jan 14, 2010 no. 514 australia’s no.1 automotive industry ...right-hand drive chevrolet camaro,...
TRANSCRIPT
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Jan 14, 2010 No. 514
GoAuto NewsJohn Mellor’s
Australia’s No.1 Automotive Industry Journal 70,000 Readers Weekly
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By JAMES STANFORD in DETROITTHE Holden Commodore could make a
triumphant return to the US with the backing
of the new president of General Motors’
North American operations, Mark Reuss.
The former Holden chief, who has just
stepped into a position crucial to the future
of the restructuring GM operation, has raised
the prospect of the VE Commodore sedan
re-entering the US market after the demise
of the Pontiac brand forced the VE-based
G8 to be cut from the market last year.
And GM vice-chairman Bob Lutz has
also indicated that a forthcoming facelifted
version of the Australian long-wheelbase
WM Caprice could join the Chevrolet
range in the US.
Mr Reuss was at the helm last April when
the Pontiac G8 program, which was supposed
to add 30,000 exports a year to Holden’s
volume, was scrapped. He quickly laid the
groundwork for the long-wheelbase Statesman
to be developed as a US police vehicle, the
Chevrolet Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle (PPV),
before returning to the US late last year.
Speaking to Australian journalists,
including GoAuto, at the Detroit motor
show this week, Mr Reuss is clearly not
satisfi ed with the police-car program alone
– despite the fact it is expected to add tens
of thousands of vehicles a year to Holden’s
Elizabeth plant production schedule – and
he is looking for other ways to sell Holden
product in the US.
“There are other opportunities there,”
he said. “I don’t pretend to have them all
explored yet either, and I don’t want to ruin
them, but this is all about timing to get these
successfully placed.
“Is there opportunity? Absolutely.”
Mr Reuss indicated that the Pontiac
G8 was unlikely to make a return with a
different badge.
“The exact G8 car coming back – I don’t
know that we’d do that because we would get
crucifi ed for not having some of the uniqueness
for another brand designed into that car that
we did for Pontiac and we designed a lot into
that car for Pontiac,” he said.
“It wasn’t just a facelifted VE, it had colours,
dials, ride and handling that was different and
it was for the American market.”
Asked if there was a chance Holden could
tailor the VE for another US brand, Mr
Reuss said: “If we did something with VE,
it would be the same approach with integrity
of another brand.”
Mr Reuss said he was also looking at
an opportunity to bring the Holden Ute to
the US.
GM announced its intention to sell
the VE Ute as the Pontiac G8 ST at the
2007 New York motor show. US-specifi c
development work, including engineering
side airbags (which eventually trickled
down to Australian cars) was done, but the
project was scrapped before the ST made it
into showrooms.
Mr Reuss indicated that he had doubts
about the original plan to market the Ute as
a Pontiac.
“I thought we’d have a hard time putting
Ute into Pontiac, but I know it was part of the
broader strategy of doing that because they
were both VE,” he said. “There are reasons
why you do that, but I think another brand
with the Ute would be pretty attractive.”
Asked if the potential brand for a US VE
ute was GMC, Mr Reuss volunteered “or
Chevrolet”, raising the prospect that the
model could be sold with the El Camino
nameplate if it were to make it Stateside.Continued next page
Hopes are high for a massive new Holden export program into the
US, thanks to Mark Reuss...
Takin’ care Takin’ care of businessof business
FALCON TO COME UNDER ‘ONE FORD’
- page 5
Jan 14, 2010 Page 2
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GoAuto NewsJohn Mellor’s
Takin’ care of businessTakin’ care of business
G8 ST
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Continued from previous pageChevrolet is the most likely badge that
would adorn a VE Commodore-based sedan
if it were to return to the US and is also the
preferred brand of GM Holden president
Alan Batey.
Mr Reuss said the recent introduction
of the more effi cient direct-injection V6
models made the Commodore easier to re-
introduce to the US.
“We didn’t have direct injection in these
cars when we were looking at this the fi rst
time,” he said. “You have to look at this
strategically and say, ‘VE has got to be able
to stand on its own on the world stage’ and I
think now it is getting to be able to do that,
from a fuel economy (point of view) and
you will see mass come out of the car, you
will see all of that stuff.
“It only gets more attractive on an export
basis.”
So what went wrong with the G8 the fi rst
time? Mr Reuss said the vehicle suffered
because Pontiac brand was “having a hard
time”.
“Arguably we put the best product
portfolios into some of these brands that
had the most problems and couldn’t make it
work. They had problems over many, many
years,” he said.
When asked if the G8 failure meant GM
was not capable of selling good cars, Mr
Reuss said: “My answer to that was, we
could put good product into good brands
and good channels and market it right.”
When Mr Reuss mentioned opportunities
for Holden in the US, he was quizzed
whether than meant simply exporting current
Holden products or developing new product:
“It’s both because like we are doing with the
Camaro, we take the whole thing and do it in
Australia and then take the team to Oshawa
(Canada) to put it into the plant to (build) it.
“We can do that. The place (Australia) is
full service … and we are going to leverage
that.”
Mr Batey later cautioned that while there
were opportunities for the Commodore in
the US, nothing was locked in.
“You have got to understand that we are at
a very early stage in the ‘New GM’. There
are a lot of things that have been going on
in the last six or seven months,” he said.
“My job is to make sure that we really allow
America to enjoy what we’ve got to offer.”
The conversation has already started, Mr
Batey said.
“It is too early to say what is defi nitely
going to happen. All I can say is that there is
absolutely ongoing discussion as you heard
from Mark. He sees possibilities, we have to
wrestle those down in the next few months,
fi nd out what we can do and when we can do
it and come out appropriately with the right
product plan,” he said.
One advantage of the Commodore is that
all the US engineering had already been
done for both the sedan and ute, he said.
“If you want to come quickly into the
market off of the Zeta platform, all of the
homologation work, all of the safety work, a
lot of that work has been done,” he said. “You
would still have work to do, depending on
what you were to introduce but a lot of it is
already done and that is a huge advantage.”
In a separate interview, Mr Lutz
confi rmed that a civilian version of
Holden’s Chevrolet PPV could also join the
Chevy range in the US.
“We are also giving active consideration
that if we can pull that off and we have the
next-generation (facelifted) Commodore in
as a police vehicle, then we want to take a
look at re-introducing a civil version, take
a look at re-introducing a civil version as a
high-end Chevrolet,” he said.
Mr Lutz likened the long-wheelbase car
to its iconic Corvette sportscar.
“So there is a possibility of a high-end
Chevrolet sedan that would be sold in limited
numbers, kind of a premium Chevrolet high-
performance sedan, kind of think of it as a
four-door Corvette,” he said.
“The reason we say limited volume and
relatively high prices, with US fuel economy
legislation we just can’t afford to sell too
many of them.”
Despite his enthusiasm for the super-
effi cient Volt plug-in hybrid, Mr Lutz is
still a big fan of rear-drive V8s like the
Statesman. “When you get right down to
it, the thrill of high-performance driving is
unmatched by anything that doesn’t have
rear-wheel drive and bags of torque and a
nice transmission,” he said.
FULL STORY: CLICK HEREMore GM – page 2-4, 14-15, 17-18, 20, 22, 24
Jan 14, 2010 Page 3
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GoAuto NewsJohn Mellor’s
Bob Lutz resurrects the RHD Camaro, opening door for Australian sales
Right-hook Camaro nodRight-hook Camaro nod
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By JAMES STANFORD in DETROITGENERAL Motors vice-chairman Bob
Lutz has declared the company will build a
right-hand drive Chevrolet Camaro, paving
the way for an Australian launch of the bold
muscle car.
Plans for a right-hand drive Camaro, which
was engineered by Holden in Australia, had
been put on the shelf as GM slid towards
bankruptcy last year. But Mr Lutz is confi dent
the right-hook version will come.
“The Camaro at some point will be
factory right-hand drive. That is what we
are currently looking at with a great deal of
focus,” Mr Lutz said. “It would be built in
the plant in Canada and shipped from here
in right-hand drive for right-hand drive
markets and, you know, why not?”
Mr Lutz indicated that the investment
needed for such a program would be
minimal.
“All of the parts are there, all we have to do
is reverse the instrument panel, but all of the
right-hand drive bits are a given because it is
a right-hand drive architecture,” he said.
The Camaro was introduced in the US
last March and has been a huge hit for GM,
both in terms of sales but also in terms of
image as the brand suffers from its fi nancial
collapse and restructure.
Built at GM’s Oshawa production facility,
the Camaro is offered with a V6 and V8
engine.
The entry-level LS and LT models run
the same 3.6-litre direct-injection V6 as the
premium Commodore vehicles, in which it
produces 227kW, while the Camaro SS uses
a 6.2-litre LS3 V8 producing 318kW which
is used for HSV models in Australia.
GM Holden president Alan Batey
quickly stated that the Camaro was not
a defi nite starter for Australia and that
it would not come unless GM offered to
deliver it fairly soon.
“I can tell you categorically that it is not
coming in 2010. Can it come in 2011? If they
act fast in the next 90 days and say, ‘Okay,
what are your volumes, let’s go’ they could
probably tool up that fast,” Mr Batey said.
“The truth is we don’t have a launch date.
Can it happen fast? Yes it can.”
Mr Batey said Holden would be keen to
sell the Camaro, but has concerns that it will
not do well if it arrives too late. He said that
if GM only offered up the car for Australia
in three years’ time, it would be four years
old and the volume potential would have
dropped signifi cantly.
“Three years from now, too late mate,”
he said. “(I) can’t give you the volume you
need to justify the investment.
“My view on this is that the volumes are
good as of today. If you want to come back
to me in six months’ time the volumes will
be different because the world changes.”
Mr Batey said his own take was that GM
would not be about to lock in a right-hand
drive Camaro any time soon because left-
hook demand is still high.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERECruze setback – next page
BARINA SPARK PLANGM HOLDEN has revealed it will
introduce a two-model, two-sized Barina
range in Australia, starting with a one-size
smaller light car – the Spark – that will
be the most affordable model in its range
when it arrives late this year.
The South Korean-produced small fi ve-
door hatch will be called the Barina Spark
in Australia.
A successor to the current Daewoo Matiz
built by GM Daewoo in Korea, the Spark
will be sold alongside a larger Barina
model – also a fi ve-door hatch – based on
the Australian-designed Aveo RS, which
was revealed in concept form at the Detroit
motor show this week.
The production version of that vehicle,
which is understood to look similar to the
show car, is likely to arrive around the
middle of next year.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
Spark
Jan 14, 2010 Page 4
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By JAMES STANFORD in DETROITHOLDEN has confi rmed it will not
introduce its all-important locally produced
Cruze small car this year as planned, pushing
back the launch by six months.
The company had originally planned
to introduce the sedan in the third quarter
of 2010, but claims it always planned to
introduce the hatch in March 2011.
Now Holden has admitted that both
vehicles will not hit showrooms until next
March.
