Biggest issue all along was calling it a commodore, tbh if I was looking only for a new work hack ATM to rack up high ks in it as well as a Camry would be on my goto list.

[Cashie]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

I saw a new Camry last night - it looks mint.

Same with the new Corolla, suddenly Toyota went from white goods bought by Indians en masse as a status symbol to now also attracting the attention of younger buyers.

New? Hasn’t it been out for over 18 months? Looks ok but is a pretty boring unit, barely more than a white good.

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

Meat pies kangaroos and rebadged GM Korea ****boxes

GM Korea? Don’t think so. Only one model currently out of Korea.

Originally Posted by hackney

Real shame that Insignia is being “retired” from the Aus market.Really a very good vehicle,with no inherent issues.Just a shame OZ buyers did not accept it.Yet they buy Camry,go figure.It is no better or worse than the Insignia.One of the best selling cars in Europe,with around 80,000 odd units sold.

I think Holden’s biggest mistake was badging it a Commodore. It would most likely have been better accepted by punters as an Insignia.

Originally Posted by au2000

Supercars will be in a mad scramble now for the 2021 season you would think?

No hurry, they kept racing the Nissan for ages after they were discontinued here.

[Sioso]

Commodore died with the VF2, it's just taken Holden a little bit longer to come to terms with it.

[dunga]

Originally Posted by Smoke Pursuit

Good time to buy one. 7 year warranty and servicing... and they will be SUPER cheap!

if you were dumb enough to buy a Holden who is going to honour the seven year servicing and the warranty when they no longer exist not to mention the resale value they would have to be giving the junk away

[Smoke Pursuit]

My bad the warranty is 5 years... lol

[EBSXR6]

I think GM will just pull the pin as they did in Europe by the end of 2020.

[Express]

So inevitable and probably for the best but for those of us who swing bother ways it's a double whammy, Falcon and Commodore gone.








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[Syndrome]

How come EVERYBODY saw this coming except the brass in Detroit?

[hackney]

Originally Posted by Syndrome

How come EVERYBODY saw this coming except the brass in Detroit?

Don’t you worry about that.They would have been planning this for awhile.

[SSVPom]

No one ‘desires’ a bread and butter Holden or Ford these days, and I mean the new car buyers out there, not the second hand buyers who’ll likely reply to this post negatively.
Buyers are ‘desiring’ the alternative higher class and reliability perceived Jap/Korean badges, or ‘prestige’ Euro car. It’s never been cheaper to finance and get behind the wheel of these motors.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Syndrome

How come EVERYBODY saw this coming except the brass in Detroit?

They're pulling out of Europe and other markets and focusing on the US first and foremost, they knew what was going to happen, it was just a half assed damage control measure to make it look like Detroit tried but the Australian customer didn't come to the party.

The US market is so large that they can comfortably just operate in USA, Canada and Mexico