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IIV8II · 06-21-2002, 16:58

(edited)
21 June 2002

IT�S OFFICIAL: MONARO HEADING TO UNITED STATES

Holden today confirmed that Monaro would be exported to the United States next year to take its place among General Motors� flagship high performance vehicles.

The decision means Holden cars will be sent to America in volume for the first time since General Motors-Holden�s was established in Australia in 1931.

Monaro will be sold in America as the Pontiac GTO starting late 2003 as a 2004 model, reviving the nameplate of an equally legendary performance car in the United States.

GM�s Chairman for North America and Vice-Chairman for product development, Bob Lutz, announced the export program overnight to automotive media in Detroit, Michigan.

Mr Lutz and Holden Chairman and Managing Director, Peter Hanenberger, met earlier today to discuss the contract which was approved by the Holden Board of Directors earlier this month.

General Motors has committed to 18,000 GTOs a year featuring the 5.7-litre Gen III V8 engine shared by Monaro and Chevrolet Corvette and offering six-speed manual and four-speed automatic transmissions.

A show car version of the GTO will be on display at the Los Angeles Auto Show and North American International Auto Show in Detroit next January.

Full production will commence at the Holden plant in Elizabeth, South Australia, in September 2003.

Various modifications to Monaro were required to meet or exceed mandatory US legal requirements, environmental conditions and design cues for Pontiac.

The Pontiac GTO was renowned as America�s first performance car and was in production from 1964 to 1974. GTO stood for Grand Turismo Omologato, an Italian term that originally identified grand touring coupes qualified for road racing. Enthusiasts have given various names for the car including the Goat, Great One, GeeTO or the Tiger.

Troutman · 06-21-2002, 17:07

That's great news. A lot of people in the US have no idea about Australia's industry, bar those familiar with the Diamante.

Mr GTHO · 06-21-2002, 23:33

This news is more appropiate in a publication more like, say, STREET COMMODORE than in our forum. Maybe those readers might find it more stimulating than I do.
By the way, will Holden be sending the two door Commodores over with the crook, oil guzzling hand-grenade Gen III V8's found here? If they do it looks to be like the Capri all over again!

Hobbes · 06-21-2002, 23:52

Why? No one howled down elxr8 when he posted about the Falcon at LS1.com (Here)

A lot of people here are interested in the Australian motoring industry - beit Holden, Ford or anyone else.

My advice - get over it.

russellw · 06-22-2002, 00:30

Club 1 Seal 0

06-22-2002, 02:07

I hope the piece of crap monaro's break down all the time.
How dare Holden ruin the great Pontiac GTO name with a heap of **** like the 2 door crappadore.

At least USA manufacturers can actually design great looking sports cars. Can't say the same for the Australian equivelant.

svo347 · 06-22-2002, 02:12

Whats the big drama anyways..... Aussie makes afew $$ on the deal & we get less of the p.o.s's on our streets tee hee hee.......
as with the hand grenade oil guzzling GENIII V8's maybe we are trying to tell em something.. Same engine but wrapped up differently ha ha ha

Mr Sparkle · 06-22-2002, 02:46

Quote:

Originally posted by Hobbes
Why? No one howled down elxr8 when he posted about the Falcon at LS1.com (Here)

A lot of people here are interested in the Australian motoring industry - beit Holden, Ford or anyone else.

My advice - get over it.

Damn straight! I was expecting a few knuckle draggers to have a go at me after that post, but what a pleasantly unusual surprise it was when I wasn't stupidly flamed!

ebxr8240 · 06-22-2002, 06:38

I can't see them importing motor from U.S then assembling the Chevy in G.T.O then sending it back to U.S with that motor in. My guess is that it'll be fitted there, with atleast 250 k.w Or is it going to be cast here??

Oh and by the way I think G.M have no rear wheel drive cars at present or not many ???Didn't they drop the Corvett???
John Lunatic ss whats the goss on this ...

rsgerry · 06-22-2002, 06:50

i think it is great that holden are exporting. i loved the shape of the omnaro when it was first released and still do. i admire the fact that they had the balls to go to production with the car, and now the world is taking notice of aussie talent and wanting our products. i sincerely hope that holden do something about that shitty motor though, or we could see another capri episode.