Holden Tries To Invigorate Flagging Viva Range

[JoeT]

Holden Tries To Invigorate Viva

David Berthon
21 March 2008
www.smh.com.au

Holden's small Viva sedan, hatch and wagon models have received added equipment for 2008 to stimulate sales. However, the Korean-built models are still being offered with big discounts.

Hawkesbury Valley Holden at Windsor has the five-speed manual versions of the 1.8-litre four-cylinder Viva sedan and five-door hatch for $17,300 drive-away, a saving of $4124 on the normal on-road price.

The same dealer has the manual Viva wagon for $19,000 drive-away, a saving of $3969. Four-speed automatic transmission adds $2000 to all body styles and metallic paint $300.

The deals improve on the promotional pricing by Holden dealers during March, which has the manual Viva sedan and hatch for $18,990 drive-away, a saving of $2434. The manual wagon at $20,490 drive-away, provides a saving of $2479. Again, automatic adds $2000, metallic paint $300.

For the 2008 model year, Holden upgraded equipment on the Viva range. In addition to air-conditioning, dual front airbags, front power windows, height- and reach-adjustable steering wheel with audio controls and single CD player with MP3 compatibility, Vivas have standard side airbags, 15-inch alloy wheels and anti-lock brakes.

Imported from GM Daewoo in Korea, the Viva initially gave Holden a sales lift but the small car range has lost favour against an onslaught of newer models. The Viva arrived in showrooms in October 2005 but it quickly went to drive-away pricing.

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Current Holden Viva range

[jcgable]

So it's their Re-badged version of the US Suzuki Forenza and Reno???

[Aych Es Vee]

Sorry Holden ..... apart from the Captiva, the korean cars suck.

Why dont they replace the Viva with the Cobalt.


Actually, the perfect Holden line up is as follows:

Barina (rebadge Opel Corsa)
Astra
Torana
Commodore/Calais/Sportwagon
Ute/Crewman
MONARO
Statesman/Caprice
Captiva
Solstice/Sky rebadge.
Rodeo/Colorado ......... something along the lines of those, but build a newer/better one

and probably some sort of big SUV with a diesel V8, which could also come in a pick-up version.

And a VAN! Something like the Hiace or Mitsubishi Express..... How about the much bigger Chevrolet Express?





Anyways, my point is the current Barina, Viva, and Epica suck balls.

[EldoFan]

The US Spec version of that wagon doesn't actually look that bad from what I've seen......however Suzuki has saddled it with a 127hp V6 or some similar powerplant.

Hopefully Holden has done one better with it down under??

[ChevroletRevived]

I can see why it's failing, it's the old Nubira/Forenza that's outdated in comparison to the competition. Holden needs the new one out as fast as possible. Could've picked a better name too!

[FoMoCo Fan]

With the dollar falling why not export US models to Australia?

[ChevroletRevived]

Originally Posted by FoMoCo Fan

With the dollar falling why not export US models to Australia?

It's something GM is seriously looking into, for Europe as well. US manufacturing is becoming really appealing right now!

[mang01]

Originally Posted by Aych Es Vee

Sorry Holden ..... apart from the Captiva, the korean cars suck.

Why dont they replace the Viva with the Cobalt.


Actually, the perfect Holden line up is as follows:

Barina (rebadge Opel Corsa)
Astra
Torana
Commodore/Calais/Sportwagon
Ute/Crewman
Statesman/Caprice
Captiva
Solstice/Sky rebadge.
Rodeo/Colorado ......... something along the lines of those, but build a newer/better one

and probably some sort of big SUV with a diesel V8, which could also come in a pick-up version.

And a VAN! Something like the Hiace or Mitsubishi Express..... How about the much bigger Chevrolet Express?





Anyways, my point is the current Barina, Viva, and Epica suck balls.

Nothing in there for me - how about a nice two door Gombidor with pillarless styling? Relief from the everyday, spelt M-O-N-A-R-O..

[macphisto]

Originally Posted by ChevroletRevived

It's something GM is seriously looking into, for Europe as well. US manufacturing is becoming really appealing right now!

There's quite a bit of internal discussion about building all of the global Chevy Cobalts in the US instead of moving production to Mexico. Not sure where they'd build it because Lordstown is likely changing production and they hope that the next Cobalt will be a huge global hit. It will need to be built at multiple factories, but the weaker dollar coupled with the tremendous cost savings due to the new CBA and the buyouts make building in the US more appealing than building in Oz, Canada, or Europe right now. There's still a tremendous cost advantage in Mexico, though there are more issues with quality control on the lines down there.

The next Cobalt is not too far down the line and should debut next year as a Chevy world car to be sold everywhere Chevys are sold. They may make some in Korea, but I think a large portion of them may be made here instead of in Mexico as was once planned.

[ctaylorzl1]

Isnt the Viva a Lacetti? I thought the Lacetti was a extremely popular vehicle.

[aball]

Originally Posted by Aych Es Vee

Sorry Holden ..... apart from the Captiva, the korean cars suck.

Anyways, my point is the current Barina, Viva, and Epica suck balls.

Bingo! Spot on.

I can see where this thread is going

[paul8488]

The Viva 5-door is a great car... 3 years ago. I had one and really liked it, but part of the attraction was the price... mine was discounted to around $13,000 CAD new back in 2004. Three years later even I find it dated, and I'll drive anything! They shouldn't be wondering why it isn't selling... they should be selling a new one! It's too bad that they let this car get so tired... because it was actually quite a tidy little car when it came out and was surprisingly competitive at the time.

[RedVee8]

Yep, the Viva needs to be replaced with the new Global ChevDelta.
Mind you I think the Viva would make a decent first car, good ish looks and good equipment for the price. The problem is getting the PYTs into one when the competition has more 'flash' about them.

[Aych Es Vee]

Originally Posted by mang01

Nothing in there for me - how about a nice two door Gombidor with pillarless styling? Relief from the everyday, spelt M-O-N-A-R-O..

oh shi.... almost forgot that, let me edit...

[Robert Ryan]

Why dont they replace the Viva with the Cobalt.

Looking at recent US offerings that were smaller cars, better off sticking with the Korean cars.