Holden’s last VE model Commodore has been produced with the Elizabeth, South Australia assembly plant switching to production of the new VF model from today.
Holden produced more than 520,000 VE Commodores since July 2006 which sold in six continents. The last one was a ‘Chlorophyll’ colour SS Z Series. Almost 3 million Commodores have been produced since Holden launched the badge back in 1978 (the VB series).
The now-superseded VE model was the most localized Commodore ever as it started life as virtually a blank sheet of paper. Given that background it’s somewhat ironic that the VE platform is used in North America for the Chevrolet Camaro sports coupe.
Holden Commodore VE is also the most successful in local motor sport – wining on debut at the 2007 Clipsal 500 and subsequently racking-up four consecutive Bathurst 1000s victories as well as three V8 Supercar championships and 103 championship race wins.
But now the focus shifts to the VE model Commodore – unquestionably the most advanced car so far produced in Australia. The all-new Commodore debuts aluminium bodywork for a locally-produced car with its bonnet and bootlid in aluminium stamped by the Hirotec company in Adelaide and delivered to Holden for installation. The instrument panel’s central beam I is also made from aluminium and comes from Diver Industries in Melbourne.
Fittingly the first VF Commodore to come down the line in Elizabeth was a range-topping ‘Calais V’ grade with the ‘works’ – Auto Park Assist, Forward Collision Alert, Colour Head-Up Display, Lane Departure Warning, Rear-View Camera, Blind Spot Alert and Reverse Traffic Alert.
