As a part of General Motors’ resurrection plan, Pontiac brand must die at the end of 2009. Which is a shame because not all their cars are rubbish! Pontiac G8 (Holden commodore, Vauxhall Monaro, Chevy CR8 or whatever it’s called in your market…) for example, is a brilliant sports sedan which offers great value for money. Now apparently, GM is also realizing “the car’s too good to waste!”
According to Bob Lutz (who has postponed retirement plans as the new GM rises) interview with Automobile magazine, they are considering importing the Australian-made car and rebadge it as the Chevrolet Caprice.
It’s kinda confusing! because we are already getting this car here in Middle East, as Chevrolet Caprice, Chevrolet Lummina and Chevrolet CR8! And they are literally the same! yea they might have different grilles, but they are the same car underneath. Now if I’m getting it right… Pontiac G8, which is a CR8, is becoming the Caprice, which itself is a Lummina, and they are all the same as Holden Commodore… Soit’s one car which is also some other cars at the same time… Damn, it’s kinda hard to get, please do comment if you know which is which!
ANYWAY, It’s a good car, and it’s great news they gonna keep it alive, THE END!
It’s a bit confusing really – but I am an Australian who follows the Commodore forums and can shed a bit of light for you.
Holden Commodore is the Chevrolet Lumina & CR8 (special sports version) in the Middle East and South Africa, and Pontiac G8 in the USA. It’s also the Vauxhall VXR in England, and the Chevrolet Omega in Brazil. The Holden Caprice (and Statesman) is really the same car but just a little longer in the back doors to provide more back seat room. Mechanically they are nearly identical, and the features differ for each market. In the Middle East it’s sold as the Chevrolet Caprice, and in Korea it’s the Daewoo Veritas. A German sports car maker also uses it to make the Bitter Velo (bitter cars). There’s also talk that the Holden Caprice may also be used now in the USA as the Chevrolet Caprice Police Vehicle (since Pontiac has been stopped). I think they’re not going to sell the Commodore/Lumina/G8 in the USA to the general public though – Bob Lutz backflipped on his comments like the spineless coward he is. The americans are too scared that the Australians can build a better car than they ever could, for less. The american public loved the G8, and it was selling really well till they killed it. What else can you buy for under $30K USD that can spank just about any other car out there, is rear wheel drive with a V8 (or V6) and that can fit a few sets of golf clubs in the trunk and tow a house?? Oh, and just in case you didn’t know – I read that the Lumina/Commodore/G8 underneath is what the new Chevy Camaro sits on!! That’s how good it is. I have a Lumina SS, and am about to buy a Camaro.