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Holden hunting new markets
29 April 2009
Struggling Australian car maker Holden has confirmed it is looking for new left-hand-drive markets to replace 30,000 sales lost from the demise of Pontiac.
The company has lost 80 per cent of its exports in 2009 due to the global economic crisis.
It was also expected to ship around 30,000 Pontiac G8s, which account for over half of the 50,000 Commodores built in total.
General Motors has decided to phase out the Pontiac brand by the end of 2010.
Vauxhall says that this will not have a direct impact on the UK VXR8, which is based on the Commodore, but a company insider confirmed that Holden is now searching for new markets.
Holden has reportedly spent millions converting its factory to build left-hand-drive cars.
The most likely left-hand-drive markets to explore are South America and Europe, as much of the Middle East already imports Holdens.
“What Holden is doing now is looking to open up further left-hand-drive export markets for that car,” said a Vauxhall spokesman. “Losing 30,000 cars will make a dent but it will have no impact on the VXR8, which has always had a niche following.”
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