Pontiac G8 prototypes ready to go

Holden announced today that the first engineering prototypes of the Pontiac G8 have left the production line at the Elizabeth plant in South Australia.

Based on the VE Commodore, the G8 -- with its Pontiac styling cues and left-hand drive -- will go on sale in the US during the early months of 2008.

When it hits the showrooms in the US, it will mark the introduction of the global rear wheel drive platform (previously known as 'Zeta') to the American market.

Other American market models to be built on this platform include the upcoming Chevrolet Camaro and the next generation (RWD) Chev Impala.

Holden has pencilled in production of the G8 to commence late in 2007, raising the plant's output to the maximum daily rate of 620 cars.

The export program to North America will be Holden's largest program of its type, to date. Holden's previous US export program, the Monaro-based Pontiac GTO sold fewer than the projected maximum of 18,000 units per year.

The G8, being a sedan, is predicted to appeal to a broader cross-section of the market and sell in larger numbers accordingly.

Getting the G8 past the post has been a feather in the cap for Holden MD, Denny Mooney (pictured with G8 prototype), who is shortly to depart Holden for a new position as GM vice president, global vehicle systems and integration, in Detroit.

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