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Sept 28, 2011 No. 600

GoAuto NewsJohn Mellor’s

Australia’s No.1 Automotive Industry Journal 70,000 Readers Weekly

PROTECTION FROM THE MOMENT YOU TURN THE KEY.

Safety fi rstSafety fi rstFord claims safety lead with all-new locally designed and developed ute

By JAMES STANFORDFORD Australia is confi dent it has built

the safest workhorse ute in the world and

quietly expects it will achieve a fi ve-star

crash-test rating for the Ranger.

The company will not openly discuss

whether the Ranger will become the fi rst

full-size one-tonne ute with a global fi ve-

star safety rating, but GoAuto understands

the company’s internal modelling points to

the top rating when the vehicle is offi cially

crash-tested within the next two months.

Ford Australia will start selling the Ranger

here next month after leading the development

of the all-important ute, which will be sold in

180 countries, giving it the broadest global

reach of any vehicle in the Ford family.

The Ranger development cost has not

been disclosed, but the scale of the project

is illuminated by the fact Ford Australia

said it would earn $700 million in design

and technical fees when announcing the

program in 2006.

Ranger will be produced in South Africa,

Brazil and Thailand, which will make the

Australia-bound vehicles.

Ford initially predicted annual global

sales of 400,000 when announcing the

plan but has since gone mute on projected

volumes.

Ford Australia president Bob Graziano

would not even comment on whether

the new Ranger could outsell the current

ageing model, let alone take on the market-

dominating Toyota HiLux.

Safety is likely to be a key plank of the

Ranger’s promotional push.

Ford Australia’s Falcon ute has already

scored a fi ve-star ANCAP rating, along

with the Holden Commodore-based ute, but

safety levels are traditionally not as high for

larger ladder-frame utes such as the Ranger.

ANCAP currently rates the Volkswagen

Amarok as the safest large ute available

in Australia with a fi ve-star rating, but it

is rated four stars in other markets such

as New Zealand and Europe – and Ford is

confi dent of beating it.

“I can’t talk about NCAP scores, but there

is no question we will be the clear leader in

safety in the class,” said Ford Asia Pacifi c

director of engineering Jim Baumbick.

Ranger will come standard with a

high level of safety equipment, including

electronic stability control, additional

‘rollover mitigation’ sensors, trailer sway

control and six airbags in all models but the

entry-level cab-chassis single-cab model,

which has two.

Ford claims it has achieved high safety

levels as a result of starting with a clean

sheet of paper, with very few parts carried

over from the previous model.

“The carryover parts from the last Ranger

fi t in one of my pockets,” said Mr Baumbick.

“There are a few bolts and nuts, and even

these have been enhanced with a new form

of corrosion protection.”

Mr Baumbick said the clean-sheet start

and access to global Ford know-how

meant the team was able to meet all the

development targets, making Ranger the

best vehicle in the class.Continued next page

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Issue

Sept 28, 2011 Page 2

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Safety fi rst for RangerSafety fi rst for Ranger

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PUBLISHER: John MellorEDITOR: Terry Martin MANAGING EDITOR: Marton PettendyJOURNALISTS: Ron Hammerton, Haitham Razagui Byron Mathioudakis, James Stanford PRODUCTION: Luc BrittenSUB-EDITOR: David HassallEDITORIAL ASSISTANT: Mike CostelloProduced by GoAutoMedia: Ph: (03) 9598 6477 newsroom@mellor.net

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GoAuto NewsJohn Mellor’s

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Continued from previous pageThe fact that the Ranger project was led

by Ford Australia has resulted in a better

vehicle for Australian conditions, he said.

“We are the only manufacturer that has

designed, developed, tuned, tested and

validated a truck here in Australia.”

Some elements of the Ranger, including

suspension tune, are unique for Australia.

Work on the Ranger project began as far

back as 2004 when local engineers began

drawing up packaging plans for the new

vehicle, but really got going in 2006. While

Ford led the project, Mazda was also involved

with the development of the sister BT-50,

which will be launched here next month.

Ford’s team said it took on some design

features of the HiLux, including the single-

piece rear window, location of the b-pillar

and ‘hidey holes’ below the rear seats, while

the Nissan Navara’s wide-opening rear

doors and space behind the rear seats were

also built into the Ranger design.

Initially, the Ranger will be available as a

double-cab with a fi ve-cylinder diesel, while

a single-cab and super-cab (smaller than the

double cab, with short-use seats) will follow

later this year, along with a petrol engine

and another diesel option.

There will ultimately be 20 models all up,

counting cab-chassis models as well as two-

and four-wheel drive variants.

Ranger’s payload capacity runs up to

1500kg, while the towing capacity is a

class-leading 3350kg for the diesel variants

and 2200kg for the petrol models.

The double-cab tray measures 1549mm

long (at bottom of the tub) and 1560mm

wide, while the single-cab tray is 1847mm

long and the same width.

Compared with the Amarok, Ranger’s

double-cab tub is deeper but 94mm

narrower, so it cannot fi t a pallet between

the rear wheelarches like its VW rival.

Ford said it was unable to make the

Ranger much wider because it will be sold

in Asia, where width can be a problem on

congested roads.

Nevertheless, it says the double-cab is the

most spacious in its class.

Ground clearance varies from 232mm

depending on the model, while the wading

depth is an impressive 800mm for the 4x4

and 4x2 high-rider, and 600mm for the 4x2.

A snorkel intake will be made available as

an accessory.

Ranger sits on a new ladder frame that Ford

says is twice as stiff as the outgoing model and

10 per cent stiffer than HiLux. Ford did not

have the reference data for the Amarok.

Suspension is by double A-arms with

upper and lower balljoints at the front, while

leaf springs are used at the rear. A rack-and-

pinion steering system replaces the previous

recirculating ball system and the power

assistance is hydraulic.

Ford used its global resources to source

engines and transmissions, and none of

them are new.

The base petrol is a 2.5-litre four-cylinder

with variable intake (but not exhaust)

camshaft timing from the Ford Escape and

Fusion sedan, generating 122kW of power

and 226Nm of torque. It consumes an

average of between 9.8 and 10.4 litres per

100km, depending on the model.

The petrol Ranger is only available as a

two-wheel-drive low-rider model.

The entry-level diesel will be a 2.2-

litre four-cylinder common-rail turbo that

was used in the Mondeo and is currently

available in the Ford Transit. It produces

110kW and 375Nm while fuel consumption

varies from 7.6L/100km to 8.9L/100km.

FULL STORY: CLICK HEREDRIVE IMPRESSIONS: CLICK HERE

Sept 28, 2011 Page 3

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Top-selling Mazda3 gets serious with price cuts and SkyActiv powertrain

Mazda goes for jugularMazda goes for jugular

By RON HAMMERTONAUSTRALIA’S new best-selling car, the

Mazda3, is set to turn up the heat on rivals

with range-wide price cuts on top of a mid-

life makeover that includes the Australian

debut of Mazda’s fuel-saving SkyActiv

drivetrain technology this month.

Mazda has slashed $1000 from the price

of entry to the revised Mazda3 range,

chopping the Mazda3 Neo manual hatch and

sedan list price to $20,330 – cheaper than

the base models of main rivals such as the

Toyota Corolla, Holden Cruze, Ford Focus,

Mitsubishi Lancer, Hyundai Elantra and

2.0-litre Hyundai i30.

Upper-spec models come in for even

greater price savings, with the sports Mazda3

SP25 price down by $1630, to $31,490, and

the turbocharged fl agship MPS dropping

$2425 to slide under $40,000 at $39,490.

The price cuts come on top of a number

of styling and mechanical enhancements

that Mazda says deliver improved occupant

comfort while building on the fun-to-drive

handling for which the second-generation

Mazda3 has become known since it was

introduced in 2009.

The headline act of the new range is the

mid-range Mazda3 SP20 SkyActiv, boasting

class-leading petrol fuel economy of 6.1

litres per 100km, sprightly 113kW power and

a cheaper-than-expected $27,990 price tag.

Ultimately, the SkyActiv technology

will be spread across the Mazda range,

encompassing diesel engines and even

chassis designs starting with the forthcoming

2012 Mazda CX-5 compact SUV.

For now, it is restricted to one Mazda3

mid-range variant, with others carrying over

the older but in some cases more powerful

‘MZR’ drivetrains.

Last month, the Japanese-made Mazda3

ended the Holden Commodore’s 15-year

reign as Australia’s number one seller, with

the Mazda small car racking up 28,736 sales

to the end of August, compared with the

Aussie large car’s 28,265 sales.

Although the Mazda3 has managed to

outsell the Commodore in some months

since January 2009, the Mazda small car – a

clear winner with private buyers – has now

out-pointed the fl eet-heavy Holden for the

fi rst time in the long term.

With sales volumes up 9.8 per cent

this year, the Mazda3 appears to have an

unbeatable lead in the small-car market

– Australia’s biggest segment – over the

second-placed Holden Cruze (22,686 sales

in 2011) and Toyota Corolla (21,378) with

four months of 2011 to go.

However, the Mazda3 will have to be

on its toes, with a raft of new small-car

models coming down the pipeline, including

Holden’s locally designed Cruze hatch late

this year, followed in 2012 by an all-new

Hyundai i30 and Toyota Corolla, joining the

just-launched Ford Focus that is built on the

same platform as the Mazda3.

Also in the wings are a new Subaru

Impreza, a facelifted Mitsubishi Lancer, a

redesigned Honda Civic and the return of

General Motors’ Astra, this time with Opel

badges.

The new Mazda3 gets only minor styling

enhancements, along with a range of

suspension and body changes to improve

ride and reduce road noise.

The body design changes include a

new front bumper that is said to improve

aerodynamic fl ow, along with a fresh rear

bumper treatment that is 30mm shorter, new

15- and 16-inch alloy wheel designs, and new

seat trim and silver highlights in the cabin.Continued next page

Sept 28, 2011 Page 4

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Mazda goes for jugularMazda goes for jugular

PRICING:Neo $20,330

Neo (a) $21,330

Maxx Sport $24,490

Maxx Sport (a) $26,490

SP20 SkyActiv (a) $27,990

SP20 SkyActiv Luxury (a) $27,990

SP25 $31,490

SP25 (a) $33,670

MPS $39,490

Continued from previous pageMazda – Australia’s number-one full-line

importer – expects the new SkyActiv model

to comprise just 15 per cent of Mazda3

sales, with the cheaper Neo retaining the

lion’s share of volume (about 65 per cent).

However, the biggest benefi t of SkyActiv

to Mazda will be the halo effect from its new-

found reputation as the most fuel-effi cient

2.0-litre petrol non-hybrid car on the market.

The fi rst application of the high-

compression, normally aspirated

SkyActiv-G (for gasoline) engine technology

in the Mazda range in Australia, the 2.0-litre

four-cylinder engine is hooked up to a new-

generation six-speed automatic SkyActiv

transmission that Mazda claims offers the

best characteristics of conventional, dual-

clutch and CVT transmissions.

Mazda says it has been able to ramp up

the engine’s compression ratio to a diesel-

like 12-to-one, thanks to a range of new

technologies, including multi-jet direct

fuel injectors and a piston featuring a small

cavity in the top to suppress knocking.

The multi-jet injectors provide fi ner

atomisation of petrol, while the small cup-

like cavity promotes a uniform spread of

fl ame immediately after ignition.

Mazda engineers redesigned the pistons,

conrods and gudgeon pins to shave 127

grams from the weight of components in

each cylinder, plus 690g from the redesigned

crankshaft.

Light-load valve springs, a new plastic

water pump impeller, low-resistance water

and oil paths through the engine, smaller oil

pump and a low-tension serpentine belt drive

were among the measures adopted to reduce

the drag on the engine for greater effi ciency.

In a fi rst for Mazda, SkyActiv has idle-

stop to further reduce the engine’s thirst.

