GoAutoNews - GoAutoMedia

Transcription

John Mellor’s
GoAutoNews
Oct 15, 2010
Australia’s No.1 Automotive Industry Journal
No. 553
70,000 Readers Weekly
HUGE
SYDNEY
S HOW
ISSUE!
Ranger unmasked
Ford’s Australian-developed pick-up opens action-packed Sydney motor show
By BYRON MATHIOUDAKIS
and TERRY MARTIN
FORD Australia opened the Australian
International Motor Show in Sydney this
morning with the much-anticipated worldfirst unveiling of the all-new and locally
designed and engineered T6 Ranger
utility ahead of its mid-2011 production
in Thailand and subsequent market launch
Down Under.
The Ranger was one of five world debuts
and more than 40 southern hemisphere or
Australian premieres at the rejuvenated
Sydney show, which will now alternate with
Melbourne each year under the AIMS banner
after being cancelled last year and boycotted
by several high-profile brands in 2008.
The other world premieres were the
Ranger’s mechanical twin, the Mazda
BT-50, an F Sport version of the crucial new
Lexus CT200h hybrid, a high-performance
Suzuki Kizashi Turbo concept and, not least
of all, a Subaru Forester SUV with a heart
that beats almost as loud and strong as the
Impreza WRX STI cult car.
But it was the T6 Ranger that was the first
all-new vehicle to be unveiled in the Darling
Harbour exhibition halls this morning, and
the one that captured enormous interest
given the role Ford Australia played in its
design and development.
Introduced by company president Marin
Burela as “the largest vehicle development
program ever undertaken in Australian
automotive history for the world market”,
the new Ranger will eventually be built in
three countries – Thailand, South Africa and
Argentina – and serve more than 180 markets
around the world on five continents.
The Ranger destined for Australia will be
built in Thailand alongside the BT-50 and
boasts “more capability, more power and
more features” than its predecessor. It was
tested extensively from searing Outback
heat to frigid Swedish winter cold.
It topped a comprehensively revamped
Ford stand in Sydney this morning, which
also included the first public outing for the
(also Thai-made) WT Fiesta facelift, Focus
RS hyper-hatch and MC Mondeo revamp.
Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV)
also took the opportunity to roll out
the re-engineered GS and GT highperformance range featuring all-new
‘Coyote’ V8 engines.
Yet, in the scheme of things at Ford, the
T6 Ranger overshadowed them all.
All-new from the ground up, with
redesigned powertrains, suspension, steering
and braking systems, it sits on a longer
wheelbase (now measuring 3220mm) and
boasts wider tracks.
Available in 4x2 and 4x4 guises, the
one-tonne pick-up uses separate chassis
construction to maximise its towing capacity
and payload capabilities. Some versions can
deal with up to 1500kg.
Continued next page
MAZDA UNVEILS
STUNNING BT-50
- page 3
=bWiiÊiÅJ^[7kjeIf[Y_\_YWj_ed
WdZH[i_ZkWbLWbk[If[Y_Wb_iji
SUBSCRIBE FREE: www.GoAutoMedia.com
ADVERTISE: Steve Butcher
Ph: 0419 562 110
[email protected]
John Mellor’s
GoAutoNews
Oct 15, 2010 Page 2
Ranger unmasked
Continued from previous page
Following class convention, the steering is
by rack-and-pinion (offering an 11.8-metre
turning circle from 3.5 turns lock-to-lock, or
12.4m for the 4x4 version), the front suspension
consists of coils and wishbones, and the rear
suspension adheres to a leaf-spring design for
maximum workhorse capability.
Key rivals either benchmarked or targeted
by Ford were the Toyota HiLux, Nissan
Navara, Mitsubishi Triton and Volkswagen
Amarok.
Beyond the four-door dual-cab model
unveiled in Sydney, there are two-door
crew-cab and single-cab variations to come,
while an as-yet unconfirmed five- and/or
seven-seater wagon body style is believed
to be in the pipeline – but that is at least two
years away.
Customers will be able to choose between
two ride heights over five levels of trim up
to the range-topping XLT.
Design chief Craig Metros undertook the
work at Ford Australia’s Broadmeadows
head office, incorporating styling into the
Ranger that he says recalls both the rigid
up and down lines of a Ford F150 truck
and the Kinetic Design ‘organic’ look of
contemporary Ford passenger vehicles like
the Ford Mondeo and Kuga SUV.
John Mellor’s
GoAutoNews
PUBLISHER: John Mellor
EDITOR: Terry Martin
MANAGING EDITOR: Marton Pettendy
JOURNALISTS: Byron Mathioudakis, James Stanford
Philip Lord, David Hassall
PRODUCTION: Luc Britten, Haitham Razagui
SUB-EDITOR: Ron Hammerton
Produced by GoAutoMedia: Ph: (03) 9598 6477
[email protected]
But the company is keen to stress that, while
the new Ranger adopts class-leading modern
design, comfort, safety and convenience,
with one of the biggest and roomiest interiors
in the business, it is still a tough truck.
Nevertheless, the high-waist, acute
windscreen angle and general aerodynamic
shape helped the design team to create a
longer, deeper and higher-sided tub with
exceptional capacity and a squarer, more
volumetric appearance that Ford research
shows appealed to one-tonne truck buyers.
Ranger double-cab’s cargo box measures
in at 1549mm long, 511mm high and
1560mm wide (more than 100mm wider than
before), given a total volume of 1.21 cubic
metres. Width between the wheelarches is
1139mm.
Under the bonnet is a choice of three
heavily revised or all-new powerplants,
some with Euro V emissions capability.
Opening the range will be a 2.5-litre inline
four-cylinder Duratec petrol unit producing
122kW of power at 6000rpm and 226Nm of
torque, which Ford claims beats its major
competitors and is 24 per cent better than
the previous model.
This engine comes standard with a
five-speed manual gearbox, and can be
configured for E100 Ethanol flex-fuel, CNG
or LPG capability.
Next up is a choice of two common-rail
turbo-diesels (Duratorq in Ford-speak), a
2.2-litre four-cylinder that delivers 110kW
at 3700rpm and 375Nm between 1500 and
2500rpm, and a 3.2-litre inline five-cylinder
from the current Ford Transit van developing
147kW at 3000rpm and 470Nm at 2750rpm.
Ford expects close to segment-leading
economy but said it will reveal fuel
consumption, emissions outputs and
performance figures for all Ranger engines
closer to launch. Tank size is 80 litres.
Most diesel models will be mated to sixspeed transmissions in MT82 manual or
6R80 torque-converter automatic forms,
with the latter offering manual control
through a sequential manual shifting gate
(a unique feature in the class, according to
Ford), Grade Control Logic that downshifts
the gearbox for additional braking, and
driver-adaptive software.
There is a spread of final drive ratios –
from 3.31 to 5.3:1 – depending on which
drive type is chosen and whether the truck
is a low- or high-ride model.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
Mazda’s reborn BT-50 – next page
ADVERTISE: Steve Butcher
Ph: 0419 562 110 [email protected]
FORD FIESTA DETAILS: CLICK HERE
The leaders in
Dealer Management Systems since 1980
Built for Microsoft ® Windows ®
®
Auto-IT Australia
[email protected]
+61 3 9349 3062
John Mellor’s
GoAutoNews
Oct 15, 2010 Page 3
Mazda’s reborn BT-50
Mazda chief anticipates
massive sales increase
with new ‘lifestyle’ utility
By MARTON PETTENDY
MAZDA has lifted the veil of secrecy from
its stunning new BT-50 utility, which appears
to blend one-tonne load capacity and offroad capability with passenger car-like style
and comfort like no other Japanese-brand
ute before it.
Making its global debut this morning
alongside its mechanical twin, the redesigned
Ford Ranger, the all-new BT-50 was designed
and developed in Australia, which will be its
single biggest market worldwide.
Mazda’s next-generation workhorse will
go into production alongside the new Ranger
in the same Thailand factory as before from
June 2011, before going on sale here later
next year.
Key technical details and the exact model
line-up remain under wraps for now, but the
larger and vastly more imposing new BT
will once again be available in a complete
(but still all-diesel) range of competitively
priced single, extended and dual-cab body
styles in both cab-chassis and style-sided
pick-up, and in 4x2 and 4x4 configurations.
One look at the new BT, which will
be sold in almost as many markets as the
Ranger (more than 180), is enough to know
it is significantly longer, wider and taller than
the existing model, leapfrogging the current
generation of larger ute rivals that began with
Toyota’s all-conquering HiLux in 2005.
While the wheelbase and wheel tracks of
the new BT are obviously significantly wider
than before, GoAuto measured the tray of the
one-off hand-built dual-cab model shown in
Sydney and found it to be 35mm deeper at
500mm and almost 50mm wider at 1500mm
(with 1100mm between the wheelarches),
but 30mm shorter at 1500mm.
As previewed by the interior sketch
Mazda issued recently, flagship BT-50
models should also come highly specified,
with electronic stability control, hill descent
control, six airbags, height-adjustable front
seatbelts, five adjustable head restraints, five
three-point seatbelts, dual-zone climatecontrol and foglights.
The Sydney show car, which Mazda
introduced alongside its new Sky
powertrains, offered plenty of head and
shoulder room, and even more generous
rear legroom.
It was shod with huge 265/65-section 17-inch
tyres on alloy wheels and featured chrome
doorhandles and door mirror housings.
Underneath are rear leaf springs with a solid
rear axle, and a strut-type front suspension
with lower A-arms, while a rotary dial on the
centre console can be switched between 2H,
4H and 4L transmission modes.
Mazda also remains coy about sales
expectations, but clearly expects to more
than double its share of Australia’s booming
light commercial vehicle market with the
new model, which will play an integral
role in Mazda Australia’s goal of achieving
100,000 annual sales by 2014.
Together, 4x2 and 4x4 utilities attract
more Australians than all vehicle segments
except small cars, with about 115,000 sold
in the first three quarters of this year.
It is the ‘lifestyle’ oriented dual-cab section
of the fast-growing 4x4 utility segment that
will be directly targeted by Mazda’s new
‘Active Lifestyle Vehicle’.
More reports – next page
FINALLY... A DMS that INTEGRATES Finance & After Market
Integrated Finance, Insurance & After Market facility
Reporting on % intros, $ gross, penetration rates, etc.
KPI performance reports by franchise & salesperson
System prompts for finance & insurance renewals due
For more information please contact
[email protected]
To email now < click here >
PROSPECTING
CAMPAIGNS
LEAD
MANAGEMENT
MARK HENDERSON
Managing Director
Ability to market to service customers & lost prospects
Easy integration with third-party Microsoft® programs
Seamless interface with major after market suppliers
DATABASE
MARKETING
F&I/
AFTER MARKET
VEHICLE
SERVICING
PARTS &
INVENTORY
SERVICING DEALERS
FOR OVER 20 YEARS
ACCOUNTS &
MANAGEMENT
ADMINISTRATION
REPORTING
John Mellor’s
GoAutoNews
Oct 15, 2010 Page 4
Economy ‘king’
Mazda’s new ute is a
‘sophisticated beast’
By MARTON PETTENDY
THE final design of Mazda’s all-new
BT-50 utility, which was co-developed
with the next-generation Ranger at Ford
Australia’s Campbellfield headquarters,
was heavily influenced by Australia,
according to its Japanese chief designer.
“The power and the beauty of the Australian
environment has strongly affected the design
of the all-new BT-50,” said Ryo Yanagisawa,
who spent two years in Melbourne designing
the interior and exterior of the vehicle.
“While developing the all-new BT-50, I
was able to spend my time off travelling,
and I was extremely inspired by the
sweeping dynamic landscapes which can
never be found in Japan.”
Bigger in all key dimensions both inside
and out, the redesigned BT-50 is cloaked in
an unmistakably Mazda bodyshell that makes
both the current model and many of its newer
rivals look small – and positively dated.
In his first role as the chief designer of
a model since joining Mazda in 1991, Mr
