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All New Holden Commodore Unveiled To The World
Fourth generation of Australia's best-selling car range revealed.
Holden today unveiled the all-new Holden Commodore range, designed and engineered to extend a decade-long record as Australia's best selling car.
The 2006 VE Commodore is Australia's first $1 billion car program and the most homegrown development project in almost 60 years of Holden vehicle production.
The fourth generation Commodore is much safer, offers more technology and delivers more features and value than ever before.
Interiors, exteriors and major mechanical features have been totally redesigned or upgraded, representing the most clean-sheet car program in Holden history.
Holden spent more than six years planning and developing the new Commodore, the first generational change since the multiple award-winning VT Commodore was launched in 1997.
Holden launched the Commodore in 1978 and has built 2.4 million Commodores for sale in Australia and export markets around the world.
Holden’s sports performance hero SS model and prestige leader Calais were chosen to debut VE Commodore at an event in Melbourne.
The all-new WM series Statesman and Caprice flagship models, representing Australia's most successful locally designed export cars last year, were also shown in an historic double reveal.
Commodore’s design theme is enabled by an increased wheelbase which moves the wheels closer to the car’s corners, delivering a powerful European-styled stance on the road.
The launch comes 75 years after Holden became part of the world’s largest automotive company, General Motors. It is also 150 years since the original Holden saddlery business, which grew to be today’s GM Holden, opened in Adelaide.
GM Holden Chairman and Managing Director, Denny Mooney, today said VE Commodore was designed to excite buyers about Australian cars and enhance Holden’s future as the largest automotive manufacturer in the country.
Mr Mooney said General Motors had invested more than $6 billion in Australia over the past decade, including VE, to protect Commodore’s market-leading position.
The VE program totalled $1.04 billion and the WM Statesman and Caprice program $190 million, taking the combined cost to $1.23 billion.
Mr Mooney said VE Commodore had potential for GM markets around the world, having been engineered from a global architecture for left-hand-drive requirements such as the Middle East.
He said VE offered striking design, performance and refinement able to compete with the world’s best car brands.
“VE Commodore delivers ultimate value to the Australian buyer. Its design is comparable to anything in the world and we made major advances in refinement and quality,” Mr Mooney said.
“Our targets have been some of the most expensive and most carefully crafted cars around the world and this careful consideration of global expectations is what should make this car work.
“We pored over every panel, the tiniest of details to place this car right up there in terms of refinement, quality and performance.”
Mr Mooney said safety was a key factor in the new vehicle, with the acclaimed crash avoidance technology Electronic Stability Program (ESP®) standard and curtain airbags available on the entire VE sedan range.
“The chassis is designed to accommodate a range of active and passive safety technologies as well as the crashworthiness expected in many different markets,” he said.
“We have used more super-strength and high-strength steels than ever before in Commodore’s structure. Real world crash performance was a huge priority throughout its development.”
Mr Mooney announced a revised model line-up for the new range, including a new name to Holden, Omega, to replace Executive and Acclaim.
“We are also adding extra class with the introduction of a new concept, the V Series, to highlight our top-of-the-line offerings. This will commence with the SS V and Calais V,” he said.
“The peak power of our advanced Alloytec V6 engines, made right here in Australia , will move up to 180 and 195 kilowatts respectively.
“ The six-litre V8 will stamp its authority with peak power and torque of 270 kilowatts and 530 Newton metres which will really deliver the performance Holden buyers know and love.
“We will introduce a new six-speed automatic transmission for V8 models, sharing it with GM’s premium cars such as Cadillacs and the Chevrolet Corvette.
“We have introduced all-new front and rear suspension systems to provide outstanding handling without sacrificing ride comfort. The car’s microprocessing capability has more than doubled and allows us to provide new levels of safety and user-friendly features.”
Mr Mooney said recent market changes and external factors such as fuel prices were best countered by ensuring locally built vehicles were able to mix with the world’s best.
“The Australian car industry has a strong future while it continues to make globally competitive cars such as VE Commodore,” he said.
“We’re proud of what we have achieved with the all-new Commodore. We know Australians still enjoy large cars and we know they want safety, roominess and style in their cars.”
The Holden VE Commodore range will go on sale in August 2006. Pricing and full specifications and features will be announced closer to the start of sales.
2006 HOLDEN VE COMMODORE – HIGHLIGHTS
Overview
- Australia's first $1 billion dollar car program. This compares with $600 million spent on the acclaimed VT range released in 1997
- Combined with WM Statesman and Caprice, total program costs were $1.23 billion
- Most clean-sheet car program in Holden’s history
- More than 3.42 million development kilometres were driven during the program
- About 2.4 million Commodores have been built for domestic and export sales since the VB Commodore was launched in 1978
- Holden Commodore has been Australia's best selling car each year since 1996, the year before VT was launched
Model lineup
The new Omega and V Series models feature in a revised Commodore lineup. Omega replaces Executive and Acclaim while the V Series adds new variants to the leading SS and Calais nameplates.