GM Holden chairman and managing
director Alan Batey told GoAuto that it was
just too diffi cult to launch the local sedan
before the hatch.
“We would have to run out the imported
car and introduce the new one, then we
would have Christmas, so we train people
up and then we go on holiday then they
come back and we have these things going
on,” Mr Batey said.
“We thought, this just doesn’t make sense;
let’s train the people up, let’s get Christmas out
of the way, get them back and close the gap
between the four (door) and the fi ve (door).”
When asked why the decision to release
both cars at the same time was not made
earlier, Mr Batey indicated other factors
infl uenced the decision.
“The car went off better than we expected,
so we are outselling our forecast. And
secondly we have other programs, such as
the (export) police car program coming, so
for engineering resources we have other
things we are trying to do.”
It is unclear if the Australian Cruze
models will feature the basic torsion beam
rear suspension of the South Korean sedan
currently on sale or be upgraded with the
more complex Watts Z-link rear suspension
that is standard on the US production version
of the car.
Asked if the Australian car would get
the premium rear suspension, Mr Batey
said: “It is a possibility, but we haven’t
actually announced what we are going to
do with that.”
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
Local Cruze sedan, hatch launch held back until 2011
Cruze setbackCruze setback Hybrid Commodore ‘not before 2013’
By JAMES STANFORD in DETROITGM HOLDEN has confi rmed it will not
build a hybrid Commodore until early
2013 at the earliest.
Company chairman and managing
director Alan Batey said it could build a
petrol-electric Commodore at some stage,
but said nothing was close to fruition
and that hybrid was not a high priority at
Fishermans Bend.
In May 2008, then GM Asia Pacifi c
president Nick Reilly told Australian
journalists that Holden would build a
hybrid Commodore within a timeframe of
“a couple of years”.
Holden later disputed that this was what
Mr Reilly had meant to say and poured
cold water on the possibility of a hybrid
possibly arriving at some stage in 2010.
Now, Mr Batey has confi rmed the hybrid
Commodore is still a long way away,
despite the imminent launch of Toyota’s
locally made Camry Hybrid.
Asked if Holden could introduce a
hybrid Commodore soon, Mr Batey said:
“Could be, but at the moment we haven’t
got anything we are ready to announce, but
there are possibilities.
“We continue to look at it. Is it a
possibility? Yes. Is it the highest priority
right now? No. There are other things that
I would like to do before I do that.”
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
Jan 14, 2010 Page 5
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Unique-to-Australia Falcon to end under new ‘One Ford’ rule
‘Aussie Falcon’ on brink‘Aussie Falcon’ on brink
By JAMES STANFORD in DETROITFORD Motor Company president Alan
Mulally has indicated that producing an
Australian-specifi c Falcon will not be a viable
option under its new ‘One Ford’ regime.
The night before he was to reveal the
fi rst global model to be released under the
One Ford banner at the Detroit motor show,
the new Focus, Mr Mulally told Australian
journalists, including GoAuto, that the
Falcon would not be immune to the cost-
cutting policy under which a commonly-
developed model can replace several
different versions of similar cars.
Mr Mulally is committed to slashing
complexity and doing away with duplication
such as Australia and the US producing
two different large cars, the Falcon and
the Taurus. He said Ford must design and
develop common models produced and
sold in many countries around the world to
remain competitive.
“People who make one vehicle for one
country … a different vehicle … those days
are gone,” he said. “You can’t compete with
a global company.”
Mr Mulally confi rmed Ford was
considering the future of the Taurus and
Falcon and how they would work within the
One Ford framework. “That is something that
we are thinking about right know,” he said.
Asked if any countries would be excluded
from the One Ford policy, Mr Mulally said he
did not believe so because customers around
the world wanted the same kind of cars.
“The requirements for the vehicle are so
much more similar than they are not. Around
the world right now, the four things that are
driving purchases are quality, fuel effi ciency,
safety and smart design,” Mr Mulally said.
“It used to be that different regions of the
world would argue that fuel effi ciency was
more important.
“Remember in Europe, it was like if you
are paying $8 to $10 a gallon of gas or diesel
they are going to put a premium on smaller
vehicles.
“Well, the United States – you watch
what’s happened and 30-40-50 per cent are
cars (rather than pick-up trucks and SUVs)
and a big portion of those are smaller ones.”
Mr Mulally said 70 to 80 per cent of
Ford’s production would consist of vehicles
built on global platforms, and that would
allow the company to take advantage of its
great scale.
He said the Mustang would continue to be
rear-wheel drive, which could see it as the
only rear-drive car in the Ford world.
Ford Australia president Marin Burela
confi rmed that the days of Ford Australia
developing its own vehicles for domestic
use were over.
“Ford of Australia will never go it
alone again,” he said. “Why? Because the
dynamics of going it alone doesn’t make
business sense.”
FULL STORY: CLICK HEREEuro 5 ‘diffi cult’ – next page
Taurus
Jan 14, 2010 Page 6
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GoAuto NewsJohn Mellor’s
BMW GroupAustralia
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The successful applicant will be responsible for the development of the BMW and
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A demonstrated knowledge of sales, retail networks and good analytical skillscombined with a thorough knowledge of the Australian vehicle market are pre-requisites of this position.
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By JAMES STANFORD in DETROITFORD Australia has admitted that
engineering its locally produced inline six-
cylinder engine to meet the upcoming Euro
5 emissions standard will be “diffi cult”.
The federal government last week released
a draft report prepared by the transport
department which recommends the Euro 5
emissions standard be introduced in Australia
between 2012 and 2014. The deadline for
the Ford Australia I6, should the report be
approved and legislated, would be 2013.
The Euro 5 deadline looms as a possible
end-date for the 4.0-litre engine that has
been produced in various forms in Geelong
since 1960 and is used for all locally
produced models including Falcon, Falcon
Ute and Territory.
Ford Australia announced in mid-
2007 that it would end production of the
Australian engine due partly to the fact that
it would have cost too much to upgrade it to
meet Euro 4 engine standards that come into
force halfway through this year.
That decision was later reversed due to a
range of factors, including the view that the
engine could be engineered to meet the Euro
4 standard for far less investment than was
fi rst estimated.
While engineers were able to upgrade
the engine to the Euro 4 standard with very
little change, adapting it to meet the Euro
5 standard will be a far greater, and more
expensive, task.
Ford Australia spokesperson Sinead
McAlary told GoAuto in the US this week
that engineers were already looking at ways
the current engine could be upgraded to meet
the Euro 5 regulations, but said it would not
be easy.
“There is no doubt it is going to be
diffi cult, but we thought Euro 4 was going
to be hard as well,” Ms McAlary said.
She said the report came as no surprise to
Ford Australia.
FULL STORY: CLICK HEREPower of One – page 10
New regulations could knock out local Ford engine
FALCON SET FOR 20 PER CENT ECONOMY BOOST: CLICK HERE
Ford confi rms Coyote V8 for Falcon
By JAMES STANFORD in DETROITFORD Australia has confi rmed the Falcon
will be powered by a Coyote V8 when the
existing 5.4-litre Boss engine is forced into
retirement by this July’s Euro 4 emissions
standard deadline.
“We will be taking an engine from the
Coyote family,” said Ford spokesperson
Sinead McAlary, who declined to offer any
more information on the topic.
GoAuto can reveal FPV is well advanced
in developing a unique supercharged version
of the 5.0-litre direct-injection V8 for HSV-
beating levels of power and torque. It could
also be the most powerful version of the
new Coyote engine in the world.
While the new quad-cam Coyote V8
will be imported from Ford in Windsor,
Canada, it will be substantially modifi ed at
FPV’s Campbellfi eld operation to run the
supercharger.
The naturally aspirated 5.0-litre quad-
cam engine was revealed at the Detroit
motor show this week, under the bonnet of
a new Mustang to be introduced midway
through this year. In this application, it
produces 307kW and 529Nm.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
FORD’S NEXT V8 EMERGES: CLICK HERE
Euro 5 ‘diffi cult’Euro 5 ‘diffi cult’
Jan 14, 2010 Page 7
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GoAuto NewsJohn Mellor’s
Negotiations continue over future of Toyota’s engine plant in Australia
Engine plant threatEngine plant threat
By RON HAMMERTONTHE fate of Toyota Australia’s engine
plant is hanging in the balance as local
management negotiates with head offi ce in
Japan for the necessary investment to retool
for a new-generation engine for the next
locally made Camry by 2012.
Australian senior executives of the
world’s biggest car company are tense over
the state of negotiations, which will decide
the future of the 31-year-old engine factory
that sits alongside the Toyota car assembly
plant at Altona in Victoria.
“I understand the engine plant decision is
still pending,” one Toyota senior executive
told GoAuto. “Apart from that, I can’t say
anything.”
Toyota Australia spokesman Glenn
Campbell has told GoAuto that the company
was doing everything it could to secure
investment for the engine project.
He said the impact of the global fi nancial
crisis and excess capacity (at Toyota plants)
had made securing new investments more
diffi cult.
Mr Campbell said no decision had yet
been made on the new “AR” engine for
Australia, and timing was not certain.
“Toyota Australia will continue to
manufacture the current AZ engine until the
end of 2011,” he said.
Any decision not to revamp the factory for
the new 2.5-litre four-cylinder 2AR-FE engine
for the next, eighth-generation Camry would
almost certainly doom the engine operation
and, potentially, its 300 jobs, with the work
going offshore, probably to Thailand.
The engine plant decision almost certainly
was a subject of discussion at the highest level
when prime minister Kevin Rudd, federal
industry minister Kim Carr and Victorian
premier John Brumby gathered at Altona for
the recent Camry Hybrid line-off ceremony
with Toyota executives in December.
In 2008, the Altona factory turned out
more than 114,000 2.4-litre four-cylinder
engines for locally made Camrys for
customers in Australia and more than 20
export markets. Toyota’s exports that year
were worth almost $2 billion, with half of
its car production going offshore, although
numbers will be down for 2009.
The 2.4-litre engine – which does not
meet Euro 5 emissions restrictions – is being
phased out around the world, replaced by
the new-generation 2.5-litre four-cylinder
that has already gone into production in the
United States for the facelifted 2010 Camry
and RAV4.
That engine – developing up to 133kW
compared with the current unit’s 117kW –
is slated for production at numerous Toyota
sites around the world, including Japan,
China, Taiwan and Thailand. The latter is
thought to be the most likely alternative
source for the new engine for Australian-
built Toyota cars.
FULL STORY: CLICK HEREMore reports – page 8, 17, 19, 21-23
TOYOTA DESIGN PROJECTTOYOTA’S Australian design studio has
revealed it is working on a next-generation
vehicle for sale in the Asia-Pacifi c region
as it extends its international wings as one
of Toyota’s four regional design centres.
