Ford knows Mondeo isn't truely a replacement to Falcon which was a big rear drive Aussie car. As a big (smaller) family car, Mondeo took Falcon's place but not as a rear drive enthusiast machine. I think Ford is smart enough to keep the Mondeo name instead of renaming it to Falcon.
The Mondeo has been around since the 1990's, it replaced the Telstar. I think ford Australia has given up on the large sedan segment and is concentrating on what most people seem to want these days which are SUV's and 4X4's.
Mondeo is a car present in many markets, and even in this days Mondeo has some "loyal" customers. So "killing" the name Mondeo to put "Falcon" it would have been a BIG error. Insignia in the other hand was just for Opel, in the countries where is sold as a Opel, not a global model sold as Insignia under other badges, so is totally fine that OZ/NZ Holden it takes that car and put the Commodore badge to keep the name. It happens with many other brands around the world.
Holden should have never called it a Commodore, that is going to be this cars biggest downfall. People will constantly be comparing it to the Australian Commodore. It would have more success if it was just sold as the Holden Insignia.
True, but I don’t know if anyone would actually car about this car if it didn’t have the commodore branding. At least this way people are talking about it, for better or for worse.
'we have to move with the times." and clearly Holden couldn't and hence kept the name, trying to hold on to something which it clearly is not, they should of changed the name plate.
NSW4X4, I would like to agree but lets not forget about the VT Commodore which was actually a Vauxhall (Opel) Omega. Back then it was fine because the Omega was rear wheel drive which was at least a fitting requirement for Commodore fans. There's nothing wrong with a front drive Insignia but I think slapping a rear drive model name Commodore can be a big insult to die hard Commodore fans.
Actually we can go further back than that.. the VB Commodore was actually based on an Opel platform back in 1978, at least the vehicle was built here by Australian workers in an Australian factory for nearly 40 years. As far as I'm concerned, and it also seems I'm not the only one, feel that the commodore is no more.
Three disappointing things:: 1 - The wonderful Commodore died, unfortunately. 2 - This is an Opel INSIGNIA, so it should be called HOLDEN INSIGNIA. 3 - Holden could have a little more respect for the consumer and import at least one authentic GM car (Buick LaCrosse for example) to be the "new" Commodore and not that PEUGEOT/OPEL that does not even reach the feet (or wheels) of what Commodore was one day, pitiful Holden, pitiful.
(1) Ultimately, the use of the badge is up to them, although I understand why some people aren’t happy about it. (2) See above. (3) This vehicle was finished well before the PSA sale was transacted, so I’m not sure how it could be a more ‘authentic’ GM global product.
(3) but if you are worried about price depreciation of vehicles this car now is made by the French Peugeot who has already reported that this car will soon be replaced by a new car made with a platform of the own group PSA and will no longer use the Opel/GM platforms at soon . Another problem: it will not take long for GM to cut the umbilical cord (break away definitively) with Opel and replace this car by some other GM-made car, so this car will have a very short life, whoever buys will lose a lot of money quickly. I think it will depend a lot on sales, even so I believe that car is not even a year old.
I’d gladly bet there won’t be a new Commodore announced by October (where did you get that date from?). The current plan is to build the next Commdoore in several years’ time off the same platform as the ZB, as GM did not sell the platform to PSA. PSA are just building the current vehicle on licence until the early 2020s.
Subs will notice a difference on this video! What do you think of launching right into the review, rather than the cinematic opening - which moves to after the intro? Let me know your thoughts. -Tom
I like this format for general reviews. Cinematic openings are still good for impressions of new vehicles or exotic sports cars. Would have also been nice for a few more references to how each category of the car compares to its direct competitors. For example, quality of materials to the Passat, NVH to the Camry, value for money compared to the Superb etc. Anyway, thanks for another quality review. I really enjoyed it. These are still the best reviews of cars in Australia.
I feel the same as ssaannddrro. I will never buy a Holden ever again. If you buy a new Holden I hope that you never need to make a warranty claim, because if you do you will discover why so many others will NEVER EVER touch this brand again.
Holden won't retain buyers lol...the police don't even want a bar of them! Watch these cars be a total failure and watch the previous model commo raise in value over time.
…except that the police do want a bar of it. Victoria Police have been highly complimentary in public about the vehicle and are highly likely to place an order for VXRs with Gold (unrestricted) speed certification. We’ll know within a few weeks
@@chasingcars police only have the choice of FWD, they will chose something lighter like a camry or hyundi, this was knocked back, because of ginormous weight and especially the added FWD does not mix well when going around corners..
Holden is dying a slow and painful death.... This vehicle is a POShit Vetra and in NO WAY resembles a Commodore.... Is it really a German made car or out of the GM factory in Asia.... I.E. Old daiwoo factory..? Holden is Dead to me.
It is, its a rebadged opel insignia Its designed in germany, opel is not owned by GM annymore. Its now owned by the french PSA. Making opel European/French. PSA owns citroën and peugot. But GM owns PSA for 7.% The same car is known under al lot of different names: EU: Opel Insignia Australia: holden commodore England: vauxhall Insignia NA: buick regal
I just brought a demo MY16 Si with 6,000kms on the odometer. I flew to Darwin and drove it back to Alice. A week later drove it on a tour of Kakadu, Darwin, Litchfield, Katherine and back to Alice with a family of four on board. Thumbs up for highway cruising, comfortable, passing caravans and roadtrains was fuss free and fuel efficient. Every day of our tour which included darwin urban registered anywhere between 6.9 to 7.8kms/litre, with the worst figure from Katherine to Kakadu Aerora included an 80kms road trip to Gunlom gravel, deep dirt and corrugations 2WD road, which we found out later hadn't been recently maintain, "you would have been better off on the 4WD Magok road as that had been recently maintained". So back in The Alice and urban and suburban driving. Nice around town and I have ventured no where near the level of fuel consumption claimed by Kia, but much more frugal. But Alice is flat. I think this segment of cars, Optima, 6, Accord, Camry, Mondeo, Passat, ZB Commodore (LT-RS) etc offer particularly good value for money for a family or a smart minded single or coupkle that want more room than a hatch and better running cost than many SUVs. It would be a mistake to see this medium/large medium go the same way as the Falcon/Ozzydore/380. From me, my near new Optima gets a big thumbs up. And it turns heads around town, too. As for the ZB, I hope sales pick up along with this segment of the market.
Love the new video format. This is easily the best review of the new commodore I have seen! Kudos. I applaud your approach and honesty towards the new car, very refreshing, as a presenter you are mature beyond your years. Really guys, well done on such a quality review from the picture quality to the clarity of your voice and information you provided to the background music. Chasing cars is setting the benchmark for car reviews
Thanks a lot for all that positive feedback. I appreciate your comments and am glad you like the new format I’m testing. Tried to be very thorough on this car as, for obvious reasons, there will be lots of interest in it.
I think the issue a lot of Aussies will have is comparing it or expecting to be like the existing Commodore, but if you think of it the way you did, it's actually a very well featured exciting prospect. I love lift back sedans and an AWD naturally aspirated V6 with sharp looks like this actually appeals WAY more than many other competitors. Still not enough to draw me away from the M140i, but still worth a look.
I did like the old car but there are many reasons why this concept was an inevitable future. In fact, even if the ZB was built here - which was one option on the table in 2013 when it was planned - it was going to be a FWD vehicle on the Insignia platform. Given that, they’ve been able to make a car that is more interesting than most other options in this segment. The 3.6L V6 is a big part of that!
nes suno Hahaha, I don't own one. It's more what I would spend $60k on if it wanted a relatively practical performance car. I know these cars in a few ways are apples and oranges, but it's more what I would buy at this price, and that's the M140i. I'm shopping at the moment though, and I trust Chasing Cars' opinion
I've seen in the UK a Vauxhall Insignia whose front badge was lost and the Opel badge underneath (black plastic, with mounting holes) revealed. Maybe the badge of this car can be removed as well.
