Why doesn't Vauxhall import other Holdens/HSVs?

[moosepig]

There have been several people on this forum who recently have had to get rid of their UK Monaro for reasons such as practicality, having a new baby, that sort of thing. While the Monaro is a great car (I love mine) surely there is a space in the UK market for Vauxhall to introduce other Holden/HSV models, possibly with higher demand?

I'm just back from a trip to Oz/NZ, and it struck me while I was over there that I saw very few Monaros on the road (a total of 3 in 4 weeks I think) whereas the number of SS Commodores, VY and VZ Clubsports, Utes and Maloos I saw was countless but must have been in the high hundreds. Clearly the demand for the 4-door and pickup/ute versions of both the Holden and HSV models way outstrips that for the 2-door coupe, and I would imagine that this would be the case here in the UK too. I wonder how many people have been put off buying the Monaro just because it only has 2 doors?

I saw my dream car while I was out there, a gorgeous VZ Clubsport in the most totally awsome shade of red, and began to think it ridiculous that such a fantastic car was not on sale at home.

So come on Vauxhall - Let's have the full range of V8 muscle here in the UK!

Anyone from Vauxhall - Stu, perhaps - care to comment on future plans for the UK V8 market? I know this subject has been touched on before, but I really think that GM/Vauxhall could be onto a real winner with an expanded Aussie range in its UK portfolio, and I'm at a loss to explain why the success of the Monaro here hasn't already made this happen.

[caspy]

I think they have to limit numbers to keep under type approval regs, and to expand model line up would exceed these and additional costs accross more than one model would be prohibitive.

[comm_SS_V8]

I'm behind you 100% on this. I love my VT soooo much I've already started saving for my VE SS Commodore. I'm also seriously considering the Coupe4 for the girlfriend. If Vauxhall would agree to sell a broader range of Holden's it would save me (and others like me) a huge pile of time, cash, and hassle of importing them from Oz.

[moosepig]

caspy said:

I think they have to limit numbers to keep under type approval regs, and to expand model line up would exceed these and additional costs accross more than one model would be prohibitive.

Is that a total import limit, or just a limit per vehicle model? If they're allowed 300 Monaros before more stringent type approval applies, surely they can import 300 Commodores/Clubbies too? It's a different car, after all.

And in fact they're already importing 2 different models, CV8 and VXR being of substantially different stock.

>> Edited by moosepig on Tuesday 19th July 14:12

[V8HSV]

Well the Monaro will stop being produced for a while, 2 years I was told. Vauxhall need a replacement for their top end car as do Saab, my money is on Holden for the 4-door?

[moosepig]

V8HSV said:

Well the Monaro will stop being produced for a while, 2 years I was told. Vauxhall need a replacement for their top end car as do Saab, my money is on Holden for the 4-door?

This would seem more than sensible. After all Vauxhall have invested in the Monaro dealer network, LS1/LS2 servicing, etc so it would make sense not to see all that go to waste.

I wonder whether it's worth Vauxhall offering an importing service on an individual basis? I don't know what costs and red tape are involved (I expect others can fill in at length) but you'd think GM would have an easier time of it than Mr Joe Public. Presumably as the modifications required for UK type approval have already been developed for the Monaro, and other Holden models share a lot of these components, it would be relatively cheap and easy to mod most of the Holden/HSV range to satisfy UK regulations.

[raggyman]

Quick solution... import one yourself..
I couldn't have been happier bringing my car over here, definitely good to have a nice comfortable car to drive around, that isn't too heavy on the fuel like the V8. Mind you at times I wish it was.

I am going home in October, to hopefully find a VZ clubbie to bring over. Depending of course I can get my visa extended. My plan will be to get it put into a mates name who is going to come over, for 6 months and go from there. Yeah, ok it is dodgy, but don't really want to pay customs duty.

[gto]

Hi Raggyman,

I would like to talk to you more about this. I made the mistake of leaving my Berlina at home but my son is now 18 and will be coming over soon so I may get another chance. pls email me rich at ezemail.co.uk

[moosepig]

raggyman said:

Quick solution... import one yourself..

Neither quick nor cheap from what I can gather... import duty and VAT adds 30% to the purchase price, and that's without the mods necessary for type approval - and it would have to be the enhanced type approval too, as living here and importing a car from Oz doesn't count as a personal import for some bizarre reason. No, even without the extra costs this has "too much hassle" written all over it. Which is a big shame - Vauxhall are you listening? Come on, there's a market here, exploit it!

