Holden Commodore export deal could seed parts imports

The Holden-built hero will begin shipping soon from Adelaide and goes on sale as the home-grown Commodore in April across Australia. We've already revealed the SS-V that is closest to the new American muscle car, as well as the news that buyers in the USA will pay a fair amount less for their car than people at home.

The first official pictures of the export SS Performance confirm the car has a number of different body bits, as well as signature 'bowtie' Chevy badges, which will appeal to Commodore owners who want to make their car just a little bit different. I've lost count of the number of Commodores I've seen over the years, mostly utes and dual-cab Crewman pick-ups, with their Holden badges ripped off and replaced by Chevrolet items.

This time around, Chevrolet has already delivered even-better bragging rights through a first-up NASCAR win and pole position at the Daytona 500 with its SS - a spot taken by Danica Patrick in a landmark success for women drivers everywhere. It's all adding up to an irresistible bait for buyers who can get their hands on the Chevy badges and bits.

I've already seen the enthusiasm for the Chevrolet connection with a number of tasty offers for a Chevrolet SS tee shirt that I got at the early press review of the NASCAR racer. Not that I intend to part with a piece of history ...

It might take a while before the latest SS badges are available, but I have a friend who has tapped into the demand for wide-angle VE Commodore door mirrors, bringing the bits back during business trips to the USA. Mark Reuss, the former head of Holden who now leads General Motors in the USA, also sees the potential for a bit of back-trading on the badges and body bits once the VF is ready for the road and a bit of customisation.

"Why didn't I think of that? It could be a good business," he laughs when I mention the potential for a bit of reverse exporting.

This reporter is on Twitter @paulwardgover