Since the news of Holden’s ‘retirement’ in Australia, General Motors management have yet to announce whether the Commodore nameplate will be left to die or replaced with an imported model, but a latest news report says that the next-generation sedan could be built in China as part of a “closed door deal” with Buick.
Specifically, before GM decided to cease Australian manufacturing, the next Commodore was supposed to get a Buick twin for the Chinese market, with the rebadged version to be built locally. But now that Holden will no longer build cars in Australia, China could become the sole producer of the sedan.
And this could mean bad news for Commodore enthusiasts, as the 2017 model is rumored to be launched with front-wheel drive and a four-cylinder engine. As in no V6 or V8 whatsoever. The design will be different as well, with Holden insiders reporting the sedan will gain European styling cues.
If this rumor turns out to be real, it means that the VF Commodore-based Chevrolet SS wil no longer be offered in the United States beyond 2017.
