commodore car manufactured australia new_zealand original model replaced long serving premier large cars developed australia rear wheel drive platform based smaller european design engineered australian conditions subsequent series larger culminating fourth generation commodore fully developed australia based platform initially introduced single body style range expanded include station wagon began branding flagship commodore model commodore introduced gaining independent nomenclature long derivatives commodore utility body variants followed generation architecture spawned body styles new utility launched officially door utility wheel drive crossover began official modification high performance variants commodore derivatives rivalry came predominantly locally built prior second generation commodore positioned class size falcon varying degrees competition came mid size offerings toyota australia australian federal government policy saw launch toyota version second generation commodore introduction generation implemented largest export programs involving commodore derivatives middle_east south_africa brazil commodore sold chevrolet high performance export versions followed north_america sold later chevrolet exported united_kingdom middle_east chevrolet special vehicles new_zealand singapore december announced cease local production committing use long standing commodore fifth generation fully imported replacement moving wheel drive platform generation introduced october development covered period effects oil crisis felt decided replace successful size new model line wanted new car smaller fuel efficient originally looked developing new project later dismissed replacement development looked providing foundations basing loosely cylinder senator constructed body platform change necessitated accommodate larger cylinder engines adopted commodore went use senator hybrid foundation new generation donor models series retained percent preceding interior space despite percent smaller overall dimensions percent larger commodore dropping class competitor smaller commodore fuel efficient seen major disadvantage effectively relinquished potential selling fleet taxi industries sales losses thought energy crisis saw australian oil prices rise percent putting substantial strain automotive industry collectively change development realised driven speed harsh australian roads effectively break half forced entire car local conditions resulting percent suspension accordingly modified ball steering replaced rack type modifications blew development costs expectations reported million figure close cost developing new model independently large sum consumed development programme left insufficient finances resource development wagon variant added commodore architecture considered unsuitable base utility long models left albeit levels luxury base desperate measures forced shape commodore end rear wagon wagon specific sheet metal imported germany wagon introduced july suffered inevitable component differences criticised early years quality problems evident poor trim panel fit problematic generation coupled mechanical water pump failure steering rack ensured claims high year face issues praised value money especially regards steering ride quality handling brakes securing wheels car year award significant change march engine upgrading specification painted blue known blue straight replaced red units fitted earlier cars changes included new port cylinder head designed chambers inlet exhaust new barrel electronic system changes surrounded implementation electronic revised cylinder head inlet design barrel variant changes brought improved efficiency increased aided response increasing oil prices cylinder variant spawned june displacing litres powerplant known effectively existing straight cylinders removed peak power output kilowatts rated newton metres lbf meant performance compromised reports indicate need push engine hard extract performance led real world fuel consumption similar straight emphasis fuel economy extended fuel consumption vacuum gauge replacing range optioned sports instrumentation package visual changes limited relocation corporate crest centre redesigned black coloured trim applied tail lamp surrounds model strips previously base car opening range new sub level car option model specified available fleet customers premium resurrected exterior paint option available limited range dark light colour combinations according contemporary reviews changes steering produced heavier feel inclined revised suspension gave softer ride addressed concerns raised riding fully laden series commodore introduced september brought moderately updated frontal new guards facilitate horizontally end design changes worked produce longer wider look rear featured redesigned tail light clusters design borrowed models day design time nomenclature range superseded base model old level mid range remaining line variant wagons restricted redesigned wheels replacing original type black painted pillar wrap rear extensions wheel arches extended tail lamps license plate distinguished range topping variants new wheels initially short supply option received production mechanical specifications carried new speed manual transmission optional cylinder cylinder versions attempt improve sales figures engine spent considerable time improving performance efficiency modifications lift economy managed reduce fuel consumption percent released sports oriented commodore september briefly years prior series choice optional engines versions teamed speed manual transmission racing driver high performance outfit produced upgraded versions known group group group version available commonly configuration time series commodore sales beginning decline cylinder engine carried trace roots longer competitive continual improvements commodore rival meant significantly fuel efficient better performing despite smaller size curtailed absence major revisions time lack visual departure original deal influx mid size presented comparable interior volume lower fuel consumption commodore point sales strong initially fuel prices buyers away commodore larger falcon overtook commodore australia car time representing major change original model introduced window opposed previous window design commodore appear larger revised design helped stimulate sales totalled years end monetary sales initially popular quality issues series commercial vehicle range statesman luxury models starting age origins compared ford modern falcon models new names trim levels introduced air conditioning automatic transmission replacing replacing blue straight engine replaced black specification gaining computer controlled system versions optional electronic fuel injection power output kilowatts engine continued power high specification variants new group racing rules new unit cut predecessor weight kilograms models fitted upgraded braking system high oil prices thing past decided drop cylinder limited new_zealand marking high point terms sales series sold record numbers finally managing private sector represented substantial mid size designers distanced commodore away origins lines outer body incorporating subtle tail thorough redesign nose saw commodore gain narrow shallower specification employed unique partially concealed stage year old cylinder thoroughly difficult engineer comply