2016 HOLDEN COMMODORE VF SERIES II SSV REDLINE

Sadly, the VF Commodore Series II is likely to be the last ever Holden family car made in Australia, though Holden may surprise us by introducing a further update in the next 12 months. However, the VF II SSV Redline sedan we tested last week has the final major upgrades, any future versions are likely to be minor dress-ups perhaps with special editions. Given Australians love of driving it comes as no surprise that sales of the sporty Commodore models – SV6, SS, SSV and SSV Redline – are now… Read more

LAST CRUZE CRUISES OFF HOLDEN ASSEMBLY LINE

Holden managed to almost completely hide the story of the beginning of the end of its manufacturing in Australia by burying it in a couple of other much larger events. The final Cruze rolled off the line on the same day as, (A) Ford shut down its factories and (B) the Bathurst 1000 weekend began. The final Cruze, an SRI Z-Series hatch, was driven off the assembly line at 8.30 on Friday October 7th. It, and a final Cruze sedan were donated to Holden’s longtime charity partner, the Leukaemia Foundation,… Read more

NEW LEASE OF LIFE FOR HOLDEN CONVERTIBLE

A convertible has been launched on the back of the Holden Astra range – it comes with the stand-alone name, Cascada and as a single model, priced at $41,990 plus on-road costs. A limited number of 50 special Cascada Launch Edition vehicles were made available to celebrate the return of the convertible body style to the Holden range. Buyers are spoilt with the luxury of premium Nappa leather appointed and ventilated front seats and a leather sports steering wheel. Other special treats include 20-inch alloy wheels, adaptive forward lighting and… Read more

COMPACT WITH ADDED SPARK FROM HOLDEN

Major Holden engineering input in the new Spark included the tuning of steering and suspension, and the continuously variable automatic transmission specifically designed for Australian conditions. A stronger body has enabled engineers to tune ride and handling more precisely, for a greater feeling of control and refinement, also engendering a quieter ride. This was achieved during thousands of kilometres over months of extensive work at Holden’s Lang Lang proving ground and on public roads. On top of that, the new model incorporates Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity across the… Read more

NEW HOLDEN ASTRAS ON THEIR WAY

Factory workers in Poland proudly show off the first new Astra that’s coming to Australia

Keen to show that shutting down the Holden factories in Australia doesn’t mean the company is leaving the country, GM-Holden is keeping us in touch with progress on European imports. Pictures of the factory workers in Gliwice, Poland proudly showing off the first Australian Astra have been released to the media. There are also details of the car and its pricing, which starts as $21,990. Deliveries will start in a date in December 2016 that’s yet to be finalised. Holden’s director of vehicle performance, Ian Butler, said Holden and Opel… Read more

HOLDEN’S BIGGEST SUV GETS AN UPGRADE AND A NEW NAME

Holden has given its largest SUV an upgrade and changed its name from Colorado 7 to Trailblazer. We never quite understood Holden’s logic when it launched the big SUV in 2013 with the same name as its Colorado utility, albeit it with a ‘7’ on the end to indicate its seating capacity, especially when the Trailblazer name was being used in other markets, including the United States. Sales of the Colorado 7 have been poor and it sits in the bottom third of the Large SUV market segment, well behind… Read more

NEW MODELS, NEW IMAGE FOR HOLDEN

Holden’s plans for life after local production are proceeding at pace with the unveiling of a new brand image; a marketing campaign featuring leading Australian record producer and musician Flume; a preview of five new or upgraded models to be released over the next five months and a new extended test drive program. Covering every facet of Holden’s marketing communications, the new Holden ‘master brand’ campaign ranges from an updated logo and a new website, to fresh television and social media activations for all models including the new Astra and… Read more

HOLDEN ADVENTRA AND CREWMAN 2003 – 2009

2003 Holden Adventra

And now for something really different for Holden lovers. Holden Adventra was an early entrant in what is now called the crossover SUV market. That is a vehicle based on a station wagon, but with jacked up suspension and protection added to the body and underbody. Subaru has been in the jacked-up wagon arena for a long time, more recently, Volkswagen, Skoda and Audi, which are cousins, also sell wagons. Buyer preference in Australia leans very much to vehicles that look SUV-tough, though and these are now huge sellers. Its… Read more

MAJOR CHANGES TO HOLDEN COLORADO

Holden’s latest Colorado is a sure sign the company is moving in the right direction. Times change – and those who don’t change with them can get left badly behind. Holden stops making cars in Australia at a date yet to be announced in 2017. Simply shutting the doors in the factory and carrying on with sales of imported cars is not enough. The mindset of all in the company, as well as the Holden dealers, has to move with the times. New Colorado does just that; starting with a… Read more

HOLDEN TRAILBLAZER HEADING DOWNUNDER

Holden Colorado 7 SUV is about to get not only a major makeover, but also a new name – Trailblazer. That name is used in other markets, particularly the USA where the SUV is sold as the Chevrolet Trailblazer. Changes to the front are evident in these photos of a Chevrolet model provided by GM-Holden show it is to continue the double-stacked grille look that’s been well accepted downunder. Describing the new shape Holden leaves no doubt about the sort of buyers it’s aiming at, “The 2017 Colorado has been… Read more