Coupe 60: The Next Monaro Or A Missed Opportunity? The Inside Story

[JoeT]

Rebirth Of Cool - Holden Coupe 60

John Carey
8 April 2008
www.wheelsmag.com.au

Is Coupe 60 the next Monaro? Or is it destined to be stillborn; an opportunity missed? Here's the real story behind Holden's motor show stunner.

Applaud loud enough and long enough, and General Motors might – just might – consider a Monaro encore. GM Holden’s new chairman and managing director says so. Mark Reuss fast-tracked his move from Motown so he would be able to present the Melbourne motor show’s undisputed star, and best kept secret, the Coupe 60. A few days later, he’s explaining to Wheels what it would take for the two-door beauty to be put into production.

Reuss begins by asking if a car offering the traditional Holden proportions of the Monaro coupe is a money maker. These days, with half of Holden’s production exported, it’s important that the right mix of models is rolling off the company’s Elizabeth, South Australia, production line. “We want to make sure we’re doin’ the right global portfolio,” says Reuss.

“If the business [case] for something like this makes sense, then we’re gonna look at it,” Reuss promises. “If it doesn’t, it probably will live as one of the greatest concept cars ever done.”

Pressed for detail of exactly what it would take to construct a solid business case for production of the coupe, Reuss clams up. “I can’t really speculate on it,” he says, adding that all GM and Holden are interested in right now is gauging reaction to the car.

But then he helpfully itemises the unknowns that stand in the way of a straightforward response. “I can’t answer that because I don’t know exactly what it takes to engineer and tool it,” Reuss says. “[or] what export or import volumes we have, because I can’t answer where we’d make it. I’d love to be able to tell you it’s 60,000 units for the Australian home market and we’re home free, but that’s not reality.”

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MIMS: Monaro's Back! Holden Coupe 60 Unvealed!
New Holden Monaro Program Depends On Exports - New Pontiac GTO?

[Gm786]

Very interesting article. I do hope that GM puts the Holden Coupe 60 into production as the new Monaro for Australia and exports it to North America to be sold as the Pontiac G8 coupe. That car is a drop-dead gorgeous car.

[Aych Es Vee]

Wheels website NEVER loads for me
Whats the rest of the article go on to say??

[Aych Es Vee]

on another note, it would be FANTASTIC if Holden could buy Mitsubishis now dead, plant, here in Australia.

Then soooo much more could be produced and exported.
Maybe even build RHD Cadillacs, Corvettes and Camaros there too. hehe. Then from here send them to England, Japan and New Zealand.

[ByTheLake]

Originally Posted by Aych Es Vee

Wheels website NEVER loads for me

Ask your mom to lower the 'parental controls'

[Calais6666]

Sorry guys, first timer. I was at the launch and this car was spectacular in the metal. What a halo car. Even if it doesn't turn a dollar, it is an aspirational car that has world wide potential. All Holden needs is more production room - lets get Tonsley Park (Mitsubishi) and produce some diversity (perhaps Monaro / Crewman or maybe even Torana!!!!)

[mikmak]

Gday Calais6666. Welcome to GMi. Looks like aspirations aren't the only thing that goes up when a new concept/model comes out. Forum memberships do too I came here for spy shots of the VE in 2005 and have been laughing at seppos ever since. As for the Torana, there has been plenty of discussion/speculation about the Alpha platform on which it may/may not be based. Don't heistate with any questions m8 even the canadians are friendly (regardless of what you've been told)

[TCBNJ]

Mr. Lutz - you have consistently said that the differentiators among car makers are quality products & excellent designs. Mr. Lutz - your quality product with excellent design is before you. Find the funds to build and market it (worldwide).

[FierySolstice]

GM needs to bring this over to the US as the G8 coupe or GTO! We don't want the G8 Sport Truck at all!!!!!!!!!

[Stéphane Dumas]

My opinion, I hope then Holden will built it, if it's too costly to be a Pontiac, it will fit Buick as the new Riviera/GS

[eb110americana]

As awesome as the Coupe 60 is, if I could choose between GM investing in a large 3800-4000 Lb. coupe, or one based on the upcoming Alpha platform, I'd choose the latter. It would probably sell better, survive more of our escalting CAFE standards, and be more sporty due to lighter weight. GM probably couldn't tell us if that was even an option, but if it is and they're listening, then I vote for that--of course if it's not, and they aren't, then I don't.

[tamatt27]

Originally Posted by FierySolstice

GM needs to bring this over to the US as the G8 coupe or GTO! We don't want the G8 Sport Truck at all!!!!!!!!!

Speak for yourself on the ST, but the coupe would be a welcomed addition!

[Aych Es Vee]

Originally Posted by ByTheLake

Ask your mom to lower the 'parental controls'

.. :|

[jlt0x]

Originally Posted by Calais6666

Sorry guys, first timer. I was at the launch and this car was spectacular in the metal. What a halo car. Even if it doesn't turn a dollar, it is an aspirational car that has world wide potential. All Holden needs is more production room - lets get Tonsley Park (Mitsubishi) and produce some diversity (perhaps Monaro / Crewman or maybe even Torana!!!!)

Yeah!!

Isn't the Torana smaller than the CTS (and CTS coupe)? It would make a great RWD/AWD BMW 1-series competitor for the global markets.

[tgagneguam]

Just imagine, GM leverages its global resources and rather than looking at the Monaro's business case as an Australia-only vehicle, it develops a wider perspective and views the Monaro from a global perspective: would the world-which consumes comfortably over 50,000,000 vehicles annually-want 60,000 copies of this vehicle annually? Of course, they'd conclude yes. And I think viewed from that perspective, it could be priced to move and make a profit.

Again, just imagine, GM leverages its many brands and offers consumers superior choices in similar segments. There will be people with $35,000 to spend who will vote their pursestrings Monaro-style, and they'll be others with similar money who will vote their wallets for the CTS Coupe. And GM makes a buck from both customers.

Wow, more than one brand might just be an advantage.