Falcon and Commodore might disappear forever
Discussion
Roll on up and get your RWD RHD V8 now !
http://www.nbr.co.nz/node/37024?headsup=1
Falcon and Commodore might disappear forever
by Peter Gill | Wednesday October 29 2008 - 07:30am
It seems impossible to contemplate, but two iconic cars in New Zealand, the Falcon and the Commodore, might be gone forever by this time next year.
That’s if certain Australian motor industry watchers are to be believed. A number of industry and media people in Australia are pointing to the fact that Ford and GM in the US are close to bankruptcy. To survive, they are certain to have their eye on closing down low-volume operations such as Ford Australia and Holden.
Already several hundred Australian jobs have been cut by the pair.
Ford Australia makes two models, the Falcon and the Territory SUV, which are sold only in Australia and New Zealand. GM Holden makes the Commodore range for Australia and New Zealand but manages to export some versions of the vehicles to a handful of other markets.
Both the Holden product and the Ford Australia product are in the increasingly less popular large six cylinder and V8 category. Neither company can offer an Australian-made small car or a diesel-powered one.
If the two brands fall, the only car company left assembling product in Australia would be Toyota, which industry observers believe is in a cash position to weather some bad times.
Mitsubishi Australia closed its doors in February.
http://www.nbr.co.nz/node/37024?headsup=1
Falcon and Commodore might disappear forever
by Peter Gill | Wednesday October 29 2008 - 07:30am
It seems impossible to contemplate, but two iconic cars in New Zealand, the Falcon and the Commodore, might be gone forever by this time next year.
That’s if certain Australian motor industry watchers are to be believed. A number of industry and media people in Australia are pointing to the fact that Ford and GM in the US are close to bankruptcy. To survive, they are certain to have their eye on closing down low-volume operations such as Ford Australia and Holden.
Already several hundred Australian jobs have been cut by the pair.
Ford Australia makes two models, the Falcon and the Territory SUV, which are sold only in Australia and New Zealand. GM Holden makes the Commodore range for Australia and New Zealand but manages to export some versions of the vehicles to a handful of other markets.
Both the Holden product and the Ford Australia product are in the increasingly less popular large six cylinder and V8 category. Neither company can offer an Australian-made small car or a diesel-powered one.
If the two brands fall, the only car company left assembling product in Australia would be Toyota, which industry observers believe is in a cash position to weather some bad times.
Mitsubishi Australia closed its doors in February.
I remember seeing an article where a top exec from GM was applauding the efforts of GM Holden management for their profitability, just before they pumped in the money to (re)develop the VE range.
And bearing in mind the the yanks seem prepared to pay a premium for the perceived build quality on the imported Pontiac variants. I'm not so sure about Holden.
As for Fords. No great loss there, Bye Bye!
And bearing in mind the the yanks seem prepared to pay a premium for the perceived build quality on the imported Pontiac variants. I'm not so sure about Holden.
As for Fords. No great loss there, Bye Bye!
MyM8V8 said:
I remember seeing an article where a top exec from GM was applauding the efforts of GM Holden management for their profitability, just before they pumped in the money to (re)develop the VE range.
And bearing in mind the the yanks seem prepared to pay a premium for the perceived build quality on the imported Pontiac variants. I'm not so sure about Holden.
As for Fords. No great loss there, Bye Bye!
What "premium" are they paying? Given that the cars are sold in the US significantly cheaper than we get them here?And bearing in mind the the yanks seem prepared to pay a premium for the perceived build quality on the imported Pontiac variants. I'm not so sure about Holden.
As for Fords. No great loss there, Bye Bye!
Or do you mean they are dearer than the US built cars?
Yeah, there is some talk around that the ford falcon is going to move from rear wheel drive to front wheel drive, and that means that there won't be any room left for a v8. Definitely going to make the v8 Supercars interesting, cause it will just be holden, holden, and holden. Hope that we don't go back to the days of Australian touring car being filled up with little mini's and sierra types.
