[AutoGuide.com]

Production of the Holden Commodore-based Chevrolet SS began last month, but the production run could be interrupted soon.

GM’s Holden division has threatened to halt vehicle production in Australia if the government doesn’t commit to fresh subsidies within two months. While it might seem easy to ignore an issue on the other side of the world, there are implications for the U.S. car market.

Chevrolet spokesperson Afaf Farah confirmed that the SS entered production in August, but declined to comment on how long the limited volume vehicle will be in production. Even in the unlikely event that production of the SS starts and ends before the two-month deadline, the Caprice PPV would be affected. General Motors currently has three operational factories in Australia.

The first shipment of SS sedans is expected to arrive later this year, likely with fewer than 1,000 cars according to past reports. Chevrolet has roughly 3,000 stores in the U.S., so even if production isn’t impeded, you don’t stand very good chance of seeing the 415-hp sedan at a stoplight.

Farah refused to comment on production volumes or when the current SS manufacturing run might end.

 

[Chop]

I'm missing something. What is the third "operational factory" GM has in Aus. 1 engine plant, 1 assembly plant, and then what???

 

[chevypwr]

So while some high ranking GM boss said they will build as many SS sedan's as required, it seems like Holden and GM are having a lack of communication going on, Farrah should know going off of that GM Boss their wont be a limit on production.

I just think the original production limit figure was just a good guess as to how many will be sold.

 

[1k Rider]

More bad news. This car has become an abortion.
They should just fast track the Alpha based Camaro and offer a sedan version as well and call it a Chevelle.

 

[ozstrat]

In the recent Federal election campaign the winning party said they would rip $500m of subsidies out of the car industry. If this happens, Holden could close by Christmas.
However, circumstances have worked in Holden's favour. The woman expected to take the industry portfolio was a car industry hater and determined to shut it down. She lost her seat in the election .
Enter Ian McFarlane to take her spot. He is very pro Holden and was minister when the Pontiac G8 program was underway. He has stated he will not let the industry die but is having a tour of the factory with Devereux before sitting down to talk turkey next week.
I think the Chevy SS will be safe for now.

 

[jat63]

I'm missing something. What is the third "operational factory" GM has in Aus. 1 engine plant, 1 assembly plant, and then what???

design centre is the only thing left, it may not be an operational factory but it is still part of the whole system and could also be closed if these negotiation go bad, i have not yet seen even one agreement mature before a new one was started with threats of closure.

when ford announced their closure the three parts were separated, engine/assembly/design we are loosing both engine and assembly but keeping design.

 

[Commodoreman2000]

In the recent Federal election campaign the winning party said they would rip $500m of subsidies out of the car industry. If this happens, Holden could close by Christmas..

The part highlighted in red is actually false. Even if the funding doesn't go ahead Holden will continue until the end of 2016 give or take a few months. The subsidies they are after is for the next generation Commodore and Cruze. If they don't get the subsidies approved by November/Early December at the latest. Plant upgrades won't take place hence the urgency for finalising the deals.

I was somewhat dismayed at the Coalition win at the election, however I am mildly optimistic now that Ian Mcfarlane has been appointed industry minister. He has said his first priority is to deal with keeping Holden and auto manufacturing including Toyota open for business. He unlike Sophie Mirabella (whom wanted to stop all industry spending) understands the importance of auto manufacturing in the ecosystem of manufacturing and logistics.

One of the very first things he ordered to be done was a forensic audit of how much money is remaining in the industry fund he started then to sit down and talk business with Holden, GM and he is including the outgoing industry minister, the premier and opposition leader of South Australia. Just to name a few. He wants everybody to be on the same page.

The SS production won't be seriously affected by these funding decisions if at all. With the Liberals pro export drive they want to push there may be a slim hope for the Ute and Sportwagon variants to get a passport to travel or alternately a V6 variant.

 

[Commodoreman2000]

I'm missing something. What is the third "operational factory" GM has in Aus. 1 engine plant, 1 assembly plant, and then what???

Maybe it's Toyota as they used to make Nova and Apollo :funnypost:

 

[SSS]

More bad news. This car has become an abortion.
They should just fast track the Alpha based Camaro and offer a sedan version as well and call it a Chevelle.

An abortion, I'd say its more like kicking a pregnant lady down the stairs. This is pure bunglers territory, not one move during the duration of the SS project has been well thought out.

I'm on board with Alpha based Camaro Chevelle. Honestly I dont know why they had to go fiddling with the SS name and give name an entire car after it. Its the Super Sports package. Save it for hi-po instead of shooting their wad like this...

Then again SS package was ruined when they gave it to the Cobalt and the HHR.

 

[Diehard]

Here's an interesting one. Say's their lowering the price on the 2014 Charger SRT by $2000 to compete with the SS.
Charger SRT gets a price drop, says "Lol, Chevy SS?"

 

[1k Rider]

I see condition reports of manychrysler lease returns. Reliability is a major issue and the 5 speed auto in the SRT is archaic. But, for around the same money, the Charger might b the buy.
UNLESS, GM pulls their head out of their a$$ and offers a no charge manual trans for the SS Sedan.

 

[SSS]

eff the charger it looks like a blowfish...

Ok so Charger has a 50 hp advantage over the SS....

SS weighs or should weigh 3975 lbs while the charger tips it at 4360 lb for delta of 385 lbs in the SS favor... 50 hp are not going to make up for that...

Interesting, it seems SS gained a few inches over the Commodore. According to wiki the Commodore was 190-192.7 inches long, According to Edmunds the SS is 196 inches long. While the Charger strings it out to 200 inches.

 

[Tarnath]

Where is the 3975 lbs coming from?
From what I can find, the heaviest of the Holdens is the SS-V Redline; weighing in at 1741 kg, or 3838 lbs. Is there an official weight on the Chevy SS somewhere yet?

Holden Commodore - Price, Specifications and Reviews - Price & Specifications | CarAdvice
Where I pulled the SS-V specs from.

 

[cbsmith402]

Where is the 3975 lbs coming from?
From what I can find, the heaviest of the Holdens is the SS-V Redline; weighing in at 1741 kg, or 3838 lbs. Is there an official weight on the Chevy SS somewhere yet?

Holden Commodore - Price, Specifications and Reviews - Price & Specifications | CarAdvice
Where I pulled the SS-V specs from.

The curb weight is on the GM fleet order site: Model Information - Online Ordering Guide

 

[Tarnath]

The curb weight is on the GM fleet order site: Model Information - Online Ordering Guide

Thank you

 

[Diehard]

eff the charger it looks like a blowfish...

I'd say more like a cod fish or a large mouth bass. That's why I would only consider the black.

 

[1k Rider]

eff the charger it looks like a blowfish....

You are OUTTA your mind.
I am a GM fan boy and I HATE Chrysler.
With that said, the new Charger looks great. Inside AND out.

 

[Diehard]

As you may have noticed I own a 2011 Charger R/T. Since it's an AWD it weighs 4450 lbs. (Much too heavy for my liking) but none the less a reasonably quick car. (0-60 in about 5 1/2 sec). They didn't have the SRT in 2011. Just for the record I too do not like the big black mouth looking grill of the new SRT's. Except for the black car where it looks different. Never had one problem in the 2 1/2 years I owned it. I have to wait to see the SS in person before I can commit to the trade.

 

[ChevySS]

No Charger boats for me. Sounds like people are starting to get impatient or desperate. I will post some first ever pics on another topic...