The first Commodore rolled off the production line on October 25, 1978 and since then GM's Australian subsidiary has produced more than 2.5 million units of the mid-size model which has become Holden's longest-standing and most successful nameplate.

The Commodore, which gradually replaced the larger Kingswood as Holden's leading family car range went on to become Australia's best-selling vehicle, a title it has held for the past 12 years and is on track to maintain that position in 2008.

Commodore has subsequently collected more than 60 major motoring awards and won the prestigious Wheels Car of the Year award a record five times – VB (1978), VN (1988), VR (1993), VT (1997) and VE (2006).

During its three-decade long career, the Commodore also managed to win 18 Bathurst victories and nine V8 touring car and supercar championships in Australia.

GM Holden Chairman and Managing Director Mark Reuss said Commodore had become a symbol of local design and engineering expertise and Australia's ability to compete on the world stage. "Over thirty years Commodore has earned a place in the hearts and minds of generations of Australian families," Mr Reuss said.

Major model changes occurred in 1988 with the introduction of the VN Commodore that was based on the Opel Omega A, in 1997 with the VT Commodore that was once again heavily based on the Opel Omega B and in 2006 with the VE Commodore which was developed in Australia and led to the Pontiac G8 that is selling in the U.S.

Like it's Kingswood predecessor, the Commodore also formed the basis for several spinoffs including the Ute pickup truck, the luxury Statesman and Caprice models as well as the Monaro Coupe that was exported to the U.S. rebadge as Pontiac GTO.