Rumorpile: Corvette and Camaro RHD Programs Are Go

[William Maley]

Those who crave a V8 model from Holden might not need to wait too long after the current Commodore finishes its run. Motoring has learned from sources that GM has given the go-ahead on sending the next-generation Corvette and current Camaro to Australia.

The Corvette, which the report states will be the mid-engine model - will come as a right-hand drive model from the factory. The Camaro is a bit of a different story, however.

According to Motoring, the Camaro will be converted to right-hand drive via conversion process done by Walkinshaw Group - the people behind Holden Special Vehicles (HSV). Walkinshaw Group boss Ryan Walkinshaw and HSV's Tim Jackson were lobbying GM to back this project for a bit and it seems their efforts may have paid off. Mark Reuss, Executive Vice President of GM's global development and former head of Holden is said to be a fan of this project.

Why did Walkinshaw want GM's backing? This will give them discount pricing on Camaros they bring in. The report says Walkinshaw is aiming for sub-$90,000 AUD (about $71,000) pricetag for a high-spec SS version. 

Holden and HSV Dealers have been allegedly told about this plan.

HSV declined to comment on this report, but sources say an announcement is imminent. 

This could be only for the current generation Camaro. As reported back in March, GM is working on a right-drive version of the next-generation Camaro - due in 2021.

Source: Motoring.com.au

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[David]

Wonder how much work is involved in ripping out the dash and pedals and reworking the auto to be right side driven? Seems this would be expensive and not worth it, but then the prices being paid there are crazy high too.

[Robert Hall]

One would think the floorpan and firewall stampings would be different, along w/ changes to the steering rack, etc.    

[David]

1 minute ago, Cubical-aka-Moltar said:

One would think the floorpan and firewall stampings would be different, along w/ changes to the steering rack, etc.    

Exactly, so are they going to cut out the floor area and weld in the type that is needed along with the fire wall? Seems a half ass job in my mind and not worth it from a price standpoint.

[Robert Hall]

It's funny that the cars weren't designed with LHD and RHD from the beginning...the German and Japanese car makers build RHD and LHD versions of models every day, a standard procedure.  It seems short-sighted not to develop new product to support both *if* it is intended to be a global product...

[smk4565]

Why not design the Camaro and all other alpha platform cars to be right and left hand drive?  Like every German car, every Toyota, etc.  Makes sense to sell them in Australia as they need any sale volume they can get as coupe sales drop.

[riviera74]

1 hour ago, Cubical-aka-Moltar said:

It's funny that the cars weren't designed with LHD and RHD from the beginning...the German and Japanese car makers build RHD and LHD versions of models every day, a standard procedure.  It seems short-sighted not to develop new product to support both *if* it is intended to be a global product...

Maybe it was not intended to be a global product initially.  Perhaps the next-gen Camaro will be meant for both LHD and RHD.