- Omega (new) – 3.6L V6, peak power 180kW, peak torque 330Nm, four-speed automatic
- Berlina – 3.6L V6, peak power 180kW, peak torque 330Nm, four-speed automatic; 6.0L V8, peak power 270kW, peak torque 530Nm, six-speed automatic
- SV6 – 3.6L V6, peak power 195kW, peak torque 340Nm, five-speed automatic or six-speed manual
- SS – 6.0L V8, peak power 270kW, peak torque 530Nm, six-speed automatic, six-speed manual
- SS V (new) - 6.0L V8, peak power 270kW, peak torque 530Nm, six-speed automatic, six-speed manual
- Calais – 3.6L V6, peak power 195kW, peak torque 340Nm, five-speed automatic; 6.0L V8, peak power 270kW, peak torque 530Nm, six-speed automatic
- Calais V (new) – 3.6L V6, peak power 195kW, peak torque 340Nm, five-speed automatic; 6.0L V8, peak power 270kW, peak torque 530Nm, six-speed automatic
Engines
- Two variants of the advanced all-aluminium 3.6L Alloytec V6 engine will be offered
- The high output Alloytec will deliver peak power of 195kW @ 6500rpm and peak torque of 340Nm @ 2600rpm, up 5kW and 5Nm
- The Alloytec V6 will deliver peak power of 180kW @ 6000rpm and peak torque of 330Nm @ 2600rpm, up 8kW and 10Nm
- Increased output from the new 6.0L Generation 4 V8 engine to peak power of 270kW @ 5700rpm and peak torque of 530Nm @ 4400rpm, up 10kW and 20Nm. This makes the new engine the most powerful standard Holden ever produced
- Plans for a 3.6L dual fuel LPG Alloytec V6 engine later in the year.
Transmissions
Five transmissions will be offered, comprising three automatic and two manual transmissions. An all-new six-speed automatic transmission will be offered for V8 variants, shared with General Motors’ flagship Cadillac cars and the Chevrolet Corvette.
- GM 6L80E six-speed automatic transmission with Active Select (introduced in the Cadillac STS-V in the United States ) makes its Australian debut as an option in all V8 variants
- Tremec T56 six-speed manual in SS and SS V
- GM 5L40E five-speed automatic with Active Select in Calais V6
- Aisin AY6 six-speed manual in SV6
- GM 4L60E four-speed automatic in Omega and Berlina
Safety
- Electronic Stability Program (ESP®) standard on all models
- Driver, front passenger and side impact airbags available on all models
- Occupant protection system designed for real world driving environment
- Curtain airbags available on all models - standard on SS V, Calais and Calais V; optional on Omega, Berlina, SV6 and SS
- Ultra-stiff body structure, multiple load path strategy, structurally optimised front and rear deformation zones
- Greatly expanded use of super-strength and high-strength steels in the body
Technology
- All-new heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems
- Zone-based front and rear park assist systems available on selected models
- Multi-function display reporting system
- Bluetooth standard on all models except optional on Omega
- Roof-mounted DVD systems available on all models
- Auxiliary plug in audio systems to accommodate MP3 devices
- Integrated navigation and telematics systems available later in 2006
Holden's Flagship Statesman And Caprice Go On Show
Sneak peek of Holden's prestige heroes before September launch.
The all-new Holden Statesman and Caprice flagship cars today made their international debut in Melbourne in a historic double reveal.
The WM series Statesman and Caprice were unveiled alongside Holden’s VE Commodore to highlight the design and development breadth of Australia's first $1 billion car program.
The surprise showing came before the official launch of WM Statesman and Caprice in September.
Statesman and Caprice boast the highest ever level of unique design applied by Holden, with virtually every panel and interior feature different from Commodore.
Holden invested another $190 million to develop the new generation Statesman and Caprice on top of the $1.03 billion VE program, underlining its importance to General Motors.
WM will extend a long-standing role with senior Federal and State politicians, government officials, businesspeople and private buyers in Australia and overseas.
The current Holden long-wheelbase cars have been the best-selling locally built prestige vehicles each year since 2000.
Taking exports into account, they are Holden’s second largest-selling locally built vehicles. Holden last year exported more than 27,300 vehicles based on the current WL series Statesman and Caprice, more than seven times the number sold in Australia .
The vehicles carried the General Motors brands of Chevrolet in the Middle East , Buick in China and Daewoo in South Korea as well as Holden in New Zealand . They led Holden to record vehicle exports of 60,518 for 2005.
GM Holden Chairman and Managing Director, Denny Mooney, said the design differences between the all-new WM Statesman and Caprice and the VE Commodore were greater than ever before.
Mr Mooney said Holden decided to reveal both ranges together to highlight the breadth of its design and development achievements.
He said WM would elevate its position as one of the most spacious and accommodating sedans in the world for rear seat passengers.
“This car delivers design themes worthy of its leadership of Australia's automotive hierarchy, a luxury vehicle setting its own path more than ever before,” Mr Mooney said.
“The all-new WM Caprice is the most distinctive modern vehicle which Holden has had the pleasure of calling its own.
“Virtually every panel is unique to WM. This car is now our biggest seller overseas which has allowed us to take the car to a whole new level.