Melbourne-based Toyota Style
Australia (TSA) – best known for its
work on the current Aurion that is made
in four countries and sold in more than
20 – would not reveal the model or the
nature of the work, saying only that it
was helping out Japan on a car that is not
currently sold in Australia.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
Jan 14, 2010 Page 8
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GoAuto NewsJohn Mellor’s
Toyota’s plan to create a Prius hybrid family takes shape with FT-CH coupe
Prius compact coupePrius compact coupe
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By TERRY MARTINTOYOTA unveiled a dedicated hybrid
coupe concept at the North American
International Auto Show in Detroit
this week, demonstrating the Japanese
manufacturer’s strategy to offer a “wider
variety of conventional hybrid choices” as it
introduces plug-in hybrids and full-electric
vehicles from 2011.
While it also reaffi rmed its commitment
to launching hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles in
2015 in global markets, Toyota presented
the Prius-based FT-CH petrol-electric hybrid
concept with no timetable for production but
insisted it was a variant that responded to
dealer and customer demands.
It also confi rmed that it was developing a
Prius family “marketing strategy” for North
America that will “take full advantage of the
Prius brand equity”.
“It’s a package Toyota dealers and
customers have been asking for,” said Toyota
Motor Sales USA president Jim Lentz.
“The strategy is still taking shape and
obviously it will require additional models
to qualify as a family. Among others, the FT-
CH is a concept that we are considering.”
A product of Toyota’s European design
and development centre in France, the FT-
CH (the ‘CH’ referring to compact hybrid) is
smaller than the Prius but, according to the
manufacturer, was designed for “maximum
passenger comfort and interior roominess”.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
CR-Z IN FINAL FORMHONDA chose this week’s Detroit motor
show to spring the production version of
its long-awaited CR-Z hybrid sports coupe
– the two-seater US version, at least.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
Jan 14, 2010 Page 9
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GoAuto NewsJohn Mellor’s
Volkswagen presents a near-production hybrid coupe concept in Detroit
VW’s two-door JettaVW’s two-door Jetta
Publicatio
ns
& Cam
paigns
Specialis
t
Technical Publications & Campaigns M{zd{ Australia
Use your automotive knowledge, attention to detail and communication skills to support the Mazda Dealer network in Australia.Mazda is the top selling automotive import brand in Australia. One of the platforms to this success is our support of Mazda Dealers in delivering outstanding customer experiences.
The Publications and Campaigns team within our Customer Support Department produces technical publications for our Dealer network and customers, while supporting rework campaigns and other key service and vehicle launch programs. This full-time, Melbourne based (Mount Waverley) role has diverse responsibilities, including:
• Preparing all Dealer publications, including Bulletins, Workshop Manuals, locally sourced accessory fi tment instructions and our Intranet site
• Coordinating the purchasing, distribution, inventory and support of Special Service Tools (SSTs)
• Reviewing Owner’s Manual drafts to ensure the wording, images and specifi cations meet Australian market requirements
• Managing factory approved port reworks, as well as recalls and service campaigns requiring customer communications and compliance reporting
• Supporting the new model launch process, ensuring information, tools and parts are available
• Negotiating supplier warranty agreements, repair times, labour reimbursement and diagnostic support for locally sourced accessories and managing local component exchange programs
The successful applicant will have a relevant automotive trade qualifi cation, with the ability to understand complex technical instructions and issues. Strong written communication skills are essential, as well as the ability to interpret complex technical data into user friendly documentation.
This is an opportunity that suits someone who has pride in the accuracy of their work, the ability to work across multiple tasks and who is ready begin a rewarding career with a dynamic and growing global automotive company.
To apply, send your resume and a covering letter or email to [email protected] by Friday, January 22.
By TERRY MARTINVOLKSWAGEN has revealed an all-new
compact coupe at the North American
International Auto Show in Detroit this
week, pointing to a potential two-door
version of its Jetta small sedan.
As Toyota presented its take on a future
small hybrid coupe with the FT-CH,
Volkswagen’s New Compact Coupe (NCC)
emerged in near-production trim and with
a petrol-electric hybrid powertrain that
empowers the car with signifi cant green and
sporting credentials.
Featuring a 110kW/220Nm 1.4-litre TSI
petrol engine paired with a 20kW electric
motor and seven-speed DSG gearbox,
the NCC is claimed to offer 0-100km/h
acceleration in 8.6 seconds, a maximum
speed of 227km/h, combined average fuel
consumption of just 4.2L/100km and CO2
emissions of 98g/km.
This is strong pointer to the powertrain
and performance that Volkswagen intends
to introduce across a range of small front-
wheel drive vehicles, including the Golf, in
the not-too-distant future.
While recent hybrid concepts, including
the Up! Lite shown in Los Angeles last
month, carried a diesel-electric powertrain –
a 0.8-litre two-cylinder derived from VW’s
1.6-litre four-cylinder TDI – the NCC uses
a four-cylinder version of the acclaimed
TSI direct-injection Twincharger
(supercharged and turbocharged) petrol
engine range that “closely approximates
potential production versions”.
As seen on the TDI hybrid, the electric
motor is integrated between the engine
and the transmission, enabling pure
electric driving over a limited range and,
at all time, supporting the conventional engine
with a strong torque boost.
A 1.1kWh lithium-ion battery supplies the
electric motor with energy, and in electric
mode the TSI is not only shut off but also
disengaged by a clutch to avoid drag losses.
This automatic “coast-down” occurs at
both high and low speeds whenever the
driver releases the accelerator pedal, and,
according to VW, leads directly to reduced
fuel consumption. A fuel-saving idle-stop
feature is also onboard.
Volkswagen said the NCC shows, both
technically and visually, how it envisions
a front-wheel drive hybrid for the compact
class that will be implemented “when the
time is right”.
This “right” time is expected to be when
the Jetta enters a new generation in the fi rst
half of this decade.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
Jan 14, 2010 Page 10
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GoAuto NewsJohn Mellor’s
Blue Oval brand unveils its all-new Focus - the fi rst model built under ‘One Ford’
Power of OnePower of One
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By JAMES STANFORD in DETROITFORD revealed its third-generation Focus
small car at the Detroit motor show this
week – the fi rst model rolled out under the
‘One Ford’ banner.
The important new model will be sold in
122 countries, including Australia. It will
go into production in the US and Europe in
early 2012 and will arrive in Australia later
that year.
While the current-generation Focus has
regional variations, including a unique
North American version, the new Focus
essentially will be the same wherever it is
sold, although powertrains will differ.
Ford presented production-ready fi ve-
door hatch and four-door sedan versions of
the Focus at Detroit.
Both cars are designed with what Ford
calls its kinetic design language. While the
designers were keen to give the sedan its own
distinctive look, the Focus shares some family
resemblance to the current Fiesta light car.
This Focus would have gone into production
at Ford Australia’s Victorian assembly plant
next year under a plan that was announced in
July 2007 but cancelled in July 2009.
The Ford Motor Company has listed
four manufacturing locations for the next-
generation Focus – Saarlouis, Germany;
Detroit, US; St Petersburg, Russia; and
Chongqing, China.
The source of the Australian Focus is
yet to be announced. With production of
the Fiesta light car due to start in Thailand
later this year, there is a good chance that
this country will also produce the Focus
for South-East Asia after production of the
current vehicle ends in South Africa.
The new Focus will be built off Ford’s
new C-sized (small car) platform, which the
company says is crucial to its sales success.
Ford will build 10 different models off this
base, including the C-Max mini-people-
mover that was previewed at last year’s
Frankfurt motor show.
All up, Ford estimates that it will produce
two million C-platform vehicles a year by
2012, up from one million in 2008.
Although Ford and Mazda are now
offi cially divorced, the C platform and
the next-generation Focus were almost
complete before the split. Ford estimates the
commonality between the new Focus and
existing Mazda3 at about one third.
The new Focus program was led by Ford
of Europe out of its German headquarters,
although Ford insists it was a global program
from the start rather than a European model
that will be sold globally.
Ford was this week keeping tight-lipped
on much of the detail during the presentation
and pre-show media briefi ng, but did
confi rm the new Focus would run a similar
suspension set-up to the existing model.
Ford C-segment line director Gunnar
Herrmann told GoAuto that the vehicle
would retain a fully independent rear
suspension, but added that changes had been
made in the name of refi nement.
“Without giving you all the technical
details at this stage I can say that what
we have done is attach the rear sub-frame
separately which is a major change, primarily
improving road noise. The quietness of the
vehicle was very important for us,” Mr
Herrmann said.
Ford says the chassis and suspension
architecture of the new Focus will be
identical through all markets with only
minor tuning differences setting them apart.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
Jan 14, 2010 Page 11
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GoAuto NewsJohn Mellor’s
German marque reveals sub-R8 rear-drive coupe with electric powertrain
Audi extends e-TronAudi extends e-Tron
‘Doing the common thingsuncommonly well’
National Technical TrainerSubaru Australia are seeking an experienced and customer focussed National Technical Trainer based in Sydney. This is an exciting opportunity to work with one of the world’s most successful and respected automotive brands whilst gaining valuable experience and knowledge.
Reporting to the Senior Supervisor Technical Support, this role will be responsible for the training of retailer Technicians and Apprentices in Sydney and Brisbane regions. A key responsibility will also be maintaining a strong relationship with the Subaru Academy Japan. Ultimately there will be a requirement to gain accreditation as a Subaru Technical Instructor from the Subaru Academy.
This position will be part of the Engineering & Technical department and will play a supporting role in all technical responsibilities of that department. Including, support for the Subaru Field Production Report System (Web-based), technical reporting to the factory, technical support and hosting of visiting factory engineers along with any other technical resource issues, which are required.
To be successful in this role you will currently possess a Subaru Master or Advanced technician status or demonstrated high level of motor vehicle expertise (technical trainer, senior technician or above), and have excellent communication, coaching, presentation, organisation and speaking skills.
If you want to accelerate your career in a role that provides excellent career opportunities and employee bene ts, send your resumé to: [email protected] by COB Friday 29th January 2010.
No agency applications will be accepted and only short listed candidates will be contacted.
By TERRY MARTINAUDI has taken the wraps off a new
iteration of its high-performance e-Tron
eco-supercar, a smaller and lighter version
it describes as an “uncompromising purist
compact sportscar with all-electric drive”.
While the inaugural version shown at the
Frankfurt motor show last September was an
R8-sized supercar which stunned the world
with its phenomenal performance claims –
output of 230kW and 4500Nm, acceleration
from 0-100km/h in 4.8 seconds, 60-120km/h
in 4.1 seconds, for example – the Detroit
show car has emerged as a somewhat less
aggressive and, were it to reach series
production, a more affordable contender.
It also shows that Audi is considering a
range of applications for its zero-emissions
electric drivetrain, and provides a look at
another market segment niche the prestige
German manufacturer looks set to enter
before long.
Unlike the all-wheel drive Frankfurt
model, the Detroit e-Tron drives the rear
wheels only through two electric motors
that have a combined output of 150kW of
power and 2650Nm of torque, enabling the
1350kg aluminium space-frame coupe –
250kg lighter than the fi rst e-Tron – to reach
100km/h in a claimed 5.9 seconds.
The 60-120km/h benchmark is devoured
in 5.1 seconds.
