Live fast, due young.
In by early 2018, out in 2024 - that’s the projected lifespan of the incoming fully imported Holden Commodore, shortened to a mere 6 years due to PSA revealing an accelerated platform integration schedule in pursuit of profitability. Typically, each generation of Commodore would last around a decade before an all-new model takes its place.
The French automotive group, of course, are the new owners of the Opel and Vauxhall brands, the former of which is responsible for engineering and manufacturing the ZB Commodore, rebadged from the Insignia Grand Sport moniker it was originally developed under.
With PSA taking up the role of Opel benefactor away from General Motors, they’d be footing the bill for the foreseeable lifespan of Opel's existing line-up, honouring the technical and manufacturing tie-ins they have internationally, such as that with Holden.
Apart from next year’s Commodore, Holden also sources the Astra from Opel, whose future will also be impacted by PSA’s move to consolidate and streamline platforms and powertrain, the costliest categories of vehicle development, under their new PACE initiative to return the former GM marques to profitability and global competitiveness.
Opel-branded cars will continue to be designed and manufactured in the Germany going forward, but will eventually be utilising PSA’s own modular platforms shared with the rest of the Peugeot and Citroen/DS family, the first of which will be the Opel Grandland X crossover which uses their EMP2 underpinnings.
Also possible is the prospect of Opel entering the Australian market down the road, as posited by Motoring. Perhaps it could offer cars and a brand resonates more with the population Down Under where Peugeot and Citroen have historically found themselves struggling. Hopefully, that future attempt will be a more successful one than their last go in 2012.
This would also beg the question of what GM would do to support the Holden brand once the Opel-sourced cars are phased out and their follow-ups morph into spawns of PSA. The Insignia not only serves as the Commodore under a different name, but also sees action in North America as the Buick Regal and Chevrolet Malibu.
The natural course would be to shift development elsewhere, perhaps Michigan, as quickly as possible to develop the next evolution of their E2 and D2 platforms and do as much as they can to secure the next generation of medium sedan and hatch, respectively, especially if their plan includes international availability.
Now that Opel and Vauxhall are out of their control, Holden is the only marque under their banner that isn’t based in North America. That is, unless you count the joint venture with SAIC Motor in China.
For more on Holden cars, check out our Showroom.
