The Holden Commodore is dead

Holden today issued a press release outlining a new range of SUVs and light commercial vehicles. But the actual news is the death after 40 years of the Commodore nameplate. As soon as I saw the ZB I knew it was all over, in fact I’ve said it countless times. But without doing the whole “I told you so”, perhaps the only car brand on the planet that doesn’t make cars will now import some US stock we really want.

Many would argue that happened when the ZB Commodore became a rebadged Opel Insignia, but, well now’s not the time for that barney. 

Holden Interim Chairman and Managing Director, Kristian Aquilina, who replaced Dave Buttner just days ago said, “Holden is taking this decisive action to ensure a sharp focus on the largest and most buoyant market segments.

“So far this year SUVs and Utes have increased to 76 percent of Holden sales, a trend we only see continuing,” he said.

The ZB Commodore and the BK Astra will be retired in 2020.

“The SUV segment is approaching half a million units, and LCVs over 200,000 units. That’s where the action is and that’s where we are going to play,” Mr Aquilina said.

“The decision to retire the Commodore nameplate has not been taken lightly by those who understand and acknowledge its proud heritage,” he said.

“The large sedan was the cornerstone of Australian and New Zealand roads for decades. But now with more choice than ever before, customers are displaying a strong preference for the high driving position, functionality and versatility of SUVs and Utes.” So, the Commodore is dead.

Let’s look back on some of our fondest memories.