wtf - Holden reduces GVM rating of Colorado 7

[Dignity]

Just got a letter from Holden and they tell me that new compliance plates need to be fitted as the GVM has now been reduced from 3150kg to 2820kg, this is just over 10%. How the hell does this happen, does that mean my AGM and CVM now changes, will be calling them tomorrow as there was no other information.

Also got another recall notice, 2 of the middle seats can't be used until replaced, happy to comply except they want the vehicle for 2 weeks, mind you they will give me a replacement vehicle, the best they can do is a Craptiva, won't tow the big boat, won't have roof racks for the yak, and cant be used on the beach. 2 bloody weeks, what is going on here, anyone know what's happening, just waiting for no 3 recall 😨

[scottar]

Tell them that with the reduction in GVM the vehicle is no longer fit for purpose and had you known, you would not have even considered it and that if they can not get it engineered you will be either returning it for a refund or starting legal action.

[Dignity]

Thanks Scottar, many of those thoughts were on my mind. I m certainly not happy about the situation, also will be interested why they want 2 weeks to change some seat fittings especially as I had planned a trip to Fraser shortly with my daughter and some of her friends, could cause serious legal repurcussions if I m involved in an accident. Interestingly the dealer I enquired with said they hadn't had anyone else enquire, I suspect the 2 weeks turnover scared them off.

Back to the GVM I'll male enquiries elsewhere to see where I stand.

[gofishin]

Applying such a specification change 'retrospectively' is very poor form, and could lead to all sorts of legal challenges as Scotty has mentioned.

Potentially, you now can't legally use the car the same way as you did/planned to etc, and one could easily argue that the value has dropped as a result, because it might very well matter a lot to the person who would otherwise have bought the car 2nd hand off you when the time comes.

I say 'potentially' because some might not care/never tow anything, and only use it for 2 adults 4 young kids and a dog... but others might have bought it to tow 2.95t, with 4 adults or 2+2 big kids, plus gear etc... One or two of them now has to walk/run beside the car!

LT or LTZ model Sam, and did they also reduce the GCM?
Cheers
Brendon

[Dignity]

Brendon, there letter only refers to GVM, is GCM what I refer to as CVM. I'm surprised I haven't heard about either of the above two recalls being mentioned elsewhere.

I will get back with their response hopefully tomorrow.

[ozynorts]

Just had a look at the Holden website and the info on there states that the GVM is 2820kg and GCVW is 5700. Would have to go out to the car to see if this is any different. Could it just be a case of the labels being printed with the wrong info on it?
https://www.holden.com.au/Satellite?blobcol=urldata&blobkey=id&blobtable=MungoBlobs&blobwhere=1237419399903&ssbinary=true&blobheader=application/pdf

[gofishin]

GCM is the correct acronym Sam, Gross Combination Mass, i.e. the maximum allowable total mass of the car + boat hitched together, both loaded with whatever gear/people, but each not allowed to exceed their own GVM or ATM/GTM ratings.

Yes I know, way too many acronyms hey! [emoji1]

[ozynorts]

GCM is the correct acronym Sam, Gross Combination Mass,

Holden likes to call that one GCVW just to be different.

[Dignity]

Just had a look at the Holden website and the info on there states that the GVM is 2820kg and GCVW is 5700. Would have to go out to the car to see if this is any different. Could it just be a case of the labels being printed with the wrong info on it?
https://www.holden.com.au/Satellite?blobcol=urldata&blobkey=id&blobtable=MungoBlobs&blobwhere=1237419399903&ssbinary=true&blobheader=application/pdf
Intresting, I will need to go back and see if I have the details from when I researched the vehicle.

[scottar]

Check your manual in the specifications section

[gofishin]

Holden likes to call that one GCVW just to be different.That's the problem Ozy, everyone dreams up their own names/acronyms, but they all should be using the ones as defined by the Australian Design Rules, commonly referred to as ADR's.
Cheers

Edit: I recall there maybe one common term they don't provide an ADR definition & acronym for - maybe this is it, hence why it has so many different names/acronyms everywhere you read. I have a list somewhere, will check it out.

