Holden cuts Commodore prices by almost $10K

GM Holden will announce sizeable price reductions of between $2500 and $9800 for its upgraded VF Commodore line-up on Friday (May 10).

The aggressive new pricing structure was revealed to Holden dealers last week and motoring.com.au sources have confirmed buyers of sports and luxury models will be the biggest beneficiaries when the vital new VF is officially released on June 1.

VF Commodore sedan pricing will start $5000 lower than before $34,990 for the newly named entry-level variant, the Evoke, which replaces both the VE Omega and Berlina.

The dramatic price reduction rewinds the clock to 2006, when Holden launched its billion-dollar VE Commodore with a starting price of $34,490 for the entry-level Omega sedan.

Despite the base price cut, all VF Commodores will come with a raft of new features, including electric steering that can park the car itself, a reversing camera, driver’s knee airbag, electric parking brake, dual-zone climate-control and a more upmarket interior.

The keener recommended retail pricing (plus on-road costs), which follows price cuts of up to $3500 for the 2014 Cruze, will be a key tool with which Holden hopes to increase sales to private buyers, as fleet customers desert Australia’s once-favourite new vehicle.

The Mazda3 ended the Commodore’s record 15-year run as the nation’s top-selling vehicle in 2011 and Holden’s large car stalwart disappeared from the top 10 bestsellers list for the first time in its 35-year history in March and April this year.

Holden hopes the addition of two new models in the second half of this year -- the mid-size Malibu sedan and small Trax crossover -- will also help maintain sales momentum in 2013.

However, buyers should not expect Commodore transaction prices to change much, given the VE is currently in run-out priced from as low as $34,990 for the base Z-Series sedan, which is being offered with three years’ free servicing and a five-year warranty.

While prices of the volume-selling Commodore sedan have been cut by up to $5000 (the outgoing VE Commodore’s official RRP continues to start at $39,990 for the base Omega sedan), Ute buyers will save just $2500, with the base Evoke tray-back priced at $32,990.

Biggest savings are reserved for buyers of sports and luxury models, with the SS V sedan and Calais V sedan and wagon to cost $9800 less than before, V8 versions of the Calais V priced $9000 lower, and Calais V6 models $8300 cheaper.

Buyers of the popular SV6 will pay up to $6800 less for a VF sedan, $5600 less for a wagon and $5500 less for a ute, while SS Ute customers will save at least $3500 (and up to $5000 for the V-Series).

New models on the VF price list include Redline versions of the SS-V Ute and Sportwagon, while the upgraded long-wheelbase WN Caprice will cost $10,000 less than before at $59,990.

Holden is yet to announce full specifications for the VF line-up, but despite the big savings for premium models many will come with a host of advanced new driver aids, including Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning, Side Blind Zone Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

Other new technologies to be fitted to premium models will include high-intensity gas-discharge (HID) headlights, LED driving lights, colour head-up display, rain-sensing wipers, heated and ventilated front seats, push-button starting and a larger eight-inch colour in-dash touch-screen infotainment system including MyLink telematics.

Despite being fitted with carryover engines and transmissions, most VF Commodores are expected to consume slightly less fuel, thanks to weight reductions and improved aerodynamics.

2013 VF Commodore pricing (plus on-road costs):

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