REVIEW:
Holden’s VE Commodore has just received its final update before being replaced by a new and possibly last model in 2013. ROB MAETZIG drives the entry version, the Omega.
A game of motor industry cat and mouse is being played in Australia at present. General Motors-Holden and archrival, but Aussie car-manufacturing buddy, Ford are both busy arguing the case for long-term government assistance to help secure the future of the vehicle manufacturing industry across the Tasman.
It’s a strong argument. Earlier this month, Holden chairman and managing director Mike Devereux said in a speech that the economic benefits that flow from automotive manufacturing include employment, skills training, research and development and the growth of alternative fuel and energy industries.
“If we’re serious about Australia being a knowledge economy, we need strategic capability. A first-class education system and the ability to build things are the building blocks,” he said, adding that Australia’s car industry is developing new technologies, state-of-the-art manufacturing skills and growing energy industries to help solve issues such as climate change.
But then there’s the other side of the argument, which is whether both Holden’s and Ford’s biggest-selling Aussie cars, the Commodore and the Falcon, are appropriate any more.
They are big, rear-drive, sedans and wagons, and thirsty – all the things that are losing popularity in this age of continuously changing motorist preferences towards smaller vehicles and differing body styles.
Both manufacturers are working hard to address this. Ford is due to launch a renewed Falcon range next year that will include a four-cylinder model, while Holden is not far away from introducing its first dedicated LPG Commodore.
Holden remains on schedule to launch a new VF series Commodore in 2013, which you can guarantee will feature all sorts of new-age motoring and environmental attractions.
But after that? The jury remains out on whether the production of the Commodore will continue for many more years, and you can guarantee that if the Commodore goes, so will the Falcon.
So that’s the background. It’s all a bit unfortunate given the stellar careers of both of the Aussie big cars, but I suppose that’s progress.
If they do go, I, for one, will be a little
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Tags: cars, General Motors, gm, vehicles