Top speed is limited to 200km/h because,
according to Audi, the amount of energy
required by the electric motors increases
disproportionately to speed. The driving
range is approximately 250km, with
recharging times ranging from two hours
(via a 400-volt outlet) to 11 hours, the
latter using 230-volt household current.
The tale of tape is no less interesting, with
the Detroit two-seater measuring 3930mm
long, 1780mm wide and 1220mm high –
smaller in all dimensions than not just the
R8 but the TT as well, and resting on a
shorter (2430mm) wheelbase, too.
The wheelbase is 220mm shorter than
the R8 and 38mm shorter than the TT, a
characteristic of the car that, according to
Audi, has assisted the designers in creating
a powerful, wide and muscular stance on the
road and at the same time a compact and
‘puristic’ look.
The short wheelbase, low weight and the
40:60 front/rear weight distribution achieved
are also said to contribute to neutral, agile,
go-kart-like handling.
FULL STORY: CLICK HEREMore reports – page 16, 19, 23
Jan 14, 2010 Page 12
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GoAuto NewsJohn Mellor’s
Air apparentAir apparent
Mercedes-Benz Cabriolet emerges as fi nal member of redesigned E-class family
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By MARTON PETTENDYMERCEDES-BENZ’S new E-class
Cabriolet made its global debut at the
Detroit motor show this week and is now
on sale in Europe ahead of an Australian
release in May.
Based on the two-door C207-series
E-class Coupe, the new Mercedes Cabriolet
will replace the current CLK Cabriolet in
Australia, just as the E-Coupe succeeded the
CLK Coupe here last August when it arrived
simultaneously with the new E-class sedan.
Offi cially, Mercedes says it will not
produce AMG versions of the E-class Coupe
and Cabriolet, which share 40 per cent of
their components with the C-class, meaning
there will be no direct replacements for the
CLK Coupe or Cabriolet.
Lack of demand and the popularity of its
C63 AMG Estate (24 of which have been sold
here, while just one W211-generation E63
Estate hit Australian roads) will also thwart a
local release for the E63 AMG version of the
new E-class Estate, garden variety versions
of which go on sale here in March.
For now, the Cabriolet – the fourth
member of the angular new E-class model
range – will be available in Europe with the
same engine line-up as the coupe, including
the 125kW E220 CDI, 150kW E250 CDI and
170kW E350 CDI diesels, and the 135kW
E200 CGI, 150kW E250 CGI, 215kW E350
CGI and 285kW E500 petrol versions.
In Australia, the E-Class Cabriolet range
is likely to refl ect that of the E-class Coupe,
meaning the entry-level CLK 200K Cabriolet’s
supercharged 1.8-litre petrol four is likely to be
replaced by the 1.8-litre ‘250 CGI’ engine and
the CLK 500 Cabriolet’s 5.5-litre V8 should
carry over to the E500 Cabriolet.
In between, Mercedes-Benz Australia/
Pacifi c could offer the soft-top E350 petrol V6
and E250 CDI 2.1-litre diesel, the latter
representing the fi rst diesel-powered
cabriolet from Mercedes in Australia.
While the current CLK Cabriolet
range opens at $103,669 for the CLK
200K, the base E250 CGI Cabriolet
will also come at a premium over the
E250 CGI Coupe ($94,500).
The E-class Cabriolet shares the same
basic dimensions as the coupe, including a
4698mm length and 1786mm width.
But because of its electrically folding
fabric roof, which continues a CLK
Cabriolet (and Audi A5 Cabriolet) hallmark
but eschews the folding hard-top systems
featured by the compact SLK and large
SL roadsters (as well as direct rivals like
the BMW 3 Series Convertible and Lexus
IS250C), it is slightly higher at 1402mm.
Though the topless E-class is still heavier
than its two-door Coupe sibling, it is lighter
than the soft-top CLK, with kerb weights
starting at 1645kg for the E250 CGI – 30kg
less than the equivalent CLK but 70kg more
than the E250 CGI Coupe.
However, Mercedes-Benz claims the
new soft-top brings a number of signifi cant
new advances in terms of refi nement and
aerodynamics. With the roof in place, Benz
says the E-Cabriolet is the quietest model in
its class, allowing “a perfectly normal phone
conversation in hands-free mode even when
travelling at a speed of over 200km/h”.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
Jan 14, 2010 Page 13
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GoAuto NewsJohn Mellor’s
Beachcomber concept reprises Moke as Mini SUV launch draws near
Mini does a MokeMini does a Moke
BMW ELECTRIFIESBMW has revealed an electric version of
the 1 Series Coupe, dubbed the Concept
ActiveE, at the Detroit motor show this
week ahead of production in the not-too-
distant future.
The EV concept is designed to
demonstrate BMW’s ability to apply
electric power without sacrifi cing the
brand’s hallmark handling attributes, but
could also preview the EV system that
will power its future-generation Megacity
micro-model family.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
To apply, please email your resumé and cover letter to: [email protected] or contact Human Resources on (02) 9701 1700.
CRM Manager‘Take your Career to the next level with Kia’
Kia Motors is one of the world’s fastest growing motor vehicle manufacturers and represented in over 160 countries across the globe. Committed to the long-term future and continuous growth of the brand in Australia, an exciting opportunity has arisen reporting to the National Marketing Manager based at Head Of ce in Homebush.
This role will present the successful candidate with many diverse challenges in a fast-paced and dynamic environment. With this position you will effectively manage a professional, multi-faceted customer service facility for Kia Motors Australia, incorporating face-to-face and call centre operations which ensure delivery of high quality customer service.
Some of the responsibilities will include:
• Managing call centre operations.• Negotiating and resolving sensitive/complex complaints within
the Customer Call Centre.• Developing, implementing and monitoring service standards
and procedures to ensure responsiveness to customer needs.• Reviewing and analysing data on Customer Service activities,
identifying trends and taking appropriate action.• Undertaking regular industry benchmarking comparisons.
• Reporting recommendations/ ndings to senior management.• Managing a Customer Satisfaction Index program (outbound
research) to monitor trends.• Developing a KIA Customer Relationship Management
program (communications, events and reward programs).• Developing Customer Retention programs via the utilisation
of direct Marketing tools; to retain, up-sell and cross-sell.
The successful candidate will have the following attributes:
• Minimum of 5-years demonstrated experience in a customer service leadership, CRM or call centre role.
• Customer service and/or marketing experience in the automotive industry will be highly regarded.
• Superior written and verbal communication skills with proven responsibility in communicating business strategies.
• Strong data analysis and reporting capabilities.• Proven ability to develop a team to enhance their abilities and
deliver objectives.• Dedication to building a strong relationship with internal and
external stakeholders.• Excellent problem solving skills and ability to work under
pressure.
By RON HAMMERTONMINI has chosen the frozen climes of wintry
Detroit to reveal the sunniest of concept
cars – a born-again Mini Moke called the
Beachcomber – at the North American
International Auto Show.
The open-top door-less all-wheel-drive
four-seater is unlikely to see the production
line in this exact form any time soon, due
to its lack of side-impact crash protection,
but speculation from Europe suggests the
car has strong engineering ties to Mini’s
forthcoming fourth model line, the small
SUV known as the Countryman.
Due for release in September 2010,
the Countryman is likely to share the
Beachcomber’s ALL4 4WD system, larger
wheels and taller ride height when it joins
the hatch, Cabrio and Clubman body styles
in the Mini line-up.
And while the Beachcomber has pillar-less
open-air sides like the utilitarian Mini Moke
of the 1960s, it clearly has side openings
capable of taking four doors in SUV form.
The original Moke was penned by Alex
Issigonis, designer of the fi rst-generation
Mini and the man credited with putting the
world into front-wheel drive cars.
The Moke went into UK production in
1964 – fi ve years after the original Mini
donor car – and was made in Australia
under Morris and Leyland badges from
1966 to 1981. In Portugal, production
lasted until 1993.
The Mini platform was reinforced by
large box-section side sections – one of
which alarmingly held the petrol tank.
The Beachcomber differs from the original
chop-top Moke by retaining side roof rails
that boost rigidity and roll-over safety.
While the original Mini was powered
by a transverse four-cylinder engine that
grew progressively from 1.0 to 1.3 litres
over the years, the Beachcomber concept is
believed to house the Mini’s 1.6-litre range
of petrol and diesel powerplants, also in a
transverse layout.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
Jan 14, 2010 Page 14
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GoAuto NewsJohn Mellor’s
The Steve Jarvin Motor Group is a long established family business located in the Inner West
of Sydney, specialising in Mitsubishi, Nissan and Skoda new vehicles and Used Cars.
BUSINESS MANAGERWe are currently seeking to appoint a suitably quali ed and experienced Business Manager to handle Finance and Insurance sales.
Proven F&I experience in a Motor Vehicle sales environment will be highly regarded.
An attractive remuneration package will be negotiated for the successful applicant and will provide the opportunity to earn an excellent income.
Reporting to the Group Business Manager, the selected applicant must have a proven track record and excellent references.
For further information or to arrange a con dential interview, please call Joe Abrahim on (02) 9701 0000 or email your resumé to: [email protected]
SALES MANAGER – MITSUBISHIWe currently have an opportunity for the position of Sales Manager for our Mitsubishi Dealership at Burwood.
It is preferable that the successful applicant has a proven track record in New Vehicle Sales Management or perhaps be an Assistant Manager ready to take the next step.
Mitsubishi experience is preferred however not essential.
An attractive package will be negotiated in line with experience and quali cations.
For further information or to arrange a con dential interview please contact Steve Watson on 0400 102 325 or email your resumé to: [email protected]
Steve Jarvin Motor Group, 180 Parramatta Rd, Burwood, NSW 2134. Phone (02) 9701 0000.
NISSAN – MITSUBISHI – SKODA
OPPORTUNITIES WITH THE STEVE JARVIN MOTOR GROUP
Cadillac debuts CTS-V Coupe at Detroit motor show
Slingshot coupeSlingshot coupe
By RON HAMMERTONCADILLAC has pulled the wraps from the
supercharged CTS-V Coupe at the North
American International Auto Show in Detroit
ahead of its mid-2010 US showroom launch.
A marriage between the CTS-V sedan’s
blown 415kW 6.2-litre V8 powertrain and the
sharp-edged CTS Coupe that was unveiled
recently in Los Angeles, the rear-drive 2+2
CTS-V Coupe is designed to go head-to-head
with the prestige thoroughbreds of Europe.
But do not expect it in Australia any time
soon, as Holden’s plans for Cadillac’s return
to Australia last year under its GM Premium
Brands banner were aborted by the global
fi nancial crisis.
Styled by former Holden designer Max
Wolff, the Cadillac CTS Coupe – about
100mm shorter than the Holden Commodore
– was to have formed one of the key planks of
the Cadillac relaunch platform Down Under.
The hot “V” version of the two-door
is differentiated from the standard model
by a bulging bonnet, gaping mesh grille
openings at the front and unique rear fascia
punctuated with centrally located big-bore
double-barrel exhaust tailpipes.
