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ROUNDROUND

22The gloves are off as Dodge returns to the ring with the Caliber Kid

By NEIL McDONALD

IT HAS been 30 years since Dodge last graced

Australian shores with the Chrysler Australia-built

Dodge ute. But the American marque is back in the

ring.

Making a suitably high-profi le return last week

with former undisputed junior welterweight

champion Kostya Tszyu – who

himself is contemplating a

daring comeback after a brutal

loss in 2005 – Dodge launched

its Caliber hatchback into the

ruthless small-car segment as part

of the US brand’s multi-million-

dollar comeback campaign.

Following fellow Europeans Fiat and Renault,

Dodge returns to a much-changed Australian new-

vehicle landscape that has an unprecedented number

of brands and models and an ever-increasing number

of budget cars sourced from Asia.

Undaunted, Chrysler Group Australia (CGA) is

planning an aggressive expansion push for Dodge,

mindful of the Renault return in 2001 which blew

$20 million on a far-reaching marketing campaign to

launch four models and re-establish the brand with

bold sales forecasts that never came to fruition.

CGA managing director Gerry Jenkins told

GoAuto this week that it would be a challenge

to re-establish Dodge “in the hearts and minds

of consumers” – but argued that there were few

similarities with Renault.

“We’re not a stand-alone business, we’ve got

Chrysler and Jeep,” he said. “We already have a

little bit of goodwill out there and a solid customer

base to draw on.

“I think we will see a snowball

effect. The cars are well suited

to our market and the brand is

something that Australians can

really relate to, probably better

than a Renault.”

Unlike Renault, Dodge also has

a dedicated infrastructure and network in place. And

Mr Jenkins insisted that CGA had no need to spend

anywhere near the $20 million Renault did for its re-

launch because “we don’t really think we have to”.

“We’re going to be as creative as we can and break-

through as we can and leverage our network and

customer base to slowly grow the brand,” he said.

GoAuto estimates the Dodge re-launch campaign

will be between $5 million and $10 million, which

will include new dealer infrastructure for some of

the 48 Dodge dealers stationed around the nation.

Continued next page

Kostya Tszyu and Gerry Jenkins (right)

WELCOME to our 350th issue, which marks nine years in circulation and a change in name to GoAutoNews.

You will notice some other subtle design changes this week, and in the coming months, as we continue to modernise Australia’s leading motor industry journal.

Still free of charge, the publication is delivered each week to more than 30,000 subscribers in Australia, Asia-Pacifi c and the headquarters of car manufacturers worldwide.

It is widely read throughout car companies, dealerships, automotive media and a vast range of other organisations that supply goods and services to the industry.

To our readers and advertisers, and our staff and contributors, thank you for your continued support.

- TERRY MARTIN, editor

ISSUEISSUE 350! 350!

TOUGH LOVETOUGH LOVEHSV LAUNCHES ITS WILD E SERIES. FROM PAGE 3

August 23, 2006

GoAutoJohn Mellor's Australia’s Number One Automotive Industry Journal

news

SUBSCRIBE: www.mellor.net ADVERTISE: Steve Butcher Ph: 0419 562 110

No. 350

John Mellor's

AUGUST 23, 2006 Page 2

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Continued from previous page

CGA is responsible for Dodge volume and

profi t, which is part of its business plan for the

brand. Like other DaimlerChrysler divisions, the

business plan will be consistently re-assessed.

“Every year we look at a three-year plan and

it’s always a rolling plan,” Mr Jenkins said.

He said it was not simply a case of the US

parent writing a cheque for Australia and letting

the local operations do their own thing – Dodge

will be scrutinised every step of the way.

But to succeed, Mr Jenkins said he believed

Dodge would need a minimum of four or fi ve

products in Australia.

Over the next two years, Dodge will roll

out a new model every six months. Following

the Caliber range will be the Jeep Cherokee-

based Nitro 4WD wagon, then late next year

a “medium” car, likely to be based on the

Chrysler Sebring, will surface. In 2008, a large

car and/or second 4WD are

expected, and the small

Hornet hatchback is known

to be under consideration.

Despite a strong Australian

fan base in pick-up truck

circles, models such as the

Ram will not be introduced

in the short- to medium-term.

CGA management under Mr

Jenkins scuttled right-hand

drive conversion programs instituted by his

predecessor Judith Wheeler and he reiterated

again this week that vehicles like Ram and

Dakota would not be sold in Australia unless

specifi cally engineered for right-hand drive.

Ultimately, Mr Jenkins believes that by

adding Dodge product into the Jeep and

Chrysler mix, combined sales will eclipse

Mercedes-Benz in a very short period of time,

possibly as early as 2009. Last year Mercedes-

Benz sold 13,330 vehicles in its portfolio, with

a 2006 expectation of around 14,500.

Mr Jenkins is confi dent CGA “should be

able to take the lead” and comfortably sell

more than 14,500 vehicles a year.

“I haven’t set a specifi c date as to when we’re

going to have that accomplished by,” he said.

“But with all the new product that we have over

the next 24 months, and given the fact that we deal

with a much more fl uid market than Mercedes at

the premium end, we’re playing in a much larger

scale of the market.

“Consequently it only stands to reason that we

should become the volume brand in the family.”

Last year Jeep and

Chrysler combined sold

7557 vehicles, which was

a 13 per cent increase

over 2004 and the best

annual performance since

1997, built largely on the

arrival of the popular 300C

sedan and revamped Jeep

models.

“This year we’re going

to do around 9000 vehicles,” Mr Jenkins said.

“Potentially we will blow the 9000-mark and

Caliber should help us beat that.”

Adding Dodge to the portfolio means CGA

can expect up to a third of all future sales to be

Dodges, with the brand eventually becoming

the volume leader.

“We think that within a short period of time

we should be able to take the lead and eventually

become a top-10 seller in Australia,” Mr Jenkins

said. “These are very conservative estimates –

certainly the trend is in the right direction.

“Dodge offers incremental growth, but

so does the product offering. If you go back

to 2003, we (CGA) basically had a fi ve-car

showroom. By 2008 that’s going to grow to

about 20 products.

“The better part of that is that of those 20

products, 15 of them will offer hi-tech diesel

alternatives.”

Mr Jenkins said diesel power was emerging in

its own right as a desirable trait in new vehicles.

“That’s where our strategy is – we’re offering

great diesel engines and will continue to do so

and make that a big part of our strategy,” he

said. “Dodge isn’t just Caliber. It is the fi rst

vehicle to penetrate the market but Dodge is

a lot more than that. It’s the top-selling brand

in the US.

“We sell more Dodge in the US than we

sell Chrysler and Jeep combined – that’s a big

factor. It certainly complements the existing

stable that we have.

“We’ve got Chrysler and Jeep, which are

iconic American brands, and this is just the third

brand that we’re bringing to the portfolio.”

As a result, Mr Jenkins believes Dodge

will help build the CGA portfolio “and really

establish ourselves”.

According to Dodge general manager of

sales Brad Fitzsimmons, Dodge will have a

slightly lower pricing strategy to Chrysler.

