Holden Monaro is being cancelled

[Jay]

Holden announced yesterday that the last of the Monaros will roll off the assembly line later this year.

Monaro means too much to Holden to not have another Monaro at some time in the future

Holden also claims sales had nothing to do with the decision to drop monaro, Holden has sold six times the amount of Monaros they originally expected. A special edition CV8-Z will be released next month. Holden also said the resale value of current monaros will stay higher because of this.

This means no more export monaros for Europe or Middle east and now the GTO will be replaced and built in the US I wonder what other Aussie Holden can be exported to the US .

My belief is the current Commodore platform is old (which monaro is based off) and is going to be replaced soon with the new VE Commodore. Holden must have decided its not worth making a monaro model of it, or maybe the VE's design doesnt suit Monaro.


Link to the local news article http://www.theadvertiser.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,16049737%5E2682,00.html


RIP Monaro

 

[JohnBM01]

I know what that means for America. With the latest GTO in America, I can imagine GM uglying up the slick lines of the "Holden-turned-Pontiac" (-Super Street magazine). Will our GTO be worse than the Aztec or as unexciting as the G6? Times are a-changing... and not for the better.

As far as the Monaro's cancellation goes, that feels as bad as when I seen the Camaro and Firebird/Trans-Am cancelled in 2001. Those F-Bodys were amazing. Had it not been for them, I wouldn't have been into cars. Sorry, Australia. I hope I didn't p*ss off some people...

 

[Cap'n Jack]

Oh no, I was hoping to see a VE based Monaro later on.
Bloody Jay owns a Monaro, bastard!

 

[Schrodes]

I have to say I thought they would have continued the Monaro to the end of the VE platform. The Monaro was always going to be a phase for the Australian market to go through but I am a bit surprised they aren't going to show us what they could do with the VE.

 

[ExigeEvan]

That sucks.

It'll probably be a blow for Vauxhall aswell as it was seen as a complete bargain car out here and the VXR model was only released a few months ago.

 

[Cap'n Jack]

Looks like there will be less VXR's than expected, unless they wernt planning on releasing alot.

 

[Sniffs]

Damn. first they cancel the Platform it was to move to, now GM's killing the whole thing. this is rediculus, cause it'd take Holden to put some spark back in america's GM *it needs it*

personally...i think they ought to pare DOWN american labels...and stop hauling OPELS over here for cloning.

 

[JCE]

What the ****? I now really dislike GM, why the hell do you cancel such an awsome car? GM's committing business suicide in my opinion in the long run here. Ford didn't cancel the old and slow Mustang...they made it better and faster. What did GM do? Murder another good thing. GM's now successfully killed; Impala, Malibu, Camaro/Firebird/Trans Am, and now the Monaro. I want to kick who's responsible for both of the aformentioned murders in the nuts.

I'll at least say GM's not as bad as Dodge with these fake Hemi pretenders. So what do we do now for a true American RWD muscle car? Either buy a Vette, GT/Cobra Mustang, or a Crown Victoria? I'm living in the wrong ass country.

 

[1X83Z]

No! I like the GTO!

Damn you all!

 

[JohnBM01]

Wow, M5Power and I agree on something. The new GTO is one of my favorites as well. So what's next to die, the Corvette? By the way, the concept pictures I seen of the next Camaro is in the most recent "Road and Track" magazine, but they may have killed the car off long ago, taking the Firebird/Trans-Am with it. Of course, the Trans-Am (especially the 1990s F-Body types) was the only thing I can really like about Pontiac. Now look at them. Well, I think the Toyota Voltz... I mean, the Pontiac Vibe, isn't bad.

But like I said, that sucks for you all in Australia. I dig Holden. I dig Australian autos. I don't dig the jive turkeys killing off the Monaro. Great shame.

 

[1X83Z]

Well, damn you all except John then.

 

[Hell Raiser]

Well, damn you all except John then.

