Category: Holden

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New vehicle sales report – June 2010

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The end of financial year saw some big numbers in terms of new vehicle sales in Australia. In fact, the final sales tally of 108,722 vehicles is the highest selling month on record. It betters the previous monthly high by over 2000 sales, set back in June 2008.

“The record June result is a clear demonstration of renewed confidence in the marketplace,” FCAI Chief Executive Andrew McKellar said.

“It is encouraging to see that private buyers have returned to the market in greater numbers and have taken over the momentum previously attributed to business sales.”Year-to-date sales now sit at 531,168 and the FCAI has upped is 2010 prediction by 40,000 vehicles. It now expects 980,000 sales to be registered in 2010.

Toyota, Holden and Ford continue as the three highest selling marques. But that hasn’t stopped many other brands from bragging about their sales results.

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Holden Motor Shows

Hay stack

HDT VH Commodore @ Goodwood FoS

The Goodwood Festival of Speed usually brings out some classic old racecars out for a run up the hill. Sometimes those classic machines don’t always return home in the pristine condition they arrived in. Here you can see Peter Champion, driving his former Brock/Perkins HDT Commodore, got things a little bit wrong during Friday’s action.

Champion ran wide, got into the grass, before ultimately punting the VH Commodore into the hay bales. Thankfully those bales helped to minimise the damage and repairs to the car which won the 1982 James Hardie 1000.

Speaking after the incident Champion said, “The brakes don’t get hot enough to work so I was relying on second gear to slow me down. Only problem was – I went for second and got fourth!”

The Commodore’s General Motors roots came in handy and Champion sourced a replacement steering rack from a 1982 Vauxhall Carlton and was back racing again on Saturday.

[Source: Goodwood FoS | Thanks to Terence for the tip and the pics]

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New vehicle sales report – March 2010

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March was another strong month for Australian vehicle sales. So much so that the 94,744 sales recorded represented a new monthly record for March, an increase of 352 sales over the previous high set in 2007. Compared to last month sales increased by 12,525 units.

While all vehicle segments fared well, the SUV sector continued its upward trend, increasing by 44%. Passenger car sales were up by more than 23%, while both the light and heavy commercial segments also posted healthy increases.

Toyota and Holden continue their reign as the country’s top two selling marques, with 21.4% and 12.4% market share respectively. Meanwhile, Ford fought back from last month’s drop recovering from fifth on the sales charts to finish ahead of Hyundai and Mazda in third place with 8.5% market share.

However, there was still good news for Hyundai as the i30 was the country’s best selling small car during March. The first time the i30 has achieved such a result.

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New vehicle sales report – December 2009

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According to official VFACTS figures released earlier today new vehicle sales in Australia for 2009 reached 937,328, an overall drop of 7.4% compared to 2008.

November’s cracking results showed the motor industry was well on the way to financial recovery and  December followed suit registering 88,708 sales. Which sets a new record for the month.

FCAI Chief Executive Andrew McKellar acknowledged the role of the Federal Government’s tax incentives for businesses in returning better than expected yearly figures, “The final outcome for the year has surpassed the industry’s original expectations by some 57,000 vehicles and a significant proportion of this additional volume can be attributed to the tax break.”

Toyota (200,191), Holden (119,658) and Ford (96,501) were the top three selling marques. Toyota’s stranglehold on top spot looks very secure, despite the highest selling car in Australia for 2009 being the Holden Commodore (44,387). The Corolla (39,013) and HiLux (38,457) rounded out the top three selling models nationwide.

Other notable performers were Audi, Mitsubishi and Volkswagen. But it seems most manufacturers have a positive spin to sell and a raft of press releases to that affect follow this article.

Audi, intent on chasing BMW for the top selling prestige marque, concluded 2009 with their fifth year of growth. Impressively, the German brand bettered last year’s record by over 20% while recording 11,310 sales. A perfect end to the local career of Audi Australia’s managing director, Joerg Hofmann. The hard task master will be returning home to Germany at the end of this month—see carsales interview from December 2009.

Mitsubishi have put the corpse of the Magna well behind it, achieving best ever annual sales for the Lancer (21,362) and Triton (18,182).

Volkswagen improved on its 2008 record year by selling over 30,000 vehicles for the first time under the Volkswagen Group Australia banner.

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Carmageddon GM Holden News

The bigger they are, the harder they fall

GM logo

The rumours and speculation have finally been fulfilled. General Motors, once the biggest car manufacturer in the world, has now filed for bankruptcy.

