LUBRICANTS. TECHNOLOGY. PEOPLE. www.fuchs.com.au AUSTRALIA’S NO.1 AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY JOURNAL EDITION 955 – JAN 9, 2019 SUBSCRIBE FREE: CLICK HERE Stephen Lester with the Micra and Kicks that are under consideration for the Australian market Glass’s - Leaders in vehicle specifications, valuation data, insights and RV forecasts Swap meet Mercedes uses Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas to unveil hi-tech new-generation CLA INSIDE: INDUSTRY SALES RECRUITMENT SENIOR CAR COMPANY & DEALER MANAGEMENT JOBS IN THIS ISSUE By TUNG NGUYEN MERCEDES-BENZ has chosen the technology-focused Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas this week instead of a traditional motor show to reveal its stylish second-generation CLA sedan that is due to hit Australian showrooms in the third quarter of this year. However, with features such as an updated Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system that includes gesture control and a new ‘Energizing Coach’ function to individualise interior settings, the CLA is arguably more Silicon Valley than Detroit city. Although styling of the swoopy four-door ‘coupe’ remains largely similar to its predecessor with a long bonnet, high waistline and sloping roof, the second-generation CLA now has sleeker headlights and a more chiselled front bumper. The rear end is also updated with slimmer tail-lights and lower numberplate position, while a more prominent rear diffuser and integrated bumper can also be seen. Measuring 4688mm long, 1830mm wide (excluding mirrors), 1439mm tall and with a 2729mm wheelbase, the new CLA has grown in every dimension with the exception of overall height which is 2mm lower than before. The second-generation CLA is also roomier inside for both front and rear occupants, barring first-row legroom which is reduced by 1mm. However, to accommodate more interior space for passengers, the boot capacity has taken a 10-litre penalty down to 460L, which is compensated by a deeper space and wider aperture. Like most new Mercedes models in recent times, the CLA will be available with an Edition 1 pack for the first 12 months on sale that adds a number of cosmetic tweaks. But it is the changes to the interior which are most noticeable thanks to the inclusion of the updated MBUX infotainment system. Continued next page
Transcript
LUBRICANTS.TECHNOLOGY.
PEOPLE.
www.fuchs.com.au
AUSTRALIA’S NO.1 AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY JOURNAL EDITION 955 – JAN 9, 2019
SUBSCRIBE FREE: CLICK HERE
Stephen Lester with the Micra and Kicks that are under consideration for the Australian market
Glass’s - leaders in vehicle specification and valuation data, insights and RV forecasts
Glass’s - Leaders in vehicle specifications, valuation data, insights and RV forecasts
Swap meetMercedes uses Consumer Electronics Show in
Las Vegas to unveil hi-tech new-generation CLA
INSIDE: INDUSTRY SALES RECRUITMENT
SENIOR CAR COMPANY & DEALER MANAGEMENT JOBS IN THIS ISSUE
By TUNG NGUYEN
MERCEDES-BENZ has chosen the technology-focused Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas this week instead of a traditional motor show to reveal its stylish second-generation CLA sedan that is due to hit Australian showrooms in the third quarter of this year.
However, with features such as an updated Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system that includes gesture control and a new ‘Energizing Coach’ function to individualise interior settings, the CLA is arguably more Silicon Valley than Detroit city.
Although styling of the swoopy four-door ‘coupe’ remains largely similar to its predecessor with a long bonnet, high waistline and sloping roof, the second-generation CLA now has sleeker headlights and a more chiselled front bumper.
The rear end is also updated with slimmer tail-lights and lower numberplate position, while a more prominent rear diffuser and
integrated bumper can also be seen.Measuring 4688mm long,
1830mm wide (excluding mirrors), 1439mm tall and with a 2729mm wheelbase, the new CLA has grown in every dimension with the exception of overall height which is 2mm lower than before.
The second-generation CLA is also roomier inside for both front and rear occupants, barring first-row legroom which is reduced by 1mm.
However, to accommodate more interior space for passengers, the boot capacity has taken a 10-litre penalty down to 460L, which is compensated by a deeper space and wider aperture.
Like most new Mercedes models in recent times, the CLA will be available with an Edition 1 pack for the first 12 months on sale that adds a number of cosmetic tweaks.
But it is the changes to the interior which are most noticeable thanks to the inclusion of the updated MBUX infotainment system.
PAGE 2 SUBSCRIBE FREE: CLICK HERE ADVERTISE: CLICK HERE
Continued from previous page
According to Mercedes, “all (interior) elements are arranged according to the overarching design themes of ‘high tech’ and ‘youthful avant-garde’” – which is centred around a freestanding widescreen display to house the all-digital instrumentation and MBUX.
Largely mirroring its A-Class sibling, the CLA interior also features turbine-inspired air vents, a wraparound brushed metal design element, advanced multi-function steering wheel, new infotainment touchpad controller and ambient lighting.
Building on the debut of MBUX at last year’s CES, the updated version in the CLA offers better natural language speech recognition and, according to Mercedes-Benz Cars member of the divisional board for CASE (Connected, Autonomous, Shared, Electric) and head of digital vehicle and mobility Sajjad Khan, “is able to recognise and answer considerably more complex queries”.
“What’s more, the voice
assistance no longer gets confused by other passengers conversing,” he said. “Instead, it only responds to the commands of the person who last said, ‘Hey Mercedes’ to activate the system.”
MBUX remains a drawcard but the new CLA’s Interior Assist handsfree gesture controls are sure to draw plenty of attention on the show floor at CES this week.
Mercedes says the Interior Assist system is functional in both high and low light situations and “enables the adaption of screen content as soon as a hand approaches the touchscreen in the dashboard or the touchpad on the centre console”.
The gesture controls also extend beyond the infotainment system,
as extending a hand to the rearview mirror will also turn on or off the reading lamps and reaching over to an unoccupied front seat will automatically turn on the lights.
Finally, a unique V-shaped hand gesture can also be programmed to function as a shortcut to a number
of operations such as navigating to a home address.
The new Energizing Coach function, meanwhile, can control climate settings and seat (heating, cooling, massaging) and lighting systems that “enables a specific wellness set-up tailored to the mood
and need of the customers”.The Energizing Coach system
can also be paired to a compatible smartwatch for readings about the driver’s quality of sleep, stress levels and heart rate to ease commuting.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
MERCEDES-AMG DRIFTS TOWARDSREVEAL OF NEW-GEN A45: CLICK HERE
PUBLISHER: John MellorEDITOR: Terry Martin MANAGING EDITOR: Tim NicholsonJOURNALISTS: Ron Hammerton, Tung Nguyen Justin Hilliard, Robbie Wallis, Byron Mathioudakis Haitham Razagui, Spencer LeechPRODUCTION: Luc Britten, William VicentePRODUCED BY GOAUTOMEDIA: [email protected] Ph: (03) 9598 6477 THE INTEGRATED DMS COMPANY
It’s not about software.It’s about dealer growth,and deep integration withevery major manufacturer.
PAGE 3 SUBSCRIBE FREE: CLICK HERE ADVERTISE: CLICK HERE
Infiniti joins race to bring all-electric SUV tomarket with near-final QX Inspiration concept
View point AUDI will use the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas this week to reveal its vision for in-car entertainment to stave off boredom in the brave new world of autonomous driving.
FULL STORY: CLICK HEREQ8 glides in – page 12
THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT
By JUSTIN HILLIARD
INFINITI has taken a crucial step towards its first full-electric SUV that could rival several emerging luxury models, teasing the near-production QX Inspiration concept that will make its international debut next week at the Detroit motor show.
With Jaguar launching its I-Pace last month, the Mercedes-Benz EQC and Audi e-tron set to enter showrooms this year and BMW’s iX3 on track for a 2020 launch, the production version of the QX Inspiration cannot come soon enough for Infiniti if it is to follow the industry trend towards zero-emissions SUVs.
While Infiniti is yet to detail the QX Inspiration’s “high-performance” powertrain with “potency and character”, the Nissan-owned luxury brand has promised
“complete range confidence”, suggesting its quartet of rivals may have their hands full.
The introduction of the QX Inspiration also falls into line with Infiniti’s plan to introduce each of its new models from 2021 – the earliest the SUV could launch – with electrified powertrains, including series-hybrid and battery-electric, underpinned by new platforms with all-wheel drive.
Critically, this product overhaul will help Infiniti achieve its goal of having electrified vehicles account for more than half of its global sales by 2025, with China shaping up as the key high-volume market in this push.
Conversely, the Australian market has been slow for Infiniti since its 2013 launch, with only 649 vehicles sold last year – a 16.4 per cent
decrease over the 776 deliveries made in 2017 and well behind the 32,201 units luxury brand leader Mercedes-Benz Cars managed.
“QX Inspiration is the beginning of a new era for Infiniti and an illustration of where we want to go with the brand,” said Infiniti Motor Company executive design director Karim Habib.
“New technology has given us the opportunity to evolve our design philosophy, and the new vehicle communicates the ‘serene strength’ at our core.”
In the single teaser image released ahead of its full reveal in Detroit, the QX Inspiration bears a striking resemblance to the Q Inspiration coupe-style sedan concept shown at
the 2018 Detroit motor show, albeit in SUV form.
Unlike other recent Infiniti show cars, including the Q Inspiration, the QX Inspiration’s bold design appears to be closer to production, with its side-view cameras even a chance to carry over in place of traditional mirrors – a move Audi made with the e-tron.
The QX Inspiration foreshadows its battery-electric powertrain with its lack of a traditional grille, instead maintaining the shape of the key styling element as part of the overall front fascia that is punctuated by slim headlights and a chunky bumper with large air intakes.
PAGE 4 SUBSCRIBE FREE: CLICK HERE ADVERTISE: CLICK HERE
By TUNG NGUYEN
NISSAN will unveil new technology at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas this week dubbed Invisible-to-Visible (I2V) that aims to bridge the virtual and physical driving worlds with simulated assistants, holographic maps and augmented windscreens.
Designed as part of Nissan’s Intelligent Mobility initiative, the I2V technology uses both live-feed exterior sensors and infrastructure data pulled from the cloud, which can then be presented to vehicle occupants in various ways.
According to Nissan, the concept was developed “from research into how user interface and user experience of cars will evolve as autonomous driving and connectivity continue to advance”.
Nissan Research Centre expert
leader Tetsuro Ueda explained that when the vehicle “processes sensing data and visualises it, the driver feels at ease and can trust the car, resulting in a more confident and comfortable drive”.
“In the future, visualisation will remain key for the user interface and user experience,” he said.
In a video introducing the technology, the exterior sensor data is represented by a holographic map which shows buildings and obstacles that cannot be seen by the naked eye, as well as hidden hazards that might not be anticipated by the driver.
With this data, Nissan’s I2V technology is able to warn drivers of pedestrians crossing the road or where a parking spot has become available.
The vehicle’s interior sensors will also be used to monitor driver behaviour and suggest driving breaks when it detects fatigue.
Combining the sensor data with infrastructure data stored on the cloud will also allow the I2V system to plan better driving routes to avoid traffic congestion, while Nissan has also showcased its augmented reality potential by ‘clearing’ a foggy road by projecting an image of the same road on a sunny day on the windscreen.
For those so inclined, the windscreen can also show the racing line while a virtual coach can also
be summoned to improve driving techniques.
In addition to the driving coach, other avatars can be beckoned to help with navigation and other activities, as well as what could be projections of actual people.
“Cars will be autonomous, giving drivers more time for human interaction,” Mr Ueda said. “Your driving companion can be anyone, even if they cannot physically be with you in the car because they can appear as avatars.”
He also said “the cars of the future will create totally new interactive experiences”, while Nissan believes its new I2V technology “opens up endless possibilities for service and communication”.
Nissan ‘Invisible-to-Visible’ technology sets outto bridge the virtual and physical driving worlds
HYUNDAI has paraded into this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) with a walking car concept, dubbed Elevate, aimed at navigating rough terrain for emergency first responders and mobility for people living with disabilities.
FULL STORY: CLICK HEREMore Hyundai news – page 26-28
HYUNDAI ELEVATE UMVTrust me
Motor Industry Services2019 Industry overview Save the datePlease refer below for your local city event details. Official invitations will be sent in January 2019, however if you wish to express your interest in attending, please register your interest via:
Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee, and its network of member firms, each of which is a legally separate and independent entity. Please see www.deloitte.com/au/about for a detailed description of the legal structure of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited and its member firms.
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.
PAGE 5 SUBSCRIBE FREE: CLICK HERE ADVERTISE: CLICK HERE
Sales no concern but Toyota Supra chief engineeradmits reborn halo car brings ‘a lot of pressure’
Pressure point
Tetsuya Tada
By ROBBIE WALLIS
TOYOTA is feeling the weight of expectation that comes with the reintroduction of a famous model as the long-awaited new generation of its legendary Supra coupe is set to be revealed in full at the Detroit motor show next week ahead of an Australian arrival in the third quarter.
The previous Supra was discontinued in 2002, however a partnership with BMW has given Toyota the opportunity to create its own new sportscar alongside the BMW Z4.
Speaking to GoAuto at a media event held in Victoria late last month, Toyota Supra chief engineer Tetsuya Tada said the brand felt pressure to continue the legacy of one of its most beloved models.
“Of course (there is pressure to succeed). With the fifth-generation
Supra, the old heritage from the previous generations have to be succeeded with the newest technology,” he said.
“The segment for this Supra is very competitive, there are so many other competitors as you know in this segment.
“So, to compete with that, it has to be so much more fun than its competitors. So, it’s a lot of pressure, and that’s why we have to limit the price as well.”
Toyota is still to announce pricing for the Supra, however Mr Tada said the cost would have to be “acceptable for Toyota fans”.
