HSV Goes Into Singapore

Consumers outside Australia have been mourning the loss of HSV cars since UK shipments of the E2 range were terminated almost a year ago. Now Singaporeans have a reason to celebrate, with Holden Special Vehicles having signed an export contract with Singapore.

The new VEII Commodore-based E3 range will be showcased in a new "world-class" showroom set up by Harvest Automobiles of Singapore. A celebration at the Singapore’s Changi Exhibition Centre will mark the release of HSV's model range. Among the attendees of the festive event will be Australia’s high commissioner to Singapore, Doug Chester. A purpose-built track at the Changi Exhibition Centre will host driver training exercises and passenger rides the following day, under supervision of V8 Supercar stars Garth Tander and Greg Murphy.

“We have taken the opportunity to launch the brand properly in the Singaporean market and we are excited by the support from the Australian high commissioner and his staff, as well as the world class facility that the Changi Exhibition Centre represents,” said Darren Bowler, sales executive at HSV.

The number of vehicles involved in the export deal has not been disclosed by HVS nor Harvest, but Harvest Automobiles executive Daniel Au said the first shipment of HSVs was sold out, and HSV could be expecting a sales figure of up to 50 units per year, in spite of high taxes on car sales.

“I have long been familiar with Holden Special Vehicles and when we were looking at expanding our line-up of brands I felt it was a great opportunity,” said Mr Au. “I am very confident that the car culture of Singapore will be very excited about this niche offering and I have already sold my first allocation of vehicles," he added.