US VE/WM Exports Could Be Two Years Away

**JoeT** · 08-01-2006, 01:20 AM

VE Commodore: USA Exports Two Years Away

Byron Mathoudakis
31 July 2006
www.goauto.com.au

Exports of the VE Commodore to North America are at least two years away because further airbag testing is needed for the VE Commodore to properly meet US regulations.

GoAuto understands that unbelted crash-test dummy procedures have not yet been undertaken for the VE Commodore or WM Statesman/Caprice cars.

This is a mandatory test for all cars sold in North America. The US 5mph-bumper resistance test is another that has yet to be completed.

Holden boss Denny Mooney revealed at the VE’s launch that a left-hand drive Statesman and Commodore SS were in America for an internal GM meeting.

Engineering director Tony Hyde said: "I put a fair degree of importance on it this time around. We are hopeful that when they drive them, they will think about having them. If they like a certain vehicle then there might be a potential for that vehicle to be (exported)."

Bound for the USA: SS V and Statesman are two strong contenders for VE sales in America

CRBoyd91 · 08-01-2006, 01:24 AM

Give at least one of them to Pontiac.

Butz · 08-01-2006, 01:49 AM

Buick Statesman & Pontiac Commodore

hotrod747 · 08-01-2006, 01:49 AM

I'm going to sound very picky, but I'll say it any way: Two years for an airbag and bumper, come on! The GTO debuted here in th U.S. in '04, from that point, I thought the next- gen Holden cars had the N A market in mind! There's got to be more to this!

Aych Es Vee · 08-01-2006, 01:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Butz

Buick Statesman & Pontiac Commodore

and that should be their names.
especially if they are going to be simply rebadged Holdens.

I like the sound of 'Pontiac Commodore' actually.

**ChevroletRevived** · 08-01-2006, 01:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Butz

Buick Statesman & Pontiac Commodore

Pontiac G8, that is.

I could totally see it being the Statesmen for Buick (after all, it is rumored to have that name) but I think it'd need a few changes. Enclave style headlights/taillights. The Statesmen as is doesn't fit in with Buick at all. The NA model needs to be more agressive.

_GTO_ · 08-01-2006, 01:58 AM

we hope so

samkung · 08-01-2006, 03:08 AM

nice nice

but 2 years, maybe they plan to build it in NA not export

Aych Es Vee · 08-01-2006, 03:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by samkung

nice nice

but 2 years, maybe they plan to build it in NA not export

That would be good for the US. Australia doesnt have the capabilities of producing a car in volumes fit for the US.

demonv8 · 08-01-2006, 03:26 AM

Alot can happen in 2 years, petrol could be $2.50/litre by then.

I doubt they'll export these cars, unless sales locally suffer, then maybe exports will be the only reason why we keep on building these cars...

Achelous · 08-01-2006, 03:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChevroletRevived

Pontiac G8, that is.

I could totally see it being the Statesmen for Buick (after all, it is rumored to have that name) but I think it'd need a few changes. Enclave style headlights/taillights. The Statesmen as is doesn't fit in with Buick at all. The NA model needs to be more agressive.

Are they really going to get rid of the Grand Prix name? Ugh. Well I suppose the name G8 really resonates with customers. It sure makes me think performance!

Butz · 08-01-2006, 03:48 AM

The names doesn't matter much, but if it were up to me I'd rather have them called Pontiac Grand Prix and Buick Electra

Though keeping their Holden names would help build equity.

MaxLegroom · 08-01-2006, 04:02 AM

Given a choice of names for these cars, I like Buick Electra, but how about Pontiac Executive?

cfch3399 · 08-01-2006, 04:24 AM

I vote for Pontiac Bonneville.

djo165 · 08-01-2006, 04:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaxLegroom

Given a choice of names for these cars, I like Buick Electra, but how about Pontiac Executive?