Thrifty driving is also helped by bigger

underbody streamlining panels to reduce

aerodynamic drag at highway speeds.

Mazda claims the new SP20 with its

matching six-speed SkyActiv transmission

slices fuel consumption by 25.6 per cent over

the previous model with a fi ve-speed automatic.

The sedan, with a combined fuel-

consumption rating of 6.1L/100km – is a

touch more effi cient than the hatchback

(6.2L/100km), with a similar difference in

CO2 emissions (143 grams per kilometre

versus 145g/km).

This compares with 8.2L/100km for the

Mazda3 Neo sedan with the fi ve-speed

automatic, 7.0L/100km for the 1.8-litre

petrol Cruze, 7.3L/100km for the Corolla and

6.5L/100km for the most effi cient i30, the 1.6.

FULL STORY: CLICK HEREFor drive impressions, go to

www.GoAuto.com.au from Wednesday

Sept 28, 2011 Page 5

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At Subaru Australia, we pride ourselves on being All 4 the Driver™ so if you would like to drive your career forward, please apply directly to: recruitment@subaru.com.au by Friday 7th October 2011. Agency applications not accepted.

All 4 the Driver™ is our simple business philosophy that says we’re all for performance, all for safety and All 4 the Driver™, and nobody stands behind their company, their product and their Drivers, like Subaru.Subaru Australia’s National Sales Team is seeking a Business Manager to take control of the Southern Region based at Subaru Interactive @ Docklands and reporting to the National Sales Manager.

BUSINESS MANAGER – Southern Region

SUBARU CAREER OPPORTUNITY

The primary purpose of the critical role is to manage the Subaru business of vehicle sales and dealer development at a regional level that incorporates:

• Retailer business development.• Management of Subaru standards compliance at dealer level.• Ful lment of the national sales business plan and budgetary

requirements.• Vehicle inventory management.• Vehicle sales management.• Achievement of sales targets for region, national and model

breakdowns.

The successful applicant will have the following attributes:• Extensive rst hand experience in vehicle retail operations

(minimum 5 years).• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement sales strategies

for consumer products in a highly competitive environment.• Strong communication, presentation, negotiation and

relationship skills.

This highly autonomous role would ideally be suited to a current Assistant/Retail Centre Manager, Regional Manager or Senior Sales Consultant who wants to take the next step in their career.

We drive Lamborghini’s ballistic new Aventador LP700-4 on the track

Raging with the BullRaging with the Bull

By JAMES STANFORD in KUALA LUMPUR THE fi rst Australian examples of

Lamborghini’s all-new Aventador supercar

are set to arrive here within weeks and

GoAuto can confi rm their owners have

every reason to be excited after a fast blast

around Malaysia’s Sepang racetrack in one

of the wickedly fast machines.

As you would expect from a car that will

cost $754,600 before on-road fees are tacked

on, the LP700-4 Aventador delivers an

extremely exhilarating driving experience.

Our time in the cockpit was limited to a

handful of laps around the fl owing Grand

Prix circuit, but the presence of vast run-

off areas allowed us to properly unleash the

capability of the latest and greatest fl agship

from the iconic Italian supercar brand.

There is a lot to unleash, too, with 515kW

generated by the all-new 6.5-litre V12

nestled in just behind the front seats as it

bellows past 8200rpm. Torque peaks at

690Nm when the engine hits 5500rpm.

We eased out of the pits for our run, but

drivers who accelerate hard from a standstill

will fi nd the Aventador able to slam 100km/h

in just 2.9 seconds. That’s right – less than

three seconds, making the House of the

Raging Bull’s top-shelf model one of the

quickest production vehicles on the planet.

Lamborghini says its replacement for the

Murcielago generates 1g of force during that

process and it certainly did launch furiously

hard out of the slower corners on the track

as all four wheels put the power down to the

tarmac with incredible effi ciency.

The awesome soundtrack of the fearsome

V12 howling just centimetres behind you

only adds to the drama.

The Aventador has a completely different

note to the V10 Gallardos that were used to

help show journalists the best lines around

the circuit. While Lambo’s ‘entry-level’

supercar has a rich, high-pitched scream, the

Aventador has a more intimidating thunder

that should make an even bigger impression

in crowded city streetscapes.

The engine spins fast towards its sky-high

redline as you slingshot out of corners, trying

to modulate the throttle so you don’t end up

in the scenery. To get the most out of the

engine, you must be prepared to rev it all the

way round the tacho dial, but it spins up so

quickly you’ve also got to be ready to fl ick

the gear selector lever just before the cut-out.

Doing this will cause the seven-speed

automated manual – not a dual-clutch

transmission but a special lightweight

single-clutch gearbox made just for

Lamborghini – to slam into the next gear

with the subtlety of a wrecking ball.

It’s brutal and jerky, at least in the most

aggressive Sport mode, but is also extremely

fast and that’s what counts out on the track.

The Aventador is capable of astonishingly

rapid pace and clocked some seriously

fearsome speed around some of the quicker

corners at Sepang.Continued next page

Sept 28, 2011 Page 6

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• An exciting opportunity to become part of the Mazda team in Melbourne

• Support our Dealers in achieving sustainable business and brand growth

• Add value across diverse areas of the retail and wholesale business

Our Victoria office is home to dedicated teams working with a highly performing Dealer network to achieve mutual business objectives. The Dealer Business Manager (DBM) position is the key interface between Mazda and our Dealer network and is tasked with:

• Developing strong working relationships with Dealers in all areas of their business, including sales (new and used), service and parts

• Monitoring Dealer performance against KPIs and working with Dealers to plan and implement collaborative business solutions

• Supporting Dealers in areas of marketing, business planning, retailing and supply

• Helping Dealers to fulfill our Corporate Identification requirements

• Assisting Dealer teams build their product and business knowledge

• Implementing strategic business programs at the Dealer level.

Based in Melbourne, the role reports directly to the State Manager. Regional travel is required and interstate travel may also be required from time to time.

Applicants should be qualified with a suitable business, marketing or commerce degree. The successful applicant will be able to demonstrate strong communication and relationship building skills, have excellent time management and a flair for analysing business performance. Experience in the automotive industry is not required, but may be advantageous.

To apply, send your résumé and a covering letter or email to careers@mazda.com.au quoting the reference VIC-DBM-02 in the subject line by Monday 10 October 2011.

Mazda is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Raging with the BullRaging with the BullContinued from previous page

I’m told some of the cars did more than

170km/h on a few of the bends (and more

than 250km/h at the end of the straight,

which is still well short of the Aventador’s

stratospheric 350km/h top speed), but I can

honestly say I wasn’t looking.

The big Lamborghini can maintain such

an incredible pace through the turns that all

my attention was focussed on driving rather

than watching the speedo, which along with

other relevant data is presented on a large

laptop-style TFT colour screen, with a

massive tacho in the centre.

Cornering fast in the Aventador is a

strange sensation. The massive g-force

available is one thing, but the fact it handles

so well for such a big car is quite another.

Almost as long a Commodore at 4896mm,

this monster is a remarkable 2265mm wide

and has that great big engine yet it feels as

light and nimble as a Porsche. The secret

here is that the Aventador weighs just

1575kg, which is very, very light for such

a big vehicle.

There is evidence of weight-saving

on many elements of the vehicle, but its

carbon-fi bre body module probably has the

most impact. This not only reduces weight

but results in immense body strength and

rigidity. Lamborghini is keen to point out

that no other supercars have a one-piece

carbon-fi bre monocoque body, stating that

they make do with carbon-fi bre tubs.

Lamborghini says the race-inspired push-

rod suspension, in which the shock absorber

struts sit near horizontally, is also lighter

than a standard set up and reduces unsprung

weight, which means any weight that is not

supported by the vehicle’s suspension.

Whatever the reason, the handling of the

Aventador defi es belief. It is a massive beast

and yet you can throw it into a corner and

control an effortless powerslide with ease.

Of course it responds to miniscule driver

inputs and its power output and handling

performance is phenomenal, but the is

practical, nimble nature of the Aventador

that most pleased this driver.

It can also stop rapidly, thanks to the

carbon-ceramic brake discs that are as big

as the wheels on many cars – measuring

a massive 400mm x 38mm up front and

380mm x 38mm at the rear. They can take a

while to get used to, but appeared to be able

to pull up the Aventador rapidly at every

corner for a day-long session of track blasts.

There wasn’t much time to admire the

Aventador’s interior during our brief test

drive, but there’s no doubt it matches the

aggressive attitude of the exterior. There are

some nice touches, such as the jetfi ghter-style

red fl ap that covers the engine start button, a

high centre console that adds to the cockpit

feel and the generally chunky design.

You can see for yourself how dramatic

the exterior styling is and the car looks

even meaner in the metal, especially when

it is howling like a banshee down the

Sepang straight.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

Sept 28, 2011 Page 7

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Skoda has high hopes for its light-sized Fabia hatchback chic-magnet

Fabia fi nally Czechs inFabia fi nally Czechs in

By MIKE COSTELLOFOUR years after it fi rst appeared in Europe,

the second-generation Fabia from Czech

brand Skoda has launched in Australia,

armed with an array of standard features and

a highly competitive price aimed right at the

heart of the bustling light car segment.

Limited initially to just two models –

the $18,990 77TSI and sportier $21,990

Monte Carlo edition – the base model Fabia

undercuts the Volkswagen Polo with which

it shares many components by $860 and

shares its price with the mid-range Ford

Fiesta LX and Suzuki Swift GLX.

The ambitious company, which pitches

itself as the entry-level brand within the

colossal Volkswagen empire, has big plans

for its littlest model in Australia.

Head of Skoda Australia Matthew

Wiesner hopes the Fabia will appeal to

a different demographic than its current

line-up, comprised of various Octavia and

Superb models.

“We’ve got a fairly heavily

skewed, male 40+ year-old

market that buy Octavia and

Superb, generally speaking,” he said.

“So we now start talking to a much

younger market and we start talking to

hopefully more female buyers and do all the

things that every mature brand must do.”

On paper at least, the company’s smallest

model stacks up well when compared to

some of its other closest rivals – including

the Mazda2, Fiesta, Toyota Yaris, Swift and

Hyundai i20.

A substantial facelift for the 2010 model

year in Europe brought with it the addition of

the spunky 77TSI engine that can also be found

in various VW Polo and Golf models, and it is

this engine which powers the local line-up.

At 77kW, the power output of the

diminutive 1.2-litre turbo four-cylinder

puts the little Skoda at the pointy end of

the fi eld, while peak torque of 175Nm

(achieved between 1500 and 4100rpm) is

substantially higher than all comers bar the

Polo, which it equals.

This is the sole powerplant option

currently available in the Australian line-up

and is matched exclusively to a fi ve-speed

manual transmission.

A seven-speed DSG semi-automatic

version will join the range in the fi rst quarter of

next year, alongside the more spacious wagon

and crackling RS 132 hot-

hatch, which shares much of

its lineage with the Polo GTI.

Claimed fuel consumption

of 5.5 litres per 100km is also enough to

eclipse all bar the Swift – which it equals –

and its 315 litres of boot space make it as

commodious as many members of the bigger

small-car segment.

The car’s 45-litre fuel tank means it has –

on paper at least – a combined-cycle driving

range of 800km.

The gutsy little engine can haul the

1120kg Fabia to 100km/h in a claimed 10.1

seconds, while CO2 emissions are a low 128

grams per kilometre.

Standard equipment on the base model

77TSI includes 15-inch steel wheels, an

eight-speaker MP3 compatible sound

system with auxiliary input, tinted windows,

air-conditioning, a leather steering wheel

with audio and phone controls, Bluetooth

connectivity, cruise control with trip

computer, front foglights, height- and reach-

adjustable steering wheel, movable centre

front arm rest and heated door mirrors.

Typically of the Volkswagen group, there

is also a fair choice of optional extras,

including 15-inch alloy wheels, rear parking

sensors, an audio USB cable, electric sunroof

and climate-control air-conditioning.

