Corvette Could Become Hero Car for Holden
#1
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Corvette Could Become Hero Car for Holden
Corvette Could Become Hero Car for Holden
The Corvette Stingray might be gearing up for a new role in Australia as General Motors’ Holden brand’s halo vehicle.
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The Corvette Stingray might be gearing up for a new role in Australia as General Motors’ Holden brand’s halo vehicle.
Read the rest on the CorvetteForum.com homepage. >>
#4
Banned Scam/Spammer
Wasn't it Holden who built those ridiculous 04-06 GTOs? They were actually laughable.
#6
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#7
Not only is the Holden-built Chevrolet SS powered by a V8, but also the V8 is a 6.2L Corvette V8.
One major correction: GM is not shuttering Holden. GM is following the lead of Toyota and Ford and ending Australian manufacturing of the automobiles sold in its dealerships. Holden becomes a marketing umbrella for imports. There has been absolutely no announcement about the source of cars sold by Holden. There has been some speculation about the Camaro serving as the reboot of the Holden Monaro sports coupe. The speculation about Corvette is borne of fans who have enormous enthusiasm and virtually no brains.
The best speculation is that new Holdens will come largely from the ranks of Opel product. After all, almost all if not all Opels have RHD versions.
One major correction: GM is not shuttering Holden. GM is following the lead of Toyota and Ford and ending Australian manufacturing of the automobiles sold in its dealerships. Holden becomes a marketing umbrella for imports. There has been absolutely no announcement about the source of cars sold by Holden. There has been some speculation about the Camaro serving as the reboot of the Holden Monaro sports coupe. The speculation about Corvette is borne of fans who have enormous enthusiasm and virtually no brains.
The best speculation is that new Holdens will come largely from the ranks of Opel product. After all, almost all if not all Opels have RHD versions.
#9
Melting Slicks
The major problem as I see it, is Australia requires right hand drive, now consider the fact England and Japan and a few other countries also are right hand drive countries, that could very well increase demand, however to date GM does not build a right hand drive Corvette, in Australia it cost $10 to $20K to convert a car because it is required to get the car into the country, Japan and England do not have this requirement, but if right hand drive was available sales would increase.
#10
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#11
The Corvette presents an intriguing question. In order to be successful in the Australian market, Holden would require a RHD Corvette--which does not exist. If it existed, then the Corvette might expand to Australia. However, it would also be more competitive in other RHD countries like the UK and South Africa.
OTOH, the Corvette relies much more on handcrafting than other GM products. Will the increased sales generated by RHD Corvettes cover the cost associated with engineering and building RHD Corvettes?
I believe that this is an open question. If the answer is yes, then life will be really good in Bowling Green. Even in that event, however, I do not believe that the Corvette will be the halo car for Holden after local manufacturing ends. To the contrary, I have seen no evidence that Holden customers have any interest in the Corvette or any other two-seat sports car for that matter.
#12
Drifting
No matter what anybody else thinks, as a prior owner of a 2005 Pontiac GTO and a 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP, both were really good cars.
Even though some have complained about the body style of the 2005 GTO and called it 'Sunbird on steroids', the car looked almost exactly like one version of a BMW. For a 2005 model, the car ran strong and with bolt ons would be a high 11 car.
The 2009 G8 GXP was a solidly built car and for it's weight ran great. It was very luxurious and was fast enough to run high 12 second quarter miles. It was a car that GM thought so highly of that they built the modern day Chevrolet SS.
I have zero complaints about either car, and if not for the 2014 SS looking like the Impala and Malibu, I would've bought that car.
The main problem with the 2005 GTO was twofold, one was the name 'GTO' should not have been used, also they didn't market the car properly. The problem with the G8 GT and G8 GXP was the timing of the car, as Pontiac was in the process of shutting down when it was being sold.
Even though some have complained about the body style of the 2005 GTO and called it 'Sunbird on steroids', the car looked almost exactly like one version of a BMW. For a 2005 model, the car ran strong and with bolt ons would be a high 11 car.
The 2009 G8 GXP was a solidly built car and for it's weight ran great. It was very luxurious and was fast enough to run high 12 second quarter miles. It was a car that GM thought so highly of that they built the modern day Chevrolet SS.
I have zero complaints about either car, and if not for the 2014 SS looking like the Impala and Malibu, I would've bought that car.
The main problem with the 2005 GTO was twofold, one was the name 'GTO' should not have been used, also they didn't market the car properly. The problem with the G8 GT and G8 GXP was the timing of the car, as Pontiac was in the process of shutting down when it was being sold.
#13
They were great cars, had one for 8 years and loved it.
Corvette 6.0 V8 for 15k less and a back seat, much higher quality materials on the inside than the C6. Dyno tuned mine would keep up with a C6.
