Holden model cull

[aussie muscle]

From smh.com.au
http://smh.drive.com.au/motor-news/h...014-1lnlr.html

Holden moots model cull
October 15, 2011

HOLDEN has revealed plans to roll out a single-model strategy to more badges in its showroom, with the Commodore's complex nine-model line-up in its sights.

The latest Barina, launched last month, is now sold as a single model in the Holden line-up, with buyers needing to tick items such as foglights and exterior trim on the options list to individualise their car.

It's a strategy that Holden's executive director of sales and marketing, John Elsworth, wishes had caught on at the brand a lot earlier.
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''It's something I wish we'd done with the [Barina] Spark [light car],'' he says. ''Unfortunately, we'll have to wait for the introduction of a new version of the Spark before we can do that.''

Sales of the city-friendly hatch's two-model line-up are split evenly among the entry-level Spark CD and the $2000 more expensive Spark CDX, which adds bigger alloy wheels, better cloth trim and comforts such as power rear windows - dealer-fit items that could easily fall to an options list.

Elsworth says he likes the single-model strategy as it means the brand does not have to have as many vehicles in dealerships to cover shifts in buyers' tastes.

He says the Barina strategy will act as a test bed for widening the model-reduction scheme to other badges, including the Commodore, which sells in nine forms in either sedan or wagon variants.

''We have to hold about 45 days in stock for the Commodore, whereas for something like the Spark we only have to hold 30 days' stock because it's a less complex model line-up,'' he says. ''[Holding stock] is expensive, so if we can do anything to reduce that, it will help.''

BARRY PARK

sounds like holden is moving to a 'made to order' system for new cars.

[Smoke Pursuit]

Originally Posted by aussie muscle

From smh.com.au
http://smh.drive.com.au/motor-news/h...014-1lnlr.html


sounds like holden is moving to a 'made to order' system for new cars.

I think they will move more towards dealer fit items..

Models like the Berlina will just dissappear I would say.

[BigBlue]

Interesting item.
It could go either way but Factory installed options seems to me to be the better call.
Buyers seem more wiling to have options built in from the factory rather than after at the dealer.

Correct me if I am wrong here but the success of the original Mustang in the mid sixties was due to essentially the same idea...build what you wanted on a basic platform from the options packs available.

The Japanese changed all that with their "everything fitted from the factory" in later years but the idea I think will be a winner.

Peter.

[Gobes32]

Would they in fact not make more money if each item is fitted individually rather than a "pack" as such?

[RG]

It's about time.

You should be able to pick and choose the bits you do and don't want when ordering a new car rather than being told what you have to have if you want a specific thing.

Well done to Holden.

[drew`SEVNT5]

Originally Posted by RG

It's about time.

You should be able to pick and choose the bits you do and don't want when ordering a new car rather than being told what you have to have if you want a specific thing.

Well done to Holden.

Sweet, Falcon XT with S/C V8! Who needs big wheels and brakes and sports suspension anyhow?

[Smoke Pursuit]

Originally Posted by drew`SEVNT5

Sweet, Falcon XT with S/C V8! Who needs big wheels and brakes and sports suspension anyhow?

We already have that... Its called the GS.

[Giant Cranium]

Originally Posted by DASH GT

We already have that... Its called the GS.

quote of the year

[AMGC63]

Originally Posted by DASH GT

We already have that... Its called the GS.

[Polyal]

Yeah something like this is well overdue, Im sure we talked about this previous, well I know I did, that is being able to personalize your car. You can do it with everything else. I believe the retort was it effects resale....still cant see how that is possible.

[naddis01]

Originally Posted by Polyal

Yeah something like this is well overdue, Im sure we talked about this previous, well I know I did, that is being able to personalize your car. You can do it with everything else. I believe the retort was it effects resale....still cant see how that is possible.

What is going to have better resale a G6E or an XT with enough options to bring the initial retail price up to that of the G6E?

[SteveJH]

Originally Posted by naddis01

What is going to have better resale a G6E or an XT with enough options to bring the initial retail price up to that of the G6E?

The "Falcon" if they no longer sell the car with different specific trim levels.

[Brazen]

Surely they wont continue the Calais and Calais V thing?


They did also say on the release of the Cruze, Commodore wont need to maintain the factory volume to keep the factory ticking over, they can now start reducing inventories and with reduced inventories they are probably looking at a simpler lineup.

[Bossxr8]

They are probably starting to buckle under their own complexity, having a full range of wagons ie. all models plus V8's, manuals and autos etc. They must have more than twice as many variants than what Ford does, Territorys included.

