Desert longings

BY ALASTAIR SLOANE

Holden Australia is to export its new Monaro to the Middle East.

The two-door will be rebadged as the Chevrolet Lumina S and SS and complement the existing Middle East Lumina range based on the four-door Holden Commodore and SS.

Middle East markets (Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Lebanon, Qatar and Syria) last year took 21,000 Commodore-based Lumina sedans.

Holden chairman and managing director Peter Hanenberger said the first shipment of 1200 Monaros would begin early next year.

"Sending Monaro to the Middle East is exciting for Holden because it strengthens the bond with our biggest export partner and completes our large car range in that region," he said.

"This is also a strategic step towards Holden's target of achieving 50,000 vehicle exports by 2005, which would account for one-third of annual production and generate A$2.3 billion ($2.7b) in export earnings."

Hanenberger said the Middle East programme would expand Holden's production commitments at its South Australian Elizabeth plant to 19 domestic and 12 export variants - in left and right-hand drive.

"This will enhance our reputation as one of the most versatile automotive manufacturing facilities in the world."

Hanenberger said he remained hopeful of being able to confirm exports of Monaros to the United States, where they would be rebadged as the Chevrolet GTO.

The Middle East move came as the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries raised predicted new-vehicle sales in Australia this calendar year from 780,000 to 800,000.

Fuelling the increase are sales of four-wheel-drive vehicles, up 20 per cent to 43,300 in the four months to April, and sports car sales, up 75 per cent to 5050 units. The Monaro falls into the sports car category.