Holden Commodore axed after 41 years

Holden has killed off the Commodore just two years after closing its local factory and switching to a rebadged Opel.

The Holden Commodore nameplate has been axed. Picture: Supplied

Holden has killed off the Commodore just two years after closing its local factory and switching to a rebadged Opel imported from Europe.

The 41-year-old nameplate, which became synonymous with Australian motoring, was for years the nation’s favourite car but SUVs have increasingly usurped its role.

At its peak it attracted more than 90,000 buyers but in 2018 sales slid to just 9000 and demand has plummeted a further 35 per cent this year.

Another long-time Holden badge, the Astra, also goes in the purge which will see both models discontinued when stocks are exhausted next year.

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Holden said it was responding to market forces in making the move and in future line-up will comprise nothing but SUVs and light commercial vehicles.

“Holden is taking this decisive action to ensure a sharp focus on the largest and most buoyant market segments,” said interim managing director Kristian Aquilina, who took over last week after the sudden resignation of David Buttner.

Holden Commodore through the years

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“So far this year SUVs and utes have increased to 76 per cent of Holden sales, a trend we only see continuing,”

Holden denied the departure of Mr Buttner was linked to the Commodore decision, which a spokesman said had been under discussion for some time.

It will remove traditional cars from the brand’s range and sever ties with long-time European maker Opel, which was sold by General Motors to PSA (Peugeot Citroen) in 2017.

Its showrooms will display just four SUVs – the Trax, Equinox, Trailblazer and Acadia – plus the Colorado ute.

Mr Aquilina said the large car segment had declined from 217,882 sales in 1998 to a forecast 8700 units this year, with SUVs and light commercials taking over as buyer favourites.

“The SUV segment is approaching half a million units and LCVs over 200,000 units. That’s where the action is and that’s where we are going to play,” he said.

“The large sedan was the cornerstone of Australian and New Zealand roads for decades. But now with more choice than ever before, customers are displaying a strong preference for the high driving position, functionality and versatility of SUVs and utes.”

When Holden closed its Adelaide factory the decision to continue the Commodore nameplate on the imported car Opel Insignia was widely criticised because the two models are so different.

A rear-wheel drive Commodore with a large V8 under the bonnet was an enthusiast favourite but the replacement car, which lacked a V8 and came with either front or all-wheel drive, failed to excite loyalists.

Nevertheless, killing off the car had been difficult, Mr Aquilina said.

“The decision to retire the Commodore nameplate has not been taken lightly by those who understand and acknowledge its proud heritage,” he said.

Holden will sweeten the deal on remaining stock with an offer of seven-year free scheduled servicing.

It will honour Commodore and Astra warranty and roadside assistance commitments and continue to supply spare parts “well into the future”.

Holden Commodore - from Super Car to retiree

* The first VB Commodore was launched in 1978.

* There have 16 models over the past 42 years, the last being the ZB.

* The Commodore was Australia’s best selling car for 15 straight years to 2010.

* It won 16 Australian Touring Car (Super Car) championships and 26 Bathurst titles.

* More than three million Commodores have been sold since its launch.

* It was produced in Australia at the Elizabeth assembly plant in Adelaide until the end of local manufacturing in 2017.

* This year Commodore sales have fallen by more than 37 per cent to just 5417 to the end of November. — AAP