HSV brand to diversify, thrive post-Holden
Author: Sam Hall
Sydney Morning Herald
27th February 2014
http://smh.drive.com.au/motor-news/hsv- ... 33kk7.htmlNew fast-car boss says HSV’s future is bright beyond 2017.
It’s considered by cynics as a poisoned chalice: taking the mantle of a brand soon to lose its core appeal and, until now, reason for being.
But newly-appointed Holden Special Vehicles boss Tim Jackson is brimming with optimism about the brand’s potential in Australia well after Holden stops building V8-powered cars in 2017.
Jackson was on Wednesday appointed the new managing director of the fast-car division, taking over from Phil Harding after a four-year tenure as HSV’s marketing and product planning director. Harding will remain on the HSV board in a non-executive capacity, as well as working on key projects with parent company, the Walkinshaw Group.
Jackson, who has spent recent months helping to map out HSV’s future beyond 2017 – when Holden winds down its manufacturing operations – says prospects are bright for the 27-year-old brand.
“There’s lots of speculation around given Holden’s closure announcement but our job’s the same - we have to deliver great performance cars to the Australian public,” he said.
Jackson said he felt privileged to be at the helm of HSV through the upcoming transitional period, though he admitted the next phase will bring new challenges.
As Fairfax revealed on the day of Holden’s manufacturing announcement, HSV intends to continue its operations well into the future – though the make-up of its range is yet to be confirmed.
“It’s very exciting but it comes with a certain responsibility,” Jackson said.
“We’ve got a lot of passionate customers, a great dealer group – serving those people comes with great responsibility.
“Our job’s to deliver great products - that’s first and foremost - and the challenge is keeping everyone on target.”
Other than a run of modified Holden Astras and a limited batch of early model V6 Commodores, HSV’s bread and butter until now has been V8-powered sedans, wagons and utes.
The brand currently produces six V8 models which are based on the architecture and underpinnings of the VF Commodore. HSV's new top-range model released earlier this year, the HSV GTS, is the fastest, most powerful car produced in Australia.
Jackson said HSV would diversify from its current model line-up, but was reticent to say which direction the company would take.
With strong contractual links to Holden, HSV could potentially source General Motors vehicles from overseas, including American muscle variants from Chevrolet, or even European small cars like the Opel Astra OPC.
“We’re always cautious not to add to speculation.. People know us for doing great value performance cars, that’s what we plan to continue doing,” he said.
HSV currently employs about 140 staff across its manufacturing and engineering divisions, servicing a dealership network of 66 in Australia and New Zealand.
Jackson was hopeful of maintaining current employment levels at HSV’s Clayton assembly line and headquarters, as well preserving the widespread dealership network.
“It’s an exciting time for us,” he said.
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