Simcoe to lobby for V8 muscle car’s Aussie visa.

NEWLY appointed boss of General Motors Global Design, Australian Mike Simcoe, has vowed to support a push for affordable V8-powered rear-drive performance for Holden after the locally built Commodore expires at the end of 2017.

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Simcoe confirmed executives from both Holden and regional overseer GM International have approached him for lobbying help on the subject when he gets to the halls of power in Detroit.

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“If you’re asking about a rear-wheel-drive performance V8 … I understand the things this market needs so I will certainly help wherever I can,” Simcoe told Wheels. “Some people at Holden have already asked the question.”

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Attention is now clearly being paid to the Mustang’s success outside its traditional markets. At last month’s New York motor show, Camaro chief engineer Al Oppenheiser told Australian media that, while GM was aware of the Mustang’s success, no decision has been made about RHD.

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As the father of the modern Monaro and VE Commodore, Mike Simcoe’s rise to the head of GM Global Design has been punctuated with stunning, emotive vehicles.