pending standards introduction fuel led sign deal japan import engine good idea australian dollar strong viable prospect expensive public quickly accepted controversial reports emerged improvements percent gain power percent better economy version black straight optional appeared months later lifted power output kilowatts october edition engine publicised originally planned spare engineering expense converting public outcry persuaded new_zealand available cylinder engine suffered common build quality problems poor sealing lead water awkward packaging low coupled decision cross flow opposed flow installed equivalent meant cylinder engine especially susceptible cracked cylinder heads problem displayed shares engine car safety ratings published found generation provide worse average level safety protection event accident second generation commodore subsequent second generation models took larger senator new time floor plan widened stretched matching rival size continuing financial meant wider body narrow carry chassis components bid save development costs succeeding models commodore known simply range expanded include utility variant given model designation built longer platform shared station wagon luxury statesman released earlier year time rival plagued initial quality issues reputation buyers embraced helping recover post operating profit million team wheels magazine awarded car year second commodore model receive award changes relative values australian dollar japanese financially impractical continue regarded engine instead manufactured engine based design adapted remained optional received power boost kilowatts courtesy multi point fuel injection known new praised performance fuel efficiency time family engine offered export markets including new_zealand singapore sold accompanying changes engines speed automatic transmission replaced speed manual series update appeared september featuring revised engine known internally update came power rising kilowatts kilowatts unsuccessful model sharing arrangement government reforms saw formation alliance toyota australia began selling badge engineered versions commodore manufactured sold toyota named designer yacht won america cup original offered station wagon body forms levels trim base available engine automatic transmission combination update featured changes mechanical visible pull motor similar revised engines carried straight engine previously available new_zealand discontinued exterior changes included translucent base level executive colour coded updated tail lights boot changes different model having grey stripes stripes semi trailing arm independent rear suspension standard option lower end models lieu live rear axle improving ride handling new wider track introduced address issues previous carried chassis components august anti lock brakes introduced option trim levels later optional series variants january update included colour coded executive wheels commodore pattern model tended follow commodore model cycle pioneered new specification designations csi newport future updates use new naming system badge engineering scheme ceased commodore model onwards unique end treatments represented major second generation architecture leaving doors roof untouched approximately percent car new comparison preceding model exterior changes brought overall body wheel arches twin kidney commodore trait remained model remains permanent staple variants day rear end treatment saw raised tail lights implemented safety reasons driver introduced option australian built car safety features anti lock brakes independent rear suspension available new electronic automatic transmission driver cruise control features packaged new acclaim specification level family oriented safety entry level executive strong focus safety seen findings accident provide worse average level protection updated models found provide better average level safety protection issued series revision september bringing warning fuel level changes latest revision engine fitted featuring rolling element valve rocker arms increased compression changes combined deliver increase power kilowatts improvement noise vibration levels wheels magazine awarded commodore car year commodore served mechanical update destined maintain sales momentum arrival new model extent exterior changes amounted little redesigned logo wheel overhauled version engine coincided changes engine united_states engine packed percent power total kilowatts cut fuel consumption percent increased compression ratio improved engine previous rough characteristics new engine modified version automatic transmission improving throttle response gear changes series update june included elliptical turn signals interior introduction engine selected trim levels introduction new manual transmission new engine existing engines lineup officially rated kilowatts kilowatts sold toyota toyota ended model sharing scheme built model sold new_zealand similar specification sold new_zealand featured standard commodore body end degree engine sold small numbers malaysia singapore generation looked germany donor platform proposal vehicle width mechanical setup local conditions early days considered adopting save engines investigated existing architecture later spawned new generation statesman based long wagons went far iconic 1960s 1970s prototype presented sydney motor heralded semi trailing arm independent rear suspension standard range significant selling point rival falcon increased electronics terms suspension original design simplified removing toe control links standard equipment european consequently afflicted excessive tyre wear suspension angle toe heavy load heavy travelling surfaces notably performance arm added toe control link flagship model series update replaced engine new generation iii sourced united_states kilowatts original version receive power upgrades kilowatts time commodore finally replaced related generation kilowatts safety wise option acclaim higher models onset parent company interested incorporating left hand drive commodore lineup manifested unveiling concept car idea ultimately abandoned pressures north american automotive trade unions retain local production funded project allowed enter range left hand export markets began commodore rapid expansion parts middle_east south_africa brazil chevrolet home market series awarded wheels car year award fourth award commodore history found ready acceptance market buyers steered away slow selling best selling commodore date place number australian sales wagon range comprised base fleet package commodore acclaim family safety package luxury package sport luxury package limited editions included sydney olympic version 50th anniversary based better equipped executive models wheels climate control update featured revised design rear tail lamp panel replaced separate light assemblies conversely luxury oriented continued width boot lid panel incorporating registration plate tail lamps series formed basis new designated series earlier utility models instead entitled commodore utility updated series launched early featuring revised rear suspension system equipped toe control links address issues series spawned production version launched allowing commence exports united_states sold safety played substantial role development model anti lock brakes standard variants australian