“Dodge is going to be distinctively different

to Chrysler,” he said. “There may be some

things we can do to separate them. And we

haven’t identifi ed all these things.”

Cross dresser – page 8-9

Round Round twotwo

WHAT’S COMING:Caliber 1.8/2.0 AugCaliber 2.4 RT NovCaliber SRT/4 2007Nitro 4WD 2007Medium sedan 2007Large sedan/SUV 2008Hornet hatch 2008Challenger 2008Charger 2008

Nitro

Produced by GoAuto Newsroom: Ph: (03) 9598 6477 PO Box 18, Sandringham VIC 3191 PUBLISHER: John Mellor

GoAutonewswww.mellor.net

AUGUST 23, 2006 Page 3

John Mellor's

GoAutonews

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By ANDREW MacLEAN

AUSTRALIA is just not big enough for HSV.

Holden’s high-performance arm has just laid

down the challenge to the rest of the world to

try and keep up with its latest E Series clan of

stove-hot (VE) Commodore-based cars – the

fastest production cars ever built in Australia.

HSV is confi dent that its new generation is

on par with some of the world’s quickest cars

for a fraction of the price, and claims it is no

longer focused on creating cars that only stand

up to Australian demands.

“We are changing the focus on the domestic

high-performance market,” HSV managing

director Phil Harding said. “We are confi dent

there are no alternatives under $200,000 with

the same performance, and, similarly, there are

no other cars under $120,000 with the feature

list that ours have.

“We believe our existing customers will

appreciate the advances we have made – and

getting them in will be the easy part. But our

challenge now is to build our customer base

and go after the imports from Europe and

Japan.

“We want to go after buyers that purchase

their car just for the brand snobbery. We’re

pretty confi dent it can be put to the test.”

To achieve this, HSV has dipped into its

treasury and committed the largest ever-

fi nancial investment in its 19-year history

to develop a trio of top-shelf tearaways that

feature improved performance and power,

unique styling and world-class safety and

suspension technology.

It will not divulge the fi nal investment fi gure,

but Harding revealed “it was an unbelievably

courageous number … and it was as big for us

as it was for Holden in relation to volume and

turnover.”

The end result is a revised family that now

starts with the ClubSport R8, and sees the full-

time return of the iconic GTS nameplate and

an evolution of the luxury Senator Signature

model.

HSV claims to have “rested” the base-level

ClubSport name in favour of the R8 and re-

introduce the GTS as both models now climb

into the territory occupied by their predecessors

in terms of features and performance.

Continued next page

HSV launches its meaner, faster VE Commodore-based E Series

Tough loveTough love

EDITOR: Terry Martin MANAGING EDITOR: Marton Pettendy JOURNALISTS: Neil McDonald, Byron Mathioudakis, Tim Britten PRODUCTION: Chris Harris, Luc Britten

www.mellor.net

AUGUST 23, 2006 Page 4

www.mellor.netJohn Mellor's

GoAutonews

Honda, Australia’s fastest growing Japanese automotive importer, has an exciting position available within its New South Wales State Office, in Auburn. Having recorded its third year of record sales, Honda is well placed to continue its sustainable growth plans into the future.

With further aggressive growth targets on the horizon, we are seeking a dynamic, innovative minded individual, committed to driving sales strategy, to achieve business objectives and targets for the region.

Reporting to the State Manager, this hands-on sales management role will be focused on maximising profitability and sales within the Honda dealer network. This will include the development and implementation of sales and marketing strategies and the formulation of superior value add propositions.

Working in partnership with Honda Dealers, your key responsibilities will include:• Supporting dealers in their achievement of maximum sales potential.• Maintaining a focus on excellence in customer satisfaction.• Providing advice on policy and support with corporate identification standards.

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Applications close Monday 28th August 2006.

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Honda Australia is an Equal Opportunity employer.

Continued from previous page

All three are powered by a revised version

of the exclusive-to-HSV LS2 6.0-litre all-alloy

pushrod-driven V8 that now produces peak

power of 307kW at 6000rpm (up from 297kW)

and maximum torque of 550Nm at 4400rpm

(up from 530Nm). The improved outputs are

a result of a two-year program to re-calibrate

the engine control module (ECM) and develop

a locally designed tubular extractor system

that feeds into a twin-exhaust system with four

outlet pipes.

The ECM also now features a “Camel”

model that allows drivers to limp home for up

to 80km at normal cruising speeds in the event

that the engine loses its radiator coolant.

Both the ClubSport R8 and GTS come

standard with an updated M10 version of

the Tremec T56 six-speed manual gearbox,

and adjustments have been

made to the clutch system

for improved shift feel and

performance.

Available as an option on

both sports models, and fi tted

only on the Senator Signature,

is the GM-developed 6L80E

six-speed automatic transmission with a

tailored calibration by HSV for a sportier

experience.

HSV has also developed unique fi nal drive

ratios to improve launch feel and in-gear

acceleration, with a 3.27:1 for the auto (compared

to 2.8:1 in Holden models) and a 3.70:1 in the

manual (compared to 3.43:1 in the SS).

The end results are powertrain combinations

that HSV claims will propel the cars from 0-

100km/h in 4.96 seconds with the manual

gearbox and 5.04 seconds

when fi tted with the auto

transmission.

All three ride on

asymmetrical tyre sizes with

whopping 9.5-inch rear rims

and more conventional 8.0-

inch front rims, with both

the ClubSport R8 and Senator Signature on 19-

inch diameter and the GTS on 20-inch. HSV’s

engineering division worked closely with tyre

supplier Bridgestone to develop the REO5

tyres with 245/40 R19 front and 275/35 R19

rears for ClubSport and Senator and 245/35

R20 front and 275/30 R20 rears on the GTS.

The bigger rubber works in conjunction with

improved suspension and braking systems and

the standard fi tment of electronic stability

control on all models.

The ClubSport R8 has a conventional

suspension set up with MacPherson front struts

fi tted with stiffer springs and retuned damper

valving over the SS, while the GTS and

Senator are the fi rst Australian-made vehicles

to adopt Delphi’s groundbreaking “magnetic

ride control” (MRC) system.

This system effectively offers two-mode

suspension settings using a magneto-

rheological fl uid inside the dampers that, when

activated by an electric current, constantly

changes the viscosity of the fl uid for infi nitely

variable damping rates.

Continued next page

Tough loveTough love

PRICING:ClubSport R8 $62,890ClubSport R8 (a) $64,890GTS $74,990GTS (a) $76,990Senator Signature (a) $76,990

GTS

AUGUST 23, 2006 Page 5

www.mellor.netJohn Mellor's

GoAutonews

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Continued from previous page

The Senator’s default setting is a luxurious

ride with the option of performance handling

when activated, while the GTS has the

performance setting as standard and a more

aggressive track-biased setting with the push

of a button.

The addition of stability control as standard

equipment means that HSV has developed a

single brake package across all models with

ventilated and grooved rotors measuring

365mm at the front and 350mm at the rear, all

of which are clamped by four-piston AP Racing

callipers that HSV has designed and claims are

15 per cent stiffer and offer the same swept

area of the brake pad as the previous range-

topping six-piston set-up.

