Geely gears up

Transcription

Geely gears up

John Mellor’s
GoAutoNews
Jan 27, 2010
Australia’s No.1 Automotive Industry Journal
No. 516
70,000 Readers Weekly
Geely gears up
E
EC7
hatch
Chinese marque set to attack Aussie market this year with three new models
By RON HAMMERTON
CHINESE car brand Geely expects to have
three sharp-priced models on the Australian
market within 12 months, including a
Holden Cruze-sized small car designed and
engineered to satisfy western buyers.
Although the scheduled launch in Western
Australia of the pioneering 1.5-litre Geely
MK light car – Australia’s first Chinesemade passenger car – has been pushed out
from its original launch date this month to
around May, Australian Geely importer
Chinese Automotive Distributors is already
at work on proposals for at least two more
models – the 1.0-litre Panda mini car and the
1.8-litre Emgrand EC7 small car.
An executive of the Perth-based Geely
importer has already driven the EC7 in
China and has given it rave reviews,
according to the owner of the Australian
Geely distributorship, West Australian
businessman and multi-franchised car dealer
John Hughes.
“We should get that later in the year,” Mr
Hughes told GoAuto.
“We are also looking to bring in as soon
as we can the Panda – the little one-litre – so
Panda
there is a fair bit in the pipeline.
“We are extremely bullish about the
product, even more so now with the Volvo
relationship.”
Geely Automobile parent company
Zhejiang Geely Holdings Group is set to
formally take ownership of Swedish carmaker Volvo from the Ford Motor Company
in May – a move that Mr Hughes said would
add credibility to the Chinese brand as it
expands into international markets, including
Australia, where dealer recruitment is about
to start on the east coast in readiness for a
simultaneous January 2011 launch in the big
markets of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane
and Adelaide – six months after the toe-inthe-water debut in WA.
“You can’t go wrong with having a linkage
to the Volvo name,” said Mr Hughes, who
was instrumental in the introduction of the
Hyundai brand into Australia as a director of
the original Hyundai importer, Bond Motor
Sales, in the 1980s.
“When we are going east and getting
dealers, I believe it will be a plus for us – no
question it will be a plus for us.”
Geely sales will start with the MK sedan
from three WA dealerships once the first
shipment arrives in about April.
The Geely MK was to have received
Australian Design Rule (ADR) approval
last year for an early-2010 launch, but that
was delayed several months and is now
scheduled for the second week of February
in Perth.
Mr Hughes said the type-approval
inspection of the Geely MK ‘SUTI’ (single
uniform type inspection) example should
be a formality. He said Geely Automobile
Holdings factory representatives would fly
in for the process.
Continued next page
GOAUTO’S BIG 2010
NEW-MODEL GUIDE
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John Mellor’s
GoAutoNews
Jan 27, 2010 Page 2
Geely gears up
Continued from previous page
Production of the first shipment of
Australian-spec MK stock would then
follow, with cars being loaded on to a car
carrier for April delivery in readiness for the
May-June retail launch in WA.
Mr Hughes declined to say how many cars
would make the first shipment, but he said
all would be five-speed manual because of a
delay in the automatic transmission variant.
He said he hoped stocks of automatic
cars would follow in the second shipment,
within a few weeks of the first, and be on
sale by mid-year.
GoAuto understands that the automatic
transmission delay is because the Australian
importer wants to start with a new-generation
automatic transmission that is about to come on
stream. This requires separate ADR approval.
Mr Hughes said he would take the
opportunity of the visit by the Geely
Automobile representatives to discuss
plans for the Panda, which is also known
as the LC-1.
He said no date or price had been set yet
for the four-seat city car, which might end
up rivalling price-leading cars such as the
Proton S16 and Suzuki Alto as Australia’s
cheapest car.
John Mellor’s
GoAutoNews
PUBLISHER: John Mellor
EDITOR: Terry Martin
MANAGING EDITOR: Marton Pettendy
JOURNALISTS: Byron Mathioudakis, James Stanford
Philip Lord, David Hassall
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EC7 sedan
“I’ll be in a better position to talk about it
once I have met with the people from China
next month,” he said.
The Panda styling is reportedly inspired
by the 2008 Beijing Olympics Games panda
mascot, hence the name. In Australia, it is
likely to end up being called another name,
possibly LC, due to complications over the
Panda name, which is claimed by Fiat.
While the Panda was recently awarded
a five-star crash-test rating under China’s
NCAP (New Car Assessment Program), Mr
Hughes cautioned that the result might not
automatically translate into the same rating
in Australia. However, the Panda apparently
already has EU type approval, and is also set
to go on sale in New Zealand within months.
Mr Hughes said he originally had hoped
to begin east coast sales of Geely by the
second half of 2010, but because of the
delay in the Geely MK start up, that also
would be delayed. He said it made sense to
start east coast operations in early 2011 with
fresh stocks of cars.
Depending on the arrival date of the Panda
and the EC7, the eastern dealers might start
with up to three models.
The front-drive Emgrand EC7 – a new
1.8-litre entrant that went into production
last year at Geely’s Ningbo plant, south of
Shanghai – is powered by a 102kW/172Nm
four-cylinder engine and offers both manual
and automatic transmissions.
Sales of the sedan started under Geely’s
upmarket Emgrand sub-brand in China in
August, and the hatchback has just hit the
market in left-hand drive guise.
The sedan sits on a wheelbase of 2650mm
– slightly shorter than that of the Holden
Cruze – but measures 4635mm overall –
about 35mm longer than the Holden small
car. The EC7 is also a substantial 273mm
longer than the Honda City-sized Geely MK
light car, setting it one class above the range
pipe-opener.
Made at an advanced plant built with
input from Subaru manufacturer Fuji Heavy
Industries, the EC7 is expected to go into
right-hand drive production for export to the
UK in the final quarter of this year, meaning
Australia might be able to tap into deliveries
before the end of the year.
Designed to accommodate the larger
frames of western people, the car is said to
have been engineered to qualify for a Euro
NCAP four-star safety rating, and is armed
with six airbags and both Euro and US
emissions compliance.
In China, Geely also is set to launch a larger
model, the Camry-sized 2.4-litre EC8, which
is to spawn two derivatives, the EV8 peoplemover and the EX8 SUV. The EC8 even boasts
a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Geely is expected to wheel out more models
for its expansive range at this year’s Beijing
motor show, which opens on April 23.
Read more: Geely launch plans
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John Mellor’s
GoAutoNews
Jan 27, 2010 Page 3
Saab not saved - yet
GM presses on with Saab
closure, although Spyker
talks offer flicker of hope
By MARTON PETTENDY
CONTRARY to renewed press speculation
this week – and despite news that
production of Saab’s new 9-4X crossover
has commenced at a General Motors plant
in Mexico – GM says it has not done a deal
with Spyker Cars to sell its troubled Swedish
brand, Saab.
Chairman and CEO Edward Whitacre said
on January 25 that GM “had not changed
direction” and would continue to wind down
Saab’s operations, despite a new offer from
the Dutch supercar-maker.
According to figures from Automotive News,
Saab has produced 147 examples – including
49 last week – of the XC90-sized five-seat
SUV, which is based on the same AWD Theta
platform as Cadillac’s SRX crossover, at GM’s
Ramos Arizpe plant in Mexico.
The news comes before GM has officially
9-5
confirmed the 9-4X would enter production,
further fuelling speculation that the US auto
giant sees a future for the Scandinavian
brand under a new owner.
Indeed, Mr Whitacre left open the
possibility that Saab could be saved by
Spyker after all, saying: “If and when that
changes, we’ll let you know.”
On the same day, Spyker indicated talks
with GM would be resolved soon.
“Spyker confirms that talks are ongoing,
the outcome of which is still uncertain. As
Saab is currently in liquidation talks must
end soon,” it said.
Earlier this week Bloomberg News
reported that Spyker had offered GM a
combination of cash and preferred shares
worth $US500 million ($A553m), a deal
which it said satisfied GM in principle.
Later, Swedish TV station Sverige
Television said Spyker was preparing to
announce its purchase of Saab, following
the Swedish government’s agreement to
guarantee a €400 million ($A626m) loan
from the European Investment Bank.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
More GM reports – page 12, 21, 22
General Motors to close Belgium car plant this year at a cost of 2300 jobs
By RON HAMMERTON
THE first shoe has dropped in General
Motors’ restructuring of its European
operations with Opel confirming that it
will close its 85-year-old Antwerp plant in
Belgium this year at a cost of 2300 jobs.
A further 6000 jobs are set to go across
the Opel-Vauxhall operation as GM strives
to pull its European arm out of the red by
cutting costs and shedding excess capacity
after pulling out of its deal to sell the
European operations to a consortium led
by parts-maker Magna International with
Russian bank Sberbank.
The widely anticipated decision to close
the Antwerp plant, which produces the
Astra, was announced last week by Opel
CEO Nick Reilly who indicated GM had
Astra
agonised over the decision.
“We fully understand the effect this
announcement has on the Antwerp
employees and their families and we
sympathise with them,” he said. “Many
have been dedicated to the plant over
generations and have done an excellent job
producing great quality cars.
“The decision to announce this today was
not taken lightly; instead, it is the unfortunate
result of the current business reality.
“We must make this announcement now
so that we can secure a viable future for the
entire Opel and Vauxhall operations.”
In its statement announcing the closure, GM
painted a gloomy picture of the immediate
future for the European car market, which it
said would continue to decline by a further
1.5 million vehicles this year.
“It is not expected to return anytime soon
– if ever – to these peak levels, resulting
in significant overcapacity in general
and at Opel in particular,” GM said. “To
ensure long-term sustainability for the
company, Opel needs to reduce capacity by
approximately 20 per cent.”
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John Mellor’s
GoAutoNews
Jan 27, 2010 Page 4
Mini crosses over
Countryman SUV details
and images surface ahead
of Geneva show premiere
By MARTON PETTENDY
HERE is the not-so-minor Countryman
from Mini, the born-again BMW small-car
brand’s first crossover vehicle.
Although no body dimensions have been
announced, Mini’s fourth model should
be similar in size to the 2008 Paris motor
show’s Mini Crossover Concept, which at
more than four metres long was the longest
vehicle ever to wear the Mini moniker.
The Crossover Concept, which was also
known as the Crossman – a nameplate
which BMW confirmed almost 18 months
ago would not reach production – also rode
on a 2606mm wheelbase and measured an
equally unprecedented 1830mm wide and
1598mm high.
Apart from its size, Mini’s first SUV is
also the first to feature four side doors –
unlike the two-door Cooper hatchback and
Cabrio soft-top, which are now into their
second generation under BMW control, and
the Clubman wagon, which has conventional
front doors, a rear roadside door and two
side-hinged barn doors.
In other Mini firsts, the Countryman (a
badge now confirmed for most markets)
will not be produced at the Oxford plant
in England but at Magna’s Graz plant in
Austria, while it is also the first to feature
all-wheel drive – not counting the oddball
twin-engined Twini Mini of the 1960s.