[ozynorts]

Just found this site that allows you to look up any make and model and the info on there is the same as the Holden site.
http://www.caradvice.com.au/compare-specs/s9915a-holden-colorado-7/

[ozynorts]

Check your manual in the specifications section

Have done that and there is no mention of GCM..

[ozynorts]

And here is a review from July 2015 of the Colorado 7 and the specs quoted there are what is on the Holden site so perhaps the cheap labour force in Thailand printed the wrong figures on these.
http://www.tradeboats.com.au/trailerboat-news/features/1507/holden-colorado-7-ltz-review/

[3rd degree]

It's misrepresentation. Office of Fair Trading will get the ball rolling...

Cheers

jim

[Feral]

Write back and politely say "no thank you you are happy with it the way it is"

[Dignity]

And here is a review from July 2015 of the Colorado 7 and the specs quoted there are what is on the Holden site so perhaps the cheap labour force in Thailand printed the wrong figures on these.
http://www.tradeboats.com.au/trailerboat-news/features/1507/holden-colorado-7-ltz-review/
Thanks for that, I will pull my head in on the GVM but will still be interested in the 2 week turnaround to fix the seats.

[hainsofast]

That is why you don't buy a holden.

[Dignity]

It's misrepresentation. Office of Fair Trading will get the ball rolling...

Cheers

jim
Jim, Ive had several dealings with OOFT and it can take up to 5 weeks before being contacted by them as someone has to be assigned to the problem, then negotiate with the other party and then finally get back to you, nowhere in between do they seem to want to talk to you first and as your issue generally needs to be put in writing this is a to me a real problem. My last issue was unsatisfactory as they supplier provided evidence that was contrary to email advice, Newspaper and TV adverts which I supplied in full. I have had success with them but it is only small issues that they seem to be able to advise on but dealing with major companies like car manufacturers etc they do very little and I have no faith in them progressing the problem.

[Dignity]

That is why you don't buy a holden.

Thought of a Toyota but so overpriced and as with all other manufacturers have similar issues, eg airbags etc

[Dignity]

Update:
GVM issue: Holden was unable to advise why there was a mix up in the GVM but said that all other figures were correct. I did ask for the details and the response was that the technical engineers said that the other figures didn't change, I did ask for specifics but they weren't willing to tell me. The manual is also pretty usseles as it only gives the load weight ie passengers etc and bugger all else in the technical data, maybe its hidden elsewhere but not happy about it.

Seat issue: It appears that the seats have to be sent to Melbourne to be modified which is why there is a 2 weeks turnaround. My issue is I towed a large boat, a tinnie and have roof racks for a kayak as well as the need to go to Fraser with there being no window of opportunity to be without these functions for 2 weeks as there are other trips planned. Avis is the supplier of replacement vehicles but until I actually book it in for recall I cant be advised of what I will get or what the conditions will be e.g. driving on beach or off road. No wonder none of the dealers I've spoken to have had to deal with this as most people would find it a most awkward situation.

In the end I think I will book a cruise somewhere for a couple of weeks with the boss and do it that way, and I hate cruising especially sea days as there isn't much to do except drink.

[gofishin]

And here is a review from July 2015 of the Colorado 7 and the specs quoted there are what is on the Holden site so perhaps the cheap labour force in Thailand printed the wrong figures on these.
http://www.tradeboats.com.au/trailerboat-news/features/1507/holden-colorado-7-ltz-review/ Yep, I reckon Ozy is on to it here, as when you look at the actual figures in Ozy's link, & do the math, 2820kg GVM is not relatively overly restrictive than any other current 3 -3.5t tow tractor - and is in fact the same as it was in this article for the 2014MY truck (2210kg kerb mass + 610kg load capacity = 2820kg) = GVM as now .... so nothing has really changed.

If you have 300kg on the ball and tow a 3t rig, you are only left with 310kg for people and cargo in the car - but again, not too bad considering other tow tractors.

So unless the original sales brochures/specs mentioned the greater (incorrect??) GVM, you can breathe easy Sam... well at least about this part [emoji6]
Cheers
Brendon