Should GM drop the Holden name once they cease local production?

[Syndrome]

I see no reason why the name should continue and it should be consigned to the archives along with Oldsmobile, Pontiac and Saturn brands.

[TC200six]

I find it unlikely at the moment. Holden is a familiar brand in this country, removing the name would probably cause sales to slide as it isn't Australian anymore. Most people think Holden = cars made for Australians and if Chevrolet replaced the Holden name, the brand might lose some long-time loyal customers.

In all, I think the Holden name should be dropped as they would be conning patriotic Australians, making them think that they're patronising an Australian company when we all know that's far from the truth. It's been going on long enough, one day it should finally stop.

[LeadFoot81]

Tough question. There's still a lot of equity in the Holden name and goodwill from consumers.

This is one hurdle I'm glad Ford doesn't have to deal with in Oz. (They have enough as it is)

[GASWAGON]

I heard a Holden add on Triple M radio on xmas day in the car saying 'We are not going anywhere and will continue to sell (not build) cars in Oz' ...Or something similar to that!

[CyberWasp]

GM can't see it coming yet, but they will be the 1st of the big 3 American car companies to topple. Everything they touch turns to ****.

There will be no bail out the 2nd time around.

[Angeldust]

yes. they should drop it and let it rest now.

[GQ_Smooth]

It's a very hard question.

And I don't think we'll have a proper answer until 2019-2020 a few years after the last locally made Holden is finished.

My prediction is with the current copy of Holdens coming from Korea, Holden will dig a massive whole for itself in the near future and will eventually be forced to re-brand itself (what Ford has been doing for a few years now) and drop the Holden name and import Chev's from US, and rebadge Opels as Chevs from Europe. I believe Holden are in a far worse position than Ford is in Australia, regardless of current sales volumes. There is still value in the Holden name, however as mentioned in 5-8 years time, I suspect it will be a cancer that GM will want to cut out.

How far the mighty have fallen.

[fgpsi]

Yes! At least the Ford's will be just that, Fords.

[stevz]

No, they should leave it as Holden.
The Chevrolet name has zero credibility in Australia except for maybe a handful of bogans who put Chev badges on their cars. Not only would the rebranding be an added cost and burden to the dealer network, IMO it would be complete suicide for GM in Australia.
If you're reading GM, you can stick the Chevrolet brand where the sun doesn't shine.

[FPV GTHO]

I cant see them selling more Chevy's than Holden's, and on top of the expense to change it doesnt make sense.

I dont really care though, i'm not going to be buying one. As a Ford fan perhaps i'd prefer them to sell less cars, so maybe they should change it to Chevrolet then.

[GQ_Smooth]

It's only a 1 off / short term cost to change Holden to Chev locally. Providing local Holden badges, manuals, ad's to global Chev vehicles I know if more expensive and pays for itself after 4 years.

It's coming whether we like it or not.

[stevz]

Originally Posted by GQ_Smooth

It's only a 1 off / short term cost to change Holden to Chev locally. Providing local Holden badges, manuals, ad's to global Chev vehicles I know if more expensive and pays for itself after 4 years.

The lost sales will negate those savings by millions...

[JG66ME]

They didn't drop the Vauxhall name in the UK when they ceased production so I don't see why they need to drop Holden. GM have had a policy of retaining local brand names. In the UK Holdens where sold under the Vauxhall brand name.

In fact, for a laugh, someone should put a Vauxhall VXR badge on a Commodore,

[jpd80]

This is the same company who thought launching Opel here was a great idea....

I mean really, who does that to simply get a very public black from being so stupid...

[stevz]

Originally Posted by jpd80

This is the same company who thought launching Opel here was a great idea....

I mean really, who does that to simply get a very public black from being so stupid...

I have to agree with you on that. What a shocking decision that was.

It should serve as a lesson to them though, that foreign brand names do not work here.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by stevz

I have to agree with you on that. What a shocking decision that was.

It should serve as a lesson to them though, that foreign brand names do not work here.