Yanagisawa described the next-generation
BT – which enters production in Thailand
in mid-2011 – as a “sophisticated beast”.
Current Mazda6
Mazda’s next-gen mid-sizer will return 4.2L/100km
By MARTON PETTENDY
(3.9L/100km) – Mazda’s global chief also
NOT content with staging the world debut announced that its ground-breaking new
of its next-generation BT-50 one-tonner Sky-D turbo-diesel engine and Sky-Drive
in Sydney today, Mazda also announced six-speed automatic transmission will debut
that a “future mid-sized model” will in Australia in 2012.
return average fuel consumption of just
Mr Yamanouchi added that, before then,
4.2L/100km and CO2 emissions of only the all-new Sky-G petrol engine will debut
112g/km.
in Australia with Mazda’s new fuel-saving
Mazda also revealed a new global
idle-stop technology in 2011.
sales target of 1.7 million annual
Although Mazda is yet to confirm
sales by 2016, an increase of
which models its new Sky powertrain
500,000 units over last year.
technologies will debut in, GoAuto
The commitments were made
believes a facelifted Mazda3 with a
by Mazda Motor Corporation
2.0-litre
Sky-G petrol engine is likely
Sky-D
chairman, president and CEO Takashi
to go on sale in Australia by late 2011
Yamanouchi, who unveiled the all-new – the same year idle-stop technology could
BT-50 during this morning’s Australian be applied to the Mazda2.
International Motor Show opening.
Then, by late 2012, we expect a redesigned
While he stopped short of confirming the Mazda6 to be released in Australia with a
identity of the super-frugal new mid-sizer 2.2-litre Sky-D diesel engine and six-speed
– which will be far more economical than Sky-Drive automatic transmission.
Toyota’s Camry Hybrid (6.0L/100km) and
almost as efficient as the small Prius hybrid
west cost
loaccident
Australia’s
management
C
www.panelcorp.com.au
E
FIND OUT MORE
K HER
LIC
From $1
per car
per month!
John Mellor’s
GoAutoNews
Oct 15, 2010 Page 5
F badge for CT200h
Lexus stages world debut
of CT200h F Sport - and
runs out of $700K LFAs
By MARTON PETTENDY
LEXUS has presented the global premiere
of a surprise F Sport version of its CT200h
at this morning’s Australian International
Motor Show opening, just two weeks after the
dedicated hybrid hatchback made its world
production debut at the Paris motor show.
Lexus said the F-badged CT will be
among a range of forthcoming F Sport
models, including the IS350 F Sport sedan
that will be launched later this month and
the range-topping LFA super-coupe.
The company also confirmed that all
eight Australian examples of the LFA have
now been sold, even before they begin
arriving here in early 2011 and despite a
pricetag of $700,000.
While the base CT200h will be priced from
under $50,000 when it goes on sale in Australia
early next year, the more expensive F Sport
CT200h will receive a number of chassis and
cosmetic upgrades, led by unique suspension
IS350 F Sport
CT200h F Sport
tuning, more aggressive front and rear styling,
unique alloy wheels and F badging.
It will be available in an exclusive ‘Flame
Blue’ exterior paint colour and there will
be the option of unique interior trim, plus
standard privacy glass and F Sport steering
wheel, sports pedals, scuff plates and
instrument panel.
Lexus Australia chief executive Tony
Cramb said the global debut of the Japanese
luxury brand’s newest hybrid in F Sport
guise demonstrates the importance of the
Australian market to Toyota’s premium
vehicle division.
“CT200h gives Lexus a presence in the
growing luxury compact segment,” he said.
“There is a clear trend to small vehicles that
do not compromise on features. In short, CT
is a small car with all the luxury features of
a large car.
“CT200h F Sport models will add even
greater appeal to a vehicle that – with its
hybrid drivetrain and list of advanced
features – is set to become Australia’s most
advanced luxury hatch.
“The arrival of the CT200h in 2011
reinforces yet again Lexus’ commitment to
hybrid vehicles. It cements our real-world
hybrid advantage in the luxury market.”
Lexus also staged a local debut for the
IS350, which will become available in three
specification grades (Prestige, F Sport and
Sports Luxury) from next month priced
from $64,800 plus on-road costs.
Priced $8900 higher than the equivalent
IS250 Prestige sedan ($55,900), the 233kW
3.5-litre V6-powered IS350 is at least
$20,000 cheaper than its European sports
sedan rivals. These include the BMW 335i
M Sport ($110,800), Mercedes-Benz C300
Avantgarde ($90,850) and Audi A4 3.2 FSI
quattro ($88,914).
BMW Group
Australia
The Ultimate
Driving Machine
Dealer Principal – BMW Sydney.
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. A once in a lifetime opportunity exists
for an experienced Dealer Principal at our factory owned store
in Rushcutters Bay, New South Wales.
To secure this position, you will be able to demonstrate
considerable retail experience at Dealer Principal level with high
target achievement. You will also be a strong leader, highly
organized and able to implement policies and procedures in line
with group guidelines.
You will be an enthusiastic, outgoing, and tenacious person who
possesses a winning attitude. Additionally, you will demonstrate
the ability to be innovative and to develop and implement strategy
to excellence. You will have strong communication skills and have
exceptional negotiation skills.
Applications online are invited by 25 October 2010 to:
www.onetest.com.au/bmw/ap31152
John Mellor’s
GoAutoNews
Oct 15, 2010 Page 6
Kizashi cruise missile
Suzuki shows off turbo
Kizashi concept next to
airbag-laden 2011 Swift
By TERRY MARTIN
IN A stunning world-first presentation,
Suzuki Australia unveiled a high-performance
turbocharged version of its Kizashi mediumsized sedan at the Australian International
Motor Show in Sydney today.
Shown alongside the new-generation
Swift light car, which was making its
southern hemisphere debut after first
appearing at the Paris motor show two weeks
ago, the Kizashi Turbo was developed in
conjunction with Californian-based hot
tuners Road Race Motorsports (RRM) in
the US and looks to be a precursor to a
high-performance model available Down
Under in the not-too-distant future.
Although the force-fed Kizashi is
described as a show piece for now, Suzuki
Australia has told GoAuto that the Turbo
was a serious contender for sale here, if
there was strong enough demand.
Suzuki launched an AWD Sport version of
the Kizashi in August, but the $39,990 flagship
model sticks with the powertrain common to
the entire range: a naturally aspirated 2.4-litre
four-cylinder producing 131kW of power at
6500rpm and 230Nm of torque at 4000rpm.
The AWD model also drives solely through
a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
By comparison, the Kizashi Turbo
produces a much stronger 179kW at
4800rpm and 330Nm at 4400rpm with the
intercooled turbo, which has 7psi of boost.
All-new Swift
Power is fed through the front wheels via a
six-speed manual gearbox.
GoAuto understands that the AWD
Kizashi has been specifically engineered
for use with the CVT, hence the front-drive/
manual combo in the Turbo.
After the covers were thrown off the
Kizashi Turbo in Sydney this morning,
Suzuki Australia general manager Tony
Devers said: “Customers have been asking
about a turbocharged version of this car since
the original Concept Kizashi was unveiled
at Frankfurt more than three years ago.
“The race-bred Kizashi chassis was
always designed to handle more power and
we are excited about the potential for a highperformance version.
“We worked closely with our good friends
from Road Race Motorsports in the US to
produce a concept car with the potential to
attack the medium-car performance market.
“We will closely monitor customer
feedback on the concept car and welcome
input at facebook.com/suzukiaustralia.”
RRM has developed a similar, but even
more powerful, Kizashi Turbo concept for
Suzuki America in recent months – churning
out 216kW at 5800rpm and 377Nm at
4100rpm – which is billed as a strong
candidate for production in the US.
RRM has also developed a 223kW
turbocharged Platinum Edition Kizashi and
is now offering aftermarket turbo packages
for the vehicle worldwide.
The US aftermarket performance parts
specialist and custom car builder says it has
received enquiries from across the globe,
including Australia, and that variations will be
tailored to the needs of individual markets and
private clients.
As seen on the overseas RRM editions,
the Australian-specific show car also has
lowered sports suspension, a front strut
brace and beefier brakes.
It is shod with 19-inch Enkei RPF1 alloy
wheels on 245/40-section Pirelli P-Zero
tyres, and has a number of other exterior
detail changes, including a new rear deck
spoiler and bold ‘Kizashi Turbo’ livery.
A petrol-electric hybrid version of the
Kizashi has also been confirmed for sale in
the US from 2011, but not for Australia at
this stage.
The third-generation Swift, meanwhile,
will be released here in the first half of next
year, with Mr Devers confirming today that
every model across the range will be fitted
with seven airbags.
He said the Swift would offer “the most
comprehensive standard safety package
ever seen in a light car at this price point
in Australia”.
Find out why 94% of respondents to the
2010 Superservice Menus user survey indicated
they’ll still be using Superservice Menus in 6 months.
&-%%-&%&%(
hjeZghZgk^XZbZcjh#^[bhnhiZbh#Xdb
John Mellor’s
GoAutoNews
Forester ‘STI’
Oct 15, 2010 Page 7
Volvo sets $51,950
starting price for S60
By RON HAMMERTON
Subaru looks set to sell 193kW S-Edition-based SUV
SUBARU today confirmed one of the
industry’s worst kept and most highly
anticipated secrets – that it is planning an
STI-style version of the Forester.
Displayed for the first time globally this
morning as the S-Edition Concept, but destined
for the showroom sometime during 2011, the
fastest production iteration of Australia’s bestselling compact SUV is derived from the
existing (and continuing) Forester XT.
It boasts a variation of the
Impreza STI’s turbocharged 2.5-litre
horizontally opposed four-cylinder
petrol engine, tuned to deliver 193kW of
power and 347Nm of torque.
While this is a 24kW and 27Nm jump
respectively over today’s XT, it falls short of
Subaru’s A-line Boxer unit as found in the
Impreza STI, which produces 221kW and
either 350Nm (auto) or 407Nm (manual).
Speaking of gearboxes, the S-Edition
Concept also introduces an extra ratio to the
Forester for the first time since the series
started in 1997, in the form of a five-speed
automatic transmission. Also snared from
the newly introduced Impreza STI auto, it
features paddle shifts.
Whether the other Forester autos ditch the
old four-speeder unit for this gearbox, or adopt
the larger Liberty’s continuously variable
transmission (CVT), remains to be seen.
Other S-Edition Concept additions
include revised ‘sports’ suspension, Subaru’s
‘Variable Torque Distribution’ (VTD)
all-wheel drive hardware, 17-inch STI
alloys, “exclusive styling accents”,
Alcantara seat trim, drilled alloy
pedals, and unique luminescent
instrumentation.
While Subaru Australia will not as yet
confirm the S-Edition Concept’s transition to
production, managing director Nick Senior
hinted strongly that this was imminent.
“We’re delighted and honoured that
Fuji Heavy Industries have chosen Sydney
for the worldwide unveil of this Forester
concept,” he said.
VOLVO Car Australia will offer state-ofthe-art safety technologies – including its
world-first pedestrian detection system –
on its all-new S60 mid-size sedan when it
goes on local sale in December.
All three variants of the fresh sedan
line-up can be optioned with individual
safety systems or with an all-in-one Driver
Support Pack that includes collision
warning, adaptive cruise control with queue
assist, lane departure warning, driver alert
control and a blind spot warning system.
Adding the $4990 safety pack to the entrylevel S60 T5 model, which will go on sale at
$51,950, will increase the price to $56,940