Meanwhile, the Monte Carlo gets

standard 16-inch black alloy wheels and

alloy sports pedals, privacy glass, menacing

black exterior highlights on the roof, wheel-

arches, grille and foglight surrounds, sports

seats with bigger bolsters and a sportier

steering wheel (which unfortunately loses

the audio and phone controls of the 77TSI).

FULL STORY: CLICK HEREDRIVE IMPRESSIONS: CLICK HERE

PRICING:77TSI $18,990

Monte Carlo 77TSI $21,990

Sept 28, 2011 Page 8

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DEALERS WANTED

MOTORS JOYLONGLeaping forward

Climb aboard with the worlds’ most exciting brands, ready to launch early 2012. This is a multi-franchise opportunity, which will continue to expand with new product in the future.

Applications close at the end of October, please email your expression of interest to info@wmcgroup.com.au

Roomster Roomster for morefor more

By MIKE COSTELLOSKODA Australia is set to give the oddball

Roomster mini-MPV another crack on the

local market from the fi rst quarter of next

year – around the same time as it adds

automatic DSG, hot RS and spacious wagon

variants to its Fabia light-size car range.

Once it rejoins the line-up, Skoda

Australia will be represented by members

of each of the fi ve different model ranges

offered by the brand overseas.

The quirky people-mover, based on a

unique front-wheel drive light-car platform

that uses the front end of the previous

Volkswagen Polo and the rear axle from

the previous-generation Volkswagen Golf,

formed part of the Czech company’s

inaugural Australian line-up in October 2007.

The brand went on to sell just 233 units

over a three-year period before swinging

the axe and deleting it from its line-up in

November 2010.

While the previous iteration of the little

MPV was powered here by either a 1.6-litre

petrol or 1.9-litre turbo-diesel (the latter

a manual-only proposition), the returning

model will rely exclusively on the 1.2-litre

TSI engine also used in the brand’s Fabia

and Yeti models.

The little turbo engine, which can also

be found in the Volkswagen Polo and Golf,

produces 77kW and 175Nm and will be

matched to both a fi ve-speed manual and

seven-speed DSG transmission. Somewhat

surprisingly, no diesel variant will be offered.

Skoda Australia’s product marketing

manager Petr Beneda told GoAuto the returning

Roomster would be aggressively priced.

Considering the brand announced this

week that it will be selling the 77TSI version

of the Yeti compact SUV from $26,290,

the Roomster looks certain to undercut its

own previous entry-level petrol pricing of

$26,990 – with the new starting price most

likely to be somewhere close to $23,000.

Its clever ‘VarioFlex’ fi ve-seat interior

has three separate, sliding, reclining and

individually removable rear seats that can

also be confi gured to achieve a four-, three-

or two-seat cabin arrangement.

Cargo space is also a big drawcard, 509 litres

available with all rear seats in place, rising to a

large 1810 litres with all of them removed.

Despite its resemblance to a light-

commercial vehicle, the Roomster managed

to attain a fi ve-star Euro NCAP safety rating.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

Quirky mini-MPV set to return to Skoda’s local line-up from early 2012

Sept 28, 2011 Page 9

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New Volkswagen Sales ManagerThe Norris Motor Group has an exciting opportunity for an experienced professional to lead the sales team at our Volkswagen dealership in Kedron.

Brand new state of the art dealership

Fantastic high traffic location

Exciting high growth franchise

Attractive Salary & Package

The successful applicant will have a proven track record in motor dealership sales management with skills in training and motivating a customer and volume orientated sales team. A hands on approach with a focus on profitability and high CSI are essential.

Norris Motor Group has been established for 27 years and is one of Queensland's largest privately owned motor dealer companies with 12 franchises at 7 locations. To arrange a confidential interview please forward your resume to our Company Secretary, Brian Hannan. email:- bhannan@nmg.com.au

NORRIS MOTOR GROUP VOLKSWAGEN NVW168280_0911

By BYRON MATHIOUDAKIS in FRANKFURT

VOLKSWAGEN has released more

details of the Up light car that is set for a

late 2012 launch in Australia.

The new fi ve-door version unveiled at

this month’s Frankfurt motor show will

most likely be released soon after the three-

door Up in Australia, where it will take on

four and fi ve-door competitors such as the

Suzuki Alto, Nissan Micra, Holden Barina

Spark and Proton S16.

The company is keen to establish the Up

as a key player in the sub-$15,000 end of

the light car class and has emphasised that

the newcomer will be a volume proposition,

not just a small-time niche fi ller.

“We recognise that if we want to

release the best-selling Up then it has to

be the fi ve-door model,” said Volkswagen

Group Australia managing director Anke

Koeckler. “It is too early to say right now

(but) I think we will launch with the three-

door hatch fi rst.”

With the styling overseen by

Volkswagen Group design boss Walter de

Silva and brand manager Klaus Bischoff,

the production Up three-door hatch is

remarkably slippery despite its boxy

shape, returning an aero value of 0.32Cd.

VW says the little car’s environmental

impact over its lifetime is 21 per cent lower

than its Brazilian-built Fox predecessor,

which was not sold in Australia.

Weighing in as low as 929kg, the

Slovakian-built Up has only been confi rmed

in aforementioned hatchback guises.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

VW reveals more infoon Up-coming city car

Cross Up

Yeti slashedYeti slashed

Skoda SUV gets $2400 price cut ahead of local launchMIKE COSTELLO

BEFORE it has even been launched on the

local market, Skoda has dropped the starting

price of its Yeti compact SUV range by $2400.

The Czech company initially announced

a $28,690 starting price when it made its

public debut at the Australian International

Motor Show in July, but last week said the

Yeti range would now start at $26,290 when

it is launched here next month.

This price, which does not include on-road

costs, applies to the entry-level 77TSI front-

wheel drive variant, which is powered by the

same turbocharged 1.2-litre engine already

found in the recently-released Fabia, as well

as the Volkswagen Polo and Golf.

The company said it had been engaged

in talks with head offi ce for some time

about getting the price down to a level that

undercuts similarly-sized competitors in the

bustling compact SUV segment – one of the

few segments this year to exhibit year-on-

year growth.

Head of Skoda Australia Matthew Wiesner

said the brand was “serious about having a

crack in there amongst those Asian brands

that pretty much dominate that 2WD market”.

The revised starting price means the

quirky compact will undercut two-wheel

drive variants of rivals such as the Hyundai

ix35 (from $26,990), Kia Sportage (from

$26,720), Nissan X-Trail (from $28,490)

and Toyota RAV4 (from $28,990).

Mr Wiesner said the majority of Yeti

enquiries so far had been toward the four-

wheel drive variant, which will powered by

a gutsier turbo-diesel engine with 103kW

and 320Nm of peak torque between 1750

and 2500rpm.

“We’ve seen a lot of enquiry … which

has been quite heavily four wheel-drive

skewed,” he said.

“We’ve also been watching the reaction

in regards to the two-wheel drive, and yes

there’s been activity, but probably not as

strong as we’d have liked.

“The compact SUV segment is probably

60 per cent 4WD and 40 per cent 2WD at

the moment, but it’s evolving.

“We’ve been watching that pretty

carefully and we think we have a pretty

strong opportunity there in the two wheel-

drive segment.”

Pricing for the top-spec 103TDI all-wheel

drive Yeti remains unchanged at $35,690,

making it exactly $1000 cheaper than the

closely related Volkswagen Tiguan with the

same engine, but $1700 more expensive

than the entry-level 125TSI four-wheel

drive Tiguan variant.

Mr Wiesner said the late addition of the

Fabia light car and the Yeti compact SUV to

the Skoda range should help the brand almost

double last year’s sales tally of 1652 units.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

Sept 28, 2011 Page 10

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The Australian Automobile Dealers AssociationPresents the Annual NADA Convention Study Tour

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Wild new hatch showsthere’s plenty of life yetin venerable Opel baby

Opel still on CorsaOpel still on Corsa

By MARTON PETTENDYIT MAY be the oldest member of the Opel

model family that will go on sale in Australia

by October next year, but a full-house OPC

Nurburgring Edition hot-hatch proves there

is plenty of spark left in the pint-sized Corsa

city-hatch.

Last sold here in previous-generation XC

guise as the 2005 Holden Barina, Opel’s latest

Corsa was released in Europe in 2006, before

it received a substantial mechanical upgrade in

2010 and a cosmetic makeover earlier this year.

Opel Australia has confi rmed the standard

Corsa will be offered here in both three-

and fi ve-door body styles, powered initially

only by a naturally aspirated 1.4-litre petrol

engine matched with fi ve-speed manual and

four-speed automatic transmissions.

The mainstream models will be a key

part of Opel’s sales ambitions in Australia,

where Holden’s last Opel-based Barina

proved most popular in 2002, when more

than 9000 examples were sold.

Expected to be priced in line with its

most direct European hatch rivals, including

the Volkswagen Polo and Ford Fiesta

(which both start at $16,690 plus on-road

costs), Corsa will command a base price

premium of around $1000 over Holden’s

newest Korean-sourced Barina, which was

launched last week priced from $15,990.

The Corsa’s base 74kW 1.4-litre engine is

worlds away from the high-tech turbo-petrol

four that powers VW’s Polo 1.2 TSI fi ve-

door, which starts at just under $20,000, but

is a good match for the equivalent Polo 1.4

three-door. It is no fi recracker and requires

the fi ve-speed manual to be rowed for best

results on undulating roads.

While cabin presentation is livelier than

the Polo’s darker, more clinical layout, all

touch surfaces are harder to touch than to

look at and there are obvious cost savings

like the wind-up rear windows, while the

low media screen positioning is indicative

of the model’s older design.

Interior packaging is a highlight, with

reasonably comfortable front seats and

relatively good rear legroom appearing to

be on par with the Polo, while the Corsa we

drove also offered competitive noise levels

and ride quality.

The Corsa’s fundamentally solid

chassis is stretched to its limit in the OPC

Nurburgring three-door, however, which

remains perfectly free of steering kick or

rack rattle but produces far more torque

steer under full-throttle applications.

That is understandable because the hottest

ever Corsa, which aims to cash in on Opel’s

long history of developing models (including

all OPC models) at the Nurburgring, swaps

the base model’s 1.4 for a turbocharged 1.6

that delivers no less than 154kW of power

and 250Nm of torque (rising to as much as

280Nm in overboost mode) to the road via a

limited-slip front differential.

That puts the Nurburgring-tuned Corsa

– which packs a retuned turbo and exhaust,

rides on 18-inch alloys and 20mm-shorter

springs, scores four-piston Brembo front

brakes and Bilstein monotube shocks, wears

a unique performance bodykit and features

a range of sports interior extras including

front Recaro seats – in a class of its own at

this end of the market.

The Nurburgring Edition is without doubt

one of the best light-size hot hatches ever,

and also underscores just how good the

German-engineered Corsa remains.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

Corsa OPC Nurburgring

Sept 28, 2011 Page 11

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To apply, please email your resumé (Word format) with a covering letter to: opportunities@kia.com.au or contact Human Resources on (02) 9701 1700. Applications close Thursday 13th October 2011.

Senior Customer Service Representative

Are you an Automot ive Customer Service Prof ess ional?

Kia Motors is one of the world’s fastest growing motor vehicle manufacturers and represented in over 160 countries across the globe. An exciting opportunity has arisen reporting to the Customer Service Supervisor, based in the Head Of ce at Homebush.

This integral role will present the successful candidate with many diverse challenges in a fast-paced and dynamic environment. Within this role you will effectively assist the management of all aspects of customer care and communication, working with internal departments and customer service call centre staff to provide optimal customer service to Kia owner’s and Kia Dealers.

Some of your key responsibilities will include:

• Provide expert technical assistance to customer service team members.

• Manage and assist in resolving cases escalated from the Customer Service Representatives, assist the CSR’s in technical information.

