Holden builds final Commodore export

HOLDEN has built its last ever export model in the form a US-spec Chevrolet SS as the brand continues the wind down of operations ahead of its planned local production closure date of October 20, 2017.

The final Australian-made Chevrolet SS to be built, a manual version finished in black, rolled out of Holden’s Elizabeth production line in South Australia earlier this week, bound for a customer in the US.

In fact, reports are indicating that the stateside customer requested their vehicle to be signed by manufacturing employees to mark the car’s special status – a wish that was happily obliged by Holden employees.

All exported versions are powered by a 6.2-litre LS3 V8 – the same engine in the Chevrolet C6 Corvette – producing 309kW of power and 563Nm of torque.

While the Chevrolet SS was a critical success with US media, Australia’s favourite rear-drive V8 sedan never caught on commercially.

The final exported Chevrolet SS takes the total US-spec VF Commodores to 12,953 since the program first began in 2013, while the previous-generation VE Commodore was also offered as the Pontiac G8 between 2007 and 2009, totalling around 40,000 units.

Holden also exported its Caprice, which was brought to the States to serve as a police pursuit vehicle, as well as its Monaro coupe, rebranded as the Pontiac GTO once stateside.