before government and dealer charges.
But that is still cheaper than most of
its European competitors with equivalent
177kW performance, and none of them
offer the same level of safety technology
at any price in a mid-sized car.
And if buyers do not want to order
the whole pack, systems can be option
separately.
Formally unveiling the new S60 for the
Australian market at the Sydney motor
show today, VCA managing director Alan
Desselss said the latest S60 would bring a
new level of excitement, performance and
style to the Volvo brand.
T5
Superservice Menus delivers fast, accurate and
fully priced quotes for your service customers.
Mercedes-B
enz
now availa
ble
Ford
Lexus
Holden
Mitsubishi
Hyundai
Subaru
Kia
Suzuki
Coming Soon
Land Rover
Toyota
Jaguar
1800 810 103
superservicemenus.ifmsystems.com
John Mellor’s
GoAutoNews
Oct 15, 2010 Page 8
Orange crush for C63
Mercedes-Benz returns to
Sydney show with ‘Jaffa’
C63 and black SLS beauty
By RON HAMMERTON
MERCEDES-BENZ returned to Australia’s
motor show scene today with a vengeance
with an eyeball-searing orange C63 AMG
show car that it had specially made to launch
a new Performance Pack for its hottest
C-class sports sedan.
The German importer also wheeled out the
road-going equivalent of a stealth bomber –
a matt black Mercedes SLS show car – that
it also had specially dressed at Performance
Studio in Germany for the Sydney show.
As well, Benz is using the show to re-launch
its rugged 4x4 G-wagen range, headed by the
$214,900 supercharged G55 AMG.
The 2010 Australian International
Motor Show marks the first appearance
of Mercedes-Benz at a local show for two
years, having pulled the pin in protest at the
multitude of motor shows around the country
– and the cost of attending them all.
Now that the Australian motor industry
has elected to support just one show a
year alternating between Sydney and
Melbourne, Mercedes-Benz Australia/
Pacific has dusted off its show stand and
celebrated with one of lairiest cars ever to
wear the three-pointed star.
The not-for-sale C63 Concept 358 –
nicknamed ‘Jaffa’ internally – is cloaked in a
one-of-a-kind Designo pearl orange metallic
paint and bespoke interior leather trim with
contrasting orange stitching.
According to the company’s senior
corporate communications manager, David
McCarthy, a buyer would have difficulty
specifying a C63 to match the Concept
358, but the underpinnings – including the
grunty $14,000 Performance Pack – are
available to all-comers who sign on the
dotted line for a C63.
The pack includes an extra 22kW over the
standard C63 AMG, to 358kW at 6800rpm,
courtesy of engine modifications including
forged pistons from the SLS AMG, new
conrods, lighter crankshaft and a new
variable intake manifold, plus an engine
management software tweak to take the rev
limiter out to 7200rpm (an extra 200rpm).
Technical Training Specialist
Due to the continued success of our brands in the Australian market and an increasing product line-up,
Volkswagen Group Australia is seeking to employ an experienced Technical Training Specialist to join
the Service team. The successful candidate will develop and deliver technical training courses with the
overall objective to continuously enhance the technical expertise of our dealer network.
Key Responsibilities
Based at Volkswagen Group Australia head office in Sydney,
the successful candidate will:
• Develop and deliver training across all current and future
product lines.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the courses, providing
feedback to management and suggesting improvements
where required.
• Utilise adult training techniques to maximise knowledge
transfer to participants.
• Maintain knowledge of current and future technologies.
• Maintain training literature, tools, vehicles and equipment
associated with technical training.
Role Requirements
The successful candidate will have the following skills and
experience:
• 3-5 years in facilitating and improving training courses.
• Hold a relevant technical qualification either in Mechanical
Engineering or a completed Mechanical Trade qualification.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
A de Jager Company
• Excellent Microsoft Office skills (PowerPoint and Excel).
• Strong time management and organisational skills.
• Ability to travel both nationally and internationally.
European brand experience and a Certificate IV qualification
in Workplace Training and Assessment are highly desirable.
On offer
A competitive remuneration package including a company
vehicle is available for the successful candidate. In addition,
you will receive the benefits associated with a global
organisation, including opportunities for travel and career
development. Volkswagen Group Australia is committed
to providing a supportive environment where employees
are recognised for their commitment to creating a positive
work culture.
To apply for this rewarding position, please forward your
resumé in Word Format to: [email protected]
or contact Keith McArdle at Oryx People in confidence
on (02) 9954 3943.
www.oryxpeople.com.au
John Mellor’s
GoAutoNews
Oct 15, 2010 Page 9
All set for sales Spark
Sub-$13,000 entry price
announced for Holden’s
Barina Spark micro-car
By MARTON PETTENDY
GM HOLDEN did not use the first Sydney
motor show in two years to unveil a stunning
new concept car, as has become its tradition
in recent years.
Nor did it stage the Australian debut of
the Port Melbourne-designed Cruze hatch
that made its world debut in Paris two weeks
ago and will be built alongside the Cruze
sedan in Adelaide from next year, or the
local premiere of Chevrolet’s all-new Aveo,
which also debuted at Paris and will go on
sale here in five-door hatch and four-door
sedan guises as the next-generation Barina
in 12 months’ time.
Instead,
Holden’s
Sydney
show
presentation this morning was all about the
Barina Spark mini-car, which was announced
with entry-level pricing of $12,490 plus
dealer delivery and government charges
ahead of its official release on October 20.
The pint-sized Barina Spark CD is
expected to replace the $14,790 Barina
three-door hatch and will be offered
alongside a more highly specified – but still
manual-only – CDX version of the five-door
hatch, priced from $13,990.
That makes both 1.2-litre Spark models
significantly more affordable than the
unrelated larger-bodied 1.6-litre Barina
sedan and (five-door) hatch, pricing for
which is unchanged at $16,290 (manual).
However, the Spark’s sub-$13,000
starting price (plus on-road costs) fails
to match that of its most direct sub-lightsized rivals, including Suzuki’s pioneering
1.0-litre Alto five-door hatch ($11,790 plus
on-roads) and Proton’s 1.3-litre S16 sedan
($11,990 driveaway).
RED-HOT COMMODORE
WALKINSHAW
Performance
this
afternoon introduced its latest low-volume
Commodore-based road car, the WP Series
II, which has been built as a tribute to
the TWR Group A Commodore that was
the foundation of sister company Holden
Special Vehicles in 1987.
BARINA SPARK TO LIGHT UP SYDNEY:
CLICK HERE
MORE THAN JUST
TThe sharpest
p Dea
Dealer Management Systems!
EĞƚǁŽƌŬƐWƌĞƐĞŶƚƐͲůŽƵĚŽŵƉƵƟŶŐ
EĞƚǁŽƌŬƐWƌĞƐĞ
>ĂƵŶĐŚŝŶŐ ǇŽƵƌ ďƵƐŝŶĞƐƐ ƚŽ Ă ŶĞǁ ŐĞŶĞƌĂƟŽŶ͍
ůŽƵĚŽŵƉƵƟŶŐĞŶĞĮƚƐ͗
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
zŽƵŶĞĞĚƚŽďĞĐŽŵĞŵŽƌĞƌĞƐƉŽŶƐŝǀĞƚŽŐƌŽǁŝŶŐďƵƐŝŶĞƐƐ
ĚĞŵĂŶĚĂŶĚĞǀŽůǀŝŶŐƚĞĐŚŶŽůŽŐǇ͘dŚĞďĞƐƚǁĂǇƚŽĞŶƐƵƌĞ
ǇŽƵƌďƵƐŝŶĞƐƐŝƐƌĞĂĚǇŝƐŽŶƚŚĞWĞŶƚĂŶĂ^ŽůƵƟŽŶƐ>Kh
ĐŽŵƉƵƟŶŐƉůĂƞŽƌŵ͘/ŶĨƌĂƐƚƌƵĐƚƵƌĞ͕ƉƉůŝĐĂƟŽŶƐ͕WĞƌƐŽŶĂů
ĐŽůůĂďŽƌĂƟŽŶ ĐĂŶ Ăůů ďĞ ĚĞůŝǀĞƌĞĚ ƚŽ ǇŽƵƌ ďƵƐŝŶĞƐƐ͘
^ŽŌǁĂƌĞĂƐĂƐĞƌǀŝĐĞͲǁŚĞƌĞǀĞƌĂŶĚǁŚĞŶĞǀĞƌǇŽƵŶĞĞĚ͘
Redundancy and resilience
Minimal capital investment
ZŝƐŬŵŝƟŐĂƟŽŶ
ůĂƐƟĐŝƚǇͬĨƵƚƵƌĞƉƌŽŽĮŶŐ
EŽŝŶƚĞƌŶĂůŝŶĨƌĂƐƚƌƵĐƚƵƌĞ
DĂŶĂŐĞĚƐĞĐƵƌŝƚǇ
>ŽǁĞƌŽƉĞƌĂƟŶŐĐŽƐƚƐ
ŶǇǁŚĞƌĞĂĐĐĞƐƐ
dŚĞŶƵŵďĞƌϭŝŶŝŶŶŽǀĂƟŽŶĨŽƌŽǀĞƌϯϱǇĞĂƌƐ͊
dŚĞŶƵŵďĞƌϭŝŶŝŶ
&ŽƌŵŽƌĞŝŶĨŽƌŵĂƟŽŶ
+ 3 9535 2222 or
+61
ŵĂƌŬĞƟŶŐΛƉĞŶƚĂŶĂƐŽůƵƟŽŶƐ͘ĐŽŵ
ƉĞŶƚĂŶĂƐŽůƵƟŽŶƐ͘ĐŽŵ
John Mellor’s
GoAutoNews
FJ cruises in
Toyota flexes 4WD and sportscar muscle in Sydney
By PHILIP LORD
TOYOTA has flexed its 4WD muscles at
the Australian International Motor Show in
Sydney today with the preview of its beefy
retro FJ Cruiser, due on sale around the end
of the first quarter next year.
The long-awaited four-door SUV is based
on the previous-generation Prado 120 Series
chassis and has been on sale in the US
for some years.
The FJ Cruiser shown at Sydney
is a pre-production right-hand drive
sample that is representative of what Toyota
will offer here by next April, but the exact
specification has not yet been locked down
for the Australian market.
What we do know is that the FJ Cruiser
will arrive from Japan – not the US, where
left-hand drive market FJ Cruisers are built
– with only one specification grade, featuring
the 200kW/380Nm 4.0-litre V6 petrol engine,
five-speed automatic and suspension from the
previous-generation Prado, with a part-time
4WD system similar to that fitted to HiLux.
Toyota also whipped the covers off the
FT-86G sportscar, which is a sleeker and more
aggressive development of the FT-86 concept
car built in conjunction with Subaru that
debuted at last year’s Tokyo motor show.
The G in this evolution denotes Toyota’s
technical partner Gazoo Racing, which provides
styling and performance improvements to a
series of Japanese-market Toyota models.
The Celica-like FT-86 is understood to be
in Toyota’s local product plans for 2013. It
has a front-mounted Impreza-derived 2.0-litre
turbo boxer engine driving the rear wheels
through a six-speed manual transmission.
Gazoo’s modifications include a
larger air intake with visible intercooler,
vented bonnet, carbon-fibre wing
and diffuser, large twin exhausts and
Bridgestone 19-inch rubber – 245/40 at the
front and 275/35 at the rear.
Toyota’s stand also features a special
“fire and ice” HiLux, which was the first
vehicle to be driven to the North Pole and
also took scientists to the edge of Iceland’s
Eyjafjallajokull volcano.
It is similar to the HiLux made famous by
the Top Gear episode where the presenters
raced to the Pole against a traditional dogand-sled team. Reykjavik conversion
specialists Arctic Trucks modified the
3.0-litre turbo-diesel HiLux to endure the
extreme terrain and minus-36 degrees
Celsius temperatures.
More reports – page 23
Oct 15, 2010 Page 10
YARIS,, COROLLA CUTS
TOYOTA Australia today announced price
reductions and specification improvements
for its popular Yaris and Corolla small cars.
The new prices are at least in part due
to favourable exchange rates and apply
to vehicles built from September and
delivered from October 18.
Yaris prices have been dropped by up
to 5.5 per cent, with the biggest saving the
$950 shaved off the mid-range YRS threedoor and five-door hatches.
Toyota has also added side, fulllength curtain and driver’s knee airbags
– previously a $750 option – to the YRS
models as standard, and YRX models also
now get the full suite of airbags.
KLUGER PRICE CUTS
TOYOTA has reduced the price of its
Kluger by up to $1000 and refreshed the
medium SUV with a mild midlife facelift
in an effort to stave off the hungry hordes
of fresh competition nibbling at its sales.
Toyota Australia senior executive director
of sales and marketing David Buttner
explained that the price reduction was to
keep the second-generation Kluger, which
was first released in 2007, competitive
against newer models in the segment.
ESC FOR HILUX SR5
TOYOTA has started rolling out electronic
stability control (ESC) on its top-selling
HiLux ute range, starting at the top with the
popular SR5 Dual Cab 4x4 diesel variant.
The life-saving device is included in a
bundle of electronic safety controls now
standard on the vehicle, bringing it into line
with offerings from Nissan, Mitsubishi and a
wave of new utes unveiled at the Australian
International Motor Show today.
Fancy yourself an Asset Finance Top Gun?
PROVE IT! Join our Car and Equipment Finance Team that’s gunning above the rest!
“Coming from a car dealership background, I was looking for greater stability and
security in my job, a better work-life-balance and more flexibility in my role.