• Management of any goodwill applications through to approval ensuring correct guidelines have been followed.

• Ef cient resolution of customer complaints.

• Liaison internally, to obtain best possible outcome/solution.• Establishment and maintenance of comprehensive case

records ( les) electronically and hard copy.• Liaison with Kia dealers regarding resolution of their customer

issues, as appropriate.• Assist in the maintenance of the Kia Customer Database to

ensure the most recent and correct data is retained.

To be successful for this role you will have the following skills and experience:

• Automotive technical experience.• After Sales &/or Warranty experience.• Experience in a call centre or customer service environment.• Excellent computer skills (Microsoft Pro ciency).• Previous experience in Seibel/SAP would be an advantage.• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.• Problem analysing and problem solving skills.• Good Time Management and Organising skills.• Ability to work unsupervised and as part as a team.• Creativity and con ict management.

• Full-time Permanent Position (Mon-Fri)

Turbo and sedan modelsunder consideration asHolden eyes light leader

Barina’s Sonic waveBarina’s Sonic wave

By BYRON MATHIOUDAKISHOLDEN is hoping to make the new Barina

range a light-car segment sales leader with

an expanded model line-up that will include

a sedan and 1.4-litre turbo SRi-style variants

over the next 18 months.

But while the three-box four-door,

which fi rst aired at the Detroit motor show

in January, is due on sale here by about

February 2012, the anticipated CDTi turbo-

diesel as offered in Europe is not on the

horizon for Australia at all for now.

Plus, the long-awaited automatic version

of the new Barina’s sibling – the virtually

unrelated MJ Barina Spark – is at least

another year away from seeing the light of

day despite approaching its fi rst birthday

solely with a fi ve-speed manual gearbox.

Furthermore, the new TM-series Barina

– which was launched last week with a

higher $15,990 starting price – will have

a staggered start in Australia after its

November 1 national release.

This is due to severe stock constraints

from the Barina’s Korean manufacturing

plant, as a result of the model’s global

rollout and subsequent strong demand from

larger light-car markets.

In Europe, the Barina is sold as the

Chevrolet Aveo while in the United States

– where the car is assembled using mostly

Korean-sourced parts – it wears the

Chevrolet Sonic badge.

However, while it is a sporty version

of the latter that lifts the lid on Holden’s

intentions for a long-awaited Barina hot-

hatch, do not expect to see it on Australian

soil before 2013 at the earliest.

In America, the hotter Sonic is powered by

a variation of the 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine

that lurks under the bonnet of Holden’s well-

received Australian-made JH Cruze.

Outputs are 103kW of power and 200Nm

of torque, compared with the new Barina’s

85kW and 155kW, pushing the Chevy to

100km/h in 8.2 seconds.

Riding on 17-inch rather than the 15-inch

wheels on our Barina, the Sonic also gets an

electric power steering system.

The small Chevrolet’s vehicle line

director and chief engineer, Joaquin Nuno-

Whelan, said: “The 1.4L turbo saves money

at the gas pump and is a ridiculously fun car

to drive.”

Holden will not publicly confi rm that this

is the drivetrain slated for our sporty Barina

SRi, but sources within the company hint

strongly that is the case.

The last truly sporty Barina sold in

Australia was the SRi version of the German

Opel-sourced XC series, available from

2001 until that series’ demise in late 2005.

It was powered by a 92kW/165Nm

version of GM’s long-lived 1.8-litre Ecotec

four-cylinder petrol engine, driving the front

wheels via a fi ve-speed manual gearbox.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

Sime Darby - with career opportunities as diverse as

the companies we represent.

Driving your future forwardwww.simedarbymotors.com.au/careers

Career OpportunitiesPeugeot Automobiles AustraliaJoining the Sime Darby group of companies means you are part of a global group that employs more than 120,000 people in over 20 countries.

In Australia you’ll be part of an organisation of 200 people representing the sought after brands of Peugeot or Ssangyong as the national importer, or Corefleet, meeting the mining industry’s needs for quality rental vehicles.

Peugeot Automobiles Australia is responsible for the importation, sales, marketing, distribution and technical training/support of the Peugeot brand across Australia.

Technical Advisor (Job code: 2386)Peugeot is a well-known and respected European brand that has significantly grown sales and market share in Australia over recent years. As a result, we are currently seeking a highly competent individual to join our Sydney Head Office team to fill the role of Technical Advisor.

Reporting to the Technical Manager, the key focus of this role is to proactively offer technical assistance to the Peugeot dealer network by ensuring resolution and further education regarding technical matters. In addition, the role is responsible for maximising the effectiveness of technical procedures and reporting, while keeping the relevant Fixed Operations internal staff updated with the latest technical trends and information. The role will also insist on regular liaison with Automobiles Peugeot France and the Technical Assistance Platform.

The successful applicant will have the enthusiasm, drive and commitment to play an important part in meeting the company and dealer network’s technical and service objectives. More importantly, the person will be able to demonstrate success in a similar role, have superior technical competence combined with experience in the latest diesel, electronics and emissions technology, be results-driven and have exceptional verbal and written communication skills.

Experience in an automotive technical role is essential, qualifications in a relevant discipline and European vehicle experience will be highly desirable.

If you possess all the right credentials, then we want to hear from you!

Parts Co-ordinator/Interpreter (Job code: 2443)As part of a prominent international automotive organisation with six operations in the Asia Pacific region, this is a rewarding career opportunity based in Homebush, Sydney that should not be missed.

Reporting to the Parts Operations Manager, the key focus of this role is to ensure that the Peugeot Dealer network is well updated with parts ordering information and to provide proactive parts interpretation. In addition, the role will assist the Parts team with dealer support enquiries, inventory control, credit returns and general parts operational duties.

The successful applicant will have a high level of enthusiasm, drive and commitment. More importantly, the person will be able to demonstrate success in a similar role, be results-driven and have exceptional telephone, verbal and written communication skills. Exposure to parts in the automotive industry is essential. Qualifications in a relevant discipline are highly desirable.

For more information about these roles, and to apply, visit the below website and search for the relevant Job Code.

Sept 28, 2011 Page 13

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Toyota reveals midlifefacelift for iconic hybridwell ahead of Oz launch

Prius update previewPrius update preview

By MARTON PETTENDY TOYOTA has announced full details of

its new-look 2012 Prius in the US, up to

six months before the midlife facelift for

the world’s best-selling hybrid becomes

available in Australia.

Released Stateside on September 16

following its global debut at the Frankfurt

motor show three days earlier, the fi rst

upgrade for the third-generation Prius

that went on sale here in July 2009 brings

revised frontal styling and extra standard

equipment, but no increase in effi ciency.

Toyota Australia has confi rmed to GoAuto

that the cosmetic upgrades – including

updated headlights and tail-lights, a new

grille and front bumper, and LED daytime

running lights for most variants – will apply

to the 2012 version that will be released here

in the fi rst quarter of next year.

However, the pioneering petrol-electric

model’s fuel consumption remains unchanged

at 3.9L/100km, meaning the Prius continues

to be less fuel-effi cient than conventional

diesel-powered Europeans including Ford’s

benchmark-setting Fiesta Econetic light

hatch (3.7L/100km) and Volkswagen’s Golf

BlueMotion small hatch (3.8L/100km).

It remains to be seen how much of the

extra standard features announced for North

America will be made available in Australia,

where just two Prius models are available.

Currently opening the range here is the

base Prius at $34,990 plus on-road costs

(following a $6000 price cut in April), while

the fl agship Prius i-Tech costs from $45,990

– $7500 less than in April.

Five Prius variants are sold in the US,

where more than a million examples have

found homes since 2000 – almost half the

global total of 2.3 million since 1997.

North America’s entry-level ‘Prius One’

brings no extra standard features, the Prius

Two gains new 15-inch wheel covers and

LED running lights, Prius Three buyers

score keyless entry/starting and the Prius

Four now offers auto on/off headlights,

eight-way power driver’s seat adjustment

and new ‘SofTex’ seat trim.

While all Prius models in Australia

already come with 15-inch alloy wheels,

keyless entry/starting and eight speakers,

most 2012 US models also receive

infotainment upgrades.

Prius Two features a new Display

Audio touch-screen system with 6.1-

inch screen, six speakers, MP3/WMA

playback capability, Bluetooth/USB/aux-in

connectivity and audio streaming.

Prius Three adds satellite-navigation and a

reversing camera (both of which are optional

on the base Prius and standard on the Prius

i-Tech here), while North America’s Prius

Four gains eight JBL GreenEdge speakers

and an eight-channel JBL amplifi er, plus

the Deluxe Solar Roof Package, which is

standard in Australia’s Prius i-Tech.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

Sept 28, 2011 Page 14

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Mahindra, Geely fail to impress in crash tests asMicra scores only four

Emerging problemsEmerging problems

By TERRY MARTINTHE safety of motor vehicles from

emerging markets has again come under

scrutiny with the Indian-built Mahindra

Pik-Up utility receiving a two-star rating,

and the Chinese-built Geely MK light car

achieving only three stars out of fi ve, in the

latest Australasian New Car Assessment

Program (ANCAP) results.

The independent crash-test authority has

also handed down a four-star rating for the

Nissan Micra, which falls short of fi ve-star

performers now commonly found across the

light-car class, such as the newly released

Holden Barina, Hyundai Accent, Honda

Jazz, Suzuki Swift, Mazda2 and Ford Fiesta.

ANCAP chairman Lauchlan McIntosh last

week repeated the call for new-car buyers

to check ANCAP ratings before purchasing

and to consider the fact that fi ve-star-rated

vehicles are now increasingly available.

“These results show that, while we are

seeing an increasing number of fi ve-star

vehicles in Australia, there are still new cars

coming onto the market with considerably

lower ratings which provide less crash

protection for drivers and passengers,” Mr

McIntosh said.

“While motorists have a wide range of

models available at different pricing points –

and at different safety levels irrespective of

price – the ANCAP safety assessment is a vital

and valuable aid in the selection of a new car.”

The Hyundai i20 is the only Indian-built

vehicle on the Australian market with a fi ve-

star ANCAP rating – Suzuki’s Alto, also

from India, has achieved four stars – while

the Pik-Up’s two-star rating is the same as

when tested in 2008, despite an upgrade in

2009 which brought dual front airbags, front

seatbelt pretensioners and standard fi tment

of ABS brakes.

There are no Chinese-built vehicles at

fi ve-star level, with the Chery J1 light car

recently given a three-star rating and Great

Wall’s V240 utility and X240 SUV earning

two and four stars respectively.

Great Wall’s SA220 ute also scored a poor

two stars before being discontinued last

year, while Chery’s J11 SUV and the new J3

small car are still to be tested.

The Pik-Up’s overall score of 16.49

points (out of 37) is exactly the same as

the previous model, despite the extra safety

equipment now onboard.

ANCAP said there was a high risk of

life-threatening head and neck injury in

the frontal offset crash test – in which the

Pik-Up scored a mere 2.39 out of a possible

16 points – after the passenger compartment

lost structural integrity.

It also noted there was a high risk of serious

head, leg and foot injury for the driver.

Among a number of worrying aspects of

the vehicle’s performance in the test, the

airbag was still deploying when the driver’s

head contacted it, which increased the risk

of serious head and neck injury.

The accelerator pedal also moved 298mm

rearward and 137mm upward, while the

steering wheel hub moved 62mm rearward,

104mm upward and 18mm sideways.

In comparison, the fi ve-star-rated

Volkswagen Amarok utility’s accelerator

pedal moved 44mm rearward and 19mm

downward, while the steering wheel hub

moved 56mm forward, 11mm downward

and 3mm sideways.

The Pik-Up was awarded a default score

of 16 out of 16 in the side impact crash

test. The regulation test does not apply to

vehicles with such high seating positions,

and ANCAP assessors noted that this sort of

vehicle typically performs well.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

Mahindra Pik-Up

Geely MK

Sime Darby - with career opportunities as diverse as

the companies we represent.