It's a nice car, it blends in with the brands. The old falcon and commodore have died off due to families wanting shit handling, shit braking SUV's. It was a really good review, and it certainly showed the car well. It may take time but, some people will buy. Forget about the badge, look at it for what it is, a German built car for Australia, get used to it.
they literally all look the same. But I guess Holdens had Chevrolet design while Buick had Opel. And now switching from Chevy to Opel is jarring, I agree
Great looking car, I hear they drive very well. Def not a true Commodore, but nonetheless, it is supporting Holden Australia and the many employees still in their design and testing division no doubt. I’d def consider this into the equation
I agree, you would be crazy not to try this car but you would be crazy to buy it. 3 reasons. 1, Holden itself, still hasn't learned it's lesson from the ACCC court action and still provides very poor customer service. 2, Holden's uncertain future, sales have been in free fall for over 7 years and if they continue they will be a non entity within 5 years. 3, the car, a car from the German (are you sure about that?) car maker Opel (actually owned by Peugeot/Citroen) and being made and sold under a number of different names in numerous different countries, all claiming to have different drive trains (some 8 speed auto, some 9 speed, some diesel, some have no V6 etc) all claiming it to be a special design or tuned for their market. Opel has lost money for years which is why GM sold it to the French. The Insignia is, as some in the motoring industry are saying, a last gasp for Opel. If it fails as a model, it will sink Opel like a stone and take Holden with it. What else is there? The Mexican SUV? Or would you like some complete engineering disaster from the former Daewoo factory? The only half decent vehicle from Holden currently is the Colorado and the main reason not to buy that is the first one listed above. Holden had a chance 10 years ago to listen to the market and make cars that the market wanted to a standard that the market demanded and provide the customer service that the market deserved. They failed and that's why the factory is now closed, 10's of thousands are now out of work and Holden is a failing brand. Alternatives to these models can be sourced from other manufacturers who will give you the service and support you deserve for the same or even less and with longer warranties.
I drive a super charged VY SS Commodore and love my big, dumb, growly rear wheel drive V8's however I thought this was an excellent review and although not the Commodore we all know and love, I'd have no hesitation in recommending one of these for my daughter or father in law or other non performance oriented drivers based on the feature set on offer. I do think however that is should have been named differently.
It’s a valid opinion and Holden may well not be on the landscape in 10 years. However I think that to write off what is a pretty good vehicle - European bones with lots of Aussie input - simply because it wears the lion means you’re missing out on a decent test drive at the very least.
Yeah sales were not great on the commodore. But I can't see this thing doing any better. With the failure to launch Opel as a brand being a key indicator.
Surely the lion badge helps more than the unknown Opel, but yes, midsize cars aren't about to re-overtake SUVs. Still, this car does deserve to sell. It is a good effort when you forget everything you know about Commodore…
Fantastic review Tom, was good to hear your insight. I've still not seen one in the flesh over here in WA, but it does look promising, particularly in wagon guise. My major qualm is that interior looks a bit last-gen with the materials and a tad bland in its design and use of equipment. The VFII swallowed you into a cabin that felt more like a cockpit with the best fit and finish I've ever experienced from Holden Not sure if the ZB quite cuts the mustard, but maybe the actual feel of it can be redeemed when experienced in person. Keep up the great videos, and I preferred jumping straight in before the intro :)
Thanks Ash. It is a car that works better in person and when you drive it - it makes more sense when you take it for what it is (Passat / Superb / Mazda 6 competitor), even though that isn’t easy given the history of the badge. I do find the interior styling a little bland, although I think quality is up on the VF, which wasn’t always perfect inside (especially details like the stitching, which on our testers was so often wonky). In any case, make sure to take a couple for drives and see what you think, VXR and Tourer especially.
To all the haters of the all new commodore ; why complain? Commodores have been based on Opels since the beginning of time. This is the price of progress. Holden had no choice but to conform to global standards. The new commodore is a step forward. On another note, it is practically worthless to judge interior material quality in a brand new car. Build quality can only judged by testing or wear over time. My worry is German cars generally don't wear very well. Opel's from my experience are a bit more normal than their German counterparts. Let's hope the new commodore can wear Australian hot weather conditions
They can hate the commodore all they want. The last VF they loved but they didn't buy enough of them to keep the car alive, so I ignore all these talkers about how Holden has sold out. Hell! Holden isn't even an Australian owned company anyway! How blind can one be!
Having owned Australian built Commodores as well as European cars, I am sad to say the quality of the Aussie built car was terrible. Don't care what they call it...the new model looks like a winner.
I hope they do. At present they’re dampening any suggestion of this and saying it can’t fit. The V8 Supercar ZB uses a twin-turbo setup but it’s the longitudinal V6 from the Caddy stable, not the transverse V6 in the road-going car. I would have been more keen on the VXR or an SS-badged version with a 300kW+ six, which would have been a better successor to the VF II SS (if not a perfect successor).
Great review Tom; I like how you clearly laid out how you were reviewing this car, on its own merits. My only suggestion is 'low ceiling' rather than the awkward 'short roof'.
Saw one going into the factory at Elizabeth the other day. It isn't made by my friends and neighbours. It's just some fucking Eurobox that means absolutely nothing to me. I grew up in Holden town (Elizabeth) and this thing (even the Holden brand) now means NOTHING to me. Older guys like me won't buy it 'cos it ain't a REAL Holden and young blokes won't buy it 'cos they see Holden as an old man's brand. I guess this young fellah either got paid for this review or he's just trying to suck enough GM ass to get himself a regular reviewing gig. Good luck, matey, you won't even see Holden as a brand within 5 years.
I love how you don’t even consider as an option for why I’m reviewing this car is my success with building this channel, which does very competitive numbers among Australian publications, which is the real and only reason. We don’t solicit or accept any money for editorial and never will. I understand you don’t like the car but your word isn’t gospel and others are allowed to disagree, including me. Thanks for stopping by.
Do people know that the Insignia was a replacement to a Vectra? So that why we gotta ask WHY Holden named the Vectra's successor with a Commodore badge on it?!
As for medium car in Australia and New Zealand, it was started off as a Vectra. Somewhere after Ford brings in their European Mondeo, Holden was trying to compete with one of Daewoo's cheap model (can't remember what it was) then somwhere later Chevy Malibu which is essentially Opel/Vauxhall Insignia underneath. In Europe the Insignia already replaced their Vectra. So as for a car that is supposed to be a medium car, putting a large car model name Commodore is surely a big insult to fans. Holden should stick to the Insignia model name to let Commodore legendary name out of misery.
First time watching your channel. Long time Holden fan from the 70's so was interested to see what you had to say. Particularly liked your balanced and well though out review. Cheers.
Holden should had discontinued the Commodore name and just used Insignia because it would be less of insult to the Holden fan base. (BTW, I'm not a Holden fan. So take my opinion with a grain of salt)
The VB was built on the opal, so what are we going around in circles, not one main car manufacturer that i know off, does not make sure that the next 3 models are already in the laning, so ZB series 1, then 2, then ZC series 1,series 2 and maybe VG series 1 and then two ?
Car only has about fives years of life, since Opel was sold. That is all the new owners have guaranteed. So you would think we might be lucky to see even a series 3 of the ZB. Wouldn't surprise me if the replacement to this car is a Buick from China or the US.
Nice review,I think this car is aimed at Mazda 6, Kia,Hyundai,Subaru,etc owners.Fair enough, those brands have been dominating sales.Bad for the die hard Commodore fans,at the end of the day,not much they can do about it,maybe wait for them to start importing camaro ,which I understands is soonish.
This is a good summary. Big move for Commodore, not everyone will like it, but at least the Camaro is coming for lovers of GM V8 + RWD vehicles. It’ll be so expensive though!
True, although I feel the reception of this car sales wise, might well spur GM to get their collective arses into gear and engineer some rear wheel drive platforms and V8 options with the wheel on the correct side for us, in the next generation Buick's and Chev's. I've never been convinced that VF was originally meant to go away quite so early as 2017 and its early departure was more political and funding based, so wont surprise me if Insignia and the limited import Camaro is a holding action until the cars intended to at least address the muscle car/performance side of the VF customer market are ready. That or GM just give up on Australia, like they have with Europe and badge someone else's car. One thing is for sure, if there is anything more flakey then the software in my VF Commodore, it would be GM management and their business acumen. Whatever happens we will be waiting ten years to find out.