I found that when I joined the Car Finance Centre, the team is young, vibrant and
passionate about what they do. It’s incredible how simple the loan process is,
it makes life easier for me but more importantly all the customers I service.”
New Car Finance Centre Sales Associate recent recruit Keiron Rice.
Commonwealth Bank is renowned for providing quick and easy, accurate car
and equipment finance. Due to recent growth, we are seeking Car and
Equipment finance professionals that are highly motivated and energetic
to join our sales, credit and customer service divisions.
To apply please visit www.commbank.com.au/careers and click on the Job Search link.
Enter Job reference number 914256 in the keyword search area and complete an online application.
Experience in finance is essential, preferable in vehicle or equipment finance.
OUR VISION IS TO BE AUSTRALIA’S FINEST FINANCIAL SERVICES ORGANISATION THROUGH EXCELLING IN CUSTOMER SERVICE.
John Mellor’s
GoAutoNews
Oct 15, 2010 Page 11
Evoque details firm
Land Rover to offer full
range, including 5-door,
at launch of 2011 Evoque
By PHILIP LORD and STAFF
LAND ROVER Australia unveiled its
impressive new Range Rover Evoque at
the Australian International Motor Show in
Sydney this morning and confirmed that it
will be available from launch next October
in both three-door and five-door bodystyles,
each in three model grades.
Clearly showing the importance of the
Australian market to Land Rover’s sales
aspirations with its all-new compact SUV,
a phalanx of senior executives were in
Sydney to present the Evoque, including
managing director Phil Popham, design
director Gerry McGovern and director of
global marketing Colin Green.
Mr Popham unveiled the new Evoque
in three-door – or, as Land Rover likes
to call it, ‘cross-coupe’ – form, just two
weeks after it made its world motor show
debut in Paris.
As GoAuto has reported, the fivedoor version – which Land Rover has
intimated will be the entry-level model to
the Evoque range – was presented in Paris
as a photograph and its production was
confirmed by Mr Popham.
It is expected to make its world motor
show debut at the Los Angeles auto show
next month.
At launch, the Evoque range will include
both two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive
versions, with petrol and diesel engines,
including the same Ford-sourced 2.0litre EcoBoost engine that will power the
Australian-built Ford Falcon from next year.
The Evoque will also receive a 2.2-litre fourcylinder turbo-diesel engine, to be available
in 110kW and 140kW tunes, with idle-stop
technology on variants fitted with a six-speed
manual transmission. A six-speed automatic
will also be offered across the range.
The other main attraction on the Sydney
stand was the Range Rover Autobiography
Black, a special-edition model that is
limited globally to 600 units, of which
Australia has received 14.
www.mahindraautomotive.com.au
Not everyone is built like a Mahindra. Born of over 60 years experience, Mahindra
Mahindra’s range of diesel 4X4 utes are
known to be the toughest around. Tried and tested in over 40 countries, Mahindras have proven themselves at
international rallies like the Rally dos Sertoes in
i n Brazil.
Where ruggedness and reliability are important, you
you’llll find Mahindra. And Australia
Australia’s no exception. Keep an eye
out for an exciting range of new products coming soon.
s oon.
MAHINDRA AUTOMOTIVE AUSTRALIA IS LOOKING FOR DEALERS
Partnering with a giant can cost surprisingly little.
litt le. To know more, contact:
Cawas Sahukar, National Business Development Manager,
Manag er, MAA
Tel: (02) 8545 8388 or email: [email protected]
cawas.sahukar@mahindraau tomotive.com.au
RENAULT
DRIVE THE CHANGE
As part of the ‘Drive the Change’ philosophy Renault Australia is embarking on a fresh and exciting period of growth. To support this, we are looking
for enthusiastic and experienced candidates to join a dynamic team for the following roles:
Dealer Development Manager
This role is responsible for developing and supporting the Dealer Network by acting as a Business Manager to support ongoing development of
key business activities. Based in Melbourne and reporting to the Director of Sales, the successful candidate will possess previous management
experience with franchise networks within the automotive industry, thorough understanding of automotive dealer operations, dealer financial
assessment as well as project management and budgeting. Strong communication, presentation and organisational skills are also required.
Previous experience in Dealer Development Operations with a relevant University Degree, Qualifications in Business Administration, Finance/
Commerce or equivalent will be highly regarded. You will also be required to travel interstate on a regular basis.
Area Manager Southern Region
This role is responsible for implementing operating frameworks, programs, standards and measurements in consultation with the dealer network
to achieve business targets and maximise dealer performance.
Based in Melbourne and reporting to the Director of Sales, you will require extensive experience in the retail automotive industry with a proven track
record of success across all functions, in particular sales and marketing, customer satisfaction, parts operations, business planning and complaint
resolution. Strong leadership skills including previous staff management experience and excellent commercial acumen. Strong communication,
presentation and organisational skills are also required. A relevant Tertiary Qualification will be highly regarded. You will also be required to travel
interstate on a regular basis.
Field Aftersales Manager – Sydney NSW
The Field Aftersales Manager is responsible for the implementation of National Service and Parts strategies within their state through consultation
with the dealer network. Reporting to the Director of Quality Service, the successful candidate will have extensive experience in the retail automotive
industry with a proven track record of success in the following areas: aftersales, customer satisfaction, parts operations, and complaint resolution.
In addition, they will have a minimum of two years in a commercial role within the automotive manufacturer/importer operations. With a high degree
of commercial acumen applicants must also possess strong stakeholder management, leadership, negotiating and business planning skills are key
to the success of this role. A relevant industry or tertiary qualification will be highly regarded.
Corporate Communications Co-ordinator
Reporting to the General Manager Marketing, this role is essential in growing Renault’s corporate image through internal and external networking.
Working closely with external suppliers, this role will be responsible for delivering Renault’s external and internal communications strategy.
Based in Melbourne, the successful candidate will be tertiary qualified in a relevant field and will have at least 3 years of experience in Corporate
Communications in an in-house function with agency experience. Excellent verbal and written communication, planning and organising, stakeholder
management, initiative and business acumen skills as well as the ability to work with a range of different people are essential to this role.
Customer Relationship Manager
Working across all areas of the business this role is responsible for driving improvement in Renault’s customer loyalty through development and
implementation of targeted CRM programs. This is a national role with a key strategic focus on providing a customer-centric view to the business.
Based in Melbourne and reporting to the General Manager Marketing, the successful candidate will be tertiary qualified with
experience in CRM ideally within the automotive industry. Experience in the sales and service process within dealerships
will be an advantage. In addition, you must have experience in project management and the fundamentals of structured
business process development, strong communication, presentation, organisational and computer skills.
If you believe you have the attributes to be successful in any of the above positions and would like to receive a position
description please email [email protected] and we will forward it to you.
www.renault.com.au
DRIVE THE CHANGE
John Mellor’s
GoAutoNews
Oct 15, 2010 Page 13
Renault renewal
French firm fires up with
Fluence, Megane CC, RS,
Latitude - and much more
By TERRY MARTIN
RENAULT took the covers off a raft of
significant new models at today’s Sydney
motor show that will soon hit the streets and
which it hopes will provide a major boost
to sales volume in Australia, including the
Fluence small sedan, Latitude mid-sizer and
Megane Coupe-Cabriolet.
While the stunning Megane Trophy
racecar arguably attracted most attention
on the French brand’s show stand, along
with the long-awaited Megane RS 250 Cup
Trophee, the Fluence will join the recently
released all-new X32-series Megane fivedoor hatchback in bolstering Renault’s allimportant small-car range, with pricing now
confirmed at $22,990 (plus on-road costs) for
the Dynamique manual.
The South Korean-built, European-designed
Fluence is claimed to have the most spacious
passenger compartment and the largest boot
volume (530 litres) in its class, and has arrived
in Australia with a high level of specification.
Standard safety features include six airbags,
electronic stability and traction control, and
ABS brakes with EBD and brake assist.
Also featuring on the Fluence are Renault’s
hands-free keycard, heated and folding electric
mirrors, power-operated windows, a trip
computer, climate-control air-conditioning,
cruise control (with speed limiter), a sixspeaker MP3-compatible CD stereo,
Megane RS 250 Cup
Fluence
multimedia box, Bluetooth mobile phone
connectivity, foglights, an alarm, heightadjustable driver’s seat (with lumbar support)
and automatic headlights and wipers.
A higher-spec auto-only Privilege
variant will also be offered, priced from
$29,990.
Power comes from the Renault-Nissan
Alliance ‘M4R’ 2.0-litre DOHC four-cylinder
petrol engine, as seen in Megane (among
other models), which produces 103kW at
6000rpm and 195Nm at 3750rpm.
It drives the front wheels through either
a six-speed manual or CVT automatic
transmission (which adds $2000 on the
Dynamique), while fuel economy is rated at
7.8L/100km for both transmission variants.
Another model produced in collaboration
with Samsung and to be built in South Korea,
the Latitude is set to replace the slow-selling
Laguna and was today confirmed as being
on schedule for release in Australia early in
2011, with a choice of both petrol and diesel
power and with both variants priced from
below $40,000.
Full details are still to be confirmed, but
the Latitude will be offered
only in Privilege specification,
with an optional luxury pack.
The powertrain line-up will
comprise a 2.5-litre V6 petrol
engine (mated with a CVT)
and a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel
(combining with a conventional
six-speed automatic).
Glass’s Research Data (GRD)
Arriving just in time for summer, the
all-new third-generation Megane CoupeCabriolet has also emerged in a single
specification – a well-appointed Dynamique
2.0-litre CVT, priced from $45,990.
The headline act on the attractive cabriolet is
a unique automatic foldable glass sunroof that
opens and closes in a claimed 21 seconds.
Other notable features include a glass wind
deflector, standard leatherette upholstery,
fully integrated satellite-navigation (with
centre joystick), rear parking sensors,
Renault hands-free smart card and the full
gamut of safety features and associated
acronyms, including six SRS airbags, ESP,
ABS, ASR, EBD and EBA.
Standard equipment on the Megane CC
also runs to 17-inch alloy wheels, cruise
control, climate-control air-conditioning, a
trip computer, and six-speaker stereo with
Bluetooth streaming audio/phone control
and multimedia connections.
Power comes from the same 2.0-litre petrol
