Holden on to pole position

By ALASTAIR SLOANE

New Zealand's big three carmakers, Toyota, Ford and Holden, are starting to feel the sales pressure going into the last five months of the year. Only a handful of sales separate the rivals and each is plotting to get the jump on the other two.

At the end of June, Holden had sold 5567 cars and commercials for 16.2 per cent of the market - a 0.2 per cent lead over Ford (5499 sales) and Toyota (5492). Nissan was a distant fourth with 3436 sales.

"It is more competitive than ever and that is a good thing for the industry," said Aalbert van Ham, Holden New Zealand public affairs manager.

Toyota desperately wants to hang on to its 12-year reign as the best-selling brand in New Zealand. It says it is feeling the pinch this year but expects to be No 1 again.

Ford, bridesmaid to Toyota since the late 1980s, is counting on sales of its new Mondeo to help to unseat the Japanese giant. But it is not taking anything for granted.

Holden is banking on the continued success of its Commodore - the best-selling car in New Zealand for 11 straight months - to nobble both rivals. But it admits it will be a close race.

Toyota says it fears Holden most. Ford isn't counting out Holden either, but its executives are wary - and weary - of Toyota's resilience.

Holden is new to the position of overall market leader and says it will keep plugging away. June was the best sales month for Commodore since October 1995.

"So far, it's been a fantastic year for Holden and it's not over yet," said van Ham. He said the six-month result was the best possible way for Holden to celebrate the second anniversary of its move from Trentham to Auckland.

"There's exciting new product to come that will continue to fuel the momentum, although we know that every additional sale and every market-share percentage point gained will be keenly contested."

Still to come from Holden over the next five months are the Zafira people-mover, two-door Commodore Monaro and facelifted Commodore VX.

But to keep things bubbling along, Holden has introduced another vehicle to the mix, a limited edition version of its long-wheelbase flagship, the WH Series Statesman. It is called the International and is the fourth special model from Holden this year.

The first three were Commodore models: the Lumina, Calais International and Equipe.

The limited edition strategy is nothing new. "We were always going to do added-value models of the VX," said van Ham. "We stipulated that at the launch of the car last year.

"There is no doubt the limited edition formula has been a successful one over the years and, more recently, has contributed to Holden's resurgence and popularity."

Toyota has built limited edition models of its Camry and Celica, both badged TS, for Toyota Sport. Likewise, Ford has the Tickford model Falcons, the TS50, TE50 and TL50, aimed more at Holden Special Vehicles than Holden itself.

The Statesman International comes with all the bells and whistles and costs $75,490. Production is limited to 350, of which 15 will be available in New Zealand.

Holden New Zealand says it aims the Statesman at prestige rivals BMW, Audi, Peugeot, Mercedes-Benz, Saab, Volvo, Ford LTD and Rover 75. The better-equipped, long-wheelbase Caprice competes in the luxury segment.

At the end of June, prestige sales of 1069 units accounted for 4.7 per cent of New Zealand's car market. The Statesman's 34 sales accounted for 3.2 per cent of the segment.

Holden first introduced a long wheelbase model as part of its HQ Series in 1971.

The WH Series Statesman and Caprice were launched in July 1999 and introduced new styling, engineering and safety advances and innovative electronic technology.

The car is powered by a 5.7-litre alloy V8, called the GEN III in Holden-speak. It sits under the bonnet of all top-end Australian-built Holdens and produces 225kW at 5200 rpm and 460Nm of torque at 4400 rpm. A four-speed automatic transmission directs drive to the rear wheels.

The Statesman sits on the Commodore wagon platform, which gives it a wheelbase 151mm longer (2939mm against 2788mm) than that of the Commodore sedan.

It is painted a colour called Raven - a blue/black mix - and features a body-coloured grille, body-coloured side mouldings with chrome inserts and, at the rear, an integrated spoiler and International badging. It runs on 17-inch alloy wheels shod with 235/45R17 low-profile tyres.

The customised interior includes blue/black seat trim in Howe leather with suede fabric inserts. The instrument cluster features a blue face with contrasting white needles and silver mask. The steering wheel, handbrake and gearshift are wrapped in leather.

The International comes with a key that "remembers" preferred settings, including driver's seat and exterior mirror positions. These are in addition to individual preferences for things like temperature settings, sound system, antenna height, trip computer and headlights-off time delay.

Standard equipment includes the latest safety technology and items such as dual-zone climate control air-conditioning, 10-disc CD changer and high-output audio system, eight-way electric front seats and continuously variable, speed-sensing power steering.

Meanwhile, the Senator 300, the most exclusive car Holden Special Vehicles has built, has arrived. Thirty were built and only four are available here.

The limited edition Commodore derivative combines the luxury cues of the top-line Senator sedan with the power of a 300kW engine, a 5.7-litre V8 developed for General Motors' Corvette division by American tuning specialist Callaway.

The 30 cars are manual-only models, each equipped with a six-speed, close ratio gearbox. Traction control and 10-spoke alloy wheels are standard features. Buyers have a choice of three colours - racing green, sting red and phantom black. The Senator 300 costs $128,000.