Holden Looks To Russia For Exports Opportunities

[Univex]

GM HOLDEN could be headed behind the “Iron Curtain” as part of its aggressive export strategy for the new-generation VE Commodore and WM Statesman and Caprice.
Building on its success in the Middle East and South America, the Australian arm of General Motors is targeting the cashed-up top end of the Russian car market as the next opportunity to show its expertise to the world.
Holden’s director of engineering Tony Hyde confirmed exclusively to GoAuto that he would personally investigate the possibility of exporting the WM Statesman to Russia as a direct replacement for the Chevrolet Caprice – the US-built large sedan that was discontinued in the mid-1990s and opened the door for Holden’s successful foray into the Middle East.
“We got into the Middle East on the basis that GM in the USA stopped making the Chevrolet Caprice,” Mr Hyde told GoAuto last week. “At the same time, the Caprice was also being sold in Russia, especially around the Moscow area, and was doing reasonably well. It is interesting that they always bought the Caprice when it was available and that has always stuck in my mind.
“We have never, from a corporate point of view, gone in and thought about what we could do about taking over that slice of business. I am confident the WM (Statesman) has the attributes that market demands, so I’ll go back and see if I am blowing smoke or not … that will be a little project of mine over the next three months to stir up some attention.”
Mr Hyde will work together with Holden’s product planning chief Ian McCleave to build a viable business case and present it to GM through its Russian offices.
“Some of this stuff we have never done before, but we’ve been in that same boat with the Middle East and succeeded,” Mr Hyde said. “I don’t see any reason why we couldn’t give this a go.”
The world’s largest country, Russia has a population of more than 150 million people and is currently experiencing a boom in middle- and upper-class prosperity, making it a prime market for the long-wheelbase Holden vehicles.
Beyond Russia, Mr Hyde has also not discounted the possibility of exporting a limited batch of Commodores to continental Europe in the future. The tougher pedestrian safety regulations and the high price of regular fuels in the major European markets are the most obvious hurdles Mr Hyde said Holden faces.
But, in the wake of Holden Special Vehicles’ Vauxhall VX-R program, he said it may not be such a tough ask to export a small run of its premium models, such as the Commodore SS V, Calais and long-wheelbase Statesman and Caprice.

-Continued-

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[cad1cts]

i never knew the caprice was such a (relatively) good selling car in russia of all places...just one more reason in my mind why they never shouldve gotten rid of it. great to hear that holden may exporting to there for a replacement

[Martino_z]

It would be nice to see some bare bones caprice's sent over to replace the ford crown vic's in the police force. Good to see holden expanding it's horizons even if the the report did basically refer to russia communists. Not sure how relevent "iron curtain" is these days

[t-rex]

Maybe the Moscow Police could replace some of their Crown Vic's with Caprices. Part of Holden's success in the Middle East is because it's a popular police car in the region.

[Stormin]

Originally Posted by t-rex

Maybe the Moscow Police could replace some of their Crown Vic's with Caprices. Part of Holden's success in the Middle East is because it's a popular police car in the region.

The Moscow Police don't use Crown Victorias.

[Stormin]

Originally Posted by Stormin

The Moscow Police don't use Crown Victorias.

Sorry, should have checked. Seems they do have some.

[01cavalier]

Great, take every opportunity they can. In emerging/growing markets it would be great to get started early and have good name recognition.

[DanCBJMS1988]

Waiting for Dmitry's reaction to all of this.
Good for GM/Holden!

[Martino_z]

don't worry stormin, you'll learn after years of watching worlds wildest police videos

[cfch3399]

Yeah, go Holden. With all the new billionaires and millionaires in the former USSR, GM should work hard to capture that market. Do they sell Cadillacs over there?

[TahoeMikeZ71]

Link:http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=116558

New Holden Commodore and Statesman May Be Headed for Russia

MELBOURNE, Australia — Australia's new VE Commodore and WM Statesman and Caprice could be headed for Russia if GM Holden's director of engineering, Tony Hyde, can develop a viable export plan.

Holden already exports to the Middle East and South America. Reportedly Hyde now believes there could be opportunities for the WM Statesman in Russia as a direct replacement for the Chevrolet Caprice that was discontinued in the mid-1990s.

"We got into the Middle East on the basis that GM in the USA stopped making the Chevrolet Caprice," Hyde said to Australian automotive newsletter GoAuto. "At the same time, the Caprice was also being sold in Russia, especially around the Moscow area, and was doing reasonably well. It is interesting that they always bought the Caprice when it was available, and that has always stuck in my mind."

Hyde reportedly said he was "confident" that the WM Statesman could meet with interest in the Russian market, and called the idea "a little project of mine."

Russia has a population of more than 150 million people and is currently experiencing a boom in middle- and upper-class prosperity, making it appear to be a prime market for the sedans.

What this means to you: It's good to see that GM operations all around the world are looking for sources of growth.

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=116558

[DanCBJMS1988]

Now the next question: Will it be sold in RHD, LHD, or both?

[Stormin]

Originally Posted by DanCBJMS1988

Now the next question: Will it be sold in RHD, LHD, or both?

Russia is LHD isn't it? Therefore, LHD.

[JoeT]

I'm not so sure about that. I remember hearing once that a lot of eastern Russian cars are second hand RHD imports from Japan. They could have tightened the regulations on this now.

[Stormin]

Originally Posted by JoeT

I'm not so sure about that. I remember hearing once that a lot of eastern Russian cars are second hand RHD imports from Japan. They could have tightened the regulations on this now.

I wondered about that as well. Where's Bravada when you need him? I'm sure he mentioned somrthing about this. Better have a look.