Pontiac Executive? Would it come with a brief case?
Ugh!!! No way. Pontiac is supposed to be sporty, not up tight.

I'd vote for Grand Prix. G8 may fit the current nomenclature, but it's boring and has no history or heritage.

08-01-2006, 01:20 AM	#1 (permalink)
JoeT GMI's Holden Moderator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Wollongong, Australia Drives: 2003 Holden Monaro CV8 Posts: 4,851	US VE/WM Exports Could Be Two Years Away VE Commodore: USA Exports Two Years Away Byron Mathoudakis 31 July 2006 www.goauto.com.au Exports of the VE Commodore to North America are at least two years away because further airbag testing is needed for the VE Commodore to properly meet US regulations. GoAuto understands that unbelted crash-test dummy procedures have not yet been undertaken for the VE Commodore or WM Statesman/Caprice cars. This is a mandatory test for all cars sold in North America. The US 5mph-bumper resistance test is another that has yet to be completed. Holden boss Denny Mooney revealed at the VE’s launch that a left-hand drive Statesman and Commodore SS were in America for an internal GM meeting. Engineering director Tony Hyde said: "I put a fair degree of importance on it this time around. We are hopeful that when they drive them, they will think about having them. If they like a certain vehicle then there might be a potential for that vehicle to be (exported)." Bound for the USA: SS V and Statesman are two strong contenders for VE sales in America

08-01-2006, 01:24 AM	#2 (permalink)
CRBoyd91 5.3 Liter LS4 V8 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Houston, TX (Katy Area) Drives: 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix GT Posts: 3,941	Re: US VE/WM Exports Two Years Away Give at least one of them to Pontiac. __________________ Family Vehicles: Mom: 2003 Chevrolet Suburban LS - 78,000 mi. Dad: 1996 Ford Ranger XLT - 230,000 mi. Sister: 2001 Saturn SC2 - 50,000 mi. Me: 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix GT - 88,000 mi.

08-01-2006, 01:49 AM	#4 (permalink)
hotrod747 3.9 Liter V6 Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: SAN DIEGO, CA Drives: 2008 CADILLAC CTS Posts: 758	Re: US VE/WM Exports Could Be Two Years Away I'm going to sound very picky, but I'll say it any way: Two years for an airbag and bumper, come on! The GTO debuted here in th U.S. in '04, from that point, I thought the next- gen Holden cars had the N A market in mind! There's got to be more to this! __________________ KEITH

08-01-2006, 01:58 AM	#7 (permalink)
_GTO_ Walking Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 11	Re: US VE/WM Exports Could Be Two Years Away we hope so

08-01-2006, 03:08 AM	#8 (permalink)
samkung 6.0 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Melbourne Drives: Mazda 2 Posts: 1,514	Re: US VE/WM Exports Could Be Two Years Away nice nice but 2 years, maybe they plan to build it in NA not export

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08-01-2006, 03:26 AM	#10 (permalink)
demonv8 3.8 Liter V6 Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Down Under Drives: LS1 SS Commodore Posts: 459	Re: US VE/WM Exports Could Be Two Years Away Alot can happen in 2 years, petrol could be $2.50/litre by then. I doubt they'll export these cars, unless sales locally suffer, then maybe exports will be the only reason why we keep on building these cars... __________________ 2002 VX SS Commodore 5.7Ltr. Tuned to 400bhp!

08-01-2006, 04:02 AM	#13 (permalink)
MaxLegroom 5.3 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Newport News, VA Drives: 2005 Toyota Prius 1996 Chrysler Sebring LX Posts: 1,307	Re: US VE/WM Exports Could Be Two Years Away Given a choice of names for these cars, I like Buick Electra, but how about Pontiac Executive? __________________ Donne e motori, gioie e dolori

08-01-2006, 04:24 AM	#14 (permalink)
cfch3399 6.0 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 1,619	Re: US VE/WM Exports Could Be Two Years Away I vote for Pontiac Bonneville.

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