Holden will build two generations of the Commodore (VZ and VE) at its South Australian vehicle operations to meet the assumed ongoing market demand for its wagon and utility body shapes.

The current VZ series utes and wagons will be manufactured alongside the all-new VE Commodore and WM Statesman and Caprice for an unspecified period of time.

Holden has invested $532 million in its Holden Vehicle Operations (HVO) plant in Elizabeth, South Australia, since 2000 to prepare for manufacturing the all-new VE Commodore range as well as the existing VZ variants.

The investment reflects GM Holden’s position as Australia’s largest automotive manufacturer and employer and reinforces General Motors’ commitment to local operations.

Upgrades have also been made in efficiency, ergonomics, environmental standards and employee safety to make Elizabeth one of the most flexible automotive operations in the world.

As part of the changeover, Holden will introduce an SV6 model in the Ute range to replace the outgoing S model.

In addition, dual fuel LPG systems will be offered as optional on the automatic transmission version of the base level Ute as well as the auto-only Executive and Acclaim model wagons.

GM Holden Executive Director – Manufacturing, Rod Keane, yesterday said the company had previously managed a similar programme with the VS Utility after the last new generation car, the VT Commodore, was introduced in 1997.

“VE and WM represent the biggest section of the market for our local manufacturing operations. We have spent more than $500 million preparing the plant to make the new cars,” Keane said.

“It has been critical that everyone at Holden has kept focus on these vehicles and done an excellent job of launching them into the market."

“We believe our VZ Ute, Crewman, Wagon and Adventra have an important role to play in the marketplace, especially in the commercial market."

“It adds extra challenges to our manufacturing operations but we have heard what our customers have said and we will meet their needs.”

Keane said the major upgrade works helped to enable the plant to manufacture two different model ranges at once, despite a range of manufacturing differences."

“Our Bodyshop has significant flexibility. One section will focus on VE and WM, while another section will focus on VZ variants,” he said.

“The revamp of our general assembly will greatly enhance our ability to manage the increased complexity. Improvements include much wider laneways for material flow as well as manufacturing processes aimed at continuous improvement and first-time quality.”

Keane said the South Australian investment would not have been possible without the enthusiasm and commitment of Holden’s South Australian workforce.

“We have created a world class plant allowing Holden to make a world class car and we have invested in our people to develop manufacturing skills to match,” he said.

“Once the physical installations were made, staff participated in nearly 50,000 hours of training and are now fully skilled in the processes and operation of the new technology.”

Keane said the relatively low number of common parts shared between VZ and VE was a challenge from a logistic and supply perspective, but arrangements had been made to ensure VZ supplies would continue.

Crewman Cross 6 and Cross 8, One Tonner Cross 6, Adventra V8 and Monaro coupe models have already ended production.

Details and timing for Holden’s future programmes on wagon and light commercial applications have not been confirmed or announced.

2006 Holden Commodore SS utility - VZ series (above) You'll wonder where the yellow went ...... but the VZ utes will remain on the market!

VZ series model lineup

• Ute – Ute, SV6 (previously S), SS
• Crewman – Crewman, S, SS
• Commodore Wagon – Executive, Acclaim, Berlina
• Adventra – SX, CX, LX

Colour changes

• Ignition (new) – chromatic red orange with fine mica gold highlight (Crewman S, Crewman SS, SV6 Ute, SS Ute)
• Nickel (new) - mechanical dark silver with coarse metallic highlight (Ute, SV6 Ute, SS Ute)
  
  
• Devil Yellow, Quicksilver and Turismo deleted
  

HOLDEN UTE, CREWMAN, ADVENTRA - HIGHLIGHTS

Peak power and torque

Power and torque figures as per ECE regulations

Recommended retail pricing

(excluding Dealer and Govt Charges)

Holden Adventra CX6 - VZ series (above) The Adventra is another VZ variant to continue.

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