Confirmed - Holden Ute and Sportwagon Will Be Added to Pontiac G8 Car Line
11-20-2007, 07:06 PM
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Confirmed - Holden Ute and Sportwagon Will Be Added to Pontiac G8 Car Line Pontiac to get G8 RWD family
Jamie LaReau
Automotive News
November 19, 2007 - 12:01 am ET
DETROIT — General Motors plans a new family of rear-wheel-drive vehicles for Pontiac. The G8 line will include a sedan followed by a wagon and sport truck.
All will be modeled after products sold by GM's Australian subsidiary, Holden, according to three sources familiar with the project. The vehicles will be assembled in Australia.
There was debate within GM about whether to give the sport truck to GMC. GMC won't get it.
Instead, GM's marketers wanted — and will get — a Pontiac sport truck so GM can market the three rwd vehicles as a high-performance family.
The sport truck will have the same drivetrain as the Chevrolet Camaro, and it will use a modified sedan architecture.
There is one caveat: Sources say the wagon and sport truck may be repriced or canceled if the U.S. dollar continues to drop. The Australian dollar is currently worth 90 cents in U.S. currency, up from 79 cents in August.
Jamie LaReau
Automotive News
November 19, 2007 - 12:01 am ET
DETROIT — General Motors plans a new family of rear-wheel-drive vehicles for Pontiac. The G8 line will include a sedan followed by a wagon and sport truck.
All will be modeled after products sold by GM's Australian subsidiary, Holden, according to three sources familiar with the project. The vehicles will be assembled in Australia.
There was debate within GM about whether to give the sport truck to GMC. GMC won't get it.
Instead, GM's marketers wanted — and will get — a Pontiac sport truck so GM can market the three rwd vehicles as a high-performance family.
The sport truck will have the same drivetrain as the Chevrolet Camaro, and it will use a modified sedan architecture.
There is one caveat: Sources say the wagon and sport truck may be repriced or canceled if the U.S. dollar continues to drop. The Australian dollar is currently worth 90 cents in U.S. currency, up from 79 cents in August.
11-20-2007, 07:10 PM
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You can read more about both Commodore variants on Holden's website.
Holden Ute/Pontiac G8 sport truck - http://www.evolutionendshere.com.au/
Holden Sportwagon/Pontiac G8 wagon - http://www.holdencampaign.com.au/
With Holden/HSV beginning to use the LS3 next year you can almost be certain it will be the standard engine offered the G8 sport truck.
Holden Ute/Pontiac G8 sport truck - http://www.evolutionendshere.com.au/
Holden Sportwagon/Pontiac G8 wagon - http://www.holdencampaign.com.au/
With Holden/HSV beginning to use the LS3 next year you can almost be certain it will be the standard engine offered the G8 sport truck.
11-20-2007, 07:21 PM
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El Catalina: Pontiac to Get U.S. Version of Holden Ute
By: Mike Levine Posted: 11-18-07 23:54 PT
© 2007 PickupTruck.com
Ok, so it's unlikely it will be called El Catalina, but, barring a further slide in the value of the U.S. dollar versus the Australian dollar, Pontiac will be the General Motors brand that sells a rebadged version of the Holden Ute stateside.
This news puts to rest hopes of GMC resurrecting the historic Caballero name for a car-based pickup, according to a story in this week's Automotive News.
Bob Lutz, GM's Vice Chairman of Product Development, told PickupTruck.com back in September that it looked likely the Holden Ute would make its way across the Pacific from the Aussie factory where it's produced. Mr. Lutz also expressed hopes that GMC would sell the utility as the new Caballero.
The Holden Ute is expected to join the 2008 G8 sedan and Commodore wagon to create a family of high-performance rear-wheel-drive cars in Pontiac's portfolio later this decade.
History buffs will note this won't be the first car-based pickup for Pontiac. Two prototype "El Catalinas" were used as parts haulers around the factory in 1959, years before the GMC Sprint or Caballero arrived. The El Catalinas were based on the Pontiac Catalina full size sedan. Jay Leno has also custom-built a third El Catalina, using a stock four door Catalina body.
We're expecting the new Pontiac pickup will debut in January during the North American International Auto Show. We'll be there!
For some first drive impressions, check out our time behind the wheel of the right-hand-drive 2007 Holden Ute down under.
By: Mike Levine Posted: 11-18-07 23:54 PT
© 2007 PickupTruck.com
Ok, so it's unlikely it will be called El Catalina, but, barring a further slide in the value of the U.S. dollar versus the Australian dollar, Pontiac will be the General Motors brand that sells a rebadged version of the Holden Ute stateside.
This news puts to rest hopes of GMC resurrecting the historic Caballero name for a car-based pickup, according to a story in this week's Automotive News.
Bob Lutz, GM's Vice Chairman of Product Development, told PickupTruck.com back in September that it looked likely the Holden Ute would make its way across the Pacific from the Aussie factory where it's produced. Mr. Lutz also expressed hopes that GMC would sell the utility as the new Caballero.
The Holden Ute is expected to join the 2008 G8 sedan and Commodore wagon to create a family of high-performance rear-wheel-drive cars in Pontiac's portfolio later this decade.
History buffs will note this won't be the first car-based pickup for Pontiac. Two prototype "El Catalinas" were used as parts haulers around the factory in 1959, years before the GMC Sprint or Caballero arrived. The El Catalinas were based on the Pontiac Catalina full size sedan. Jay Leno has also custom-built a third El Catalina, using a stock four door Catalina body.
We're expecting the new Pontiac pickup will debut in January during the North American International Auto Show. We'll be there!