Mini claims the Countryman’s optional
AWD system, extra ground clearance,
elevated driving position and conventional
wagon bodystyle – accessed at the rear by
a conventional top-hinged tailgate – offers
“enhanced opportunities in urban mobility
and beyond” for “new target groups
requiring extra space and flexibility”.
Due on sale in the UK in September and in
Australia a few months later, the Countryman
aims directly at small premium crossover
models like Land Rover’s Freelander,
Audi’s upcoming Q3 and BMW’s own X1,
which goes on sale here in April.
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and Roadster concepts revealed last year will
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premium compact-car brand to six.
Despite its larger dimensions, the
R60 Countryman’s proportions – which
were revealed by the doorless Mini
Beachcomber concept at the Detroit motor
show this month – are all Mini, from the
short overhangs and high shoulder line to
the wrap-around glass area.
Yet it also injects a number of SUV
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John Mellor’s
GoAutoNews
Jan 27, 2010 Page 5
1 of A kind
Audi continues to bill its
all-new A1 as the world’s
first premium subcompact
By MARTON PETTENDY
BMW has the Mini, Mercedes-Benz the
A-class and Alfa Romeo the MiTo, but that
has not stopped Audi from continuing to bill
this year’s A1 micro-hatch as the world’s
first light-sized luxury car.
In a veiled shot at its most direct rivals,
Audi opened its staggered reveal campaign
for the A1 in mid-December by labelling
it the world’s first “premium car in the
subcompact segment”.
Since then Audi AG sales and marketing
board member Peter Schwarzenbauer has
claimed Audi will be the first car-maker to
offer a premium small car in the A1, which
will be revealed online early next month
before making its global debut at the Geneva
motor show in March.
“People who for practical reasons
choose a small car want not only the basic
functions, but an exciting design and the
A1 light designer Andre Georgi
latest technology as well. With the A1,
we’re giving these customers what they
want by launching the first premium car
in the subcompact segment,” said Mr
Schwarzenbauer on January 13.
“The A1, as is only to be expected, is a
true Audi through and through with the
usual high standards of quality and emotion.
It’s the perfect entry-level model for young
customers in particular. And of course we’re
confident that we’ll be able to delight these
customers with the new A1 so that they will
stay with the Audi brand and will later want
to drive our larger models.”
Audi’s global sales chief said the
Volkswagen luxury brand’s newest and
smallest model, which has commenced
production in Brussels but will not reach
Australian Audi showrooms until early 2011,
is forecast to notch 80,000 sales a year.
“The subcompact segment is forecast
to grow in Europe by the year 2015 – in
Germany alone growth of 30 per cent is
anticipated,” he said.
“We’re currently expecting to sell 80,000
units of the A1 in its first full year.”
Mini’s global sales slumped by 6.8 per
cent last year but still amounted to 216,538
– down from 232,425 in 2008.
Audi’s audacious A1 catchcry was
also broadcast by global head of quality
assurance Werner Zimmermann, who said
the A1 would set new standards of quality
and attention to detail in the compact class.
“The A1 will be the first fully-fledged
premium automobile in its segment,” said
Mr Zimmermann in a press release about
A1 quality control late last week.
“Uncompromising quality is a fundamental
value of the Audi brand. Our brand is
venturing into what for us is a new class with
the A1, but the smaller size of the vehicle does
not mean that the customers expect anything
less than they always do from an Audi.”
Mr Zimmermann said the A1’s design
and build quality would be evident in its
materials, the precision of its controls and
the gaps between components.
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WE LIVE DIESEL
John Mellor’s
GoAutoNews
Jan 27, 2010 Page 6
Mazda5 comes alive
Bold new design theme
and big economy gains
emerge with mini-MPV
By RON HAMMERTON
MAZDA will peel the covers from its new
small people-mover, the seven-seat Mazda5,
at the Geneva motor show on March 2.
The company says the new model uses a
new 2.0-litre petrol direct-injection engine
and other advances to cut CO2 emissions by
up to 15 per cent over the current model in
Europe.
However, Mazda dismisses speculation
that the new engine is its much-vaunted Sky
G (G for gasoline) engine unveiled at the
Tokyo motor show last year.
Due in 2011, the Sky engine uses a lowfriction cylinder block, direct injection, piezo
injectors, advanced valve-timing technology
and idle-stop to cut fuel consumption by,
coincidentally, 15 per cent.
While the vehicle will not be coming
to Australia – Mazda Australia washed
its hands of mini-MPVs when it dumped
the slow-selling Premacy in 2003 – the
technology under the skin of the thirdgeneration Mazda5/Premacy will almost
certainly make its way to this market in
other models.
These future technologies include the
engine idle-stop and Mazda’s new ‘Nagare
Flow’ body design language.
Built on the latest generation of the
Mazda3/Ford Focus C1 small-car platform,
the 2010 Mazda5 is the first production car
to display elements of ‘Nagare’, which has
been showcased on various concept cars to
date, including the Kiyora. Mazda claims
this design provides “a particularly low drag
coefficient, together with optimal lift and
airflow stability characteristics”.
The smiley-face front grille treatment brings
the Mazda5 into line with other contemporary
Mazda models, including the 3 and 6.
In Europe, the Mazda5 will be powered
by a choice of two four-cylinder petrol
engines – a new direct-injection 2.0-litre and
a 1.8-litre. Little was said about the latter,
indicating that it may be an updated version
of the current 1.8-litre MZR powerplant,
which develops 85kW in Europe.
The new 2.0-litre DISI (direct injection,
spark ignition) engine is said to cut CO2
emissions by 15 per cent over the engine it
replaces, making the Mazda5, the company
claims, one of the most frugal and clean
small people-movers on the market.
The current Mazda5 sucks a combinedcycle 7.8 litres of petrol per 100km in UK
manual guise, indicating the new vehicle
could return 6.8L/100km.
Mazda says a six-speed manual
transmission will be offered in Europe, but a
six-speed automatic transmission could also
be expected in the package.
There is no mention in the Mazda press
release of diesel engines, but they will be
offered in Europe where the current range has
a choice of two 2.0-litre Euro 4-standard oilburners, producing 81kW in normally aspirated
form and 105kW with turbo assistance.
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John Mellor’s
GoAutoNews
Jan 27, 2010 Page 7
RVR becomes ASX
Mitsubishi releases fresh
images of new SUV and
confirms European details
By MARTON PETTENDY
MITSUBISHI’S upcoming answer to the
Nissan Dualis will be known in Europe as
the ASX, but the nameplate is unlikely to
be seen in Australia where the abbreviation
stands for Australian Stock Exchange.
Instead, Australia is likely to opt for
RVR, the name used in Japan where it will
be released in February, just ahead of the
compact city-SUV’s global public premiere
– at least in European-spec ASX guise – at
the Geneva motor show from March 2.
Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited told
GoAuto in October it had submitted a number
of potential local names for its all-new SUV
contender, but has now confirmed the model
wear either RVR or ASX badges here.
Spokesperson Lenore Fletcher said: “Two
names are now available to us, and we will
be making an announcement on that soon.”
The clash with the stock exchange title,
however, is likely to reduce the choice to just
one – RVR – for the all-new sub-Outlander
SUV that goes on sale in Australia in the
third quarter of this year.
Apart from revealing the European
version’s nomenclature last week, Mitsubishi
released two fresh images of the production
model, first images of which were revealed at
the Los Angeles motor show in December.
At the same time, Mitsubishi revealed
the RVR name, which was last seen on a
compact people-mover sold by the Japanese
brand between 1991 and 2002, although the
original RVR never made it to Australia as
a new model.
The new images reveal a less edgy profile
than the Concept-cX that debuted at the 2007
Frankfurt motor show, but its dimensions
should remain similar at 4.3 metres long –
340mm shorter than the Outlander.
Mitsubishi also confirmed the small
five-seater wagon will be powered by an
all-new Euro 5 emissions-specification 1.8litre direct-injection turbo-diesel engine in
Europe, where sales will commence in May,
following the ASX’s reveal at Switzerland’s
80th automotive extravaganza.
Australia should receive the RVR,
development of which was fast-tracked
to leverage demand for small passenger
vehicles in Europe and Japan, slightly later
than expected around July.
Mitsubishi’s new baby crossover will
also be released in North America and Asia,
including the world’s largest automotive
market – China.
Featuring an ‘Automatic Stop & Go’
idle-stop function, the new oil-burner
was developed jointly by Mitsubishi
Motors Corporation and Mitsubishi Heavy
Industries, and will be matched with a sixspeed manual transmission.
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John Mellor’s
GoAutoNews
Jan 27, 2010 Page 8
Kia plugs in
Ray concept heralds first
plug-in hybrid for Kia as
other new cars draw near
By MARTON PETTENDY
KIA has previewed what could become its
first plug-in hybrid vehicle in the shape of
the Ray, a sleek US-designed sports concept
revealed in an official rendering late last
week.
Due to be officially unveiled at the
Chicago motor show on February 11, the
Ray appears to be a four-door ‘coupe’ with
a low-slung profile, steeply raked front and
rear glass, heavily flared wheelarches and
Maserati-style rear lighting wrapped around
an abruptly chopped rear end.
The rejuvenated Korean brand, whose
Australian sales were stronger than the
industry average in 2009 at -1.3 per cent, says
the Ray is designed to “demonstrate how Kia’s
evolving design direction would be applied in
the packaging of a plug-in hybrid vehicle”.
Designed by the Kia Design Centre
America, the Ray is part of Kia’s ongoing
alternative-fuel vehicle development program,
which includes “potentially real-life” fuel-cell
vehicle and various hybrid vehicles “providing
real-world data in various locations”.
Significantly, Kia says it plans to
commercialise Liquefied Petroleum Gas
(LPG) hybrid vehicles in Korea within the
next 12 months, presumably employing
the same technology as the Cerato (Forte)
LPI Hybrid and sister company Hyundai’s
Elantra LPI Hybrid.
New Sportage
Ray
While Hyundai has ruled out a business version of the new Cerato and a replacement
case for the Elantra LPI for Australia – at for Kia’s slow-selling Magentis medium
least for now – Kia is yet to announce the sedan – both in the third quarter.
local fate of the Cerato LPI, two left-hand
While a new 200kW petrol V6 is also
drive Korean-specification examples of expected to join Kia’s new mid-size Sorento
which contested the Darwin-Adelaide SUV range later this year, the Cerato hatch –
Global Green Challenge last October.
powered by the same 115kW 2.0-litre engine
Confirmed
for
that makes the four-door the
WHAT’S COMING:
Australia in 2010,
most powerful model in its
Rio MY10 update
Jan
however, are three
class – should significantly
Grand Carnival facelift April
important
model
bolster the new TD Cerato’s
Sportage redesign
mid-2010
upgrades, a key new
model range.
Cerato hatch
Sept
model
derivative
Without the selling power
Magentis replacement Sept
and two complete
of
a hatchback, sales of the
Sorento V6 petrol
Oct
redesigns, led by
Cerato – the first Kia model
Kia’s all-new compact SUV contender, the to be overseen by global design chief Peter
Sportage.