When asked how Toyota would measure the success of the new Supra, Mr Tada said the company would not look at its sales performance but rather the reaction
it garners from fans of the car.“The goal for a Toyota sportscar
is not to sell a lot, but to really to sell Supra to fans who like cars a lot,” he said.
“So, to index the success of a sportscar is really hard. I think that’s why for many of the car companies, it’s really hard to make a sportscar. If you can sell more it’s good, but it’s not (a priority) for a sportscar.”
Toyota Australia public affairs manager Brodie Bott agreed that sales would not be the measuring stick for the Supra’s success, but said the model will help shift the way Toyota is perceived in terms of performance and excitement.
“In terms of sales, I think its job as a halo car is far more important than the sales targets, because to be completely honest with you, the volumes in the first year won’t be big,” he said.
“So, it’s not about getting them out there, it’s about the job it does to build the Toyota brand.
“I think if you look at where the brand’s going – you see it in the new Camry, you see it in the new Corolla, the TNGA (platform), the lower centre of gravity, the performance, the styling – we’re not the company we used to be.”
Mr Bott anticipated the Supra will help create a legion of Toyota enthusiasts in the same vein as the 86 coupe.
“I think you look at what 86 has done for the Toyota brand and all of the enthusiasts it has created, I think it will be the same for the Supra,” he said.
“You’ve got Supra enthusiasts but I think this one is a leap ahead again, you’ll see a lot more enthusiasts and advocates not only for Supra but for the Toyota brand.”
According to Mr Tada, the decision to revive the Supra nameplate after 17 years came from customer feedback, after listening to “voices from all over the world” demanding that the model should be revived.
Mr Bott added that the time was right to reintroduce the Supra given the opportunities the tie-in with BMW presented, particularly with the use of an inline six-cylinder petrol engine, which was found in Supras of old.
FULL STORY: CLICK HEREAll set for Supra – next page
DRIVING SUCCESS. DELIVERING RESULTS.Our passion delivering solutions, developing people & boosting profits since 2006
PAGE 6 SUBSCRIBE FREE: CLICK HERE ADVERTISE: CLICK HERE
By ROBBIE WALLIS
TOYOTA’S all-new Supra sportscar is in its final stages of testing ahead of an Australian debut in the third quarter of this year, with the reborn coupe hitting local roads last month to finetune suspension tuning and dynamics.
The Supra was brought Down Under to see how its suspension and ride quality fare on Australia’s typically poor road surfaces, with a five-day evaluation program supported by Toyota Australia’s vehicle engineering and development (VED) group.
Specifically, the Supra is being tested in Australia for overall performance and driveability, ride, handling, stability, braking, seat comfort, and noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) insulation on rough road surfaces.
According to Toyota, Australian
road surfaces replicate approximately 80 per cent of the world’s roads.
The Japanese car-maker’s engineers took the new sportscar to areas where they feel owners will enjoy driving the vehicle, such as twisting mountain passes, sweeping country roads and the iconic Great Ocean Road in Victoria’s south west.
Toyota Australia VED group leader Paul Diamandis said the locations were chosen based on data from prospective Supra buyers.
“We’ve taken the Supra prototype across a variety of conditions including popular touring destinations because almost half the people we expect to buy a Supra list their number one hobby as holidays and travel,” he said.
At launch, the Supra will not be offered with an Australian-specific suspension tune, but will
instead have the same set-up as in other global markets. Toyota has confirmed the Supra will feature 50:50 front/rear weight distribution.
Initially, the Supra will be offered exclusively with a BMW-sourced
3.0-litre turbo-petrol inline six-cylinder engine producing “more than” 220kW and 450Nm, and a coupe body style.
While Toyota has not confirmed other engines or a convertible/targa
roof, Supra chief engineer Tetsuya Tada told GoAuto at a media event in Victoria that Toyota will update the vehicle every year and will evaluate other powertrain options during the updates.
He added that the update program for next year was already underway.
Mr Tada said that maintaining body control on rough roads would be important for the success of the Supra, and testing in Australia allows Toyota to do that.
“We know your drivers tend to favour strong levels of body control and steering feel, particularly for your undulating road surfaces,” he said.
FULL STORY: CLICK HEREWarranty card – next page
Toyota finetunes long-awaited sportscar in Australia ahead of launch in third quarter
All set for Supra
AusLoans Finance is now commissioning new Dealer partners. n Truly own your Customers with access to a 40 Lender Panel.n FinTech Software to digitally manage lenders and clients.n Tailored Marketing and Training Programs to maximise opportunities.We support your company so you can focus on what you do best. So what are you waiting for? It’s not going to change by itself!For full details on how Ausloans can create finance income quickly and effectively, please call Ivan Lovos on 07 3088 2932 or email: [email protected]
YOUR FINANCE BROKERAGE COULD BE OPEN IN 7 DAYS!
AUSLOANS Finance Group
www.ausloans.com.au
WE ARE AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST INDEPENDENTLY OWNED ASSET BROKERAGE.
PAGE 7 SUBSCRIBE FREE: CLICK HERE ADVERTISE: CLICK HERE
By RON HAMMERTON
TOYOTA Australia has finally bitten the bullet and adopted a five-year new-vehicle warranty to counter similar offers from most of its rivals.
The Japanese giant – the Australian market leader for 16 years – has been one of the few hold-outs with a three-year warranty as other mainstream manufacturers have extended their cover to between four and seven years, with Tesla even offering eight years.
The move leaves Nissan and luxury car-makers such as Mercedes-Benz and BMW as those still sticking to a three-year warranty.
The warranty announcement came last Friday, just three days after Subaru disclosed it was moving to a five-year,
unlimited-kilometre warranty.Available on all new Toyota
vehicles from January 1, the Toyota Warranty Advantage also includes a money-back guarantee on vehicles that break down and cannot be driven in the first 60 days of ownership.
And Toyota “guests” – Toyota jargon for customers – can also get free towing and a loan vehicle if a warranty repair needs to be made on an undriveable vehicle.
The five-year warranty will include unlimited kilometres for private buyers and up to 160,000km for fleets.
And to encourage “guests” to have their vehicles serviced at Toyota dealerships, the warranty can be extended to seven years on the powertrain for vehicles given
scheduled logbook servicing.“The warranty for hybrid batteries
can be extended to 10 years/unlimited kilometres with an annual hybrid health inspection carried out as part of normal 12-monthly servicing from the fifth year,” Toyota says.
“Coverage can apply beyond the Toyota Warranty Advantage period where the dealer or Toyota determines a component has failed due to a manufacturing defect.”
Announcing the warranty advance
last week, Toyota Australia vice-president of sales and marketing Sean Hanley said feedback from Toyota customers suggested their main motoring priority was to “keep mobile”.
“Our guests have told us that being able to remain on the road, with minimal disruption and inconvenience was most important to them,” he said.
“Which is why we’ve taken the time to develop the Toyota Warranty Advantage, to ensure
that we deliver what our guests are looking for – a consumer-focused warranty program that will ensure that Toyota owners feel confident and appreciated throughout an exceptional ownership experience.”
Mr Hanley said not all five-year warranties offered to Australian consumers were created equal, with some having a “great headline” but falling short in delivery.
FULL STORY: CLICK HEREMore reports – next page
Toyota finally plays its hand and joins most of itskey rivals on a five-year warranty – with extras
Warranty card
LUBRICANTS.TECHNOLOGY.
PEOPLE.
Complex engine requirements just got simple.FUCHS’ TITAN GT1 PRO FLEX SAE 5W-30 uses the innovative XTL-Technology that offers the very highest performance in a range of temperatures, compatibility with a huge range of fuels, as well as car brands and engine configurations.
The unique lubrication properties of XTL-Technology offer significant benefits in highly-stressed engines, especially in cutting-edge featuring ‘Stop- Start’ systems.
FUCHS TITAN GT1 PRO FLEX SAE 5W-30 is engineered to excel.
PAGE 8 SUBSCRIBE FREE: CLICK HERE ADVERTISE: CLICK HERE
By JUSTIN HILLIARD
SUBARU Australia brought in the New Year by announcing that all of its new vehicles sold from January 1 will come with a standard five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty.
With Toyota also making the move this year, Nissan is the sole brand among the current top 10 sellers with only three-year cover.
While Subaru Australia previously offered its models with a three-year/unlimited-kilometre peace-of-mind agreement, it often sold them with five years of coverage as part of various sales promotions held in recent years.
The latest move has also resulted in Subaru Australia extending its capped-price servicing program from three to five years, with the offer
available to owners who service their vehicles at an authorised dealership and respect their recommended service intervals.
According to Subaru Australia managing director Colin Christie, an extensive review led to the improved warranty, which follows the brand’s ‘Subaru do’ customer-focused approach.
“Subaru has long been renowned for great engineering, durability and whole-of-life ownership experience, and this latest move to five-year warranty and capped-price servicing offers yet more peace of mind for our customers, who are among the most loyal in the Australian automotive industry,” he said.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
Subaru also follows suit with warranty now out to five years, unlimited kilometres
By TIM NICHOLSON
VOLKSWAGEN Australia has introduced a permanent five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty on all of its new passenger, SUV and light-commercial vehicles sold from January 1.
The German car-maker had been promoting a limited-run warranty for the same coverage running from October to the end of last year, but
the new offer is permanent.It also matches the service offers
of rivals including Toyota, Mazda, Subaru, Holden, Ford, Honda, Hyundai and fellow VW Group brand Skoda, but cannot match the industry- leading seven-year, unlimited kilometres offering from Kia.
VW says it is the first German brand to move to a five-year term, with Audi, BMW, Porsche and
Mercedes-Benz all opting for three-year/unlimited-kilometre plans.
The new five-year warranty will include authorised accessories that are purchased with the vehicle and owners will also get 12 months’ free roadside assist, which can be extended each year if the vehicle is serviced at a VW dealer.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
VOLKSWAGEN MAKES FIVE-YEAR WARRANTY PERMANENT IN AUSTRALIA
BRZ
Subie’s high five AREA SALES MANAGERS• New South Wales role • Queensland role • Competitive salary
KIA MOTORS is one of the world’s fastest growing motor vehicle manufacturers and is represented in over 172 countries across the globe. Committed to the long-term future and continuous growth of the brand in Australia, we are currently looking to recruit two (2) additional Area Sales Managers in our New South Wales and Queensland Regional Offices.
Within this role, your responsibilities will include:
• Ensuring the achievement of KMAu’s monthly sales targets (both wholesale and retail) and market share objectives by developing and implementing successful specific sales strategies in conjunction with dealership personnel (DP, Sales Managers and Professionals).
• Dealer visits and reporting, in accordance with schedules and set standards.
• Assisting in the creation and development of dealer motivation strategies to drive sales.
• Motivating Dealership Sales teams to create a positive target driven culture.
• Motivating and providing support to the KIA Dealer Network to ensure achievement of new vehicle accessories targets.
• Ensuring the achievement of Customer Satisfaction objectives by implementing CSI strategies in conjunction with dealership management.
• Developing and managing a close business relationship with Sales Managers and Dealer Principals, while maintaining clear and transparent communication.
Ideally you will possess:
• Minimum 3 years sales experience (preferably within the Automotive or Fleet Management industries; in a wholesale or retail environment).
• Tertiary education / qualifications in a Business discipline, will be an advantage.
• Exceptional communication skills to liaise with all levels of management and customers.
• Reporting and Analysis experience will be well regarded.• Willingness to travel.
To apply, please email your resumé and a covering letter directly to: [email protected]. For confidential enquiries contact our Human Resources team on (02) 9701 1700. Applications close Friday 18th January 2019. No Agencies please.
PAGE 9 SUBSCRIBE FREE: CLICK HERE ADVERTISE: CLICK HERE
By TIM NICHOLSON
HYUNDAI’S fledgling premium brand Genesis will finally launch in Australia by the end of the first quarter of this year following delays with the completion of its flagship Sydney store.
Genesis sales will kick off in about March with two models initially available – the G80 large sedan, which is a facelifted version of the discontinued Hyundai ‘Genesis’ sedan, and the BMW 3 Series-sized G70 sedan.
As reported, from launch Genesis will be sold through its sole Australian outlet in Sydney’s Pitt Street mall.
According to local executives, the store will be nothing like a car dealership, and will instead be an experience centre with product
specialists who will provide information and help customers with a purchase.
The new store will cover two storeys and feature visual elements from the global Genesis corporate identity as seen at its other store in the trendy Gangnam district of Seoul.
While there will be space for seven vehicles in the store, it will likely be limited to three upstairs and two on the ground floor.
Speaking to GoAuto at a media event in Sydney late last month, Genesis Australia general manager Peter Evans said the fit-out of the new store was the cause of the delayed launch of the brand Down Under.
“Marketing, media plan, creative, website, retail operations, HR,
recruiting, training, processes – all of that is under control,” he said. “Aftersales, valet service, warranty, all of those things are under control, because we are in charge. But we are not in charge of that (store fit-out).
“We are at the mercy of suppliers, trades, council approvals, all of those kinds of things, and the complexity of the design have all mitigated against us.”
Mr Evans said a number of elements of the high-end store had taken longer to produce than initially anticipated, including the dramatic central spiral staircase and its surrounding LCD screen.
Other factors had also impacted the move-in date, including the need to repower the site due to the hi-tech lights required for the store.
Mr Evans said that in its initial
launch phase, there would be no internal sales targets, with staff at the store instead focused on providing outstanding customer service.
“We are customer-experience driven, so everyone except for the store manager will be focused on and measured on and rewarded and recognised on customer experience measures,” he said.