Not to twist the knife but I'm sure that JD put the worst possible spin on a large import vehicle he could.
In perspective, a large FWD/AWD 2.4/3.6 and maybe 3.6 Turbo combo would probably suit Holden's purposes going forward.

I know it's a sour note for V8 RWD fans but i could see that sort of car grabbing a lot of sales for Holden..
an AWD TTV6 while not a V8 would be a decent second prize, especially in the hands of HSV.....

[stevz]

Originally Posted by jpd80

Not to twist the knife but I'm sure that JD put the worst possible spin on a large import vehicle he could.
In perspective, a large FWD/AWD 2.4/3.6 and maybe 3.6 Turbo combo would probably suit Holden's purposes going forward.

I know it's a sour note for V8 RWD fans but i could see that sort of car grabbing a lot of sales for Holden..
an AWD TTV6 while not a V8 would be a decent second prize, especially in the hands of HSV.....

I am going to buy 2016/17 VF2 V8 and keep it for at least 10 years, so unless it gets written off, this is a choice I hopefully wont have to make for many years.

[Pepscobra]

The majority of Holden buyers probably won't know/care where their car is made.
Fact is they will still see Holden as an Australian company and that is where the intangible value lies in the name. GM know that and will milk it for what its worth for the coming years.

[Fordman1]

Originally Posted by stevz

I am going to buy 2016/17 VF2 V8 and keep it for at least 10 years, so unless it gets written off, this is a choice I hopefully wont have to make for many years.

Why doesn't that surprise me ?

"Knock yourself out !"

[LyleXR8]

Maybe Holden will live on if they drop the Holden name and call everything Chevrolet all the knobs will change the chev badges to Holden badges,

[Vormund]

With GM pulling Chevrolet out of Europe it might be a bit less likely now.

That said, they could potentially start marketing Chevrolet cars alongside Holden, rather than just a whole quick changeover.

I can seem them bringing out the Camaro and Impala over as Chevy's to start with and see how that goes first.

[pmacc]

Originally Posted by CyberWasp

GM can't see it coming yet, but they will be the 1st of the big 3 American car companies to topple. Everything they touch turns to ****.

There will be no bail out the 2nd time around.

Rubbish, Cadillac has been turned around and Buick is doing very well in China, the rest remain stedy preformers especially Chevrolet. Opel may be struggling but if you look at the European economy you can see why.

Back on topic

If GM remove the Holden name they will lose years of marketing and brand building which could keep many dealers from folding. However in a globalised economy it would make more sence (in the long run) to have a global brand(s) which can be continually marketed to you wherever you are.

[Franco Cozzo]

Rebrand it Chevrolet, Holden can join Valliant.

[pottery beige]

Folden will soon become also rans, enjoy pushing **** up hill with no local fanboi cred

suckers

[russellw]

Originally Posted by pottery beige

Folden will soon become also rans, enjoy pushing **** up hill with no local fanboi cred

suckers

The local fanboi's as you term it aren't going anywhere, any time soon and to think that is the case is to misjudge the loyalty and enthusiasm the tribes have for their brand. Both Ford and Holden have a global range of vehicles to import and there will be enough performance models from both to keep the die hards happy.

Cheers
Russ

[2011G6E]

Why would they?

[FPV GTHO]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

Rebrand it Chevrolet, Holden can join Valliant.

Wasn't Valiant a model name, not a brand?

[OzJavelin]

Too many lessons from history to be learnt that it's significantly more difficult to build brand loyalty and following of a "new" car brand (yes .. Chev is new to the vast majority of Australians) than to keep or revive an existing one.

When Chrysler bought AMC they tried to create a new brand "Eagle" which they sold alongside Jeep (which they bought from AMC) .. Failed. Alienated old AMC buyers and didnt pickp any new ones.

GM would be mad to give up the only real asset they have .. The brand name.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by FPV GTHO

Wasn't Valiant a model name, not a brand?

I thought it was a brand?

[JG66ME]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

I thought it was a brand?

The brand was CHRYSLER!!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysler_Valiant