Schreyer – were still up a massive 55 per cent
Due on sale here in mid-2010, the next in Australia last year. A further 215 Australians
Sportage shares its platform with Hyundai’s bought the Cerato Koup – Kia’s first two-door
upmarket new ix35 Tucson replacement, model – after its late-2009 launch. The Cerato
and should brandish its sister model’s 2.0- hatch’s release is expected to coincide with a
litre petrol and diesel engines – both mated range-wide update for the Cerato’s interior and
to six-speed transmissions.
running gear.
Preceding the new Sportage this year
Finally for this year, Kia’s Magentis
is the updated Rio light car featuring an replacement should emerge by October with
upgraded interior and new corporate grille. new Schreyer styling and the same 150kW
Already on sale, the freshened Rio gains a Theta II 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine
minor update before being replaced by a as Hyundai’s Sonata replacement, upon
third-generation model in 2011. Rio sales which Kia’s third-generation medium sedan
were 17 per cent down in 2009, when just will be based. Magentis sales were 40 per
8500 examples were sold.
cent down in 2009.
Kia’s next 2010 release will be that of the
facelifted Grand Carnival people-mover in
Duty calls for Kia – page 23
April, followed by the five-door hatchback
PARC Data: Easily accessible & cleansed data - ready to use!
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John Mellor’s
GoAutoNews
Jan 27, 2010 Page 9
‘We need to be realistic’
Maserati, Abarth chief to
turn his attention to Alfa
Romeo after restructure
By TERRY MARTIN
FIAT has formed a new brand group for
its Alfa Romeo, Maserati and Abarth
marques as the Italian manufacturer
continues to deliberate over the future of
Alfa Romeo.
Fiat Group chief executive Sergio
Marchionne last week announced that
Maserati and Abarth chief executive
Harald Wester – who is also chief technical
officer for Fiat Group and Fiat Group
Automobiles – would add Alfa Romeo to
his responsibilities.
As GoAuto reported last month, Mr
Marchionne has ordered a strategic review
of Alfa Romeo to ascertain whether the
brand should be reborn through the new
Chrysler alliance or left as is, possibly with
no substantial new investment after the
147-replacing Giulietta is launched at the
Geneva motor show in March.
A product-development freeze on medium
and large-sized Alfa Romeo models is
understood to be one of two alternatives Fiat
is considering for the brand.
The other option is to renew Alfa’s line-up
159
using Chrysler platforms, replacing the
ageing 159 medium-sized sedan and wagon
and the discontinued 166 large sedan with
rebodied models built in North America but
still unique to Alfa and sold worldwide.
In announcing the latest management
moves last week, which sees current Alfa
CEO Sergio Cravero reassigned to Fiat
Group Automobiles product portfolio
planning and product concepts, Mr
Marchionne said: “The purpose of bringing
the Alfa Romeo, Maserati and Abarth brands
under the same leadership is to emphasise
and leverage the value of the shared qualities
of the three brands in terms of their sporting
characteristics and performance.
“Harald Wester, who has demonstrated his
enormous commitment on several fronts and
achieved optimum results, will bring strong
leadership capabilities and solid technical
experience and know-how to this project.”
At the Detroit motor show earlier this
month, Mr Marchionne told journalists that
Alfa Romeo was not for sale.
A decision is also still to be announced on
whether Alfa Romeo will be reintroduced
in the US. “We need to be realistic on what
Alfa should do,” Mr Marchionne said.
In a speech at the Automotive News World
Congress, held on the sidelines of the Detroit
show, Mr Marchionne also outlined Fiat’s
intentions with its Chrysler venture.
“We are combining Fiat’s expertise in the
smaller car segments with Chrysler’s in the
medium and large segments,” he said.
Fiat returns to red – next page
We need someone who can work with military precision.
Parts Business Analyst – Project Overlander
We have an opening available for a strong communicator and
detail-oriented person to be involved in an exciting area of our
business – providing Parts Support to a most valued customer
– The Commonwealth of Australia Department of Defence.
Located in Melbourne, this vital role supporting the Defence
Department’s Overlander project will require an ability to
analyse and negotiate combined with sound attention to
detail as well as a propensity to deliver above and beyond
customer expectations.
Adding value at each stage of the relationship with the Army
is essential as is a high level of proficiency with number
crunching, data gathering and analysis and research.
Ideally, you will have previous experience in parts inventory
management for an automotive manufacturer as well as a
working knowledge of defence purchasing procedures.
If you’d like to earn your stripes as a representative of
the Mercedes-Benz brand for one of our most important
partners, we’d like to hear from you. Please forward details
confidentially via e-mail to [email protected]
by close of business Friday 5 February, 2010.
Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific Pty Ltd, 44 Lexia Place, Mulgrave (03) 9566 9266.
John Mellor’s
GoAutoNews
Jan 27, 2010 Page 10
Fiat returns to red
Marchionne calls for new
scrappage schemes as
Fiat posts $1.3 billion loss
By JAMES STANFORD
FIAT Group SpA posted a net loss of €281
million ($A440m) in the fourth quarter of
2009 which contributed to an €848 million
($A1.3b) loss for the full year.
It was the first loss for the Italian company
since chief executive Sergio Marchionne
pushed it back into profit in 2005 after four
straight years in the red.
Announcing the results this week, Fiat
said its car brands performed well, but its
commercial vehicles, truck and agricultural
and construction manufacturing divisions were
hit hard by the global financial downturn.
The company attributed €699 million
($A1.09b) to restructuring charges which
included its “strategic realignment with
Chrysler” under which it acquired a 20 per cent
stake in the US giant last June, with separation
packages for 8300 workers across the group.
The company forecast a return to profit in
2010, but said this could hinge on continued
European government incentives that
encourage the purchase of environmentally
friendly vehicles, such as scrappage schemes.
Mr Marchionne told analysts in a
conference call this week that this year “is
probably the wrong year to abandon the
scrappage schemes”.
“I think it will have a pretty drastic impact
on demand on the European side,” he said.
Sergio Marchionne
Mr Marchionne, who is also chief executive
of the Chrysler Group in addition to his role
at Fiat, has announced plans to quickly take
advantage of the new set-up, with Chrysler
to begin producing Fiat engines in Michigan
late this year. It will also start building the
Fiat 500 small car from 2011.
As GoAuto reported last week, Fiat also
plans to streamline its engine strategy across
the Fiat and Chrysler brands and expand the
Chrysler range with rebadged Lancia small cars
in a range of markets, including Australia.
While the tie-up with the struggling
American giant had an impact on Fiat’s
2009 results, Mr Marchionne told GoAuto at
the Detroit motor show that he was pleased
with the way the Fiat and Chrysler Group
alignment was playing out. “‘The alliance
is working’ is probably the best way to
describe the state of affairs,” he said.
“I think that we have accomplished what
we wanted to accomplish in terms of the
dissemination of the technology of Fiat onto
Chrysler. All those processes are underway.
“The fact that we will be manufacturing the
1.4-litre engine in Dundee (Michigan) in the
third quarter of this year, which is 12 months
after we signed the agreement, is an indication
of how quickly things are moving.”
Mr Marchionne said the initial phase
of what he called Chrysler’s “cleansing
process” had not been easy.
“Seven months have gone by, they have
been long and hard months, but I think we
have set all the posts for what is going to be
a fruitful long-term relationship,” he said.
Mr Marchionne said Chrysler was in a
very different position to the Fiat Group:
“We are at different stages of the recovery
pattern. Fiat fixed its problems.
“Chrysler needs to now do its recovery.
Our objective here is to really assist Chrysler
in coming back. It’s not easy; you have seen
the competition out there.”
BMW Group
Australia
The Ultimate
Driving Machine
Approved Used Vehicle Manager.
Passion and drive to be the best are hallmarks of the BMW Group, a technical pioneer
and innovation leader in the global automotive industry. In Australia, BMW’s success
as the leader in the luxury car market is derived from the professional strength, agility
and passion of its employees. Due to internal career movements, an exciting
opportunity exists for an Approved Used Vehicle Manager.
The successful applicant will be responsible for the development of the BMW and
MINI Approved Used Vehicle business to maintain solid residual values and grow the
volume and profit potential in BMW Group Dealers. The BMW Premium Selection
and MINI Next Approved Used Vehicle programs are crucial facets of our Sales channel
and continue to represent growth opportunities. The role requires the development of
new strategies, tools, sales programs and incentives to monitor and progress used
vehicle performance. This role provides the ideal opportunity to impact on business
profitability and work closely with the dealer network.
As the Approved Used Vehicle Manager, your role will be critical in driving brand
awareness for the Approved Used Vehicle program and requires multifaceted interfaces
internally and externally. The ability to influence key stakeholders and develop and
maintain strong working relationships are essential to your success. This position
reports to the Corporate & Fleet Manager and is based at our corporate head office in
Mulgrave, Victoria.
To secure this position, you will be an enthusiastic, outgoing, and tenacious person
who possesses a winning attitude. To be successful, you will demonstrate the ability to
be innovative and to define and execute strategy at a superior level. You will have
strong communication skills and have the ability and confidence to present to all levels
of management. You will have exceptional negotiation skills and the ability to create
and maintain long-term relationships with key decision makers.
A demonstrated knowledge of sales, retail networks and good analytical skills
combined with a thorough knowledge of the Australian vehicle market are prerequisites of this position.
Applications online are invited by 28 January to:
https://www.onetest.com.au/bmw/ap26496
John Mellor’s
GoAutoNews
Jan 27, 2010 Page 11
Estate value
BMW’s all-new X1
to start from $43,500
By MARTON PETTENDY
Mercedes ratchets up value equation with E-class Estate
By MARTON PETTENDY
MERCEDES-BENZ has marked the
Australian release of its new 212-series
E-class Estate by slashing the E350 wagon
price while adding a claimed $8400 worth
of new standard equipment.
Although the new pricetag of the
E350 Estate is just $439 less than before,
Mercedes claims the new model is 2.4
per cent cheaper than the last 211-series
examples sold here with sports packages
fitted.
At $138,100, however, the new E350
remains almost $15,000 more expensive
than its most direct rival, BMW’s 530i
Touring ($123,179).
First deliveries of the E350 Estate – the
first version of Benz’s fifth-generation
family wagon to arrive here – have
commenced, with the first shipment of
vehicles already spoken for.
Replacements for the superseded E280,
E280 CDI, E500 and E63 AMG Estate
variants are yet to arrive. Three further
petrol engines and four diesels, including
the upcoming E350 Bluetec’s “world’s
cleanest” EU6 emissions-compliant engine,
are available in Europe.
The all-new (CLK-replacing) E-class
Cabriolet will become the final body
derivative of the 212-series large-car range
available in Australia, in April.
As with the E350 Avantgarde Coupe
($127,500) and E350 Avantgarde sedan
($128,900), both of which were released
locally last August, the E350 Estate is
powered by the German brand’s familiar
200kW/350Nm petrol V6.