HSV claims braking performance is better

than some of the world’s leading exotic cars,

including the BMW M5, Mercedes-Benz

AMG CLS55 and Lamborghini Gallardo. It

claims the GTS can come to a full stop from

100km/h in 36 metres – just 0.3 metres shy of

a benchmark Porsche 911.

On the outside, the ClubSport R8 and

GTS share the same body styling with a V8

Supercar-inspired front bumper that features

a wide air intake with “faux” brake cooling

ducts, a four-lamp driving light set-up and the

trademark twin-nostril grille. At the back, they

also have a raked-back rear wing and extended

rear bumper with a moulded venturi design

that wraps around the exhaust

outlets.

All three vehicles have

exclusive LED tail-lights that

require a unique mounting

system and wiring harness and

vertical front fender gills.

The Senator has a more

discreet face with chrome

highlights on the air intake,

upper grille, window surround

and fender gill and a low-line boot-mounted

lip spoiler.

Apart from the different wheel designs and

size, the GTS is separated from the ClubSport

R8 with matt black highlights in the header bar

on the bonnet, gills and rear

wing supports. Matt black

is also used on the lower

rim of the Senator’s body to

provide an optical illusion of

leaner, longer proportions.

Inside the cabin, all three

vehicles have a unique seat

design, a fl at-bottomed

three-spoke steering wheel,

white dials on the instrument

cluster and a three-gauge

auxiliary pod mounted on the

top of the dash that displays

voltage, oil pressure and oil

temperature. They also get a top-of-the-range

230-watt stereo system with a 6.5-inch colour

display screen, a full complement of airbags

– including curtain bags for the fi rst time – and

active head restraints.

Cloth trim is standard on the ClubSport

R8 with leather available as an option. Black

leather is featured on the GTS and Senator;

however, red leather inserts with matching

door trim and lower dash sections are available

on the GTS while “light urban” trim is an

option on the Senator.

In the end, HSV claims it has 301 unique

parts and pieces fi tted to its trio of tarmac-

tearing machines – a new benchmark for the

company – that certainly sets them apart from

the Commodores on which they are based.

For drive impressions, go to www.goauto.com.au from this Friday.

MRC magic - next page

HSV E SERIES: AT A GLANCE GTS nameplate returns ClubSport R8 becomes entry-level HSV sedan Uprated 307kW LS2 6.0-litre V8 Six-speed auto with unique calibration Magnetic Ride Control on GTS and Senator Signature Electronic Stability Control as standard equipment Exclusive styling with LED tail-lights Asymmetrical wheel sizes with 20-inch rims on GTS Curtain airbags fi tted across the range

Tough loveTough love

ClubSport R8

GTS

AUGUST 23, 2006 Page 6

www.mellor.netJohn Mellor's

GoAutonews

DaimlerChrysler Financial Services

DaimlerChrysler FinancialServices AG offersinnovative leasing andfinancing solutions, plusinsurance and mobilityservices, all the way alongthe automotive valuechain – with the worldwideportfolio for EUR 103billion and around 10,000employees in 39 countries.

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Dealer Relationship ManagersDaimlerChrysler Financial Services Australia is an automotive financier, supporting the heavy

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• 3 positions: Perth, Sydney and Brisbane

• Attractive base salary plus lucrative bonus

• Fully maintained company vehicle

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The person we seek will have experience in the automotive finance industry and will be a strong

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CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

By ANDREW MacLEAN

THE balance between kidney-crunching handling and a comfortable ride has always been an issue for high-performance cars. Traditionally, one compromised the other: you could have a track-biased blaster or a boulevard cruiser, but not both.

HSV’s introduction of “magnetic ride control” (MRC) on its GTS and Senator Signature comes a step closer to undulation utopia without the exorbitant costs of Formula One-style fully-active suspension.

It works on a relatively conventional set-up, with an upside-down monotube damper fi lled with magneto-rheological fl uid that contains millions of tiny metal particles. The piston inside the damper has an electric coil inside it, that, when

provided with an electric current, reacts with the metal particles to constantly change the viscosity of the fl uid and therefore provide infi nitely variable damping rates.

The entire system is driven by its own computer that feeds off three main inputs: linear potentiometers on all four dampers, a G-force meter and steering-angle and speed sensors. When activated, the inputs determine the necessary current required to adapt to the conditions. HSV says the algorithm tables required to calibrate the MRC system were just as extensive as those required

to run the engine management system.The MRC system alone took three

years to develop specifi cally for HSV and cost more than $4.5 million.

The GTS and Senator Signature are the fi rst Australian cars to feature the technology and join an exclusive club that so far only includes the Chevrolet Corvette, Audi TT and Ferrari 599 GTB.

Magnetic ride control irons out the rough edges in HSV’s hero cars

Senator Signature

AUGUST 23, 2006 Page 7

www.mellor.netJohn Mellor's

GoAutonews

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By ANDREW MacLEAN

THE grapes are still maturing on the next

vintage of HSV’s top-shelf Grange.

HSV has traditionally followed closely in

the footsteps of Holden, launching its family

of fast-paced Commodores within one month

of the donor models on which they are based.

It has delivered true to form on its VE

Commodore-based sedans this week; however,

lead-foot limo drivers will have to wait a while

for the next-generation long-wheelbase HSV

Grange.

“We will be doing a Grange, but we’re not quite

ready to release it at this stage,” HSV managing

director Phil Harding confi rmed. “We’re still

working out the fi nal specifi cations.”

With Holden ready to roll out its WM

Statesman and Caprice models next week,

HSV is taking the opportunity to provide its

dealers with enough clear air to move existing

stock and generate traffi c for its volume-selling

short-wheelbase models.

However, it has promised to set new

benchmarks above and beyond the E-Series

sedans with its next vintage of Grange.

“It will pick up the technology (introduced

in the GTS and Senator), but will have some

goodies that set it apart,” Mr Harding said.

“We’re going for technology rather than

lipstick with that car.”

A show special Grange is currently being

prepared at HSV’s styling studio and will take

centre stage at the Australian International

Motor Show in Sydney in October with

production scheduled to commence later this

year for an early 2007 introduction.

With HSV’s all-wheel drive experiment now

defunct, production of the GTO Coupe about

to end (with a limited fi nal run of Signature

models now rolling out of HSV’s Clayton

HQ) and a new-generation Maloo ute not due

out until late next year, the Grange will form

a strong pillar in HSV’s aspirations to tackle

conquest buyers from high-priced European

marques.

Beyond the Grange, HSV was remaining

tight-lipped about any future product plans.

It would not comment on the much-rumoured

fl agship 7.0-litre powered supercar – likely

to adopt the GTS-R nameplate – but Mr

Harding admitted the VE platform had enough

headroom to handle extra power without

signifi cant re-engineering.

There is also the likelihood of the base

ClubSport name returning with a value-driven

model that drops some of the fruity features.