Riding on meaty 19-inch alloys, the V
Coupe sits on a 23mm wider rear track than
its CTS-V sedan counterpart.
It employs GM’s Magnetic Ride Control
suspension system, which uses magnetically
controlled dampers to automatically adjust
the settings on the fl y according to driving
characteristics. A version of the system is
already used in a range of GM products,
including Holden Special Vehicles’ upmarket
E2 models, the GTS, Senator Signature and
Grange.
In the CTS-V Coupe, the driver can also
select from Tour and Sport modes.
The LSA 6.2-litre supercharged V8 is
a direct transplant from the CTS-V sedan,
packing 415kW of power and 747Nm
of torque. Cadillac claims it is the most
powerful engine it has ever offered and
propels the CTS-V Coupe from 0-100km/h
in about four seconds – about half a second
quicker that BMW’s M3 and on par with
Porsche’s 911 GT3.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
GM unveils hi-tech XTS Platinum hybrid
By TERRY MARTINGENERAL Motors unveiled a Cadillac
large car concept – the XTS Platinum – at the
Detroit motor show this week, showcasing
new and near-future technology such as
instrument panel touch-screens and a 3.6-
litre V6 plug-in hybrid powertrain.
Said to be designed from the inside out,
the XTS – a nameplate expected to replace
the DTS and STS by the 2012 model year
– introduces a “new approach” to in-car
electronics that GM claims improves the
form and function of the car’s entertainment,
navigation and information systems.
For example, organic light-emitting diode
displays are used in place of traditional
gauges and screens. These display screens
are integrated into a fl owing instrument
panel dubbed a “dead front” design as the
panel appears black until the car’s ignition
is turned on and the screens illuminate.
The designers have also infused the XTS
cabin with “uncompromising luxury and
attention to detail” in an attempt to bring
American consumer attention back to GM
from Lexus and European brands such as
Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
“The Platinum distinction in Cadillac
means the fullest extent of luxury and
technology and we’ve tried to reach even
further with this concept,” said Cadillac
design director Clay Dean.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
Jan 14, 2010 Page 15
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GoAuto NewsJohn Mellor’s
Chevrolet hatch shown in Detroit points to new Barina series for Holden
All-new Aveo risesAll-new Aveo rises
Suitable for VE HOLDEN UteQuality Australian Made Canopies & Tonneaus
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By BYRON MATHIOUDAKISHOLDEN’S long-overdue replacement for
the eight-year-old, Daewoo Kalos-based TK
Barina is fi nally on the horizon in the form
of the Chevrolet Aveo RS.
But do not expect to see GM’s B-segment
baby in Australia before 2011 at the earliest,
as the fi ve-door hatchback previewed at the
2010 North American International Auto
Show in Detroit this week is only a concept.
While a hot-hatch variant may eventually
offer the concept’s striking 19-inch alloys,
lurid paint scheme, aluminium trim, jet-
plane afterburner-style tail-light surrounds
and turbocharged 103kW 1.4-litre four-
cylinder Ecotec petrol engine mated to a six-
speed manual gearbox (look for the latter in
an iteration of the 2011 Aussie-built Cruze),
the forthcoming South Korean-built light car
will be offered with a range of powertrains
and feature levels.
Production of the model Australians will
be able to buy – probably to be code-named
T300 – is not expected to start before the
end of this year.
A handful of Aussies have already seen
the Aveo RS, since the show car – the work
of GM designer Ondrej Koromhaz – was
built at GM Holden in Melbourne towards
the end of last year and was shipped to the
US in December in time for the annual
Detroit shindig.
GM says the “European inspired hot
hatch look” is meant to appeal to “young
enthusiasts” and so follows the lead set
by BMW’s Mini back in 2001 (and since
adopted by many other car-makers including
Fiat for the 500 and Kia for the Soul) by
offering a vast array of personalisation
options and possibilities.
Further to this end, many of the styling
cues from the Cruze and Spark (GM’s sub-
light car replacement for the Daewoo Matiz
that is also on track for an Australian release
this year) can be seen on the Aveo RS,
including the rising beltline, low roofl ine,
split grille treatment, fl ared wheel arches
and round tail-light motifs.
The Chevy concept car also features
doorhandles hidden in the C-pillar, Alfa
Romeo 147-style, to give it a three-door
coupe-like look.
“The Aveo RS show car demonstrates how
progressive design can inject personality
into a small car,” said former Holden chief
designer and now executive director for GM’s
North American exterior design department,
Michael Simcoe. “We want customers to see
it and have an emotional reaction to it.”
It is understood that under the wedgy body
lies a variation of GM’s ‘Gamma II’ platform
that is believed to be the basis for the next-
generation Opel Corsa, standardising the
company’s global B-segment offerings.
Among the many advances promised over
the existing T200/T250 TK Barina models
is more interior room, with GM saying the
Aveo RS is “longer, wider and more spacious
than the current production Aveo”.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
Buick borrows from Opel hot shop and resurrects GS badge for turbo RegalBy BYRON MATHIOUDAKIS
GENERAL Motors has revived Buick’s
long-standing GS (Gran Sport) badge
for the high-performance version of its
forthcoming 2011 Regal – a clone of Opel’s
Insignia from Europe.
The Regal GS – previewed at this week’s
Detroit motor show to drum up further
interest in the American range after the more basic version was introduced at the
recent Los Angeles motor show – is based
on the German-designed Insignia OPC
(Opel Performance Centre) fl agship.
However, the Americanised concept
exchanges the OPC’s Holden-made 240kW
2.8-litre turbo V6 for a 190kW 2.0-litre
turbocharged four-cylinder direct-injection
petrol engine.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
Jan 14, 2010 Page 16
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As the motoring world’s attention turns to Detroit this week, several manufacturers have released images and details of cars that will be shown in Geneva in March...
AUDI A1AUDI has started a drawn-out reveal
campaign for its all-new A1, which is now
confi rmed to make its global public premiere
at the Geneva motor show in March.
Before then, Audi will undertake a
staggered internet launch program for what
it claims will be the world’s fi rst premium
sub-compact car, which goes into production
in early 2010 at the Volkswagen luxury
brand’s plant in Brussels, Belgium.
Confi rmed for Australian release around
early 2011, the A1 will be aimed at a much
younger, urban audience than previous Audi
models, as evidenced by its offi cial online
reveal in February.
No new details were provided in the
latest release from Audi, which included
an offi cial teaser video that contained the
fi rst offi cial sketch of the production A1,
plus a short introductory web video by Audi
chairman Rupert Stadler.
“The Audi brand represents a unique
passion for cars,” he said. “A small, bold
idea can turn into something big. This is the
case with the Audi A1.
“The countdown to the world premiere at
the Geneva auto show in March 2010 begins
today. See for yourself and get to know the
Audi A1.”
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
NISSAN JUKENISSAN’S long-awaited ultra-compact
SUV, to be built for European consumption
in place of the Micra light car at the
company’s Sunderland plant in England,
will wear Juke badges when it is revealed on
February 10 – about three weeks before the
car’s 2010 Geneva motor show debut.
The fi rst image provided by Nissan of
Europe is an obscured teaser photo showing
exaggerated wheel arches and a distinctive
nose treatment.
Sharing the production line with the
Nissan Qashqai (sold as the Dualis in
Australia), the Juke is described as a “small
crossover” vehicle by the company.
Previewed by the Qazana concept at
the 2009 Geneva event, the Juke will slot
in beneath the Qashqai/Dualis, which has
made plenty of hay for Nissan as a crossover
alternative to the likes of the Volkswagen Golf
and Toyota Corolla small cars in Europe.
Nissan will be hoping the Juke plays the
same tune against popular pint-sized sellers
in Europe such as the Ford Fiesta, Opel
Corsa, Toyota Yaris and Fiat Punto.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
PEUGEOT SR1FRENCH car-maker Peugeot is kicking off
the new decade – as well as the bi-centenary
celebrations of the company that was founded
in 1810 as a steel foundry – with a fresh
design direction and a new-look logo.
Spearheaded by the SR1 concept that will
debut at the Geneva motor show in March, it
signals a return to the elegance of Pininfarina-
era Peugeots from the 1950s to the late 1990s.
However, the company is quick to add that
all future vehicles for the time being will be
designed in-house.
Peugeot has chosen to communicate its
new styling direction on the eve of a fresh-
model offensive that will include at least 14
releases between now and the end of 2012.
The aim is to move PSA Peugeot-Citroen
up from 10th to seventh spot in global sales
by 2015.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
RENAULT MEGANE CCTHE Geneva motor show in March will kick
off a period of high new-model activity for
Renault with the debut of the X95 Megane
Coupe-Cabriolet.
This teaser shot is the only photograph
the French are issuing for the time being
– later in February is the expected reveal –
but Renault has already confi rmed that the
four-seater sun-seeker will land in Australia
around October this year.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
Jan 14, 2010 Page 17
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GoAuto NewsJohn Mellor’s
Market on a highMarket on a highNew-car market surges back to top health after record December sales
By RON HAMMERTONTHE Australian automotive industry closed
out 2009 on a high as it continued its second-
half sales rally with a record December
performance.
While overall sales for the 12 months were
down 7.4 per cent on 2008, December sales
were up 15.9 per cent on the same month
last year to a new December benchmark
of 88,708, beating the previous record of
86,250 set in 2007.
The last hurrah for 2009 was prompted
by a recovering economy and a last-minute
rush for vehicles prompted by federal
government tax breaks for small business,
which ended on December 31.
Ute sales rocketed upwards, with
December sales of 4x4 utes – popular with
farmers and tradesmen alike – up 57 per
cent on December 2008. Prestige car sales
also spiralled by more than 60 per cent for
the month.
Despite the end of government incentives,
the market is set retain the benefi t of the tax
breaks for a while yet as many new-car
buyers delay delivery into 2010. Market
leader Toyota – which took the sales crown
for the seventh straight year – says most car
companies are carrying “huge” order banks
into 2010.
And most car companies are predicting
that sales will maintain 2009 levels this year,
before edging up towards the magic million
mark in 2011.
According to offi cial VFACTS sales
fi gures, the Australian motor industry
sold 937,328 vehicles in the 12 months to
December 31, 74,836 fewer vehicles than
2008’s 1,012,164 units but well above
predictions of about 850,000 units made 12
months ago when the economy was sliding
into the depths of the global fi nancial crisis.
Despite the dire predictions, improved
consumer confi dence overlaid with various
government stimulus packages and low
interest rates lifted sales to more normal
levels in the fi nal eight months of the year,
culminating in the whopping 88,708-unit
sales tally in December – 12,198 more
vehicles than December 2008.
Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries
(FCAI) chief executive Andrew McKellar
described the result as exceptional, “given
all the challenges and uncertainties thrown
at the industry by the global economy”.
“The ‘game changing’ measure that
restored confi dence in the marketplace and
stimulated additional demand was the bonus
tax break for business,” he said.