BMW Australia has announced lowerthan-expected prices for its new X1
compact SUV, which remains on target for
an April 10 launch here.
As expected, BMW will release the X1,
which was recently awarded a maximum
five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP,
with two all-wheel drive diesel models –
the xDrive20d ($52,700 manual, $54,900
auto) and the auto-only xDrive23d, which
lands here under $60,000 at $59,280.
In between, BMW has announced a
$56,800 pricetag for the AWD petrolpowered xDrive 25i, while the rear-drive
sDrive20d diesel will also bolster the
range with a sub-$50,000 manual price of
$49,300 ($51,500 auto).
However, in response to strong early
demand, BMW says it will expand its
Australian X1 range with an entry-level
rear-drive sDrive18i petrol model, priced
from a sharp $43,500 (manual) and
$45,700 (auto).
Service Operations Manager – Qld & NT
SYDNEY-BASED
Q
Excellent
package
Q
Career
opportunity
Q
Iconic brand
Harley-Davidson Australia is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Harley-Davidson Motor Company responsible for the
importation and distribution of Harley-Davidson motorcycles, parts, accessories and merchandise to 47 dealerships
across Australia and New Zealand. The company operates out of a state-of-the-art facility in Lane Cove and is
focused on delivering high levels of service to dealers and customers. Harley-Davidson Australia is seeking to recruit
a District Service Operations Manager who will be responsible for the Queensland and the Northern Territory regions.
This position will be based in Sydney.
The District Service Operations Manager will be responsible for guiding dealers toward improving profitability, proficiency,
capacity and customer satisfaction levels of their service and related parts operations. Responsibilities include assisting
dealers with service operations training, parts and merchandise programs, and service professionals with measurement,
interpretation and dissemination of service data.
Reporting to the National Service Manager, you will have gained a minimum
8 years’ experience in a motor vehicle/cycle dealership or with a manufacturer/
importer service/parts operation.
You will have strong written and verbal communication skills, excellent interpersonal
and relationship building skills, an ability to get things done, as well as the mobility
to undertake frequent travel. A motorcycle licence is essential.
To discuss this unique and challenging opportunity in confidence, please contact
Ross Geddes or email your resumé quoting Ref No. COU144.
Te l e p h o n e : ( 02 ) 9 9 5 7 41 8 2
I N A S S O C I AT I O N W I T H G E D D E S PA R K E R & PA R T N E R S
John Mellor’s
GoAutoNews
Jan 27, 2010 Page 12
Volt could usher in
turbine era
GM Volt chief engineer floats idea
of gas turbines for future plug-in hybrids
gives it a real opportunity in the marketplace
By JAMES STANFORD
THE introduction of range-extending because of that disconnection to the foot, the
plug-in hybrids such as the Chevrolet Volt spin-up time etc, more consistent operation
could pave the way for gas turbines to finally – turbines are very good at that.
“This might be the opportunity for a
enter automotive production, according to
turbine in generation X, whatever that is.”
the Volt’s chief engineer.
The gas turbine, of which the jet engine is a
General Motors’ new green hero uses an
onboard generator – powered by a traditional variant, had been touted as a possible vehicle
1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine – to powerplant for much of the 20th century with
interest rising dramatically in the
produce electricity once its battery
1950s. The now defunct Melbournehas been drained.
based Cars magazine reported in
Unlike a regular petrol-electric
1954 that rear-engine gas turbines
hybrid such as the Toyota Prius
could be in production by four major
or Honda Insight, it never drives
auto-makers by 1955.
the wheels, but feeds the battery
That did not happen, but Chrysler
electricity.
The fact that the engine-generator Andrew Farah did produce 50 turbine-powered
can act independently of the throttle input vehicles for customer trials in 1962 which
and does not have to spin up every time showed the technology was not suitable due to
the driver wants to accelerate means gas noise under acceleration and an average fuel
turbines could finally become a viable consumption figure of 20.5 litres per 100km.
powertrain option, said Volt chief engineer Customers reported that the engines were
smooth and quiet once they got going.
Andrew Farah.
Mr Farah, who was involved in the GM EV1
“Turbine engines have been proposed for
a number of purposes in the past,” Mr Farah electric vehicle (star of the documentary Who
said. “This actually might be the one that Killed the Electric Car?), admitted some GM
engineers were already working on the next
generation of the Volt, although the priority
was the first car which will be introduced in the
US this November and in Australia in 2012.
“We are already looking at what comes
after that,” he said.
The Volt, which has cost about $US700
million ($A773m) to develop, was first shown
as a concept car at the 2007 Detroit motor
show and is now in its final prototype stage.
It can run for 40 miles (64km) purely on
electric power supplied by a T-shaped 300cell lithium-ion battery pack that sits below
the front seats and runs down to the rear in
a raised section reminiscent of a driveshaft
tunnel. GM stresses the range depends on
the way it is being driven and the ambient
temperature. The maximum output of the
electric drive unit is 110kW.
The power is fed through two motors
that sit inside the transmission, which GM
is still reluctant to talk about. One of these
motors doubles as a generator. It is likely
the transmission is a form of continuously
variable automatic.
Continued next page
General Manager - Sales
Preston Motors, a leading automotive group established in 1912, is seeking a 'General Manager - Sales' for its Mitsubishi & Proton dealership in Dandenong.
This critical leadership position, reporting to the Dealer Principal, requires an individual who is able to generate impressive results by increasing sales of
new and used vehicles.
Key challenges will be:
- to lead, coach and develop a high performance sales team
- monitor sales and increase sales volume & CSI
- to achieve both the strategic objectives of the company and the planned profitability of the dealership
You will be responsible for the growth and development of the New and Used Car Sales departments within the dealership and you will be challenged to
exceed targets, achieve high customer satisfaction levels and deliver a good profit performance. Hard work and dedication is required for this role along
with a proven track record within a used volume environment.
A challenging yet rewarding role, it is only suitable for a top quality Sales Manager who is currently working within a franchised volume dealership.
The ideal candidate will have significant experience in automotive dealership sales management, demonstrate a passion for the industry and possess a
proven track record.
All applications will be treated in the strictest of confidence. Please email your resume to [email protected]. If you have any
questions please call Lorraine Camilleri – Human Resources Manager on 9358 3109.
Preston Motors Group
www.prestonmotors.com.au
LMCT3415
John Mellor’s
GoAutoNews
Volt could usher in turbine era
Jan 27, 2010 Page 13
Continued from previous page
The Volt can be fully charged in three to
four hours using regular household socket in
Australia (240 volt), but takes twice as long
using a standard outlet in the US, which uses
110 volts.
When the 16kWh battery charge drops to 30
per cent of capacity, the 1.4-litre petrol fourcylinder engine kicks in. GM says it designed
the system to make sure the battery was never
fully exhausted to maintain power for onboard
systems and also avoid battery degradation.
“The generator will be operated to keep
the battery within a range or a buffer around
the 30 per cent mark, just like the thermostat
in your house controls the temperature,” Mr
Farah said. “There is an upside and downside
and we don’t follow it directly.”
GM says the engine, which has a different
spark fuel and valve program to the regular
version, runs in a spectrum between
1000rpm and 4000rpm, generating up to
55kW. The petrol engine produces sufficient
power for instant electric drive, but the US
version does not recharge the battery fully.
Mr Farah said customers would be better
off plugging in at home.
“The energy generated (at home) could
come from many different sources, it could
come from hydro, coal, nuclear, it could come
from wherever it comes from but because it is
generated on such a scale it is generally more
efficient than running the engine,” he said.
An engineer told GoAuto that this method
also met certain EPA requirements, which
would not apply in other markets where
customers would be able to recharge on the run
if they wanted. The company is yet to confirm
the exact range of the Volt when draining
both the battery and the fuel tank and will not
confirm the size of the fuel tank, either.
It does advise that the Volt will have a
range of at least 300 miles (483km), which
is down on the 600-mile (965km) range
of the original concept car which had two
tanks, but engineers decided the packaging
was far from ideal and the range was more
than many people required.
One problem facing Volt engineers was that
it is unclear how often owners will use the
petrol engine. If the owner uses electric drive
for their daily commute, the engine would sit
idle for a long time, as would the fuel.
Anyone who has rescued a ‘barn find’
vehicle can attest that petrol can go bad,
and it is worse in cold climates where there
are seasonal fuels for different temperatures
which can cause problems.
GM engineers have built-in a system that
alerts the driver and suggests running the
petrol engine for a short time if it has been
left idle for more than a month. The fuel tank
is also made of steel, rather than plastic, so
that it does not expand and contract with
temperature changes which could cause it to
flex without any fuel usage.
Unlike fully electric vehicles, the Volt can
be driven just like any other vehicle and be
refilled with petrol.
Lutz: Solar flares, not CO2 – page 21
DEALER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM OPPORTUNITIES
Toyota Australia is
commencing deployment
of its new evolutionary
Dealer Management System
(e-DMS) from 2010
To achieve our deployment objectives, Toyota is significantly
expanding it’s e-DMS team and has contract opportunities for
suitably qualified and experienced training, implementation and
support professionals to join this expanded team.
Opportunities exist for roles relating to:
• Vehicle Sales & Administration
• After Sales (Service, Parts and Pre-Delivery)
• Business Administration and Accounting
Successful candidates will have had experience with Dealer Management
Systems in either Vendor installations and/or system management and
administration.
Due to the nature of the work involved suitable applicants will
understand that some positions will require travel and weekend work.
To apply, or to request further information, please email
[email protected]
John Mellor’s
GoAutoNews
Jan 27, 2010 Page 14
WITH a few exceptions, most industry experts agree Australia’s new-car market will remain relatively flat in 2010, but
as you will see from the preview of car launches that follows, it will not be due to a lack of fresh metal rolling into
showrooms Down Under this year. By MARTON PETTENDY
ALFA ROMEO
THE red-blooded Italian brand will celebrate its centenary in 2010 by launching an all-new five-door hatchback that the company believes
could be its best-selling model ever.
While the relatively new MiTo three-door will remain Alfa’s entry-level model after it effectively replaced the 147 three-door, the
130mm-longer new Giulietta – which is based on an all-new platform that will be shared with Chrysler and Fiat’s next Bravo/Ritmo – will
in turn replace the 147 five-door with a starting price of around $40,000. Two 1.4-litre MultiAir variants should be available, one offering
88kW and a sportier model with 125kW, while two turbo-diesels will also be on hand in
Europe – a 77kW 1.6 and 125kW 2.0-litre – and the 173kW Quadrifoglio Verde (four-leafed
clover) flagship should round out the range as the 147 GTA’s successor.
Before the Giulietta arrives here in the fourth quarter, however, Alfa will release updated
versions of the Brera coupe and Spider convertible early this year, while the MiTo will also
spawn a Cloverleaf model-leader, headlined by a 125kW 1.4-litre MultiAir turbo engine and
a new six-speed manual transmission. Also due in the third quarter are dual-clutch automated
Giulietta
manual transmission versions of the MiTo.
