Australia "ready" for imported Commodore, says Holden

Holden’s executive sales director Peter Keley believes the Commodore nameplate will continue to resonate strongly with Australian buyers despite the fact the 2018 model won’t be locally produced.

Keley, speaking at an early prototype drive of the new model in Victoria this week, believes the importation of the new Opel Insignia-based passenger car shouldn’t be a deterrent to fans in Australia.

“I think it’s going to be easier getting bums in seats,” Keley said.

“There this confusion or doubt that we’re replacing the Commodore with a car that’s called a Commodore. I think people will actually be interested to come and find out and the great thing is that when they do sit in the car, they’ll realise that is actually a Commodore.

“It will do what people are used to a Commodore doing. They’re used to a car driving really well, they’re used to having a feeling of spaciousness and comfort. They’re used to getting new technology with every new Commodore.

“This car delivers on all those things and I think people will be very, very pleasantly surprised.”

While current sales of the VF Commodore pale in comparison to the nameplates peak in the 1990s, the large sedan still remains one of the most popular cars on sale in Australia. Asked whether the replacement model - to feature four-cylinder petrol, four-cylinder diesel and six-cylinder petrol options – can outsell the locally-built model, Keley was slightly more measured.

“The market will always dictate and the market is moving away from large cars to SUVs,” he said.

“We’re not projecting anything around actual sales, but nothing we’re willing to talk about. I have no doubt that it will live up to our expectations anyway.”

Keley conceded that  small proportion of V8-centric buyers may not gel with the latest model, whose new E2 global platform isn’t compatible with an engine larger in size than the current 3.6-litre V6. But for the majority of buyers, the Holden veteran is convinced the new Commodore has what it takes to be a sales success.

“I’ve been involved with product development for a long time with Holden, done a lot of research during that time,” Keley said.

“It always comes down to what it does, not so much what it is. I know there’s a lot of discussion around whether a four-cylinder car can be a Commodore, around the fact it’s not rear-wheel drive.

“Again it comes down to what it does. The entry level powertrain will deliver the best performance for an entry level Commodore ever. Again it’s what it does. The drive of the vehicle will still deliver neutral, safe and rewarding handling, but it won’t be rear-wheel drive.

“We sell a lot of V8 Commodores, a very small percentage buy them because it does nought to 100km/h in under five seconds. Will this car do nought to 100km/h in under five seconds? No it won’t, so a very small percentage might not consider the new Commodore. They might hold onto their current car for a bit longer.”

Keley urged Commodore aficionados to at least consider the new model before writing it off altogether.

“Absolutely, people should consider the new Commodore,” he said. “I think they’re going to be pleasantly surprised.”

All you need to know about the MY18 Commodore
MY18 Commodore - Our first prototype drive
MY18 Commodore - a detailed rundown
MY18 Commodore - why it promises to succeed
MY18 Commodore -