Commodore to wear Pontiac badges

It's official! Sort of… Commodore is going to the USA badged as a Pontiac.

The news was broken, unofficially, by the man who should know, GM product supremo Bob Lutz (pictured). Though an official announcement was not due until the Chicago Motor Show in February, Lutz confirmed the Commodore's US future when answering questions at the North American International Automobile Show (NAIAS) in Detroit earlier today.

An open secret virtually since the VE Commodore's launch in August 2006, the US export model will be badged Pontiac and be sold under the G8 nameplate. According to Lutz's Detroit comments, up to 50,000 of the V8-powered four-doors could be exported each year to the United States.

It has been reported that Lutz confirmed the landmark agreement just moments after Holden execs refused to answer questions on the export deal.

Holden officials back home have been left unprepared for the announcement. With the Lion's heaviest-hitters at Detroit, local Holden media personnel were left to offer a bemused but firm "No official comment" on Lutz's revelations.

Holden Communications Manager, Maya Donevska told CarPoint: "We can't confirm anything at this end. It'll be a few more weeks before we can say anything."

Ms Donevska confirmed that at this stage an official announcement was still scheduled to take place to coincide with the February 7 opening of the Chicago Motor Show.

It's not the first time Holden product has been sold in the USA under the Pontiac brand. A left-hand drive version of the Monaro was marketed as the Pontiac GTO.

The exercise was generally considered as unsuccessful, however, the car and its performance won fans within GM's US executive ranks and arguably streamlined the way for the new-generation car to make its way to the USA.

With Australia's large car segment under siege, export sales are essential for the long term health of large-car-focussed local manufacturing. Holden currently exports significant quantities of VE and long-wheelbase WM based cars under Chevrolet badging to the Middle East and South America and is looking to add the United Kingdom to its export targets. Significant volumes into the USA would also help justify the $1.2b pricetag on the development of the latest Commodore/Statesman series.

Also in the frame to provide significant export income for Holden is the development role the carmaker is playing in the rebirth of the Chevrolet Camaro. The iconic two-door muscle car is set to be relaunched on to the US market in 2008.

A convertible concept version of the car (also pictured) was unveiled at Detroit this week.