“The fi nal outcome for the year has
surpassed the industry’s original expectations
by some 57,000 vehicles and a signifi cant
proportion of this additional volume can be
attributed to the tax break.”
Looking ahead, the FCAI forecasts that
new vehicle sales in 2010 will exceed
940,000.
“The challenges of the past year have
not yet fully passed so 2010 will be a year
of consolidation for the industry,” Mr
McKellar said.
Toyota was the number-one manufacturer
for the seventh consecutive year, also
topping 200,000 sales for the sixth year in
a row. It retailed 200,991 vehicles in 2009
to secure a dominant 21.4 per cent share of
the market.
This was well ahead of second-placed
Holden on 119,568 (12.8 per cent) and third-
placed Ford, on 96,501 units (10.3 per cent).
However, Toyota’s sales declined 37,990
units over 2008, a fall of 15.9 per cent. By
comparison, declines by Holden (-8.3 per cent)
and Ford (-7.8 per cent) were more in line with
the average market drop of 7.4 per cent.
Hyundai was the stand-out performer of
2009, enjoying a 39.2 per cent sales rise in
the year to December 31, selling a best-ever
63,207 vehicles compared with 45,409 the
previous year. It also lifted its market share
to 6.7 per cent, compared with 4.5 per cent
in 2008.
This effort lifted the South Korean
importer to fi fth place in the market, ahead of
Mitsubishi and Nissan. Ironically, it has just
announced the sudden departure of its sales
and marketing director, Kevin McCann.
Mazda sales slipped just 2.6 per cent to
allow the company to grab fourth spot and
hang on to the number-one importer mantle
with 77,739 sales. Its market share crept up
0.41 percentage points, to 8.3 per cent.
Honda was the biggest loser among the
top 10 car companies, dropping 21.2 per
cent of sales. It fi nished the year in eighth
place, with 41,443 units or 4.4 per cent. In
2008, it held 5.2 per cent.
Sixth-placed Mitsubishi, which has
been in recovery mode since its mid-sized
Magna went out of production in 2008,
came storming back in December with a
dramatic 60.5 per cent increase over the
corresponding month last year, shrinking its
2009 12-month sales defi cit to 6.1 per cent.
Mitsubishi sold 56,998 units for a 6.1 per
cent share.
Nissan sales declined 10.7 per cent, to
52,901 units and a 5.6 per cent share, while
Subaru volumes slipped 5.2 per cent to
36,506 units and a 3.9 per cent share.
Apart from Hyundai, the only car
company in the top 10 to increase volume
was Volkswagen, which clawed a 0.7 per
cent increase, to 30,087 units (3.2 per cent).
FULL STORY: CLICK HEREMore reports – page 18, 19, 21, 23
2009 RESULTS IN DETAIL PASSENGER CARS SUVS COMMERCIAL VEHICLES
VFACTSWRAP
Top 10 Brands 2009Pos Brand Sales % Share
1 Toyota 200,991 21.4
2 Holden 119,568 12.8
3 Ford 96,501 10.3
4 Mazda 77,739 8.3
5 Hyundai 63,207 6.7
6 Mitsubishi 56,998 6.1
7 Nissan 52,901 5.6
8 Honda 41,443 4.4
9 Subaru 36,506 3.9
10 Volkswagen 30,087 3.2
Source: VFACTS, January 2010
Jan 14, 2010 Page 18
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GoAuto NewsJohn Mellor’s
Mazda3
NZ down 28 per centNZ down 28 per centKiwis now face stock shortages after battling ‘full force of recession’
US car market fell 21 per cent last year, despite strong December salesBy RON HAMMERTON
IN A fi nish to 2009 that was uncannily
similar to the Australian experience, United
States car companies farewelled a lousy
year with much-improved December sales,
raising hopes that the depressed market can
hope for much better in 2010.
Compared with December 2008, sales of
light vehicles in the US rose 15 per cent –
similar to Australia’s 15.9 per cent year-on-
year jump for the fi nal month of the year.
But while Australia’s market ended the
full year down 7.4 per cent, the December
fl ourish in the US could only drag the
12-month performance up to 10.4 million
units – still 21 per cent short of 2008’s tally
and the lowest since 1982.
Ford and Toyota were the big winners
in December, with sales up 33 and 32 per
cent respectively over their December 2008
performances.
Market leader General Motors failed
to join the party, slipping a disappointing
seven per cent after seemingly pulling out
of its dive in November.
Over the course of 2009, GM lost more
than 900,000 sales, its volumes plummeting
30 per cent from 2.95 million units in 2008
to 2.07 million last year.
Toyota came in second for the year, at
1.77 million units (including Lexus) –
down 20 per cent year on year – with Ford
arriving at December 31 with the least
damage, down 16 per cent to take third
place with 1.677 units.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
Ford F-150
By JACQUI MADELIN in NEW ZEALANDNEW Zealand new-vehicle sales fell 28 per
cent last year, but the industry predicts stock
shortages as it enters 2010.
The 70,048 total for 2009 was dead-on
industry predictions. The 54,404 passenger
fi gure was down 25.9 per cent on 2008, but
commercials took the biggest hit, coming
in at 15,644 – a 34.6 per cent fall on the
previous year’s 23,933.
Used imports also fell, to 71,911 – down
27.9 per cent on 2008’s 99,701 units.
Long-time market leader Toyota again
headed the annual table with 15,239 sales,
down 28.9 per cent on 2008 for a 21.8 per
cent share.
Ford continued in second (8529 sales,
down 30 per cent) with Holden third (6538
sales, down 29 per cent) and Mazda fourth
(5697 sales, down 20.7 per cent).
Hyundai consolidated fi fth, with 5042 sales,
followed by Nissan on 4323 (down 26.1 per
cent) and Suzuki on 3735 (down 34.3 per
cent). Mitsubishi recovered slightly to end the
year on 3117 units, down 46.3 per cent, with
Honda ninth on 2771 and Kia 10th on 2133.
December’s new-vehicle industry total of
4985 was 26.9 per cent down on that month
in 2008.
Motor Industry Association CEO Perry
Kerr told GoAuto: “December is traditionally
a quiet month for new-vehicle sales and last
year was no exception.
“Clearly, the fi nancial crisis has had
a dramatic impact on new-vehicle sales.
Members of the association, however, had
anticipated this and the fi nal numbers were
in line with industry forecasts.
“The New Zealand car market has not
had the benefi t of support schemes such as
‘cash for clunkers’ or ‘accelerated business
depreciation’ that have been implemented in
other markets. Accordingly, the industry has
faced the full force of the recession.”
With the number of unsold new vehicles
at an all-time low, Mr Kerr predicts stock
shortages this year.
Mazda NZ managing director Andrew
Clearwater agrees. “Everyone is being
cautious about forecasting, which may mean
stock shortages,” he said. “Certainly ours is
the lowest I’ve ever seen it.
“It’s a balancing act. No one wants to get
caught with high levels of stock and if the
market took off tomorrow customers would
have to wait.”
Mazda was a winner last year on the
strength of its small and compact cars, along
with its presence in the commercial ute sector.
It gained a record market share for the year,
selling more Mazda3s than in 2008.
Market share was the story for most
manufacturers. Market leader for the 22nd
consecutive year, Toyota again led both
passenger and overall sales in 2009.
Toyota general manager of sales and
operations Steve Prangnell said Toyota NZ’s
two targets for the year were to hold market
share and to keep the 54-dealer network intact.
“We didn’t lose a dealer, which was a major
objective as we headed into recession and the
private buyer and smaller fl eets abandoned
the market – and they are all dealer sales,”
he said. “Without a dealer network you can’t
make sales and you can’t recover.”
Mr Prangnell forecast only a small lift this
year, to 75,000 units.
“We’re seeing small-medium growth,” he
said. “Lots of competition fragmenting that
lower end and we don’t think we’re out of
the woods yet.
“For the car market, it’s all about GDE
– gross domestic expenditure – not GDP
(gross domestic product), and GDE is still
tracking down.”
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
NZ Top 10 Brands 2009Pos Brand Sales % Share
1 Toyota 15,239 21.8
2 Ford 8529 12.2
3 Holden 6538 9.3
4 Mazda 5697 8.1
5 Hyundai 5042 7.2
6 Nissan 4323 6.2
7 Suzuki 3735 5.3
8 Mitsubishi 3117 4.5
9 Honda 2771 4.0
10 Kia 2133 3.1Source: NZ Motor Industry Association, January 2010
Jan 14, 2010 Page 19
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GoAuto NewsJohn Mellor’s
Prius
Audi warns against exceeding ‘premium brand limit’ of around 16,000 sales a yearBy BYRON MATHIOUDAKIS
AUDI has surprised industry observers
with the announcement that somewhere
“between 15,000 and 17,000” is the upper
limit for any luxury brand’s annual sales
tally in Australia if they want to be profi table
and remain exclusive.
This effectively puts paid to the company’s
oft-publicised pledge of becoming the number-
one luxury car brand for sales in Australia.
Yet outgoing Audi Australia managing
director Joerg Hofmann denied that this was an
admission of defeat to BMW and Mercedes-
Benz, stating that he was more than happy to
see Audi right up there with the competition
sales-wise while making a profi t and leading
in customer service and satisfaction.
The three latter points, Mr Hofmann
suggested, were in danger of being severely
compromised if a luxury car-maker strives
to exceed 16,000 or so sales a year in a new-
car market the size of Australia’s – which is
expected to hover around the million-unit
mark for the next few years.
VFACTS fi gures released last week
show that BMW fi nished 2009 with more
than 17,000 sales – 17,099, down just one
per cent on 2008 – while Mercedes-Benz
recorded 19,000 sales even (up 2.5 per
cent), which includes commercial vehicles.
Audi notched up 11,310 sales, up an
impressive 20.2 per cent over 2008 and in
stark contrast to its 2004 total of 3500 units.
According Mr Hofmann, Audi will hit the
15,000 annual volume marker by the end of
2013, fuelled by the release of the BMW
Mini-chasing Audi A1, the next-generation
A3, A6 and A8, a raft of new niche models
such as the A5 Sportback (out this month)
and A7 coupe-sedan, and the completion of
a nationwide dealership overhaul.
“I would rather (see it at) about 15,000
cars a year,” Mr Hofmann told journalists at
the launch of the TT RS and S5 Cabriolet in
Sydney last month. “Other German brands
have announced they want to go to 20,000
cars or whatever … but this won’t happen
immediately unless it is with discounting or
at the expense of brand image.
“In every market there is a cap for a
premium brand, and if you go beyond it you
either lose money, or you have to discount
and buy the extra volume.
“I believe that at around 15,000 cars we
will be able to hold our position … and
move forward with customer satisfaction
… and if you go over that premium brand
limit you lose a competitive edge,” he said.
FULL STORY: CLICK HEREUp Close on Personnel – page 23
Tax incentive hangover will slow sales recovery this year, says Toyota
Tough year aheadTough year ahead
By RON HAMMERTONTHE Australian new-car market will
struggle to hold current buoyant sales levels
in 2010 despite a lift in January from fi ve per
cent tariff cuts on many imported passenger
cars, according to Australia’s number-one
car company, Toyota.