Continued next page
Delays with fit-out of Sydney store push launchof Genesis luxury brand back to late in quarter
Genesis resets
Peter Evans
For more information T (03) 9133 3350 W glassguide.com.au
www.autoedgenet.com.auOnline Access to Vehicle Values and Specifications
• New and used vehicle values & specifications for passenger, commercial, motorcycle, marine & caravan dating back to 1960
• Over 105,000 vehicle year lines• New models added daily• Vehicle photographs• Adjusted value for option & km variances (on vehicles less than 10
years old)
• 12 months pricing history (5 years optional)• Future Values optional
PAGE 10 SUBSCRIBE FREE: CLICK HERE ADVERTISE: CLICK HERE
Continued from previous page
“And the only one who will be responsible for sales, but not so much in a target way but in monitoring and achieving way, will be the store manager.
“Of the seven people in the store, he will be the only person that has direct automotive retailing experience. We figured that was important. The rest of the team are about the experience.”
Mr Evans said that in launching the Genesis brand, the company could not simply copy what other premium brands had done.
“We can’t be a ‘me too’ brand and expect to succeed. If you do the same thing over and over you can’t expect a different result,” he said.
Hyundai Motor Company Australia chief operating officer Scott Grant said that when he visited South Korea in February last year to present a plan to the head of the Genesis brand –
former Lamborghini boss Manfred Fitzgerald – he was informed there would be no sales targets.
“We went in there saying, ‘We are going to sell this many. We are not sure, so you are making assumptions that … we might be able to get this level of market share.’ We had all of this prepared,” he said.
“He said, ‘You can make anything look like whatever you want with a spreadsheet, I don’t care about that. There is no sales plan. I want to talk about the brand. I want to talk about the customer experience – nothing else. Other people in Seoul, they might want to look at your spreadsheet, I don’t care. I want to talk about the brand.’”
Mr Grant said Genesis would look to set itself apart from other premium brands in Australia.
Create some history in this generation-defining period of the Mercedes-Benz story managing the transformation into a mobility services provider. Are you IN for change?
2019 will be a landmark year in which we launch our first battery-electric vehicle into the Australian market as we continue to pursue our ambitious plans to become the number one mobility services provider of the future.
Based at our Head Office in Mulgrave, Victoria, and reporting to the Senior Manager for Product Marketing, Strategy and CASE, you will create the roadmap and implement our mobile strategy in relation to the product portfolio and create the required ecosystem for mobility services, sales and marketing strategy. You will also develop and roll-out the mobility services business plan and implement the strategy with bundled products. You will support the seamless integration of mobility services within the overarching CASE strategy and contribute to a wide range of cross-functional mobility projects.
You will entrench yourself in mobility and understanding future trends to ensure we remain at the forefront by interacting with sales, aftersales, marketing, IT and network development.
About YouWe are looking for a highly strategic thinker with excellent communication and interpersonal skills who is confident, consultative and flexible with a pioneering spirit and strong operational effectiveness that will inspire others. You will have good negotiation skills and be an agile team player. You will be highly customer-centric yet comfortable working with complex concepts and have the ability to bring these concepts to life.
Your Experience and QualificationsYou will hold a degree or qualification in business, engineering or marketing and have national or global experience in the automotive industry and/or expertise within mobility services in the ANZ market. You will bring new and fresh ideas gained from your exposure to various industries as well as demonstrated project management experience within a complicated framework utilising creative techniques including advanced design thinking and service design.
‘CLICK HERE’ to submit an application by COB Monday 21 January 2019.
PAGE 11 SUBSCRIBE FREE: CLICK HERE ADVERTISE: CLICK HERE
By TIM NICHOLSON
GENESIS Australia says the soon-to-launch brand is not targeting traditional premium car buyers and will instead focus on offering a customer experience and concierge services unmatched by other manufacturers.
The Hyundai-owned luxury brand will launch in Australia at the end the first quarter with one flagship store in Sydney’s CBD and a pair of luxury sedans – the mid-size G70 and larger G80.
It is the latest Asian premium brand to launch as a separate entity to a more mainstream offering, following the likes of Toyota-owned Lexus, Nissan-owned Infiniti and, in the US, Honda-
owned Acura.Hyundai Motor Company
Australia (HMCA) chief operating officer Scott Grant said the company is not aiming Genesis at the usual
German premium brands and is instead looking at the wider premium segment that has grown significantly in recent years.
“We are not targeting a brand per se, like a BMW or Mercedes,” Mr Grant
said at a media event in Sydney. “What we are looking at is the totality of the luxury market. And if you look at the luxury market, you say, ‘Well you are going to try to get BMW people to come across.’ No, not at all.”
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
Genesis to target broad range of premium carbuyers but Hyundai owners not in the mix
G versus H
G70
Scott Grant 1032 Beaudesert Rd, Coopers PlainsHigh Profile Sales, Display, Showroom, Warehouse Facility.
PAGE 12 SUBSCRIBE FREE: CLICK HERE ADVERTISE: CLICK HERE
By BYRON MATHIOUDAKIS
AUDI Australia’s all-new flagship crossover, the Q8, will kick off from $128,900 plus on-road costs for the 55 TFSI quattro petrol in late January, before it is joined by the identically priced and specified 50 TDI quattro turbo-diesel later this year.
Late to the coupe-style SUV party started by the Range Rover Sport nearly 15 years ago but made more famous over the past 10 years by two generations of the BMW X6, the Q8 – unveiled in China about six months ago – also has the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe, Maserati Levante and Range Rover Velar in its crosshairs.
Audi Australia corporate communications manager Shaun Cleary would not reveal volume forecasts, but said that given that it was a fresh offering from Audi
in the niche segment, most buyers would be new to the brand.
“Yes, we are anticipating a high degree of conquest sales,” he told GoAuto at the launch of the Q8 near Canberra last month.
The Q8 will only launch with one variant for now, featuring an ‘S line’ exterior package, 21-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, adaptive dampers, adaptive cruise control with stop/go, no less than 39 driver-assist safety systems and an electric tailgate with gesture control.
It will also be offered as standard with Audi’s Virtual Cockpit digital instrument cluster, pinch-and-zoom mapping satellite navigation, voice control with handwriting recognition technology, wireless charging, DAB+ digital radio, leather upholstery, electrically adjustable front seats
with heating and ventilation, and a sliding rear bench.
Options such as air suspension, 22-inch alloys, Matrix LED headlights, uprated audio, rear air-conditioning and cabin lighting elements are bundled in an $11,000 Premium Plus package, while Nappa leather (at $8900) and a sunroof are standalone extras.
A yet-to-be-revealed SQ8
performance variant is also expected to follow in about 2020 to take on the circa-$145,000 Mercedes-AMG GLE43 Coupe, while overseas reports claim a more hardcore RS Q8 has been spotted on the Nurburgring testing circuit in Germany.
E-tron plug-in hybrid variants are also expected to swell the numbers in time. Look, too, for lower-output V6s in future.
Based on the same MLB Evo modular longitudinal architectural principles as the second-generation Audi Q7, the monocoque Q8 is related to other Volkswagen Group SUVs such as the Bentley Bentayga, Lamborghini Urus, Porsche Cayenne and Volkswagen Touareg, as well as the Audi A8 limousine, A7 Sportback, A6, A5 and A4 passenger cars.
Continued next page
Audi’s first coupe-style flagship SUV touches down in Australia, priced from $128,900
Q8 glides in
Please email your resumé and cover letter to Amanda Heveren, HR Manager at: [email protected] or phone 0409 538 383 for further details. All applications will be treated with strict confidentiality.
GENERAL MANAGERCranbourne Toyota is a prominent Toyota Dealership located in the South Eastern suburb of Cranbourne, 30 minutes drive from Melbourne’s CBD. Reporting directly to the Directors, this is an exciting opportunity to jump on board working for a family run business with a market leading brand.Your exceptional Communication and Leadership skills will assist you in successfully managing the day-to-day operations of our dealership. You will be responsible for the achievement of both manufacturer and Automotive Industry KPI’s, whilst
providing an environment and dealership culture that is Guest-centric and supports employee engagement.You will demonstrate a proven sales management record, understand how to develop and implement marketing and sales strategies to drive growth, and know the importance of correct stock ordering and aged stock management.You will be working within a state-of-the-art dealership facility in what can only be described as one of Melbourne’s largest and growing PMA’s.
PAGE 13 SUBSCRIBE FREE: CLICK HERE ADVERTISE: CLICK HERE
Continued from previous page
However, while the Q8 also shares the same Slovakian production line – and the 2995mm wheelbase – as the seven-seater Q7, it is 66mm shorter at 4986mm, 27mm wider at 1995mm and 38mm lower at 1705mm (vs 1741mm), with no body panels in common.
It is also a five-seat-only proposition.
The newcomer ushers in Audi’s fresh SUV design language, characterised by an octagonal variation of the brand’s single-frame grille, full-strip tail-lights and high-gloss black back panel, as well as blistered pumped-out wheelarches and frameless door windows, for a sleeker and sportier look.
Inside, the Q8 also adopts a variation of the twin black-panel dash, with two large displays as well as Virtual Cockpit, as seen in the latest A8 and A7. Look for these cabin items in future iterations of the Q7 as well.
Luggage capacity is rated between 605 litres and 1755L – the former figure being some 165L short of the Q7 in five-seat mode.
At the other end of the 55 TFSI quattro is the company’s faithful 3.0-litre direct-injection 90-degree twin-scroll turbo V6 petrol, delivering 250kW of power at 5500rpm and 500Nm of torque from 2900-5300rpm.
Top speed is 250km/h, with the 100km/h marker reached in 5.9 seconds, while all four wheels are
driven via an eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmission. The latter uses a purely mechanical centre differential sending 40 per cent of torque to the front wheels, but that can be as little as 15 per cent in certain circumstances.
The Q8 follows the A8 in adopting mild hybrid technology in the form of a 48-volt belt alternator starter for the 48-volt main electrical system, employing a lithium-ion battery for coasting, start-stop up to 22km/h and 12kW of regenerative braking
capability back into the battery pack (located in the rear axle) for added performance and economy.
According to Audi, the 55 TFSI quattro averages 9.2 litres per 100km of fuel use on the official combined-cycle test, and has a CO2 emissions rating of 210 grams per kilometre.
Meanwhile, the forthcoming 50 TDI produces 210kW and 620Nm from its 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel, for 6.3s to 100km/h and 6.7L/100km fuel consumption.
Weighing in at 2145kg, the 55 TFSI
quattro is no lightweight, but does deploy aluminium for the doors, front guards, tailgate, floor, side panel, rear wheel housing, suspension and roof, covering 23.7 per cent in total.
Hot-shaped steel components make up 14.4 per cent, and include the backbone of the passenger cell, lower bulkhead, side sills, rear longitudinal members, B-pillars and roof frame.
FULL STORY: CLICK HEREDRIVE IMPRESSIONS: CLICK HERE
THINK LEASING is a Boutique Novated Leasing provider that caters to the virtually untapped SME business sector of Australia. We are seeking an experienced, passionate, motivated and professional Business Development Manager to maximise the sizeable metropolitan Melbourne opportunity.
A largely autonomous role, you will report directly to the Business Operations Manager and take control of all business development and business improvement strategies for your region. Utilising excellent customer service and presentation skills you will be responsible for maximising existing databases of SME customers, as well as creating new relationships to expand Think Leasing’s client base. Conducting education and information sessions for employers and their staff, on the client’s premises, is a key component of this role.
You will be fully trained in the Think Leasing portfolio of products and supported to achieve KPI targets. A generous remuneration package is on offer and includes – base salary, vehicle, telephone and laptop. In addition, you will receive a commission structure that rewards every settled deal. Realistic OTE is in the $110,000 to $150,000 per annum range.
The successful candidate will have a strong background in the Fleet/Novated Leasing Industry and possess the ability to interact with management and staff at all levels of business.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER – Melbourne
Please send your resumé and covering letter to [email protected] or call for a confidential discussion on 0459 844 658. Applications close 4pm Friday 25th January 2019.
Polaris in Australia is a fully-owned subsidiary of a NYSE listed company with an annual turnover of US $5 billion, and is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of both off-road and on-road vehicles. As a recognized leader in the powersports industry worldwide, we have been making machines that provide solutions, a break from the routine and a moment of freedom for over 60 years.
Polaris designs, engineers, manufactures and markets innovative, high-quality off-road vehicles, including all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and side x sides. Polaris also brings the iconic Indian motorcycle brand to motorcycle enthusiasts as the leading manufacturer of motorcycles in the world. Today Polaris is a strong, recognized, global brand celebrating our 65th anniversary in 2019. We are proud to have a long and proven track record of performance and growth.
Locally, Polaris is the market leader in the off-road vehicle segment and is supported by a network of 80 independently-owned dealers across Australia.
The Role:Polaris is looking for a highly-motivated Marketing Specialist to join our off-road vehicles marketing team and play a key part in taking the Polaris brand to new heights during an exciting era ahead. The primary place of employment will be Polaris’ Head Office in the western Melbourne suburb of Derrimut with some intrastate or interstate travel required.
The Marketing Specialist will play a pivotal role in the overall operations of the Polaris marketing department and will be a key liaison between the marketing team, staff, dealers and external suppliers to ensure all marketing initiatives are executed to an outstanding level.
Our core business is reliant upon outstanding performance in the agricultural markets and we are looking for someone who can implement our core plan whilst pushing boundaries and breaking new ground with how we take our brand and products to market. This is a pro-active role requiring a high-level of initiative to continue to seek and explore new marketing and promotional opportunities on a broad scale.
