Australian government asks for hybrid, promises to buy it
by Chris Shunk on Jun 6th 2008 at 5:29PM 
The Australian government has both feet firmly planted on the hybrid bandwagon, and the blokes down under are looking for more of the automotive combo platter in its fleet. The government already has 355 Toyota and Honda hybrids in its fleet, but Aussie lawmakers would like to utilize its own home-grown workforce for future models. NSW Premier Morris Lemma wants the option to purchase hybrids from both both GM-owned Holden and Ford of Australia, and has even guaranteed that his government will be one of the first customers in line if Holden offered a battery-assisted Commodore within two years, as has been reported. Unfortunately, a promise from the government for a few hundred sales is hardly enough incentive on its own for an automaker to begin developing a hybrid, so both Holden and Ford will no doubt be investigating closely whether or not there's enough demand in the Australian market for a gas-electric hybrid to support the investment.
[Source: The Australian]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
TriShield 5:43PM (6/06/2008)
The problem with making a hybrid Commodore or Falcon is that both cars aren't known for being small or fuel frugal. It could possibly work if they make a model that's well differentiated from the tire-smoking models.
Honestly though, both need to come up with smaller cars that are meant to be hybrids from the get-go. You can bet Holden is going to sell a flavor of the Volt Down Under if GM can deliver on it's promises for it.
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The Talking Hamburger 4:54PM (6/08/2008)
The problem with that logic is you're assuming that only small cars should be hybrids. GM didn't have it wrong by developing full-size hybrid trucks and SUVs for Americans. Those that are actually necessary for work (hauling people and stuff) instead of being single-person commuter cars are still using less fuel overall to get their jobs done.
And, even in the case of these vehicles being more of a comfortable fashion statement, hybrid technology is at the point where we should be able to kiss wasteful engine idling goodbye, improving the gas mileage for stop-and-go driving.
Dave 6:48PM (6/06/2008)
I'd like to see what a two mode Commodore/G8 can do.
The Pontiac G8 with a 3.6 DOHC V6 is rated 17/25.
If the city rating improved by 50% and the hwy rating improved by 2 mpg (as it did with the Tahoe) we would have 25/27 with performance at least equal to the current model.
In addition, GM could equip the 3.6 with direct injection for greater fuel efficiency.
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pmiddle5 9:20PM (6/06/2008)
and emissions help which I heard them Aussies needed assistance with
alphabeta777 6:55PM (6/06/2008)
Well, supposedly a Camry Hybrid will be coming very soon.
http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=53421&vf=12&IsPgd=0
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james_L 10:35PM (6/06/2008)
not that it really matters to anyone apart from australians, but its Morris Iemma, not Morris Lemma.
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Mitchttj 12:35AM (6/07/2008)
I'm not sure why Holden hasn't implemented direct injections across the line, or at least on the upmarket v6 models. People are always criticising the current 3.6
The direct injections as per caddilac, have increased fuel efficiency, and significantly more power. It's win win.
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Phil Taylor 11:27AM (6/07/2008)
Typical of the lack of ideas 'Me Too' goverment we have here - they announce their policy after Holden had already made a statement that a Commodore hybrid would be available within a couple of years.
http://www.webwombat.com.au/motoring/news_reports/holden-hybrid.htm
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MarineJ 3:45PM (6/08/2008)
Hey on another note is Holden coming to the US? There is some video on youtube and the link goes to Holden.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoGuJMyQT4k
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