engine as in the Fluence sedan, although the
CC is restricted to a CVT transmission.
Renault also took the covers off the
much-anticipated X95-series Renault Sportderived Megane RS 250 Cup Trophee,
which finally arrives in Australia with a
starting price of $46,990.
A regular RS 250 Cup sans Trophee trim
is also set to reach Renault showrooms on
November 1, priced from $41,990.
Automotive Business Intelligence – Tailor-made!
Features include:
9ZiVâZYeVhhZc\Zg!a^\]iXdbbZgX^Va!
heavy commercial and motorcycle
information
For more information call Glass’s on (03) 9663 3009
;Vm/%(.++((%).:bVâ/XjhidbZgh5\aVhh\j^YZ#Xdb#VjVisit our website: www.glassguide.com.au
DkZg,%!%%%kZ]^XaZnZVga^cZh[gdb
XjggZcicZlbdYZahWVXìd&.+%#
8dbegZ]Zch^kZheZX^[^XVi^dch!
eg^X^c\!e]did\gVe]hVcYhiVcYVgY
and optional features
:hhZci^VaVcYZVhnidjhZVjidbdi^kZ
business tool
GISGRD1
Does your company depend on quality automotive information?
Glass’s Research Data (GRD) is a
comprehensive database of Australian
vehicle prices and specifications.
John Mellor’s
GoAutoNews
Oct 15, 2010 Page 14
Fresh start for Micra
Nissan’s all-new and
expanded Micra range
to start from just $12,990
By RON HAMMERTON
NISSAN will offer more choice in its fourthgeneration entry-level Micra range while
slashing prices and ramping up equipment
of the five-door hatchback as it sets out to
capitalise on the headway made by the previousgeneration Nissan light car in Australia.
Previously available only in a single, 1.4litre four-cylinder automatic specification
for $15,990 in this country, Nissan has
added a cheaper 56kW 1.2-litre threecylinder variant starting at just $12,990 with
a manual gearbox (plus $2000 for the auto).
As well, the four-cylinder engine has been
bumped up to 1.5 litres for a 3kW power
boost to 75kW over its 1.4-litre predecessor.
And, instead of just a four-speed
automatic transmission, a five-speed manual
transmission also will be on offer for the
new, Thai-built car that will now come in
three grades – ST, ST-L and Ti.
Details of the new Micra were revealed
yesterday on the eve of its public launch at the
Australian International Motor Show, ahead of
its showroom debut next month.
Patrol
Micra
Also at the show, Nissan has previewed its
all-new, more upmarket V8 ‘premium’ Patrol
that is unlikely to arrive in Australia for at least
another year, as well as a new class-leading
170kW/550Nm 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine for
its Navara ute and Pathfinder SUV twins.
The new Micra – built on the Nissan-Renault
Alliance’s new global ‘V’ platform that is
likely to spawn a sedan and other variants –
has become the first Nissan to earn a five-star
Green Vehicle Guide rating in Australia.
The three-cylinder Micra has a combined
fuel rating of 5.9 litres per 100km –
a substantial improvement over the
6.8L/100km of the previous 1.4-litre Micra.
However, this is well short of the
4.7L/100km achieved by the Indian-made
1.0-litre Suzuki Alto that also runs a threecylinder engine.
Fraud and Profit Leaks
Pervasive, Persistent
and Destructive
Click here for a free DP’s ten point checklist
Or for more information please contact Grant Cameron at Deloitte
on tel: +61 (0) 2 9322 3535 or email: [email protected]
MICRA SEDAN POINTER
A NEW global small sedan that could
provide another string to Nissan Australia’s
mini-car bow is set to be revealed at the
China International Automobile Exhibition
in Guangzhou in December.
Although Nissan has revealed scant
details of the car, the light sedan is thought
to be closely related to the latest Micra,
which was previewed at today’s Australian
International Motor Show in Sydney ahead
of a mid-November local launch.
John Mellor’s
GoAutoNews
Oct 15, 2010 Page 15
Insight from $29,990
Honda to offer the most
affordable hybrid in Oz
with sub-$30,000 Insight
HONDA sent a shiver through the Toyota
ranks when it peeled the covers off its new
Insight hybrid at Darling Harbour this
morning and announced it will go on sale
December 6 priced from less than $30K,
making it Australia’s cheapest hybrid car.
There are two petrol-electric five-door
Insight models, the VTi at $29,990 – exactly
$10,000 less than the starting price for a
Prius – and the VTi-L at $33,490.
However, while the Insight undercuts the
Prius on price, it cannot match its efficiency,
having a combined fuel consumption figure
of 4.6L/100km (compared with 3.9L/100km
for Prius) and CO2 emissions of 109g/km
(versus 89g/km for Prius).
Honda’s latest hybrid model employs a
smaller, lighter and more powerful version of
the Civic Hybrid’s electric motor-assisted 1.3litre four-cylinder powertrain, but is encased
in a lighter and more slippery body that has an
Mugen CR-Z
Insight
aerodynamic drag co-efficient of 0.28Cd.
The new-generation Honda Integrated
Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system
incorporates a 10kW electric motor and
a compact ‘Intelligent Power Unit’ that
harnesses energy via regenerative braking.
The system can run on electric-only
power in certain low-speed driving
conditions, while the engine includes
cylinder deactivation during deceleration
and a stop-start feature at idle.
The Insight’s nickel-metal hydride battery
pack is 31 per cent smaller and 35 per cent
lighter than the Civic Hybrid’s.
Attention to detail in the packaging
department has seen the compact battery
and IPU located underneath the floor at the
rear of the vehicle, allowing for a 60/40
split-fold rear seat.
Honda claims the 40-litre fuel tank can
deliver a driving range of around 650km.
A comprehensive on-board computer
scores how economical the driver has been
driving, among other functions.
Honda kept the hybrid theme going in
Sydney this morning by also showing the CR-Z
coupe, which is due on sale here mid-2011.
Though it has been previewed before, Honda
spiced up its new hybrid coupe offering by
displaying a modified version by its Japanese
tuning house Mugen, with wings, bigger
wheels and carbon-fibre interior highlights.
Meanwhile, personal mobility is back
on the map – despite the Segway’s lack of
traction – with Honda demonstrating its new
U3-X mobility concept.
John Mellor’s
GoAutoNews
Oct 15, 2010 Page 16
i-MiEV with attitude
Peugeot unveils special
RCZ - and looks ahead
By TERRY MARTIN
Mitsu powers up its EV with Sport coupe concept
By MARTON PETTENDY
MITSUBISHI used this morning’s Sydney
motor show opening to underline the recent
release of Australia’s first factory electric
vehicle, the i-MiEV, by staging the local
debut of a higher-performance coupe version
dubbed the i-MiEV Sport.
The pioneering battery-powered fivedoor micro-hatch was launched in Australia
in August, and more than 100 examples
will have been leased to a range of
corporate, academic and government
‘foundation’ customers by the end of
this year.
Mitsubishi said the three-door i-MiEV
Sport ‘coupe’ concept – first seen at the 2007
Tokyo motor show – provides a glimpse
into its electric vehicle future by employing
a more powerful electric drive system to
power all four wheels underneath its lighter,
sleeker and more sporting two-door body.
While the 970kg Sport concept retains
the 1080kg i-MiEV hatch’s mid-mounted
47kW/180Nm electric motor to drive
its rear wheels, it adds a 20kW/250Nm
permanent magnetic synchronous motor in
each front wheel to deliver a total torque
output of 680Nm.
No acceleration figures are quoted, but
the i-MiEV Sport is claimed to have a top
speed of 180km/h – well up on the i-MiEV’s
electronically limited maximum of 130km/h.
It offers zero-emissions driving of up to
200km (up from 160km) with a fully charged
lithium-ion battery pack, which is augmented
by roof-mounted photovoltaic solar
cells and a power-generating fan in the
grille
Riding on futuristic 17-inch alloy
wheels, the i-MiEV Sport has an aluminium
spaceframe and measures 3450mm long,
1600mm wide and only 1400mm high.
Mitsubishi says the cab-forward i-MiEV
fastback “promises genuine sporting
capabilities” while “maximising the sporty
possibilities of the zero-emissions electric
vehicle” to deliver high levels of both
environmental and running performance.
PEUGEOT used the opening of the
Australian International Motor Show
today to highlight the historic French
marque’s 200th anniversary and to reveal
a sporty special-edition RCZ coupe to
commemorate the milestone.
Priced from $62,990 (plus on-road
costs), the RCZ 200th Anniversary model
is positioned $8000 upstream of the
flagship 2.0L HDi M turbo-diesel model
upon which it is based, but adds a number
of performance-flavoured features.
These include a stylised front grille,
19-inch ‘Sortilege’ matt-black alloy
wheels, carbon-fibre exterior mirror
casings, carbon-fibre roof (in a gloss
finish), painted brake callipers, premium
metallic paint, 200th Anniversary insignia
and a certificate of authenticity.
Peugeot also throws in a set of specific
RCZ carbon-fibre luggage.
Launched in Australia last month, the
striking new 2+2 RCZ range includes a
choice of two 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol
engines and a 2.0-litre HDi turbo-diesel.
RCZ 200th Anniversary
Automotive Transformation
Scheme information sessionss
The ATS comes into effect on 1 January 2011, replacing
Stage 3 of the Automotive Competitiveness and Investment
Scheme (ACIS).
Participants in ATS will be eligible to claim up to 15 per cent
of their investment in approved plant and equipment and up
to 50 per cent of their investment in approved research and
development. Motor vehicle producers will also be able to claim
assistance against production of motor vehicles or engines.
The information sessions will focus on the key administrative
elements of the Scheme, and will be valuable to current ACIS
participants, potential ATS applicants and industry advisors.
Melbourne
Monday 25 October 2010
Adelaide
Tuesday 26 October 2010
Sydney
Brisbane
Wednesday 27 October 2010
Thursday 28 October 2010
For full session details and to register your attendance, visit
www.ausindustry.gov.au or call 13 28 46.
AusIndustry is the Australian Government’s business program delivery division in the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research.
kandream.com • AG31252
Motor vehicle producers and supply chain participants
in the Australian automotive industry are invited to attend
an information session in October on the new $3.4 billion
Automotive Transformation Scheme (ATS). The ATS is
an integral component of the Government’s New Car Plan For
A Greener Future.
John Mellor’s
GoAutoNews
Oct 15, 2010 Page 17
Quattroporte curtain call
Swansong for Maserati’s
pioneering ‘diva’ sung in
Sydney via MC Sportline
By MARTON PETTENDY
MASERATI has used this morning’s
opening in Sydney to announce the release
of what could be the final version of its
current Quattroporte before a successor for
the pioneering four-door ‘coupe’ emerges at
the Frankfurt motor show next September.
Just 30 examples of the newest
Quattroporte will be made available in
Australia, where first deliveries of the
dubiously named Quattroporte Sport GTS
MC Sportline will commence in November.
Apart from offering guaranteed exclusivity,
the new Quattroporte range-topper will
also be somewhat of a bargain – at least in
Maserati terms – with a manufacturer’s list
price of $298,800 plus on-road costs.
That makes it more than $30,000 cheaper
than the current Quattroporte flagship on
which it is based – the volume-selling 4.7-
litre Sport GT S ($328,900) – as well as
$9700 more affordable than the 4.7-litre
Quattroporte S ($308,500) and $12,800
more expensive than the entry-level 4.2-litre
Quattroporte ($286,000).
For the sub-$300K list price, the most
sporting Quattroporte adds a new MC
Sportline equipment package that Maserati
says was developed from its experience in
the FIA GT World Championship, which the
Maserati MC-12 racecar currently dominates.
Effectively, the Quattroporte MC
Sportline replaces all of the woodgrain trim
in the standard Sport GT S with carbonfibre, including the dashboard, front and rear
centre consoles, sections of the door panels,