[timala]

Personally importing these vehicles is now more difficult than hitherto. In fact, the rules now pretty much prohibit it, as they must be remanufactured as something else (we import them as 'LSVs', though you can re-badge them later) and count on 25% on the base cost for this. We have to demonstrate to the SVA people that we have materially changed the car from a Holden. In any event, add VAT, customs duty and freight costs and the cars are no longer a bargain.

We occasionally import LSVs to special order (and hand the customer HSV badges!). The advantage is you do get something unique, and the extra cost is spent on engine mods, performance brakes, sat nav, fancy wheels etc.

We've got a couple of unregistered four doors in stock at the moment (375 & 410 bhp) for the family- oriented.

Tim @ Linden Special Vehicles

[raggyman]

But that is more for the commercial import rather than for the personal import. The personal import is alot easier to go through. All you have to do is prove that you lived in Australia for 12 months, and you have had the car for longer than 6 months. The only restriction that is then placed on you is that you can't sell the car for a year. For me not a problem, cause after importing the car, the last thing I want to do is sell it for atleast a year.

For me, running around on QLD plates isn't an issue either. There are a few modifications that need to be done, but they aren't major. I haven't done them yet on mine mainly because of the fact that haven't had a need to. Legally I am able to drive around as it is. The modifications are only a requirement when you want to register the car here. But why would I want to do something silly like that! That means that speeding and parking tickets will find me!! So far got one parking ticket 3 months ago, and still hasn't turned up at home in Australia. I think it is too much effort for them, which is good for me.

[Rob K]

Moosepig.. A few problems.. For a start the next 9-5 and "Sig-Tra" replacement will be on the Epsilon platform that the Vectra and signum are currently on, albeit slightly extended! Holden are incresing their export numbers considerably every year to the middle east, which is their main objective for exporting.. Europe not big enough.. Plus I dont think Opel are too keen/ want to have the Commodore or Monaro models... Which as a business sense, means it will be much more expensive to modify cars just for British roads.. Maybe if Opel turned round and said yes then it would be more cost effective!!!!

[moosepig]

Sigh... I guess we'll just have to wait a few years and and see what happens. The personal import route looks pretty well shut off, unless I go and live in Australia for a year and buy the thing while I'm over there (makes it a bit of a lengthy and expensive process!)

I guess there's a glimmer of hope... who would have guessed 3 years ago that the Monaro would come to the UK?

[LuS1fer]

I think you're all forgetting the concept Opel Insignia that is largely the blueprint for the next big Vauxhall, Opel and Saab. You may also have forgotten that it had an LS1 in the nose and had the advantage of being a fresh modern 4 door coupe design. It's the first Vauxhall for many years that I've looked at and thought it looked like it stood a chance against the BM's and Mercs.

In short, it seems we can possibly expect to see a V8 LS2 in the next big Vauxhall saloon and pray they don't screw it up by making a 2 litre version.

Article: http://car-reviews.automobile.com/Opel/review/2003-opel-insignia-concept/632/1


>> Edited by LuS1fer on Thursday 21st July 09:36

[Lotus Carlton]

Was chatting to someone from Vauxhall recently and they Insignia concpet has been canned and his thoughts were that any proposed Omega replacement would more than likely be based on the next gen Holden Commodore.

[LuS1fer]

Lotus Carlton said:

Was chatting to someone from Vauxhall recently and they Insignia concpet has been canned and his thoughts were that any proposed Omega replacement would more than likely be based on the next gen Holden Commodore.

Ah, I thought it was only the North American rwd programme that was canned but then why am I not surprised. The LS1-engined Insignia is the nearest Vauxhall will ever get to my money so it's par for the course that they should abandon it.

[racebreed1]

i know its gay to bump an old thread but found this and thought it was good speculating about the next Holden import!

[crisisjez]

There won`t be any more.IMO

The VXR8 just isn`t `grown up` enough for the market they are aiming at (M3/5/6/Audi RS/Merc drivers) so sales are really really poor.

There`s gunna be a lot of unsold cars, even after the credit crunch is over.

Bright side is a bargain 3 year old new car in the future though........

Edited by crisisjez on Wednesday 7th January 09:59

[racebreed1]

sorry mate the post was 3 years old and i was saying about people at that time speculating about the next holden import!

[crisisjez]

Oh!!!