GM Refuses To Rule Out Chevrolet Joining Cadillac, Hummer & Saab Down Under

[JoeT]

Channelling Chevrolet

Terry Martin
2 July 2008
www.goauto.com.au

GM premium brands local boss refuses to rule out Chevrolet joining Cadillac here.

The head of General Motors’ premium brands in Australia has refused to commit to Chevrolet joining Cadillac, Saab and Hummer, despite forthcoming global models such as the Volt plug-in hybrid and the Holden-developed Camaro coupe.

“I can’t comment on those vehicles, but I can tell you that as far as the premium channel is concerned, we are using the synergy of three brands – Saab, Hummer and then Cadillac – to build our dealer network, to build profitability into our dealer network and to build a real premium alternative to our competitors, be it German or Japanese,” GM Premium Brands director Parveen Batish told GoAuto last week.

Click here to continue article

Chevrolet Camaro Stars At 2007 Melbourne Motor Show - 2009 Australian Release?
Special Dealer Network For Hummer, Chevrolet & Cadillac Down Under?

[mgescuro]

DUMB!
If Chevrolet is gonna be GM's global brand... then there is no excuse for Chevrolet to NOT be in Australia.

[kgratton]

I don't see Toyota selling Scion or Daihatsu in Australia. Maybe they think the market's too small for multiple brands to be as profitable or it would pollute the brand image in some way? Just a thought.

[Ssom]

Originally Posted by kgratton

I don't see Toyota selling Scion or Daihatsu in Australia. Maybe they think the market's too small for multiple brands to be as profitable or it would pollute the brand image in some way? Just a thought.

I think Chevrolet could do well with a Volt, Camaro, Corvette, Silverado lineup.

Just for some extra marketing punch, badge the Insignia as a Chevrolet to give more mass-market credibility.

[kenman923]

So if GM goes to just Cadillac and Chevy, wouldn't it make sense to merger Chevrolet and Cadillac dealerships?

[GM-Joe]

Originally Posted by kgratton

I don't see Toyota selling Scion or Daihatsu in Australia. Maybe they think the market's too small for multiple brands to be as profitable or it would pollute the brand image in some way? Just a thought.

5 brands downunder is a bit much, but Saab, Caddy, and HUMMER are all very unique. A Chevy is not so unique to Holden, though a European Chevy is! Thus, there is room for Chevy as long as it is sourced from Korea and maybe a few of the N.A. Chevy's, such as: Volt, Malibu, Silverado, Canyon(?), Suburban and Traverse or something close to that.

I have often wondered why very few full-sized pickups in Australia? My guess is because of tariffs.

[The Law]

if japanese are the target market seems more like to add Buick then Chevy

[LeSabre]

Would it make sense to possibly have Pontiac be somewhat of a global brand somewhere in the world?? Like Buick is in China.

[The Law]

or add Buick and branding 'vette as a brand.

[The Law]

Originally Posted by LeSabre

Would it make sense to possibly have Pontiac be somewhat of a global brand somewhere in the world?? Like Buick is in China.

not really unless they do just niche vehicles which would 'vette branded, but to a extend they are global just under Holden name plate, just like Saturn and Opel-Vauxhall.Saves names time money and branding.to strt these brands from nothing would take years which gm doesn't have plus the payoff to kill brands.

[Aych Es Vee]

Originally Posted by GM-Joe

5 brands downunder is a bit much, but Saab, Caddy, and HUMMER are all very unique. A Chevy is not so unique to Holden, though a European Chevy is! Thus, there is room for Chevy as long as it is sourced from Korea and maybe a few of the N.A. Chevy's, such as: Volt, Malibu, Silverado, Canyon(?), Suburban and Traverse or something close to that.

actually, bringing the euro chevs would be a bad idea, because they're already Holdens here.

Chevy isnt seen as a cheap/crappy car company here in Australia. When an Australian thinks of a Chev, they're think of the Camaro and Corvettes of old. 99% of us wouldnt know anything about there being small fwd chevs.

IMO, Chev DOES have a place here in Australia, but only for the Corvette, Camaro, Volt, and a decent truck. Holden has the small/cheap market covered.

[TriShield]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

DUMB!
If Chevrolet is gonna be GM's global brand... then there is no excuse for Chevrolet to NOT be in Australia.

Are you serious?

Holden is the Chevrolet of Australia. There's NO good reason to sell Chevrolet in Australia. Holden is already GM's mainstream, all things to all people brand in Australia and New Zealand.

Becoming "aware" of the existence of Holden and what they're doing at GM HQ is probably the worst thing that could have happened to them.

[vxl]

Originally Posted by TriShield

Are you serious?

Holden is the Chevrolet of Australia. There's NO good reason to sell Chevrolet in Australia. Holden is already GM's mainstream, all things to all people brand in Australia and New Zealand.

Becoming "aware" of the existence of Holden and what they're doing at GM HQ is probably the worst thing that could have happened to them.

GM management just don't seem to get-it. Why would GM spend the millions needed to do this when in their home market they cannot stop the market share decline? If the money is available spend it to improve the existing Holden line-up. People are now demanding economical cars - these come from Daewoo and Opel.

[Robert Ryan]

I have often wondered why very few full-sized pickups in Australia? My guess is because of tariffs.

Very long story..but Tarrifs are only part of it. If you search for F150, Silverado in the Australian section, you will see the previous lengthy arguments, why they are not sold here or many others places globally.

GM management just don't seem to get-it. Why would GM spend the millions needed to do this when in their home market they cannot stop the market share decline? If the money is available spend it to improve the existing Holden line-up. People are now demanding economical cars - these come from Daewoo and Opel.

Absolutely desperate measures by a company that does not know what to do.

[Baz]

GM Are going to be selling off a few sectors if the losses continue