Onslaught of global Holden products by 2020

Holden is preparing 24 new models by 2020 as it replaces one of the oldest vehicle line-ups in the Australian car industry.

The ageing fleet was a side effect of parent General Motors halting development of new models in the grip of the Global Financial Crisis.

But now GM is back on track and spending big on new metal, the bulk of them due in 2017 and beyond.

Here is a list of the global cars Holden is planning for Australia in the lead up to and after the end of local manufacturing in 2017.

Spark

It might be a tiny city car, but this in fact is a big sign of things to come. The new generation Spark (Holden will drop the "Barina" from the name) is completely new from the ground up. It was designed in the US, will be built in South Korea and had finishing touches added by Holden engineers in Australia. It's due early next year as Holden's budget buster, starting at less than $15,000.

Barina

Holden is likely to replace the Barina with the next-generation model rather than source the Opel Corsa from Europe. Currency will weigh against the Corsa in the cut-throat small car market. The current Barina is already one of the roomiest cars in its class; the next model will improve on the current car's Achilles heel: weight and thirst.

Astra hatch

The Holden Astra returned to Australia earlier this year after the 11-month experiment with the General Motors Opel brand didn't work out. But Holden deliberately only imported a handful of models. In the second half of next year it will take a full range of new-generation Astra hatchbacks, about the same time as local Cruze production is expected to end, 12 months ahead of the Commodore shutdown. An Astra wagon is also a possibility.

Cruze sedan

There is a new generation Cruze in the works and it has already been unveiled in the US. The Australian version will look slightly different and is due in late 2016 or early 2017.

Colorado ute

We won't get the tough-looking US version of the Chevrolet Colorado after all. But we are getting a heavily revised version of the current pick-up. The Colorado was one of the vehicles that suffered due to drastic cost cutting and delays during the GFC. It is aiming to rectify some of the shortcomings with a bolder look and a better driving experience. If Holden can maintain the Colorado's sharp pricing with a better truck it will have a winner on its hands.

Buick Enclave

We're not sure what it will be called yet. Will Holden revive the Adventra name or will this seven-seater wear the Captiva or Enclave badges? All we know is that the Buick Enclave (a rival to the Toyota Kluger) is the first of up to three SUV options to come to Holden from the US, showing that General Motors is serious about building more of its US models in right-hand-drive. The Enclave is about two years away.

Opel van

Holden hasn't had a full size van since the Isuzu Shuttle in 1987. The Opel van is an identical twin to the Renault Trafic. And given that Renault has already gone through the approval process to meet Australian requirements, all Holden needs to do is fit its own badges and print some brochures. Holden would likely outsell the Renault van sibling because of its vastly bigger dealer network (225 Holden dealers versus 51 for Renault).

Corvette

The Chevrolet Camaro muscle car about to be released in the USA is not coming to Australia — despite what you may have read elsewhere, and the desire for people inside Holden to import it. At least not this model. It has not been developed for right-hand-drive. We may get the next Camaro after this one, after 2020. Instead, Holden's performance flagship will be the iconic Corvette, dubbed "America's Ferrari". There is just one catch: it'll be close to or in excess of $100,000. Suddenly a V8 Commodore for $45,000 is exceptional bang for your bucks.