“Never say never … but we have rested the

nameplate at the moment,” HSV marketing

manager Andrew McKenzie said. “Maybe

there is room for the ClubSport to return to its

heritage of bang-for-your-buck performance.

We’ll just wait and see what happens.”

HSV’s top drop will not go on sale until 2007

Grange behindGrange behind

Z Series Grange

AUGUST 23, 2006 Page 8

www.mellor.netJohn Mellor's

GoAutonews

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1

Dodge’s comeback car is a small, SUV-inspired ‘crossover hatch’

Cross dresserCross dresser

By NEIL McDONALD

DODGE has catapulted its Caliber fi ve-door

hatchback right into the middle of the boiling

small-car segment.

The Dodge comeback car kicks off with a

$23,990 price point for the entry fi ve-speed

manual 1.8-litre ST, which is sold alongside

the mid-range SX and range-topping SXT.

Both the SX and SXT will be available with

either 1.8-litre or 2.0-litre engines. However,

buyers opting for (continuously variable)

automatic transmission will have to fork out

$28,490 for the cheapest auto-equipped hatch

– the SX 2.0-litre CVT.

There is no automatic available for the entry

1.8-litre ST, although Chrysler Group Australia

executives are hopeful of getting one in the

future. The 1.8-litre 16-valve VVT four-cylinder

develops 110kW at 6500rpm and 168Nm at

5200rpm, endowing the 1300kg-plus car with a

0-100km/h sprint time of 11.9 seconds.

The 2.0-litre 16-valve VVT four ups the ante

slightly with 115kW at 6300rpm and 190Nm at

5100rpm, allowing a 0-100km/h time of 11.3

seconds.

Fuel economy is 7.4L/100km combined for

the 1.8 and 8.1L/100km combined with the

2.0-litre.

A Volkswagen-sourced 103kW/310Nm 2.0-

litre turbo-diesel mated to a six-speed manual

gearbox will arrive later this year, along with

the higher-performance 127kW/224Nm fi ve-

speed manual 2.4-litre RT model.

Chrysler Group Australia is also hopeful

a more powerful 224kW/353Nm

turbocharged petrol-engined SRT4

version will become available in the

longer term.

With the Caliber’s arrival, the

Group hopes to emulate the success

it has enjoyed with the Chrysler

300C, capitalising on the public’s

appetite for bold, American-designed vehicles

that stand out from the crowd.

However, Dodge has modest sales

expectations for the hatch. It expects to sell

2500 Calibers over the next 16 months – about

160 cars a month. According to Chrysler

Group Australia managing director

Gerry Jenkins, the most important

thing is that the Caliber heralds the

reintroduction of the brand.

Dodge claims the Caliber will

offer a new slant to the small-car

market, even though it must measure

up against formidable opponents like

the Toyota Corolla and Mazda3.

Dodge also believes that some

small SUV buyers may be lured by

the Caliber’s tough off-roader looks,

even though Australia will only

receive the front-wheel drive model. An all-

wheel drive version is offered in the US.

Hoping that buyers will be won over by the

Caliber’s US-inspired styling and SUV-style

packaging, Mr Jenkins claimed the Caliber

should be a success because its

own research had shown that

buyers were getting tired of

the “bland” offerings currently

available.

“Caliber brings emotion to

this segment, and with fuel-

effi cient cars booming in

Australia, Caliber is hitting the streets at the

perfect time,” Mr Jenkins said.

He described the Caliber as “fi ve-door

crossover hatch” that combines a sporty

coupe-like profi le with the strength, stance

and functionality of an SUV. The design

is distinctive and bold, from the signature

crosshair grille and oversized headlights to the

chunky rear end. The car has a high waistline,

combined with wheel-arch blisters and a

distinctive bonnet.

A black graphic design accent, which runs

the length of the roof, melds into an integrated

rear roof spoiler, creating a coupe-like visual

sweep along the car’s profi le. The squared-

off rear end houses a black roof spoiler, an

integrated centre high-mounted brake light and

large modular, crystal-like tail-lights.

Continued next page

PRICING:ST 1.8 $23,990SX 1.8 $25,990SXT 1.8 $27,490SX 2.0 (a) $28,490SXT 2.0 (a) $29,990

AUGUST 23, 2006 Page 9

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Customer Retention Manager – After Sales Subaru Australia is seeking to appoint a highly motivated marketing professional to head up a new function within our After SalesOperation.

With a vehicle parc of over 300,000 units, the challenge is to develop and deliver Service Marketing and Customer Retention programsthrough our network of 108 Franchised Dealers across Australia.

The role requires a self-motivated, creative and numerate individual who is able to work in teams and in isolation. Excellent communicationskills are a pre-requisite.

While a background in the Automotive Industry would be well regarded, experience in the Marketing of Services at a senior level in any industry sector could be appropriate.

A tertiary quali cation in a Business or Marketing discipline is a pre-requisite.

Service Manager – NSWSubaru Australia is currently seeking a Service Manager for NSW. If you have drive, passion and exceptional customer service standards and would like to work for a coveted brand marketing premium product you should be inspired by this role.

Reporting to the National Customer and Dealer Service Manager, the Regional Manager will be required to effectively manage and develop the Subaru dealer service network within the NSW region.

As Regional Manager you will be accountable for ongoing Business Development, Customer Service and Retention, Dealership Training, Subaru Standards, Technical Liaison and Support, Warranty and be able to be a strong Subaru ambassador at all times.

In order to be successful for this role you must have completed HSC, have automotive technical quali cations, including post trade certi cates and Business Management quali cations.

You must have had previous experience in the management and operations of a service department, possess excellent verbal and written communication skills with strong computer skills. If successful, you may be required to travel for up to a week at a time.

Applications should include a resume and be forwarded to recruitment@Subaru.com.au by Wednesday 30th August 2006.

Only successful applicants will be contacted.

‘doing the common things, uncommonly well’

Subaru Australia is continuing to achieve outstanding growth. The winning team is currently seeking:

Continued from previous page

Equipment levels are comprehensive, with

the ST offering dual front and curtain airbags,

ABS brakes, 17-inch steel wheels, a vinyl load

fl oor, (heated) electric windows and mirrors,

central locking, air-conditioning (with chilled

glovebox), an in-dash CD stereo, alarm, sliding

front centre armrest, 60/40 split fold rear seats

and rechargeable/removable interior lamp.

The SX adds reclining rear seats, a fold-fl at

front passenger seat, fi ve-spoke alloy wheels, a

cargo cover and six-disc CD changer.

The SXT adds leather seats (heated up

front), a leather-wrapped multi-function

steering wheel, cruise control ($450 on other

models), bright silver instrument bezels, body-

coloured mouldings, a chrome grille and front

foglights.

Stability and traction control will

be offered later this year for about

$490. An optional nine-speaker

458-watt MusicGate Power Boston

audio system with sub-woofer and

two articulated hatch-mounted

speakers is available for $1075 on

the SXT model.

The R/T will have a bodykit,

18-inch machine-faced alloy wheels and sports

interior detailing.

