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09/08/2005: "End of the Line for Monaro"

Vauxhall is axing its mighty Aussie-based Monaro after just two years. The move is the result of fellow GM company Holden halting production of the super-saloon Down Under. Supply of Vauxhall versions will stop next spring.

Holden is parent firm GM's leading rear-wheel-drive chassis developer, and the factory space currently occupied by the Monaro production line is needed for other, more profitable projects.
More than 400 of the V8 sports saloons have been sold in Britain since the car's launch in March 2004. Initially, only the 354bhp 5.7-litre version was available, but a 382bhp 6.0-litre VXR flagship followed shortly after.

A Vauxhall spokesman said: "The introduction of the Monaro was designed to kick-start the VXR brand." Monaros leave Australia bound for the UK each year, and there is said to be enough in the pipeline to cope with demand until next April. However, any bargain hunters are likely to be disappointed: due to the limited availability, prices are set to remain at £29,895 for the standard model and £36,995 for the VXR version.

A total of 400 Monaros are still due to arrive here, 350 of which will be the hot performance model. Vauxhall has hinted that a replacement for the Monaro may eventually come from the current Holden line-up. This is likely to be another V8-powered, sporty saloon, such as the Calais or Commodore SS. These feature the same 5.7-litre engine as the outgoing car, but at the moment they remain available only in Australia.

(this article was taken from autoexpress.co.uk)