Holden to launch small car attack in 2009

Holden's current two-tier small car range based on the Viva and Astra models has never made much sense -- but it soon will!  Due for preview at the Paris motor show later this year are new Korean-built replacements for both the current Viva and Euro-sourced Astra.

Just as the local Holden Captiva range is made up of entry models shared with Chevrolet and a premium Captiva Maxx, which is sent to Europe badged as an Opel, Holden insiders have revealed the company will market two levels of GM's new global small car.

A more stylish, safer and better-equipped version of the Viva will define a slick new entry point for Holden's small car range and take the battle to the Toyota Corolla. And for the first time, it will be totally styled by an Australian 'schooled' Holden Design team. Much of the engineering fine-tuning will also have been completed in Australia -- as was the case with the Captiva.

Because this new entry level Viva will be marketed across the globe as a Chevrolet, Holden will be able to present the new model with family styling links to the Captiva and new Colorado light commercials with little investment in appearance changes.

The shared economies of scale with Chevrolet should therefore allow Holden to maintain the current Viva's sharp pricing despite a dramatic improvement in almost every area.

For those Holden buyers who have valued the European feel and looks of the Astra, Holden will also have access to the very different version of this new small car as developed and styled for the European market. It's understood that the differences between the variants may include a more sophisticated independent rear suspension.

That said even the ‘Astra' version will be sourced directly from Korea alongside the ‘Viva'. Holden therefore should be able to maintain sharp pricing for a model that will take the battle to its European rivals.

Both new ranges are expected to go on sale locally in the first quarter of 2009. The Melbourne Motor Show in late February has been discussed as the logical time to reveal the new range to Australians.

Before that a facelifted Barina light car will arrive Down Under, in the process telegraphing some of the styling punches of new Viva/Astra pairing.

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