New Commodore to sell on four continents

The new Holden Commodore will be exported to four continents, including the US in North America, in a move the company says will increase production efficiency at its Adelaide-based plant.

Holden managing director Mike Devereux unveiled the VF Commodore in Melbourne on Sunday, saying it would give Australian taxpayers a good return on their investment.

'We're very proud to announce the return of our retail export program to America where our very own VF commodore will be sold all over the US as the (Chevrolet) SS performance sedan,' Mr Devereux told reporters.

'Any time you add more volume to our manufacturing facility that helps with the cost per vehicle.'

Holden has received millions in subsidies and grants from the federal, South Australian and Victorian governments.

The VF is the first new Commodore to be released since 2006, and the 15th incarnation of an iconic Australian model.

Holden is billing it as 'the most technologically advanced car ever created in Australia' that is safer, more user-friendly and more fuel efficient than its predecessor.

Mr Devereux said it showed what Holden could do in Australia and for Australia.

Designing and building the VF locally would inject more than $2 billion worth of activity into the Australian economy, he said.

With a 40 per cent increase in its marketing budget and six new products slated to be launched across four segments, Mr Devereux said Holden was looking forward to a 'massive year'.

'We've already started to invest capital and making facilities improvements in the Adelaide facility for the next decade to build things beyond VF Commodore, and yes, to build the next Commodore after this one,' he said.

Mr Devereux would not be drawn on the question of cost.

'We'll talk about pricing of this vehicle as we get close to launch but obviously the car has a significant level of upgrades,' he said.

Source: skynews.com.au