The Caliber sits on a 2635mm wheelbase

and, with a 1520mm front and rear track, offers

plentiful interior room and luggage space for

this class. At 4415mm long, 1800mm wide and

1535mm high, the Caliber sits smack bang in

the small-car class.

Dodge was last sold in 1976 when Chrysler

Australia ended production of the Dodge ute.

Chrysler Australia also assembled the Dodge

Phoenix between 1960 and 1972.

The Caliber range will be sold alongside Jeep

and Chrysler through 48 dealerships nationally.

The Dodge brand is the world’s eighth largest

automotive brand and is the Chrysler Group’s

best-selling global brand.

DRIVE IMPRESSIONS: CLICK HERE

Cross dresserCross dresser

AUGUST 23, 2006 Page 10

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The new VDO Dayton, MS2010 Portable Navigation unit allows full colour touch screen control with voice guidance and the ability to play MP3’s and view JPEG photographs.For further information please contact George Stavrinou at Siemens VDO on 1800 335 282 or via email on george.stavrinou@siemens.com

By MARTON PETTENDY

HYUNDAI has ramped up its affordable safety

campaign yet another notch this week with the

launch of a redesigned Elantra sedan, which

combines high levels of safety in a surprisingly

stylish, roomy and keenly priced small-medium

four-door.

On sale from October in four grades priced

from $19,990, Hyundai claims the fourth-

generation Elantra is the nation’s second most

affordable fi ve-seat model to be available with

stability control – after the South Korean maker’s

own Getz 1.6 hatch, which is priced at $16,280

including an ESP-containing Protectz Pack.

On the entry-level Elantra SX, the Protectz

Pack costs $1790 and includes ESP stability

control, TCS traction control, two front seat-

mounted side-impact thorax airbags and two

full-length side curtain airbags, bringing the

price of the fi ve-speed manual SX with Protectz

Pack to $21,780. A four-speed automatic

transmission adds $2000 ($21,990, or $23,780

with Protectz).

In addition to the base variant’s twin front

airbags, standard Elantra SX features include

ABS, pollen-fi ltering air-conditioning, power

windows/mirrors, remote central locking (with

alarm), driver’s seat height adjustment, a tilt-

adjustable steering wheel, a “deluxe” centre

console with armrest and bi-level concealed

compartments, a four-speaker iPod/MP3/WMA/

AAC-compatible stereo, key-out headlights-

off, a day/night rearview mirror, rear foglights,

speed-sensing automatic door locks, active

four-way adjustable front head restraints and 15

x 5.5-inch steel wheels with seven-spoke plastic

trims and 185/65 R15 tyres.

Signifi cantly, the SX’s optional front side

and side curtain airbags are standard

on all other variants, including the

next-up SLX, which is priced at

$22,490 ($24,490 auto). ESP and

TCS are contained in a $990 Protectz

Pack for the SLX, bringing its price

to $23,480 ($25,480 auto).

Apart from front side and side

curtain airbags, the SLX adds, as

standard, cruise control, automatic

climate control, heated door mirrors, an

illuminated keyhole/ashtray/vanity

mirrors, a centre rear head restraint, twin

tweeter speakers, ambient temperature

display, alloy-look dash inserts, and

a leather-wrapped gearshifter and

steering wheel, the latter offering reach

adjustment and cruise/audio controls.

Six airbags and stability/traction

control are standard on all other Elantras,

with the Elite adding 16 x 6.0-inch fi ve-

spoke alloys (with 205/55 R16 tyres),

front foglights, a trip computer, tinted

glass, cloth door-trim inserts and a boot

luggage net for $24,990 ($26,990 auto).

The range-topping Elantra Elite S is an auto-

only proposition that costs $28,990 and adds

a power tilt/slide sunroof and perforated soft

leather seat facings, door trims and armrests.

Options across the range include 17-inch alloys

and reverse parking sensors.

While fi ve-door hatch and wagon derivatives

are due for release mid-next

year, the sedan is claimed to be

“substantially roomier” than

Toyota’s aged Corolla and

Honda’s new Civic. Compared

to its predecessor, the Elantra is

65mm higher (1490mm), 50mm

wider (1775mm) and 20mm

shorter (4505mm), while a 40mm-

longer (2650mm) wheelbase and

58/66mm wider front/rear wheel tracks result

in a wider footprint and, allegedly, improved

stability and handling balance.

Hyundai claims the result is class-leading

interior space thanks to front hip and shoulder

room increases of 32mm (now 1377mm) and

22mm (1412mm) respectively, plus 9mm more

front headroom (1015mm), 8mm more front

legroom (1105mm) and a big 40mm of extra

rear shoulder room (1400mm). Front seats are

35mm higher, while boot space increases by

35 litres to 405 litres – and is accessible via a

60/40-split folding rear seat.

Continued next page

PRICING:SX $19,990SX (a) $21,990SLX $22,490SLX (a) $24,490Elite $24,990Elite (a) $26,990Elite S (a) $28,990

New Elantra brings more safety, style and value

Safe seatSafe seat

AUGUST 23, 2006 Page 11

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Continued from previous page

The all-new front-drive chassis again

features MacPherson front struts, but its

independent “Torsion Blade” IRS is claimed

to be more sophisticated than the current

multi-link rear-end by featuring upper

arms, a fourth link each side and blade-

type longitudinal links “whose twist actions

supplement the springs”.

Steering it all is a new electric rack-and-

pinion steering system (Electric Assist Steering

System) that is both engine and road speed-

sensitive, and offers a 10.34-metre turning

circle and 3.13 turns lock-to-lock. Larger

inner-vented 275mm front and solid 262mm

rear brake discs are fi tted, along with electronic

brake-force distribution and four-channel ABS

as standard.

Now meeting

Euro 4 emissions

standards via

recalibrated engine

control module and

constantly variable

valve timing systems,

Hyundai’s “Series 3”

2.0-litre CVVT Beta 16-valve DOHC transverse

four-cylinder engine offers 105kW at 6000rpm

and 186Nm of torque at 4600rpm.

On the ADR 81/01 cycle, Hyundai claims

it reduces fuel consumption by 1.3 litres per

100km to 7.8L/100km in the auto, and by

0.7L/100km to 7.4L/100km in the manual.

Despite this, 0-100km./h acceleration for

the manual drops one tenth to 8.9 seconds,

alongside an improvement in response.

While the manual offers a relocated reverse

gear (now beside fi rst) selected via a lift-collar,

the auto has a new stepped shift gate, revised

calibration and a slimmer, lighter torque

converter with a more effi cient lock-up system

to cut fuel consumption and offer smoother

shifts. Kerb weight ranges from 1285kg for the

manual SX to 1320kg for the (auto) Elite S.

For drive impressions, go to www.goauto.com.au from Thursday.

Safe seatSafe seat

AUGUST 23, 2006 Page 12

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Dealership For Sale

Nissan gets out of bed with Cattrall to lift its poor-performing Tiida

By NEIL McDONALD

THE sizzle has gone out of Nissan’s Sex and

the City advertising campaign.

