Holden Commodore Facts for Kids

The Holden Commodore was a popular car made by Holden, an Australian car company. It was a medium-sized car, often called a "saloon" or "sedan," which means it had four doors and a separate boot. Holden made the Commodore for a very long time, from 1978 all the way to 2020. It was one of Australia's most famous cars!

The Beginning: 1970s and 1980s
- Growing Up: VC and VH Models
- New Styles: VK and VL Series
The VN and VP Era: Late 1980s and Early 1990s
- Partnerships: Toyota Lexcen
Modern Look: VR, VS, and VT Series
- A Big Step: VT Commodore
Into the New Millennium: VX, VY, and VZ Models
- Global Reach: Other Countries
The Final Generations: VE, VF, and ZB
- The Last Australian-Made Commodore
- The End of an Era: ZB Commodore
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The Beginning: 1970s and 1980s

The first Holden Commodore, called the VB series, came out in 1978. It was designed to be a bit smaller and more fuel-efficient than previous large Australian cars. This was important because petrol prices were rising. People could choose from different models, like the SL, SL/E, and the sporty SS.

Growing Up: VC and VH Models

After the VB, Holden released the VC Commodore in 1980. This version had some small updates to its look and engines. Then came the VH series in 1981. These cars continued to be popular family vehicles. They were known for being strong and reliable.

New Styles: VK and VL Series

In 1984, the VK Commodore arrived with a fresh, more modern look. It had a new front and rear design. The VL Commodore, released in 1986, was a big change. It used a new engine from Nissan, a Japanese car company. This engine helped the VL Commodore perform even better. The VL also had a very popular high-performance version called the VL Walkinshaw.

The VN and VP Era: Late 1980s and Early 1990s

The VN Commodore, launched in 1988, was a much larger car than its predecessors. It was wider and had more space inside. This made it even more comfortable for families. Holden also made a luxury version called the Calais.

Partnerships: Toyota Lexcen

During this time, Holden had a partnership with Toyota. This meant that Toyota sold a version of the Commodore called the Toyota Lexcen. It was basically the same car but with a Toyota badge. This helped both companies sell more cars. The VP Commodore followed in 1991, with minor updates to the VN design.

Modern Look: VR, VS, and VT Series

The VR Commodore, released in 1993, brought a much smoother and more rounded design. It looked very modern for its time. The VS series came out in 1995, with small improvements. These models were very popular and sold in huge numbers across Australia.

A Big Step: VT Commodore

In 1997, Holden launched the VT Commodore, which was a completely new design. It was even bigger and more spacious than the VN. The VT was a huge success and became one of the best-selling cars in Australian history. It had a strong V8 engine option for those who wanted more power.

Into the New Millennium: VX, VY, and VZ Models

The VX Commodore arrived in 2000, followed by the VY in 2002 and the VZ in 2004. These models continued the success of the VT. They received updates to their styling, safety features, and technology. Many people bought these Commodores as family cars or for work.

Global Reach: Other Countries

The Holden Commodore was not just sold in Australia. Versions of the car were also sold in other countries. For example, it was known as the Chevrolet Omega in Brazil and the Chevrolet Lumina in the Middle East. This showed how versatile and well-liked the car's design was.

The Final Generations: VE, VF, and ZB

The VE Commodore, launched in 2006, was another completely new design. It was designed entirely in Australia and was a very modern car. It was also sold in North America as the Pontiac G8 and later as the Chevrolet SS. In the UK, it was sold as the Vauxhall VXR8.

The Last Australian-Made Commodore

The VF Commodore, released in 2013, was the final version of the Commodore to be designed and built in Australia. It was a very advanced car with great performance and safety features. Many Australians felt a strong connection to this car because it was truly "Aussie-made."

The End of an Era: ZB Commodore

The very last Commodore, the ZB series, was introduced in 2018. This model was different because it was based on a European car and was imported, not made in Australia. It was available as a liftback (like a hatchback) and a wagon. Production of the Holden Commodore officially ended in 2020, marking the end of a long and important chapter in Australian car history.