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 Holden Announces Pricing For |
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 Holden Berlina sedan - VE series So far, there is no wagon for the VE! |
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19th July, 2006 Holden has released pricing for the all-new wagon-less VE series Holden Commodore, highlighting several significant reductions compared with equivalent models in the previous generation. Prices were also announced for the upcoming WM Statesman and Caprice, with Caprice moving under the $70,000-mark and the V8 flagship version priced at less than the previous V6 model. Buyers are now able to purchase SS performance or Calais luxury for $6,800 and $8,400 less respectively than their VZ equivalents. The new Holden Commodore series will be priced from a recommended retail price of $34,490 for new base model, the Omega, which replaces both the Executive and the Acclaim. This is a price increase of just $500 or 1.5 per cent while offering all the structural and technological advances of the new generation Commodores. Pricing for the new Berlina has been rolled back $3,900 to a recommended retail price of $39,990 despite offering more prestige, technology and value. Holden also announced plans for a special model for private buyers, the Commodore V-Series, to be offered from September to celebrate the release of the fourth generation Commodore family. Holden’s Executive Director of Sales, Marketing and Aftersales, Alan Batey, said Holden had designed a model structure which offered compelling choice at every level of purchase. Batey said the pricing left no doubt about Holden’s intent in Australia. “Commodore has always represented exceptional value for money and Holden has added even more value with the all-new models,” Mr Batey said. “Almost 40 passenger car brands are competing for market share and we need to consider more competitors than ever before in setting our pricing structure." “Our model lineup enables us to make SS and Calais more accessible to buyers, while allowing room for differentiation with the new V-Series variants.” Commodore V-Series special model Mr Batey said the Commodore V-Series was Holden’s gesture to celebrate the first all-new Commodore in nine years. He said Holden had defined the practice of regular special edition releases and Commodore V-Series was the best possible way to mark the company’s biggest milestone for many years. “Special edition models have long been a part of our plan. Commodore V-Series is designed for private buyers to celebrate the arrival of VE and recognise Commodore’s compelling value,” Mr Batey said. “The Commodore V-Series will be on sale for the rest of this year and we expect there will be strong demand.” Based on the Omega model, the Commodore V-Series includes air conditioning, 17-inch alloys, rear spoiler, body colour mirrors and door handles. The Commodore V-Series is for sale to private buyers only. Fleet consultation Mr Batey said Holden had already consulted widely with major fleet buyers and was confident its pricing would also exceed expectations for fleet and user-chooser markets. “The consultation process has been extremely valuable,” he said. “We have put together a package which continues to represent strong value for fleets with specification level and key price points meeting the needs of diverse fleet policies. “The pricing and model repositioning strategy will support long term value in these vehicles and ultimately maintain a strong residual value position over its competitors.” Mr Batey said corporate buyers had shown particular interest in key safety features, including the standard provision of Electronic Stability Programme and the availability of side impact and curtain airbags in all models. “We have put in what is important to our biggest customers in each model,” he said. The 2006 Holden Commodore sedan range will go on sale across Australia in August 2006. The Commodore V-Series special model will go on sale in September. Importantly, there is no mention of a station wagon for the new VE series. Holden is neither confirming nor denying there will be a VE wagon! Since 1956, when the FE series was introduced, wagons have been an integral component of marketing the brand which was established with the catch-cry 'Australia's Own'. Given the lack of news on a wagon, buyers will need to look elsewhere until Holden reveal their plans for this important segment. Ford and others, too, must be thrilled by Holden's lack of clarity! A full list of features for the WM Statesman and Caprice will be released closer to the start of sales in September 2006.
2006 VE COMMODORE RANGE FEATURES - HIGHLIGHTSHolden’s Executive Director of Sales, Marketing and Aftersales, Alan Batey, said the 2006 VE Commodore range established a clear identity for each model. “Each car has a stand-alone position in the market, a unique set of features over the model below and logical price gaps around its position,” Batey said. “Holden buyers know they can buy a VE Commodore with advanced safety and technology built into every car, along with Euro-style looks and a major focus on exterior and interior quality. “They also have defined choices about where in the range they wish to purchase and whether they are seeking prestige or performance.” Key features for each model are as follows - Omega “Omega is an extremely well packaged, value for money entry level car for our new range. Omega is high on standard safety with passive and active features thanks to Electronic Stability Programme and the structural rigidity and crashworthiness built into every VE Commodore. It comes with the capability to build in even more safety with an optional pack of side impact and curtain airbags and active head restraints,” Batey said. “Omega is also high on comfort which provides significant incentive for fleet, lease and private buyers alike. The replacement of two models with one has created a great first step into the all new Commodore range.” Standard features on Omega include -
Berlina “Berlina is a more significant step up in the VE range despite coming down significantly in price compared with the previous car. The realignment has allowed us to give Berlina greater personality with far greater standard specification. We can see great potential for this car in corporate and lease fleets as well as driveways around the country,” Batey said. Berlina has all Omega standard features in addition to -
SV6 “The Holden model which created such a positive impact with its introduction in the VZ range in 2004 has stepped up another gear with the all-new Commodore,” Batey said. “The High Output Alloytec V6 engine and choice of two highly regarded transmissions has equal appeal to retail and corporate customers. It rides on 18-inch alloy wheels and features dual exhausts, sport suspension and rear spoiler. “SV6 really looks the part and has the V6 performance to compete with anything in the market. We have delivered one of Holden’s most impressive six-cylinder sports models in recent years.”
SS “There is no question in our minds that the Holden SS is the king of the Australian sports sedans. The new price position of this car is going to cause a real stir in the market,” Batey said. “It has 270 kilowatts of peak power and six-speed automatic and manual transmissions which are shared with the Chevrolet Corvette. We have rolled back the price of this car almost $7,000 and made quality performance more affordable and value-packed than ever.”
SS V “SS V is Holden’s king of the jungle, the new hero of our performance range. It also delivers front, side and curtain airbags, multi-function colour LCD screen, premium stereo system and the ability to choose colour-coded interiors,” Batey said. “This is a powerful example of how the V Series concept can be applied. It takes what is already stunning value and shifts it to new heights.” SS V has all SS features in addition to –
Calais “Calais continues to target luxury car buyers but makes it easier than ever to become a Calais owner with prices more than $8,000 below the previous model. VE Calais has sports suspension, front, side and curtain airbags, colour information display and superb European design themes. It’s a truly stunning car which leaves behind other locally built prestige vehicles for value,” Batey said. Amongst the standard features are:
Calais V “There is no question that Calais V is the pinnacle of the VE range, a car designed expressly to attract people who had previously driven European brands,” Batey said. “We believe it is the classiest Calais we have ever delivered. It offers 18-inch alloy wheels, luxurious leather trim seats and premium stereo system. It has useful technology such as rain sensing wipers and a first for an Australian-built vehicle in zoned front and rear park assist.” Calais V has all Calais features in addition to -
2006 VE COMMODORE, WM STATESMAN AND CAPRICE PRICINGVE model (RRP excluding Dealer and Govt Charges)
Omega (no A/C) $34,490 WM model (RRP excluding Dealer and Govt Charges) Statesman V6 $58,990Statesman V8 $62,990 Caprice V6 $65,990 Caprice V8 $69,990 2006 Holden VE Commodore V-Series (special model) (RRP excluding Dealer and Govt Charges) Omega plus air conditioning, 17-inch alloys, rear spoiler, body-coloured mirrors/handles $34,990 2006 Holden VE Commodore options (RRP)
Air conditioning (Omega) $2,000 2006 WM Statesman and Caprice options (RRP)
Electric tilt and slide sunroof $1,690
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