Small car on the cards from GM-Holden

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The economic crunch has taken its toll on many Automobile firms over the past few months and this has provoked them to change their strategies.

GM-Holden has succumbed to the pressure and has decided to roll out a small car based on their global Delta small car platform that sports new technologies to improve fuel efficiency and reduce the dirty smoke emitted from exhaust pipes.

The car would be built as a sedan and a hatch at GM Holden’s Elizabeth manufacturing facility in South Australia. Design and engineering work will take place at the company’s headquarters in Port Melbourne, Victoria. There would be various alternative fuels on offer including E85, Diesel, LPG, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and even stop-start hybrid technology. GM Holden Chairman and Managing Director, Mark Reuss put himself in the driver’s seat for the development of the alternative fuels. Mr. Reuss said the program would be a major contributor to the economy, generating an estimated $70 million to $80 million in wages and $30 million in research and development.

“The Rudd Government’s Green Car Innovation Fund has provided opportunity to turn our plans into reality,” Mr. Reuss said.

“The support of the Federal and South Australian Governments in securing this program recognizes the fundamental role which automotive manufacturing makes to national and state economies.

By working together, we have ensured GM Holden will continue to make a major contribution to the nation’s economy for many years to come.”

The car in question would sport a four pot motor that would power the front wheels. The architecture would be on the lines of other cars in GM’s line up like the Chevrolet Cruze and Opel, Vauxhall and Saturn Astra. The car would be given the nod for production in third quarter of 2010. The pricing and other specifications would be revealed at the time of launch. GM Holden is banking on this car to lift sales and aid the economy. If GM Holden get the pricing right, they would have a winner on their hands!

Source: GM