Spark Ignites Holden Product Renaissance

VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA – October 19, 2010: The launch of the all-new Barina Spark marks the beginning of a new product offensive for Holden which will revitalise some the country’s most popular carlines between now and mid-2012.

Beginning with the new VE Series II Commodore last month and the all-new Barina Spark unveiled in Sydney this week, Holden will launch a further 10 new models in 20 months.

Holden Chairman and Managing Director, Mike Devereux, said Holden’s local and global vehicle development strategy gave it a solid foundation for growth.

“Over the next year and a half Australian customers will see a roll-out of new Holden product like they’ve never seen before. We will have new, world-class, market-leading Holden vehicles competing in almost every segment in this market,” he said.

“With vehicles like Barina Spark we are reaching out to a new generation of young customers. With stand-out exterior and interior design, safety and economy, we think we’ll have some of the most compelling and desirable offerings across the board.”

Mr Devereux said the new generation of vehicles, like Barina Spark with its edgy, modern styling, showed the real strength of the GM global design strategy.

“Spark is just the beginning with more fresh and original vehicles in the pipeline from our global and local design teams. The Holden design team has been responsible for some of the most exciting new GM cars around the world, including the awesome Chevrolet Camaro and the Cruze hatchback shown in Paris for the first time this month,” he said.

Joining Barina Spark in the light-car segment late next year will be its all-new Barina sibling. Based on the global Aveo small car, Barina was styled by Holden Designer Ondrej Koromhaz while on assignment at GM’s global small car homeroom in South Korea.

In the next segment up is Cruze. Already punching above its weight in the small car category, the global Cruze will become a home-grown member of Holden’s portfolio in 2011.

“Cruze will become Australia’s only locally-built small car when it rolls off the production line in South Australia early next year,” Mr Devereux said.

“Cruze is already one of the most popular cars in the country and it will continue to go from strength to strength when joined by the Holden-designed Cruze hatchback late in the year.

“The localisation of the Cruze sedan and hatch has been an enormous task for our manufacturing, engineering, design and other support teams. The vehicle already has a great track record and the new program means a lot to the local economy of South Australia and supplier community.”

The up-coming new Captiva also shared its global debut with the Cruze hatchback concept and Barina/Aveo production car at the 2010 Mondial de L'Automobile in Paris this month.

Since it was launched in 2006 Captiva has become one of the best-selling mid-size SUVs in Australia.

“Captiva is already one of the most popular SUVs in this market because it’s a great-looking and flexible family car. We can expect to see further enhancements to the exterior and interior design and more when the new vehicle arrives next year,” Mr Devereux said.

Mr Devereux said there was a lot in store from global programs into 2012 as well from new utilities to the game-changing extended-range electric vehicle – Holden Volt.

Volt stands apart from other electric or hybrid vehicles. Its wheels are always electrically driven by electricity stored in a 16-kWh lithium-ion battery, with a small petrol engine as a secondary, back-up source to generate electricity.

“From the young, design conscious next generation of small-car lovers, or people waiting for the electric car revolution, to family-car and SUV buyers, there will be something for everyone to get excited about in Holden’s showroom of the future,” Mr Devereux said.

For more information visit: www.media.holden.com.au or follow www.twitter.com/holdennews