Holden hits the street

THE all-new Holden Commodore range, which has been designed and engineered to extend a decade-long record as Australia’s best selling car, will go on sale tomorrow at dealerships across the country.
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’s history.
Holden spent more than six years planning and developing the new Commodore, the first generational change since the multiple award-winning VT Commodore was launched in 1997.
Holden launched the Commodore in 1978 and has built 2.4 million Commodores for sale in Australia and export markets around the world.
Holden’s sports performance hero SS model and prestige leader Calais were chosen to debut VE Commodore at an event in Melbourne.
VE 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, said VE Commodore was designed to excite buyers about Australian cars and enhance Holden’s future as the largest automotive manufacturer in the country.
Mr Mooney said General Motors had invested more than $6 billion in Australia over the past decade, including VE, to protect Commodore’s market-leading position. 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 safety was a key factor in the VE Commodore, with the acclaimed crash avoidance technology Electronic Stability Program 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.
“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,” he said.