RideLust

Chevy Cruze WTCC race car - image source Motortrend.com

Holden is in the news again, this time allegedly cooking up a hatchback version of the Chevy Cruze. The handsome (yes, legitimately handsome … especially next to a Cobalt!) product of a union between Suzuki and GM, the Cruze looks to be a hit in Europe, where it has already debuted. Destined to replace the Cobalt, the Holden hatch version has a slim chance of sales here, where hatchbacks generally do poorly. Of course, with a turbocharged Ecotec motor and some tuned suspension, it could be a Mazdaspeed 3 or GTI killer. Are you listening, GM?

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In case you don’t follow the goings on in Paul Hogan’s homeland, Holden is GM’s Australian division. There aren’t many similarities between Detroit GMs and their Australian cousins (maybe a good thing), save the old Pontiac GTO (Holden Monaro) and the new Pontiac G8 (Holden Commodore). Another difference to add to that list is that while GM is bankrupt, Holden is not. In fact, they’ve plenty of lolly in Oz.

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2009 Pontiac Solstice GXP Coupe

Clearly Pontiac’s eminent demise will put a damper on sales in the division’s final months of existence.  This is even more unfortunate in light of the performance brands return in recent memory to, well….performance.  Still, for a certain segment of  consumers, buying a Pontiac now might be the perfect time.

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Pontiac G8 GT

When Chrysler came out with the 300C, automotive journalists everywhere could be heard celebrating the return of the full-size, rear-wheel-drive, V8 American sedan. “Finally!” they cried, “A return to our glory days of yore!” Many waxed poetic about its slightly retro lines, saying that it looked like a proper American car. The gangster lines, the narrow windows, the hard angles, all bold, American design characteristics.  

Then, last year, Pontiac released the G8 GT. Read More…

The Holden Cruze debuted at the 2009 Melbourne Motor Show today, with the new Holden Volt expected to make an official appearance later. Sharing the same “global” platform found beneath the Chevy Cruze and Chevy Volt (respectively), Holden’s newest offerings are nearly indistinguishable from their North American counterparts – and for a very good reason. Currently embroiled in a very public battle against bankruptcy, GM’s “global” product idea mirrors Ford’s “ONE Ford” plan in that it aims at reducing the cost of production by assembling vehicles from a handful of core platforms. Thus, both the Holden Cruze and Volt will hit the Australian markets with intention of fulfilling the same goals set for its Chevy counterparts in the North American market. Read More…

Holdon Commodore Sportwagon

In light of the recent news that the El Camino-esque style Pontiac G8 ST may be delayed or canceled in advance of its 2010 debut while the tiny G3 (see below) moves forward; it is probably too much to hope that GM will decide to transplant the ST’s larger sibling from Australia; the Holden Sportwagon.

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Don’t you miss Oldsmobile? Yeah, me neither.

One of the main problems GM has is its large number of brands, and the fact that they’ve spread themselves so thin across those brands. They argue that there’s value in those nameplates, since customers want a wide selection. The thing is, they’re half the size they were in their prime, and they have more brands. Here’s a run down of the brands GM owns: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Daewoo, GMC, Holden, Hummer, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn, and Vauxhall. They need to lighten up their load if they want to survive.

Remember the story of Aron Ralston? He was the climber who was out in the wilderness when a boulder fell on his arm and pinned him there. He was stuck, couldn’t get loose, so he did what needed to be done, he cut off his own arm. That kind of action takes giant brass balls, but it saved his life in a case where, otherwise, he most likely would have died. It’s tough to knowingly cut off a part of yourself, but in life or death situations, it needs to be done. That’s why we’ve put together this list of the 9 Detroit Automotive Brands We’d Miss The Least, to help the execs in Detroit make the tough choices. Yes, these are drastic moves, but the fact is, this is crunch time, life or death time. Now Detroit just needs to grow a set the size of Aron Ralston. Check it out:
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Holden Coupe 60 concept

The Coupe 60 honors Holden’s 60th diamond anniversary in the car building business.  Given that Holden is the Australian arm of the GM giant, many wonder aloud why something that looks absolutely menacing could not make an appearance in the U.S. with a Chevy or Pontiac badge on the front.  In fact, the Coupe 60 may not even see the light of day in Australia. 

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According to Edmunds Inside Line, Pontiac has decided to dump their Holden Commodore-based G8 after only a ultra-limited run. If they’re right, then I’m flabbergasted. The G8 was Pontiac’s most exciting car in years, it’s on track to win the 2009 North American Car of the Year award for god’s sake. If they’re really flushing it, that just proves that the American auto industry deserves to be in the shite position it’s in right now.

Along with the elimination of the Solstice, that leaves nothing but FWD cars in Pontiac’s line-up, which is a sad state of affairs for a formerly great brand. So what happens now? I wager Pontiac will be non-existent in 5-7 years. The G8 was the savior of Pontiac, and dumping it will spell their doom. Mark my words. See you back here in 7 years.

Check out some pictures of the G8 after the jump, get a good look while it’s still around:
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