SOMEONE,.........got off the wrong side of the bed today

 

[1X83Z]

SOMEONE,.........got off the wrong side of the bed today

I've been sad ever since they cancelled Daewoo.

 

[ExigeEvan]

I've been sad ever since they cancelled Daewoo.

Yeah it does look weird have a big 'ol chevy badge on a 0.8ltr car

 

[skicrush]

This is insanity. Anyone remember our Pontiac thread? What, did they read that and then NOT do what we talked about? I just don't get them. The Vette and Caddy programs recently demonstrate someone over there actually building cars people like, and then they do stuff like this? I can't imagin that they wouldn't keep building them here--GTOs are like the only cars (besides Vette and Caddy) that they don't offer employee discounts on--they sell plenty well without it.

I just really don't get it. I mean, I'm not even an engineer or anything--I'm on my way back to business school, and I still don't get what they're trying to do.

 

[JohnBM01]

So, who's screwed the worst about this cancellation? The world? GM? Or what?

 

[1X83Z]

Not the world. Maybe Australia, but despite my pleas no one else liked the GTO.

I'm sure GTO will be replaced by something better.

 

[Jay]

I love the GTO, Im jealous that you guys get the LS2 and we are left with LS1 unless we buy a HSV Monaro. I really hope the final special CV8-Z Monaro is fitted with the LS2 like it was supposed to be next year.

My only dislike about the GTO is that too many Americans dont like it on the basis of the styling "Its too plain" "Its boring", we gained non function bonnet (hood) scoops because of it, aswell as less boot (trunk) space because the US fuel tank regulations.

Im sure the US will get there own dramatic styled GTO soon enough, while us Aussies are left without

 

[skicrush]

I love the Monaro. My only beef with the GTO is the Pontiac Styling--they should have left it looking like the Monaro. It sounds like the US will be continuing production of the GTO (whether or not they redesign it). They are very successful in drift competition, and like I said, they are one of the very few GM vehicles that doesn't get the employee discount.

I guess you never really know. GM did not produce a Corvette in 1983, while they ramped up for the C4 vette. I think this denotes a serious lack of planning, but a 1 year break is no big deal. They are going to be continuing the GTO here--there is no way they'd invest that much time and money into reviving the GTO to let it die after 2 or 3 years. But why they would let the Monaro die while the GTO lives on is completely beyond me.

 

[JohnBM01]

Well, it's like I said. At least the GTO looks better than most other Pontiacs. Either Pontiac keeps the recent GTO or bring back the Firebird/Trans-Am without uglying it up. You talk about Chris Bangle screwing up BMWs, look at Pontiacs. Hell, the Pontiac GTO.R (which will be racing this Sunday at Barber Motorsports Park) looks stylish as well.

And I feel your pain, Skicrush.

 

[1X83Z]

I guess you never really know. GM did not produce a Corvette in 1983, while they ramped up for the C4 vette. I think this denotes a serious lack of planning, but a 1 year break is no big deal.

Do remember, also, that that 'one year break' on paper is actually complete BS - it's a model year gap, rather than a calendar year gap, so really it's no gap at all. They produced and sold the 1982 model into 1983, and the C4 debuted in early 1983 as an '84. At no point since 1953, 1983 included, could you have walked into a Chevrolet dealer and not been able to buy a brand-new Corvette.

Same applies for the 1996 BMW 5-series, which "didn't exist" that year yet still managed to outsell Audi (then again, Yugo probably could have outsold the 1995-1997 Audi A6).

 

[JCE]

Not the world. Maybe Australia, but despite my pleas no one else liked the GTO.

I'm sure GTO will be replaced by something better.

I loved the Monaro...and even the GTO. Then only problem with the Americanized Monaro was that hideous Pontiac intake inlets in the front of the car to make it look like every other Pontiac. Other than that...that design was anythnig but boring. That car kicked ass!

If America is 100% responsible for reviving the GTO using 100% American components and parts we're doomed.

 

[VIPFREAK]

No! I like the GTO!

Damn you all!

man GM is hilarious...

