Holden chases van sales

Holden insiders have expressed frustration at the lack of a ‘White Van’ in its local line up. The sector, which represents only 2.3 per cent of total sales in Australia, has been without the Holden nameplate since the demise of the Shuttle (nee Isuzu Fargo) in 1990.

Although the numbers are small, Holden considers the sector to be important, saying it would dearly love to have representation against the likes of Toyota’s all-conquering HiAce, stalwart Mitsubishi Express and newcomer Hyundai iLoad. Respectively, these models have sold 4968, 688 and 5622 units nationally so far this year.

Unfortunately for the Holden team the answer is not clear cut. Although Holden has a number of vans to choose from, anything from the US is discounted by way of its left-hand drive orientation.

European offerings, such as the Vauxhall Vivaro (pictured, a product of GM Opel’s joint venture with Renault and Nissan), is said to be under consideration... but for a stylistic technicality. The business case, our insider tells us, has stalled, with Holden’s marketing team stating the van cannot compete against its badge brother, the Renault Trafic because “it looks too much the same”.

By the same token Holden can’t produce its own van as, for one, it’s too expensive and two, there’s no available platform from which to produce a cab-over-engine, box-style light commercial.

There is a glimmer of hope, however, with a future generation van already under consideration. Slated for release in 2016 the as yet unnamed ‘White Van’ has made it to Holden’s future product list. Chances are slim though, with our man on the ground saying “I wouldn’t hold my breath”.

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