Holden's unveiling of the Hummer H3 at last week's Australian International Motor Show a full year ahead of the car's likely arrival has some pundits scratching their heads.
At this stage no pricing has been announced and Holden's full plans for sales of the offroader are yet to be publicized.
As reported at the launch of the offroader last week, Holden will operate as the Australian importer and distributor for the Hummer brand. Eventually, it's intended that the range will be expanded from the single model. (For example Hummer is already testing ute and crewcab versions of the H3.)
And it looks equally likely that the Hummer brand 'model' will be repeated Down Under with other GM imports likely to be sold wearing badges other than Holden.
Holden executives privately confirmed to CarPoint that the company is in the process of setting up a 'select' dealer network that will handle special non-Holden-badged models. Not available to all Holden dealers (as is the case, for example, with HSV), the models could include Corvette (Z06 pictured) and perhaps even upcoming high-performance European models.
Although the same Holden officials have emphatically denied any immediate plans to add Cadillac to the mix, the Australian-developed Chevrolet Camaro (also pictured) is a definite starter for such a network.
The roll-out date and the products the network will handle are still the subject of intense discussion and negotiation, they say.
CarPoint has been told that the special dealer network has provided further motivation to develop a new Monaro. Likely to be built in association with Pontiac (see separate story here) such a car would provide those Holden dealers who are not part of this special network with a hero non-HSV model for their showrooms.