You will be responsible for: • Media scheduling and placement
• Development and production of advertising creative
• Planning and implementation of retail promotions and campaigns
• Creation and dispatch of marketing materials to dealers
• Dealer communications
• PR, press releases and associated material
• Managing co-op advertising process and promotional rebates
• Event co-ordination
• Monitoring of all social media channels
• Market and competitor analysis
The ideal candidate must possess the following attributes: • A high-level of initiative
• Outstanding communication with excellent written and verbal communication skills
• A drive and passion for success and growth
• Strong marketing nous and an understanding of key marketing principles
• Experience or knowledge in the changing media and digital landscape
• A willingness to challenge the status quo
• Experience in the agricultural, motorcycle or automotive industries would be advantageous
Interested applicants should email their application including a cover letter and current CV to [email protected]
AT POLARIS, MAKING GREAT PRODUCTS IS NOT JUST A JOB – IT IS A WAY OF LIFE.
PAGE 15 SUBSCRIBE FREE: CLICK HERE ADVERTISE: CLICK HERE
By RON HAMMERTON
THE Australian new-vehicle market’s sales slump accelerated in December, with volume diving almost 15 per cent over the same month last year to leave the overall 2018 tally 3.0 per cent short of 2017’s record sales number.
The December decline was double the 7.4 per cent fall in November, sounding warning alarms for the car industry at a time when other economic bellwether segments such as house prices are struggling.
Industry leaders were last week talking up the positives of the market that managed 1,153,111 sales in the year to the end of December, saying the performance was still one of the highest on record and the 11th time
that sales had surpassed the million-unit mark.
But they admit negatives such as the bank credit squeeze, drought, upcoming federal election and lack of wage growth are impacting sales, with consumers becoming more
cautious in the second half of 2018.
Long-time market leader Toyota topped the sales charts for the 16th year in succession, recording its best annual tally in six years – 217,061 vehicles.
Its HiLux pick-up became the nation’s best seller for the third year in succession, scoring 51,705 sales – not only a record for the model but also a new benchmark for workhorse utes.
Toyota also picked up the passenger car crown, with its
Corolla (35,320 sales) outpacing Mazda’s former champion, the Mazda3 (31,065), for the sixth year.
But Mazda had the last laugh in the burgeoning SUV market, with its refurbished CX-5 (26,173) retaining its number-one SUV title over Toyota’s soon-to-be-replaced RAV4 (22,165) and Nissan’s X-Trail (21,192).
Federal Chamber of Automotive
Industries chief executive Tony Weber said at a media event in Melbourne that the three per cent decline from the 2017 record sales year reflected a challenging climate across the Australian economy including a slowing housing market, tightening of money lending and the drought.
However, he said the fundamentals of the Australian economy were still strong, pointing to another solid year of car sales in 2019.
The worry for the motor industry is that previously strong segments such as SUVs and light-commercial vehicles joined passenger cars in negative territory in December.
SUV sales were down 7.0 per cent on the corresponding month last year and light-commercial vehicles tumbled 12.5 per cent. The passenger car decline accelerated to 26.3 per cent for the month.
The SUV grip on the market increased in 2018, with the family-friendly wagons accounting for 43
per cent of sales compared with passenger cars’ 30.9 per cent.
Market juggernaut Toyota was one of the few mainstream companies to make sales gains in 2018, helping it to outsell its nearest rival, Mazda, by almost two to one. The latter achieved 111,280 sales for the year, down 4.4 per cent.
Hyundai again took the third step on the podium, recording 94,187 sales – a decline of 2.9 per cent.
Mitsubishi came fourth with 84,944 sales – up 5.3 per cent – thanks largely to strong performances by the Triton ute and ASX small SUV.
Ford – purveyor of the nation’s number-two vehicle, the Ranger pick-up (42,144) and the top-selling sportscar, the Mustang (6412) – came fifth with 69,081 sales, down 11.6 per cent.
FULL STORY: CLICK HEREMore reports – next page
Industry sales down 14.9 per cent in December,restricting full-year total to 1.153 million units
PAGE 16 SUBSCRIBE FREE: CLICK HERE ADVERTISE: CLICK HERE
By RON HAMMERTON
THE same Australian states that recorded the biggest declines in housing prices in recent months – New South Wales and Victoria – also put the biggest hole in car sales in December, official VFACTS figures show.
While overall new-vehicle sales across Australia declined 14.9 per cent in December, the downturns in NSW and Victoria were 19.7 and 17.9 per cent respectively.
Combined, these two powerhouse states recorded more than 12,000 fewer vehicle sales in December compared with the same month last year.
Nationally, motor companies sold 87,528 vehicles last month, down from 102,820 in December 2017.
This monthly decline was the
biggest of any month in 2018 and a major contributor to the 3.0 per cent overall sales drop for the year.
All Australian states and territories except Tasmania (+3.3%) recorded a fall in vehicle sales in the last month of 2018, with Queensland sales dropping 9.2 per cent, Western Australia down 7.6 per cent, South Australia down 1.6 per cent, the ACT down 10.0 per cent and Northern Territory down 11.7 per cent.
Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries chief executive Tony Weber said the December sales drop did not mean 2019 would necessarily be a tough year for the motor industry, commenting: “I don’t concern myself too much about December.”
FULL STORY: CLICK HEREWatchtower – page 26
Major markets NSW and Victoria both recordsignificant drop in new-vehicle sales last year
By JUSTIN HILLIARD
NEW Zealand’s new-vehicle market achieved its fifth consecutive annual sales record in 2018, with Toyota dominating with a 20.0 per cent share but conceding the title of best-selling model to Ford’s Ranger ute for the fourth year in a row.
In total, 161,519 new vehicles were sold to Kiwis last year – a slim 1.0 per cent, or 1648-unit, improvement over the 2017 tally.
However, NZ Motor Industry Association (MIA) chief executive David Crawford cautioned that the market’s run of consecutive annual records will likely come to an end this year.
“Given current global economic factors, distributor expectations for 2019 indicate a softening of the
market,” he said. “Further steady growth in the new-vehicle sector above 2018 outturn is not expected.”
Overall sales of passenger cars and SUVs were slightly down, by 0.4 per cent (403 units), over the previous year, while light-commercial vehicles picked up the slack, growing by 4.0 per cent (2049 units).
SUVs and LCVs were again clear favourites in NZ in 2018, with mid-size SUVs claiming the largest market share, at 16.8 per cent, ahead of pick-up/cab-chassis 4x4s (14.8%), small SUVs (13.0%) and large SUVs (11.5%).
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
BRIGHTER PICTURE ACROSS ‘THE DITCH’ AS NZ MARKET POSTS ANOTHER RECORD
Pos Brand Sales % Share
1 Toyota 32,260 20.0
2 Ford 16,366 10.1
3 Holden 13,046 8.1
4 Mitsubishi 12,320 7.6
5 Mazda 12,238 7.6
6 Nissan 8311 5.1
7 Hyundai 8098 5.0
8 Kia 6885 4.3
9 Suzuki 6519 4.0
10 VW 5909 3.7
Source: NZ MIA
NZ Top 10 Brands in 2018
Holden Astra sedan
Big issue
Using ‘RealVal’, Manheim’s online wholesale valuation tool, you can make the smart call and move on your surplus inventory fast.Let Manheim help you accurately value your stock and easily move vehicles to our locations for sale.• Value your stock online with RealVal• Move on stock with a simple, easy and paperless
‘send to auction’ option• Manheim will quickly convert your stock to cash
in a transparent and audited process
MOVE VEHICLES FASTMANAGE YOUR USED VEHICLES WITH MANHEIM
Manheim is here to help you manage your used vehicle operations.For more information contact: Shane Taylor on 0418 343 499 or [email protected]
PAGE 17 SUBSCRIBE FREE: CLICK HERE ADVERTISE: CLICK HERE
By TUNG NGUYEN
THE all-new entry-level V8 Portofino convertible is “likely (to) be the most popular Ferrari ever”, according to Ferrari Australasia chief executive Herbert Appleroth, due to its relatively affordable $398,888 (plus on-road costs) pricetag and wide-ranging appeal.
Speaking to GoAuto, Mr Appleroth said the 2+2 Portofino hard-top convertible – which is Ferrari’s first model to dip below the $400,000 threshold since the 2007 F430 – opens the Italian supercar marque up to a new audience.
“I think the market is bigger as you go lower in price,” he said. “So certainly, the Portofino is our entry-level model, but it’s also where we concentrate our activity simply because it’s where people enter the
Ferrari family.“About 70 per cent of owners who
purchase a Portofino are buying their first Ferrari. For us it’s where their Ferrari journey begins. Clearly the volume is higher as the price goes lower and this is the point where people jump into Ferrari from other brands.”
When asked which brands customers are leaving for the Prancing Horse, Mr Appleroth said buyers were not only coming from other sportscar marques, but also from large luxury crossovers.
“It is interesting because it is from luxury SUVs, from … German products around the $300,000 mark,” he said.
“This area is also rich with British sportscars and they have done a fantastic job for us because they are introducing people to exotic
sportscars and it’s brilliant for us because when the finance becomes available to them, they still dream about a Ferrari.”
While brands such as Mercedes-
AMG, Porsche, Audi and BMW offer supercars that could rival the Portofino in cost and performance, Mr Appleroth said: “We consider our competition as a luxury holiday for
a family, rather than a different car.”In Australia, Ferrari sold 241 coupes
and convertibles last year, a 14.8 per cent (or 31-unit) increase over 2017.
Continued next page
V8 Portofino hard-top convertible set to lure new customers into Prancing Horse stable
Sub-$400K Ferrari
Get in touch to organise a demonstration or to discuss the ways Voyager can improve your productivityVoyager. It really is that simple.
From complexity to simplicity At the heart of all good communication is simplicity. And what better tool to record your message than the simple pencil?
And that’s the thinking that underpins the new Voyager. Simpler to use, you can customise Voyager to your specific needs, organising data to find out what you want at a speed that will surprise you, backed-up with the support we’re known for and completely Australian owned and managed.
So if your current DMS is getting too hard, give Voyager a go!
PAGE 18 SUBSCRIBE FREE: CLICK HERE ADVERTISE: CLICK HERE
Continued from previous page
Though Ferrari Australasia does not provide a breakdown of sales among models, the brand commands a 14.3 per cent share of the over-$200,000 sportscar market, second only to the Porsche 911 (511 sales, 30.3% share).
Although Mr Appleroth would not be drawn on sales specifics of the Portofino, he said the marque’s success in the softening sportscar market is a result of strong product and long-term planning.
“We have the best product range we have ever had,” he said. “There is close to $100 million spent in our facilities, we have gone from six dealers to nine dealers.
“Look at Adelaide. No-one invested in Adelaide and we are the only supercar brand there since 2013 and spent a considerable amount of money in Adelaide because we believed in the city and in South Australia. Now, all the brands are jumping in like it’s a secret goldmine.
“We’ve invested a lot of money in facilities and we invest close to $1 million a year in training so we have the best process, the best facilities, the best people and we simply engage more.
“Having the best product is the key. We are still the only supercar brand with a national or regional office in Australia. We have a large team aimed at building the brand in Australia. It’s about all the pieces coming together.”
Fitted under the long bonnet of
the Portofino is a 3.9-litre twin-turbocharged petrol V8 that belts out 441kW of power at 7500rpm and 760Nm of torque from 3000-5250rpm.
Channelling drive to the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, the Portofino can accelerate from zero to 100km/h in just 3.5 seconds, 0-200km/h in 10.8s and carry on to a top speed of 320km/h.
An all-new exhaust system, as well as tweaks to the bypass valves, variable displacement oil pump, intercooler and boost management software have increased output by 29kW/5Nm and improved the landmark triple-digit acceleration time by 0.1s over the Portofino’s California T predecessor.
Fuel economy in the Portofino is rated at 10.7 litres per 100km, while CO2 emissions are pegged at 245 grams per kilometre.
As standard, the Portofino is fitted with carbon-ceramic brakes that measure 390mm and 360mm front and rear, as well as a folding hard-top roof that takes 14.0s to open and close.
Lighter and stiffer than before, the
Portofino rides on 20-inch wheels wrapped in 245/35 and 285/35 Pirelli P-Zero tyres front and rear respectively, while its front/rear weight distribution is 46:54.
Ferrari’s Magnaride adaptive damping system can be fitted as an option to maintain ride comfort
and sharp handling, while spring stiffness has also been dialled up.
Inside, the Portofino features a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, dual instrument cluster displays alongside the central analogue tachometer, greater rear legroom thanks to slimmer seats and
a multifunction steering wheel.Boot space now measures 292
litres in volume.Other options include a reversing
camera and Apple CarPlay functionality.
DRIVE IMPRESSIONS: CLICK HERE
• Transportable dealership and sales environments that don’t look or feel low-rent.• Rent a sales space where staff and customers are both made to feel special.• Build sales while you build or renovate your dealership. Ready to go in half a day.• A turn-key solution, we can add your own customised branding and signage.• Climate control, big screen, audio and kitchenette included. A proven solution.
PAGE 19 SUBSCRIBE FREE: CLICK HERE ADVERTISE: CLICK HERE
By JUSTIN HILLIARD
FORD Australia says it has not projected “huge volumes” for its all-new diesel-only Endura, although the large five-seater will play a critical role in filling the ‘premium’ hole in its expanding SUV line-up.
Speaking to GoAuto at the Endura national media launch in Victoria recently, Ford Australia and New Zealand president and chief executive Kay Hart would not be drawn on a specific sales forecast for the large SUV but said expectations are conservative due to its premium positioning.
“We (now) have a more premium-focused SUV, in terms of the Endura,” she said. “For the customers that are looking at those
sorts of vehicles, we have a great proposition.
“We’re not expecting huge volumes from it, (but) we are expecting it to do really well and fill a gap that we have currently between Escape and Everest.”
The Endura five-seater is available in three grades, with the entry-level Trend starting from $44,990 plus on-road costs, rising to $53,990 for the mid-range ST-Line and $63,990 for the flagship Titanium.
While front-wheel drive is standard, an all-wheel-drive system can be optioned on any grade for $4000. All variants are exclusively paired to an eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmission with paddle-shifters.
