VE Commodore: USA exports two years away

EXPORTS of the VE Commodore to North America are at least two years away because further airbag testing is needed for the VE Commodore to properly meet US regulations.

GoAuto understands that unbelted crash-test dummy procedures have not yet been undertaken for the VE Commodore or WM Statesman/Caprice cars.

This is a mandatory test for all cars sold in North America. The US 5mph-bumper resistance test is another that has yet to be completed.

Holden boss Denny Mooney revealed at the VE’s launch that a left-hand drive Statesman and Commodore SS were in America for an internal GM meeting.

Engineering director Tony Hyde said: "I put a fair degree of importance on it this time around. We are hopeful that when they drive them, they will think about having them. If they like a certain vehicle then there might be a potential for that vehicle to be (exported)."