Nissan Australia’s marketing general

manager Ross Booth has revealed the company

has dropped the saucy advertisements featuring

actress Kim Cattrall, claming the campaign had

run its course and achieved its aims in raising

awareness of the new Tiida small car.

Mr Booth told GoAuto that he did not

believe the advertising campaign had alienated

prospective buyers of the Pulsar replacement,

which has struggled since its launch last

January and last week forced a price cut of up

to $2250 off its recommended retail price.

He admitted the Sex and the City campaign

was “defi nitely polarising” but had no regrets.

“The objective was for people to remember the

Tiida name,” he said. “However, the launch

phase is now over and we’re in the retail

campaign.

“Whether we go back to Kim Cattrall is still

questionable – we probably won’t.”

Back in May, Nissan remained committed to

the campaign and said there were no plans to

change it. Last week Mr Booth said the retail

campaign for the car would now go in “a different

direction”, although he would not reveal exactly

where.

Defending the Cattrall campaign, he said

the Tiida had struggled, in part, because of its

unfamiliar name and the fact that retail buyers

were unsure where the car fi tted into the Nissan

line-up, particularly after the spectacularly

long run of the Pulsar name.

As a result, Nissan is now referring to the

Pulsar as well as Tiida in advertising to draw

a bridge between the two nameplates. This

contradicts Nissan’s own initial research that

showed it would not be necessary to refer to

the Pulsar nameplate.

“But we weren’t getting traction, so we

started to refer to it as the Pulsar replacement,”

Mr Booth said. “When we did the original

research it didn’t come through that it would

be an issue.

“The Sex and the City campaign was cut-

through and different. We wanted people to

recognise the car and they did,” he said, adding

that the Tiida name was the number one brand

search on the Nissan website.

Year to date Nissan has sold

5538 Tiidas, compared to the

Pulsar’s 10,417 for the same

period last year.

Apart from the Tiida

missing the market, Mr

Booth admitted that

the original Murano

campaign had struggled

initially but had

now started to gain penetration with fresh

advertising campaigns.

Mr Booth said that the issues with Murano

and Tiida had highlighted problems with the

company’s marketing research on both cars. As

a result, Nissan has now appointed a research

manager.

“We have also altered who we use for our

research companies,” he said.

Nissan currently uses fi ve or six research

companies, including global research company

Synovate, which is used in many Nissan

markets.

Until recently, Murano sales have struggled,

with 186 sold last month, bringing the year-to-

date sales to 1322.

A new television ad campaign has helped

lift sales but Mr Booth warned that even in the

SUV-loving United States, it took 12 months

for the Murano to get traction.

“When we launched with the Murano

campaign we did, it did cause some confusion

out there with the advertising we used,” he

said. “We had a lot of people saying it was a

small car ... so we went to the current campaign

in February – a TV campaign that had the car

morphing from a Patrol, which helped show

the size of the car.”

Nissan also changed the Murano marketing

strategy to be more event-focused, pitching the

car at shopping centres and airports.

Star sign – next page

No more sex!No more sex!

Murano

Kim Cattrall inside the Tiida

AUGUST 23, 2006 Page 13

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By NEIL McDONALD

HARD on the heels of Nissan Australia’s

“fully loaded” campaign announced last

week for its Tiida small car was news that the

Pulsar replacement had achieved a four-star

independent crash-test rating.

Part of the latest results from the Australian

New Car Crash Assessment Program

(ANCAP), the rating was one star ahead of

the previous Pulsar and has prompted ANCAP

to urge manufacturers to include side curtain

airbags as standard equipment.

As part of Nissan’s “fully loaded” program,

the Tiida ST-L has become the only small car

priced below $20,000 to come with standard

side curtain airbags.

In other results, the Volkswagen Passat

managed a four-star rating, just missing out

on fi ve stars because it did not have a seatbelt

reminder warning light. Although the Passat

is sold in Europe with the seatbelt reminder,

helping it achieve a Euro NCAP fi ve-star

rating, local cars miss out.

According to the RACV, which is an ANAP

partner, research showed that almost a third of

drivers killed or seriously injured in accidents

were not wearing their seatbelt at the time of

the crash.

Volkswagen Australia is understood to be

requesting that the sensor now be built into

future Passat models.

In other results, the Toyota Yaris (with dual

front airbags) received four stars, one star

behind the European model which features

dual front, side and curtain airbags.

The new Citroen C6 became the fi rst

car to receive the maximum four-star

pedestrian rating and fi ve-star crash rating,

while the Fiat Punto received fi ve stars,

Hyundai Tucson four stars and Toyota HiAce

van three stars.

Meanwhile, the Hyundai Santa Fe last

week scored the top crash safety rating of

“good” in the latest US Insurance Institute for

Highway Safety 64km/h frontal offset crash

test, conducted at the same speed as ANCAP

testing.

Tiida achieves a four-star NCAP score and prompts call for curtain airbags

THE big questions remaining on Nissan Australia’s marketing agenda concern the raft of prospective new models, from the Micra or Note minis to a SSS-branded sports hatch, the Qashqai small 4WD and, ultimately, the high-performance GT-R.

Marketing general manager Ross Booth told GoAuto last week that these models, and some others, were still “on the cards”.

However, the constant message emerging from Nissan Australia is that they must be the right cars and the right price, despite the fact that it has no light car entrant or a small SUV that sits alongside the X-Trail.

Nissan currently has six Micras under evaluation in Australia but is no closer to signing off on a business case for their introduction here.

A “halo” high-performance Tiida model was also part of Nissan’s future but Mr Booth said any such car would need to

have a “credible” engine and suspension to be passed off as a performance

hatch.At last year’s Sydney motor show

Nissan showed off the SSS three-door concept car to gauge public reaction, which was positive.

Widespread enthusiasm for the new GT-R, already shown in its fi nal concept form, has also buoyed Nissan but that car, which will be a global vehicle, will not be available until 2008 and Australia has not yet been confi rmed as a likely market by Nissan headquarters.

Mr Booth said the Livina Geniss people-mover was also under consideration, even though the fi ve-seater was initially dismissed.

In the long-term, the luxury Infi niti range also remains a possibility, but Mr Booth said Nissan Australia was under no pressure to introduce it despite the fact that Nissan Japan has indicated Infi niti is now a global brand. “We’ll only do it if we can have a sustainable business,” he said.

At this stage, it appears that it does not. - NEIL McDONALD

Micra and other new models still on the cards as Nissan Australia looks ahead

Micra

Star signStar sign

Tiida

AUGUST 23, 2006 Page 14

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By MARTON PETTENDY and NEIL McDONALD

LEAKED images of Fiat’s all-new Stilo

replacement – to be known as Bravo in Europe

but likely to be renamed in Australia because

Mazda’s utility workhorse already employs the

name – have surfaced on internet sites around

the world.

The Bravo, which has been confi rmed for

Australia, will be a vital cog in the Italian car-

maker’s plans to build brand momentum in

Australia after the launch of its Punto range in

June.

Codenamed the Progetto 198, the new VW

Golf-sized hatch is expected to be launched in

Europe next March, with a wagon version to

arrive early in 2008.

