Semopar Forum

**SmokedRam** · 05-16-2012, 08:14 PM

Holden will announce tomorrow an export program for the Commodore, which will see the Adelaide [Australia] made car become a race and showroom star in the United States. Though sales of the Elizabeth-produced sedan continue to slide in Australia, a Commodore V8 will be exported to America where it will be sold with the Chevrolet SS Performance badge. In that guise, it would also star for the heartland brand in the NASCAR stock car racing series, which runs second only to Formula One in global popularity. Holden has been testing left-hand drive cars on public roads in Victoria in recent weeks and running it head-to-head with one of its strongest potential rivals, the Dodge Charger, as it finalises its end of the important new deal. Motorsport sources in the USA hint that an announcement of the Chevrolet SS program is imminent, including the Holden connection. The coming VF Commodore as the donor car for the program ticks the boxes for American muscle car fans, and NASCAR stock car racing as well, thanks to its V8 engine, large body and rear-wheel drive. Former GM Holden president Mark Reuss, now the head of GM operations in the US and a known fan and supporter of the Commodore, dodged Carsguide's questions on a link between the SS program and the Commodore. Holden chairman Mike Devereux also refused to comment on the strengthening rumours in the US, which were triggered by the announcement. Full-scale testing of the racer is expected to begin soon, and the bodywork expected to be revealed at the same time.

Anybody else see a problem with this? Why is GM IMPORTING Austrailian built cars to North America and rebadging them? Why can't GM get off their asses and build them here?! And then, they're dumping the Impala for the imported car...looks like the Chevrolet SS will be the first true NON American built car in NASCAR's modern era to race.

**repoman** · 05-16-2012, 08:43 PM

yeah pretty much....

**garner** · 05-17-2012, 01:22 AM

Sweet! The G8 returns!

**Storm Rider** · 05-17-2012, 07:19 AM

Don't know what I think.

**BulldogsRT** · 05-17-2012, 07:50 AM

The one problem I have with the so called "american made" car, being the forgien cars made here is we forget where the money is actually going....back to the country that owns the brand name...when it should be staying in this country.....IMHO!

**NOTPAID4** · 05-17-2012, 11:21 AM

For me it's sad to see some many cars being imported all the time. However IF you look at the prices of American Made cars NOW you can understand why they are loosing sales. Just for FUN on Sunday (dealer closed) I looked at their new Challenger SRTs and all had a price tag at $50,000. YOU have got to be kidding!!!

I have seen new Mustang GTs with the brembo brake package at $28,000. IF I were to buy NEW ~ guess where I'd be heading???

**garner** · 05-17-2012, 01:18 PM

That mustang may be cheaper but add all the options needed to make it comparable to a srt8 and you're at around $45,000. So not much difference. Only thing killing the 392 is no tuning cause stock for stock the challenger is faster but not really much for mods

**Silverbullet08** · 05-17-2012, 02:13 PM

Originally Posted by garner

That mustang may be cheaper but add all the options needed to make it comparable to a srt8 and you're at around $45,000. So not much difference. Only thing killing the 392 is no tuning cause stock for stock the challenger is faster but not really much for mods

what are you talking about?? its comparable stock. base gts go for 25-26 and will beat stock srt8. i just beat one last night in 5th gear only. there are no mustang gt for 45 lol

**garner** · 05-17-2012, 02:15 PM

Originally Posted by Silverbullet08

what are you talking about?? its comparable stock. base gts go for 25-26 and will beat stock srt8. i just beat one last night in 5th gear only. there are no mustang gt for 45 lol

Lol I meant like power seats, leather, nav, etc to make it comparable. And you must not have built them or looked them up cause I've seen many that have a msrp between $41,000-around $45,000

Edit: A premium auto 2013 5.0 400a starts at $38,000. Add brembos, nav, heated seats, backup camera, remote start, and the 401a package and you're at $42,650. So I was a little off on the $45,000 but still it's close

**BulldogsRT** · 05-17-2012, 01:47 PM

I bet a lot of that is dealer markup on the SRT. I remember when they first came out in 08 I went up to our dealer to see it and he said he just sold it. And he sold it for 10K over list price just because the buyer wanted it. I wonder if he could spell Idiot.....!