As most of us have already heard, GM is closing down its Australian operations, perhaps keeping the Holden name but importing instead of building cars like the Commodore. What this means for the future of the Commodore-based Chevy SS is anybody’s guess, though GM seems to have low sales expectations for the $44,000 sport sedan.

Yet that hasn’t stopped the automaker from launching a feasibility study focused on launching a next-gen Chevy SS on the Alpha platform, already underpinning the Cadillac ATS and next-gen Chevy Camaro. According to Motoring.au, if GM gives the project the green light, the Chevy SS could even be imported to Australia as a Holden, riding on the new Alpha platform that underpins the Cadillac ATS. Talk about a reversal of fortunes.

Right now GM is being realistic about the Chevy SS, which faces stiff importation duties and shipping fees thanks to the long journey from Oz. High labor costs are among the many reasons GM is shuttering its Aussie operations, as it’s now cheaper to build cars in America than most other countries. That means more jobs for the U.S., and perhaps a second chance at life for the Chevy SS as well.

If the Chevy SS is given the green-light for a follow-up model, the Alpha platform is the most likely candidate, as the ATS sedan already rides on the Alpha platform. Yet there’s reason to believe that an American-built Chevy SS on the Alpha platform would be substantially cheaper than the $44,000 starting price of the current model, which makes it about $10,000 more expensive than the Cadillac. That ain’t right if you ask us, though a cheaper Chevy and more-expensive Cadillac would give GM a bit more depth in the sedan segment.