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The first VF series Holden comes off the production line.
Number one off the line is a Prussian Steel Calais V.
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First VF Commodore rolls off 'the line'
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20th May, 2013
The most advanced car ever made in Australia will be arriving at Holden
dealers across the nation, next month, with the first series production VF Commodores rolling down the line at Holden
Vehicle Operations (HVO) today.
Just days after the final VE Commodore was driven off the production line, the first VF Commodores are now being made
for customers at Holden’s vehicle assembly facility in Elizabeth, South Australia.
The first production car down the line was the new luxury flagship of the world-class Commodore range, a Calais V
finished in ‘Prussian Steel’. Representing the pinnacle of Australian-made motoring, the Calais V boasts an array of
advanced technologies including Holden MyLink with built-in apps, Auto Park Assist, Forward Collision Alert, Colour
Head-up Display, Lane Departure Warning, Rear View Camera, Blind Spot Alert and Reverse Traffic Alert.
“In terms of both technology and the manufacturing process, VF is a huge leap forward for Holden. It’s the best
quality car we’ve ever built; it’s bursting with technology and we’ve reduced our cost to build. Everything we have done
is focused on giving the customer the best possible car at the best possible price,” said Mr Baloglou, Holden’s
Director – Business and Launch Strategy.
The VF manufacturing process uses an aluminium bonnet and boot lid for the first time on an Australian car, and
highlights the skills and capabilities of Australian manufacturing. Key supplier to Holden, Hirotec, stamps these
aluminium panels in Adelaide before delivering them to Holden. Combined, these two aluminium components save 10.4kg
compared to conventional steel pressings.
The new panels are equally as strong as their steel equivalents but are 30 per cent lighter – offering significant
weight and fuel economy savings.
More lightweight aluminium is incorporated in the form of the Instrument Panel (IP) central beam, supplied by Diver
Industries of Melbourne.
The fitting of a lightweight aluminium instrument panel beam – stiffer than and as strong as the steel support it
replaces – also brings refinement benefits, with reductions in noise and vibration.
A $39.8 million grant from the Australian Government’s Green Car Innovation Fund (GCIF) has facilitated the
addition of a number of advanced fuel economy enablers for the VF, including the use of aluminium componentry, electric
power steering and aerodynamic improvements.
Another example of VF Commodore’s cutting-edge technology, and another fuel economy enabler, is the introduction of
GM’s new ‘Global A’ electrical architecture – an upgrade made possible through the GCIF grant.
“I’m really proud of what we have achieved with the VF here in our Elizabeth plant,” said Holden Executive
Director – Manufacturing, Richard Phillips.
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Self-Catering Holiday
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“Our facility and workforce is world-class. We manage an incredible amount of complexity at HVO and incorporating
the VF’s sophisticated body structure into an already diverse plant has been a challenge that the team has executed with
skill and ingenuity.”
“We have implemented a huge number of process and system improvements and the results speak for themselves. The VF
is quite simply the best quality car Holden has ever built.”
“Holden has already received global recognition for innovation and productivity in our Elizabeth plant. Now not
only do we build the only small car in Australia, the Cruze, but with the cutting-edge new VF we have taken another
crucial step in ensuring Holden remains a globally competitive manufacturing base,” said Mr Phillips.
HVO is one of the most flexible plants, not just within GM but anywhere in the world, building two key vehicle
architectures: the Cruze small car and the Commodore large car.
From those two core architectures, Holden will build six different body styles and nine variants for a total of 45
different models. This level of complexity is a rarity anywhere in the automotive world, and highlights the advanced
capabilities of Holden manufacturing.
Manufacturing has been a central part of Holden’s 'DNA' since the first 48-215 ‘FX’ rolled off the Fishermans Bend
production line in Victoria in 1948. Since that historic day, Holden manufacturing has maintained a proud tradition of
building outstanding cars for Australia and the world. Soon, Holden will again be exporting cars built at HVO to the
United States when the VF goes on sale in the US later this year as the Chevrolet SS Sports Sedan.
“There’s an enormous amount of pride running through the whole organisation around VF. Pride in the product, pride
in our abilities and pride in manufacturing. The VF is stunning proof that Australia can make world-class cars, even
against a challenging economic backdrop,” finished Mr Phillips.
The new VF Commodore arrives in showrooms in mid-June 2013, with prices* starting at $34,990* (MLP*) for the automatic
Evoke sedan. The Calais V V8 sedan which headlined production in Elizabeth today has a manufacturer's list price* of
$52,990*, plus $550* for the Prussian Steel prestige paint.
VF Commodore makes cutting-edge technology an every-day luxury with Auto Park Assist, MyLink with Siri Eyes Free for
compatible mobiles and Rear View Camera as standard on every model.
Combining sophisticated styling, high-class luxury interiors and Commodore’s trademark driving dynamics, the VF is the
best Commodore ever.
NOTE:
* Manufacturer's List Price (MLP) excludes dealer delivery fees and the numerous statutory charges (commonly known as
on-road costs). Additionally, please note that all prices, fees and charges are subject to change without notice, as are
the specifications.
E&OE.
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