“You’re not buying a longer Commodore, you’re buying a stand-alone car. Caprice will be among the most spacious passenger cars in the world, designed, engineered and manufactured right here in Australia .
“The space and comfort for rear passengers is particularly impressive and relevant for the buyer type and its proportions are truly stunning.”
The Holden WM Statesman and Caprice will offer the high output Alloytec 3.6L V6 engine, delivering peak power of 195 kilowatts, and the Generation IV 6.0L V8 alloy engine delivering peak power of 270 kilowatts.
Both vehicles will go on sale in September 2006. Pricing, full specifications and features will be announced closer to the start of sales.
All-New Commodore Tops Holden's $6.1 Billion Decade Of Investment In Australia
GM Holden’s $1.2 billion investment in the VE Commodore and WM Statesman and Caprice programs is part of a $6.1 billion commitment to General Motors’ Australian operations over the past 10 years.
A new $400 million engine plant in Victoria, $532 million in works for the South Australian assembly operations since 2000 and acceptance of global development roles have been among benefits for the Australian economy.
GM Holden has built on its position as the country’s largest automotive manufacturer and employer as well as being the highest private sector spender on research and development.
The local division of the world’s largest car company, General Motors, also holds global responsibilities for rear-wheel-drive engineering development and vehicle design for future programs outside Australia .
The investment serves GM’s interests around the world, as about 40 per cent of cars and 60 per cent of all engines produced by GM Holden last year were sent overseas.
By comparison, GM Holden’s $6.1 billion investment could have funded three complete City Link road projects in Melbourne at $2 billion each or four M7 Motorways in Sydney at $1.5 billion each.
GM Holden Chairman and Managing Director, Denny Mooney, today said VE Commodore was a massive investment and vote of confidence in the future of the Australian car industry.
“Having the first $1 billion car program in Australia shows how serious General Motors is about its operations here,” Mr Mooney said.
“Automotive companies must make massive decisions regarding their manufacturing operations over an extremely long timeframe. Holden Commodore has been Australia's best seller for a decade and we have invested heavily to ensure that continues.
“Australian carmakers are operating in a robust environment and a relatively stable industrial relations landscape which helps our cause.
“It is also worth noting that GM is not just investing for the Australian car market because the cars, engines and expertise in Australia are being sent around the world.”
The $6.1 billion investment by GM Holden since 1996 includes $3.7 billion in direct product program and related costs and $2.4 billion in broader infrastructure.
It is one of the largest commitments by any private sector business to its Australian operations and outstrips many of the country’s largest capital programs by a wide margin. The VE and WM program commitment reached $1.23 billion, including $1.04 billion for VE and $190 million for WM.
Mr Mooney said the future of Australia's automotive industry relied on local carmakers and suppliers seeking ways to be innovative and add value, rather than simply competing on cost.
“ Australia has a place in the world as a smart nation. Car and component makers, as with other parts of industry, need to capitalise on that rather than fighting battles they cannot win on cost alone,” he said.
“GM Holden has decades of expertise in designing, engineering and manufacturing rear-wheel-drive vehicles which are the cornerstone of our existence in this country.
“VE Commodore was a massive investment and the key to protecting our future in Australia . It has also helped us expand our responsibilities beyond Australia and contribute Australian know-how to GM programs around the world.
"The competitiveness of the Australian automotive industry is crucial to the 8000 people employed by GM Holden and the many thousands of people in the components industry. The best way to achieve it is to have a globally competitive car such as VE Commodore.
“It has allowed us to secure and grow export markets in every continent except Antarctica and be a part of GM’s consideration for new vehicle programs in the future.”
As a total spend, Holden’s investment in Australia over the past 10 years dwarfs capital programs in other industries. For comparison, the same investment could have funded any of the following -
- Three complete Melbourne City Link road projects at $2 billion
- Four M7 Motorways in Sydney at $1.5 billion each
- More than 13 Telstra Domes in Melbourne at $450 million each
- More than eight Telstra Stadiums in Sydney at $690 million each
- More than four Adelaide-Darwin rail links at $1.3 billion each
- Almost nine Sydney Cross-City Tunnels at $680 million each
- Twenty-seven Brisbane inner city bypasses at $220 million
- Almost eight Basslink undersea power cables at $780 million each
About Holden – key data
Holden employed 8200 people at the end of 2005, making it Australia's largest automotive employer. GM Holden’s total Australian retail sales of 174,464 units achieved 17.7 per cent market share in a record industry year of 988,269 units. Within this result, GM Holden achieved leadership of the passenger and light commercial markets and Commodore was Australia's top selling car for the tenth consecutive year.
GM Holden’s Elizabeth plant in South Australia produced a total of 152,646 vehicles, which was Australia's largest automotive manufacturing result. GM Holden set an all-time company vehicle export record of 60,518 vehicles. It exported to all continents except Antarctica, prepared for GM brands including Chevrolet, Pontiac, Vauxhall, Buick and GM Daewoo.
GM Holden Engine Operations in Victoria produced 315,670 four and six-cylinder engines. Production at its $400 million Global V6 plant included engines for Holden, Saab and Alfa Romeo. Total engine exports were 198,649.
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