Hybrid Commodores By 2010
Toby Hagon
19 May 2008
www.drive.com.au
Holden is set to introduce a petrol-electric hybrid version of the Commodore by 2010.
Holden will begin selling a hybrid Commodore by 2010 in an effort to reduce the environmental impact of the brand’s best-selling vehicle.
With a view to bolstering sluggish large car sales, improving the export potential of the locally-made Commodore and responding to increasing environmental concerns, a senior General Motors executive has confirmed a petrol-electric Commodore is likely to arrive in dealerships within two years.
“We will introduce hybrids in the next couple of years,” says General Motors group vice president Nick Reilly, speaking at a quarterly strategy meeting from Holden’s Melbourne offices.
When pushed on the likelihood of a Commodore hybrid, he said: “That could be one of the first hybrids you could see [in Australia from GM]. I would put a time frame on that of probably a couple of years.”
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Four-Cylinder Holden Commodore Being "Looked At"
Toby Hagon
19 May 2008
www.drive.com.au
A senior General Motors executive says Holden is considering reintroducing a four-cylinder version of the Commodore.
Commodore's traditional six-cylinder engine could soon be joined by a new four-cylinder engine - the first for Holden's large car since 1984.
Holden is looking to reintroduce a four-cylinder version of the Commodore in an effort to boost both the classic large car's sales and environmentally friendly credentials.
“That is certainly a sensible suggestion,” says General Motors group vice president Nick Reilly, in Melbourne for a quarterly strategy meeting and responding to questions about whether Holden would introduce a four-cylinder Commodore.
“It makes a lot of sense [to offer a four-cylinder Commodore] and therefore we’re probably looking at it, but I can’t tell you when.”
The engine would likely be a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine slated for use in the Chevrolet Camaro, which shares its underpinnings with the Holden Commodore.
Holden engineers helped develop the classic two-door Camaro locally, helping revive one of America’s most famous nameplates when it goes on sales in the United States in 2009.
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Holden Wants A Carrot For Commodore That Uses Less Juice
Joshua Dowling
20 May 2008
www.smh.com.au
Holden, the company that sold more V8s last year than any other time in its 60-year history, will sell a petrol-electric Commodore "within two years" - but it wants the Federal Government to give hybrid cars a tax break.
In a surprise announcement yesterday, General Motors's Asia-Pacific boss, Nick Reilly, in Australia for an annual review, told journalists: "We will introduce hybrids in the next couple of years. Our strength in hybrids tends to be in the larger vehicles, so that's where you'll see them first. [A hybrid Commodore] could be one of the first hybrids that you will see. I would put a time frame on that of probably a couple of years."
However, he said, not all car buyers were prepared to pay a premium to drive an eco-friendly car. Hybrid vehicles typically cost about 20 to 30 per cent more than a car with a regular petrol engine.
"Hybrids don't make sense unless you have incentives. Part of our submission to the Federal Government review into the automotive industry is that there should be some benefit to the consumer."
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I think Ming had the same doubts and got something that used less fuel. 
