French maid Holden Commodore? Unlikely

Would you prefer your Holden Commodore with French or German influence?

That's the reality facing the Aussie brand's evolving large car, whose long-term future is now unclear.

This is because Peugeot Citroen (PSA Group) has entered negotiations with General Motors (GM) to buy its ailing German brand, Opel, which will supply the Commodore from 2018.

Both parties say the deal will be positive for profitability and operational efficiency but the sale could create significant implications for GM Holden, which will which soon source a large majority of its vehicles sold in Australia from Opel.

If Opel's factories, designs studios, research labs, testing centres and administration facilities are sold to the French PSA Group, it could put the next-generation Holden Commodore deal in limbo.

If past experience is anything to go by, GM does not hand over intellectual property easily... Even IP that's dead and buried and no longer needed. A Belgian businessman tried to buy the GM Holden Elizabeth factory and the now defunct Zeta platform that underpins the Aussie-made Commodore, and GM said no.

The new platform that underpins the Opel Insignia – which will be exported to Australia and re-badged the Holden Commodore – is part of GM's intellectual property. If the PSA Group buys Opel it remains to be seen if this, or any other platforms, will be handed over.

We suspect not, with a short-term sharing deal potentially likely and further afield potentially only involving the Opel brand and not its products.

So if Opel can no longer supply Holden with a large car it needs, where will the Holden Commodore come from? The USA is one option, China is another. Perhaps the name will finally be laid to rest if sales of the new German-sourced model are sluggish?

Despite the PSA Group's take over of Opel looking more likely by the hour, with a deal expected in a matter of days (and the Commodore issue probably not even rating a mention during negotiations) Holden says it's business as usual.

"GM remains committed to the Holden brand in Australia and we don't expect any changes to Holden's vehicle portfolio.

"Right now we are focussed on ramping up Astra volume and preparing to launch the fantastic next-generation Commodore in 2018."