The good news for Australia’s Holden is that it will remain unaffected by the bankruptcy proceedings which only affect US operations. “Holden is a subsidiary of GM but we are a corporate entity in our own right – an independent company under Australian law,” Holden Chairman and Managing Director, Mark Reuss, said today. “Beyond that, GM has indicated that Holden will be an important part of the New GM.”

Mark Reuss will be holding a press conference at 9am this morning and that will be webcast on audio and video or audio only web portals. Holden has also released an FAQ statement.

A statement from GM Chairman Kent Kresa is shown below, and a full media statement from Holden can be read after the jump. For more check out GM’s Facts & Fiction website.

Kent Kresa: “The General Motors Board of Directors authorized the filing of a chapter 11 case with regret that this path proved necessary despite the best efforts of so many. Today marks a new beginning for General Motors. A court-supervised process and transfer of assets will enable a New GM to emerge as a stronger, healthier, more focused and nimbler company with a determination not to just survive but to excel. The Board concluded that the proposed transformation will maximize the value of the enterprise, and the return to the many stakeholders who have been involved with GM over the years.

We are appreciative of the support from the US Treasury, the President’s Task Force on Autos, the UAW and its members, salaried employees and retirees, concurring bondholders, and very importantly, the American taxpayers. The Board is confident that this New GM can operate successfully in the intensely competitive US market and around the world. The Board stands behind the people of GM in embracing this unique opportunity to create value and a new company that will design, engineer, build and market the best cars and trucks in world.”

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Holden MINI News

Join the club

Here is a brief “lifestyle” story on car clubs, featuring clubMINI‘s Queensland chapter, among others.

Car clubs can be a lot of fun. You can learn a lot more about your car, and about yourself. You can become exposed to a whole new level of motoring enjoyment. You can improve your driving skills through better access to professional training. Car clubs can also be a great way to sample the world of motorsport at a relatively affordable level.

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Holden

2010 Opel Astra – leaked images

2010 Opel Astra
2010 Opel Astra

The new Opel Astra is scheduled for its public debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show way off in mid September. Thanks to the wonders of the interweb you can now put back your visit to Germany as images of the 2010 Astra have been leaked.

It would appear unlikely that we’ll see this model here in Australia rebadged as a Holden. Which is a shame on two fronts. Firstly, this new Insignia-inspired design is quite smart and would present an appealing option compared to its current hatch rivals. And, secondly, previous Euro sourced Astras were actually quite good cars. They were certainly a better proposition than the Korean sourced replacements that now adorn Holden showrooms.

For more pics, follow the link below.

[Source: Carscoop]

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Holden Motorsports

TV Alert: Mal Rose Racing at the 2009 Dubai 24 hour

Mal Rose Racing at 2009 Dubai 24 hour race

Mal Rose is a name that many Australian motorsport devotees will remember. He hasn’t been competing much on the local scene of late. Internationally, though, he’s never been busier. Preparations are in full swing for yet another assault on the Nürburgring 24 hour race (21-24 May). This follows his team’s efforts earlier in the year at the Dubai 24 hour race.

This weekend on SBS TV Speedweek will feature highlights of the Mal Rose Racing V8 Commodore competing at the Dubai enduro. The broadcast is scheduled for 1pm on Sunday 26 April (check your local guides). If you miss this showing a repeat will be broadcast on Fox Sports on 13 May.

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DR TV – Hot hatch test

Drivers Republic hot hatch test

Six of the best hot hatches. An empty aerodrome all to yourself. How could you say no? Chris Harris from Drivers Republic certainly couldn’t, and he took the opportunity to see what’s what in the world of hot hatchery. The car’s on offer were impressive—Honda Civic Type R, Renault Megane R26.R, Ford Focus ST (XR5), Subaru Impreza WRX S, Vauxhall Astra VXR Triple Eight and a MINI Cooper S JCW.

So, which car came up trumps? The cars were taken to Bruntingthorpe Aerodrome to find out. You can watch video footage after the jump, or read the article in full HERE.

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Holden Vauxhall

Vauxhall VXR8 Bathurst S wallpapers

Vauxhall VXR8 Bathurst S

Walkinshaw Performance have taken a standard VXR8 and bolted on a big whiny supercharger. The result? A Bathurst S special edition with very tidy 560hp and 715Nm or torque. (That’s around 417kW). Stupendous!

Below are a selection of wallpaper sized images for you to enjoy, simply click on each image to load the larger version.

The Bathurst S, which costs £44,985 (AU$99,000), will be limited in number and sold throughout the United Kingdom at selected Vauxhall dealerships. There’s also a comparatively lightweight non-Supercharged Bathurst model available, but who would want that?