Comparatively, the mid-size Escape ranges in price from $28,990 to $48,340, while the off-road-focused, large-size Everest seven-seater stretches from $49,190 to $73,990.
When asked if the Endura is expected to eventually surpass the Everest and become Ford Australia’s
new best-selling SUV, Ms Hart said the established model is likely to maintain its current position.
“The segment, for us, is probably going to be key for Everest, in terms of where that sits,” she said. “It continues to go from strength to strength … but Australians will tell us where they see what they want.”
Ford sold 5482 examples of the Everest last year, up 19 per cent on last year and owing in part to the release of a facelifted model in August.
While the Canadian-built Endura five-seater is in the minority in its class with its two-row layout, Ms Hart ruled out a seven-seat version being imported from China, where such a model is manufactured, due to a lack of right-hand-drive production.
“There is definitely a segment for both five and seven seats,” she said. “The market is clearly interested in a seven-seater, and we see that with the success of our Everest … but there is currently no seven-seater available to us.”
Despite diesel SUV sales taking a hit last year, Ms Hart said the decision to offer the Endura with a single engine option will prove to be the right one.
“There’s definitely still demand for diesel in that segment,” she said. “I’m not sure that’s going to hold us back at all. The engine we have coming in is a good match for the market.”
The Endura is exclusively motivated by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine that produces 140kW of power at 3500rpm and 400Nm of torque from 2000-3000rpm.
Claimed fuel consumption on the combined-cycle test is 6.7 litres per 100km when the Endura is fitted with 18-inch alloy wheels, while its braked towing capacity is 2000kg.
A potential petrol variant could come in the form of the performance-focused ST, which uses a 250kW/515Nm 2.7-litre twin-turbo V6, but Ms Hart again cited a lack of right-hook production.
Continued next page
Ford confident, but keeps sales forecast in check for new five-seat Endura SUV
PAGE 20 SUBSCRIBE FREE: CLICK HERE ADVERTISE: CLICK HERE
Continued from previous page
“There’s a customer for everything … (but) it’s not available at this stage,” she said. “We’re not looking at it right now … (but) if it were to become available, I am sure we would look at it.”
As reported, standard equipment in the Trend includes 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 245/60 tyres, dusk-sensing LED headlights with auto-levelling, LED daytime running lights and tail-lights, LED foglights with cornering functionality, rain-sensing windshield wipers, power-folding side mirrors with heating and puddle lights, rear privacy glass and silver roof rails.
Inside, cabin equipment runs to an 8.0-inch touchscreen Sync3 infotainment system, satellite navigation with live traffic updates, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, Bluetooth connectivity, DAB+ digital radio, a nine-speaker sound system, a 10.0-inch digital instrument cluster, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry/start, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support, Ebony fabric upholstery, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and ambient lighting.
Advanced driver-assist systems extend to autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keep and steering assist, adaptive cruise control, high-beam assist, traffic sign recognition with intelligent speed assist, a reversing camera, front
and rear parking sensors, hill-start assist and tyre pressure monitoring, plus seven airbags.
The ST-Line adds sports suspension, a black trapezoidal grille, chrome foglight bezels, a bodykit, black exterior trim (including roof rails), 20-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 245/50 tyres, an auto-dimming driver’s side mirror and a hands-free power-operated tailgate.
Aluminium pedals and scuff plates, a 10-way power-adjustable passenger seat with lumbar support, driver’s seat memory functionality, heated and ventilated front seats,
Ebony Miko suede upholstery with leather accents, and a rear cargo net and blind are gained internally.
Compared to the Trend, the Titanium picks up 20-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 245/50 tyres, adaptive bi-LED headlights with chrome bezels, an auto-dimming driver’s side mirror, a hands-free power-operated tailgate and a dual-panel panoramic sunroof which can be optioned on the Trend and ST-Line for $2500.
Cabin features include illuminated aluminium scuff plates, a power-adjustable steering column, a 10-
way power-adjustable passenger seat with lumbar support, driver’s seat memory functionality, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, Ebony Salerno leather-accented upholstery, a rear cargo net and blind, and deluxe floormats.
Active safety features expand to include blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross traffic alert and park assist. The latter can be added to the ST-Line for $1000.
Prestige paintwork, a towbar and a rear DVD entertainment system cost $600, $1000 and $1600 respectively for all variants.
Nineteen-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 245/55 tyres can be optioned on the Trend for $1000, while a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium sound system and a front camera can be added together to the ST-Line and Titanium for $1000.
The Endura comes with Ford Australia’s recently introduced five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, while up to seven years of roadside assistance is offered alongside capped-price servicing.
DRIVE IMPRESSIONS: CLICK HEREFord tests HR-V – next page
PAGE 21 SUBSCRIBE FREE: CLICK HERE ADVERTISE: CLICK HERE
By RON HAMMERTON
FORD engineers have been evaluating a Honda HR-V as part of their homework for one of the Blue Oval’s own compact SUV models, possibly an updated EcoSport that is sold in 140 countries and manufactured in six plants around the world.
The left-hand-drive HR-V – complete with LHD engineering evaluation sticker on the tailgate – was spotted while parked outside the security gate to Ford Asia-Pacific Product Development’s compound at Broadmeadows, on Melbourne’s northern fringe.
The rear window of the vehicle was emblazoned with a sticker for Daitan Honda, which a Google
search reveals is a chain of Honda dealerships in Brazil.
Some of the Daitan dealerships are in Brazil’s biggest city, Sao Paulo, home to Ford’s subsidiary in that country, Ford do Brasil, which has had a large influence on EcoSport since it launched the original version in 2003.
Providing that the sticker is not a ruse to throw off nosey journalists, our best guess is that Ford do Brasil bought the HR-V from a Sao Paulo dealership and shipped it to Melbourne for inside-out benchmark testing ahead of development of a new model to be sold in Brazil and probably elsewhere.
It is not the first Brazilian-sourced vehicle to be spotted by GoAuto
under test by local Ford engineers. In 2015, a Hyundai i20-based light hatchback wearing the badge HB20 was seen at Ford’s You Yangs proving ground.
In Brazil, the HB20 (HB stands for Hyundai Brazil) competes with Ford’s Fiesta-based Ka.
The HB20 was one of several light hatchbacks and sedans from developing markets under test at the proving ground at the time. Another was the Chinese-market Chevrolet Sail.
In fact, a constant stream of vehicles from rival brands pass through the engineering centres at Broadmeadows and Lara as Ford keeps tabs on competitor developments.
As the lead vehicle development entity for Ford Asia-Pacific, the Australian engineering and design centres helped with the development of the current-generation EcoSport ahead of its launch in India some six years ago.
More recently, the operation followed up by playing a significant role in reworking the entry-level SUV for the North American market where it made a belated entry to
showrooms last year.The US version of the vehicle
received new front and rear styling treatments and a revised interior – including a bigger touchscreen – to make it more palatable for Americans.
With Ford slashing its passenger car range in many markets, including North America, SUVs such as the EcoSport take on greater importance.
Originally launched in India but now also made in Brazil, China, Romania, Thailand and Russia for global markets, the EcoSport occupies Ford’s space in one of the fastest-growing market segments in the world.
Ford is also developing a larger mid-sized SUV, nicknamed Baby
Bronco, for release in the next year or two. This vehicle is believed to sit on Ford’s new front/all-wheel-drive modular vehicle architecture underpinning the latest Focus small car that was launched in Australia late last month.
This mystery vehicle was confirmed by Ford earlier last year when the company flashed a teaser image of it during a presentation in the United States. The image showed a chunky design with flared wheelarches and front tow hooks that point to greater off-road capability than the average compact SUV.
It is unclear what role Ford Asia-Pacific might play in this vehicle, if any.
As GoAuto has reported, Ford Motor Company has lodged a trademark application for the name Puma, which seems an appropriate name for a small off-roader, potentially the Baby Bronco.
FULL STORY: CLICK HEREWriggle room – next page
Left-hook Honda small SUV evaluation vehiclespotted outside Ford’s local engineering centre
PAGE 22 SUBSCRIBE FREE: CLICK HERE ADVERTISE: CLICK HERE
By JUSTIN HILLIARD
FORD Australia says its fourth-generation Focus will compete in a flatlining sub-$40,000 small-car segment this year, with the new model’s four-grade line-up adopting a specific position that could expand in response to buyer demand.
Sales of the Focus took a significant hit in the lead up to the new model’s release late last year, with 3875 examples sold over the full 12 months – a 34.9 per cent drop over 2017.
This placed it 10th in the sub-$40,000 segment, trailing the likes of the Toyota Corolla, Mazda3 and Hyundai i30.
Speaking to GoAuto at the new Focus’ launch in Victoria prior to Christmas, Ford Australia and New Zealand president and chief executive Kay Hart would not be drawn on sales projections for
the new model but suggested the once-dominant segment would flatline as SUV sales continue to rise.
“From where we see the industry going, we see it fairly
flat, in terms of that segment,” she said. “We continue to watch it and see the moves, but it’ll be interesting to see take-up on things like the Active and obviously the continued move into SUV.”
Sales of small cars fell 9.5 per cent
last year in a new-vehicle market that was down 3.0 per cent, while small SUVs were more popular than ever, up 18.4 per cent.
When asked if the Focus could become a high-volume player in its segment, given the ongoing dominance of its major rivals, Ms Hart said its selective positioning might be a hurdle.
“We do not have the complete line-up to go across that entire segment – in that small car – but we’re happy with where we’re competing,” she said.
The Focus hatch line-up starts from $25,990 plus on-road costs for the entry-level Trend, rising to $28,990 and $29,990 for the mid-range ST-Line and Active respectively, while the flagship Titanium costs $34,490. The only wagon variant is the $30,990 ST-Line.
As such, a sub-$25,000 Ambiente grade could be added under the Trend, with such a hatch recently receiving Australian Design Rule (ADR) approval, but Ms Hart was quick to end speculation despite the apparent opportunity.
“We have no plans at this stage,” she said. “We’ve homologated the vehicle, (but) that doesn’t mean we will necessarily bring it in.
“I think there’s definitely room in the segment at that level, and we’ll
just continue to evaluate whether or not we see the Ambiente fitting into it in the future.”
The Ambiente grade listed in the Australian government’s Green Vehicle Guide uses a naturally aspirated three-cylinder petrol engine and not the launch line-up’s EcoBoost turbocharged unit that produces 134kW of power at 6000rpm and 240Nm of torque at 1600rpm.
Continued next page
Ford homologates entry variant for all-new Focus but happy with launch line-up for now
PAGE 23 SUBSCRIBE FREE: CLICK HERE ADVERTISE: CLICK HERE
Continued from previous page
While the atmo powertrain’s outputs are unknown, it appears to be available with six-speed manual and automatic transmissions, with Ms Hart leaving the door open for extra engine options and a three-pedal set-up in the future, saying “(we) continue to evaluate what is available and whether that fits”.
An eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmission with paddle shifters is mated to all launch variants, with drive exclusively sent to the front wheels.
She did, however, rule out offering the luxury-focused Vignale grade, which is available overseas and sits above the Titanium, given its low volume potential.
“Just in terms of where we see the segment and volume and our ability to compete, we really think it’s in the Titanium at the premium end,”
Ms Hart said.Meanwhile, Ford Australia
marketing manager Danni Winter said the company expected the ST-Line and Active to be the most popular grades in the line-up, followed by the Trend and Titanium.
“We expect that customers will grow more into the ST-Line, with the sports orientation, and then then the Active, with the SUV exterior but not necessarily all the attributes of a traditional SUV,” she said. “So, we’re planning around those two being the biggest sellers.”
The ST-Line wagon marks Ford Australia’s first foray into small load-luggers, with Ms Winter confident it is the right time to enter the segment, even when its rivals are pulling out.
“We think we’ve got quite unique proposition with the ST-Line wagon; it’s quite different from
other competitors in the segment,” she said. “The market’s craving a different exterior and interior package, and this has both.
“Wagon is still quite a small portion of total small-car (sales). It may grow as a consequence of us entering … time will tell. Whether or not we expand beyond one wagon depends on how the market receives the product.”
As reported, standard equipment in the Trend includes an active grille, front air curtains, underbody panels, an integrated rear spoiler, dusk-sensing headlights, LED daytime running lights, rain-sensing windscreen wipers and 16-inch alloy wheels.
The cabin has an 8.0-inch touchscreen Sync3 infotainment system, satellite navigation with live traffic, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, Bluetooth connectivity,
DAB+ digital radio, a six-speaker sound system, voice control, a WiFi hotspot, auto-dimming rearview mirror, cruise control, leather-trimmed steering wheel, comfort seats and driver lumbar support.
Advanced driver-assist systems extend to autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, plus lane-keep assist, while other safety equipment on-board includes a reversing camera, rear parking sensors, hill-start assist, a manual speed limiter and six airbags.
The ST-Line adds a honeycomb grille insert, a bodykit, 10mm-lower sports suspension, LED foglights with cornering functionality, LED tail-lights, auto-folding side mirrors with heating and puddle lights, chrome dual exhaust tailpipes, rear privacy glass and 17-inch alloy wheels.
The interior picks up a flat-bottom steering wheel, sports seats,
red stitching, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry/start, wireless smartphone charging, a black roofliner and alloy pedals. Tyre pressure monitoring is exclusive to the ST-Line.
The wagon also features roof rails, a two-tier boot floor, load-compartment loops, a rear tonneau cover and remote seat release. With its split-fold second row stowed, 1653L of cargo capacity is available.
Compared to the Trend, the Active gains 34mm-higher ground clearance, silver front and rear skid plates, unique bumpers, black wheelarch cladding, a honeycomb grille insert, LED foglights with cornering functionality, chrome dual exhaust tailpipes and 17-inch alloy wheels.