Driving your future forwardwww.simedarbymotors.com.au/careers

Sime Darby Ssangyong Australia Joining the Sime Darby group of companies means you are part of a global group that employs more than 120,000 people in over 20 countries.In Australia you’ll be part of an organisation of 200 people representing the sought after brands of Peugeot or Ssangyong as the national importer, or Corefleet, meeting the mining industry’s needs for quality rental vehicles. Sime Darby Ssangyong is responsible for the importation, sales, marketing, distribution and technical training/support of the Ssangyong brand across Australia.

Company Accountant We are currently seeking an experienced, motivated and results oriented Company Accountant to join our Ssangyong business, based in Homebush, Sydney.

Reporting to the Commercial and Compliance Manager, your key responsibilities will include: Preparation and review of monthly management accounts, quarterly group packages and schedules and uploading/entering results into the group reporting system Ensure Month End procedures are followed and accounts produced to deadlines Manage and co-ordinate activities of the general accounting function Ensure all accounts and records are maintained correctly and accurately reflect the financial position of the companyMaintain the integrity of the general ledgers through ensuring prompt, full and detailed reconciliation of all balance sheet accounts monthlyEnsure compliance with all internal control policies and assisting in their development as appropriate Effectively liaise and communicate with other departments in a manner that ensures work is carried out in the most efficient and effective professional manner and company objectives are achievedProactively develop and assist with the implementation of business improvement initiatives and benchmark practices and procedures directed at enhancing business efficiencies and outcomes

To be successful in this role, you will have: CPA/CA qualification combined with an appropriate tertiary degree Ideally, a minimum of five years work experience in a similar role or in an equivalent senior finance position Extensive computer skills, particularly MS Excel Extensive financial and management accounting knowledge, both principle and practice Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to interact with all levels of the business management Attention to detail The ability to be a self-starter and to work autonomously as well as being a team playerStrong time management and planning skills

Whilst not prerequisites, automotive industry experience and knowledge of the AS400 system platform would be a distinct advantage. This is an excellent opportunity to further develop your career with an internationally respected brand.

For more information about this role, and to apply, visit the below website and search for Job Code 2385

Sept 28, 2011 Page 16

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Figures reveal extent of Holden and Nissan franchise restrictions

By JOHN MELLORGM HOLDEN and Nissan Australia have

prevented their dealers from taking on

Chinese vehicle franchises for at least 18

months, GoAuto has learned.

Industry sources said Holden has

prevented the 250-odd dealers in its national

retail network from taking on the Great Wall

brand since April 2010, despite many Holden

dealers wanting to represent Great Wall and

other Chinese brands during that time.

The news follows GoAuto’s exclusive

report earlier this month that the Chinese

embassy in Canberra was investigating what

it saw as deliberate exclusion of Chinese

cars from Australian dealerships holding

other franchises – a report Holden described

as “curious” given that 16 of its dealers also

represented Great Wall.

Holden says about 60 per cent of its dealers

are multi-franchised, but no Holden dealers

currently represent Chery in Australia,

despite a number showing interest in taking

on the brand, which – like Great Wall – is

distributed in Australia by Ateco Automotive.

GoAuto can also now reveal that the only

two Holden dealers that formed part of the

initial 45-dealer national sales network

established to represent Chery in February

relinquished their representation of the brand

within three months of commencement.

“There isn’t anything further to add beyond

our previous response,” said GM Holden

director of external communications Emily

Perry when asked why no Holden dealer also

represented Chery and why no Holden dealer

has taken on Great Wall for 18 months.

“The Holden dealer agreements include

very clear obligations on both sides, as we

explained.”

When asked to comment prior to

publication of our article ‘China reacts’

earlier this month, Ms Perry said: “We are a

bit curious about the position John (Mellor)

has taken in the story given we actually have

16 multi-franchise Holden dealers who also

have Great Wall in their portfolio.”

At Nissan, GoAuto understands that some

80 per cent Japanese brand’s 190 dealers in

Australia are multi-franchised and represent

a variety of brands including others from

Japan, as well as Korea and Europe.

However, only seven Nissan dealers

also represent Great Wall on the same

site nationally and no Nissan dealer has

been able to add Great Wall to their brand

portfolio since December 2009.

We understand that no Nissan dealer

holds the Chery franchise, although some

Nissan dealers are bringing family members

out of retirement to start separate corporate

entities in different locations to test Nissan’s

determination and legal resources to get its

way on Chinese franchise bans.

“We received 27 applications for new

franchises last fi nancial year and we approved

about half,” Nissan Australia’s head of

corporate communications Jeff Fisher told

us. “Of that, a third were Chinese.”

John Hughes, the owner of Perth-based

importer Chinese Automotive Distributors,

which is responsible for Geely and the

forthcoming ZX Auto brand in Australia,

told GoAuto that no Holden dealers have the

Geely franchise, from which “you can draw

your own conclusions”.

He said that two Nissan dealers have

applied for the Geely franchise but it is

understood they are yet to approach Nissan

about their intentions.

The managing director of WMC Group,

Jason Pecotic, said he was currently

fi nalising franchise appointments for Foton

over the next month or so but had yet to hear

if there were problems.

Foton is the third Chinese brand to be

signed up by WMC Group, which also holds

the Australia distribution rights for JAC trucks

and passenger vehicles and Higer buses.

As GoAuto reported exclusively earlier

this month, WMC is also preparing to bring

China’s Joylong brand to Australia.

“There are a few dealers in our Foton

appointments who have Holden dealerships

and lots who have Nissan dealerships,” he said.

“It will be interesting in the next four to

fi ve weeks to see which ones have issues

with other manufacturers.”

Mr Pecotic said the fi rst two Foton

vehicles will land in Australia for inspection

in November before full-scale production

starts in China, ahead of the Foton one-

tonne ute’s Australian launch in February.

Chinese roadblockChinese roadblock

Banned: No Holden or Nissan dealer has been given permission to represent Chery in Australia

Sept 28, 2011 Page 17

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GoAuto NewsJohn Mellor’s

120NEW CARS ARE SOLD EVERY HOURAre you increasing your market share?

www.blueflag.com.au

By HAITHAM RAZAGUIDIGITAL radio has made a further baby-

step towards permeating the Australian car

market, becoming standard kit on high-end

Audi A8 limousines and featuring on the

options list across the brand’s A6, A7 and

entry-level A8 models.

Audi’s fl agship A8 models with 4.2-

litre petrol or diesel V8 engines now come

standard with a DAB+ digital radio tuner that

also incorporates a digital television receiver,

while buyers of the entry-level A8 3.0-litre

TDI must specify it as an option along with a

Bose sound system upgrade for $7500.

On the A6 sedan the digital radio and TV

combination costs $3130, with A7 Sportback

buyers charged $3180 for the privilege.

Audi Australia corporate communications

executive Sean Poppitt told GoAuto the

technology will eventually be rolled out

across the brand’s entire range and hinted

that the Q7 SUV and A5 Sportback were

likely candidates to receive it next.

He added that the technology will

“trickle down” as it becomes more common

and affordable, but at the moment it is

not cost-effective to offer it on relatively

inexpensive models like the A1.

In May this year, BMW became the fi rst

manufacturer to offer DAB+ digital radios

in Australian-delivered cars, adding it as a

circa-$900 extra to the options list of its 5,

6 and 7 Series ranges.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

Audi tunes into latest digital radio technologyAudi specialsAudi specials

By HAITHAM RAZAGUIAUDI has followed up the TT RS S Tronic

special edition – an exclusive-to-Australia

variant limited to 45 examples that debuted

at the Melbourne motor show in July – with

Oz-only limited editions of its RS5 coupe

and R8 supercar, both of which get extra kit.

On sale now, the new specials have small

allocations of just 25 for the RS5 and 10

for the R8, with the latter sold as a Carbon

Edition package available across Coupe and

Spyder versions of the supercar with either

the 4.2-litre V8 or the 5.2-litre V10 engine.

The RS5 limited edition will be available

only in Ibis White, Phantom Black or

Suzuka Grey and gets titanium fi nish 20-inch

alloys wheels with fi ve-spoke ‘rotor’ design

complemented by a black exterior styling

package comprising gloss-black grille and

exhaust tips plus matte-black window frames.

Also part of the package are a sports

exhaust, panoramic glass roof, Bang &

Olufsen sound system upgrade, memory

function for the electronically adjustable

driver’s seat and folding exterior mirrors

with dimming function.

Those extras, valued at $13,610, are offered

at no extra cost over the RS5’s $175,300 sticker

price but “uncompromising” customers will

also be able to specify special one-piece racing

style RS bucket seats at a discounted rate.

New to the RS5 options list and available

on the limited edition is a $4750 sports

suspension package featuring single-tube

gas-fi lled shock absorbers, coil springs

and Dynamic Ride Control, which Audi

says improves handling by mechanically

reducing pitch and yaw movements “without

any lag” while offering comfort, dynamic or

automatic operation modes.

The RS5’s hand-built 4.2-litre naturally

aspirated V8 revs to 8500rpm and delivers

peak power of 331kW with 430Nm of

torque that is channelled to the road through

a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and

all-wheel drive system.

The standing-start sprint to 100km/h

takes a claimed 4.6 seconds on the way to an

electronically limited 250km/h (optionally

extendable to 280km/h).

The R8 Carbon Edition package

comprises carbon-fi bre accoutrements

including the front spoiler, rear diffuser,

‘side blade’ air scoops, door mirror housings

and (illuminated) door sills.

It also includes titanium-fi nished 19-inch

alloy wheels with fi ve twin-spokes and a black

exterior styling package, adding up to $38,100

of additional value in return for a $10,900

premium over the cost of the base car.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

Limited-run variants of RS5 and R8 inspired by TT

Sept 28, 2011 Page 18

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By BYRON MATHIOUDAKISMERCEDES-BENZ hopes the newly

released C204 C-class Coupe will take

over where the popular CL203 CLC/Sport

Coupe hatch left off in Australia, luring

new and younger buyers to the 125-year

old marque, mostly from other brands.

Four years late but well-specifi ed and

keenly priced, the German luxury icon’s latest

two-door four-seater coupe is also expected

to attract a different type of buyer than the

C207 E-class Coupe, released in 2009,

which shares much of its underpinnings.

This is despite some overlapping

engine and pricing elements, as well as

broadly similar sizing. Both models are a

development of the W204 C-class sedan

architecture, although the E-class Coupe

is roughly $30,000 dearer than its C-class

Coupe equivalent.

The last of the old CLC hatches –

launched in August 2008 and sourced from

Brazil – are being sold now.

According to Mercedes-Benz Australia/

Pacifi c senior manager for corporate

communications David McCarthy, no

customer-cannibalisation is expected,

except perhaps in the upper reaches of the

C-class Coupe range.

The highly specifi ed $99,900 C350

Coupe’s 225kW/370Nm 3.5-litre direct-

injection V6 may sway potential buyers

away from the similarly priced but

signifi cantly less powerful E250 Coupe

base model, which kicks off from $95,900.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

Mercedes expects coupewill lure younger buyersBMW model blitzBMW model blitz

New 3 Series and 1 Series hatch to lead fi ghtbackBy RON HAMMERTON

THE arrival in Australia of the facelifted

1 Series Coupe and Convertible ranges

– including the potent new M Coupe –

marks the start of a hectic 12-month launch

program that will involve major and much-

needed makeovers for some of the German

marque’s top-selling passenger cars.

BMW’s new-model infl ux will begin at

the more affordable end with the arrival of

the second-generation 1 Series hatchback in

October, followed early next year by another

all-new core model in the redesigned 3 Series.

Further up the price range and between

those arrivals, BMW Australia will release

a stylish new 6 Series Coupe, some new

engines for the Z4 sportscar and additions to

the mid-sized 5 Series range – including the

new fi fth-generation M5 fi re-breather.