They have the Cruze as well. The factory must be overflowing with parts. But when you think about it increasing the options list will probably only add to the complexity, as one car could be built in thousands of different combinations.

Would make buying one second hand with all the options you want a nightmare.

[JG34JA]

Yes, and make for interesting future collecting! From memory the XY could be had in 136,000 different guises.

But that's the whole point - they don't build cars for the 2nd hand buyer. If you want a certain spec, this would encourage you to order and spec it new. I'm glad we did with our Territory. SR to TS spec, if you are wondering.

[Sizey]

I hope the guys at Ford are taking note of this. To have a standard badge falcon. And have the options that the consumer wants to personalize the vehicle. is great.

Obviously have the special model variants ie. FPV kept.

I think Kia trialed this idea by selling the soul.

[naddis01]

Originally Posted by SteveJH

The "Falcon" if they no longer sell the car with different specific trim levels.

Yes but the point being that generally a car that is optioned up won't be worth as much as a 'model' with those same 'options'.

Or another way to look at it, If a car is worth say 60% of new price after 3 years, what would you think is a reasonable resale on options?

[MAD]

In the article they mention most of the option would be 'dealer fit'.

How many more threads would we end up having about dodgy workmanship from dealers.

[EDManual]

I am sure it ends up way more expensive for the customer! Package factory deals like "berlina" are sure to be better for you. I'd say its a way to make more money.

[Angeldust]

bring back the executive + v8 option!

[Lightning Strike GT]

Originally Posted by Angeldust

bring back the executive + v8 option!

And a manual in the base models as well
Try and buy a manual Commo or Falcon - it is only the SS / S HSV and XR / FPV variants
What ever happened to the Fairmont V8 wagon in a 5 speed manual

[SteveJH]

Originally Posted by Mercury Rising

What ever happened to the Fairmont V8 wagon in a 5 speed manual

The same thing that happens to all products that no one buys.

[AMGC63]

Originally Posted by SteveJH

The same thing that happens to all products that no one buys.

[prydey]

how many other marques allow you to customise things like drivetrain etc?? want a v8? buy this model, want a 6cyl? buy one of these models, want a 4cyl? buy one of these models, etc etc.

i don't think the article was saying they were going to make a std model and then be able to make changes to the drivetrain. it would be more about adding a/c, climate, sat nav, bluetooth etc.

they can then advertise the base model barina for $12990 drive away but most of the sales will be closer to $15-18k as everyone would option up the basics (power windows, cruise, bluetooth etc). once the boxes are ticked, it will no doubt add up to more than what the previous premo model sold for.

it is a money making scheme for the manufacturer.

[dimka100]

BMW has a massive options list for each of their models, tons of engine options for just about every model, suspension/brake packages too … but yeah they sell worldwide so large quantity makes it feasibly … and they also have German engineers

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by Mercury Rising

And a manual in the base models as well
Try and buy a manual Commo or Falcon - it is only the SS / S HSV and XR / FPV variants
What ever happened to the Fairmont V8 wagon in a 5 speed manual

AU III Fairmont wagons sold- Approximately 50.

No wonder there was no BA Fairmont wagon.

And of those approx 50 AUIII Fairmont wagons how many would have been V8, 5 maybe?

You can't build variants that sell in single digits, let alone whole models that sell less than 100 in a year.

[Lightning Strike GT]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

AU III Fairmont wagons sold- Approximately 50.

And of those approx 50 AUIII Fairmont wagons how many would have been V8, 5 maybe?

You can't build variants that sell in single digits, let alone whole models that sell less than 100 in a year.

Crikey we had 4 2001-2002 AU Fairmont Wagons at work at once
1 Liquid Silver and 2 Monsoon Blue and a 1 Winter White - we must of had the majority of FORD's stock in 1 place
You are correct about the BA - we had to spec up Futura Wagons to have the equilivant

[bobthebilda]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

You can't build variants that sell in single digits, let alone whole models that sell less than 100 in a year.

So what does that mean, Holden are only going to make public service spec. omegas, Australian police packs and caprices. They better hope their next cull doesn't take out all the unprofitable cars.

[JamesR]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

AU III Fairmont wagons sold- Approximately 50.

And of those approx 50 AUIII Fairmont wagons how many would have been V8, 5 maybe?

damn! i nearly bought one! Black AUIII V8 Fairmont Wagon, ~70k was on sale at a local yard for $10000ish.

i settled for an EF wagon for a third of the price

[Bossxr8]

Would have been a rare beast.