FULL STORY: CLICK HEREDRIVE IMPRESSIONS: CLICK HERE
PAGE 24 SUBSCRIBE FREE: CLICK HERE ADVERTISE: CLICK HERE
By TIM NICHOLSON
MITSUBISHI Motors Australia Limited (MMAL) says it expects to get a sales boost from its heavily revised Triton pick-up range, despite price rises and market repositioning for the ute that hits showrooms this month.
Revealed in Thailand in November, the new Triton benefits from a big uptick in safety gear and standard in-car comfort features, as well as suspension tweaks and dramatic new exterior styling.
Mitsubishi is also launching the Triton with a seven-year/150,000km warranty until the end of the financial year.
The price increases range from $200 to $1000 for the three Club Cab variants, while the Dual Cab has increased by $500 for the entry
GLX, $1500 for the GLX+, $2000 for the GLS and $3000 for the new GLS Premium that replaces the Exceed.
MMAL has held the pricing firm for the Single Cab variants. The starting price for the base 4x2 GLX cab-chassis manual – the sole offering with the 2.4-litre petrol engine – remains at $22,490 plus on-road costs.
On some GLX variants, the Japanese company has also added a new ADAS (Advanced Driver Assist System) grade that includes a forward collision mitigation system with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, auto-dimming mirror, front foglights, dusk-sensing headlights and rain-sensing windscreen wipers.
ADAS adds $800 to the price of
the GLX and is mandatory on 4x2 Dual Cab auto, 4x4 Club Cab auto and 4x4 Dual Cab cab-chassis auto. It is optional on the 4x4 Dual Cab manual and auto.
Speaking at a media event held late last year, MMAL chief operating officer Tony Principe said he did not expect the price increase on some variants to impact sales of
the Triton that is currently the third-best seller in the pick-up segment behind the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger.
“If you look at the market, we pretty much dominate the $35,000 to $40,000 zone,” he said. “We are probably getting 50 per cent market share in (that) zone.
“We haven’t really had much
product in the $40,000-plus zone and really what we are doing here is strengthening our position in that higher price end.”
MMAL deputy director of marketing and operations Derek McIlroy said the response to the new Triton since its reveal had been overwhelmingly positive.
“The reaction from the dealer body was probably the best I have ever seen,” he said. “They are very, very excited about the car. Dealer confidence was very high.”
FULL STORY, PRICING: CLICK HERE
Prices on rise as Mitsubishi loads in new safety,comfort equipment across Triton pick-up range
Triton shift
By SPENCER LEECH
SSANGYONG has unveiled a long-wheelbase version of its Musso dual-cab ute ahead of an Australian release in the second quarter of this year, with pricing – and nomenclature – yet to be confirmed.
The standard-wheelbase Musso was launched last month, priced from $30,490 to $39,990 driveaway.
SsangYong Australia managing director Tim Smith said this week that pricing was still being finalised
for the new longer version.“The response from dealers and
customers to SWB Musso has been outstanding, but we are already fielding numerous enquiries for the LWB,” he said.
“We’re still locking down pricing but, as we demonstrated with the SWB version, we’re confident Australian customers can expect fantastic value for money.”
Mr Smith did confirm that the vehicle will be available in three trims – EX, ELX and Ultimate – and will come standard with autonomous emergency braking and forward collision warning.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
SSANGYONG UNVEILS LWB MUSSO UTE AHEAD OF LAUNCH IN SECOND QUARTER
NO ’VETTE FOR DETROITCHEVROLET appears set to snub its hometown motor show in Detroit by launching its all-new mid-engine Corvette at another event a few months later in 2019.
News reports from Motown say a General Motors spokesman has confirmed that Chevrolet will debut no new models at the annual Detroit show’s official press preview day next week, joining a long list of companies to sit out the show’s song and dance routine this year.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
By RON HAMMERTON
AUTOMOBILI Pininfarina has announced that its first standalone Pininfarina-branded car, a 1416kW electric hypercar, will be named Battista in honour of the founder of the famous Italian design and coachbuilding company, Battista ‘Pinin’ Farina.
Capable of sprinting from standstill to 100km/h in less than 2.0 seconds and topping out at more than 400km/h, the handbuilt two-seater known until now as PF0 will be unveiled to the public at the Geneva motor show in March ahead of production start-up in 2020.
Automobili Pininfarina – an offshoot of the Turin-based Pininfarina SpA design house owned by India’s Mahindra since December 2015 – claims the limited-edition Battista will be faster than a Formula One car and the fastest and most powerful car ever designed and produced in Italy.
Battista Farina founded coachbuilding company Carrozzeria Pininfarina in 1930 after breaking away from the family coachbuilding business. He died in 1966.
His grandson, Pininfarina chairman Paolo Pininfarina, was on hand for the naming announcement with Automobili Pininfarina CEO Michael Perschke and Mahindra chairman Anand Mahindra.
“This is genuinely a dream come true,” Mr Pininfarina said. “My grandfather always had the vision that one day there would be a standalone range of Pininfarina-branded cars.
“This hypercar will boast world-beating performance, technological innovation and of course elegant styling. For me, we simply had to call it Battista. His dream becomes reality today as we link our glorious past with the future of motoring.”
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
Pininfarina founder honoured with namingof blistering all-electric hypercar due 2020
NEW YEAR, NEW FORMATTHE New Year has brought a number of new features to GoAutoNews, the most obvious being a change in format and design.
It’s a fresh look for our weekly journal, which continues to carry all the latest news, reviews, people movements and analysis.
We are also now incorporating GoAutoNews Premium into this Wednesday edition, which follows on after our New Car Diary page.
Together with GoAutoNews and our associated websites, this provides our valued readership with a single source for Australia’s most comprehensive automotive industry coverage – delivered to your inbox every week from the dedicated team at GoAutoMedia.
– TERRY MARTIN, Editor
5 STARS FOR ACADIA, X5THE Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) has given the Holden Acadia and BMW X5 large SUVs its highly desired five-star safety rating, with both critical new models putting in strong overall performances during testing.
The Acadia excelled in the adult occupant category, scoring 94 per cent to the X5’s 89 per cent, with the former providing ‘adequate’ driver’s chest and lower left leg protection in the frontal offset crash test.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
This is our third and final review of our long-term test car, the Qashqai Ti, as we prepare to hand the keys back to Nissan after living with the small SUV for the past six months. What better way to say goodbye than to take an extensive look at its safety level, especially when it competes in the fastest-growing segment in Australia – up 18.4 per cent last year, with Qashqai holding a healthy 11.4 per cent share and third place among the sub-$40,000 players.
HYUNDAI Motor Company Australia (HMCA) chief operating officer Scott Grant says the overall new-vehicle market will continue to slow down in 2019, with the Korean brand expected to follow the market’s sales dip.
VFACTS figures released last week show that industry sales fell 3.0 per cent last year, finishing in negative territory for the first time since 2014, however the market still exceeded 1.1 million units for the seventh year running.
Mr Grant said factors such as the upcoming federal election – which must be held by mid-May – could mean that sales in the first half of 2019 are shakier than in the second half of the year.
“The total market will be down, we think another three to four per cent overall,” Mr Grant said at a media event in Sydney late last year. “But it might be a bit volatile – the first quarter might be one thing and the second quarter something different.
“I think the second half it will start to stabilise a little bit as elections
and a few other economic elements become a bit more certain. And by then maybe the royal commission might have started to figure out what kind of impact they are going to make and then (it will be) a more stable environment in the second half.”
Mr Grant acknowledged that the federal election would likely have a negative impact on sales.
“There is a lot of uncertainty and dismay around the general populous than there has ever been,” he said. “There is always hesitation and nervousness leading up to (an election) and we can see that in the sales. It will definitely be the case. It may even be deeper and longer. There is a lot more uncertainty maybe about what is going to happen.”
Changes to regulations relating to vehicle financing were “definitely having an impact”, according to Mr Grant, as were other economic factors.
“There are a range of what you might call headwinds coming at the industry in no particular order,” he said.”
“Think about changes to F&I –
the ACCC (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission) has been agitating in that space through their market study on the industry generally, so people within the industry are changing policies in that respect.
“The credit tightening situation, change to foreign investors being
out of the real estate market, that has affected real estate values in Sydney and is flowing to Melbourne.
“There is an element of underemployment and there is very little if any wages growth. There are headwinds, but none of that is a disaster. I don’t see any major tipping point (that suggests the
industry is) going to collapse.”In terms of Hyundai sales in
2019, Mr Grant said the company would follow the downward trend of the overall industry, but added that it was trying to strike a better balance with supply and demand.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
Hyundai sees ongoing slowdown across new-carmarket but ‘stable environment’ in second half
New-vehicle sales in Australia 2007-2018 GoAuto Market Insight brought to you by Op2ma
A COMBINATION OF TECHNOLOGY AND FACE-TO-FACE TRAINING DESIGNED TO DELIVER GREATER RESULTS FROM YOUR FIELD FORCECALL IAN MCLEAN ON 0422 042 708 FOR A CONFIDENTIAL DISCUSSION
Rethinking the Pathway to GrowthField Force Management
HYUNDAI Motor Group (HMG) has released its roadmap for fuel-cell electric powertrains and related systems up to 2030, with plans to ramp up production and spread the technology beyond automotive applications.
Under the vision, HMG aims to make 700,000 fuel-cell systems a year by 2030, increasing its application from passenger vehicles to other modes of transportation including drones, ships, rail rolling stock and forklifts.
HMG also sees opportunity in power generation and storage.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
HMG FUEL-CELL VISION
By ROBBIE WALLIS
THE federal government has announced a plan to develop a national strategy for the integration of hydrogen as an alternative powertrain source and a wider industry involving production and export.
Unanimously approved late last year by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Energy Council, the aim of the National Hydrogen Strategy is to implement policies and measures to increase hydrogen use in areas such as transport and refuelling infrastructure, decarbonisation of the gas supply, interaction with electricity systems, energy storage
and industrial processes.It will also be used to establish
a domestic hydrogen production industry that could become a world-leading export hub, due to Australia’s large renewable energy potential.
Speaking to GoAuto, Hyundai Motor Company Australia manager for future mobility and government relations Scott Nargar said Australia had huge potential for creating a hydrogen export industry on a global scale.
“We’ve got some of the best concentrations of solar and wind overlap anywhere in the world,” he said.
“You look at some of the
coastline and some of the interior areas around the South Australian coast, Western Australia, up in Queensland on the coast and also the interior, those overlaps if you look at some of the mapping that’s been done by the CSIRO, we have a great opportunity to power not only Australia but the rest of the world moving forward. The rest of Asia-Pacific at least.”
The National Hydrogen Strategy will be developed throughout 2019 with input from groups such as Hydrogen Mobility Australia, and will start to be implemented from 2020.
For the transport sector, Mr Nargar anticipates hydrogen fuel-
cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) will take up the role currently filled by diesel engines, for powering large cars, buses, trucks, trains, forklifts and such.
A dedicated nationwide hydrogen policy framework is expected to generate thousands of jobs in Australia across areas such as manufacturing, research and development, retailing and distribution.
“Some of the studies have identified exactly where those jobs are,” said Mr Nargar.
“And it’s already starting to happen now with some of the jobs in research, some of the jobs in engineering, some of the projects that are starting to come on board and the hydrogen stations that are going to go online next year, there’s already jobs being created in those areas now.”
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
Transport, production, export focus as COAGgives green light to national hydrogen strategy
HYUNDAI Motor Co Australia (HMCA) has reshuffled its senior management team, with marketing director Oliver Mann taking on a newly created role of director of customer experience division and general managers Giles Belcher and Bill Thomas adding extra responsibilities in sales and marketing/PR respectively.
The company has advised that Mr Mann’s new role is designed to place a greater emphasis on customer experience – covering aftersales, parts, technical services, network development and customer care – while Mr Belcher, as head of sales, is now responsible for the entire sales function, including regional operations.
Mr Thomas, meanwhile, continues to oversee the public relations department, but as head of marketing he will take over key responsibilities that were previously handled by Mr Mann.
Guido Schenken remains public relations manager, supported by PR specialist Tatiana Suchecki. There are no moves at this stage to bolster the team with an additional staff member.
Mr Mann has been a central figure behind Hyundai’s rise in Australia over the past decade, serving as marketing director for nine years
and, before that, general manager of marketing for four years.
He joined the Australian subsidiary of the South Korean auto giant in late 2005
after a short stint of about 18 months as marketing manager for Land Rover Australia, having returned to Australia from the United States, where he spent two years in senior roles with Volkswagen of America.
Earlier in his career, Mr Mann served as marketing manager for the Volkswagen, Audi and Peugeot brands here over a six-year period when they were independently distributed by Inchcape.
He also worked for Toyota in the UK for almost three years before moving to Australia.
Mr Belcher, meanwhile, has worked for HMCA for almost seven years, signing on in 2012 as general manager of the eastern region and stepping up to general manager of sales late in 2014.
He previously spent about eight years with Toyota Australia, rising to national manager of sales planning and, later, commercial vehicles and SUVs, and earlier held senior fleet management/sales roles with the financial services arm of both DaimlerChrysler and Toyota.
Mr Thomas has led the public relations team at Hyundai since September 2012, stepping into PR after some 20 years in motoring journalism in Australia and abroad.
He was previously editor of Wheels magazine in Australia, and earlier served as deputy editor of Autocar and Top Gear magazines in the UK.
He also contributed to major titles such as Evo and Car in the UK, and Car and Driver in the US.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
Oliver Mann
HYUNDAI RESHUFFLES TOP DECK IN AUSTRALIA
REUSS NOW PRESIDENT AT GENERAL MOTORSBy TERRY MARTIN
GENERAL Motors has appointed former Holden chairman and managing director and current global product chief Mark Reuss as company president, succeeding Dan Ammann who is now leading the US auto giant’s Cruise autonomous vehicle unit.