The rise and rise of the truly modular platform should mean there are fewer problems in future with LHD/RHD applications. Also, the very premium tastes of the contemporary Aussie market (see: number of CLA / C200 / 320is, etc, on the road) means I think something like the Cadillac ATS would be the RWD solution of choice for GM here. And the ATS-V is pretty quick.
This review is well done, the vehicle should be wearing anything other than a Commodore badge. This is not a Holden Commodore, it is the sickest example of rebadging history perpetrated on the good people of Australia as a ruse. Holden ripped off Australia so badly that exactly zero of these vehicles should be sold.
Absolutely nothing wrong with this car, its well equipped and up to date, by far a much better car than the previous models built in Aus. All these "hard done by Aussies" need to build a bridge and get over it. I do think though Holden should of badged it as a Insignia and let the Commodore rest in piece. Great review!
A nice car, but its a tough sell for Holden. Many VF customers will have zero interest in this car and getting happy Japanese and Korean car buyers to consider this car, is a big ask. I doubt most euro car buyers will even consider it, with the Holden badge. In the end I suspect it will sell in Ford Mondeo numbers, which is to say quite insignificant numbers. Holden is facing a massive drop in sales.
Chasing Cars once people hear about the after sales service, they will be turned away. Remember how reliable the astra was when we got it? Another opal which i believe will fail on reliability.
I don't see GM lasting here in Australia. Its the end of April and I have not seen any of these on our roads. Not even the base models. Three major Holden dealerships in Adelaide have closed there doors due to lack of sales. The long standing dealerships were Plaza, Metro and Claridge Holden. Metro was the largest Holden dealer in Adelaide and has moved to Great wall cars. Holden has had no share of the market since November 2017 with the run out of the real commode. Colorado has stopped selling now even with price reductions. They have actually dropped market share to just under 2%. Its only seller is the Daewoo built Barina. The traditional Holden customer base is so disillusioned with the company and thing are made worse when GM's Holden CEO is pulled through court and found guilty in breaches of the consumer act. If you buy one of these, well good luck seriously because nobody else is and that spell goodbye GM from all of us in Australia:)
Good video but these are SO FAR FROM BEING A COMMODORE. This is a Mazda competitor at best. No V8 no rear wheel drive. Holden has forgot what made a Holden a Holden. I will NEVER buy one and I've owned atleast 5 Holden Commodores. I mean owned 5 real Commodores. Pffft
As a kiwi the commodore is ingrained in our culture just as much as Aussie, they were the number 1 selling car here for years and years along with the falcon, we even made both Holden and Ford here at some stage and i have owned many. Sad sad day when this is called a commodore! if it's not Australian it's shit!. Australia made the best cars full stop.
I'm in the US waiting for my Regal GS (your VXR) to be built that I ordered in Dec. It looks like this is the reason why it hasn't even started production, the plant has been busy building all of your variants of the vehicle for Australia! Our dealerships just in the last two weeks have been getting a trickling in of the base Regals. So, hopefully soon then....
I have a theory, the link below is the page of Chevrolet there in the United States and the car that appears in the link is the HOLDEN COMMODORE named there as CHEVROLET SS, I will keep an eye on this link and consult it frequently, when the car which is in this link change, this will be the new Holden Commodore also in Australia. Today the CHEVROLET SS is the HOLDEN COMMODORE but the car that will replace it there will be the same car that will replace it in Australia. Any questions?
Further more, its worth mentioning this is exactly what holden did when they introduced the VB Commodore... The VB Commodore was also sourced from Opel and was much smaller than its predecessor The HZ Holden.. granted the VB was still rear wheel drive bit it is history repeating somewhat
Vb was modified for Australian conditions because the Opel Senator was so weak that the firewall would snap in half on Aussie roads.Lets see how this Insignia goes on Aussie roads,i wouldn't be too confident.
I own a VE SS, I've always owned Holdens but I have zero interest in one of these, not sure what I'll be buying next but it won't be one of these or any other Holden :(
Maybe logo at start - great review also . Our Commodore was based on the model size up the Omega which GM Opel discontinued as did Ford with Granada/Scorpio and before VE Commodore took us to Zeta platform from USA. Niche model now everyone wants an SUV and just as Insignia is fleet dross in Europe likely same here. Imagine if Ford renamed Mondeo/Fusion as Falcon highlight why GM fans are livid.
Thanks Malcolm - yes, I think bringing the title card back at the start would be helpful. Agreed on the naming conventions, although I think it’s at least better that Holden made a firm decision to keep using the badge (despite the controversial nature of that decision) instead of bringing it back later. To me, it just means ‘this is our vision for non SUV family motoring’ which is one of the core meanings of Commodore. The other core meaning (to many) is RWD+V8 which of course this vehicle does not offer.
First time seeing your video and I am impressed. Good editing and subtle music. Like your narration and presentation. With regards to the ZB Commodore, I'm sure it is a great car but most Australians who have grown up with Holden will lament the demise of locally designed, engineered and manufactured Commodore. Progress I guess.
Thanks a lot Charles, I appreciate that. Agreed and I understand why there’s a lot of negative sentiment out there, which is all fair enough when you’re dealing with a national icon like Commodore. Taken on its merits though, this isn’t a bad car in isolation.
Copped the Motorsport Edition @ employee's discounted price so the VF will stay with me haha. The ZB Commodore is definitely a solid car, but it just doesn't take off on what the Commodore has become over the years.
Well, wonder no further. PSA are building the Commodore/Insignia/Regal on licence for GM, but GM still owns the platform that these vehicles are based on, so they can choose to continue using it for a future premium midsize FWD model should they choose.
People here are crying about the demise of the Commodore title, how about when they killed the Kingswood in 1977? That was more of an Aussie icon than Commodore AND was never bad-mouthed as a "Dunnydoor"
I'm a Ford fanatic owning two beaut Falcons but I truly feel for genuine Holden Commodore fans . I really do . Major blunder by Holden by retaining the name of the iconic Aussie Commodore . BIG MISTAKE . At least my mob had the sense to let 56 years of the Falcon nameplate go RIP with the last one built in 2016. Hope I'm wrong but this monumental blunder could lead to Holden disappearing altogether . How good or bad technically the car is doesn't matter . It isn't or never will be a Commodore .
If Holden was in danger of disappearing altogether, calling this car Insignia wouldn't have prevented that, because people would still have compared it to their old VF SS regardless. Look at Mondeo: people don't care about that car because it's not a Falcon.
I cannot possibly read all the comments, but is nobody going to address the elephant in the room? The VB Commodore was actually just a rebadged Opel Senator. So we are in fact right where we were 40 years ago in 1978.
JD Power UK car owners survey for 2017 ranked the Vauxhall Insignia as the most reliable car in its class, I just watched thi on Matt Watson's carwow channel. Holden need to latch onto surveys like this and push this in advertising.
Simply because it's no use spending millions of dollars on a bad product. Holden's strategy was bad, he should have left the Commodore name stored for a vehicle with the same characteristics of it or better or retire that name instead. Now it's no use. It will be such a huge fiasco that GM is able to put the name Holden on sale, or start bringing cheap vehicles from Indonesia to see if it sells. HOLDEN herself dug her own grave.
Isbeenfarteen Inmapants ...that could be a factor and the relationship with Holden owned by GM and the PSA group. That said, Holden and Toyota did product swap, Corolla/Nova, Apollo/Camry, Commodore/Lexen.
You are forgetting the profit factor. GM has closed factories around the world. GM stopped selling cars in India, sold one factory to SAIC its Chinese partner and the other now produces only vehicles for export. All of its vehicles produced there are exported to Mexico (Chevrolet Essentia which in Mexico takes its name from Chevrolet Beat), sold its factory in South Africa to Japan's Isuzu, its long-time partner for diesel engines. Car manufacturing has ended in Australia and now the "turn of the moment" is South Korea, GM announced this week the closure in May of one of its four factories in that country. Precisely the factory that produces the Cruze Sedan (HOLDEN ASTRA SEDAN) and the Orlando SUV. So GM is looking for profit and is no longer fighting with VOLKSWAGEN for sales. GM does not want to fight with Volkswagen to be the biggest in the world, but wants to be the most profitable now. A company that is closing factories and seeking profit will associate with these losers why? Is a question.
