Is Holden missing out on a valuable market segment?

[mikmak]

Does Holden need a "real" 4WD wagon?

Michael McWilliams
mikmak
GMInsidenews.com
Australia Correspondent

Is Holden missing out on a valuable market segment? I was talking to ....someone the other day about how myself and mrs. mak are stuck between a Captiva or Colorado. We aren't ready to purchase right now, but the response from this other person, "they are 2 very different vehicles", highlighted the fact that Holden is missing out on a potentially important segment.

That is certainly true and I have to wonder why there isn't something in between. I realise that the medium to light SUV hole is plugged by the Captiva, but soft roaders are about as attractive to me as a pink Auto Suzuki Alto (sorry Red ). If I am going to compromise handling characteristics, I want a truly capable 4WD (with low range transfer case!). The Colorado holds a lot of attraction for me, particularly the 3.0TD 5spd. Unfortunately, mrs. mak wants the convenience and comfort of the Captiva.

Toyota has both the soft roader (Kluger) segment and 4WD wagon segment nailed with the Prado (aside from the problems I have previously highlighted in regard to dodgy injectors on the new D4, which is still not fixed!). Mitsubishi is about to join the fray with a new Challenger based on the highly successful Triton range and Nissan has the Pathfinder.

What do we have locally? The I5 petrol H3. In reality, the Hummer is a polarising vehicle, not only hamstrung by its lack of Diesel, but also tainted by its association with military use, and (forgive me my NA friends) excessive American Consumerism.

I'm not even sure that GM has anything in the near future that can address this segment. This all adds up to a seemingly obvious hole in Holdens lineup. What Holden needs, in my opinion, is a Colorado wagon.

What say you?

[from oz]

I say they need to focus on getting an awesome small car to replace the Barina, then they need to make the Cruze class leading, then they need to get rid of the EpicFaIL and get something like the Insignia to replace it before they look at filling that void.

The major problem associated with the proper 4WD market is that it is driven by reputation. That is why Toyota, Nissan and Mitsubishi rule and Holden and Ford to not. I truly do not believe the Colorado is the car to change the perception of Holden in the 4WD market (and neither is HUMMER).

[AndrewGS]

My girlfriend's parents are about to buy an MU-7 over a CUV like the Captiva because of it's truck roots. I think there could be a niche market globally for a GM version of the rugged MU-7 as more and more SUVs become CUVs.

[from oz]

For the Australian audience this is a MU-7

Originally Posted by mikmak

I assume that because I didn't know, noone else does and I'm not afraid to ask the stupid questions (i.e What's a MU-7?)... but today I had Google.

[96_impala_ss]

Well, we too in the US need something to fill the hole left by the Blazer/Trailblazer. I dont see why GM is giving up the midsize SUV market. They are kings of building those!

[mikmak]

Yeah. I'm not sure what happened. We had the Jackeroo or the Frontera which I think just faded into irrelevancy. If I remember rightly, the Frontera was pretty thirsty, but to have one now with the new 2.2 VM Motori Diesel that is about to debut in the Santa Fe (are we getting it in the Captiva too?) or the 3.0 TD from teh Colorado, would be a welcome asset to my garage.

[mattyman1010]

I say they need to focus on getting an awesome small car to replace the Barina, then they need to make the Cruze class leading, then they need to get rid of the EpicFaIL and get something like the Insignia to replace it before they look at filling that void.

Agreed. Also I believe that a small SUV should sit higher on the priority list (if there is one). It cant be that hard, they have the platform, they can share design cues from the handsome Captiva (Maxx preferably imho) and the 2.0 diesel would be capable to fit the enviromentally friendly bill (and stop rav-4, X-trail etc diesel sales), and im sure a suitable petrol engine shouldn't be too hard to find within Gm. Judging from Captiva's sales as well as others in the smaller SUV segment I think if they decide to produce a Rav competitor they could have a real winner on their hands.

C'mon Holden you know you want to!

[mikmak]

Originally Posted by from oz

For the Australian audience this is a MU-7



I assume that because I didn't know, noone else does and I'm not afraid to ask the stupid questions (i.e What's a MU-7?)... but today I had Google.

That's how I found the picture Google: Isuzu Wagon

[RedVee8]

Yes Mik, that is one niche they are missing. A big reason that Toyota has streamed so far ahead in sales. They have filled every niche, including some they created!

Basically, a Colorado wagon would be the same as a MU7 or a Frontera. Yes, it is a noticable gap. Holden are missing any sort of real 4wd.

I wanted a Sportwagon this time around, but still needed the 6/7seats so no go. Last time I had my heart set on the Adventra but I had to skip that for the same reason. There is no product with >5 seats in the Holden range other than the Captiva, fortunately I preferred the Cappy over the various 'people movers' I looked at. If the Adventra or Sportwagon had the Cappy style rear seating I would have purchased them.

They also have no HiAce style van, how long since the Shuttle shuttled off? The niche exists / existed. it has now been filled by Hyundai - the iLoad is selling up a storm around here, even the coppers are using them. That could have been Holden selling GMDat built vans. Surely GM should be utilising GMDAT, Korea and Thailand for filling these sort of gaps?

I still cannot get over the vehicles missing when you consider Holden are part of what was the biggest car company in the world for 70+ years.

[mikmak]

Wuling has got you covered

[RedVee8]

No thanks. I'll stick with the Captiva.

[mattyman1010]

They also have no HiAce style van, how long since the Shuttle shuttled off? The niche exists / existed. it has now been filled by Hyundai - the iLoad is selling up a storm around here, even the coppers are using them. That could have been Holden selling GMDat built vans. Surely GM should be utilising GMDAT, Korea and Thailand for filling these sort of gaps?

Could the Vauxhall/Opel Vivaro fit the bill??

[Bravada]

I agree, this is colosally stupid for a company so much focused on SUV not Oz-certify and market the Mysterious Utility (yes, the MU stands for Mysterious Utility). As a sidenote, the Opel Frontera used to be the best-selling SUV in Europe. GM has wasted so many chances you could write a three-volume book about it.

And yes, they need a competent supermini in markets where the Corsa is not on sale (or just bring the Corsa there). I recently went to the US Honda Fit site and then to Aveo site and I found rooting for GM a really tough thing.

[RedVee8]

Originally Posted by mattyman1010

Could the Vauxhall/Opel Vivaro fit the bill??

Yes perhaps, and thats what I thought would happen when the Vivaro deal was announced.
To clarify, I don't want one personally, I just think it's a niche that Holden (or GMC) should be in. Absolutely been rammed home watching all the new entrants and the iLoads popping up like mushrooms.
4wds, SUVs (except Captiva), light commercial vehicles (except Colorado) & trucks (since the Isuzu divorce).
Seems plenty of market segments and sales going begging. Holden for up to Colorado and one tonne van, anything bigger GMC. Holden for SUVs and 4WDs except specialist entries eg if the Enclave came over it should be Buick.

[rory]

Originally Posted by mattyman1010

Could the Vauxhall/Opel Vivaro fit the bill??

it all has to do with wheter Renault would approve and anywat it would cost an arm and a leg