The move sees Mr Reuss, 55, add responsibility for GM’s quality organisation to his current role, which as well as leading the global product group includes oversight of the Cadillac luxury brand.
In the product role alone, Mr Reuss is responsible for areas such as global design, engineering, safety, quality, R&D, advanced vehicle technology, purchasing and supply chain organisation, as well as the product planning and program management of all GM
cars, trucks and SUVs worldwide.The company announced in
November that Mr Ammann, 46, would be reassigned to the new Cruise division at the start of this year, but his replacement was not named.
GM CEO Mary Barra said: “Mark’s global operational experience, deep product knowledge and strong leadership will serve us well as we continue to strengthen our current business, take advantage of growth opportunities and further
define the future of personal mobility.“Mark has played a critical role
in leading the development of the company’s award-winning vehicles while transitioning his team to prepare for growing electrification and autonomous technologies.”
LAND Rover has begun the official teaser campaign for the all-new iteration of its legendary Defender off-roader, which is set for a global reveal this year.
Images have been released via Land Rover’s social media channels showing the new Defender in camouflage being loaded onto the back of a truck, accompanied by the caption ‘Do not unwrap until 2019’.
First global customer deliveries of the new model will begin in 2020, with no concrete Australian timing available at this stage.
The new Defender looks to retain the same boxy styling as its
predecessor which was discontinued in early 2016, resurrecting a nameplate that has existed since 1983 and could trace its roots back to the original Land Rover from 1948.
A tailgate-mounted spare tyre is visible, while the new model looks to have significant ground clearance, a steep departure angle and simple black alloy wheels.
Few concrete details have emerged for the new Defender, although it has
been confirmed that it will be offered in a family of models, ranging from basic utilitarian variants up to more luxurious, family-oriented models, taking up the role the earlier Discovery models had in Land Rover’s portfolio.
Multiple wheelbases will be offered, continuing the tradition of the previous model which was offered in 90, 110 and 130-inch wheelbase lengths. Three- and five-door versions are expected to be offered, as are pick-up body styles.
To aid on-road refinement, the Defender will lose its hardy ladder-frame chassis underpinnings
in favour of Land Rover’s new Modular Longitudinal Architecture (MLP) which will underpin the larger models in Land Rover’s portfolio, and will allow for the fitment of hybrid and electric powertrains.
Also improving on-road handling, the old Defender’s solid axles will be replaced by independent suspension on all four corners, however the company has stressed durability will remain one of the new model’s hallmarks.
Land Rover has said it wants the Defender to be the most off-road-capable vehicle on the market
while being more capable than its predecessor, and will feature a greater level of electrical assistance systems including the latest version of the company’s Terrain Response traction control system.
According to British publication Autocar, more affordable versions of the Defender will come paired with 2.0-litre turbocharged engines from the Ingenium family, while more top-end versions will score a 3.0-litre straight-six Ingenium powerplant. Plug-in hybrid and mild hybrid variants will be offered.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
Countdown begins for unveiling of Land Rover’snew-generation Defender off-roader this year
Next DefenderJAN
LAUNCH Kia Cerato hatch/GT
Kia Picanto GT
Mitsubishi Triton
Suzuki Jimny
Suzuki Vitara Series II
Kia’s Picanto was the runaway market leader among the micro cars last year, and the Korean brand is now set to bolster the baby hatch line-up with the 74kW/172Nm 1.0-litre turbo-triple GT.
FULL NEW CAR DIARY: CLICK HEREGoAuto New Car Diary brought to you by Autotrader
autotrader.com.au
HAVE YOUR COMPETITON SEEING STARS
Dealer Reviews let your customers and your competition see how good you are.
Sydney hailstorm brings massive repair challengeMore than 30,000 cars are part of $210 million insurance bill from NSW hailstorm
Motor Industry Services Your trusted advisors.
Dealers to ramp up political activityCandidate ‘packs’ in key marginal seats to show the economic contribution of dealerships
Take your marks!Franchise code in starter’s hands as both sides of politics back a viable dealer business model
By JOHN MELLORn AUSTRALIA’S dealers are entering 2019 with their best ever chance of emerging with a specific automotive code of conduct that will regulate the manner in which some OEMs can control their retailers’ businesses.
The move is expected to pave the way to strip the relationship of unfair pressure tactics that have over the years threatened the viability of hundreds of dealerships and the jobs of thousands.
In a year that saw the political pendulum swing the dealer’s way, 2018 produced bipartisan support from both sides of politics for the dealers’ position that lumping them in with regulations for all other smaller-scale franchises like Jim’s Mowing to Bakers’ Delight failed to take into account the size and complexity of dealership
operations and the pressure that can be brought to bear upon them by OEMs.
In a rush of activity just before Christmas, the ALP included a specific Automotive Code of Conduct as part of its policy if it wins government, and the Coalition government earmarked funding to pay for the development of the code within the industry department.
On top of that, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) announced a proposal to develop a class exemption that would allow all franchisees to collectively bargain with their franchisor regardless of their size or other characteristics.
This would allow franchised new-car dealers to collectively bargain with their franchisor without having to seek prior authorisation from the ACCC.
PremiumGoAutoNews The business pages of GoAutoNews
PAGE 31
Continued from previous page
The CEO of the Australian Automotive Dealer Association (AADA) David Blackhall described the developments as “a great start”.
“There is a lot of hard work to go into the detail of the regulations that will underpin any code, but it is a great start and we applaud the government and we applaud the opposition,” he said.
Mr Blackhall said that from his experience the indicators were very positive.
“The first thing is that it is now truly bipartisan,” he said. “The Labor party have said that it is their policy to introduce a mandatory
automotive code to stabilise the relationship between franchise new-car dealers and the offshore OEMs.
“So that is the Labor party. We have been working with the government for some time on a commitment. They have effectively made that commitment in the 2018-19 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) by committing resources for the development of an Automotive Industry Code of Conduct as part of its support for small business.
“There is a four-line statement appendix that alludes to $1.4 million in funding that has been set aside
by the treasurer to facilitate, among other things, the development of such a code.”
Mr Blackhall said there was a lot of work to be done on “sorting out how it would be administered, and what the content of the code would actually say”.
“That is the work that the industry department is going to have to do this year,” he said.
Mr Blackhall said the funding announcement was followed the next day by a joint statement by the minister for small and family business, skills and vocational education Michaelia Cash and minister for industry, technology and
science Karen Andrews. “They put out a joint
statement to say they have now asked the department of industry to create what is called a regulation impact statement which has been done and it is out and on their website,” he said.
“It calls for submissions from interested parties by February 16 which is a pretty short fuse in these matters.
“So that gives us encouragement to believe the government is seriously intent on this.
“But the really more important point for us is that it kicks off a process that lights a fuse inside the department
that cannot be extinguished.“So it is a request for
submissions from interested parties to comment on the draft regulation and that must work through to its conclusion.
“One of the really neat things about this process is that it is agnostic as to the government.
“The process has kicked off, the bureaucracy swings into action and no matter who occupies the government benches this year they will report back to the relevant minister.
“So it is an unstoppable train in that sense. And that is more positive.
Continued next page
“So we take great stock in the fact that we now have bipartisan political support, broad support across the industry, and we
think we now have a chance to get this code up and on its feet in 2019.”
- AADA CEO David Blackhall
PremiumGoAutoNews The business pages of GoAutoNews
PAGE 32
Continued from previous page
“We have bipartisanship, wide support by the industry stakeholders including the franchise council of Australia, all of the industry bodies that play in this space including MTAA, AAAA and AAA.
“We take great stock in the fact that we now have bipartisan political support, broad support across the industry, and we think we now have a chance to get this code up and on its feet in 2019. We have got some momentum. Nothing is ever final until the scorecard is in the clubhouse but it is a very good start.”
Mr Blackhall said that “the only people who are silent on the announcements is the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI)”.
“But I want to make a strong point that we are sitting down with the FCAI early this month to work out how the OEMs can work with us inside this process,” he said.
“We see some dealer agreements with clauses in them that just raise your eyebrows and you wonder how clauses like that ever saw the light of day.
“But we are making a really sincere effort to work with the FCAI as the representative of the OEMs and we need them in the tent not outside the tent if we can possibly achieve it.
“We have engaged with them. They are willing to meet. We have a day set and we are just putting together what the agenda will look like.”
BUY THE RIGHT STOCKMANAGE YOUR USED VEHICLE INVENTORY WITH MANHEIM With 80 weekly in-lane and online auctions around the country, Manheim can help you buy the right stock profile for your dealership. Find the vehicles you need from the vast range we have on offer, at a wide variety of price points to suit your customer profiles.
• Thousands of passenger and light commercial vehicles on offer• New stock arriving daily• Purchase online with confidence using our Simulcast app
Manheim is here to help you manage your used vehicle operations.
For more information contact: Shane Taylor on 0418 343 499 or [email protected]
PremiumGoAutoNews The business pages of GoAutoNews
PAGE 33
Candidate ‘packs’ in key marginal seats to show the economic contribution of dealerships
Dealers to ramp up political activity
TO READ THIS STORY ONLINECLICK HERE
By JOHN MELLORn FRESH from securing bipartisan support in Canberra for an Automotive Franchise Code of Conduct, the Australian Automotive Dealer Association (AADA) is planning to ramp up its political message in the lead-up to the federal election in May.
The success that saw both sides of the political divide
agree that dealers need to be protected from some of the more strident car importers came from a deliberate policy to engage both sides of politics and also to spell out to federal members of parliament the key role dealerships play within the economies of each of their electorates.
One of the key tools used by the AADA to secure the support of MPs and senators
has been the “dealernomics” website that will be upgraded prior to the federal election presumed to be around May 18.
The website lists the dollar amounts of dealerships within each seat for sales turnover/revenue, total wages and other expenses, number of dealer employees, dealership wages and other expenses, total economic contribution,
total tax collections, duties collected and new-vehicle registrations.
AADA CEO David Blackhall told GoAutoNews Premium that the website “opened eyes” in Canberra to the contribution of dealerships in their communities.
A key point in the path trodden so far was a decision by Mr Blackhall to engage the ALP in the discussion,
with the AADA working with shadow assistant treasurer and minister for competition and productivity Andrew Leigh.
Continued engagement by the AADA demonstrated to the former academic the flow-on benefits for jobs and apprenticeships and all the things that go with having a vibrant, effective, efficient, profitable new-car franchise.
PremiumGoAutoNews The business pages of GoAutoNews
PAGE 34
Continued from previous page
“This resulted in Dr Andrew Leigh announcing the ALP policy supporting the code at the AADA convention in September; that it is their policy to introduce a mandatory automotive code to stabilise the relationship between franchise new-car dealers and the offshore OEMs,” Mr Blackhall said.
He also revealed plans to ramp up the AADA message to candidates for the May election.
“We will be sending information packs based on the Dealernomincs data to each side of politics,” he said.
“We have a group of four senior dealers on a dealer election committee who advise us on this, and we are going to handle it on a totally politically agnostic way. But
we are going to do it, and I think it is an important step.”
Mr Blackhall said that version 2.0 of the Dealernomics website would feature much more accurate geo-mapping.
“With the launch of V2.0, for the first time ever we will have a really accurate count of which rooftops are in which electorate and therefore off that we bounce GDP, the tax, the apprenticeships, the employment – all the relevant stats will now be bouncing off data that represent reality accurately,” he said.
“It has been a pretty useful tool, and interestingly enough talking to the people at NADA, they don’t have a tool that is quite as good as this.”
Connecting the dotsMore than just financial data. The KPMG Enterprise Automotive Intelligence Portal provides motor industry stakeholders, at dealerships and at OEMs, with a complete picture of real-time industry intelligence, empowering timely decision making.
All of your management data in one placeDeveloped by automotive industry leaders, the Portal provides automotive insights to drive confident decision making. Portal insights can assist dealerships in identifying opportunities for growth and plan for the future
For more information or an in-house demonstration, visit:autointelligence.kpmg.com.au
PremiumGoAutoNews The business pages of GoAutoNews
PAGE 36
More than 30,000 cars are part of $210 million insurance bill from NSW hailstorm
Sydney hailstorm brings massive repair challenge
TO READ THIS STORY ONLINECLICK HERE
By ROBBIE WALLISn OWNERS of cars and other vehicles damaged by the vicious hailstorm in Sydney and the New South Wales Central Coast on December 20 appear to be in for a long wait for repairs as the motor industry casts doubts on whether it has the capacity to fix the widespread damage.
The main forms of vehicle claims are for smashed
windshields and dented panels.By Christmas Eve, less
than a week after the storm, insurance claims for storm damage had climbed to 45,000 – three quarters of which were for cars and other vehicles. The damage bill is estimated at $210 million.
The storm was labelled a “catastrophe” by the Insurance Council of Australia, with other forms of damage
including roofs, awnings, solar panels and water damage from overflowing gutters.
As a result of the storm, thousands of cars will require significant repairs, particularly in body panel damage, where hailstones as wide as 8cm ravaged vehicles across NSW.
But the motor trade, which has been warning about skills shortages in vehicle workshops across the nation, has warned
there are just not enough trained repairers to fix the damaged cars in a timely way.
Motor Trades Association of Australia chief executive Richard Dudley said that a nationwide shortage of panel repair specialists could result in a large delay for owners looking to get their vehicles fixed.
Speaking to The Australian, Mr Dudley said that currently there is a shortage
of approximately 35,000 positions across mechanical and motor body repair trades, of which body repairers make up a large portion.
In the interview, he added that approximately 450 to 550 independent motor body repair businesses had left the industry in 2018, mainly due to the consolidation of business by major insurers.