the gearshifter, shift paddles, switchgear
surrounds and around the instrument panel.
Its carbon-fibre door sills are also
embossed with the MC Sportline logo,
which is stamped into the aluminium brake
pedal as well.
There are no mechanical changes for the
MC Sportline, which is powered by the same
323kW/490Nm 4.7-litre Ferrari-derived V8
seen in the Sport GT S. It therefore offers
the same formidable performance figures,
including a 5.1-second 0-100km/h time (onetenth faster than the base Quattroporte 4.2) and
a 285km/h top speed (up from 280km/h).
Of course, the MC Sportline – which
has the same 1990kg kerb weight – also
comes with the Sport GT S’s MC-Auto Shift
sequential manual transmission, featuring
full manual control, a fully automatic
function, a faster-shifting Sport mode and,
in the case of the MC Sportline, extra-long
carbon-fibre (instead of alloy) shift paddles
behind the steering wheel.
Like the Sport GT S, the MC Sportline
is also fitted with a firmer, single-setting
suspension featuring single-rate dampers, a
lower ride height (down 10mm at the front
and 25mm at the rear) and firmer spring
rates – up 30 per cent at the front and 10 per
cent at the rear.
Move Ahead with Audi
Due to the expansion of Audi Centre Gold Coast, one of
Australia’s leading Audi Dealerships, we are seeking a
dynamic, self motivated, professional with proven ability to
manage and grow our premium Service department, whilst
being able to achieve and maintain high customer service
and financial benchmarks.
You will be responsible for the management of all aspects
of the daily operation, ensuring outstanding customer
satisfaction and ensuring exceptional efficiencies
associated with a 23 bay custom designed workshop.
To be successful you will have extensive experience in a
similar role, be proficient in Pentana Solutions and be
able to demonstrate a strong focus on manufacturer
relations, warranty processes, staff training, mentoring and
motivation whilst achieving financial benchmarks.
The rewards include an excellent remuneration package
including a company vehicle, brand new state of the art
facilities and ongoing training.
The new Audi Facility will open in January 2011.
Service Manager
Confidential Applications in writing should be forwarded by the closing date of
Friday, 22nd October 2010 to:
Scott Sneddon | Group Service Manager | e: [email protected]
John Mellor’s
GoAutoNews
A1 below $30K
Oct 15, 2010 Page 18
Lamborghini launches
two hot new Gallardos
By DAVID HASSALL
Audi’s new baby to start from $29,900 at launch
By RON HAMMERTON
A SMALL car that is set to make a big impact
on Audi’s ambitious sales plans for Australia
was previewed by the German importer today
at the Sydney motor show ahead of its 2011
launch Down Under.
The three-door, four-seat A1 hatchback
priced from less than $30,000 will
line up against rivals such as the
Mini Cooper, Citroen DS3, Alfa
Romeo MiTo and Fiat 500 when it
is progressively rolled out from the second
quarter of next year, providing Audi with
a new entry-level car that is expected to
quickly become its top seller.
Audi Australia predicts the new model
will ultimately help lift its sales by up to 20
per cent over the expected 14,000 vehicles it
will sell this year.
Today in Sydney, the A1 took its place on the
Audi stand alongside the new long-wheelbase
A8L limousine and the just-launched V10 R8
Spyder and V8 RS5 coupe.
However, there was no sign of the hottest
A1, the 136kW 1.4 TFSI, revealed at the
recent Paris motor show, with Audi Australia
not launching that variant until the second
half of next year.
Instead, Audi is showing the mainstream
90kW/230Nm 1.4-litre TFSI petrol A1 that,
along with the 66kW/230Nm 1.6litre diesel version, will spearhead
the luxury hatchback’s drive into the
Australian market.
The petrol engine comes with a choice of
six-speed manual gearbox or S-tronic dualclutch transmission, with prices starting
from $29,900 for the 1.4 TFSI Attaction
manual, stepping up to $32,250 for the auto,
and $32,650 for the manual Ambition and
$35,000 for the Ambition auto.
When it arrives, the diesel will be mated
to the same S-tronic transmission or a fivespeed manual.
HAIL, Rain or Shine
Netpro Canopies have got you covered.
DON’T leave it all to your insurance cover and risk replacement
delays or lack of factory stock. Protect your valuable vehicles
against storm damage with NETPRO Canopies – made to Australian
Engineer CertiÀed Hail Canopy design.
When the storm passes and the skies clear the NETPRO Canopy
protects your stock and browsing customers from the harsh
Australian sun.
NETPRO can work with your insurer to potentially reduce premiums,
and all canopies are tailored to your operational site conditions.
For full details about the beneÀts of an affordable,
tailored NETPRO Hail Canopy, please call Justin Murray on
0419 700 017 or email [email protected]
NETPRO CANOPIES – Protecting assets across Australia.
LAMBORGHINI Gallardo buyers now
have two new models to choose from – at
both ends of the supercar’s price spectrum.
As well as the highly anticipated Gallardo
range-topping LP570-4 Superleggera, which
is priced at $542,500 plus on-road costs,
Lamborghini Australia has today introduced a
new entry-level version of its least expensive
model at the Sydney motor show.
Based on the two-wheel-drive Valentino
Balboni limited edition coupe launched
here in July last year, the new LP550-2 is
priced from ‘only’ $399,000, taking the
Gallardo back to its 2004 launch price.
But the real Sydney show-stopper
for enthusiasts is the all-wheel-drive
Superleggera (Italian for super-light), the
first few examples of which have been in
the country for more than a month but which
has not been formally launched here.
Only 15 examples will come to Australia
and six have already been sold according
to Lamborghini Australia sales manager
Tom Dowd.
Balboni
Superleggera
John Mellor’s
GoAutoNews
Amarok arrives
Oct 15, 2010 Page 19
Skoda’s Yeti SUV
turns up in Sydney
VW shows off its all-new Ford Ranger-rivalling ute
VOLKSWAGEN tried to upstage Ford’s
T6 Ranger global premiere this morning
at the Australian International Motor Show
with the local debut of the Amarok onetonne truck.
Seen for the first time on Oz soil, the
Argentinean-built workhorse arrived in a
couple of different flavours, as the German
company strives for greater commercial
vehicle market penetration in Australia.
The single-cab version shown at the recent
IAA Commercial Vehicles Fair in Hannover,
Germany, did not materialise in Sydney as
expected, with Volkswagen Group Australia
showing two production versions of the
dual-cab and a support vehicle used in the
2010 Dakar Rally.
Also out for the world to see is VW’s
new eco warrior, the Prius-beating Golf
BlueMotion, along with a new entry-level Golf
– the $21,990 1.2-litre turbo 77TSI – a Tiguan
SUV with MY11 DSG dual clutch gearbox
upgrades (among other things), and revised
Eos with the 155TSI Golf GTI engine.
But there was no sign of the Paris motor
show-debuting B8-series Passat due in the
middle of next year, nor the facelifted Caddy
or the second-generation Touareg luxury
SUV that is also on a slow boat to Australia
(due in about June 2011).
At the other end of the scale, though, the
increasingly popular Polo debuted in GTI
flagship guise, providing an enticing proposition
for lovers of speedy urban runabouts.
SKODA pulled off one of the genuine
surprises this morning with the appearance
of the Yeti compact SUV.
Joining another revamp of the Octavia
range (with a 90TSI 1.4-litre turbo replacing
the ancient 1.6-litre petrol unit) and acclaimed
Superb sedan and wagon under the Sydney
spotlight, the boxy Yeti represents the Czech
brand’s biggest chance at finally achieving
volume success in Australia.
Yeti will not be released Down Under
until well into next year, when it will boost
the Skoda range to three again after the
slow-selling Roomster was axed at the
beginning of this year.
Based on the Volkswagen Group’s PQ35
platform, the Yeti is closely related to the
Mk5/Mk6 Golf (and, by association, the
Tiguan), but features completely different
styling to any of its cousins.
In essence, the Yeti is a small-carderived crossover, with a transverse
engine, front-wheel drive or four-wheel
drive, MacPherson strut front suspension
and a multi-link rear end. It sits on a
2578mm wheelbase, is 1691mm high and
weighs from 1520kg.
Under the bonnet, a predictable array
of Volkswagen Group turbocharged fourcylinder petrol and diesel engines are
on offer, although the final selection for
Australia has yet to be revealed.
ADIDAS GOLF GTI
IT WAS unveiled alongside a pipinghot ‘Excessive’ variant at Austria’s
wacky Wothersee Tour in May and now
Volkswagen Australia has launched the
Adidas-badged Golf GTI special-edition
locally at the Sydney motor show today.
Yeti
AUTOMOTIVE ANALYST/ TECHNICIAN
International SOS is the world’s leading international healthcare, medical assistance, and security
services company. Operating in over 70 countries, International SOS provides integrated medical,
clinical, and security solutions to organisations with international operations employing 6,000
employees. Members include 66 per cent of the Fortune Global 500 companies.
As a result of growth we now require customer service orientated qualiÀed mechanics with exemplary fault-diagnosis for our busy 24/7
contact centre. Providing quality solutions and technical advice over the phone you will act as the Àrst point of contact for our customers.
Essential to success are strong mechanical, analytical and listening skills!
In return for your skills and experience we provide comprehensive training, CBD location and an excellent working environment within a
rapidly growing international organisation.
To apply please forward your CV to Jonathan Noble on email: [email protected]
All applicants will be subject to a mandatory criminal history check as part of the recruitment and selection process. Offers of employment will
only be made upon a satisfactory and successful criminal history check.
Worldwide reach Human touch
www.internationalsos.com
John Mellor’s
GoAutoNews
Oct 15, 2010 Page 20
Cerato hatch hits town
Kia launches crucial new
five-door model at AIMS,
and unveils 2011 Optima
By TERRY MARTIN
AFTER being denied access to the highvolume Australian small hatchback market
since its redesigned Cerato was launched
here only in sedan form almost two years
ago, Kia this morning unveiled the highly
anticipated five-door hatch version at the
Sydney motor show.
Kia Motors Australia’s new chief
operating officer, Tony Barlow, also took the
wraps off the redesigned TF-series Optima,
which from early next year will bring
the resurgent Korean brand back into the
mid-sized sedan market after the previous
MG-series Magentis was discontinued more
than 12 months ago.
The TD-series Cerato is set to play a crucial
role in Kia’s plans to increase sales in Australia
by around 50 per cent in the next 18 months,
including a forecast 30,000 sales in 2011.
On sale from today priced from $20,240
Optima
Cerato
(plus on-road costs) for the Si manual, the
hatch is more expensive than the Cerato
sedan, which costs $18,990 for the S version
and $19,990 for the equivalent Si grade.
However, Kia is quick to point out that
the hatchback features significant styling
modifications, specific Australian-market
tuning for the front strut/rear torsion beam
suspension and electric power steering,
more refinement and upgraded equipment
such as keyless entry and Bluetooth handsfree mobile phone connectivity.
A new six-speed manual and optional
six-speed automatic transmission (with a
gate-style shift pattern and Sport mode) also
feature on the Cerato hatch, which is a key
upgrade from the current five-speed manual
and four-speed auto offered on the sedan
(but which will also be upgraded early in
2011, along with the Cerato Koup).
Automatic adds $2000 on the Si and
$2200 on the higher-grade SLi, reflecting
the introduction of steering wheel paddle
Assistant Parts Manager
