Holden GM

HOLDEN'S engineering and
design divisions are expected to
spend a record $300 million-plus
in 2007 as work ramps up on
North American adaptations of
the VE Commodore architecture.
Already under way is a new-
generation Chevrolet Camaro, to
be built at Oshawa in Canada, and
to go on sale in North America in
2009, offering V6 and V8 engines.
Holden has also been tasked
with developing a convertible
version, as well as a replacement
for the Chevrolet Impala sedan.
Neither project has been
officially confirmed by GM, but
work is definitely under way at
Fishermans Bend and Lang Lang.
Initial data has already been
acquired for Camaro, employing
modified VE mules. Prototypes
will be built in 2007.
A full-size clay of the Camaro
coupe is also being worked on
as GM brings its global design
capability to bear in turning
American designer Tom Peters'
stunning Detroit show car into a
production reality.

Holden gets to undertake all
this work because, under GM's
new global structure, it is the
designated global rear-drive
architecture 'home room'.
However, with work scheduled
to start on the next-generation
Commodore within six months,
Holden boss Denny Mooney makes
it clear that GM divisions will
take more responsibility for North
American models.
"Ultimately, we have control
over the architectural parts, but ...
their engineers will take over the
local designs."
The US media is speculating
on all sorts of derivatives to
spring from the Aussie-developed
architecture, including a Buick
Lucerne, Pontiac G8 and GTO.
However, forget speculation
that the Camaro could turn
up in Australia, rebadged as a
Monaro.

Both Mooney and Holden
engineering chief Tony Hyde insist
that the Camaro's distinctive
sheetmetal rules out this option.
However, if the Pontiac GTO
returns in 2009, then a fourth-
generation Monaro could evolve
from that, and - shock, horror - it
might be built in North America.
"You can't bring a Corvette or
Camaro into Australia and call it
a Monaro. It makes sense to share
with Pontiac," says Hyde.
Added Mooney: "Of course,
our team would
fall on its sword,
declaring'How
can you build an
iconic Australian
muscle car in North
America?'. But it
would make sense to
build it there." -BRUCE NEWTON

Wheels October 2006

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