ASTON MARTIN
ASTON will bring its sensational four-door Rapide to Australia in April, with first customer deliveries expected by June. Priced from
$366,000, the Rapide grand tourer is powered by a 355kW 6.0-litre V12 mated to a six-speed automatic and will be a direct rival for
Porsche’s Panamera and Mercedes-Benz’s CLS. While upgraded iterations of the remainder of Aston’s range – including the two-door
Vantage, DB9 and DBS – should go on sale here in September, the top-shelf One-77
supercar will be launched globally mid-year. One Australian has already laid down a
$200,000 deposit for Aston’s $4 million carbon-fibre flagship, which has topped 350km/h
in testing and is motivated by a 7.3-litre 522kW V12. At least 50 of the planned production
run of 77 are sold. It is not clear whether that well-heeled individual will also take delivery
of Aston’s new Cygnet, which is based on Toyota’s iQ micro-car but gains revised interior
Rapide
and exterior styling, and will be offered to One-77 customers in Europe from September.
AUDI
AUDI has continued its relentless new-model rollout with the launch this month of the all-new A4-based five-door A5 Sportback. It reaches
showrooms next week, just ahead of the A4 2.0 TDIe, which will feature a host of features designed to reduce fuel consumption and emissions.
As GoAuto reported last week, the supercharged V6 S5 Sportback is due in the third quarter, around the same time as the redesigned A8
limousine and the R8 Spyder soft-top supercar. The latter will command a premium over
its coupe donor car, making it the most expensive Audi ever at close to $400,000 for the
V10. The new A8, meantime, is longer, wider, lower, lighter and will be packed with
more cutting-edge features than the current model. It will be highlighted by a new turbo
V8 mated to an eight-speed auto and quattro all-wheel drive.
Although it will debut at the Geneva show in March before hitting European streets in
A8
October, Audi’s all-new A1 will now arrive Down Under in 2011.
BENTLEY
Mulsanne
FRESH from launching the Continental Supersports Coupe, Bentley will add a new flagship sedan
to its Australian line-up in the third quarter, priced around $750,000. On sale in the UK from May,
the Mulsanne owes little to its Arnage predecessor and features an all-new twin-turbo 6.75-litre V8
delivering 371kW and a mammoth 1020Nm of torque, matched with an eight-speed auto. The first
Bentley flagship engineered under Volkswagen control, the Mulsanne measures more than 5.5
metres long and almost two metres wide, and rides on 20-inch wheels.
www.titandms.com.au
You said you wanted:
• A true Windows-based product with a powerful and scalable database.
• A DMS that focused on understanding your customers.
• CRM and Showroom to be part of the DMS, not an add-on.
• A DMS intuitive enough to utilise all functions.
• To do away with expensive hardware maintenance; forever.
– we listened.
Your Complete Dealer Management Solution
John Mellor’s
GoAutoNews
Jan 27, 2010 Page 15
BMW
BMW has another big year planned in 2010, starting this month with the X5 M, which like the X6 M is powered by a 408kW/680Nm
version of the twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre V8 that motivates the 300kW/600Nm X6 xDrive50i. While the latter was previously the
priciest BMW SUV at $145,000, the 2035kg X5 M will cost just $7000 less than the $179,900 X6 M at $172,900. Both uber-SUVs blast
to 100km/h in a staggering 4.7 seconds.
On sale from April 10 is the X1 compact SUV, which will be available with petrol and diesel power and rear-drive and AWD drivetrains.
BMW announced this week that the range will start from $43,500 (plus statutory and dealer costs) with an sDrive18i rear-drive four-cylinder
petrol model, while the AWD range will kick off at $52,700 with the xDrive2.0d diesel. See page 11 for more details.
Leading a trio of new 5 Series models is the all-new part-SUV/part-sedan GT, which arrives here in March, while the redesigned sedan
arrives here mid-year. A new 5 Series Touring will round out the range in late 2010, when a
facelift for the closely related X5 could also reach local shores. On sale here in May will be the Z4
sDrive35is, which packs a 250kW/450Nm (500Nm during overboost) version of the standard Z4
35i’s twin-turbo straight six, and adds an M bodykit and M suspension tune for about $130,000. A
redesigned X3 based on the next-generation 3 Series platform (the X1 is based on current 3 Series
Touring underpinnings) is earmarked for Europe by late 2010 but is unlikely to reach Aussie
X1
BMW showrooms this year.
CHERY
CITROEN
ATECO Automotive brought us Great Wall,
but remains committed to also launching the
Chery passenger car brand, despite delays
in design rule documentation. A range of
vehicles including the light-sized A1 hatch
and A5 sedan and small Tiggo SUV was to
have begun arriving last year, but now it
appears only the 1.3-litre A1 remains on the
agenda for 2010.
AN UPGRADED C5 mid-sizer, new C3 light hatch and all-new DS3 premium hatch will all hit
local Citroen forecourts in 2010. The former takes a new 177kW/450Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel
V6 from Jaguar Land Rover to replace its current 150kW/440Nm 2.7-litre engine in the first
half, while the redesigned C3 gets a new ‘high-forehead’ exterior design in the third quarter.
Citroen’s all-new C3-based Mini-fighter will arrive
around the same time, with the DS3 likely to launch
with 82kW turbo-diesel and 110kW turbo-petrol
1.6-litre engines priced from about $33,000. There
are no current plans for an Australian launch for
Citroen’s version of the Mitsubishi i-MiEV-based
DS3
C-Zero EV, which hits Europe mid-year.
CHRYSLER
APART from mildly tweaked 2010 versions,
few changes are expected for the US brand’s
four-model line-up in Australia this year.
Chrysler’s redesigned 300C large sedan
will be released overseas, but, as GoAuto
reported last week, an Australian launch date
is still to be set. Expect it early in 2011.
DODGE
CHRYSLER’S muscle-car brand continues
to work on right-hand drive business cases
for the Challenger coupe and, possibly,
Charger sedan. Otherwise, expect minnow
2010 updates for the Caliber small car,
Avenger medium sedan, Journey peoplemover and Nitro compact SUV.
Challenger
FERRARI
THE Prancing Horse supercar brand’s big launch for 2010 will be the 458 Italia in June, but
only for a few well-heeled buyers. A replacement for Ferrari’s entry-level F430 coupe, the 458
packs a 4.5-litre V8 and dual-clutch automated manual transmission that delivers 0-100km/h
sprints in a claimed 3.4 seconds and fuel economy of as little as 13.3L/100km. With handling
honed by Michael Schumacher before he signed up with
th
Mercedes-Benz for the 2010 Formula One
season, the 458 already commands a
two-year waiting list in Australia –
despite a circa-$500,000 pricetag.
FIAT
458 Italia
THE sardine-tin-roofed 500C convertible landed in Australian showrooms this week, priced
from $28,990, while the Abarth version of Fiat’s modern 500 will arrive later in the year,
powered by a 99kW 1.4-litre turbo engine that offers up to 204Nm in sports mode. Expect
a pricetag in the low $30,000s. Fiat’s other volume-seller, the Punto, will be facelifted in
mid-2010, when it gains fresh front and rear styling, a new interior and new 1.3 turbo-diesel
and 1.4 turbo-petrol engines – though the latter may not be sold here. The Punto range will
also be graced by a top-shelf Abarth SuperSport version in the third quarter, powered by a
111kW 1.4 turbo-petrol four. Driving through a six-speed manual, the Punto Abarth ‘essesse’
is good for 8.2-second 0-100km/h times.
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John Mellor’s
GoAutoNews
Jan 27, 2010 Page 16
FORD
WITH Ford’s new Kuga compact SUV conspicuous by its absence in Australia, the Blue Oval will mark 2010 with an all-new 5.0-litre V8
for Ford Performance Vehicles and, unless it is discontinued, the XR8, plus an upgraded Euro 4 emissions-compliant inline six for its locally
built Falcon and Territory models mid-year.
A new direct liquid injection LPG system should also grace the Falcon in 2010, although the Territory’s first diesel engine has been
delayed until 2011 – when the first (turbo) four-cylinder Falcon is due – perhaps in the second
generation of Ford Australia’s medium SUV. While Ford Australia continues to mull over the
second-generation Ka micro, its light-sized Fiesta hatch – and all-new sedan – will be sourced
from Thailand from the third quarter of 2010, spelling keener pricing and specifications. Finally,
look out for the latest generation of Ford’s global small car, the Focus, which made its global
Fiesta sedan
debut at Detroit this month but is not expected here until early 2012.
GEELY
GREAT WALL
THE Chinese brand that should soon own
Volvo is now likely to be responsible for
importing Australia’s first passenger car
from China – following delays with models
from compatriots Chery and Great Wall. See
our cover story this issue for full details.
HAVING launched its first light commercials (SA220 and V240 utes) and a compact SUV
(X240) last year, Australia’s first Chinese brand still plans to stage a belated launch for its
first (as yet unnamed) passenger car here – around mid-year. Before then, Great Wall will
release a facelifted version of the V240 twin-cab, which will also become available in the
second quarter with single-cab and one-tonne cab-chassis body styles, plus a diesel engine in
the second half – when there will also be an automatic transmission for the Toyota 4Runnerbased X240 wagon.
HYUNDAI
KOREA’S burgeoning Hyundai brand hopes
to build on its stellar sales growth with three
new models in the first half, headlined by the
additional i20 light hatch to be positioned
above the price-leading Getz from around
$17,000.
Also coming early will be the ix35
compact SUV, which replaces the lessupmarket Tucson, while a replacement for
Hyundai’s Sonata medium sedan will arrive
with a new nameplate around mid-year.
Codenamed the YF and to be followed by
a VF-series five-door diesel sibling dubbed
the i40 within 12 months, the latter will
be a front-drive petrol-only affair like the
Sonata – unlike the ix35, which should
come with front-drive, AWD, petrol and
diesel options from around $30,000. While
the i10 sub-light hatch, which like the i20 is
built in India, is still under consideration for
Australia, speculation of a right-hand drive
version of Hyundai’s classy Genesis sedan
and coupe continues, making both models
outside chances of a late-2010 local launch.
i20
HONDA
A LONG-OVERDUE midlife facelift for
Honda’s third-generation CR-V has been
delayed until the first half of 2010 for Australia,
but with a new 110kW/350Nm 2.2-litre diesel
version ruled out for our market, expect largely
cosmetic changes. While Honda announced
the fitment of curtain airbags on all 2010 Civic
sedans in December, the Japanese small car
is also expected to benefit from a more major
mid-model update in the first half of the year.
HOLDEN
AS GOAUTO reported from the Detroit motor
show earlier this month, Holden is preparing
to stage a two-pronged Barina attack on the
Australian market with the launch of the
Barina Spark late this year (based on the
redesigned Chevrolet Spark/Daewoo Matiz)
and a bigger model in 2011 based on the newgeneration Chevrolet Aveo.