This is at odds with Ford Australia’s
prediction that the 2010 market will exceed
this year’s levels.
Toyota Australia senior executive director
of sales and marketing David Buttner –
whose “bullish” prediction 12 months ago
that the industry would top 900,000 sales in
2009 was realised last week when a 937,000
fi gure was announced – has told GoAuto
that he did not expect the industry to surpass
930,000 in 2010.
Mr Buttner said the 2009 market had been
driven upwards by the federal government’s
stimulus packages, including tax incentives
for businesses, along with an improvement
in consumer sentiment.
The tax incentives disappeared on
December 31, and while the industry will
still be delivering many cars fore-ordered
under the scheme, Mr Buttner said it would
not be suffi cient to drive the market beyond
current levels.
“Honestly, I think there will be some
impact from the investment allowance from
a pull-ahead point of view,” he said. “My
current prediction is that I don’t think we
will quite get to 930,000 next year.”
Ford Australia president and CEO Martin
Burela told GoAuto last month that while
the fi rst quarter of 2010 might be relatively
fl at, the last three quarters would drive the
market to “930,000-plus” as it headed back
towards the one million mark.
Toyota was last week again crowned
Australia’s number-one car company, passing
200,000 new-vehicle sales for the 2009
calendar year for the sixth year in a row.
By the same token, however, it has also
suffered its fi rst year-on-year decline in
volume since 2001, with sales falling 15.9
per cent from 2008’s record tally of 236,983
to 200,991 units.
In percentage terms, this fall is about
double the rate of decline of its main local
rivals, Holden and Ford, although it almost
sold as many cars as that pair combined.
Mr Buttner described the 2009 Toyota sales
fall as “lower than last year by a signifi cant
amount”, but said Toyota had been operating
in a diffi cult sales environment, fi ghting the
industry downturn with an ageing product
line-up.
He said Toyota was now aiming to
improve on its 2009 performance, aiming
for another 200,000-plus result.
This would be helped by new-model
activity, including two next-generation
products and seven facelifts.
The new models will kick off with the
high-profi le launch of the Camry Hybrid in
February. A new-generation Yaris light car is
also thought to be in the pipeline, probably
for late 2010.
Mr Buttner declined to be drawn on
whether Toyota would cut prices in line
with the fi ve per cent tariff cuts on imported
passenger cars, saying only that Toyota liked
to be competitive in the marketplace.
FULL STORY: CLICK HEREYear of the fi ghtback – page 21
S5 Sportback
Jan 14, 2010 Page 20
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HONDA’S NEW MICROHONDA has unveiled a new sub-Jazz “Asia
car” to go into simultaneous production in
India and Thailand from 2011.
Although Honda has not spelled out
which export markets it will ultimately
be sold in, the fi ve-door, fi ve-seat hatch –
apparently codenamed 2CV but called New
Small Car Concept at its unveiling at the
New Delhi motor show last week – could
provide Honda Australia with a competitor
for the raft of new Asian-made mini-cars,
including the Indian-built Suzuki Alto.
Honda Australia spokesman Mark
Higgins told GoAuto that Honda had only
indicated that a car based on the concept
would go on sale in India and Thailand.
But he confi rmed that Honda had said the
car’s future potential for other markets
would be studied.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
SUZUKI PEOPLE-MOVERFIRST fl agged by GoAuto way back at
the 2004 Paris motor show, the long-time-
coming Suzuki people-mover has fi nally
broken cover.
But do not stand by waiting for the
production version of this MPV – dubbed the
R3 Concept at last week’s New Delhi motor
show in India – to arrive any time soon.
This vehicle is just a concept car for
now, built by partner Maruti to gauge the
viability of a Suzuki/Maruti people-mover
in the Indian market.
Its forward-opening rear doors, big wheels
and ultra-chic seats suggest fl ights of fancy
more than anything steeped in production
reality. Nevertheless, Suzuki says the design
and manufacture of the concept is a Maruti
in-house effort that took just nine months to
get to show-car status.
Whether the R3 Concept sees the light
of day is still unknown. Suzuki concepts
are notorious for their ultra-long gestation
periods – the soon-to-be released Kizashi
Camry competitor was fi rst shown in 2007.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
By MARTON PETTENDYFORD has formally confi rmed its intention
to sell Volvo to Geely by the second quarter
of this year.
Announced on December 23, the move
is subject to fi nance and governmental
approvals, with the Zhejiang Geely Holding
(ZGH) group now expected to seek
permission from the Chinese government to
go ahead with the deal.
The Ford Motor Company announced its
intention to sell Volvo in December 2008,
before naming Geely as its preferred bidder
in October last year.
It paid $US6 billion ($A6.77b) for Volvo
in 1999, while unconfi rmed reports from
Sweden have stated Geely could now pay
just $US2 billion ($A2.26b).
Ford said it had agreed “all substantive
commercial terms” of Volvo’s sale to Geely,
which is expected to be signed within months
and offi cially closed before mid-2010.
“Ford Motor Company confi rmed today
that all substantive commercial terms
relating to the potential sale of Volvo Car
Corporation have been settled between
Ford and Zhejiang Geely Holding Group
Company Limited,” said FoMoCo in a
statement two days before Christmas.
“While some work still remains to be
completed before signing – including fi nal
documentation, fi nancing and government
approvals – Ford and Geely anticipate that a
defi nitive sale agreement will be signed in the
fi rst quarter of 2010, with closing of the sale
likely to occur in the second quarter 2010,
subject to appropriate regulatory approvals.
“The prospective sale would ensure Volvo
has the resources, including the capital
investment, necessary to further strengthen
the business and build its global franchise,
while enabling Ford to continue to focus on
and implement its core One Ford strategy.”
Ford said it will continue to co-operate
with Volvo “in several areas” after the sale,
but does not intend to retain a shareholding
in the company.
Geely said in November that it had agreed
with Ford to own the intellectual property
rights on key Volvo safety and environmental
technologies.
Late last month it moved to assure
Volvo workers that it will not radically
alter the company, following “constructive
meetings with Volvo management, labour
representatives and government offi cials
in Sweden and Belgium – where its key
manufacturing plants are based”.
“Geely is committed to work with all
stakeholders to complete the transaction
in the best interest of all parties,” said
ZGH chairman Li Shufu in a statement
on December 23, when the company
said it “expects to sign a defi nitive stock
purchase agreement with Ford in the fi rst
quarter of 2010”.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
Ford confi rms plan to sell Volvo to Geely
Volvo deal doneVolvo deal done
BERNIE BIDS FOR SAABFORMULA One supremo Bernie
Ecclestone has emerged as a last-ditch
bidder for Swedish car brand Saab in
partnership with a Luxembourg-based
capital investment company, Genii
Capital.
Speaking with the Bloomberg news
service, Mr Ecclestone, 79, confi rmed
he was putting a bid together with Genii
for Saab, which faces imminent closure
if owner General Motors cannot get a
signifi cant offer in the next few days.
GM has again postponed its fi nal
decision on the company until it can digest
the Genii offer and a new proposal from
Dutch niche sportscar-maker Spyker.
However, GM chairman and CEO Ed
Whitacre said last week that he was not
confi dent Saab could be saved, as no
company with the necessary investment
backing had stepped up to the plate.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
Jan 14, 2010 Page 21
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Government tax breaks made all the difference in 2009 new-car market
Year of the fi ghtbackYear of the fi ghtbackAustralian vehicle sales 2009
-10
-8
-18
-16
-14
-20
-22
70
80
90
100
-12
YT
D %
vs
2008
Veh
icle
s (t
ho
usa
nd
s)
Source: VFACTS
By RON HAMMERTONOFFICIALLY, the 2009 Australian new-
vehicle market was down 7.4 per cent on
the previous year, breasting the tape at
937,328 units.
But by some guesstimates, the federal
government’s fi nancial incentives, including
business tax depreciation breaks, were
responsible for prompting about 80,000
sales, as tradies, farmers and assorted other
ABN holders got in for their vehicular chop.
Without this Labor largesse, the fi gure
may have looked something like 860,000
units, down about 15 per cent on 2008’s
tally – or down more than 18 per cent on
2007’s record 1,049,982 units.
In fact, it could have been the leanest year
since 2002, adding to the prevailing air of
economic gloom in the wake of the global
fi nancial crisis, not to mention the jobless
queues as low turnover bit both car-makers
and dealers.
Instead, automotive sales turned out to
be one of the feel-good stories of 2009, as
car companies fought back to restore their
equilibrium – if not entirely on the balance
sheets then at least in their stock holding
yards.
When GoAuto asked Toyota’s senior
executive director of sales and marketing
David Buttner how many cars Toyota
Australia had on grass in the fi rst half of
2009, he replied: “Too many.”
But by the close of the year, Toyota had
not only cleared much of the backlog but
was holding a record order bank – at least
partly to cover pre-ordered vehicles by
businesspeople trying to take advantage of
the tax depreciation. Other companies are
said to be in a similar position.
Mr Buttner said 2009 could be split into
two: the fi rst fi ve months up to May, when
the market was basically in freefall, crashing
up to 20 per cent in some months, and post-
May, when the incentives kicked in – boosted
by an increase in the small-business tax
break from 30 to 50 per cent – and consumer
confi dence started to creep back in.
A look at the monthly sales fi gures
through 2009 shows the twin peaks
caused by business buyer activity, around
May-June – before the fi rst incentive for
all business closed on June 30 and after
the announcement of the small business
increase – and then again in November-
December, as the tax breaks came to a
screaming halt.
But the more heartening graph – the
monthly year-to-date fi gure compared with
the previous year’s YTD tally at that time –
shows how the market fought back, month
by month, from a defi cit of more than 18
per cent in January, until it almost caught
up with the previous year’s 12-month total,
falling just 7.4 per cent short.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
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MarJan Jun SepAprFeb Jul OctMay Aug Nov Dec
Jan 14, 2010 Page 22Green issues in the auto world
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Camry Hybrid
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Toyota’s green wedgeToyota’s green wedgeAero design tweaks help Camry Hybrid to 0.27Cd and ‘best’ local economy
By RON HAMMERTONA FLAT underbody and redesigned nose
will help to make the upcoming Camry
Hybrid the most aerodynamic Australian-
built car with a drag coeffi cient of just
0.27Cd, according to Toyota.
This fi gure is a six per cent improvement
over the current Camry’s 0.28Cd, but short
of Toyota’s other hybrid, the world-beating
third-generation Prius, which slips through
the air with a drag of just 0.25Cd.
Continuing its publicity drip-feed for the
petrol-electric Camry ahead of its Australian
sales launch in February, Toyota’s corporate
manager of design Paul Beranger recently
explained the styling changes for the new
vehicle, which was fundamentally designed
in Japan but had input from Toyota’s styling
centres in Australia and the US.