Nice balanced review, however the Commodore name didn't die due to lack of relevance, but rather badge snobbery.. the problem is the marketing team didn't acknowledge early in the piece when VE was launched that people like to think that they are driving a premium product.. they tried to address this with VF but it was too little too late even though the VE and VF were great cars...
I think that is a very interesting opinion and probably right. Large cars had become a hard sell, but Australians in the last decade have wanted to be convinced they drive a luxury car. I agree with you.
The up front review is only part of the story anyway. I'd be interested to hear a review in, say, 2028 or when the odo says 300,000km or more. Ford forgot the lessons they learned with the Australianisation (is that a word? :) ) of the XW in the design of the XD/XE and Ex/Ax models, but in contrast GMH's VN through VS are still very plentiful on the roads - they're in the main tired and shabby, but they're still rolling.
How much did you get paid not to mention the big pineapple for Australian drivers that neither the wagon or VXR have ANY spare tyre. Even the top end Calais sedan only has a space saver wheel.
I made sure to go and check on this for you. All of them have a space saver wheel in the Australian market including the wagon models and VXR. Not ideal on the Tourer, I admit, if you do a lot of gravel mileage. And we don’t get paid anything for editorial and wouldn’t accept payment. I always say exactly what I think and accept the consequences of that honesty.
Appreciate that but it seems that all motoring commentators don't mention anything about the either lack of any spare tyre with only an inflator kit or mention the space saver wheel that are totally unsuitable for Australian outback conditions. Why are we accepting the downgrade from what used to be Australian icon built for Australian conditions?I just checked the Holden site and the VXR comes with an inflator kit. The Tourer has a steel spare wheel.
Sorry, I’ve got conflicting info on the VXR (website and the direct technical information provided to me by engineering) disagree but I’ll source an accurate answer for that model. In answer to why this is happening, it’s simply because their market research tells them 90% of people don’t live or drive far from a tyre shop, 90% of the time. And it isn’t just Holden. For country people, it’s a problem, definitely. But increasingly brands are shifting the content away from full size spares into other features because nearly all buyers don’t need to potentially travel >100km on the spare.
There are many scenarios that don't support the research but it will be hard to go back to what the Consumer should have in a full size spare. How is that makers like Hyundai still offer full size spares even in the smaller base models. If Buyers walked away from potential sales because of this, then the Manufacturers may take notice. Until then, "Market Research" will be their guide.For me this is a deal-breaker and Holden have lost a sale.
Most car brands now have little regard for country drivers, when it comes to conventional sedan/wagon platforms. They don't see them as their market and since the majority of their buyers are city bound or only travel on main roads between towns and cities, they care even less. Unfortunately they will point you towards a Toyota dealer or in Holden's case, try and flog you a Colorado.
Holden is taking us for fools. That is not a commodore. At least FORD had enough ball's to kill the falcon off in one savage blow.
Ford knows Mondeo isn't truely a replacement to Falcon which was a big rear drive Aussie car. As a big (smaller) family car, Mondeo took Falcon's place but not as a rear drive enthusiast machine. I think Ford is smart enough to keep the Mondeo name instead of renaming it to Falcon.
The Mondeo has been around since the 1990's, it replaced the Telstar. I think ford Australia has given up on the large sedan segment and is concentrating on what most people seem to want these days which are SUV's and 4X4's.
sidiflist m, Well that's true. That's possibly one of the reason why Ford didn't rename their Mondeo into Falcon. It would've been stupid to do so.
Mondeo is a car present in many markets, and even in this days Mondeo has some "loyal" customers. So "killing" the name Mondeo to put "Falcon" it would have been a BIG error. Insignia in the other hand was just for Opel, in the countries where is sold as a Opel, not a global model sold as Insignia under other badges, so is totally fine that OZ/NZ Holden it takes that car and put the Commodore badge to keep the name. It happens with many other brands around the world.
sidiflist hlo can u tell me which company SEDAN car is better in Australia HONDA FORD HOLDEN OR COVERLET OR HYUNDAI reply me
Its a pretty good car, no doubt but THAT IS NOT A COMMODORE!!!
Holden should have never called it a Commodore, that is going to be this cars biggest downfall. People will constantly be comparing it to the Australian Commodore. It would have more success if it was just sold as the Holden Insignia.
You may be right, but I suppose only time will tell.
True, but I don’t know if anyone would actually car about this car if it didn’t have the commodore branding. At least this way people are talking about it, for better or for worse.
i thought calling it the camira would be more suitable
Why are people so cruel. :)
Furthermore Insignia replaced Vectra in Europe and the UK. Don't you think it's huge insult to name Vectra's successor as a Commodore?
I cannot put into words how much i hate the new commodore, but nice review nonetheless :)
Thank you, I appreciate that you can separate dislike for the car with some appreciation for our work. Cheers.
Awesome review mate.
lol a front wheel drive commodore... how long until the brand dies permanently
Well
Its not a commodore, the commodore was aussie built.
I just think that’s a bit of a tired argument. I get it, I do, but at the end of the day in this globalised world we have to move with the times.
'we have to move with the times." and clearly Holden couldn't and hence kept the name, trying to hold on to something which it clearly is not, they should of changed the name plate.
We’ll see how the market reacts to it. Private VF Commodore sales were a relative trickle at the end, so it’ll either be a fresh start or bust.
NSW4X4, I would like to agree but lets not forget about the VT Commodore which was actually a Vauxhall (Opel) Omega. Back then it was fine because the Omega was rear wheel drive which was at least a fitting requirement for Commodore fans.
There's nothing wrong with a front drive Insignia but I think slapping a rear drive model name Commodore can be a big insult to die hard Commodore fans.
Actually we can go further back than that.. the VB Commodore was actually based on an Opel platform back in 1978, at least the vehicle was built here by Australian workers in an Australian factory for nearly 40 years. As far as I'm concerned, and it also seems I'm not the only one, feel that the commodore is no more.
Three disappointing things::
1 - The wonderful Commodore died, unfortunately.
2 - This is an Opel INSIGNIA, so it should be called HOLDEN INSIGNIA.
3 - Holden could have a little more respect for the consumer and import at least one authentic GM car (Buick LaCrosse for example) to be the "new" Commodore and not that PEUGEOT/OPEL that does not even reach the feet (or wheels) of what Commodore was one day, pitiful Holden, pitiful.
(1) Ultimately, the use of the badge is up to them, although I understand why some people aren’t happy about it.
(2) See above.
(3) This vehicle was finished well before the PSA sale was transacted, so I’m not sure how it could be a more ‘authentic’ GM global product.
(3) but if you are worried about price depreciation of vehicles this car now is made by the French Peugeot who has already reported that this car will soon be replaced by a new car made with a platform of the own group PSA and will no longer use the Opel/GM platforms at soon . Another problem: it will not take long for GM to cut the umbilical cord (break away definitively) with Opel and replace this car by some other GM-made car, so this car will have a very short life, whoever buys will lose a lot of money quickly. I think it will depend a lot on sales, even so I believe that car is not even a year old.
A new Commodore should be announced by October 2018. Do you want to bet?
Wow! An Aussie Opel , no thanks.
I’d gladly bet there won’t be a new Commodore announced by October (where did you get that date from?). The current plan is to build the next Commdoore in several years’ time off the same platform as the ZB, as GM did not sell the platform to PSA. PSA are just building the current vehicle on licence until the early 2020s.
Subs will notice a difference on this video! What do you think of launching right into the review, rather than the cinematic opening - which moves to after the intro? Let me know your thoughts. -Tom
I prefer just launching right into the review.
I agree
I agree with Malcolm Scott's comment, flash the logo upfront then straight into it.