PremiumGoAutoNews The business pages of GoAutoNews
PAGE 37
Continued from previous page
Over a period of at least the past five years, insurers have moved to consolidate repairs under their own control, therefore offering cheaper repairs than smaller, independent operations which struggle to compete.
Furthermore, motor trades are struggling to attract new apprentices due to the “dirty” image of motor repair work, while skilled migrants have also been hard to come by.
A $210m bill makes the hailstorm the costliest natural event of 2018, ahead of storm and flood damage in Hobart in May ($99.6m), bushfires in Victoria and NSW in March ($82.5m), Cyclone Marcus
from the same month ($62m) and Queensland floods ($16.8m).
The Insurance Council of Australia general manager of communications and media relations Campbell Fuller said the declaration of a catastrophe means insurers will make claims from this storm their priority.
“They will triage claims to ensure the worst-affected policyholders receive urgent attention,” he said.
Winds of up to 140km/h were recorded around 400km west of Coffs Harbour, while gusts at Richmond airport in Sydney’s west reached up to 90km/h.
^ CONTINUE ONLINE
The right traffic to get your cars moving.When it comes to driving loads of quality leads, look no further than Gumtree Cars. With so many great benefits, it’s easy to get started:
Simple and Affordable
No cost per lead, sign-up or annual fees. Your monthly subscription prices are simply based on the number of listings.
Branding Opportunities
With your address, phone number, email and website details, buyers have even more ways to connect with you.
Join Gumtree Cars today gumtreeforbusiness.com.au
Source: Twitter
Carlos Ghosn: Not over yet
POPULAR STORIES
CLICK HERE
How Renault-Nissan’s saviour and the architect of the alliance
PremiumGoAutoNews The business pages of GoAutoNews
PAGE 38
Bugs prove thorn in side of
vehicle importern WHILE the fallout from Sydney’s brutal hailstorm continues, a very different but equally damaging natural phenomenon was causing one major vehicle importer major headaches over the Christmas/New Year period.
Luxury retailer Autosports Group has had to deal with an outbreak of brown marmorated stink bugs – stowaways from Europe that have found their way to Australia in cargo ships carrying cars destined for Autosports dealerships.
The stink bugs are considered a pest and have
resulted in customer delivery delays because vessels coming from Europe are being quarantined by the department of agriculture and water resources.
Autosports Group reported that the stink bugs along with the hailstorm will reduce Autosport’s December-half earnings by $3 million, with Audi, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Volkswagen and Volvo among the brands affected by the stink bug problem.
Autosports also imports vehicles for car-makers such as Bentley, Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Honda, Lamborghini and Maserati.
TO READ THIS STORY ONLINECLICK HERE
IS YOUR CAR CARE DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDING HYDRO?
LATEST CERAMIC TECHNOLOGY SURFACE COATING.
IF IT’S NOT HYDRO, IT’S NOT THE BEST.
HAVE YOU BOOKED IN A DEMO AT YOUR DEALERSHIP YET?
motorone.com
POPULAR STORIES
CLICK HERE
Jaguar prepares dealer network for I-Pace
Battery-electric I-Pace SUV prompts key changes to JLR
PremiumGoAutoNews The business pages of GoAutoNews
PAGE 39
Ford Australia sees a ‘steep launch curve’ for Endura but eyes volume potential over time
Endura nameplate a ‘challenge’
TO READ THIS STORY ONLINECLICK HERE
By JUSTIN HILLIARDn FORD Australia says the Endura large SUV will take some time to find its feet in the market but hopes it will follow in the footsteps of its Everest stablemate that faced similar challenges upon its launch.
Speaking to GoAutoNews Premium at the Endura national media launch in Healesville, Victoria, Ford Australia marketing manager
Danni Winter said it will be “a while” before strong recognition for the large SUV is established.
“With any new nameplate, that’s always a steep launch curve,” she said, “(but) we have a good media spend plan to launch the product.”
Ms Winter said Ford expected to “do relatively well” with Endura volume but said the company expected it would “take several years
to build awareness of that (nameplate) in Australia”.
As reported, the Endura is known as Edge overseas – where it is sold in the European, North American and Chinese markets – but Toyota Australia owns the Edge local trademark, forcing the Blue Oval to consider other options.
Ms Winter said Ford was very careful when selecting the new nameplate.
“We’ve certainly researched the name and all of those elements that go into bringing the product to market,” she said. “We’ve researched the campaign that we’re planning to launch.
“I’m confident we’ll build over time, just as we have with the Everest. But it will be a journey.
“If you start with a nameplate that’s not known in the market, there’s not going
to be an instant memorability for that nameplate, but I think it will really complement the range we’ve got, with Everest and Escape in particular.”
Everest sales improved significantly last year, with 5482 new registrations recorded – a 19.0 per cent increase over the 4607 deliveries made in 2017, partly thanks to the release of a facelifted model in August.
PremiumGoAutoNews The business pages of GoAutoNews
PAGE 40
Continued from previous page
As a result, the Everest has become the eighth best-selling large SUV in the sub-$70,000 segment, trailing Toyota’s LandCruiser Prado (18,553 units) and Kluger (14,743), Subaru’s Outback (10,378), Isuzu’s MU-X (9090) and Mazda’s CX-9 (8094), among others.
Ford Australia says that the Endura is not a direct replacement for the home-grown Territory that was discontinued in October 2016.
But Ms Winter said the protracted wait for a Territory
successor resulted in Blue Oval loyalists moving to other segments and that the Endura has now plugged this key hole in Ford Australia’s model line-up – if not directly – between the Escape and the Everest.
Ms Winter said: “It fulfils a need we ... currently don’t have in place.”
She added that this was “good news for customers overall and enthusiasts who would love a vehicle in that segment but have had to settle for something in another (Ford) segment”.
“So, it’s going to be good to
offer them a product that meets their needs. I’m really excited about bringing that product to market, having worked on it for nearly 10 years. It’s been a long time coming.”
Ford Australia says the Endura’s styling, packaging, technology and safety will suit the active lifestyles of its buyers, who will range from young families to professional singles and couples.
When asked how Endura and Everest customers differ, given that both models play in the sub-$70,000 segment, Ms Winter said the former’s on-
road focus is the main point of difference.
“I do think they’re quite different,” she said. “We’ve expanded our Everest line-up over time to include two-wheel drive as well as Trend, our entry-level rear-wheel drive.
“But obviously the Everest customer is more off-road-heavy, even today our sales mix is 4x4 much more considerably so than two-wheel-drive variants, and it’s all about towing and off-road capability.
“We don’t expect that to be the case in the Endura. It does offer
the towing capability, but we don’t expect large-scale towing to be done with that vehicle; it’s going to more recreational-type towing pursuits, weekend pursuits, maybe holidaying, but not in the same way that Everest is used.
“So, it is going to be a very, very different customer base for Endura. Certainly, some customers transition between segments, but I don’t expect there’ll be a lot of substitution between an Escape buyer or an Everest buyer.”
^ CONTINUE ONLINE
“Good news for customers overall and enthusiasts who would love
a vehicle in that segment but have had to settle for something
in another (Ford) segment”- Ford Australia marketing manager Danni Winter
PremiumGoAutoNews The business pages of GoAutoNews
PAGE 41
ST-Line, Active lead separate Ford Focus marketing
campaignsn FORD Australia says it will adopt a different approach to marketing its fourth-generation Focus small car, which will be subject to two campaigns that each have their own unique focus.
Speaking to GoAutoNews Premium at the Focus national media launch in Healesville, Victoria, Ford Australia marketing manager Danni Winter said the small car’s marketing campaigns will treat its ST-Line and Active grades as separate propositions.
While the entry-level Trend hatch ($25,990 plus on-road costs) and flagship Titanium hatch ($34,490) are more
traditional in their approach, their two siblings are not.
The ST-Line is available in hatch ($28,990) and wagon ($30,990) form, of which the latter is a first for Ford Australia, with both adopting a sports focus that includes retuned steering and suspension, unique styling and an upgraded cabin.
Similarly, the Active hatch ($29,990) follows the SUV trend – and the Subaru XV’s footsteps – by adopting several crossover-like enhancements, including increased ground clearance, skid plates and wheelarch cladding.
^ CONTINUE ONLINE
TO READ THIS STORY ONLINECLICK HERE
100 good reasons to join VACC
Reason #56VACC members gain access to Environmental compliance tools, auditing and advice
PremiumGoAutoNews The business pages of GoAutoNews
PAGE 42
Truck market finally surpasses sales records set before the GFC but some segments sagging
2018 rewrote truck record books
TO READ THIS STORY ONLINECLICK HERE
By JOHN MELLORn THE Australian truck market has seen record sales for 2018 overall and across many segments, but, like the passenger car and LCV markets, there are signs of the “credit squeeze” inflicted by regulators taking a toll on sales in the final quarter.
The good news is that Australian truck and heavy-van sales for the 2018 calendar year totalled 41,628 units – the first time more than 40,000 units were sold in the
truck market.According to the Truck
Industry Council’s T-Mark data released last week, this was a significant increase of 4803 units, or 13.0 per cent, over 2017.
The number represented a new record for heavy-vehicle sales in Australia. The previous record was 38,131 new-truck sales, set in 2007 during the pre-Global Financial Crisis (GFC) market peak.
The record in 2018 was 3497 units more than 2007, or
8.4 per cent higher. But other records were set in
2018, although most of those were set up earlier in the year with strong quarter one to three (January to September) sales.
Sales in the final quarter (October to December) saw the market cool noticeably, excluding the light-duty truck segment that posted record sales in December and the fourth quarter.
The good news is that nearly all segments posted double-
digit percentage growth in 2018, over 2017 sales. The lone exception was the van segment that was up just 1.0 per cent over the previous year’s result.
Highlighting just how much the market slowed in October to December, T-Mark data shows sales in the fourth quarter 2018 of 10,963 vehicles.
This was only 450 vehicles, or 4.1 per cent, more than the last quarter of 2017 and well down on the average market growth of 13.0 per cent seen for 2018 overall.
The fourth quarter was also down on the best-ever quarter-four result, which was set in 2007 when 11,013 heavy vehicles were delivered.
For December 2018, the total heavy-vehicle market of 3455 units was down 18 vehicles on the 3473 trucks sold in December 2017.
The result was also down on the December record set in the pre-GFC December of 2007 where 3509 heavy vehicles were sold.
PremiumGoAutoNews The business pages of GoAutoNews
PAGE 43
Continued from previous page
The heavy-duty truck segment managed to achieve sales of 1186 units for the month, which was down 64 units, or 5.1 per cent, over the December 2017 result.
But in the whole of the fourth quarter of 2018, HD truck sales reached a total of 3983, up 244 trucks, or 6.1 per cent, over October to December 2017.
Overall, 2018 saw much healthier HD truck sales, and the end of year total of 14,344 units was a new record for the segment, surpassing the 2007 peak of 13,342 by 1002, or 7.0 per cent and 2017 sales of 12,002 by 19.5 per cent.
HD trucks make up the largest slice of the Australian heavy-truck and van market,
accounting for 36.3 per cent of all heavy vehicles sold in 2018, moving further ahead of the light-duty truck segment, at a 32.6 per cent share, despite the LD truck segment also posting record-breaking sales in 2018.
The medium-duty truck segment saw solid growth over the year, and while December was another positive month, MD truck sales also slowed in the final quarter of 2018.
The December 2018 total was 693 units, representing 3.9 per cent growth (26 trucks) over December 2017.
The fourth-quarter MD segment result of 2124 was up on the final-quarter 2017 result of 2064 units by 60 trucks, or 2.8 per cent.
Continued next page
Kentworth Trucks
A complete end-to-end integrated Sales Platform transforming the retail experience for modern car dealerships.
DealerCell
Online Tools • Lead Management • Sales CRM • Test Drive • Appraisals • Finance • Aftermarket • Broker • Lifecycle • Live Analytics
POPULAR STORIES
CLICK HERE
SsangYong gets parts in order
Pantos Logistics sole automotive logistics business
PremiumGoAutoNews The business pages of GoAutoNews
PAGE 44
Appreciable profit opportunity
High demand, proven product, excellent track record
User friendly customer App to make repair bookings
Industry qualified repair technicians
Limited Lifetime Warranty on all repairs
More than 10 years of experience with Scratch & Dent membership programs
4.3 Google rating
Now over 210,000 Repairs
If you’re not selling Schmick Memberships, you’re missing out.
Membership enquiries www.schmickclub.com.au
Why offer your customers a Schmick Membership?
Continued from previous page
This is the second best post-GFC final quarter for MD trucks but a significant 24.5 per cent below the result for the same quarter in the record year of 2007.
The total tally of 2018, which ended with 8210 MD truck sales, eclipsed that of 2017 by a significant 12.3 per cent, or 898 trucks.
However, the 2018 result was well below the segment peak of 2007 (when 9923 MD trucks were delivered) by 17.3 per cent. This and long-term sales results show that this segment is in decline.
In 2018, MD truck sales accounted for just 19.4 per cent of new heavy vehicles sold in Australia, well down on the 2001 peak of 30.9 per cent.
The light-duty truck segment
saw record sales in December, with 1188 deliveries, up 12.4 per cent (131 trucks) over December 2017, which was the previous best December result for its deliveries.
The fourth-quarter total of 3575 unit sales was up on quarter four 2017 by 11.2 per cent (400 units) and is a new fourth-quarter record, beating the previous mark that was also set in 2017.
The yearlong sales trend in the LD truck segment was also strong and set the scene for a record sales year in 2018.
A total of 11,628 LD trucks were delivered last year, breaking the previous best sales mark, set in 2017, by 1501 trucks – a 12.9 per cent rise.
^ CONTINUE ONLINE
POPULAR STORIES
CLICK HERE
Rebirth of two dragonsSsangYong refreshes its range and overhauls marketing with a