Spark
After launching its upgraded MY10
Commodore, Statesman and Ute range late last year, Holden is unlikely to mess with its
volume-selling large-car range. E85 ethanol versions were expected, although Holden is now
refusing to commit to a 2010 launch. As previously reported, the Australian manufacturer
has also pushed back the launch date for the Australian-designed Cruze hatch, which will
now enter production in Adelaide alongside the current Korean-sourced sedan in March
2011. Chevrolet’s production Orlando, a belated replacement for the Zafira people-mover is
expected to emerge at Geneva in March but, given Holden’s Korean sourcing policy, it – like
Opel’s lauded new Insignia – appears a long-shot for Aussie roads.
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John Mellor’s
GoAutoNews
Jan 27, 2010 Page 17
JAGUAR
BRITAIN’S premium brand will open its 2010 account with an upgraded XK coupe and convertible
range here early this year. Both sleek 10MY models will be headlined by more powerful yet more
efficient new direct-injection 5.0-litre V8 engines from the XF and Land Rover models, but they will
also come with price rises of around $15,000 – including the supercharged XKRs. Jaguar Australia
has also announced pricing for its redesigned flagship limousine, the new XJ, which goes on sale
from May priced between $193,800 for the entry-level short-wheelbase XJ 3.0 V6D and $362,800 for
the top-shelf supercharged XJ 5.0 Supersport LWB, which delivers 375kW and 625Nm.
XJ
JEEP
LAND ROVER
LIKE its fellow brands in the Chrysler stable,
the iconic US off-road marque will be relatively
quiet this year, with only mildly changed 2010
versions of the Compass, Patriot, Wrangler,
Cherokee, Grand Cherokee and Commander
due. If Jeep’s redesigned flagship, the 2011
Grand Cherokee revealed at the New York
show last April, does make it here this year, it
will be late. As GoAuto has reported, the new
Mercedes M-class-based Grand should bring
turbo-diesel, new 3.6-litre flex-fuel V6 and
5.7-litre petrol V8 power.
ALTHOUGH it went on sale in December at $44,990, first deliveries of the long-lost shortwheelbase Defender 90 will not take place until the first quarter. The four-seater two-door
will score the LWB Defender’s 2.4-litre 90kW/360Nm
turbo-diesel four and manual transmission. Having just
launched comprehensively overhauled 10MY versions of
its Discovery, Range Rover Sport and Rangie Vogue SUVs,
the famed British off-road brand’s next major product
launch will not take place until 2011, when the first ever
Defender 90
compact Rangie emerges, based on the LRX concept.
KIA
THE ‘other’ Korean brand will launch
no fewer than three new models this year,
including the MkIII Sportage compact
SUV mid-year – a model that promises to
be vastly superior to the one it succeeds,
just like Hyundai’s ix35 – and, in the third
quarter, the all-new TD Cerato five-door
hatch and MkII Magentis medium sedan.
After ushering in an MY10 update for its
light-sized Rio this month ahead of its
replacement in 2011, Kia will introduce a
facelift for its Grand Carnival people-mover
in April and plans to upgrade its Sorento
SUV around October with a 3.5-litre petrol
V6. Turn to page 8 for further details.
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LAMBORGHINI
THE House of the Raging Bull presents three limited-edition models in 2010, starting this
month with the Gallardo LP550-2 Valentino Balboni, which offers a slightly detuned 410kW
(550hp, hence the name) of power from its 5.2-litre V10 but rear-wheel drive, making it the
first non-AWD Gallardo. Just eight examples will come to Oz, from a global production run
of 250 units. Next up in February is the Murcielago LP670-4 Super Veloce, which winds its
6.5-litre V12 up to 500kW (670hp) while cutting weight by 100kg. Expect the AWD Lambo
flagship to command a circa-$850,000 pricetag, with up to just four headed Down Under
from 350 globally. There is also the possibility of a lightweight 425kW (570hp) Gallardo,
dubbed the LP570-4 Superleggera, arriving here around mid-year.
LEXUS
MAZDA
WITH 2010 versions of its LS limousine, GS
large sedan and IS medium sedan launched
here in the final quarter last year, new metal
will be scarce in Lexus showrooms during
2010. The Japanese luxury brand’s biggest
drawcards will not arrive here until 2011,
when the LF-A super-coupe and a dedicated
Prius-based hatchback based on the LF-Ch
Frankfurt concept will be released locally.
Just five examples of the LF-A will be made
available here.
AFTER the Mazda3 Diesel hit showrooms
last month, the number-two Japanese brand
will stage two further still-to-be-specified
major model launches in March. These are
expected to be a facelifted Mazda6 mid-size
sedan and the all-new Mazda2 light sedan,
the latter to be built in Thailand (alongside
the hatch, which is also switching from
Japan). The Mazda2 sedan shares the hatch’s
2490mm wheelbase and will be powered by
the same 76kW 1.5-litre engine, but boot
capacity is 450 litres – up 200 litres over the
hatch. Expect better pricing and specification
for both models, including standard stability
control and curtain airbags.
No further releases from Mazda have been
confirmed for 2010, but reports continue to
surface from Japan about a born-again RX-7
to replace the RX-8, based on the MX-5
and powered by Mazda’s next-generation
1600cc twin-rotor Wankel engine, the 16X.
Though it is unlikely to emerge in 2010,
reports suggest that unlike the previous RX7, the new model could be priced as low as
$30,000 to undercut rivals like Hyundai’s
Genesis and the production version of
Toyota’s FT-86 ‘Toyobaru’ coupe.
LOTUS
AS WE reported last week, the new Lotus
Evora has just hit Australian showrooms.
Available in two- and four-seat configurations
from $149,900, the first all-new Lotus in more
than a decade is powered by a 208kW/350Nm
3.5-litre Toyota V6 that returns as little
as 8.7L/100km. On sale in March is the
facelifted Exige S, which brings a larger rear
wing and revised front end.
MAHINDRA
AUSTRALIA’S first and only Indian
vehicle brand plans to launch its first SUV,
the Scorpio, in early 2010. Based on the PikUp but employing an 87kW/290Nm 2.2-litre
turbo-diesel engine, the rugged mid-size offroader is available in India in 2WD and 4WD
guise and with seating for up to eight, plus
an advanced fuel-saving idle-stop system.
Mazda2 sedan
John Mellor’s
GoAutoNews
Jan 27, 2010 Page 18
MERCEDES-BENZ
THE first batch of E-class Estates arrived in Australian showrooms this week (see our report on
page 11), ahead of the W212 E-class Cabriolet due in May. While Mercedes will also stage a
commercial van event in late February, the biggest Benz fanfare in 2010 will be reserved for the
all-new SLS AMG super-coupe, 50 of which will hit local shores initially from June, at a price
of around $500,000. The born-again ‘gullwing’ will bristle with a 420kW dry-sump version of
SLS AMG
AMG’s 6.2-litre V8, matched to a seven-speed dual-clutch auto.
MINI
MITSUBISHI
THE biggest Mini release of 2010 – although
it may not make it here until 2011 – should
be that of the Mini Countryman. See full
details on page 4. Also set for Australian
release by mid-2010 are 10 examples of the
John Cooper Works World Championship 50
(aka JCW WC50) Mini. Just 250 examples
of the piping-hot limited-edition Mini will
be made globally, to celebrate John Cooper’s
Formula One world championship in 1959.
THE slow-release of Mitsubishi’s sub-Outlander compact SUV, to be known as the RVR when
it goes on sale in Japan in February, will culminate in a formal reveal at Geneva in March,
before it goes on sale here mid-year. Available in front-drive AWD formats, with 2.0-litre
petrol and 1.8-litre diesel engines, the Evo-look mini-SUV will be priced from about $25,000.
See page 7 for further details. Also expected from Mitsubishi this year is an Evo-look cosmetic
facelift for its Colt light car, which should also gain extra standard equipment.
NISSAN
NISSAN’S new 370Z Roadster is only a
couple of months away from Australia. Power
will come from the same new 3.7-litre V6
as in the 370Z Coupe, but the soft-top Z-car
will weigh about 100kg more and carry the
usual price premium. Six-speed manual and
seven-speed automatic transmissions will be
available. Also a chance for Australia from
Nissan in 2010 is the Thai-built version of
its Micra light car and a redesigned Patrol
large SUV, which is under development but
continues to remain under wraps.
370Z Roadster
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PEUGEOT
THE biggest Peugeot release of 2010 will be the RCZ, a compact 2+2-seater coupe featuring
a glass and aluminium double-bubble roof to compete directly with Audi’s TT. Due here
as early as July, the RCZ will eventually spawn a hybrid version, but should launch with
147kW 1.6-litre turbo-petrol and 120kW turbo-diesel engines. Expect a pricetag of around
$60,000. As GoAuto has reported, Peugeot is also scheduled to release diesel and petrol
versions of the all-new 3008 wagon in March and May respectively.
PORSCHE
FIRST deliveries of the new 911 GT3 ($281,600) commence this month, while the new 911
Turbo will be launched here in February, priced at $360,100. The latter will boast the first
all-new engine since the Turbo emerged in 1974, with peak power boosted to 368kW from
a turbocharged 3.8-litre flat six.
Due here around April is the limited-edition Porsche 911 Sport Classic, 911 GT3 RS
($337,700) and Boxster Spyder ($143,600). The latter will be powered by a 235kW 3.4-litre
flat six and weighs 80kg less than the Boxster S. Finally, Porsche will debut its secondgeneration Cayenne SUV in late 2010. The
redesigned five-door wagon will borrow the
Panamera’s uprated 4.8-litre V8 engines
while carrying over its V6 petrol and diesel
entry-level engines, the latter priced again
from about $100,000. Hybrid power is also
promised, but is unlikely before 2011.
911 Turbo
PROTON
PROTON will launch a 1.3-litre G version of the new 1.6-litre S16 sedan priced at just
$10,990 from April. Before then, an automatic version of the S16 GX 1.6 sedan will become
available in March priced at $13,990, while a flagship GXR version of the S16 is due in
Australia in July, powered by a 1.6-litre engine and priced at $15,990 ($17,990 auto).
This month, Proton will also introduce entry-level ‘G’ versions of the 1.6-litre Satria
Neo three-door hatch ($14,490 manual, $16,490 auto), the 1.6-litre Persona sedan ($14,990
manual, $16,990 auto) and Gen.2 five-door hatch ($15,990 manual, $17,990 auto). While
the company remains mum on the redesigned Jumbuck ute it has committed to releasing
here in the first half of 2010, the second half will see Proton release ‘LE’ manual and auto
versions of the 1.6-litre Persona (August) and S16 (September), and a top-shelf manual
‘CPS’ version of the Satria Neo in October. Rounding out a bumper year for Proton here
will be the brand’s first people-mover, the seven-seat Exora, which will initially be available
from November in GX guise with a turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol engine.
