Holden will begin exporting thousands of Commodores to the US from 2013 where it will be sold as a Chevrolet SS, or Super-Sport.
The export deal is expected to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars and form the basis for an important new V8-powered performance model for Chevrolet. The new Chevrolet SS will also form the platform for Chevrolet’s Nascar race car unit from 2013, as the factory is keen to align the model it races in the hugely popular Nascar race series with a performance model it sells on the road such as the new SS, rather than the ‘Impala’ family car it now races.
The V8 only Commodore based Chev SS model is expected to be an exclusive low volume export deal despite the fact that it will be the NASCAR challenger. Previously between 2007 and 2009 Holden exported the Commodore to the US where it was sold as a Pontiac G8 and the Monaro as the GTO, but the program was prematurely terminated when the global financial crisis caused the demise of the Pontiac brand. The new export car will be based on the new VF Commodore with revised front and rear styling, updated engines and a lighter body utilising more aluminium. The Chevrolet version will be left hand drive, wear the Chev bowtie badge and have distinctive sports styling. Holden is already exporting the longer V8 based Caprice sedan to the US, sold to police as the Police Patrol Vehicle (PPV).