Holden has confirmed that its much-anticipated new sports coupe is to bear the famous Monaro nameplate. For introduction
in late 2001, the stylish two-door Monaro is based on the same platform as today’s Holden Commodore.
As a design concept, the Holden Coupe created a sensation when it was unveiled at the Sydney International Motor Show
two years ago.
Its legendary predecessor - the first all-Australian sports coupe of its type, made an equally stunning debut back in
1968. During a nine-year reign and right up to the present day, the charismatic appeal of the striking,
performance-oriented Holden Monaro coupe won it lasting fame and thousands of admirers.
Ross McKenzie, Holden Australia’s Executive Director, Sales and Marketing, said strong public sentiment had influenced
the company’s decision to bring the Monaro name back to life.
“We went into the exercise with an open mind - one alternative was to simply call it the Coupe - but the case for
reviving the Monaro name became more persuasive as time went by,” he said.
“In a sense, the car named itself. Right from the beginning, the media and the man on the street insisted on referring
to our coupe concept design as a Monaro. After it was confirmed for production, we held consumer research clinics that
came out overwhelmingly in favour of the name. To men and women of all ages, Monaro directly equated to ‘large
Australian sports coupe’. In terms of sheer brand awareness, you can’t do much better than that.
“I should stress that the name of our new sports coupe is its only retrospective feature. In every sense, this will be
the 21st century Monaro - a car not only worthy of the name but one which will take it forward into a new era,” Ross
McKenzie concluded.
As documented in the Holden history book, ‘Heart of the Lion,’ the Monaro model name was suggested by Noel Bedford, a
member of Holden’s design staff in 1967. The word is of aboriginal origin, meaning a high plateau or high plain. The car
shares its famous name with the Monaro range, which is part of New South Wales’ Snowy Mountains as well as the Monaro
Shire district, located south of Canberra.
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Contact: Aalbert van Ham (09) 526 6619 (direct telephone line)
E-mail: aalbert.vanham@holden.co.nz
Editors’ footnote:
An illustration of the Coupe Design Study shown at the Sydney Motor Show is available - via E-mail, on request.
An illustration of the updated version of the Monaro badge is available - also via E-mail, on request.