| In the news: One of Australia's biggest | | | | Commodores annually about half of what it |
| selling cars, the Holden Commodore is going | | | | normally sells locally. Holden is already |
| to be made available in the US and that is | | | | exporting to the Middle East more than what |
| according to General Motors' worldwide head | | | | it sells locally. Its export program is |
| of product development Bob Lutz during a | | | | viewed as a key to the Commodore's survival. |
| press conference held at the Detroit Motor | | | | |
| Show. | | | | Remembering the Eagle |
| | | | |
| According to Mr. Lutz, "We are seriously | | | | And speaking of the Pontiac, it can be |
| planning to import a lot of Commodore SS | | | | recalled that GM once offered its Talon as a |
| sedans as Pontiac G8s." He further added that | | | | rival to the Pontiac. The Talon was a sports |
| if the price is right Holden could export up | | | | car sold by the Eagle Division of Chrysler |
| to 50,000 Commodores in the US. It was only | | | | until the year 1998. After its demise it |
| after his speech that Mr. Lutz has realized | | | | became a popular car in the aftermarket |
| that he has made a faux pas and quickly | | | | segment due to its powerful turbocharged |
| added, "We are yet to officially announce | | | | inline 4 cylinder engine (with codename 4G63) |
| it….While (the Monaro's) export program | | | | combined with an all-wheel drive (AWD) |
| may not have fulfilled all of our hopes and | | | | powertrain. |
| dreams in terms of profitability and volume, | | | | |
| it did break the ice on global programs." | | | | The first generation models of the Eagle |
| | | | Talon were the most popular among aftermarket |
| The announcement was not due until next | | | | tuners due to its engine's high tolerance for |
| month's Chicago Motor show but it seems Bob | | | | abuse. The second-generation models are also |
| Lutz was so carried away by all the | | | | preferred by aftermarket tuners however some |
| excitement during the Detroit Motor Show that | | | | of its engines suffered from a problem termed |
| he has given away more than what he was | | | | as crankwalk. The production of the Talon |
| supposed to. Holden officials refused to | | | | sports car was short lived but during its |
| answer any questions regarding the | | | | lifetime it has garnered a number of awards |
| Commodore's export program which Mr. Lutz has | | | | and sold over 100,000 units which is |
| revealed. | | | | considered to be a good figure for sports |
| | | | car. The Talon during its short existence has |
| The Commodore SS is a V8 powered sports sedan | | | | created a cult of avid enthusiasts that why |
| and will be sold as Pontiac either later this | | | | even at present Eagle parts are still being |
| year or early next year. According to reports | | | | manufactured. |
| Holden is expecting to export at least 30,000 | | | | |