What the argument should really be here is Holden and Ford vs Used car market vs Consumer and bang for buck. Allow me to elaborate... Poor build quality: not really. Bar a few exceptions (BA/BF rear bushes) i dont think the quality over the whole car is as bad as people make it out to be. Over priced: F#ck yes. Lets take the example of the mid range cars 25-45kish. What you get in locally produced cars in terms of quality and options for that amount you can have from an imported car for less money, People love to save money. And some of the korean stuff coming through lately acually looks quite good. Now, if the missus decides she wants an SUV, chances are youll be buying an imported one simply for the value for money. Or you will buy used. Jump on carsales and see what you can get for that price bracket.07' ML 320 anyone? CLK500? 06' porsche cayenne, VW tiguan 09'.......There is an assortment of euro stuff for little money considering what you get..... and you dont lose 10k as soon as you drive it away from the dealership. So over the last 5-8 years when people were paying out of their arses and/or over borrowing for houses because "if we buy this now and it doubles in price next year we are set" mentality or we need a 80' plasma because it exist, ze germans have been crafting some awsome automobiles, while our price of living skyrockets. This has left alot of people with not alot of money and since the banks have tightened the belt on lending this has led to uncertainty amongst people and left people with less cash at 'hand'. So you look at bang for buck when purchasing........... Now lets look at the high end car market. Above average joe has wants to spend 80-100k on a car. Now, if you have 100k for a car im sure you can spare some coin extra if need be. 100k for a HSV clubsport R8 brand new........lol. Although the FPV gt-p/gt-e are better priced and i think they're a good car... It simply came too late, the COYOTE motor should have been built in place of that anchor they called the BOSS (Basically built fom what they had lying around/ pre-existing parts). The damage was done, Holden had Ford by the balls and Ford pureists were weeping. If im going to spend 80-100k on a car i want the best car for my money. Id jump on carsales and see what options i have: R35 GTR? C63 anyone? how about saving a bit of cash and going for a w211 e55 AMG? Porsche........ Best of all i wont lose 15k the moment it rolls off the showroom and id be getting more car for my dollar. You see, the good stuff thats been getting built overseas is now trickling into our market at good prices and as weary consumers we want the best for our money. Some of our workers making a killing in manufacturing here have driven up the prices of our local cars, but because i bought a house that im going to "double my money on" and got the "mad plasma" and am getting ripped putting my kids through child care, ill stick with my cheaper options. Just my opinion Edit- Our dollar isnt helping but thats another issue..