Further down the track, the new four-

door 6 Series Gran Coupe is due in the third

quarter of 2012, before mighty new M6

models arrive in 2013.

It all adds up to new-model momentum for

BMW, which has been increasingly reliant

on its ‘X’ SUVs, particularly the new X3 and

X1, for the bulk of its sales in recent times.

So far this year, BMW sales have traced

the decline of the overall market, down 5.6

per cent, even though X3 sales are up 103.7

per cent and X1 is up 31.6 per cent.

As well, the newest of its passenger

sedans, the 5 Series, has found new form,

with sales so far this year almost doubling

to 931 units and taking the fi ght up to the

class-leading Mercedes E-class.

But BMW’s perennial top-seller, the seven-

year-old 3 Series, is suffering the ravages of

time, sliding 18.3 per cent this year, while the

1 Series Hatch is down 20.1 per cent. The 3

Series coupe/convertible sportscar range has

fared even worse, down 33.2 per cent.

The cavalry is on its way, however. The

new fi ve-door 1 Series hatch will be fi rst

cab off the rank, with a ground-up new

model coming next month, offering a choice

of three four-cylinder engines – two 1.6-

litre petrol and one 1.8-litre diesel – and

two transmissions: a six-speed manual and

unprecedented (in the class) eight-speed auto.

As BMW has already announced,

pricing will start from a sharp $36,900

(plus on-roads) – well down on the current

cheapest ‘1’, the $39,000 116i.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

Sept 28, 2011 Page 19

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GoAuto NewsJohn Mellor’s

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Toyota Australia engineers to lead chassis tuning for next-generation global ute

Aussie touch for HiLuxAussie touch for HiLux

By RON HAMMERTONTOYOTA Australia will have a bigger say

in the development of the next-generation

Toyota HiLux light truck due in about 2014,

with local engineers being nominated to head

the chassis tuning for the Asia-Pacifi c region.

The input from the Melbourne-based

Toyota Technical Centre will ensure that

advanced safety features such as electronic

stability control will be a certainty across

the range next time around, helping the top-

selling Toyota match new arrivals on the

market such as the all-new Ford Ranger,

Mazda BT-50 and Volkswagen Amarok.

The Japanese chief engineer for the

eighth-generation HiLux recently visited

Australia on a fact-fi nding mission, touring

remote mines, farms and other places where

HiLux has been a favourite in the harshest

conditions for more than 40 years.

Toyota Australia senior executive

director of sales and marketing David

Buttner said: “We took him all over the

place and showed him as much as we could

about HiLux in this market.”

Australia is one of Toyota’s most

successful hunting grounds for HiLux,

consuming about 10 per cent of global

production in 2010, and about 700,000

units in total since the fi rst generation was

launched 43 years ago.

This success has been a major factor

in driving Toyota to number one among

automotive brands in this country – a fact

not lost on head offi ce planners in Nagoya.

This year, HiLux is Toyota’s biggest-

selling model in Australia, topping the sales

charts outright in Queensland, Western

Australia and Northern Territory.

The next vehicle is in the early stages of

development, with the current model destined

to hold the fort for at least three more years.

Launched in 2005, the existing model has

just been given a mid-life facelift, with fresh

face, revised model line-up that includes seven

more diesel variants and improved value.

But with all-new rivals on the launch

pad from Ford, Mazda, Holden and Isuzu

and a rising threat from a raft of Chinese

manufacturers, including Great Wall, Foton

and ZX Auto, Toyota dealers will be looking

forward to a total makeover of the HiLux to

reset the benchmark in Toyota’s favour, as

the current model did six years ago.

Toyota Australia’s bid to have more input

in the development of the next model would

have been done no harm by the local input

into the new-generation Yaris, with Toyota

Australia engineers spending up to 18

months working alongside their head offi ce

counterparts in Japan to fi netune the new

model that is due to arrive Down Under in

the fi nal quarter of this year.

Toyota Australia corporate manager,

product planning division Greg Gardner

told GoAuto at last week’s launch of the

facelifted HiLux that Aussie input into Yaris

had paid big dividends, with the Australian

engineers heading off issues that could have

ended up affecting sales here.

He said one of the changes concerned

the new electric power-assisted steering,

with the Australian engineers coming

down in favour of a European steering

box for the Australian model instead of a

Japanese unit.

The issue was picked up in testing at the

Japanese proving ground, and solved relatively

easily at that early stage by upgrading to the

European version for just $80 a unit.

Mr Gardner revealed that the Toyota

Technical Centre, located in suburban

Notting Hill in Melbourne’s east, had been

nominated to head up the chassis tuning for

next-gen HiLux utes destined for the Asia-

Pacifi c region – a fi rst in HiLux development.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

Sept 28, 2011 Page 20

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HAITHAM RAZAGUIGORDON Murray Design (GMD) has

produced a fully functional ultra-light

two-seater electric sportscar prototype on

commission from Japanese chemical fi rm

and carbon-fi bre specialist Toray.

Remarkably, the 3975mm long, 1765mm

wide Teewave AR.1 roadster’s 850kg weight

includes a 240kg, 16kWh lithium-ion battery

pack that can be fully charged in six hours

and provides a claimed 186km range.

The one-off Teewave is some 400kg

lighter than the conceptually similar

Tesla Roadster, but it is no fi recracker,

completing the sprint from rest to 100km/h

in a comparatively leisurely 11.4 seconds

on the way to a 147km/h maximum speed.

Its mid-mounted 47kW electric motor

– seemingly borrowed from a Mitsubishi

iMiEV but with bespoke “architecture

and control units” – provides the rear

wheels with maximum torque of 180Nm

from zero revs.

The result is what GMD quotes as “lively”

0-50km/h acceleration in 4.4 seconds,

although that is still half a second more than

the Tesla takes to reach twice that speed.

However, the Teewave’s CO2 emissions

are a low 31.4 grams per kilometre when

measured using the Japan energy mix cycle.

Ex-Formula One and McLaren supercar

designer Gordon Murray – who has

recently been signed up by Lotus as an

adviser – said the Teewave project “proves

that performance through light weight is the

most effi cient and environmentally friendly

way to achieve power-to-weight targets”.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

Gordon Murray ‘does a Tesla’ with plug-in TeewaveJensen comebackJensen comeback

By HAITHAM RAZAGUIFIRST came the born-again Beetle, then

the Mini and Fiat 500, and now another

retro legend is about be revived - the

Jensen Interceptor, a four-seat grand tourer

that was originally produced between

1966 and 1976.

The car’s completed design is claimed to

have already gained “signifi cant customer

interest” and a public unveiling is planned for

late 2012, with fi rst deliveries in 2014 from a

new facility to be built on the site of Jaguar’s

old Browns Lane factory in Coventry.

Unlike most other retro cars on sale, which

are relatively affordable, the re-interpreted

Interceptor promises “ultra-exclusivity”,

with a chassis and handcrafted body made

from aluminium.

No technical details have yet been

announced but the supplied sketches reveal

a thoroughly modern interpretation of the

V8-powered original, but with a longer,

lower, sleeker look.

Rather than succumbing to the nostalgic

styling trend, the designers of the new

Interceptor appear to have imagined what

the model would be like had it stayed in

production and gone through four decades

of development.

The Interceptor’s signature wrap-around

rear windscreen is present and correct, as are

the quad headlamps, slatted radiator grille,

long bonnet, gill-style vents behind the front

wheelarches and chrome Jensen badges on

the C-pillars – but otherwise it is a fresh

design likely to interest would-be Aston

Martin and Maserati buyers.

Owner of the Jensen and Interceptor

brands, Healey Sports Cars Switzerland

Ltd, appointed Coventry-based CPP Global

Holdings – a coachbuilder, which as GoAuto

reported in February, is in the process of

acquiring the Spyker sportscar business from

the Victor Muller-led holding company that

also owns struggling Swedish brand Saab.

In what has been a busy year for CPP,

having also acquired Bowler, which builds

“all-terrain supercars”, the British company

formed a joint-venture with the Italian design

studio that operates the Zagato brand (under

license from the Zagato family) and signed

an agreement to purchase and redevelop the

former Browns Lane Jaguar factory.

HSCS director Liam Cardiff described

CPP as “the perfect partner to revive the

iconic Jensen Interceptor.”

“With the Jensen design team integrated

into an organisation with much greater

resources and broader expertise, our

dream of seeing the Jensen and Interceptor

badges once again adorning the bonnets of

beautiful, modern, British-built GT cars has

come closer to reality.”

CPP founder Brendan O’Toole, who began

his career restoring classic British sportscars,

said he is excited for the company to be taking

the lead role in reviving the Jensen brand and

that the project is at an “advanced stage”.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

Interceptor to be revived and built at old Jaguar plant

Sept 28, 2011 Page 21

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GoAuto NewsJohn Mellor’s

AVC and Web eet have recently merged, consolidating operations to the South Melbourne of ce. With a combined eet in excess of 30,000 vehicles and growing, we are seeking an experienced individual to join our Maintenance Control team.

In addition to coordinating the authorisation process, the successful candidate will be actively involved in account management through direct client contact and the analysis of related information for constant procedural and reporting improvements.

Excellent communication, motivational and time management skills are core requirements of this role. Ideally, you will be a quali ed mechanic with a minimum of either 12 months Fleet Management experience or 2 years experience as a service advisor.

An attractive salary package commensurate with industry experience will be offered to the successful applicant. Please forward your application and resumé to: hr@avc eet.com

Vehicle Maintenance Controller– MELBOURNE OFFICE –

Design software helps to propel Australian auto expertise to world via web

Local designers go globalLocal designers go global

By RON HAMMERTONAUSTRALIAN automotive designers and

engineers are opening doors into overseas

markets such as China, Thailand and India

by using design software that allows them

to work in parallel with their overseas

counterparts in real time over the internet.

Local car-makers Ford and Toyota and

25 major component suppliers are using

the French-developed Dassault Systemes

Catia design software – essentially the

same sophisticated program used to design

Airbus planes – to extend their reach into

international automotive projects.

The software allows engineers at

Australian companies such as automatic

transmission-maker DSI, car interiors

specialist Futuris and electronics supplier

Bosch to work hand-in-hand with car-

maker counterparts anywhere in the world,

speeding up the car design process, saving

millions of dollars and creating more

opportunities for Australian intellectual

property and design prowess.

Because all components are designed on

the same program, they can be assembled

‘virtually’ as the design progresses, with

suppliers and OEMs (original equipment

manufacturers) having access to each other’s

latest design data via the web at any time.

The program’s 3D computer-aided

design (CAD) process is so sophisticated

that it allows the car companies to skip the

traditional, time-consuming hand-made clay

styling ‘buck’ and go straight from a digital

3D mock-up to metal at the prototype and

tooling stages.

The various advances have sliced the

development time of a typical car from

about seven years in the 1980s to about

three to four years now.

Ford Australia is one of the biggest

automotive users of the Dassault software

in Australia, not only turning out local

vehicles such as the Falcon and Territory

on it, but also employing it on a number

of international projects, such as the new-

generation Ranger ute and super-successful

Indian-made Figo light car.

Designers and engineers at Ford’s

Campbellfi eld technical centre are now

using Catia to develop another small car to

be built by Ford in Asia, as well as an SUV

based on the new Ranger’s T6 platform.

The Dassault software, which is also

used to design frigates for the Australian

Navy and countless other products around

the world, is the global standard for Ford,

meaning the company’s engineers and

designers anywhere can all work on vehicle

projects on a common platform without

having to send each other design changes.

Toyota Australia designers in Port

Melbourne also use the software on projects

such as the Fortuner – a Thai-built SUV

based on the HiLux – and a number of other

vehicle design jobs for Toyota subsidiaries

around Asia.

