Vauxhall Launches Astravan, But Holden Will Stick With Combo - For Now

[JoeT]

Vauxhall Launches Astravan In The UK,
But Holden Will Stick With Combo - For Now

GoAuto Staff
5 May 2006
www.goauto.com.au

Holden's UK affiliate Vauxhall unveiled an all-new Astravan light-commercial vehicle at the Commercial Vehicle Show in Birmingham, England, last week.

However, there are no plans for the vehicle to be introduced in Australia.

For now, Holden has elected to continue with the Spanish-built Combo as its sole panel van offering, which is based on the previous-generation XC Barina light-car range – and is now into its sixth year on sale in Australia.

A new version, based on the next-generation Opel Corsa light car, is still believed to be at least one year away from being unveiled.

New Vauxhall Astravan & current Corsa (old Barina) based Combo van

[FISH]

Either the New Combo has more internal space than the AstraVan or Holden thinks that two small vans would be overkill in our congested market.

[Slick_Holden]

It looks better.
My brother was telling me this bloke he knew holden was testing the combo they had like training wheels on it as they went around corners it was tipping over real bad, And the guy who tested it said it wont go on sale Well it did,
The AstraVan might be more expensive?.

[zl-1]

Some extra info re the Combo: it's (also) built in Portugal, and it will be built here until 2009. There is a study under way at GM Europe regarding plant profitability, so maybe all production will end up in Valencia, Spain for the NG.

I wouldn't be surprised if an announcement on plant closings in Europe came until the end of the year.

[paul8488]

On a slightly related note, is the Opel Agila really a Suzuki WagonR+? I see lots of Agilas but have only ever seen a few R+'s, and can't tell if they're identical or not.

[zl-1]

Originally Posted by paul8488

On a slightly related note, is the Opel Agila really a Suzuki WagonR+? I see lots of Agilas but have only ever seen a few R+'s, and can't tell if they're identical or not.

In general the same car except for badging and details. Not sure about the engines being shared...

[Richard1098]

Originally Posted by FISH

Either the New Combo has more internal space than the AstraVan or Holden thinks that two small vans would be overkill in our congested market.

Might also mean that the Combo has sold so slowly, that it will take more than a while to clear their current stock. Can't say I see many of them about.

[Toto]

Originally Posted by zl-1

In general the same car except for badging and details. Not sure about the engines being shared...

I think both have the same diesel engine, but the gasoline engines are different.

[stevecmh]

the new one definitly looks sweet

[CADILLACSIXTEEN]

Do people actually buy this thing?

[jbernie]

Originally Posted by CADILLACSIXTEEN

Do people actually buy this thing?

Actually they do . But keep in mind different vehicles appeal in different markets. Not everyone needs a 16 seat club wagon sized van or an astro, for light payloads, with good efficency in a crowded city with limited parking etc etc a van like this can be quite appealing.

It would be interesting to see how these two vans go side by side by way of capacity etc. Definately the new Astra based one looks better, but sometimes looks mean nothing if you lose space etc.

[01cavalier]

That combo is ugly, but must be more practical I'm guessing. Style doesn't really matter so much for this market.

[johnny smallblock]

On a related note, clearly GM isn't replacing the Astro in the US. Are they giving up that market or do they think buyers will just migrate to other GM vehicles?

I ask because in NYC every small business (and even big ones like Verizon) use the Astro because they're the perfect size for New York. These busninesses definitely aren't going to switch over the Expresses, and no one's buying the Uplander, so I was wondering... Any thoughts?

[Bravada]

Some extra info re the Combo: it's (also) built in Portugal, and it will be built here until 2009. There is a study under way at GM Europe regarding plant profitability, so maybe all production will end up in Valencia, Spain for the NG.

Since the very beginning (Combo A in 1995) Combos are built only in Azambuja, Portugal. Zaragoza (Spain) builds Corsas and Merivas. Neither plan has been rumoured to be closed in near future. Plants in Belgium, Germany and Sweden have.

I think both have the same diesel engine, but the gasoline engines are different.

Yup. Also, some body decals are different, especially in the front and rear fascia. Wagon R+ is available with AWD, while the Agila isn't. Initially, the Wagon R+ was assembled in Suzuki's Hungarian plant, with some body panels and stuff shipped to Opel in Gliwice, but now both are made by Opel in Gliwice (Poland).

Agila:


Wagon R+:

It would be interesting to see how these two vans go side by side by way of capacity etc.

According to gmeurope com:

Astravan Combo
Luggage Capacity (ECCE) 790 - 1600 liters 2695 - 3200 liters
Payload 435 kg 520 - 527 kg


Please note that this is for the Astravan B, and the specs are very similar to the passenger Astra Caravan version.

[toronado10]

Originally Posted by johnny smallblock

On a related note, clearly GM isn't replacing the Astro in the US. Are they giving up that market or do they think buyers will just migrate to other GM vehicles?

I ask because in NYC every small business (and even big ones like Verizon) use the Astro because they're the perfect size for New York. These busninesses definitely aren't going to switch over the Expresses, and no one's buying the Uplander, so I was wondering... Any thoughts?

I'm guessing that Astro/Safari fans will be moving to the Ford E-Series.