For some first drive impressions, check out our time behind the wheel of the right-hand-drive 2007 Holden Ute down under.
hello i want a ta.
11-20-2007, 09:04 PM
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11-20-2007, 10:45 PM
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Le Mans sport truck I had one lol
well made one anyways. always got a lot of looks
that is interesting twist that pontiac gets the sport truck. hopefully it does well as i would be interested in one for sure
well made one anyways. always got a lot of looks
that is interesting twist that pontiac gets the sport truck. hopefully it does well as i would be interested in one for sure
11-24-2007, 09:22 PM
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11-24-2007, 09:22 PM
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Pontiac lines up Commodore ute and wagon
Jez Spinks, drive.com.au, 20/11/07
Holden’s sportier Commodore ute and wagon variants are set to join the sedan in America to form a rear-wheel-drive performance family for Pontiac.
Industry journal Automotive News reports that three GM insiders have revealed plans to import Holden’s recently launched ute and the forthcoming wagon. The Commodore SS sedan is already confirmed to go on sale in the US in early 2008 restyled and rebadged as a Pontiac G8.
The journal’s sources say GM marketers want Pontiac to become the company’s rear-wheel-drive performance division, and both the ute and wagon meet the criteria.
The models share the Commodore sedan’s ‘Zeta’ rear-wheel-drive platform and are available with the same 194kW 3.6-litre V6 and 270kW 6.0-litre V8 engines that will be offered in the Pontiac G8 models.
The ute and wagon have also both sacrificed some of their predecessors’ cargo-carrying ability to become sportier, more lifestyle-focused vehicles.
The VE Ute has long been rumoured to be US-bound to sit under either General Motors’ GMC or Chevrolet brands – the latter as a modern-day El Camino – and GM has been evaluating left-hand-drive versions this year. Drive wrote in September that the new ute was expected to instead adopt the Pontiac badge.
Holden’s new wagon is due in the first half of 2008 and will be virtually identical to the Sportwagon concept shown at the 2007 Sydney motor show.
The stylish wagon would provide Pontiac with a rival for the 250kW rear-wheel-drive Dodge Magnum that’s based on the Chrysler 300C Tourer.
Former Holden boss Denny Mooney said at last February's reveal of the Commodore-based G8 that the company was working on a long-term relationship with Pontiac.
Pontiac is a local brand only like Holden, and its relatively low annual volumes (for North America) limits investment from financially constrained parent company GM. Modifiying Commodore-based models instead of developing all-new sheetmetal and underpinnings offers a cheaper solution for an expanded range of Pontiac models.
An announcement on the export deal could be made at January’s Detroit motor show, or the following month in Chicago, the venue for this year's unveiling of the Pontiac G8 sedan.
The high Australian dollar could still delay or scupper Holden’s latest export plans, however.
Drive reported in September that General Motors’ product boss Bob Lutz was concerned the US-Australian exchange rate – currently up to 90 cents against the US dollar – could spoil the ute’s business case.
Exports account for about half of Holden’s annual production of 147,000 vehicles from its Elizabeth plant in Melbourne. Up to 50,000 Commodore SS sedans are expected to be exported annually to the US as Pontiac G8s
Jez Spinks, drive.com.au, 20/11/07
Holden’s sportier Commodore ute and wagon variants are set to join the sedan in America to form a rear-wheel-drive performance family for Pontiac.
Industry journal Automotive News reports that three GM insiders have revealed plans to import Holden’s recently launched ute and the forthcoming wagon. The Commodore SS sedan is already confirmed to go on sale in the US in early 2008 restyled and rebadged as a Pontiac G8.
The journal’s sources say GM marketers want Pontiac to become the company’s rear-wheel-drive performance division, and both the ute and wagon meet the criteria.
The models share the Commodore sedan’s ‘Zeta’ rear-wheel-drive platform and are available with the same 194kW 3.6-litre V6 and 270kW 6.0-litre V8 engines that will be offered in the Pontiac G8 models.
The ute and wagon have also both sacrificed some of their predecessors’ cargo-carrying ability to become sportier, more lifestyle-focused vehicles.
The VE Ute has long been rumoured to be US-bound to sit under either General Motors’ GMC or Chevrolet brands – the latter as a modern-day El Camino – and GM has been evaluating left-hand-drive versions this year. Drive wrote in September that the new ute was expected to instead adopt the Pontiac badge.
Holden’s new wagon is due in the first half of 2008 and will be virtually identical to the Sportwagon concept shown at the 2007 Sydney motor show.
The stylish wagon would provide Pontiac with a rival for the 250kW rear-wheel-drive Dodge Magnum that’s based on the Chrysler 300C Tourer.
Former Holden boss Denny Mooney said at last February's reveal of the Commodore-based G8 that the company was working on a long-term relationship with Pontiac.
Pontiac is a local brand only like Holden, and its relatively low annual volumes (for North America) limits investment from financially constrained parent company GM. Modifiying Commodore-based models instead of developing all-new sheetmetal and underpinnings offers a cheaper solution for an expanded range of Pontiac models.
An announcement on the export deal could be made at January’s Detroit motor show, or the following month in Chicago, the venue for this year's unveiling of the Pontiac G8 sedan.
The high Australian dollar could still delay or scupper Holden’s latest export plans, however.
Drive reported in September that General Motors’ product boss Bob Lutz was concerned the US-Australian exchange rate – currently up to 90 cents against the US dollar – could spoil the ute’s business case.
Exports account for about half of Holden’s annual production of 147,000 vehicles from its Elizabeth plant in Melbourne. Up to 50,000 Commodore SS sedans are expected to be exported annually to the US as Pontiac G8s