Holden Commodore slated to return to US in 2013 as Chevy "SS sedan"
06-02-2011, 12:51 PM
#1
Administrator
Thread Starter
Holden Commodore slated to return to US in 2013 as Chevy "SS sedan"
Holden export rumors have been the hot topic of General Motors’ enthusiasts and mainstream media since the first inklings of the return of the Holden-based Camaro.
Initially the Zeta platform underpinning the Holden Commodore was going to see production in North America, hosting an entire lineup of rear-wheel drive greatness in addition to the Camaro. Then gas prices spiked the and GM’s cash position dwindled, thus killing the glorious plans. Fast-forward to today and drama still surrounds Zeta, but future plans are starting to become clearer.
Since the demise of the Pontiac G8 sedan export program, there has been much internal debate about bringing the Holden Commodore back to the North American market. GM’s high executive turn rate since emerging from its 2009 bankruptcy has not helped that matter, with each of the three post-bankruptcy CEO’s having a different position on the importation of Holden products.
Back in September GMI first reported that Chevrolet was aspiring to have the Commodore sedan on the North American market. Internally the sedan has been referred to as “SS Sedan.” Initial reports had the car launching for the 2012 model-year, but that has since been pushed back to 2014 model year, likely to capitalize on the fully redesigned Commodore that will launch around the same time.
According to documents obtained by GMI, the ‘SS Sedan’ is now operating as an approved program. The program is running under the code Z2SC and is expected to launch in North America in early 2013 as a 2014 model year vehicle. GMI was able to independently confirm the time frame with Holden sources as well. Perhaps the more interesting news is that GM is also considering the Holden Commodore Ute and Holden Commodore Sportwagon for the North American market.
Unlike the ‘SS Sedan,’ the Ute and Sportwagon models are not currently approved for production. If approved, the documents suggest the Ute would launch at the same time as the sedan, with the Sportwagon launching later in the 2013 calendar year. The documents list the Ute as ‘El Camino.’ The El Camino’s program code is Z2RC, while the Sportwagon code is Z2WC.
In other Zeta news, GMI has also been able to confirm that the Caprice patrol vehicle has been confirmed for a second generation on the North American market starting in 2014 model year as well.
It’s important to note that the Holden Zeta export program at GM has been a near constant source of drama internally. As our reporting has reflected, there has been a tremendous amount of back and forth about Zeta. GMI is, however, starting to see some consistency with regards to the future of the ‘SS Sedan.’
Initially the Zeta platform underpinning the Holden Commodore was going to see production in North America, hosting an entire lineup of rear-wheel drive greatness in addition to the Camaro. Then gas prices spiked the and GM’s cash position dwindled, thus killing the glorious plans. Fast-forward to today and drama still surrounds Zeta, but future plans are starting to become clearer.
Since the demise of the Pontiac G8 sedan export program, there has been much internal debate about bringing the Holden Commodore back to the North American market. GM’s high executive turn rate since emerging from its 2009 bankruptcy has not helped that matter, with each of the three post-bankruptcy CEO’s having a different position on the importation of Holden products.
Back in September GMI first reported that Chevrolet was aspiring to have the Commodore sedan on the North American market. Internally the sedan has been referred to as “SS Sedan.” Initial reports had the car launching for the 2012 model-year, but that has since been pushed back to 2014 model year, likely to capitalize on the fully redesigned Commodore that will launch around the same time.
According to documents obtained by GMI, the ‘SS Sedan’ is now operating as an approved program. The program is running under the code Z2SC and is expected to launch in North America in early 2013 as a 2014 model year vehicle. GMI was able to independently confirm the time frame with Holden sources as well. Perhaps the more interesting news is that GM is also considering the Holden Commodore Ute and Holden Commodore Sportwagon for the North American market.
Unlike the ‘SS Sedan,’ the Ute and Sportwagon models are not currently approved for production. If approved, the documents suggest the Ute would launch at the same time as the sedan, with the Sportwagon launching later in the 2013 calendar year. The documents list the Ute as ‘El Camino.’ The El Camino’s program code is Z2RC, while the Sportwagon code is Z2WC.
In other Zeta news, GMI has also been able to confirm that the Caprice patrol vehicle has been confirmed for a second generation on the North American market starting in 2014 model year as well.
It’s important to note that the Holden Zeta export program at GM has been a near constant source of drama internally. As our reporting has reflected, there has been a tremendous amount of back and forth about Zeta. GMI is, however, starting to see some consistency with regards to the future of the ‘SS Sedan.’