2:07 looks fun!
I like this format for general reviews. Cinematic openings are still good for impressions of new vehicles or exotic sports cars.
Would have also been nice for a few more references to how each category of the car compares to its direct competitors. For example, quality of materials to the Passat, NVH to the Camry, value for money compared to the Superb etc. Anyway, thanks for another quality review. I really enjoyed it. These are still the best reviews of cars in Australia.
After the poor customer service I received from GMH, I'll never buy another one of their products.
What kind of car was it?
VT Commodore
H Maccas I do.
I feel the same as ssaannddrro. I will never buy a Holden ever again. If you buy a new Holden I hope that you never need to make a warranty claim, because if you do you will discover why so many others will NEVER EVER touch this brand again.
Roger Rarebit I had a Ford once .....
From national icon to national turd. Holden should of retired the Commodore name
Maybe, although I don’t think that
^ He's taking it up with the reviewer because the reviewer did the review dumb ass...
Who gives 2 shits about a name
Holden won't retain buyers lol...the police don't even want a bar of them! Watch these cars be a total failure and watch the previous model commo raise in value over time.
…except that the police do want a bar of it. Victoria Police have been highly complimentary in public about the vehicle and are highly likely to place an order for VXRs with Gold (unrestricted) speed certification. We’ll know within a few weeks
The U.S. version the SS, the dealers are marking up the price from $40,000 to $58,000. Verying in between $.
RIP HOLDEN from 🇺🇸
New Zealand just order shit tone of those for their Police fleets, it on the road now looking annoying 🤣
@@chasingcars police only have the choice of FWD, they will chose something lighter like a camry or hyundi, this was knocked back, because of ginormous weight and especially the added FWD does not mix well when going around corners..
Look around, all cop cars are camry's..who would've thought.
Pure sales talk. What a crappy joke. This isn't worth driving in australia
What makes a car worth driving in Australia? Genuinely interested.
Chasing Cars
It needs to be RWD, and have a V8...but it can't be expensive!
(Their words, not mine.)
what a joke, ruined the commodore name
Some will think that, and that’s okay. All I can do is give you guys my own perspective.
Overseas this was the Vectra replacement, essentially it's a relaunch of the Vectra with Commodore name,
Why ? The way people are complaining the commodore should have sold in their millions ! And V8 all over the place !!!!!
Holden is dying a slow and painful death.... This vehicle is a POShit Vetra and in NO WAY resembles a Commodore....
Is it really a German made car or out of the GM factory in Asia.... I.E. Old daiwoo factory..?
Holden is Dead to me.
General Motors is shit.
You can't call that a commodore lol
@@adelaideautowashes
Astra is for small
Insignia is for medium
Commodore is for large.
Names have to consistent with the past.
Now it’s a hairdressers car
Hairdresser cars are 4 cylinders dumbass
Wow, the new Astra looks great.
Not happy with this now .. Holden has died. Holden if you want Australians to buy , bring back the old shape. No more shapes like everything else.
mjstapleton1 oath they look like euro cars
It is, its a rebadged opel insignia
Its designed in germany, opel is not owned by GM annymore. Its now owned by the french PSA. Making opel European/French. PSA owns citroën and peugot.
But GM owns PSA for 7.%
The same car is known under al lot of different names:
EU: Opel Insignia
Australia: holden commodore
England: vauxhall Insignia
NA: buick regal
Times change. But an old model commodore and tickle your fancy.
DEE THE FUNKY HOMOSAPIEN not supporting Holden, why would I do a silly thing like that?
I just brought a demo MY16 Si with 6,000kms on the odometer.
I flew to Darwin and drove it back to Alice. A week later drove it on a tour of Kakadu, Darwin, Litchfield, Katherine and back to Alice with a family of four on board. Thumbs up for highway cruising, comfortable, passing caravans and roadtrains was fuss free and fuel efficient. Every day of our tour which included darwin urban registered anywhere between 6.9 to 7.8kms/litre, with the worst figure from Katherine to Kakadu Aerora included an 80kms road trip to Gunlom gravel, deep dirt and corrugations 2WD road, which we found out later hadn't been recently maintain, "you would have been better off on the 4WD Magok road as that had been recently maintained".
So back in The Alice and urban and suburban driving. Nice around town and I have ventured no where near the level of fuel consumption claimed by Kia, but much more frugal. But Alice is flat.
I think this segment of cars, Optima, 6, Accord, Camry, Mondeo, Passat, ZB Commodore (LT-RS) etc offer particularly good value for money for a family or a smart minded single or coupkle that want more room than a hatch and better running cost than many SUVs.
It would be a mistake to see this medium/large medium go the same way as the Falcon/Ozzydore/380.
From me, my near new Optima gets a big thumbs up. And it turns heads around town, too.
As for the ZB, I hope sales pick up along with this segment of the market.
Love the new video format. This is easily the best review of the new commodore I have seen! Kudos. I applaud your approach and honesty towards the new car, very refreshing, as a presenter you are mature beyond your years. Really guys, well done on such a quality review from the picture quality to the clarity of your voice and information you provided to the background music. Chasing cars is setting the benchmark for car reviews
Thanks a lot for all that positive feedback. I appreciate your comments and am glad you like the new format I’m testing. Tried to be very thorough on this car as, for obvious reasons, there will be lots of interest in it.
I think the issue a lot of Aussies will have is comparing it or expecting to be like the existing Commodore, but if you think of it the way you did, it's actually a very well featured exciting prospect. I love lift back sedans and an AWD naturally aspirated V6 with sharp looks like this actually appeals WAY more than many other competitors. Still not enough to draw me away from the M140i, but still worth a look.
I did like the old car but there are many reasons why this concept was an inevitable future. In fact, even if the ZB was built here - which was one option on the table in 2013 when it was planned - it was going to be a FWD vehicle on the Insignia platform. Given that, they’ve been able to make a car that is more interesting than most other options in this segment. The 3.6L V6 is a big part of that!
nes suno Hahaha, I don't own one. It's more what I would spend $60k on if it wanted a relatively practical performance car. I know these cars in a few ways are apples and oranges, but it's more what I would buy at this price, and that's the M140i.
I'm shopping at the moment though, and I trust Chasing Cars' opinion
Hey the new Commodore looks like a Mazda 6, the VF shits all over it.Get some glasses.
That's actually a really nice car.... AWD, V6, beautiful interior! I think job well done.
Doesn't compare to a VF in any way & poor sales will show that.
The commodore started as an Opel and finished as an Opel.
Does it have typical German high maintenance cost?
No more Chevy badge swaps, here comes the Opel badge swaps
Well it’s sold in the US as a Buick Regal so maybe someone will do a Buick badge swap.
The holden badge should be taken off this gerry built car
I've seen in the UK a Vauxhall Insignia whose front badge was lost and the Opel badge underneath (black plastic, with mounting holes) revealed. Maybe the badge of this car can be removed as well.
Holden turned traitor. Bring us a true replacement for our beloved Commodore INCLUDING A V8! I'm gonna have to go to a 300C SRT now...
I’m going to a BMW, Mercedes, Jaguar, and Alfa Romeo. Even though I’m not Australian.
It's a nice car, it blends in with the brands. The old falcon and commodore have died off due to families wanting shit handling, shit braking SUV's.
It was a really good review, and it certainly showed the car well. It may take time but, some people will buy. Forget about the badge, look at it for what it is, a German built car for Australia, get used to it.
they just dont get it do they !!!
It will not matter what crap they pump out as long as they have a bad reputation for after sales service
They need to put much more effort in there I agree.
They look nice, but I cant see any of Holden's DNA in it. I cant unsee the Opel Insignia.
they literally all look the same. But I guess Holdens had Chevrolet design while Buick had Opel. And now switching from Chevy to Opel is jarring, I agree
Great looking car, I hear they drive very well. Def not a true Commodore, but nonetheless, it is supporting Holden Australia and the many employees still in their design and testing division no doubt. I’d def consider this into the equation
I agree, you would be crazy not to try this car but you would be crazy to buy it. 3 reasons.