Although not confi rmed by Fiat, images of

a full-size mock-up, used for clinic tests and

offi cial internal previews have fl ooded Fiat

chat sites around the world.

The fi ve-door hatch is expected to sit on a

2600mm wheelbase and is said to have been

designed for a fi ve-star Euro NCAP crash

rating. It is expected to feature a range of new

petrol and turbo-diesel engines in Europe,

among them a new 78kW 1.6-litre JTD as

well as a more powerful 90kW version with

variable geometry turbocharging (VGT). A

range of high-performance engines is also

tipped, including two 1.4-litre petrol four.

Visually, the new Bravo follows some styling

cues from the Punto, with its deep grille and

eyebrow headlights, while the profi le features a

high waistline rising through to deep rear hatch.

The hatch is said to offer plenty of interior room

for fi ve, as well as a good luggage area.

Styling was managed by Fiat’s chief

designer Frank Stephenson, while Austrian

engineering fi rm Magna-Steyr was said to

have been contracted to develop the bodywork

and interior.

The Bravo hatch is the fi rst in a family

of body styles to sprout from Fiat’s new C-

segment model, including a wagon and a

replacement for Fiat’s current Multipla people-

mover – all of which are potential candidates

for Australia.

Recently, importer Ateco Automotive’s

general manager for Fiat cars in Australia,

David Stone, said he expected Fiat to be able to

sell upwards of 5000 or 6000 vehicles in three

years time. Apart from the Punto and Bravo,

the local Fiat chief is hopeful of launching the

500/Cinquecento, but the next cab off Fiat’s

Australian rank will be the Panda mini-SUV,

which is expected here by early 2007.

The new Punto range, which relaunched Fiat’s

passenger-car range two months ago, is also

expected to swell via a road-going version of

Fiat’s European Rally Championship-winning

racecar, dubbed in Europe as Punto Grale.

Offering no less than 172kW, a six-speed

manual transmission and all-wheel drive,

it will be the fi rst Punto to wear Fiat’s high-

performance Arbath badge. Ateco owner

Neville Crichton has personally expressed

interest in the hottest Punto ever, which goes

on sale in Europe in early 2007.

Stilo replacement set for 2007 Australian debut

Bravo laid bareBravo laid bare

Bravo

AUGUST 23, 2006 Page 15

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By NEIL McDONALD

THE RACV has broadened its push for manufacturers to make electronic stability control (ESP) standard in all 4WD wagons after new Australian research released this week revealed a higher death risk in rollovers compared to passenger cars.

Australia’s most comprehensive study into 4WD safety to date found that 4WD motorists were, on average, 3.4 times more likely to die in a rollover than if in a passenger car.

Conducted by the Monash University Accident Research Centre, the 4WD Vehicle Crash Involvement Patterns study examined 660,378 recent crashes.

Along with other major motoring organisations, the RACV has repeatedly called for ESP to be made standard on cars, but the latest research findings have prompted a broader push for the safety device.

Results also indicated that 4WD motorists were significantly more likely to be involved in a rollover crash on high-speed roads with an 80km/h speed limit or higher, compared with car drivers.

It found that although only five per cent of 4WD crashes were rollovers, these constituted about 30 per cent of 4WD fatal and serious injury crashes.

Compact 4WDs were found to be at a slightly lower risk of rollover compared to larger models – possibly reflecting superior handling capability.

RACV chief engineer Michael Case said many 4WDs generally provided similar levels of occupant protection as passenger cars. “But their susceptibility to being involved in rollovers and protection for occupants in these types of crashes is poorer compared with passenger cars,” he said.

The research found that young 4WD drivers, particularly those under 30, were shown to be significantly more at risk of being involved in a rollover crash.

Mr Case said the disturbing results raised a question about the suitability of such vehicles for younger or less experienced drivers.

“Four-wheel drives have in many ways become an alternative to the family car,” he said. “Today, with almost one in five new vehicles sold being a 4WD, we want to ensure

they offer the maximum possible protection to their occupants.

“These findings clearly demonstrate the potential for further improvements in 4WD safety, including fitting of ESP technology.”

Research in the US has shown that ESP has been proven to reduce the risk of a 4WD rollover by up to 80 per cent.

Many luxury 4WDs, like Volvo’s XC90, have rollover mitigation systems while Ford’s Territory has a standard ESP system on its upper-luxury variants.

“RACV wants to see ESP in all cars as standard, but especially in 4WDs, given that these vehicles appear to be more at risk of rollover-type and other loss-of-control crashes,” Mr Case said.

Although results showed 4WDs drivers were about five times less likely to die in a head-on collision than the average car driver, they failed to do as well in run-off-road crashes when hitting objects such as trees or poles.

Rollover threat

Volvo demonstrates its XC90 ‘Rollover Protection System’

AUGUST 23, 2006 Page 16

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MAZDA TECH WORLD’S BESTBRIGHTON Mazda service

technician Rod Standfast

was last week recognised

as the Japanese marque’s

top technician when he

won the “best individual

technician” category in the

“MazTech World Final”.

The fi rst Australian to win

the award, Mr Standfast was

judged ahead of 28 other Mazda technicians

representing 13 countries, including

traditional titleholders Germany and Japan.

He also fi nished fourth in the teams event

with Robert Ramsay from Grand Prix Mazda

in Aspley, Queensland.

MURTAUGH STEPS INFORMER GM China boss

and now executive vice-

president of the Chinese

car giant SAIC Motor

Corporation Phil Murtaugh

has been appointed co-

CEO of SAIC subsidiary

SsangYong Motor Co. SAIC

has a 50.9 per cent stake in

SsangYong, which has been

in turmoil this month with workers striking

over plans to build SsangYong-designed cars

in China rather than South Korea.

6300 TO LEAVE DELPHICOMPONENTS manufacturer Delphi Corp

announced last week that 6300 US employees,

representing around 83 per cent of those eligible,

had agreed to early retirement or a buyout under

its General Motors-fi nanced “attrition plan”.

Delphi, which also last week posted a loss of

$US2.6 billion for the fi rst half of this year,

is restructuring in the US under Chapter 11

bankruptcy protection. GM is part-fi nancing the

retirements/buyouts to avoid a strike at Delphi,

which would have a crippling effect on the

world’s biggest auto-maker as Delphi supplies

it with around $US14 billion in parts each year.

Delphi plans to emerge from bankruptcy next

year after closing or selling 21 US plants and

switching most production overseas.

CAR INDUSTRY BACK ON TRACK … FOR NOWTHE fragile nature of the Australian car industry was exposed again this week when a potentially crippling dispute involving components supplier Ajax Engineered Fasteners was averted at the 11th hour.

Ford and Holden narrowly avoided standing down its production workforce when a deal was struck yesterday (22 August) between the car companies and other customers involved, Ajax administrator Stephen Longley and Ajax workers and their representatives.

Ajax customers, who also include major suppliers such as PBR, have agreed to underwrite the Melbourne-based company for six months.