Avalon
#15
Le Mans Master
I have a good friend who lives in Australia. He is a lifelong Corvette fan and member of his local Corvette club. He owns a 1978 Pace car with left hand drive and a C5 with right hand drive. He has told me more than once, the actual cost in Australia to convert a LHD Corvette to RHD is more like $50,000.00 to $60,0000.00...
Last edited by LIE2ME; 01-15-2015 at 09:01 AM.
#16
Instructor
No matter what anybody else thinks, as a prior owner of a 2005 Pontiac GTO and a 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP, both were really good cars.
Even though some have complained about the body style of the 2005 GTO and called it 'Sunbird on steroids', the car looked almost exactly like one version of a BMW. For a 2005 model, the car ran strong and with bolt ons would be a high 11 car.
The 2009 G8 GXP was a solidly built car and for it's weight ran great. It was very luxurious and was fast enough to run high 12 second quarter miles. It was a car that GM thought so highly of that they built the modern day Chevrolet SS.
I have zero complaints about either car, and if not for the 2014 SS looking like the Impala and Malibu, I would've bought that car.
The main problem with the 2005 GTO was twofold, one was the name 'GTO' should not have been used, also they didn't market the car properly. The problem with the G8 GT and G8 GXP was the timing of the car, as Pontiac was in the process of shutting down when it was being sold.
Even though some have complained about the body style of the 2005 GTO and called it 'Sunbird on steroids', the car looked almost exactly like one version of a BMW. For a 2005 model, the car ran strong and with bolt ons would be a high 11 car.
The 2009 G8 GXP was a solidly built car and for it's weight ran great. It was very luxurious and was fast enough to run high 12 second quarter miles. It was a car that GM thought so highly of that they built the modern day Chevrolet SS.
I have zero complaints about either car, and if not for the 2014 SS looking like the Impala and Malibu, I would've bought that car.
The main problem with the 2005 GTO was twofold, one was the name 'GTO' should not have been used, also they didn't market the car properly. The problem with the G8 GT and G8 GXP was the timing of the car, as Pontiac was in the process of shutting down when it was being sold.
Holden Monero!
#17
Drifting
With lots of military years (retired now) I had the chance to talk with many, many gear-head Aussie's. They are muscle car freaks and performance track dogs as much if not more than we are. I'm 100% sure they would snap up any right hand drive C7's that might be built in BG. I hope BG does have some future plans to build and send some to AUS. More business is always good for the american auto industry.
As far as the tuned and bolt-on Holden's, I'd bet there are quite a few down-under that would put a serious hurt on some of us pure-stock C7's - JMO
As far as the tuned and bolt-on Holden's, I'd bet there are quite a few down-under that would put a serious hurt on some of us pure-stock C7's - JMO
#18
Race Director
No matter what anybody else thinks, as a prior owner of a 2005 Pontiac GTO and a 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP, both were really good cars.
Even though some have complained about the body style of the 2005 GTO and called it 'Sunbird on steroids', the car looked almost exactly like one version of a BMW. For a 2005 model, the car ran strong and with bolt ons would be a high 11 car.
The 2009 G8 GXP was a solidly built car and for it's weight ran great. It was very luxurious and was fast enough to run high 12 second quarter miles. It was a car that GM thought so highly of that they built the modern day Chevrolet SS.
I have zero complaints about either car, and if not for the 2014 SS looking like the Impala and Malibu, I would've bought that car.
The main problem with the 2005 GTO was twofold, one was the name 'GTO' should not have been used, also they didn't market the car properly. The problem with the G8 GT and G8 GXP was the timing of the car, as Pontiac was in the process of shutting down when it was being sold.
Even though some have complained about the body style of the 2005 GTO and called it 'Sunbird on steroids', the car looked almost exactly like one version of a BMW. For a 2005 model, the car ran strong and with bolt ons would be a high 11 car.
The 2009 G8 GXP was a solidly built car and for it's weight ran great. It was very luxurious and was fast enough to run high 12 second quarter miles. It was a car that GM thought so highly of that they built the modern day Chevrolet SS.
I have zero complaints about either car, and if not for the 2014 SS looking like the Impala and Malibu, I would've bought that car.
The main problem with the 2005 GTO was twofold, one was the name 'GTO' should not have been used, also they didn't market the car properly. The problem with the G8 GT and G8 GXP was the timing of the car, as Pontiac was in the process of shutting down when it was being sold.
I agree with you about the Pontiac G8 series...I liked them and thought they were good upscale sedans.
#19
Melting Slicks
I own 2 2004 M6 GTOs. I must really suck because I dig em. Dump the wing and toss a nice set of staggered wheels on one and they look kinda bada$$. Never selling my yellow one. Looks runs and even still smells like a new car.
#20