1, Holden itself, still hasn't learned it's lesson from the ACCC court action and still provides very poor customer service.
2, Holden's uncertain future, sales have been in free fall for over 7 years and if they continue they will be a non entity within 5 years.
3, the car, a car from the German (are you sure about that?) car maker Opel (actually owned by Peugeot/Citroen) and being made and sold under a number of different names in numerous different countries, all claiming to have different drive trains (some 8 speed auto, some 9 speed, some diesel, some have no V6 etc) all claiming it to be a special design or tuned for their market.
Opel has lost money for years which is why GM sold it to the French. The Insignia is, as some in the motoring industry are saying, a last gasp for Opel. If it fails as a model, it will sink Opel like a stone and take Holden with it. What else is there? The Mexican SUV? Or would you like some complete engineering disaster from the former Daewoo factory? The only half decent vehicle from Holden currently is the Colorado and the main reason not to buy that is the first one listed above.
Holden had a chance 10 years ago to listen to the market and make cars that the market wanted to a standard that the market demanded and provide the customer service that the market deserved. They failed and that's why the factory is now closed, 10's of thousands are now out of work and Holden is a failing brand.
Alternatives to these models can be sourced from other manufacturers who will give you the service and support you deserve for the same or even less and with longer warranties.
I drive a super charged VY SS Commodore and love my big, dumb, growly rear wheel drive V8's however I thought this was an excellent review and although not the Commodore we all know and love, I'd have no hesitation in recommending one of these for my daughter or father in law or other non performance oriented drivers based on the feature set on offer. I do think however that is should have been named differently.
Thumbs up for the Video mates. Thumbs down for the "Commodore".
👍🏽 Cheers
Operl Insignia
Vauxhall Insignia
Holden Commodore
Buick Regal
Now are all basically the same?
I know it's an Opel, but if it has the Holden badge on it, I'll just regard it as a shit box. Holden is a dying brand and it's on life support.
It’s a valid opinion and Holden may well not be on the landscape in 10 years. However I think that to write off what is a pretty good vehicle - European bones with lots of Aussie input - simply because it wears the lion means you’re missing out on a decent test drive at the very least.
Yeah sales were not great on the commodore. But I can't see this thing doing any better. With the failure to launch Opel as a brand being a key indicator.
Surely the lion badge helps more than the unknown Opel, but yes, midsize cars aren't about to re-overtake SUVs. Still, this car does deserve to sell. It is a good effort when you forget everything you know about Commodore…
Another great review Tom. I like the intros on your reviews, it's a real point of difference.
Thank you. I’ll take that on board, just testing a new format here.
Fantastic review Tom, was good to hear your insight. I've still not seen one in the flesh over here in WA, but it does look promising, particularly in wagon guise. My major qualm is that interior looks a bit last-gen with the materials and a tad bland in its design and use of equipment. The VFII swallowed you into a cabin that felt more like a cockpit with the best fit and finish I've ever experienced from Holden Not sure if the ZB quite cuts the mustard, but maybe the actual feel of it can be redeemed when experienced in person. Keep up the great videos, and I preferred jumping straight in before the intro :)
Thanks Ash. It is a car that works better in person and when you drive it - it makes more sense when you take it for what it is (Passat / Superb / Mazda 6 competitor), even though that isn’t easy given the history of the badge. I do find the interior styling a little bland, although I think quality is up on the VF, which wasn’t always perfect inside (especially details like the stitching, which on our testers was so often wonky). In any case, make sure to take a couple for drives and see what you think, VXR and Tourer especially.
To all the haters of the all new commodore ; why complain? Commodores have been based on Opels since the beginning of time. This is the price of progress. Holden had no choice but to conform to global standards. The new commodore is a step forward.
On another note, it is practically worthless to judge interior material quality in a brand new car. Build quality can only judged by testing or wear over time. My worry is German cars generally don't wear very well. Opel's from my experience are a bit more normal than their German counterparts. Let's hope the new commodore can wear Australian hot weather conditions
If this is a step forward lets see how sales go
They can hate the commodore all they want. The last VF they loved but they didn't buy enough of them to keep the car alive, so I ignore all these talkers about how Holden has sold out. Hell! Holden isn't even an Australian owned company anyway! How blind can one be!
What no cooling and heating for the front seats and all 8 way adjustable for both front seats ?
That’s the case on Calais-V and VXR, thanks for adding it.
It was a great review right up to the relevant comment. You only have to go outside to see how relevant the commodore is. What it wasn’t was VIABLE.
Having owned Australian built Commodores as well as European cars, I am sad to say the quality of the Aussie built car was terrible. Don't care what they call it...the new model looks like a winner.
how any one can possibly consider buying a holden now is beyond me. Especially considering how the dealers treat there customers.
Good video mate very classy and informative with no bias, I think this change is good for Commodore
Thanks a lot Alex.
Any chance HSV sticking on a couple of Turbos on the V6 AWD to make it get up & boogie?
I hope they do. At present they’re dampening any suggestion of this and saying it can’t fit. The V8 Supercar ZB uses a twin-turbo setup but it’s the longitudinal V6 from the Caddy stable, not the transverse V6 in the road-going car. I would have been more keen on the VXR or an SS-badged version with a 300kW+ six, which would have been a better successor to the VF II SS (if not a perfect successor).
Great review Tom; I like how you clearly laid out how you were reviewing this car, on its own merits. My only suggestion is 'low ceiling' rather than the awkward 'short roof'.
Great review mate! Long and detailed. Very informative.
Saw one going into the factory at Elizabeth the other day. It isn't made by my friends and neighbours. It's just some fucking Eurobox that means absolutely nothing to me. I grew up in Holden town (Elizabeth) and this thing (even the Holden brand) now means NOTHING to me. Older guys like me won't buy it 'cos it ain't a REAL Holden and young blokes won't buy it 'cos they see Holden as an old man's brand. I guess this young fellah either got paid for this review or he's just trying to suck enough GM ass to get himself a regular reviewing gig. Good luck, matey, you won't even see Holden as a brand within 5 years.
I love how you don’t even consider as an option for why I’m reviewing this car is my success with building this channel, which does very competitive numbers among Australian publications, which is the real and only reason.
We don’t solicit or accept any money for editorial and never will.
I understand you don’t like the car but your word isn’t gospel and others are allowed to disagree, including me.
Thanks for stopping by.
That’s not a commodore what a shame ? Holden Commodore is a performance sports car not just an economy box
Do people know that the Insignia was a replacement to a Vectra? So that why we gotta ask WHY Holden named the Vectra's successor with a Commodore badge on it?!
Probably because this car is much larger than a Vectra?
As for medium car in Australia and New Zealand, it was started off as a Vectra. Somewhere after Ford brings in their European Mondeo, Holden was trying to compete with one of Daewoo's cheap model (can't remember what it was) then somwhere later Chevy Malibu which is essentially Opel/Vauxhall Insignia underneath.
In Europe the Insignia already replaced their Vectra.
So as for a car that is supposed to be a medium car, putting a large car model name Commodore is surely a big insult to fans. Holden should stick to the Insignia model name to let Commodore legendary name out of misery.
Because GM have given Holden the ass & Holden have to re-badged Opels.
i think its because of fuel prices in australia? am i wrong.....
First time watching your channel. Long time Holden fan from the 70's so was interested to see what you had to say. Particularly liked your balanced and well though out review. Cheers.
Thanks a lot Rick.
Someone needs to upload a video of a aftermarket exhaust on this so called holden , see if it sounds as good as a previous v6 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽
Great work! I’m a fan of the new lift backs.
Very good review. I'm sad that Commodore is no longer Australian designed nor built but hopefully this new model improves as time goes on
Thanks, much appreciated.
Where’s the commodore? I didn’t see it at all in the video
Holden should had discontinued the Commodore name and just used Insignia because it would be less of insult to the Holden fan base. (BTW, I'm not a Holden fan. So take my
opinion with a grain of salt)
The VB was built on the opal, so what are we going around in circles, not one main car manufacturer that i know off, does not make sure that the next 3 models are already in the laning, so ZB series 1, then 2, then ZC series 1,series 2 and maybe VG series 1 and then two ?