To help cope with that massive power the Bathurst editions have six-pot AP Racing calipers up front, and four-pots on the rear. Also attempting to keep things in control are custom designed Walkinshaw coilovers.

There is an optional trick exhaust system that can be run in Street or Optimum modes. Clearly, the Optimum setting, with an extra 10dbA (102dbA total) is the default option here.

All those add ons are worthwhile extras, its a shame the same can’t be said for the overtly tacky badges. You could buy something better from your local Autobarn outlet.

There’s 10 more 2000px super images after the jump, along with the Vauxhall press release.

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Automotive industry supports Bushfire Appeal

Victorian Bushfires

Following the lead of Mercedes-Benz, two more manufacturers have donated cash towards the Victorian Bushfire Appeal.

Honda Australia, through its Honda Foundation, has pledged $200,000 to the cause. Joining Honda in today’s announcement is Nissan Australia and Nissan Motor Co. in Japan who will be offering a combined donation of $100,000.

Nissan Australia will also match donations made by its employees to the Australian Red Cross or Salvation Army. The company has also committed to a 100 vehicle loan fleet, allowing affected members of the public to apply for a free loan car, for a period of up to six months.

These announcements are a fantastic show of support and one would expect more manufacturers to follow in these very generous footsteps.

Where available, press statements from manufacturers are included after the jump.

UPDATE: Audi has made a “significant contribution” towards the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation which made a $1,000,000 donation earlier today.

Toyota has donated $100,000 to the Cricket Australia Bushfire Appeal. Ford also donated a Mondeo XR5 Turbo for auction, with all proceeds going to the appeal.

UPDATE 11 Feb: V8 Supercars have donated $100,000. (Source: The Australian)

BMW Group Australia has chipped in $100,000 plus other support.

UPDATE 12 Feb: News just in that Mitsubishi have donated $100,000 to the Appeal.

Holden has also come forward with a $152,000 (US$100,000) donation, via its GM Foundation, and a fleet of 300 loan cars available to bushfire victims for periods of 3-12 months. In addition to these pledges, Holden dealers nationawide have raised a further $200,000. (Source: news.com.au)

Update 13 Feb: The Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group announced last night that it is donating $300,000 towards the 2009 Victorian Bushfire Fund to assist individuals and communities affected by the devastating fires.

Image: sourced from The Boston Globe

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Holden Motorsports News

Mal Rose Racing at the 2009 Dubai 24 hour

2009 Dubai 24 hour race

A quick shout out to Mal Rose and his team for their recent efforts at the 2009 Dubai 24 hour race (8-10 January). Mal Rose Racing took an ex-Garry Rogers Motorsport V8 Supercar and a duo of Mitsubishi Mirage Cup cars to the race. Mal’s team was the only Australian representation at the race in 2009.

Mal shared racing duties in the V8 Supercar with Peter Leemhuis and Tony Alford (who debuted a Nissan GT-R at the 2008 Targa Tasmania). Competing against touring cars and GT specials from manufacturers such as Porsche, Ferrari, BMW, Aston Martin and Audi, to name a few, Mal’s team had their Aussie V8 Supercar leading their class, and as high as third place outright, before mechanical issues spoiled the fun.

They were holding a solid top ten position as far as 14 hours into the race before diff troubles saw the team spent two hours in pit lane. Despite these issues the team got the car back on the race track and set their best times. Mal’s best time of 2 minutes 8.5 seconds was virtually matched by Peter Leemhuis (2 minutes 8.7 seconds).

Mal spent time early on in the race dicing with F1 engineer Adrian Newey (currently with Red Bull Racing) who was driving a Ferrari F430. In the stifling conditions Newey was treated for heat exhaistion after his stint and Mal was pretty chuffed with his fitness, stating, “I am now 46 years old and feel very race fit!”

In their third Dubai 24 hour race, the team completed 494 laps, finishing fifth in class and 33rd outright. Overall, this was a great effort by the team in what is a true privateer outfit. It’s great seeing guys like Mal having belief in themselves and getting out there and having a great time.

Film maker Stuart Greaves from Adrenaline Video was there making another doco, following on from his 2007 release, Mal’s Big Green Hell. So expect a new release soon!

The next event for Mal Rose will be with Peter and Tony in the Donut King Monaro at the Bathurst 12hr in mid February. Their next international events will be the Nürburgring 24hr in May then Spa 12hr in June 2009.

(A few more pics sent in from Mal can be seen after the jump.)

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