Dassault Systemes Australia managing

director Gilles Cruanes told GoAuto that

a car company would typically buy the

Catia program with 10 to 20 user licences

for major suppliers so their engineers

could work in synchronisation with the car

company during the development.

He said most current automotive design

projects at major companies using the

Dassault software were being done on Catia

Version 5, but BMW had started using the

latest Catia Version 6.

Dassault claims to be the dominant

design software supplier to the global

automotive industry, with about 70 per cent

of manufacturers using it. Among its other

customers are Mercedes-Benz, Renault,

PSA Peugeot-Citroen, Honda and Chrysler.

GM Holden uses rival software from

Siemens for its main design and engineering

work, but does use some Dassault niche

products in design and engineering, as well

as for factory design.

Catia software is not only used to design

cars but also accessories and special vehicles.

For example, Mitsubishi Motors

Australia Ltd uses it to develop aftermarket

accessories produced by suppliers, ensuring

a perfect fi t with the showroom model.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

Ranger digital rendering

Ranger digital rendering

Sept 28, 2011 Page 22

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Court decision helps Saab dodge bankruptcy bullet

Oz remains on target to be second nation to make auto ethanol from waste

GM still talking trashGM still talking trash

By MARTON PETTENDYAUSTRALIA remains on target to

become one of the world’s fi rst nations

to produce ethanol from household

garbage, after domestic waste that would

have headed to a Melbourne landfi ll

was successfully transformed into the

renewable automotive fuel.

Conducted in the US last month, the exercise

was a crucial fi rst test in the viability of an

ambitious plan by an Australian consortium to

establish a $300 million ethanol-from-rubbish

plant outside Melbourne within three years.

The test was conducted by Coskata, the

US biofuel company that plans to licence

Flex Ethanol Australia to use its proprietary

micro-organisms and patented bioreactor

design to turn virtually any carbon-based

waste material – including trash straight

from household rubbish bins – into ethanol.

“They came over and we actually

ran Australian-composed waste from

Melbourne ... through our plant,” said Wes

Bolsen, the chief marketing offi cer and vice-

president of government affairs for Coskata.

“It was a very important test – for the

consortium, for Coskata – because that

gave us the data and information we

needed to be confi dent on the commercial

engineering design.

“The test was extremely successful. The

organisms did exactly what we’ve always

expected them to do, which was convert it

directly into fuel-grade ethanol.

“The Coskata organism really doesn’t

care what the material coming in is. We

call it bug food and it’s really anything

from waste – and that waste was composed

from a lot of different things, from shredded

tyres, wet nappies, food waste – what you’d

see going into land fi ll.

“The great part about it is we’re not only

putting out fuel that is going to be able to go into

the Commodore and other vehicles, but you’re

solving a waste problem at the same time.”

Mr Bolsen, who spoke at the Australian

Alternative Fuels Summit (AAFS) in Brisbane

from August 29-31, told GoAuto that the fi rst

cellulosic ethanol plant outside North America

remains on target for completion by 2014.

“That sounds about right given where

we’re at in 2011,” he said.

“We now need the consortium to fully

form up, and the engineering design on a

project like this runs into the millions and

can take as much as six months just to do

the design of the plant.

“At that point, we’re running this just

like you would any major capital project.

There are stage gates along the way and,

once you’ve completed the full engineering

design and fund the entire project, it takes

as much as two years to build and start up

the facility. This is a multi-hundred-million-

dollar refi nery, so it takes time.”

Mr Bolsen claimed that Victoria’s

pioneering ethanol plant would be the

most effi cient in the world, but said

its fi nal location and cost – previously

announced as $300 million – depended on

the infrastructure available at one of the fi ve

sites currently under investigation.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

By HAITHAM RAZAGUISAAB has won its appeal against a court

decision three weeks ago denying its bid

to enter voluntary administration as a way

of protecting it from creditors.

The ruling gives Saab at least another

three months to secure essential €245 million

($321m) in funding from Chinese companies

Pang Da and Zhejiang Youngman to repay

creditors and resume production.

A media release from the Trollhattan-

based company explains that under

Swedish law an application to enter

voluntary administration cannot be

approved unless there is reasonable cause

to assume the purpose of the reorganisation

will be achieved.

“The Court of Appeal has found that

such conditions exist, thereby overturning

an earlier ruling by the District Court in

Vänersborg, Sweden,” it said.

According to a report in Swedish

newspaper TTELA, the Swedish company

will now implement ‘Operation Cheetah’,

a fast-track program of cost reduction

and effi ciency measures with the aim of

creating short-term stability.

A 15 per cent cost reduction target is said

to require a 25 per cent decrease in fi xed

and variable costs for producing the cars.

Saab personnel and project manager

Johan Formgren told TTELA effi ciency

work had been in progress for a while but

would now be accelerated.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

Saab production

Sept 28, 2011 Page 23

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Cars that drive themselves could be a reality in a city near you within 10 years

Autonomous cars comingAutonomous cars coming

By MARTON PETTENDYAUTONOMOUS vehicles could be driving

themselves on Australian roads within as little

as a decade, according to an expert in the fi eld.

Dr Alberto Broggi, a professor of

computer engineering at Italy’s University

of Parma and CEO of spinoff company

VisLab (Artifi cial Vision and Intelligent

Systems Laboratory), told GoAuto that

automated vehicles would be a “killer”

development in Australia.

Speaking after his keynote speech at

the second annual Australian Intelligent

Transport Summit on the Gold Coast last

week, Prof Broggi said Australia is the

ideal proving ground for driverless vehicles,

heavy commercial examples of which are

already being tested in a limited capacity by

mining companies.

While in Australia, Prof Broggi visited the

CSIRO’s Brisbane base, which is working on

specifi c applications of the technology for the

mining industry and has developed a handful

of working prototypes dubbed Bobcat.

“It’s defi nitely a very interesting

application,” he said. “I’m really sure this

type of development will fi t the market. In

fact, if they remain fi rst, then that will be

their target environment.”

Autonomous tractors are already working

in European fi eld trials, but Prof Broggi

said manufacturers of mining machinery

including Caterpillar, which now produces

heavy trucks in Tullamarine, are hopeful of

adopting the technology locally.

“We are working with Caterpillar,” he

said. “They have a big interest in Australia,

but they are active everywhere. They are

telling us they are mainly interested in

helping the drivers by whatever means.

“People who are running the mines are

interested in automation, but right now we

are only active in the agricultural domain –

tractors in the fi eld with limited automation.

“You have to stay on the tractor, taking

care of moving around. You are always in

charge, taking care not to hit cows, but the

next step will be full automation. Right now

there is no one using this in mining.”

Prof Broggi, a pioneer of machine vision

applied to driverless cars and unmanned

vehicles, said the main motivation for

mining companies when it comes to

automated vehicles is safety, although

effi ciency was also a key factor.

“Safety is the biggest advantage, but also

cost and effi ciency. If you are talking about

tractors, effi ciency plays a huge role if you

can have your tractor going in the fi eld 24/7.

If you talk about mining and automotive

then safety is the driving factor because it is

a big occupational issue.”

In addition to its contract with Caterpillar

and a range of agricultural companies,

VisLab also works with the US military and

a company that supplies small automated

vehicles for factories.

Prof Broggi said he also visited his

counterparts at Griffi th

University, which is developing

automated vehicle control

systems for small passenger city-

cars travelling at low speeds on a

set urban course.

Car-makers have experimented

with driverless vehicles on closed

test tracks for more than 30 years,

but one of the fi rst autonomous

vehicle tests on public roads was carried out

by a group in Munich in 1996, before another

dubbed ‘No hands across America’ was

conducted in the US.

Soon after, Prof Broggi’s group – which

has been developing driverless vehicles

since 1998, including the ARGO prototype,

the TerraMax entry at the DARPA Grand

Challenge and Urban Challenge, and

BRAiVE – successfully completed a 2000km

trek across Italy in fully automated vehicles

employing just cameras and low-cost sensors.

“These are the three milestones.

Everything developed from that. In the late

’90s there were not many people working on

it because it was still not felt as an interesting

thing. Then everything fl ourished again, and

there were so many groups around the world

looking at autonomous vehicles.”

Volkswagen, BMW, Honda and Toyota

continue to develop autonomous vehicle

technologies, but two of the highest-

profi le public-road driverless vehicle

tests are currently being conducted in

Germany, including a Volkswagen Passat

wagon developed over four years at a cost

of more than half a million dollars by

Berlin’s Free University

The car is driven by a computer that steers,

starts and stops the vehicle according to data

received from a stereo camera, GPS system,

odometer and laser scanners mounted on

the roof and bumpers to monitor the road,

pedestrians, buildings, surrounding traffi c,

trees and even traffi c lights up to 70 metres

away, and then react accordingly.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

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John Mellor’s

Sept 28, 2011 Page 24

By RON HAMMERTON HOLDEN’S all-new Colorado ute is being

put through its fi nal testing paces in the

back blocks of Thailand ahead of its roll-

out in Australia in the fi rst quarter of next

year, and that must be music to the ears of

the sales and marketing team at the iconic

Australian brand’s Port Melbourne HQ.

Only seven years ago, Holden was at the

top of the light commercial vehicle tree in

Australia, offering an unprecedented range

of light trucks, including the locally made,

Commodore-based One Tonner and double-

cab Crewman alongside the familiar Ute

and Thai-built Rodeo.

Holden put together a string of record

sales performances in 2004, ending the year

with 47,631 light truck sales for a market

share of 29.1 per cent, trouncing rival Toyota

with its 41,448 sales and 25.3 per cent share.

Since then, as our accompanying graph

shows, it has been pretty much all downhill

for light trucks wearing the lion badge.

So far this year, Holden is clinging to a

12.5 per cent LCV share, with sales volume

down 16.7 per cent on the corresponding

period last year.

In the popular 4x4 ute segment, the

ageing Colorado (nee Rodeo) is running at

half the sales speed of the market-leading

Toyota HiLux and Nissan Navara.

In the 4x2 ute segment, the locally made

Holden Ute still packs a solid punch, with

a market share of 18.9 per cent, placing it a

commendable second to the 4x2 HiLux that

has 23.7 per cent share. It is also well ahead of

its traditional rival, the Ford Falcon ute, which

has slipped all the way back to 12.1 per cent,

compared with 15.2 per cent last year.

But the once-dominant 4x2 ute market

is not what it was. In 2004, 4x2 workhorse

utes outsold the 4x4 variety by about

80,000 to 59,000. By 2010, the position

had been reversed, with 4x2 ute sales

slipping to just under 60,000, and the 4x4

utes – popular with weekend warriors –

soaring to almost 94,000.

The 4x2 Holden Colorado has been

particularly hard hit this year, with sales

almost halved from 1678 units to the end of

August last year to just 900 this year.

The Colorado has fared better in the

4x4 segment – as most utes have – selling

precisely 7000 units to August for a 10.4 per

cent share and fi fth place in the rankings.

However, its sales tally is still down 9.1 per

cent in a segment up 6.7 per cent year-to-date.

The fact is that the creaky Colorado –

launched as the RA Rodeo in 2003, with

a few updates since – has not been able to

run with the more athletic pack in the 4x4

arena, leaving Holden with few answers.

The Colorado’s cause has not been

helped by a split between GM and Isuzu

– who co-developed the Rodeo – forcing

Holden to tear-up the Rodeo nameplate in

2008, along with all the goodwill earned

over the years, and bed down the new

American name, Colorado, starting from

zero brand recognition.

As well, Isuzu opened up its own ute

sales channel, going into direct opposition

to its former partner with the near identical

D-Max, effectively splitting the sales base.

Holden’s problems were compounded

by the demise of the Crewman and its 4x4

variants, the Cross6 and Cross8, which were

killed off when GM decided not to make a

new generation of the hard-to-build hybrid

chassis light truck when the new-generation

VE Commodore arrived in 2006.