Car only has about fives years of life, since Opel was sold. That is all the new owners have guaranteed. So you would think we might be lucky to see even a series 3 of the ZB. Wouldn't surprise me if the replacement to this car is a Buick from China or the US.
GM owns the platform.
Those VXR seats are a bit goofy looking. Daytona USA arcade game looking thing.
I found them to be comfy and supportive over two long days driving though. Just the placement of the pedals that felt a bit awkward.
Yeap, but if they are as good as the review says, they probably are one of the VXR's strong points.
Perhaps HSV seats should do the trick.
Agree there, the seats are tack, looks like they got some guys from the Honda Civic team to knock them up.
The seats in the VXR are awesome!!!!
Nice review,I think this car is aimed at Mazda 6, Kia,Hyundai,Subaru,etc owners.Fair enough, those brands have been dominating sales.Bad for the die hard Commodore fans,at the end of the day,not much they can do about it,maybe wait for them to start importing camaro ,which I understands is soonish.
This is a good summary. Big move for Commodore, not everyone will like it, but at least the Camaro is coming for lovers of GM V8 + RWD vehicles. It’ll be so expensive though!
True, although I feel the reception of this car sales wise, might well spur GM to get their collective arses into gear and engineer some rear wheel drive platforms and V8 options with the wheel on the correct side for us, in the next generation Buick's and Chev's. I've never been convinced that VF was originally meant to go away quite so early as 2017 and its early departure was more political and funding based, so wont surprise me if Insignia and the limited import Camaro is a holding action until the cars intended to at least address the muscle car/performance side of the VF customer market are ready. That or GM just give up on Australia, like they have with Europe and badge someone else's car. One thing is for sure, if there is anything more flakey then the software in my VF Commodore, it would be GM management and their business acumen. Whatever happens we will be waiting ten years to find out.
The rise and rise of the truly modular platform should mean there are fewer problems in future with LHD/RHD applications. Also, the very premium tastes of the contemporary Aussie market (see: number of CLA / C200 / 320is, etc, on the road) means I think something like the Cadillac ATS would be the RWD solution of choice for GM here. And the ATS-V is pretty quick.
James Calley has
This review is well done, the vehicle should be wearing anything other than a Commodore badge. This is not a Holden Commodore, it is the sickest example of rebadging history perpetrated on the good people of Australia as a ruse. Holden ripped off Australia so badly that exactly zero of these vehicles should be sold.
Absolutely nothing wrong with this car, its well equipped and up to date, by far a much better car than the previous models built in Aus. All these "hard done by Aussies" need to build a bridge and get over it. I do think though Holden should of badged it as a Insignia and let the Commodore rest in piece. Great review!
Honestly, I feel like calling it an Insignia wouldn't have saved Holden. People would still have compared it to their precious VF SS regardless.
Wait did you say naturally aspirated V6? Wasn't it meant to be twin turbo V6????
It’s NA. Plans for a twin-turbo 3.0L fell through.
A nice car, but its a tough sell for Holden. Many VF customers will have zero interest in this car and getting happy Japanese and Korean car buyers to consider this car, is a big ask. I doubt most euro car buyers will even consider it, with the Holden badge.
In the end I suspect it will sell in Ford Mondeo numbers, which is to say quite insignificant numbers. Holden is facing a massive drop in sales.
It is a hard sell, I agree, but I do think it deserves consideration by midsize buyers.
Chasing Cars once people hear about the after sales service, they will be turned away. Remember how reliable the astra was when we got it? Another opal which i believe will fail on reliability.
Traded my GTS for a VXR and M more than pleased
I don't see GM lasting here in Australia. Its the end of April and I have not seen any of these on our roads. Not even the base models. Three major Holden dealerships in Adelaide have closed there doors due to lack of sales. The long standing dealerships were Plaza, Metro and Claridge Holden. Metro was the largest Holden dealer in Adelaide and has moved to Great wall cars. Holden has had no share of the market since November 2017 with the run out of the real commode. Colorado has stopped selling now even with price reductions. They have actually dropped market share to just under 2%. Its only seller is the Daewoo built Barina. The traditional Holden customer base is so disillusioned with the company and thing are made worse when GM's Holden CEO is pulled through court and found guilty in breaches of the consumer act. If you buy one of these, well good luck seriously because nobody else is and that spell goodbye GM from all of us in Australia:)
Good video but these are SO FAR FROM BEING A COMMODORE. This is a Mazda competitor at best. No V8 no rear wheel drive. Holden has forgot what made a Holden a Holden. I will NEVER buy one and I've owned atleast 5 Holden Commodores. I mean owned 5 real Commodores. Pffft
Thanks Brett, that’s fair enough. Appreciate the support for the video at least though. Cheers.
Nothing wrong with being a Mazda competitor though.
Ben Huang are you serious???
Allan White
Yes. What do you have against Mazda?
No, I'd say Australian consumers forgot about Holden!! Which is why the Commodore as we know it is 6 ft deep.
As Opel is now owned by the PSA group, good luck to customers getting spares in the future, never mind the depreciation.
As a kiwi the commodore is ingrained in our culture just as much as Aussie, they were the number 1 selling car here for years and years along with the falcon, we even made both Holden and Ford here at some stage and i have owned many. Sad sad day when this is called a commodore! if it's not Australian it's shit!. Australia made the best cars full stop.
How much did they pay you?
I'm in the US waiting for my Regal GS (your VXR) to be built that I ordered in Dec. It looks like this is the reason why it hasn't even started production, the plant has been busy building all of your variants of the vehicle for Australia! Our dealerships just in the last two weeks have been getting a trickling in of the base Regals. So, hopefully soon then....
I hope you enjoy the car Jeff.
I have a theory, the link below is the page of Chevrolet there in the United States and the car that appears in the link is the HOLDEN COMMODORE named there as CHEVROLET SS, I will keep an eye on this link and consult it frequently, when the car which is in this link change, this will be the new Holden Commodore also in Australia. Today the CHEVROLET SS is the HOLDEN COMMODORE but the car that will replace it there will be the same car that will replace it in Australia. Any questions?
CHEVROLET SS | HOLDEN COMMODORE:
www.chevrolet.com/ss-sports-sedan
Further more, its worth mentioning this is exactly what holden did when they introduced the VB Commodore... The VB Commodore was also sourced from Opel and was much smaller than its predecessor The HZ Holden.. granted the VB was still rear wheel drive bit it is history repeating somewhat
Lots of circularities here. And don’t forget how similar VT Commodore and the Opel Omega were. VE was the most Australian of the bunch by far.
Vb was modified for Australian conditions because the Opel Senator was so weak that the firewall would snap in half on Aussie roads.Lets see how this Insignia goes on Aussie roads,i wouldn't be too confident.
I own a VE SS, I've always owned Holdens but I have zero interest in one of these, not sure what I'll be buying next but it won't be one of these or any other Holden :(
Yep I respect that view Glenn, for many traditional Commodore format fans this vehicle won’t satisfy.
Maybe logo at start - great review also . Our Commodore was based on the model size up the Omega which GM Opel discontinued as did Ford with Granada/Scorpio and before VE Commodore took us to Zeta platform from USA. Niche model now everyone wants an SUV and just as Insignia is fleet dross in Europe likely same here. Imagine if Ford renamed Mondeo/Fusion as Falcon highlight why GM fans are livid.
Thanks Malcolm - yes, I think bringing the title card back at the start would be helpful. Agreed on the naming conventions, although I think it’s at least better that Holden made a firm decision to keep using the badge (despite the controversial nature of that decision) instead of bringing it back later. To me, it just means ‘this is our vision for non SUV family motoring’ which is one of the core meanings of Commodore. The other core meaning (to many) is RWD+V8 which of course this vehicle does not offer.
At least ford gave the falcon dignity. No dignity in this shitter
Good review 👌
Thanks mate.
