VE unveiled: Holden's say...

CarPoint doesn't make a habit of publishing press releases verbatim, but here's a précis of what Holden said about the new VE today...

Holden today unveiled the all-new Holden Commodore range, designed and engineered to extend a decade-long record as Australia's best-selling car.

The 2006 VE Commodore is Australia's first $1 billion dollar car program and the most homegrown development project in almost 60 years of Holden vehicle production.

The fourth generation Commodore is much safer, offers more technology and delivers more features and value than ever before.

Interiors, exteriors and major mechanical features have been totally redesigned or upgraded, representing the most clean-sheet car program in Holden history.

Holden spent more than six years planning and developing the new Commodore, the first generational change since the VT Commodore was launched in 1997.

Holden's sports performance hero SS model and prestige leader Calais were chosen to debut VE Commodore at an event in Melbourne.

Commodore's design theme is enabled by an increased wheelbase which moves the wheels closer to the car's corners, delivering a powerful European-styled stance on the road.

The launch comes 75 years after Holden became part of the world's largest automotive company, General Motors. It is also 150 years since the original Holden saddlery business, which grew to be today's GM Holden, opened in Adelaide.

GM Holden Chairman and Managing Director, Denny Mooney, today said VE Commodore was designed to excite buyers about Australian cars and enhance Holden's future as the largest automotive manufacturer in the country.

The VE program totalled $1.04 billion and the WM Statesman and Caprice program $190 million, taking the combined cost to $1.23 billion.

Mr Mooney said VE offered striking design, performance and refinement able to compete with the world's best car brands.

"Our targets have been some of the most expensive and most carefully crafted cars around the world and this careful consideration of global expectations is what should make this car work.

"We pored over every panel, the tiniest of details to place this car right up there in terms of refinement, quality and performance."

Mr Mooney said safety was a key factor in the new vehicle, with Electronic Stability Program (ESP) standard and curtain airbags available on the entire VE sedan range.

"The chassis is designed to accommodate a range of active and passive safety technologies as well as the crashworthiness expected in many different markets," he said.

"We have used more super-strength and high-strength steels than ever before in Commodore's structure. Real world crash performance was a huge priority throughout its development."

Mr Mooney said recent market changes and external factors such as fuel prices were best countered by ensuring locally built vehicles were able to mix with the world's best.

"The Australian car industry has a strong future while it continues to make globally competitive cars such as VE Commodore," he said.

"We're proud of what we have achieved with the all-new Commodore. We know Australians still enjoy large cars and we know they want safety, roominess and style in their cars."

The Holden VE Commodore range will go on sale in August 2006. Pricing and full specifications and features will be announced closer to the start of sales.

For more of  CarPoint's stories on the new

To read Wheels Magazine's rundown of the full VE range click

And keep an eye on

And don't forget the August issue of Wheels (on sale July 26) which features the full and exclusive behind-the-scenes story on the development of the VE Commodore.