A division of Global Engineered Fasteners, Ajax went into administration earlier this month. Around 200 workers were stood down last Friday. A furnace shutdown at the specialist nuts and bolts supplier would have halted vehicle production for at least a week, limiting Ford and Holden’s ability to fulfi l overseas as well as domestic orders. -TERRY MARTIN

FORD CUTS US PRODUCTIONTHE Ford Motor Co will cut its North American

production in the fourth quarter of this year

by a whopping 21 per cent – equivalent to

168,000 units – as parts of its “Way Forward”

turnaround strategy. The revised plan, which

mostly affects truck production, will also

reduce the company’s planned third-quarter

production by 20,000 units. For the full

year, Ford now plans to produce 3,048,000

vehicles in North America (1,134,000 cars

and 1,914,000 trucks), which would be a nine

per cent reduction from 2005. Further actions

aimed at accelerating the Blue Oval brand’s

turnaround will be announced next month.

AUSSIE R&D ALLIANCEFORD Australia has formed a $19.7 million

alliance with the Victorian Government and

Melbourne University to build three new

automotive R&D facilities in the state. To be

developed under the banner of Advanced Centre

for Automotive Research and Testing (ACART),

the facilities will include a new environmental

lab testing facility and an emissions “lab cell”

stationed at Ford’s Lang Lang proving ground,

and an engine dynamometer installed at

Melbourne Uni. All will be operational during

next year. Ford claims the environmental facility

will be the most advanced facility of its kind in

the Asia Pacifi c region.

WRX SPECS UPSUBARU Australia has confi rmed details of

its limited-issue (300 units, in blue or black)

Impreza WRX Club Spec 9, which is on sale

now priced from $44,990. The package includes

new 18-inch wheels/tyres, an STI suspension

kit (which lowers the car 15mm), an STI front

lip spoiler, revised manual gearlever (with

reinforced bushes, shorter shift stroke and STI

aluminium knob), leather trim and a sunroof.

Rod Standfast

Phil Murtaugh

If you have any car industry personnel announcements, please email them to

Terry Martin at tmartin@mellor.net.

Spec 9

VE Commodore

AUGUST 23, 2006 Page 17

www.mellor.netJohn Mellor's

GoAutonews

Toyota Camry Sportivo sedan

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Customer Service OfficerTwo positions available.

Join the carsales.com.au teamAustralia’s No.1 Auto Website is continuing to grow and we are currently recruiting for three positions. If you strive for excellence and feel you could contribute to our company we would like to hear from you.

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Please send your resume to employment@carsales.com.au.

Customer Service OfficerTwo positions available.

TOYOTA really is the Big Australian these days, devising two large family cars for the Lucky Country – the four-cylinder-only Camry and upcoming V6 Aurion. The former

will probably prove to be the more relevant, as big-car buyers continue their relentless downsizing in search of better fuel consumption. Now, the most interesting model so far in the Camry line-up is the Sportivo, which doesn’t actually boast any more power. But it is a surprisingly dynamic vehicle to drive, and has the goods to fi nally get people to look at Toyota’s four-door sedan stalwart in a more exciting light. ROAD TEST: CLICK HERE

AUGUST:Dodge Caliber hatchHolden VE Commodore sedanHolden WM Statesman/Caprice sedanHonda Legend sedanHyundai Elantra sedanKia Magentis sedanMazda MX-5 Roadster CoupePorsche 911 Turbo coupe

New model diary: CLICK HERE

Launch Padbrought to you by

Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe

Dodge Caliber

Honda Legend

GoAuto’s latest road test www.goauto.com.au

ALFA EYES COOPER SALFA Romeo is working on a sub-147 small

car aimed at the BMW-built Mini Cooper S. An

Automotive News report this week said Alfa’s

parent Fiat Auto had approved the design of the

new car, which is known as Junior and is based

on Fiat’s Punto platform. Due in 2008, the Junior

will have a unique design and is expected to

include among its powertrain options a 170kW-

plus 1.8-litre direct-injection turbo engine and

Alfa’s Q2 part-time 4WD system.

335i SEDAN FOR XMASBMW Australia has confi rmed it will bless

its E90 3 Series sedan with the cracking new

twin-turbocharged straight-six engine from

December. To be priced from $104,000, the

335i sedan will follow the coupe version

scheduled for launch in October. BMW claims

the 225kW/400Nm 3.0-litre bi-turbo can send

the four-door from 0-100km/h in 5.8 seconds

and, across a combined urban/extra-urban fuel-

consumption standard, return 9.6L/100km.

MORE DETAILS: CLICK HERE

C-CLASS SPORTS BENTMERCEDES-BENZ is offering a sports

package and metallic paint across its C-class

model range for an additional $1500 over the

recommended retail price, which according

to the German brand combines features worth

$6480. The sports package includes 17-inch

light alloy wheels, bigger brakes, modifi ed

exhaust system (with polished stainless steel

tailpipe), sports-tuned suspension, sports front

bucket seats, black leather cabin trim, a three-

spoke steering wheel and stainless steel pedals.

TRIBECA COMING SOONSUBARU has announced that its Tribeca 4WD

wagon will go on sale in early November with

the choice of fi ve- and seven-seat models across

two grades, all of which will include satellite

navigation, a reversing camera and “core

Subaru technologies” such as symmetrical

all-wheel drive, a 3.0-litre six-cylinder boxer

engine and dual front and side airbags. Its B9

moniker dropped for the Australian market,

the large 4WD will be shown at the Australian

International Motor Show in Sydney late in

October. It is Subaru’s fi rst all-new model

since the 1997 Forester.

YRX FOR YARIS SEDANTOYOTA Australia has introduced a sporting

YRX version of its Yaris sedan, priced from

$20,290 for the manual and $21,790 for the

automatic. Unique features over other sedan

variants include a six-CD in-dash stereo,

15x5.5-inch alloy wheels, front foglamps and

an “aero bodykit” which comprises a front and

rear spoiler and side and rear skirts. Side and

curtain airbags are available for an extra $750.

As is the case with the three-door and fi ve-

door YRX hatchbacks, there is no performance

advantage over the 80kW 1.5-litre engine used

on lower-spec (YRS) models.

PORSCHE DEALER MOVEPORSCHE Cars Australia’s dealer network

will grow to 12 outlets in 2007 following the

appointment of a second Melbourne dealership

this year. Australia’s fi rst new Porsche

centre in years will follow the rollout of an

embarrassment of new model riches this year

and a steady upwards sales increase, especially

in Porsche-mad Melbourne.

“There is an opportunity for a second

dealership in Melbourne and we hope to make

an announcement before the end of the year,”

PCA managing director Michael Winkler said.

It is believed PCA is in discussions with two

parties, including Barloworld, to service the

city’s southeast. PCA expects another bumper

sales year in 2006 with around 1200 sales.

The addition of a V6 variant of next year’s

facelifted Cayenne will easily make Porsche’s

4WD wagon its biggest-selling model, while

the 2009 Panamera will also add signifi cant

sales volume via yet another (even wealthier)

customer demographic. Tribeca