GMC Acadia goes to Australia as Holden

US Automotive Giant Moves Down: Meet Holden Acadia.

Holden will launch — literally — its biggest assault on the family SUV market when the US auto industry giant makes its way to Down Under for the first time.

The all-new GMC Acadia, a full-size, seven-seat SUV made in North America, is coming to Australia to fill the void left by the departure of archrival Ford Territory and close the gap to luxury SUVs that keep posting. record sales.

In a top-secret meeting at Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena, Holden told his national dealer network that the GMC Acadia would arrive in Australia around the same time Holden's factory goes silent at the end of 2017.

It is one of 24 new import models due to fill Holden's showrooms by 2020.

A Holden badge will replace the GMC logo on the large chrome grille, but the model will most likely be called the American Acadia.

Dealers were told it would rank above the Captiva in a lineup that itself was overdue for replacement.

The Acadia will be available with the latest technology including pedestrian detection with automatic emergency braking, 360-degree bird's-eye cameras, lane-keep assist, intelligent high-beam LEDs and forward collision warning.

In what is likely to be another blow to the competition, the Acadia is expected to be available with a choice of four-cylinder and V6 petrol engines, as well as a diesel engine for non-US markets.

Holden dealers were told the Acadia is the first of many previously US-only vehicles designed for the global market after General Motors emerged from bankruptcy and paid off its bailout debt to the US government.

Pricing has yet to be announced and Holden declined to comment on future models when asked about the Acadia this week, but dealers have been told it will rank above the Captiva in a lineup that is itself overdue for a replacement.

This means that the likely starting price of the Holden Acadia will be around $45,000, with the luxury versions going for $60,000.

The Holden Acadia will join the seven-seater Toyota Kluger and Nissan Pathfinder SUVs, which are also made in the US, and will benefit from a free trade agreement with North America.

Ford has yet to announce a replacement for the locally built Territory SUV, which was discontinued along with the Falcon in October 2016.

However, unlike Toyota and Nissan, which run only on gasoline, Holden Acadia is expected to have a diesel-powered variant, which accounts for more than 50% of sales in the upper end of the SUV market.

The latest generation Acadia - an all-new model based on GM's new global developments - was unveiled at this year's Detroit Auto Show and should hit U.S. showrooms in the second half of this year. RHD models are expected to enter production in 12 months.

Meanwhile, Ford has yet to announce a replacement for the locally built Territory SUV, which was discontinued alongside the Falcon in October 2016.

Ford Australia boss Graham Wickman said the Territory's successor would be announced later this year.

The future composition of Holden: what is known at the moment

– Holden Colorado Joint Facelift: By August 2016

– Holden Colorado7 facelift: By August 2016

– Arrival of Holden Astra and end of local Cruze production: end of 2016

- Facelift of the Holden Trax SUV: early 2017

- Holden Commodore (Opel) from Germany: until the end of 2017

– GMC Acadia seven-seat SUV ($45,000 to $60,000): Expected late 2017.

- Next generation Chevrolet Corvette: By 2020

What won't work

– Chevrolet Silverado pickup: While the recently launched main rival of the Ram pickup has a lineup of Australian customers following the appointment of a new distributor associated with Holden Special Vehicles, GM is unlikely to convert the Silverado pickup to right-hand drive.

– Opel van: General Motors' version of the Renault Trafic van exists in Europe (sold as Opel in Europe and as Vauxhall in the UK), but Holden has ruled it out for now because it wants to focus on the passenger car market rather than the van market.