[GM execs] Oh ****! were in the red!
[GM advisors] Get rid of all your good cars and keep the ****ty ones like the Aveno and Cobalt! Dat will save our asses!
[GM execs] Were still loosing money!
[GM advisors] Ok, don't panic we still got our SUV and were giving the public more for their money like the H3 and new improved MPG engine that is not where Imports were 10 years ago!
[GM execs] Sweet!

 

[95GTIVR6]

I'll at least say GM's not as bad as Dodge with these fake Hemi pretenders. So what do we do now for a true American RWD muscle car? Either buy a Vette, GT/Cobra Mustang, or a Crown Victoria? I'm living in the wrong ass country.

How in the hell can it be a "fake" HEMI?!? I would like to think that Dodge is actually sticking to its old days by putting the HEMI in almost every vehicle they make. If it saves them money, and people will buy it why not do it? Yeah, they didnt put it in Jeeps or Stationwagens (Magnum) back then but I hope you understand my point. I dunno, I just hate it when people give Dodge crap when they arent "Junk Status" like Ford and GM.

And BAD MOVE getting rid of the Monaro. Hopefully the GTO will remain to have similar styling. I hate it when companies bring back "old-school" styles like the Mustang and Thunderbird. Leave a classic a classic. The GTO is different because it ISN'T styled like it was 50-odd years ago.

 

[JohnBM01]

Well with the GTO's current styling, do you think the decision to have more modern styling is a good thing, or a bad thing? By the way, I can kind of imagine if the next GTO in 2008 or so looks like the GTOs of 1971. Would be an ugly sight. See? I can scare myself sometimes.

 

[super cirrus]

I got to drive an 05 GTO an absolutly love the car (minus the hood scoops). If GM makes the next gen GTO all in America, it'll probably be a horrible imitation of the mustang just like the HHR is a horrible imitation of the PT Crusiser. Why GM, why!?!?

 

[JCE]

How in the hell can it be a "fake" HEMI?!? I would like to think that Dodge is actually sticking to its old days by putting the HEMI in almost every vehicle they make.

But when you start putting that badge on vehicles other than muscle CARS it become generic. If the Hemi was ONLY on the Charger *cough*Magnum*cough* or if they remake the Challenger. Don't start sticking it in every car, truck, and suv...it loses it's exclusivity and appeal.

 

[Sniffs]

okay, you guys can quit beating DCX over the head, now

I've seen the new GTO in person, finally.
one word
TINY!
c'mon, Holden, you got as much room down there as we do. if you're gonna base a couple on a big sedan...it needs boot and bonnet...it's too damn SHORT for it's interior space (which I was actually impressed with)

also...the gripe about the appearance? it's "ultimate Jellybean", which is what turns ME off of it. it looks 10 years out of date! like it was designed in the mid eighties to early ninties. the G6 isn't that hot either. there's something about Pontiac and YAWN design in the Scrooge era(1980-present). the only one I even remotely like is the w-body ones.

 

[1X83Z]

Sniffs: I absolutely love the G6 coupe, which arrived at local dealers last week. It looks a lot better than the sedan, whose wheelbase is about four times longer than it ought to be. I might have to even start recommending them! You should check it out - I hate the look of the sedan too, but this is much better.

 

[Cap'n Jack]

okay, you guys can quit beating DCX over the head, now

I've seen the new GTO in person, finally.
one word
TINY!
c'mon, Holden, you got as much room down there as we do. if you're gonna base a couple on a big sedan...it needs boot and bonnet...it's too damn SHORT for it's interior space (which I was actually impressed with)

also...the gripe about the appearance? it's "ultimate Jellybean", which is what turns ME off of it. it looks 10 years out of date! like it was designed in the mid eighties to early ninties. the G6 isn't that hot either. there's something about Pontiac and YAWN design in the Scrooge era(1980-present). the only one I even remotely like is the w-body ones.

It sorta is almost 10 years out of date. Its based off of the VT Commodore, which came out back in '98 I think.