Mr Beranger said the changes centred on
reducing drag while catering for the cooling
requirements of the Toyota Hybrid Synergy
Drive powertrain.
He said a smaller upper grille was balanced
with a larger lower opening in the bumper,
improving airfl ow over the front of the car
while ensuring suffi cient cooling for the
petrol engine and electric drive components.
Flat sides on the bumpers reduce
turbulence down the sides of the vehicle,
while a fl at underbody reduces drag while
achieving negative lift.
The slippery body helps the Camry
Hybrid achieve what Toyota claims will be
Australia’s lowest fuel consumption for a
locally produced car. Although the company
is yet to give an exact fi gure, it has hinted
at a combined-cycle fi gure in the low 6.0
litres per 100km range, compared with the
standard Camry’s 8.8L/100km.
Mr Beranger said research by Toyota’s
Australian design house, Toyota Style
Australia, revealed that aspiring hybrid car
drivers wanted their vehicle to be distinctive,
standing apart from regular petrol models.
This infl uenced the Camry Hybrid design,
with Prius-like styling cues adopted in items
such as the blue-tinted headlamp covers and
dashboard instruments and redesigned front
fascia with satin chrome fi nish.
A look in the boot revealed that luggage
space is impacted by the nickel-metal hydride
battery pack which sits between the rear
wheels, all but blocking the donor Camry’s
opening created by the 60/40 split-fold rear
seats. However, the designers at least managed
to salvage a ski-port, which is said to be large
enough to accommodate a surfboard.
Toyota claims the rear placement of the
battery pack – along with the regular lead-
acid engine battery which is also in the boot –
helps to achieve a 50:50 weight distribution.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
GM powers up new lithium-ion battery plant as next step to Volt productionBy RON HAMMERTON
GENERAL Motors last week took another
step towards production of its plug-in hybrid
Chevrolet Volt when it opened its lithium-
ion battery pack assembly plant in Michigan
on the eve of the Detroit motor show.
Although GM claimed to be the fi rst major
car company in the US to launch into such a
venture, the actual battery cells – 200 per unit
– are shipped in from Korean company LG
Chem’s Compact Power Inc subsidiary in Troy,
Michigan, for packaging, fi rst into modules
and then sealed packs at the refurbished
Brownstown plant of GM’s new off-shoot,
GM Subsystems Manufacturing LLC.
The T-shaped battery packs that sit under
the transmission tunnel and rear seat of
the Volt are set to fl ow in small numbers
to GM’s technical centre at Warren for
ongoing testing before initial production
batches come off the line for pre-production
test vehicles in March.
Full production of Volt at the refurbished
Detroit-Hamtramck plant is expected to
start in the fourth quarter as a 2011 model.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
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AUDI AUSTRALIA BOSS TO TAKE UP NEW ROLE IN GERMANY
TOYOTA, LEXUS MANAGEMENT SHUFFLE
KIA APPOINTS NEW AUSTRALIAN CHIEF
HYUNDAI SALES CHIEF DEPARTS
By MARTON PETTENDY and BYRON MATHIOUDAKIS
AUDI Australia managing director Joerg
Hofmann will begin a new job looking after
the beleaguered German market for the
brand as managing director of Audi AG –
German Retail Group, from February 1.
He leaves a legacy of a continuous
60-month growth spurt that has seen Audi’s
annual sales rocket from around 3500 in
2004 to more than 11,300 for 2009.
Speaking to the media at the launch of
the TT RS and S5 Cabriolet in Sydney last
month, Mr Hofmann said that he had achieved
everything he wanted in Australia, and so was
seeking new challenges within Audi AG.
The opportunity to move to head offi ce
came after Audi’s Lighthouse headquarters
opening in Sydney last August.
The 42-year-old German national said that
his fi ve years based in Sydney were the most
satisfying of his professional and personal life,
adding that the experience had changed him.
“After fi ve years here it is time to move
on for me,” he said. “Five years is a pretty
long time and I certainly enjoyed it.
“I’ve changed a few
things … privately and
professionally they are the
best years that I have seen
… but it was always going
to be that I was not going
to stay in Australia.
“But I need a new
professional challenge, I
have to say … and right after the Lighthouse
the Audi AG board (offered me the position).”
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
By JOHN MELLOR and RON HAMMERTONTOYOTA Australia has revised its senior
management ranks in its sales and marketing
arm for both the Toyota and Lexus brands.
A long-time sales and marketing executive
of Toyota Australia, Matthew Callachor,
has been appointed executive director of
sales and marketing, taking over the role of
the late Alan Porich who died in 2008.
Reporting to senior executive director
David Buttner, Mr Callachor will oversee
the sales, marketing and product planning
and administration divisions.
Lexus Australia chief executive John
Roca has moved back to the Toyota brand
as divisional manager of national sales,
reporting to Mr Callachor and effectively
switching jobs with long-serving executive
Tony Cramb.
Mr Callachor commenced his career at
Toyota Australia as a marketing services
analyst in 1982, and has been groomed
through a wide range
of senior management
positions including an
inter-company transfer
to the United States
where he was appointed
manager responsible for
aftermarket with Toyota
Motor Sales.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
KIA Motors Australia has appointed Min
Kun (MK) Kim as its new president and
chief executive offi cer.
Replacing Terry (Tak Uk) Im, who has
been promoted to president and CEO of Kia
Motors in Russia, Mr Kim has more than 23
years’ experience in the automotive industry.
Most recently he served as Western Europe
director in the international business division
at Kia Motors’ headquarters in South Korea.
He also has experience with the company’s
export operations division in the Middle
East, Europe, Asia and Pacifi c regions.
Mr Im served in Australia for 13 months,
replacing SK Lee in December 2008.
Mr Kim arrives as Kia looks to continue
growing its brand in Australia. While it remains
in the shadow of sister brand Hyundai, Kia
again sold almost 20,000
new vehicles in Australia
last year, falling just
1.3 per cent on its 2008
sales volume during the
economic downturn for a
total of 19,407 units.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
HYUNDAI has announced the shock
departure of the man who oversaw a stellar
market share increase for the Korean brand
in Australia, Kevin McCann.
The factory-owned Australian
subsidiary confi rmed the immediate
departure of its sales and marketing
director on December 29.
Hyundai Motor Company Australia gave
no reason for Mr McCann’s sudden exit
and a company spokesman could not say if
he would undertake a new role within the
industry.
The spokesman told GoAuto: “HMCA
has undergone an executive-level
restructure as part of the company’s global
organisation standards
and business needs to
meet the demands of
the company in coming
years.”
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
Joerg Hofmann
Matthew Callachor
MK Kim
Kevin McCann
Steve Curran George Hennessy
Sharon Hunter
Anne Taylor
Mara Nogarotto Doug Tame
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Jan 14, 2010 Page 24
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GoAuto NewsJohn Mellor’s
JANUARY:Audi A5 SportbackBMW X5 MLotus EvoraProton Satria GProton Persona G Proton Gen.2 G
New model diary: CLICK HERE
GoAuto’s latest car review www.GoAuto.com.au
Holden Captiva 5 2.4 2WD fi ve-door wagonLIGHTNING may strike twice for Holden, because the Captiva 5 is following in the successful footsteps of the Cruze small car in offering Australian compact SUV buyers a hard-to-ignore value-for-money proposition. But is a sharp sticker price and lots of standard features enough in a segment choc-a-block full of competitors as diverse as the Mitsubishi Outlander and Volkswagen Tiguan? And should the Toyota
RAV4 and Subaru Forester be worried?
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A5 Sportback
EvoraEvora
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
BENZ FROM A TO BMERCEDES-BENZ has discontinued the
A-class compact hatch in Australia, throwing
its weight instead behind the B-class with a
B180 variant – the new entry point to the
star-spangled brand at $36,990, plus on-road
and statutory charges – and improved value
for others in the series.
In a statement released this week,
Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacifi c said the
decision to axe the A-class was taken as a
result of the B-class model’s “popularity with
customers” – despite the fact that it managed
just 23 B-class sales across the nation last
month compared with 66 of the A-class,
according to the latest VFACTS fi gures.
While limited supplies are understood to
be behind these results, the split between
the two over the full 12 months in 2009 still
shows both models on a relatively even keel,
although both were well down on 2008 –
B-class: 686 (down 27.6 per cent); A-class:
523 (down 31.8 per cent).
The B-class will undoubtedly get a boost
with the new 1.7-litre four-cylinder B180
(with standard fi ve-speed manual gearbox),
which is priced $910 lower than the outgoing
A180 fi ve-door model.
Standard features on the B180 specifi cally
highlighted by Mercedes include 17-inch alloy
wheels, an Audio 20 sound system (with six-
disc in-dash CD), UCI media interface, cruise
control and an exterior chrome package.FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
SPECIAL FORESTER XSUBARU is looking to leverage the
recreational appeal of its giant-killing Forester
compact SUV by hooking up with outdoor
apparel company Columbia via a new special
edition, the Forester X Columbia.
At a driveaway price of $33,990 for the
manual (auto $2000 extra), the special edition
is based on the entry-level 2.5-litre Forester
X – normally priced at $30,990, plus on-
road costs – but gains 16-inch alloy wheels,
foglights, roof crossbars, cargo tray and a
rear step panel. And in a quid pro quo for the
Columbia naming rights, buyers get a $500
voucher to spend on Columbia merchandise.FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
MORE SPEC FOR X-TRAILNISSAN has thrown a range of extra
standard features into its X-Trail compact
SUV range, but pricing remains the same –
at least at base level.
Change is limited to the addition of an
iPod jack on the entry-level ST petrol, which
continues to be priced from $32,990 (plus
on-road costs). The entry-level diesel TS
also continues to be priced from $37,740, but
gains the iPod jack, Bluetooth connectivity
and rear privacy glass as standard.FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
CIVIC AIRBAG BOOSTHONDA has ramped up the safety of its
Civic range by adding curtain airbags to
the base VTi sedan as standard equipment
in the just-introduced 2010 model. All
other Civic variants – including the British-
made Si and Type R hatch – already have
the life-saving device which is becoming
more commonplace on mainstream cars as
manufacturers strive for a maximum fi ve-
star ANCAP safety rating.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
LEXUS LOCKS IN LF-AJUST fi ve examples of the fi rst-ever Lexus
supercar – the LF-A – have been allocated
for Australia, where up to 20 well-heeled
customers have expressed interest in owning
the car despite a projected pricetag of around
$750,000.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
ASTON SPEED KINGASTON Martin’s multi-millionaires’
missile, the One-77, has topped 350km/h
in shakedown tests ahead of its mid-2010
sales launch, setting a speed record for the
marque in keeping with its stratospheric
seven-fi gure pricetag.
The British brand’s carbon-fi bre-clad
522kW 7.3-litre V12 fl agship nudged
354.86km/h (220.007mph) at “a top-secret
proving ground in southern Europe”, joining
an exclusive club of warp-speed supercars.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
From the back of Bourke to the big smoke - it works!
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o
SOLD
B180
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