Holden confirms 10 new models

GM HOLDEN has marked the official release of its Barina Spark city-car by announcing the all-new sub-light-sized model will be followed by the release of a further 10 new models over the next 20 months.

The unusual move from Holden, which has a strict policy of refusing to comment of future products, follows the Spark's debut as the company's headline act at the Sydney motor show opening on Friday, when Holden broke with more tradition by failing to unveil a jaw-dropping concept car.

Holden chairman and managing director Mike Devereux said in Sydney that the Port Melbourne-designed Cruze hatch revealed two weeks ago in Paris would appear in Australia "in due course", adding that it would be part of an "onslaught" of new models due here soon.

"The number of models and the onslaught of product that we'be got coming is something that Holden has never seen before," he said.

"The might of GM's probal product development strategy is really going to be showing itself in this country over the next coupe of years and that's what global companies do - you leverage your economies of scale and you get fantastic cars."As Holden works on a plan to also introduce the full line-up of Opel cars from Europe, it is clear that by June 2012 Australians will have access to an unprecedented avalanche of new Holden models.

Some of them were formally named today while there were veiled references to others, including the redesigned Barina hatch and sedan, the Cruze hatchback, facelifted Captiva, the Volt plug-in hybrid and an all-new Colorado ute.

Holden is again expected to offer single-cab, space-cab and crew-cab bodystyles of the next Colorado in both cab-chassis and pick-up tray configurations, while a fourth body derivative could be added in the form of a five-door, seven-seat 4x4 wagon.

Mr Devereux said Holden’s local and global vehicle development capability would result in a new product offensive involving the revitalisation of some Australia’s most popular car lines between now and mid-2012.

“Over the next year and a half Australian customers will see a roll-out of new Holden product like they’ve never seen before,” he said. “We will have new, world-class, market-leading Holden vehicles competing in almost every segment in this market.

“Spark is just the beginning with more fresh and original vehicles in the pipeline from our global and local design teams.

“The Holden design team has been responsible for some of the most exciting new GM cars around the world, including the awesome Chevrolet Camaro and the Cruze hatchback shown in Paris for the first time this month.”

From top: Chevrolet Aveo (Holden Barina), Chevrolet Captiva, Holden Volt and Holden Barina Spark.

By this time next year, Holden will launch a redesigned version of its Korean-built Barina five-door, based on the Chevrolet Aveo that was styled by Holden designer Ondrej Koromhaz while on assignment at GM’s global small car homeroom in South Korea.

The all-new five-door Spark micro-hatch that debuted at the Paris motor show two weeks ago is likely to do duty at the price-leading end of Holden’s range in lieu of a new Barina three-door. Globally, the five door will be joined by a yet-to-appear sedan version.

By then Holden also will have introduced the five-door Cruze hatch, which was designed in Australia to join the Cruze sedan in production at Adelaide, replacing the current car imported from Korea. A wagon will bring the number of Cruze body styles to three.

“Cruze will become Australia’s only locally built small car when it rolls off the production line in South Australia early next year,” Mr Devereux said.

“Cruze is already one of the most popular cars in the country and it will continue to go from strength to strength when joined by the Holden-designed Cruze hatchback late in the year.

“The localisation of the Cruze sedan and hatch has been an enormous task for our manufacturing, engineering, design and other support teams. The vehicle already has a great track record and the new program means a lot to the local economy of South Australia and supplier community.”

Also revealed at Paris alongside the Aveo/Barina and Cruze hatch in Paris was the facelifted Captiva, which will be sold in overseas markets with four new engines.

“Captiva is already one of the most popular SUVs in this market because it’s a great-looking and flexible family car. We can expect to see further enhancements to the exterior and interior design and more when the new vehicle arrives next year,” Mr Devereux said.

Along with the redesigned Colorado, which will appear globally next year, the Volt and a replacement for the mid-size Epica sedan now both also appear to have been confirmed for local release in the first half of 2012.

“From the young, design conscious next generation of small-car lovers, or people waiting for the electric car revolution, to family-car and SUV buyers, there will be something for everyone to get excited about in Holden’s showroom of the future,” said Mr Devereux.

In Sydney, where Holden unveiled the Spark and displayed its upgraded VE Series II Commodore range, the GM Holden chief hosed down the chances of Opel cars coming here soon.

"I'd be lying to say we weren't looking at it but (there's) a lot of water to flow under a lot of bridges before any decisions on Opel - I'm here to talk about Spark today," he said.