shifters on the flagship model. The manual
SLi starts from $24,040.
While 1.6 and 2.4-litre petrol engines are
available overseas, the Cerato five-door has
followed the sedan in sticking solely with the
familiar 2.0-litre four-cylinder ‘Theta II’ petrol
engine that produces 115kW of power at
6200rpm and 194Nm of torque at 4300rpm.
The new transmissions have been
instrumental in reducing fuel economy
for the hatchback over the sedan, with the
five-door manual returning 7.5L/100km
(and 179g/km of CO2) and the automatic
7.7L/100km (and 183g/km).
The Cerato sedan, by comparison,
consumes 7.8L/100km in manual form, or
7.9L/100km for the auto, while its 0-100km/h
acceleration of 9.3 seconds (auto: 10.5) is
also lagging behind the hatchback, which
hits the mark in 9.1 seconds with the manual
and 9.8 with the new automatic.
HOLDEN
Commonwealth Motors Holden are seeking an experienced Assistant Parts Manager to join our busy Canberra dealership. To
be successful in this position you will have a proven record in Parts Management with previous Holden experience.
In this exciting and challenging role you will be primarily responsible for:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Driving parts sales growth and customer service;
Working in conjunction with end customers and other departments to maximise sales opportunities;
Maximising the parts department profitability without compromising customer service, satisfaction or retention;
Ability to identify and develop new market opportunities;
Managing and coaching parts interpreters to take the parts business to the next level;
Providing professional & timely customer service to internal & external customers at all times.
The successful candidate will have excellent communication and planning skills, a demonstrated ability to communicate both
over the telephone and in face to face situations and a passion for delivering high quality customer service.
This is an excellent opportunity to join a highly regarded organisation which takes a genuine passion in the development of its
people. If you have drive, ability and the desire to be an important and key part of our parts team, then we would like to hear
from you.
Please apply to Graham Pryce, Parts Manager by sending your
resume and cover letter via email to [email protected].
All applications are treated confidentially.
commotors.com.au
John Mellor’s
GoAutoNews
Hyundai plugs in
Oct 15, 2010 Page 21
Media criticism sees
Hyundai act with i45
By JOHN WRIGHT
Power boost for CT200h
hybrid on Lexus’ agenda,
along with plug-in model
Blue-Will hybrid surfaces in Sydney with MY11 cars
By MARTON PETTENDY
INFORMED
WE SAW it at the 2009 Seoul motor show
in Korea and now Hyundai has staged the
Australian debut of its futuristic Blue-Will
plug-in hybrid concept at this morning’s
Sydney motor show.
Hyundai’s first dedicated plug-in
petrol-electric vehicle took centre stage
alongside the upgraded 2011 model year
i20, i30, ix35 and i45 models the company
announced last week.
It is conceptually similar to the
Chevrolet Volt, which was launched
this month in the US and will go on
sale in Australia as a Holden in 2012, and
Toyota’s Prius Plug-In, which is currently
undergoing global field trials (see page 23).
Underneath the Blue-Will’s striking
wedge-shaped five-door hatchback body,
which features bold intersecting bodyside
feature lines, is the same world-first lithiumion polymer battery pack that powers the
LPG-fuelled Elantra LPI Hybrid sedan that
went on sale in Korea in July 2009 but will
not be released here.
That could change if Hyundai produces an
LPI Hybrid version of the next-generation
Elantra (known as the Avante in Korea),
which has been confirmed for local release
in the second quarter of next year, potentially
badged as the i35.
In the case of the Blue-Will concept,
however, instead of an LPG engine, the
electric motor is matched with Hyundai’s
all-alloy 113kW 1.6-litre direct-injection
GDI petrol engine.
It also employs solar panels mounted in
its panoramic roof to trickle-charge a cabin
cooling fan that, like the Prius, can cool the
cabin while the vehicle is parked.
There is also a thermal generator within
the exhaust manifold, which converts heat
into electrical energy to help power auxiliary
systems, while low-rolling-resistance tyres
and low-drag brakes are also fitted.
Between the engine and battery
pack, which is packaged with the
fuel tank beneath the rear seat, lays a
continuously variable transmission (CVT),
which – along with a powerful 100kW
electric motor – completes Hyundai’s
proprietary parallel hybrid-drive system.
HIGH FIVE FOR i20
HYUNDAI’S new i20 hatchback now offers
five-star safety across the range following
the inclusion of side and curtain airbags on
the entry-level 1.4-litre Active models.
Heralded at the Australian launch of
the all-new Indian-built light car in July,
the move is reflected by a $500 price hike
for the Active, which now comes with
manufacturer’s list prices of $15,490 (threedoor) and $16,490 (five-door).
HYUNDAI Motor Company of Australia
(HMCA) proclaims a “philosophy of
continuous improvement” and has now
backed this rhetoric with action by releasing
an upgraded MY11 version of the i45 medium
sedan it released less than five months ago.
HMCA has long claimed Australia is a
key market for Hyundai Motor Corporation
(which also owns Kia) and its haste to respond
to criticism by “half a dozen motoring
journalists” of the MY10 i45 shows how
effectively the local management team can
convince head office about the need to make
its cars right for Australian conditions.
At the launch of the i45 in May this year,
Hyundai said the car’s suspension had been
optimised for local roads, but at the time
probably rather more than half a dozen –
among them some of the most seasoned
testers in Australia – observed that the
steering was lacking in feel and weight
and that the car’s dynamics at higher speed
were disappointing.
The swiftness of HMCA’s response may
have been influenced by the policy of sibling
company Kia to optimise all new models for
Australian conditions before launching them.
Unfavourable comparisons between Hyundais
and those of the company’s wholly owned
subsidiary, which operates independently in
Australia, would be unwelcome.
As GoAuto reported on July 19, HMCA
chief executive Edward Lee had asked
the company’s head office to improve the
steering and ride of the i45 despite the fact
that the 20 or so customers who had already
taken delivery of their new mid-size Hyundai
sedans were delighted with their car and had
no criticism to make of its dynamics.
Analysing or Agonising
WE CAN HELP
Nobody does it better than JATO! Australia’s major vehicle manufacturers,
importers, dealer groups, leasing companies and web portals, rely daily on JATO’s
undisputed reputation for timely, accurate and complete new vehicle data,
gathered in 45 countries globally. JATO Dynamics is Australia’s premier source for
independent automotive information and analysis of vehicle specifications, vehicle
prices, sales volume by model, pricing history, industry news, national and state
consumer incentives…. and much more.
To see how OUR KNOWLEDGE IS YOUR POWER, contact us:
visit: www.jato.com Tel: +61 (0)2 9894 2455
email: [email protected]
John Mellor’s
GoAuto Market Insight
Oct 15, 2010 Page 22
GoAuto Market Insight is brought
to you by Dealer Solutions
Dealer
Solutions
Means Performance.
Great Wall rises
Great Wall Motors sales in Australia since launch
Against the odds, China’s
Great Wall Motors makes
big progress Down Under
800
700
600
By RON HAMMERTON
500
Sales
PIONEERING Chinese motor vehicle
brand Great Wall Motors has more than
doubled its share of the Australian market
in the past 12 months, overtaking household
names such as Land Rover, Jeep, Volvo and
Peugeot in the sales race.
While volumes are still tiny compared with
the big players, Great Wall’s dealers have sold
almost 5000 vehicles this year for a 0.6 per
cent share of the market – and growing.
In August, Great Wall almost achieved 1.0
per cent share after launching its new entrylevel V240 cab-chassis variant in July.
Currently armed with just two models – the
V240 ute and X240 compact SUV – Great
Wall has defied those cynics who predicted
such Chinese brands, with unproven quality
and no brand awareness, would struggle.
Those predictions appeared well-founded
after Great Wall became the first Chinese
car-maker to launch in Australia – by
independent importer Ateco Automotive
in July last year – and the company’s utes
were awarded just two stars in Australasian
New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP)
crash safety testing.
A failed seatbelt in the V240 test was not
only embarrassing for the company, but
forced a safety recall to rectify the problem.
The V240 was one of two utes the
company fired onto the market when it
opened for business in Australia. While
the V240 made headway, the more basic
SA220, with its 78kW 2.2-litre engine,
struggled for 12 months before Ateco killed
it off in the middle of this year.
V240 cab-chassis
launched
SA220 Ute dropped
X240
V240
SA220
Source: VFACTS
400
X240 SUV launched
300
200
100
0
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep
09 09 09 09 09 09 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10
Since then, the V240 ute range, which
opened with a four-door dual-cab variant,
has been expanded with a single-cab cabchassis model, priced at $17,990 driveaway
in 2x4 guise and $20,990 in 4x4, making it
the cheapest ute on the market.
Ateco said the arrival of the cab-chassis
has added incremental volume to the brand,
gaining popularity with tradesmen and
farmers. In August, V240 sales hit a new
monthly high of 416 units, with both the
4x2 (251 units) and 4x4 (165 units) having
their best months.
In September, sales slipped back a little
to 375 units, but the V240 still helped Great
Wall to a 2.7 per cent share of the light
commercial market – well above its 1.8 per
cent average this year.
But it was the arrival of the X240 SUV
a year ago that might be considered the
pivotal moment in Great Wall’s fortunes
in this country.
With less polarising styling than
the utes and a much more satisfactory
ANCAP safety rating of four stars, the
rugged full-chassis dual-range 4WD
X240 has effectively doubled the
company’s volumes.
Armed with the same Mitsubishi-sourced
100kW 2.4-litre petrol engine as the ute, the
X240 has carved out a 3.0 per cent share
of the hot compact SUV segment, with
volumes growing steadily.
Sold in just a single five-speed manual
gearbox spec, the X240 is the cheapest SUV
on the market at $23,990 driveaway, yet
is loaded with leather trim, ABS, 17-inch
alloys, twin airbags, four-wheel disc brakes
and dual-range on-the-fly 4WD.
Like its V240 stablemate, the X240
might do better if it had options such as an
automatic transmission and diesel engine.
Smart phones are everywhere but is your
website phone-smart?
More than 10 million Australians use internet-enabled phones to browse
and buy on the fly.
Mobile Websites
Maximise your mobile marketing. Contact Dealer Solutions today.
1300 66 11 33
www.dealersolutions.com.au
John Mellor’s
GoAuto Green
Green issues in the auto world
Oct 15, 2010 Page 23
GoAuto Green is brought
to you by Custom Fleet
Plug-in Prius takes off
Toyota set to begin local
Prius plug-in hybrid trial
ahead of 2012 production
BY 2012 Toyota may offer the most
economical fossil-fuelled car in Australia
when its 2.6L/100km Prius Plug-in Hybrid
Vehicle (PHV) goes on sale.
However, its other distinguishing feature
– the ability to travel 20km in pure electric
mode – is “probably not the best range
for Australia”, Toyota Australia’s senior
executive director of sales and marketing,
David Buttner, conceded this week.
Following GoAuto’s exclusive report in
June that revealed Toyota had received federal
regulatory approval to begin field testing of
its plug-in Prius hybrid, the company this
week announced that the vehicle will be
loaned to the Victorian government and four