RENAULT
THE French brand will launch the Megane RenaultSport 250 and Clio 200 Sport hot-hatches
here in 2010, plus a new Kangoo van, a facelifted Koleos compact SUV and updated Trafic
van. Both the Koleos and Trafic will arrive
here in the first half with a new look and
equipment upgrades, while the Megane RS
250 will pack a 186kW turbocharged four to
rival VW’s Golf GTI and the Clio 200 Sport
should be joined by limited-edition variations,
Megane RS250
including the Gordini, around March.
John Mellor’s
GoAutoNews
Jan 27, 2010 Page 19
SKODA
THE most important Rolls-Royce of the
modern era will be the ‘compact’ Ghost,
which goes on sale here in May priced at
$695,000 – almost $400,000 less than the
Phantom. The BMW 7 Series-based Ghost
is powered by a 6.6-litre twin-turbo V12,
matched with an eight-speed automatic
gearbox, which propels the 2.4-tonne sedan
to 100km/h in an alleged 4.9 seconds.
THREE new-to-Australia Skoda models are on the 2010 agenda for Volkswagen’s Czech
brand. While the Fabia light hatch remains unconfirmed for a local launch, the Yeti compact
SUV and Superb Estate will be definite starters in the second quarter.
The VW Tiguan-based Yeti, Skoda’s answer to Toyota’s RAV4, will be available in frontdrive and AWD formats – and with petrol and diesel engines – priced from under $30,000,
while the Superb wagon line-up may echo that of the Superb sedan, which starts at $42,990.
While there will also be a facelifted Roomster from Skoda in 2010 (featuring a revised
interior, TSI turbo-petrol engine and an automatic gearbox for the diesel), a DSG dualclutch auto transmission will also arrive for
the slow-selling Octavia Scout TDI.
A facelifted version of the VW Polobased Fabia is expected to emerge at Geneva
in March and could form the basis of an
Australian release of Skoda’s first light car
Yeti
here, spearheaded by an RS version.
SAAB
TOYOTA
THE future of Saab – and its redesigned 9-5
flagship sedan – continues to be unknown
while parent company GM decides whether
to wind down Sweden’s second-largest carmaker or sell it to interested parties such as
Spyker. See page 3 for our latest update.
NOBODY will miss the release of Australia’s first locally built petrol-electric vehicle,
the Camry Hybrid sedan, in February. Expected to carry a minimal price premium over
its petrol-only siblings at around $33,000,
the hybrid is based on Toyota’s facelifted
homegrown Camry and promises better
handling, performance and economy (see
page 21). Also due soon is an updated Corolla
sedan, to go with the recently updated Corolla
hatch. Expect subtle cosmetic revisions, more
Camry Hybrid
equipment and standard stability control.
Ghost
ROLLS-ROYCE
9-5
SSANGYONG
THE troubled Korean car-maker could
introduce its all-new C200 compact SUV in
Australia in 2010. If sold here, it should be
available with 2.0-litre diesel and 1.8-litre
petrol power – and better styling than any
SsangYong model before it.
SUBARU
SUBARU’S top-selling Forester compact
SUV will be bolstered by a diesel version
from June, with the Forester 2.0D powered
by the company’s first diesel boxer engine.
However, as with the Outback diesel, the
110kW/350Nm 2.0-litre oil-burner will
be matched only with a six-speed manual
transmission. Expect a pricetag that is about
$2500 higher than the entry-level Forester
X petrol ($30,990).
SUZUKI
THE Japanese small-car specialist will
kick off 2010 with a facelifted SX4 small
car in February, and a similarly upgraded
Swift light hatch is also due here by the
end of 2010. Suzuki’s biggest 2010 release,
however, will be that of the Kizashi in May.
The company’s first mid-size sedan
will be powered exclusively by a 2.4-litre
petrol four, priced from about $35,000 to
compete directly with upmarket mid-sizers
like the Mazda6.
VOLKSWAGEN
EUROPE’S biggest car-maker will launch a redesigned Polo light car, Golf wagon, its first
ever utility in the Amarok dual-cab and an updated Transporter van range in 2010. The
latter will appear here around March with a new range of engines and a fresh face for the T5
Caravelle, Multivan and Transporter, while the Amarok will not be sold here until the second
half with a choice of two diesel engines offering 120kW/400Nm and 90kW/340Nm – the
latter returning as little a 7.6L/100km.
The all-new Polo is due in the second quarter in both three- and five-door guises, followed
by a GTI version sometime in the second
half. Garden-variety versions should offer
77kW 1.2 turbo-petrol, 1.4 turbo-petrol
and 1.6 turbo-diesel engines, with prices
opening above $17,000. While the sleek
Scirocco continues to elude an Australian
business case, VW will import the Golf R
hot-hatch by mid-year. The most powerful
Golf ever will be preceded by a more
pedestrian version of the Golf, with the
Amarok
wagon due on sale in February.
VOLVO
SWEDEN’S number-one vehicle brand will launch a facelifted C70 coupe-convertible here
in March, offering a fresh look and updated engines – as will its smallest model, the C30
hatch range, which should be joined by a DRIVEe eco-model with idle-stop technology
that helps return fuel economy as low as 3.8L/100km. Volvo’s biggest launch of the year,
however, will be for the new S60 sedan, which makes its production debut at the Geneva
motor show in March and will bring
a new level of style and technology.
Expect a November release date for
the redesigned Volvo mid-sizer, which
should gain a wagon derivative dubbed
the V60 in 2011.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING:
TERRY MARTIN
S60
John Mellor’s
GoAuto Market Insight
Jan 27, 2010 Page 20
GoAuto Market Insight is brought
to you by Dealer Solutions
Against the odds
Audi Q5
-15
-20
-25
-30
Source: VFACTS
-35
For the record, the large SUV category
is dominated by the Toyota LandCruiser,
which sold 2476 less units for a total of
7755 and the Nissan Patrol, which was
down 1263 units to 4352.
So that leaves the luxury SUV class.
What were the curious factors that meant
this segment could go against the flow?
It largely comes down to fresh metal.
The Audi Q5 and Volvo XC60 were new
in 2009. The new Audi added 1297 sales
and the Volvo managed 1261 which meant
it came within 18 sales of knocking off the
XC90 as the brand’s most popular model.
BMW’s X6, which was introduced in
mid-2008, had its first full year of sales and
sold a reasonable 573, up from 288 in the
previous year.
A new Lexus RX touched down in
February, raising sales to 2607, up from
2304 during 2008.
Overwhelmingly, it was the new models
and significantly upgraded vehicles that
were the stars of the class, but some
existing models managed to lift their game.
There was nothing new about the BMW
X3, but it picked up an extra 5.4 per cent,
the unchanged Mercedes ML also increased
its sales by 5.8 per cent and Porsche’s
unchanged Cayenne was up 5.2 per cent.
The big losers of the segment for 2009
included the Volkswagen Touareg, which
dropped 28 per cent or 304 sales to 1066,
the Volvo XC70 (down 36.7 per cent or 268
sales to 462) and the Jeep Grand Cherokee
(down 35.8 per cent or 225 sales to 404).
In percentage terms it was the big Lexus
LX that had the hardest time in 2009. The
Toyota LandCruiser-based four-wheel
drive was down a massive 57.9 per cent, or
175 sales, which left it with just 127 new
registrations for the year.
Let us tune up your search engines.
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Mark Butler
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PU/CC 4x4
PU/CC 4x2
-7.4
1.1
Vans
7
SUV Large
-26
SUV Luxury
SUV Medium
-4
People-movers
-12.8
SUV Compact
Upper Large
-34.3
-1.2
Large
-14.8
Sports
Medium
Small
-6.3
-11.7
-5
Light
2009 sales vs 2008 (%)
THEY are big, expensive and usually
thirsty, but luxury SUVs found lots of
homes in Australia last year.
The hardship and uncertainty brought
on by the global financial crisis hit almost
every vehicle segment in Australia.
Only three managed to grow compared
with 2008: vans, PU/CC 4x4s (pick-up/cabchassis 4WD utilities) and luxury SUVs.
The vans were up only 1.1 per cent, while
the workhorse utes grew 3.0 per cent, but
luxury SUV sales increased by a healthy 7.0
per cent.
To put this in perspective, VFACTS
figures show that in 2009, large cars were
down 14.8 per cent, medium car sales
slowed 11.7 per cent, small cars slipped
6.3 per cent and light cars were down 8.0
per cent.
While demand for luxury SUVs increased,
the whole SUV segment was down 3.4 per
cent on 2008.
Compact SUV sales were off by 1.2 per
cent, medium SUV sales were down 4.0 per
cent, while the biggest SUV loser of the
year was the large SUV class which dipped
by a massive 26 per cent.
-8
5
0
By JAMES STANFORD
Vehicle segments 2009
10
-0.3
Economic downturn fails
to dampen enthusiasm for
new luxury SUV models
www.dealersolutions.com.au
1300 66 11 33
John Mellor’s
GoAuto Green
Green issues in the auto world
Jan 27, 2010 Page 21
GoAuto Green is brought
to you by Custom Fleet
Camry Hybrid: 6L/100km
Official fuel consumption
figure for Camry Hybrid
is better than anticipated
By MARTON PETTENDY
AN OFFICIAL average fuel consumption
figure of just six litres per 100km and CO2
emissions of only 142 grams per kilometre
will make next month’s Camry Hybrid
the most economical model in Toyota’s
Australian model range.
The better-than-expected ADR 81/02
numbers were revealed last week in a
promotional video on Toyota Australia’s
public news website ahead of the launch of
Australia’s first locally built petrol-electric
model on February 8.
With pre-prototype media drives of the
Camry Hybrid staged in September, its
locally developed bodykit presented in
December and key specifications already
revealed, all that remains unknown about
the Aussie Camry Hybrid is its price, which
is expected to start under $35,000.
Toyota had previously heralded CO2
emissions of less than 150g/km and fuel
consumption in the “low-6.0L/100km”
regions, but according to the official
government-approved numbers the Camry
Hybrid will be as efficient as the most frugal
Yaris light car, the YR three/five-door.
They also prove Toyota’s claim the
Camry Hybrid will use at least 35 per cent
less fuel than locally built six-cylinder
models, Holden’s Commodore (which uses
as little as 9.3L/100km in 3.0-litre MY2010
base form), Ford’s Falcon and Toyota’s own
Aurion. The Falcon and Aurion both return
as little as 9.9L/100km.
Previously, Toyota said that compared
with the “most fuel-efficient big Aussie
six”, the Camry Hybrid would use 40 per
cent less fuel on the official urban cycle and
25 per cent less on the highway cycle.
Naturally, the Camry Hybrid will also shatter
the efficiency specifications of the Camry
Hybrid’s most direct mid-size sedan rivals
such as the Honda Accord Euro (8.9L/100km),
Toyota’s own petrol Camry (8.8), the Mazda6
(from 8.0), Subaru Liberty (8.4), Kia Magentis
(8.0) and Holden Epica (7.6).
