Commodore Coming to US as Pontiac

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