corporate fleets yet to be named.
All will be involved in evaluating
whether the experimental plug-in hybrid
works satisfactorily in a local setting prior
to its commercialisation in 2012.
The Prius PHV is based on the existing
third-generation Prius, which was released
here in July 2009, but has been modified to
accept an electric charge from an external
power source.
It also uses a 5.2kWh lithium-ion battery
pack in place of the existing nickel-metal
hydride battery pack (as also used in the
local Camry Hybrid built at Altona), which
boosts its voltage rating from 201.6 to 345.6
and extends its range in pure electric mode
from 2km to 20km.
The plug-in Prius employs the same
73kW/142Nm 1.8-litre petrol engine and
60kW/207Nm electric motor as the standard
Prius hybrid.
Mr Buttner this week conceded the 20km
range was perhaps not enough for Australia
but was dictated by studies of typical driving
distances in Europe, which revealed 80 per
cent of car journeys were of less than 25km.
However, he said that ‘range anxiety’
is obviated by the Prius PHV’s onboard
petrol engine.
“If you forget to plug it in, you will still
be able to drive to work, and you will be
able to continue to drive beyond the range
of the battery pack,” said Mr Buttner.
“Unlike electric cars, you will not have
to drive with one eye on the road and one
eye on the electric power gauge. After using
its electric-only range, the PHV reverts to
normal petrol-electric hybrid operation,
such as that of Prius or Hybrid Camry.”
MORE HYBRIDS COMING
MEDIA reports from the US speculating
that Toyota Japan plans to augment its
Prius with two offshoot hybrid models
by 2013 have been confirmed by local
Toyota management.
The Wall Street Journal quoted an
unnamed source last week as saying that
Toyota briefed its US dealers recently
about two upcoming hybrids, one larger
and one smaller than the current Prius.
Asked this week to comment on the
story and – if accurate – the likelihood of
these new models arriving here, Toyota
Australia sales and marketing director
David Buttner told GoAuto he was aware
of such models, and of their development
“progressing” overseas.
Mr Buttner added that the new
hybrids in development had not reached
Australia’s future product list, and were
therefore not yet in its product plans,
which extend to 2015.
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
Oct 15, 2010 Page 24
UP CLOSE ON PERSONNEL
Brought to you by Motor Staff – Australia’s Largest Supplier of Qualified Applicants
FORMER FIAT, FORD EXEC NAMED THINK CEO AS CANNY RETURNS TO US
By TERRY MARTIN
NORWEGIAN-BASED electric vehicle
manufacturer Think Global has appointed
former Fiat and Ford senior executive Barry
Engle as its new chief executive officer.
Think’s third CEO in two years, Mr Engle
replaces former Ford Australia executive
Richard Canny who has been in the top
job since October 2008 and, after steering
it through the global financial crisis, is
returning to the US as vice-chairman of the
company’s North American subsidiary.
Mr Engle was previously president and
CEO of the Fiat-owned New Holland
Agricultural Equipment SpA, based in
Turin, Italy. He has also served in a variety
of senior positions with the Ford Motor Co,
including president and CEO of Ford of
Canada and president of Ford of Brazil.
Mr Engle said he was “excited and
energised” by the opportunities ahead for
the Scandinavian brand, which include
expanding its operations beyond Europe
into North America and Asia.
“Think is perfectly positioned to
capitalise on the growing consumer and
EVANS TO LEXUS
LONG-TIME Toyota
Australia executive Peter
Evans has been appointed
corporate manager of
marketing and aftersales
at Lexus Australia after
more than two years in
product planning and
development at Toyota.
Peter Evans
The new role includes
responsibility for customer loyalty, customer
relationship management, the Lexus call
centre and customer events. He reports to
Lexus chief executive Tony Cramb.
Greg Gardner has replaced Mr Evans,
whose move to the Lexus brand follows
former marketing and aftersales chief Andrew
Caie’s move to Subaru Australia in August .
Australia’s
Largest
Supplier of
Qualified
Applicants
If we don’t have the
employee you require
then no-one does!
governmental interest
in electric vehicles,” he
said.
“Think is already
a true leader in this
segment – with cars on
the road today, rapid
growth underway and
the experience of more
Richard Canny than 30 million customer
miles of EV experience.
“There is no more compelling opportunity
or company in the global automotive sector
today.”
Mr Engle’s appointment follows the hiring
in August of experienced motorcycle industry
executive Michael Lock as chief marketing
officer. Mr Lock was previously CEO of
Ducati North America, and also held senior
marketing and brand development positions
at Triumph Motorcycles USA and Honda
Motor Europe.
In July, Think hired ex-McKinsey &
Co lean manufacturing expert Houtan
Houshangi as director of business
development, and former Renewable
Energy Corporation vice-president Eivind
Garshol as director of human resources.
The Adelaide-born Mr Canny, who rose
from Ford Australia to president of Ford
South America and director of strategic
planning for Ford globally before joining
Think in 2008, will be instrumental in driving
the Scandinavian brand’s development in
the US, with sales of the City EV (built by
Valmet Automotive in Finland) scheduled
to start at the end of this year.
Production will shift to a new plant in
Indiana in the first half of 2011.
Mr Canny, who has worked with Mr Engle
at Ford, is also charged with developing “new
revenue streams for Think by leading business
development efforts and strategic alliances”.
Think’s current named investors are Ener1,
Valmet and the Norwegian governmentbacked Investinor. The company has also
Anne Taylor
George Hennessy
Sharon Hunter
Barry Engle
announced projects to supply EV drivetrain
systems to consortiums in Japan with
Mazda, Japan Post and Itochu Corporation.
A $US40 million equity increase was
completed in April to support further
product development and the expansion
into North America, which will include
selling EV drivetrains.
Having raised around $US87 million
since exiting court-approved bankruptcy
protection in August 2009, Think now
says it is “fully funded” and expects to
become cash-flow positive in 2011. This
week, the company celebrated the 2500th
City to be produced since receiving
European homologation in 1999.
The City is a circa-1000kg all-electric
three-door city car, available standard as a
two-seater and with a 2+2 seating option.
Its electric motor produces a maximum
34kW of power (and a constant 20kW) and
peak torque of 140Nm, driving the front
wheels through a single-speed transmission.
A 23kWh 317-volt ‘Zebra (Mes-Dea)’
sodium-nickel battery is fitted standard, but
the company also offers a heavier-duty 345volt EnerDel lithium-ion battery as an option.
Think claims the City’s driving range is
160km on the European mixed driving cycle
standard for EVs, with battery recharging
from 0-100 per cent taking approximately
10 hours via a 220-volt household outlet, or
up to 80 per cent in around 7.5 hours.
Acceleration from 0-50km/h is listed at
6.5 seconds, with the City hitting 80km/h
in 16.0 seconds, on its way to a 110km/h
maximum speed.
Doug Tame
Mara Nogarotto
Paul Newton
permanent placements • temporary assignments • psychological profiling
induction procedures • job descriptions • performance benchmarking
1300 666 562 • www.motorstaff.com.au
John Mellor’s
GoAutoNews
Oct 15, 2010 Page 25
GoAuto’s latest car review
www.GoAuto.com.au
BMW X5 xDrive40d Sport 5-dr wagon
SHEER luxury more than gristly off-roadiness is the hallmark of the big SUV wagons these
days, and nothing epitomises this transition than the BMW X5. This latest hot version of the
elly
3.0-litre diesel, wearing twin turbochargers, is so far removed from the old, slow and smelly
e in
4WD of old that it’s hard to believe that such a thing existed. The 40d forces a change
mindset; if you didn’t like diesels, you will now.
RE
i
n
brought to you by
Launch Pad
Australia’s No.1 because it works!
October:
ASTON TO BUILD CYGNET
ASTON MARTIN this week confirmed that
the tiny Cygnet city car, which is based on the
Toyota iQ, will go into production in 2011.
Despite its humble origins, the British
supercar manufacturer promises the
three-metre-long Cygnet will be “without
compromise”.
Although Aston Martin claims the car
will be produced at the company’s Gaydon
headquarters in Warwickshire – becoming
“the eighth major production car” it has
introduced there since 2004 – it is more
likely to be a Holden/HSV-style final fit-out
rather than full-scale production.
Toyota builds the iQ in Japan, where it
went on sale in October 2008, followed by
the UK in January 2009. A North American
version will be sold as a Scion from 2011.
Aston Martin’s leather-lined version was
presented as a concept at the Geneva motor
show in March and is clearly designed to
help the company meet future corporate
average fuel economy targets.
Pricing and specifications will not be
revealed until later in the year, but reports
suggest it will cost £30,000 ($A52,800) and
be powered by the 1.3-litre Toyota fourcylinder engine, which produces only 72kW
of power and 123Nm of torque.
Audi R8 Spyder
Audi RS5 Coupe
Ford Boss V8 upgrade
Ford Fiesta facelift
Ford Mondeo facelift
Holden Barina Spark
Hyundai MY11 i20
Hyundai MY11 i45
Hyundai MY11 ix35
Isuzu D-Max LEII
Kia Cerato five-door
Lexus IS350, IS facelift
Mitsubishi Outlander 2WD
Mitsubishi Triton Club Cab
Renault Fluence
Renault Kangoo
Renault Megane RS 250
Subaru Forester upgrade
Toyota HiLux facelift
Toyota Kluger facelift
Volkswagen Golf GTI Adidas
R8 Spyder
LATEST EOS UPGRADES
RS5
Fiesta
Triton Club Cab
i20
Golf GTI Adidas
New model diary: CLICK HERE
ATECO SET FOR LOTUS
INDEPENDENT
importer
Ateco
Automotive is set to distribute Lotus cars in
Australia from next March.
The Sydney-based importer of Citroen,
Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Fiat, Ferrari and
Great Wall vehicles is in the final stages
of negotiations with the Malaysian-owned
British sportscar brand, but dealers and staff
have been told it is a done deal. Ateco, headed
by New Zealand-born businessman Neville
Crichton, is also preparing to launch Chinese
car brand Chery in Australia, making a total
stable of eight brands, counting Lotus.
FANS of the Volkswagen Eos convertible in
Australia will have to wait until the middle of
next year before they can get their hands on
the facelifted MY12 version.
To be unveiled at the Los Angeles motor
show next month, the four-seater convertible
gains VW’s corporate nose, eliminating the
single-frame grille look that has characterised
the series since its 2006 debut. Restyled
bumpers front and rear and LED tail-lights
are the other obvious exterior alterations,
along with new wheels and colour choices.
The MY12 Eos’ makeover is essentially
in line with the changes the Golf underwent
from Mk5 to Mk6 at the end of 2008, and
also includes the introduction of more
efficient drivetrains and new cabin trim.
There are also revised instruments,
improved multimedia devices, a redesigned
steering wheel, and a host of functionality
improvements, bringing the Eos up to date
within the contemporary VW family.
NEW PLATINUM PAJERO
MITSUBISHI has wheeled out yet another
Platinum-edition Pajero precisely 12 months
since the last, this time adding a range of
premium interior and exterior upgrades for
the same price as the entry-level GLX variant
on which it is based.
Franchised or independent - it works.
Call us on 1300 728 800 or
email [email protected]

GoAutoNews - GoAutoMedia

Transcription

Similar documents

PDF - Monex Europe

PDF

Marvel: Ultimate Alliance

coyer debra

ERL-0631-GD PR

Combined Profile Stakeholder Summary 0315

January2015 - Lafon Nursing Facility

Just Acquires Smiggle - Investor Update

Hassad Australia - Grain Trade Australia

Paula Brennan, Greater Dandenong