However, although hybrids traditionally
emit less CO2 than equivalent diesel
vehicles, the Camry Hybrid’s fuel efficiency
is still only average compared to mid-size
oil-burning rivals such as Skoda’s Octavia
(5.7L/100km), the Volkswagen Jetta and
Peugeot 407 (5.9), Hyundai Sonata and
Renault Laguna (6.0), Volkswagen Passat
(6.6), Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Avenger
(6.7) and Ford’s Mondeo (7.3).
GM vice-chairman blames solar flares, not CO2, for global temperature rises
By JAMES STANFORD
GENERAL Motors vice-chairman Bob
Lutz might be a keen supporter of the
Chevrolet Volt plug-in electric vehicle, but
he still does not believe in climate change.
The man who came up with the V10
Dodge Viper during his time at Chrysler
once famously described climate change as
a “croc of shit” and does not appear to have
changed his view.
During an interview at the Detroit
motor show, Mr Lutz was asked if the cold
weather in Michigan proved that his views
on climate change were correct.
Bob Lutz
He said: “They have been vindicated.”
Mr Lutz said he would not give a speech
on the topic because he would “get into
trouble”, but could not resist the temptation
to comment.
“All I ever say is look at the data, look
at the empirical evidence, look at what they
said 10 years ago with rising ocean levels,
hasn’t happened,” he said.
“Those of you who watch the Al Gore
Inconvenient Truth saw him put his hands
over the Gulf of Mexico with all this boiling
water and (say), ‘If you think Hurricane
Katrina was bad, you haven’t seen anything
yet’, and we are going to have all these
horrible hurricanes every year and we haven’t
had one. Katrina was like six years ago and
we are yet to get the next hurricane.”
Looking for the answers to your fleet
management questions? Talk to the experts.
Custom Fleet have a team of experts that can help you to demystify Fleet
Management. With a suite of products to suit every fleet need they can
advise you on anything from a fuel management program to a full leasing
solution. To speak to one of our experts click here.
Visit www.customfleet.com.au or call 1800 812 681.
John Mellor’s
GoAuto Personnel
Jan 27, 2010 Page 22
UP CLOSE ON PERSONNEL
PERS
PERSONNE
SONNEL
Brought to you by Motor Staff – the Motor Industry’s No.1 Recruitment Specialist
HOLDEN’S LAIRD TO JOIN REUSS AT GENERAL MOTORS HQ
By JAMES STANFORD
GM HOLDEN’S executive director of
corporate affairs Jason Laird is set to join
his former Holden boss Mark Reuss at GM
headquarters in Detroit.
Mr Reuss was recently named president
of GM North America, and now Mr Laird
has been appointed executive director of
GM North American product and brand
communications, starting next month.
Australian-born Mr Laird has had two
stints with Holden in almost a decade
with GM, the first as national manager of
corporate communications after joining
Holden from Telstra in 2001, and most
recently as executive director of corporate
affairs.
In between, he was an associate director
of GM Asia Pacific, based in China.
Samantha Read, currently Holden’s
technical adviser to GM Holden chairman
and managing director Alan Batey and the
associate director of
government relations
in corporate affairs,
will replace Mr Laird.
Ms Read has been
with Holden since
2000, when she took
up the role of strategic
Jason Laird
quality planner in the
quality organisation. She holds a bachelor
of engineering from Monash University.
BMW NAMES MUELLER AS NEW ROLLS-ROYCE CEO
By TERRY MARTIN
BMW AG has named sales and marketing
executive Torsten Mueller as its incoming
chief executive of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars,
following the announcement last week that
current CEO Tom Purves will retire at the
end of March.
A 25-year veteran with the BMW Group,
Mr Purves, 61, has held the top job at
the British luxury brand since mid-2008,
having succeeded Ian Robertson, who is
now Rolls-Royce chairman and BMW
board of management member responsible
for group sales and marketing.
Mr Mueller, 49, has also worked for BMW
for more than two decades, holding a number
of senior positions in the sales and marketing
division. He also managed Mini from 2000
to 2003 and is credited with successfully
relaunching the Mini brand internationally.
Mr Mueller became responsible for central
marketing and brand management at BMW
in 2004, and since April 2008 has been
running BMW global product management
and part of its aftersales business. He will
continue to report to Mr Robertson, while
his responsibilities at BMW now fall to
Hildegard Wortmann.
“Torsten has many years of solid
experience in the fields of brand and product
management as well as marketing,” Mr
Robertson said. “He is the perfect candidate
to lead Rolls-Royce Motor Cars into a period
of expansion – having not only a successful
track record as a manager, but also a feel for
the unique attributes of a traditional brand.”
Mr Robertson also paid tribute to Mr
Purves. “Tom’s breadth of experience
and successful track
record over many
years with the group
have proven extremely
valuable to RollsRoyce as the company
moved through an
important stage of its
development,” he said. Torsten Mueller
“He has successfully overseen the launch
of our new Ghost model series and hands
over the helm of a company in excellent
shape for the future.”
Mr Purves’ previous posts included
more than nine years as president of BMW
North America. He started his career in
the automotive industry in 1966 as an
apprentice engineer with Rolls-Royce in
Crewe, England.
JAGUAR LAND ROVER CEO DEPARTS
JAGUAR Land Rover
announced the shock
departure of chief
executive David Smith
this week, thanking
him for his service
to the British marque
“over many years”
David Smith but providing no further
details on the reasons behind the move.
Speculation is now mounting that the
move was designed to clear the way for
former Opel and BMW chief Carl-Peter
Forster to step in.
In a brief statement, JLR said director
Ravi Kant would assist with the handover
of Mr Smith’s duties and assume day-to-day
responsibilities of CEO – in conjunction
with Jaguar chief Mike O’Driscoll and
Land Rover boss Phil Popham – until “a
permanent successor is announced”.
If you have any car industry personnel
announcements, please email them to
Terry Martin at [email protected]
Meanwhile, JLR last week appointed
David Betteley as its new global financial
services director.
The current chairman of the Finance and
Leasing Association in the UK, Mr Betteley
joins the Tata Motors-owned British prestige
vehicle manufacturer from Toyota, where
he held the position of vice-president with
responsibility for financial services in the UK,
Europe and Africa.
Time to bolster your Dealership Team?
Has your dealership been running too lean during the
last few months?
Steve Curran
George Hennessy
Anne Taylor
Mara Nogarotto
Doug Tame
Sharon Hunter
Now that the economy has turned the corner, it is important that you have
sufficient staff to take full advantage as business improves. Remember how
difficult it was, not so very long ago, to find good staff? So now is the time to hire
the experienced personnel you need before someone else does!
Don’t be caught short... talk with us today
and prepare yourself for tomorrow!
1300 666 562
www.motorstaff.com.au
John Mellor’s
GoAutoNews
Jan 27, 2010 Page 23
GoAuto’s latest car review
www.GoAuto.com.au
Ford Territory TX RWD five-door wagon
FEW models last more than five years without some kind of significant redesign or facelift. The Ford
Territory is getting on in age and is due for a significant upgrade inside 12 months, but the latest SYII
refresh will hold the fort until the facelift comes. Based heavily on the original 2004 SX series, the latest
Territory proves that not being the latest thing is not necessarily a bad thing.
Launch Pad
brought to you by
Australia’s No.1 because it works!
JANUARY:
NEW CHALLENGE FOR MINI
A RANGE of cosmetic and mechanical John
Cooper Works-badged components are now
available as a $2500 option across Mini’s
Australian JCW model range, grouped under
the Challenge Edition banner.
Exclusive to Australia, the race-oriented
Challenge package includes JCW front, rear
and side aprons, a JCW carbon spoiler, JCW
aluminium cross-brace, JCW Alcantara
and carbon steering wheel, JCW carbon
gearshift knob and handbrake lever with
Alcantara shrouds, and unique Challenge
Edition badging.
ACCORD CURTAIN CALL
HONDA Australia has made side curtain
airbags standard across its Accord range,
matching large sedan rivals such as the
Holden Commodore, Ford Falcon and
Toyota Aurion.
Already standard in the mid-range VTi-L
and flagship V6L models, curtain airbags
are now fitted for free in the entry-level
Accord VTi.
For 2010, the Accord VTi-L and V6L also
gain the ability to open the windows and
sunroof via the key fob – without switching
on the engine. Other 2010 model-year
changes include revised air-conditioning
controls across the range, which are claimed
to improve dashboard functionality.
Audi A5 Sportback
BMW X5 M
Lotus Evora
Proton Satria G
Proton Persona G
Proton Gen.2 G
A5 Sportback
Evora
New model diary: CLICK HERE
Cerato
DUTY CALLS FOR KIA
KIA is the latest brand to pass on the federal
government’s five per cent import duty
reduction for passenger cars from 2010,
announcing driveaway prices for entry-level
versions of its Cerato sedan and Rondo7 and
Grand Carnival people-movers.
Although list prices for the rest of the model
range remain unchanged, buyers will now
pay no more than $18,990 to own Kia’s base
Cerato Si manual small sedan, representing a
significant saving over its previous list price
of $19,990, plus on-road costs.
While the base Cerato Si manual sedan is
effectively about $4000 more affordable, the
top-spec Cerato SLi manual sedan continues to
cost $23,190 plus statutory and dealer charges.
Similarly, the small Rondo7 LX peoplemover’s $24,990 list price is now a driveaway
price, while prices for the mid-range Rondo7
EX automatic ($29,990) and flagship Rondo7
EX-L auto, which each increased by $1000 in
December, are unchanged.
OUTDOOR ENTERTAINER
PEUGEOT has released a special-edition
iteration of its 207 Touring, dubbed the
Outdoor. Limited to just 150 units for
Australia, the 207 Outdoor wagon features
a number of off-road-inspired additions
over the model it effectively replaces, but
continues with the same $30,490 (petrol)
and $31,490 (diesel) pricetags.
Specific Outdoor upgrades include dualzone climate-control, partial leather/sports
cloth trim (in either black or Chocolate
brown), new 16x6.5-inch alloy wheels with
larger 205/55-section tyres, cruise control
and speed limiter, and black wheelarch,
bumper and sill extensions.
TOYOTA STICKING POINT
TOYOTA has recalled a further 2.3 million
cars in the US to rectify a problem with sticking
accelerator pedals as the world’s number-one
car-maker battles the continuing fallout from
an unintended acceleration scare.
A similar recall has been ruled out for
Australia, with Toyota Australia saying
local models use accelerator pedals from a
different supplier.
“Toyota Australia understands that the
recall announced in the US relates to a
particular supplier of accelerator pedals,”
Toyota Australia spokesman Mike Breen
told GoAuto. “The accelerator pedals for
vehicles sold in the Australian market are
provided by a different supplier.”
The latest recall is separate from a recall
on 4.2 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles
late last year to check accessory floor mats
that could jam the accelerator pedal if they
became unhooked.
“Up to 55% of our sales are directly linked
to carsales - they are second to none!”
Jack Rietdyk, Used Vehicle Sales Manager - Wanneroo Mazda
Find out why it works for Jack.
Call us on 1300 728 800

Geely gears up

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