Rodeo headed for big roundup in the sky

Holden will pull the plug on the Rodeo name in the second half of this year. The Rodeo model name has been applied to Isuzu-built light commercials sold in Australia for thirty years, but Holden will replace the RA series of Rodeo with a vehicle named 'Colorado' during the second half of this year.

At present, Holden is not revealing any official information concerning the successor, other than the fact it will be available in 4x2, 4x4, single cab, space cab and crew cab models and will be powered by both petrol and diesel engines, just as the Rodeo is currently.

"The light commercial segment is a significant market for Holden and with this exciting new addition we will remain a major player with a highly competitive new entry," said Teresa Basile, Holden Marketing Manager for LCV.

"And Rodeo owners can rest assured that Holden remains committed to providing superior customer service and parts availability to the current range," she also said, confirming that, with the cessation of Rodeo sales, Holden will continue to honour warranties and servicing.

"Our relationship with Isuzu remains as a business partnership, it's just not an investment partnership any more," said Kate Lonsdale, Holden's Communications Manager (Victoria).

"This is simply a matter of a name change. The contract has come to an end and [Isuzu] would like to have the name back," she said.

"We were under the impression it would always happen -- at some point -- and they decided that yes, they would like to retain the name, Rodeo, and so it's going back to them."

She also confirmed that the Rodeo's successor would continue to be built in Thailand. Since Isuzu builds a non-North American Chevrolet Colorado based on the current D-Max/Rodeo platform, the current generation or an upgraded version of the Colorado will presumably be the replacement for the Rodeo.

It's reported too that Holden will continue to supply the Alloytech V6 engine to Isuzu.

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