Holden's all-new Sportwagon outsold the leading models in the rival medium SUV category in August to help restore Commodore as the best selling car nameplate for 2008.

In its first full month of sales, 1509 Sportwagons were sold driving a total of 4814 Commodore sales for August and 33,043 year to date.

Monthly sales of Holden wagons were the highest since November 2004 and up 91 per cent on the equivalent month in 2007.

GM Holden Executive Director of Sales, Marketing and Aftersales, Alan Batey, said that Sportwagon was off to a great start in the marketplace, exceeding initial expectations.

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"It's great to see Commodore back in front helped by strong interest in Sportwagon in its first full month of sales," said Batey.

"These early sales of Sportwagon underline that this type of family-sized vehicle continues to be attractive to Australians.

"It offers a new level of comfort, safety and styling in a Holden wagon, combined with sedan-like ride and handling characteristics.

"This makes Sportwagon attractive to businesses and a tempting alternative for traditional SUV buyers," he said.

GM Holden has been without a wagon in its model line up throughout the first half of 2008 following the end of VZ wagon production in late 2007. The replacement VE Sportwagon went on sale early July 2008.

Sales of the iconic Holden Ute have also been strong, 76 per cent up year to date and up 157 per cent on the equivalent month in 2007.