It's just a rebranded Opel omega/insignia , really liked the look of the old commodore and the rear wheel muscle
First time seeing your video and I am impressed. Good editing and subtle music. Like your narration and presentation. With regards to the ZB Commodore, I'm sure it is a great car but most Australians who have grown up with Holden will lament the demise of locally designed, engineered and manufactured Commodore. Progress I guess.
Thanks a lot Charles, I appreciate that. Agreed and I understand why there’s a lot of negative sentiment out there, which is all fair enough when you’re dealing with a national icon like Commodore. Taken on its merits though, this isn’t a bad car in isolation.
So now what's next year's Bathurst 1000 gunna look like?
VXR Liftbacks with a 3.6-litre twin-turbo V6
I'm having images of the European Touring Car series. Ford has now gone the FWD platform as well.
Lost customers by the thousands
It's not bad... Will hold onto my VF for years to come but would definitely still look to buying from GMH...
Fair. Hopefully they do a RWD sedan in future, which may be a more appropriate and direct replacement for your VF. Perhaps a Caddy ATS/CTS.
Copped the Motorsport Edition @ employee's discounted price so the VF will stay with me haha. The ZB Commodore is definitely a solid car, but it just doesn't take off on what the Commodore has become over the years.
GMH??? you mean Opel
They will never do a RWD version for Australia because Australians wont buy them
Opel has been sold to PUEGEOT group recently right? Wondering how GMH manages their contract with opel now
Well, wonder no further. PSA are building the Commodore/Insignia/Regal on licence for GM, but GM still owns the platform that these vehicles are based on, so they can choose to continue using it for a future premium midsize FWD model should they choose.
But does it skid?
Call it whatever you like it ain't a Holden, if it ain't made in Australia
People here are crying about the demise of the Commodore title, how about when they killed the Kingswood in 1977? That was more of an Aussie icon than Commodore AND was never bad-mouthed as a "Dunnydoor"
Australia needs to make another car company and never sell it to foreigns. RIP HOLDEN from 🇺🇸
It was owned by GM for like 90 years
I have owned a Torana and now I own a ZB and their both holdens
You guys are at silverwater in san remo, I live on Phillip island and I saw you guys driving the other day
Yep that was us. Well spotted.
I'm a Ford fanatic owning two beaut Falcons but I truly feel for genuine Holden Commodore fans . I really do . Major blunder by Holden by retaining the name of the iconic Aussie Commodore . BIG MISTAKE . At least my mob had the sense to let 56 years of the Falcon nameplate go RIP with the last one built in 2016. Hope I'm wrong but this monumental blunder could lead to Holden disappearing altogether . How good or bad technically the car is doesn't matter . It isn't or never will be a Commodore .
If Holden was in danger of disappearing altogether, calling this car Insignia wouldn't have prevented that, because people would still have compared it to their old VF SS regardless. Look at Mondeo: people don't care about that car because it's not a Falcon.
I cannot possibly read all the comments, but is nobody going to address the elephant in the room?
The VB Commodore was actually just a rebadged Opel Senator. So we are in fact right where we were 40 years ago in 1978.
There are many circularities here, yes.
Alot of mods were done to the senator before they re-badged it as a commodore.How much opel was in the VF???
JD Power UK car owners survey for 2017 ranked the Vauxhall Insignia as the most reliable car in its class, I just watched thi on Matt Watson's carwow channel. Holden need to latch onto surveys like this and push this in advertising.
That is an interesting data point and I’m surprised they didn’t make a point of it on the national launch.
Simply because it's no use spending millions of dollars on a bad product. Holden's strategy was bad, he should have left the Commodore name stored for a vehicle with the same characteristics of it or better or retire that name instead. Now it's no use. It will be such a huge fiasco that GM is able to put the name Holden on sale, or start bringing cheap vehicles from Indonesia to see if it sells. HOLDEN herself dug her own grave.
Isbeenfarteen Inmapants ...that could be a factor and the relationship with Holden owned by GM and the PSA group. That said, Holden and Toyota did product swap, Corolla/Nova, Apollo/Camry, Commodore/Lexen.
You are forgetting the profit factor. GM has closed factories around the world. GM stopped selling cars in India, sold one factory to SAIC its Chinese partner and the other now produces only vehicles for export. All of its vehicles produced there are exported to Mexico (Chevrolet Essentia which in Mexico takes its name from Chevrolet Beat), sold its factory in South Africa to Japan's Isuzu, its long-time partner for diesel engines. Car manufacturing has ended in Australia and now the "turn of the moment" is South Korea, GM announced this week the closure in May of one of its four factories in that country. Precisely the factory that produces the Cruze Sedan (HOLDEN ASTRA SEDAN) and the Orlando SUV. So GM is looking for profit and is no longer fighting with VOLKSWAGEN for sales. GM does not want to fight with Volkswagen to be the biggest in the world, but wants to be the most profitable now. A company that is closing factories and seeking profit will associate with these losers why? Is a question.
Most reliable haha, I wouldn't expect a brand new car to be unreliable only time will tell, certainly would not be a reason to buy it
That’s a nice looking Buick Regal.
Captivated Media is not
That is interesting about setting the height of the wagons boot height. Clever (...and no, I'm not a car salesman)
The raised wagon isn't a new body style for the commodore. Holden built the Adventra, and the Avalanche on the commodore platform.
Nice balanced review, however the Commodore name didn't die due to lack of relevance, but rather badge snobbery.. the problem is the marketing team didn't acknowledge early in the piece when VE was launched that people like to think that they are driving a premium product.. they tried to address this with VF but it was too little too late even though the VE and VF were great cars...
I think that is a very interesting opinion and probably right. Large cars had become a hard sell, but Australians in the last decade have wanted to be convinced they drive a luxury car. I agree with you.
The up front review is only part of the story anyway. I'd be interested to hear a review in, say, 2028 or when the odo says 300,000km or more. Ford forgot the lessons they learned with the Australianisation (is that a word? :) ) of the XW in the design of the XD/XE and Ex/Ax models, but in contrast GMH's VN through VS are still very plentiful on the roads - they're in the main tired and shabby, but they're still rolling.
two words - IT SUX!!
That’s not a commodore in my books, neither is it bloody Australian anymore 😔
How much did you get paid not to mention the big pineapple for Australian drivers that neither the wagon or VXR have ANY spare tyre. Even the top end Calais sedan only has a space saver wheel.
I made sure to go and check on this for you. All of them have a space saver wheel in the Australian market including the wagon models and VXR. Not ideal on the Tourer, I admit, if you do a lot of gravel mileage. And we don’t get paid anything for editorial and wouldn’t accept payment. I always say exactly what I think and accept the consequences of that honesty.
Appreciate that but it seems that all motoring commentators don't mention anything about the either lack of any spare tyre with only an inflator kit or mention the space saver wheel that are totally unsuitable for Australian outback conditions. Why are we accepting the downgrade from what used to be Australian icon built for Australian conditions?I just checked the Holden site and the VXR comes with an inflator kit. The Tourer has a steel spare wheel.
Sorry, I’ve got conflicting info on the VXR (website and the direct technical information provided to me by engineering) disagree but I’ll source an accurate answer for that model. In answer to why this is happening, it’s simply because their market research tells them 90% of people don’t live or drive far from a tyre shop, 90% of the time. And it isn’t just Holden. For country people, it’s a problem, definitely. But increasingly brands are shifting the content away from full size spares into other features because nearly all buyers don’t need to potentially travel >100km on the spare.
There are many scenarios that don't support the research but it will be hard to go back to what the Consumer should have in a full size spare. How is that makers like Hyundai still offer full size spares even in the smaller base models. If Buyers walked away from potential sales because of this, then the Manufacturers may take notice. Until then, "Market Research" will be their guide.For me this is a deal-breaker and Holden have lost a sale.
Most car brands now have little regard for country drivers, when it comes to conventional sedan/wagon platforms. They don't see them as their market and since the majority of their buyers are city bound or only travel on main roads between towns and cities, they care even less. Unfortunately they will point you towards a Toyota dealer or in Holden's case, try and flog you a Colorado.
Wow, how emotive is the new commodore. I think all the thumbs down are about the car, not your review.