Now it's pretty obvious that conventional automakers are dropping ICE engine development all together
to prepare for the impending paradigm shift to electric cars.
There could be an initial confusion from new car buyers about weather to get an ICE car at all in the next 5 years or so.
Will this scenario make existing ICE cars cheaper? and what will happen to the petrol stations?
Maybe someone will buy the Holden name off them
*cough*Chinese/Indian automaker*cough*
I can see name Holden badge being resurrected and slapped on Chinese or Indian made shitboxes, just like they do with Jaguar, Volvo, Land Rover, etc…
The other alternative here I can see is brands like Opel and Vauxhall being imported out here from the UK market to possibly fill the void left by GM killing off Holden
The other alternative here I can see is brands like Opel and Vauxhall being imported out here from the UK market to possibly fill the void left by GM killing off Holden
Opel tried once, failed dismally, pulled out after around a year.
Holden they retried with their own badges on the Insignia, Astra and Cascada, failed dismally.
Holden then tried again with the 'Commodore' (aka the Insignia), and guess what…
Highly unlikely they'd try again ;)
Not to mention, opening any brand here is an expensive exercise. Brands need dealerships, service centres etc. They also then need to honour warranties and parts replacements for ongoing years, something which would just burn money if it fails within a year.
@spackbace: I don't think it will happen any time soon… But there will be a nostalgia kick start in a few years.
I'm betting more on a Chinese company wanting to get a foothold in this market and trying to tug at the nostalgia strings to see if it works. Next year, no, but in 5 ~ 10 years, I can totally see something happening. People wont buy a "Cheng-Xin XD80 Wind Spirit" but they might actually buy it if it was re-badged as a Holden Jackaroo/Rodeo.
And I was only hinting at Opel and Vauxhall acquiring the Holden badge. But you are right, all of their other re-badged cars have done woefully bad to date, they may be a bit gun shy at trying again.
Have you not seen the news? They're not making anything RHD. At all.
@spackbace: SAIC currently hold a whip hand to GM and they have numerous joint ventures. SAIC are clearly looking to expand their OZ market. GM may, or may not become involved in a model that SAIC sell in OZ. I would suggest that it is more a decision for GMs masters in the Middle Kingdom than GM……
https://qz.com/594984/the-secret-history-of-gms-chinese-bail…
GM stated they were getting out of RHD. Maybe someone will buy the Holden name off them and start cheap EV imports, but GM is highly unlikely to do it.