manufactured car traction control available vehicles equipped manual transmission extensive research undertaken reduce effects impact collision modification pillars risk presented impact collision fitted reduced percent compared similarly specified model million mid cycle update represented major shift designers discarded rounded rear models adopting aggressive angular lines approach applied interior design orphaned favour angular symmetrical design plastic dominated façade centre console stack high end models received fold cup holders borrowed fellow subsidiary turned german electronics manufacturer source audio systems arrangement remains place today engineering wise kept changes low key revised steering system suspension tuning changes handling precision improvements generation iii engine produce peak power kilowatts sports variants bid recapture market low cost high performance cars created new specification level based entry level executive inherited mechanical package luxury appointments sold lower price experimented releasing limited edition wagon version high performance variant built series update added bar standard claimed increase handling trend update raised power kilowatts amendments remaining models confined new wheels taken sports luxury persona opposed luxury character seen previous models turn affected standing second tier model sole luxury model overshadowed expensive coinciding models door utility model dubbed body structure somewhat unique shared fair common door launched system developed platform dubbed cost million unveiled series updates application controlled system raised wagon crossover system available combination automatic transmission chose spend extra engineering resources adapting system replaced upcoming model unfortunately fell short expected sales despite modest targets final chapter generation series debuting new series engines known kilowatts kilowatts versions engine offered later upgraded kilowatts respectively model compared previous engines benefits increased power output fuel efficiency new engines new speed automatic transmission luxury variants new speed manual transmission cylinder sports variant long serving speed automatic carried variants albeit attempt address complaints new generation engine added range january comply euro iii standards compared american version variable valve timing removed affected new standards saw peak output reduced kilowatts new introduced new safety features electronic stability control brake assist evaluation found provide better average level protection event accident models significantly better average crash test results rate fourth generation lower offset frontal impact test generation overall crash score marginally higher outgoing model improved impact protection fourth generation launched abandonment european rear drive commodore model designed entirely australia opposed based adapted sourced platform given high public expectations quality budget developing car reportedly exceeded billion new developed platform features sophisticated independent suspension round near weight distribution leading improved handling engines largely carried previous model new speed automatic transmission introduced variants replacing old speed automatic relegated base models design new model included innovative features help export costs symmetrical centre console houses flush fitting hand brake facilitate conversion left hand drive internationally commodore badge engineered chevrolet new export market united_states discontinued brand variants performance arm released soon debut followed long statesman models enter production whilst began production july release awarded wheels car year fifth commodore model late changes including addition passenger reminder system modifications allowed range upgraded stages dependent model star safety rating september update commodore platform introduces new standard engine version reserved variants standard transmission speed automatic replacing speed models speed higher luxury levels speed manual available sport models claims new provide better fuel economy smaller cylinder cars version rated imp economy tests performed organisations yielded varying results released series major difference saw introduction system centre mounted display provides navigation controls stereo small alterations minor changes present major overhaul officially revealed february melbourne body shell suspension platform thoroughly reworked reduce weight improving handling fuel efficiency changes model line merged standard variant represented smallest share sales commodore line base model renamed evoke standard features commodore range includes rear parking sensors reverse camera auto park assist high specifications models models feature standard forward reverse collision alert system colour heads display possible thanks electronics compatible developed cars resulting new commodore cheaper manufacture recommended retail reduced range base model day australian range reveal lead weekend powerful better equipped export version debut florida profile united_states replaced nascar silhouette chevrolet series update launched late introducing minor revisions biggest change arrival entire range addition gear suspension tune revised fifth generation initial speculation followed announcement intention cease local australian production suggested commodore fully imported replacement based vehicle designed built china chinese market january automotive journalists claimed commodore replacement local adaptation generation imported europe january confirmed commodore badge inherited fully imported replacement decision basis survey revealing majority customers favour retaining long standing australian badge introduced november fifth generation commodore believed version generation presented month los_angeles australian export models late 1990s sent abroad middle_east south_africa chevrolet brazil sales began versions previously exported mid-1990s southeast_asia north_america june sold north_america chevrolet chevrolet sold middle_east south_africa previously version based sold middle_east offered different comes standard speed automatic transmission speed comes standard option active fuel management speed manual standard option speed automatic luxury model models focused exports middle_east ceased models sold south_africa received updates model year changes introduced coincide release series commodore changes include revised number plate boot lid wheel designs system model introduced sold south_africa australian production australian production commodore launched initially spread plants august announced million program enable assembly commodore range plant resulted closure plant year later australian production commodore consolidated elizabeth coinciding launch new commodore commodore derivatives basis modified variants companies separate officially performance partner prominent high performance brands include specialized vehicles fourth generation commodore respectively december announced cease production commodore australia followed december project involving belgian entrepreneur plans involve buying production facilities view continue producing australia range premium vehicles based platform local export sales company supplies automatic powered models australia sales
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