And things are going to get a whole lot

worse before they getter better as this year

rolls on, with rivals primed to launch an

unprecedented salvo of new ute models, all

boasting fresh buffed looks, new technology

and sharp pricing.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

GM Holden needs boostfrom all-new Colorado to revive slipping LCV sales

Holden sweats on ColoradoHolden sweats on ColoradoLight commercial vehicle market share

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011YTD

SourSource:ce: VFACVFACTSTS

Toyota

Holden

Ford

Nissan

Mitsubishi

Mazda

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www.dealersolutions.com.au

Sept 28, 2011 Page 25Green issues in the auto world

GoAuto Green is brought to you by Custom Fleet

GoAuto Green

John Mellor’s

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By RON HAMMERTONGENERAL Motors has signed a deal to

co-develop an electric car with its Chinese joint

venture partner, SAIC Motor Corp, joining an

apparent rush by western car-makers to jump-

start electric vehicle (EV) development in the

world’s biggest motor market.

Toyota and Hyundai are also reportedly

working on EV ventures with partners in

China, where such vehicles can attract

large subsidies and preferential treatment

from government fl eets, provided they are

built by Chinese companies and sold under

Chinese brands.

The new GM-SAIC vehicle – to be

developed at the partners’ Pan-Asia Technical

Automotive Centre (PATAC) in Shanghai –

will be an all-new architecture, not a variation

of an existing car such as the Volt.

GM also has confi rmed that the EV

platform will spawn models to be offered

by both GM and SAIC outside China, as

well as in the Chinese domestic market.

GM Holden director external

communications Emily Perry said such a

vehicle would be considered for Australia,

as long as a business case could be made.

GM – the biggest foreign brand in China

– sold 2.35 million vehicles there last year

and hopes to double that to around fi ve

million by 2015.

The GM-SAIC EV joint development is

a fi rst for GM and SAIC, whose partnership

has risen to number one in the Chinese

market on the back of GM-designed vehicles

such as the Chevrolet Cruze, Sail and Aveo

and Buick Excelle, Lacrosse and Regal.

The announcement of the new venture

was made in Shanghai where the GM board

last week met for the fi rst time, underlining

the increasing importance of China to GM.

The deal was signed by SAIC chairman

Hu Maoyuan and GM chairman and CEO

Dan Akerson.

GM international operations president

Tim Lee said the co-development of the new

electric vehicle architecture demonstrated the

broad range of benefi ts made possible by the

strong partnership between SAIC and GM.

“For almost 15 years, our two companies

have forged some of the industry’s most

successful joint ventures,” he said.

“This unprecedented level of cooperation

is another demonstration of our companies’

commitment to work collaboratively.”

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

Chinese joint-venture gets the nod to develop GM’s all-new electric vehicle

GM looks east for EVGM looks east for EV

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Nissan to accelerate EV quick-chargers with new European dealBy HAITHAM RAZAGUI

RANGE anxiety among EV drivers could

become a thing of the past sooner than

expected with a European joint-venture

spearheaded by Nissan promising a

proliferation of quick-charge points across

Europe by 2015, resulting from a halving in

equipment costs.

The Japanese car-maker is teaming up

with European utility and electrical supply

equipment companies Circutor, DBT,

Efacec, Endesa and Siemens with the aim

of developing a relatively low-cost and

compact quick-charger costing less than

€10,000 ($A13,370) by early next year.

Such a dramatic reduction in price is

hoped to encourage and enable businesses

such as service stations, car park operators,

supermarkets and shopping centres to

install and run charging stations for profi t.

If this comes to fruition, Nissan – which

already has its acclaimed electric Leaf hatch

on sale in several markets and will introduce

it to Australia next April – expects there to

be “thousands” of public EV quick chargers

across Europe by the end of next year,

expanding to “tens of thousands” by 2015.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

Leaf

Sept 28, 2011 Page 26GoAuto Personnel

John Mellor’s

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PRIVATE EQUITY EXEC DAVID JONES JOINS BETTER PLACEBy TERRY MARTIN

ELECTRIC vehicle infrastructure provider

Better Place Australia has appointed

experienced private equity manager David

Jones as executive director.

To also serve as a board member, Mr

Jones joins Better Place after nine years as

managing director of CHAMP Private Equity

and 17 years in the private equity industry.

Prior to CHAMP, Mr Jones worked as

the Australian chief for UBS Capital (1999-

2002), having started in the industry with

Macquarie Bank’s private equity group

in 1994. He also spent four years with

Macquarie Direct Investment in Sydney

and a year at BancBoston Capital in Boston.

He started his career as a consultant

for global management consulting fi rm

McKinsey & Company, for whom Better

Place Australia chief executive Evan Thornley

also previously worked as a consultant.

In a statement, Better

Place described Mr

Jones as “one of the

nation’s most respected

private equity executives

and growth-company

investors” and said his

appointment comes as

the company moves out

of “start-up phase” and

prepares for “rapid scaling and growth”.

Mr Thornley said Mr Jones has “a long

pedigree of identifying the most high-value

opportunities in the country and working to

achieve their greatest potential”.

“As Better Place moves from planning to

deployment and scaling on an accelerated

timeline, David’s breadth of experience

from CHAMP and prior investee companies

like Austar will be invaluable,” he said.

“We have known and respected the

CHAMP organisation for a long time, and

we are delighted that David has chosen to

join Better Place as the next logical step in

his career focused on profi t with a purpose.”

Mr Jones said his experience at CHAMP

reinforced to him “the value of working for an

organisation you believe in” – and as such said

he was “delighted” to be joining Better Place.

“The appeal of Better Place is that the

business model is as compelling as the

purpose behind it,” he said. “It is exhilarating

to be able to contribute to one of the most

signifi cant economic transformations via the

leading global company in this vital sector.”

Meanwhile, CHAMP executive chairman

Bill Ferris noted that the private equity fi rm

had worked with Mr Thornley on a number

of ventures, including LookSmart and the

acquisition of ABC Learning (now GoodStart).

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

David Jones

For more information please call 1300 666 562 or visit www.motorstaff.com.au

Australia’s No.1

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Les Land

BRIT TAKES TOP PR JOB AT PSA PEUGEOT CITROENFRENCH car-maker PSA Peugeot Citroen

has announced the appointment of Jonathan

Goodman as its director of media relations,

effective October 1.

Mr Goodman reports to PSA’s vice-

president of corporate communications

Caroline Mille-Langlois. He replaces

Hugues Dufour, who has been named

delegate general for the French

manufacturer’s newly created corporate

foundation.

A 47-year-old Brit, Mr Goodman has

worked for PSA Peugeot Citroen since

1986, joining the Peugeot subsidiary in

the UK.

He rose to become managing director of

Peugeot Motor Company Limited in the UK

in 2009 – his most recent posting – and along

the way held positions of

UK director of corporate

communications and

external relations at

PSA Peugeot Citroen

(2005-07) and managing

director of Peugeot’s

Belgium subsidiary from

2007-09.

NISSAN AUSTRALIA SALES AND MARKETING CHIEF DEPARTS

Jonathan Goodman

By MIKE COSTELLONISSAN Motor Co Australia has parted

ways with its executive general manager

of marketing and sales, Tim Stuckey, as the

company continues its ambitious campaign

to become Australia’s number-one full-line

vehicle importer by 2013.

Mr Stuckey, who was previously the

general manager of marketing services at

Wesfarmers Ltd, had worked in the role

since November 2009.

Nissan spokesman Jeff Fisher told

GoAuto that: “Nissan

is looking for a

supplementary skill-

set to give us the best

chance of achieving

our mid-term goal of

being the number one

importer.”

Mr Fisher confi rmed

that Nissan Australia managing director and

CEO Dan Thompson would also take on Mr

Stuckey’s role until a replacement is found.

As we have previously reported, the

Japanese company aims to own 10 per cent

of the Australian new vehicle market by

early 2013, as part of its ‘GT2012’ plan.

The plan, which was announced early in

2009, also aims for a minimum 10 per cent

segment share and a top-three ranking for

each of its four ‘core’ models: the Navara

ute, Micra light-car and the X-Trail and

Dualis compact SUVs.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

Tim Stuckey

Sept 28, 2011 Page 27

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GoAuto NewsJohn Mellor’s

GoAuto’s latest car review www.GoAuto.com.au

Hyundai iMAX CRDi people-mover

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE FULL STORY: CLICK HEREFULL STORY: CLICK HERE

SUBARU XV SET FOR OZSUBARU has announced it will release the

all-new XV crossover in Australia sooner

than expected in early January.

The stand-alone compact crossover,

which effectively replaces the current

Impreza XV hatch, will therefore beat the

fourth-generation Impreza small car range

to Australian showrooms when it joins

the top-selling Forester and Liberty-based

Outback in Subaru’s compact SUV range.

Clearly positioning the XV at the

crossover end of the booming compact

SUV segment, Subaru says its newest

soft-roader has a centre of gravity that

is 39mm lower than Nissan’s Dualis and

22mm lower than Volkswagen’s Tiguan,

thanks to its signature boxer fl at-four

petrol engine and symmetrical all-wheel

drive system.

Despite this, Subaru says the XV still

offers a generous 220mm of ground

clearance – 32mm more than the Dualis and

25mm more than the Tiguan.

“The fun-fi lled Subaru XV will be the

fi rst of a number of new Subaru launches

in 2012,” said Subaru Australia managing

director Nick Senior.

AT $42,490 it is Australia’s cheapest diesel-automatic people-mover, has a silly name more often associated with over-sized cinema screens and is based on a South Korean van, none of which are attributes that raise expectations for a passenger vehicle. However, the Hyundai iMax has won the people-mover category of the Australia’s Best Cars award three years on the trot so it must be good, right? Perhaps the spectre of low expectation is where it gets you – does the iMax under promise and over-deliver on its brief?

It’s simpler. It’s smarter.And now it’s mobile.Now available to all Autogate subscribers for FREE* on your smart phone and tablet!Managing your enquiries on the move just got easier with Australia’s award winning prospect and inventory management system now optimised for mobile.

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For more information email autogatepro@carsales.com.au

more an, he ee re

Launch PadAustralia’s No.1 because it works!

September:Ford PX Ranger rangeHolden Barina rangeLamborghini AventadorMazda3 range faceliftRenault Megane DieselSkoda Fabia range

Holden Barina

Skoda FabiaS

New model diary: CLICK HERE

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

HOLDEN COP CAR WINSGM HOLDEN’S Caprice-based pursuit car

has once again held its own in a batch of US

law enforcement tests pitting the latest crop

of police vehicles against each other.

The Chevrolet Caprice PPV – which took

out equal line honours in the Los Angeles

County police vehicle trials earlier this year

alongside the Ford Taurus Interceptor – won

several categories of tests conducted by the

Michigan State police.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

McLAREN A-PAC BASEMcLAREN Automotive has placed “one

foot in the east and one foot in the west” by

selecting Singapore as the base for its Asia

Pacifi c operations, which will be responsible

for the importation, distribution, logistics,

sales, marketing, technical support and

fi nancial services relating to the brand’s

sportscars in the region.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

PEUGEOT RXH SUCCESSPEUGEOT offered 300 early adopters a

limited edition of its high-riding, all-wheel

drive, diesel-electric 508 RXH wagon as

part of its production launch at the recent

Frankfurt motor show – and sold them all in

just three days.

FORD INVESTS IN CHINAFORD has underlined the importance of the

Asia Pacifi c region to its global expansion

plans by breaking ground on a new

transmission plant in China this week, just

days after General Motors signed a deal to

co-develop an electric car with its Chinese

joint-venture partner.

While GM, China’s biggest foreign

car-maker, is the latest manufacturer to

jump-start EV development in the world’s

largest motor market, Ford’s Chinese plans

are no less ambitious, with CEO Alan

Mulally announcing the Blue Oval’s fi rst

transmission factory in China would supply

15 new models to be launched there by 2015.