Holden keeps Commodore in Supercars through 2021 despite road car axe

The struggling manufacturer confirmed that it will focus its road car sales programme on the SUV and light commercial segments, axing the Commodore and Astra from its line-up.

The Commodore has been a staple of Australian motoring for more than 40 years, the family four-door locally produced for the majority of its lifetime.

Only the current Commodore is a re-badged import, the ZB built by Opel in Germany.

The car has also been a regular fixture in Australian motorsport, the VB Commodore debuting in the Australian Touring Car Championship in 1980.

Holden confirmed it will make good on a two-year factory commitment made earlier this year despite the changing road car portfolio.

The brand is also not ruling out continuing its Supercars programme beyond 2021 as well, when the new Gen3 regulations will be introduced.

"Holden recently re-committed to racing in Supercars through until the end of 2021, and that will happen with the currently homologated ZB Commodore race car," read a Holden statement.

"Racing is a strong part of Holden's brand identity and we will assess our options as Supercars continues to evolve its rules for the next generation of cars currently due to be introduced in 2022."

Triple Eight currently operates as the factory team and official Holden homologator in Supercars, while the other Holden teams - Erebus Motorsport, Brad Jones Racing, Walkinshaw Andretti United, Team 18, Matt Stone Racing and Tekno Autosports - receive a modest support package including parts and access to road cars.

The Commodore has been beaten the last two years by Scott McLaughlin and the Ford-based DJR Team Penske squad, which introduced the Mustang this year which dominated the series.