Holden ECOmmodore

The Holden ECOmmodore is a hybrid concept variant of the Holden VT Commodore, developed by Holden in conjunction with the CSIRO. [ [http://www.fastlane.com.au/News/Holden_ECOmmodore.htm ECOmmodore is Australia’s first ‘green’ car] ] It was powered by a 2.0 litre four-cylinder petrol engine combined with an electric motor running on lead-acid batteries. It now resides in the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney, Australia

It was first unveiled at the Melbourne International Motor Show in May 2000, and in 2001 it made appearances at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit and the Hannover Trade Fair.

It was also used as the VIP car during the 2000 Summer Olympics Torch Relay. It never actually went into full production, but only remained as a concept.

Currently (more than seven years after the original concept was unveiled) the ECOmmodore remains little more that a marketing concept with the company preferring to bring out larger and even more powerful ICE vehicles.

There have however been reports that Holden is going to release a hybrid version of the Holden VE Commodore by 2010 in order to boost sales and export potential [ [http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=52633 Hybrid Commodores by 2010] , Toby Hagon, Drive.com.au, May 19, 2008. Accessed June 28, 2008.]

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