On a side note, will be interesting next year in the V8's with the move to E85 fuel, which incidentally will be made from sugar that my oldies grow and supply to the mill that will be making the ethanol. I think that in the next few months holden are going to be releasing a E85 version of the commodore.
On a side note, will be interesting next year in the V8's with the move to E85 fuel, which incidentally will be made from sugar that my oldies grow and supply to the mill that will be making the ethanol. I think that in the next few months holden are going to be releasing a E85 version of the commodore.
tim the pool man said:
MyM8V8 said:
I remember seeing an article where a top exec from GM was applauding the efforts of GM Holden management for their profitability, just before they pumped in the money to (re)develop the VE range.
And bearing in mind the the yanks seem prepared to pay a premium for the perceived build quality on the imported Pontiac variants. I'm not so sure about Holden.
As for Fords. No great loss there, Bye Bye!
What "premium" are they paying? Given that the cars are sold in the US significantly cheaper than we get them here?And bearing in mind the the yanks seem prepared to pay a premium for the perceived build quality on the imported Pontiac variants. I'm not so sure about Holden.
As for Fords. No great loss there, Bye Bye!
Or do you mean they are dearer than the US built cars?
MyM8V8 said:
tim the pool man said:
MyM8V8 said:
I remember seeing an article where a top exec from GM was applauding the efforts of GM Holden management for their profitability, just before they pumped in the money to (re)develop the VE range.
And bearing in mind the the yanks seem prepared to pay a premium for the perceived build quality on the imported Pontiac variants. I'm not so sure about Holden.
As for Fords. No great loss there, Bye Bye!
What "premium" are they paying? Given that the cars are sold in the US significantly cheaper than we get them here?And bearing in mind the the yanks seem prepared to pay a premium for the perceived build quality on the imported Pontiac variants. I'm not so sure about Holden.
As for Fords. No great loss there, Bye Bye!
Or do you mean they are dearer than the US built cars?
tim the pool man said:
MyM8V8 said:
tim the pool man said:
MyM8V8 said:
I remember seeing an article where a top exec from GM was applauding the efforts of GM Holden management for their profitability, just before they pumped in the money to (re)develop the VE range.
And bearing in mind the the yanks seem prepared to pay a premium for the perceived build quality on the imported Pontiac variants. I'm not so sure about Holden.
As for Fords. No great loss there, Bye Bye!
And bearing in mind the the yanks seem prepared to pay a premium for the perceived build quality on the imported Pontiac variants. I'm not so sure about Holden.
As for Fords. No great loss there, Bye Bye!
What "premium" are they paying? Given that the cars are sold in the US significantly cheaper than we get them here?
Or do you mean they are dearer than the US built cars?
The premium is relative to what they would pay for a similar USA produced vehicle, not relative to global pricing.
OK, fair enough. I guess we (in Australia) are just conditioned to being shafted on car prices. It certainly irks to see Australian built cars sold cheaper in the US an UK than they are here
Yeah, I am with you on this one.... I think it is mental... how can a G8 be sold cheaper in the US, than you can get a V6 in Oz. My wonder these guys loose money at the rate they do..
l4jor said:
Are you saying that the monaro and the VXR8/ commodore are being sold cheaper in the UK than in Australia ? that I can't believe.. OK the States get everything cheap...
The UK comparison depends a lot on exchange rates; a few weeks ago it was £1 = $2 so the VXR8 price was well under the equivalent here, at $2.50 they are similar I think.The last VXRs sold at $27K, probably still struggle to find a 3year old 2nd hand one for that here...
ETA, just searched carsales, 3 HSV Z GTO's (ie "05 VXR") for sale privately in WA, (2 of which are autos
)Range from $54K for an 04 to $67,500 for an 05.
Edited by tim the pool man on Tuesday 4th November 07:32
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