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March 23, 2011 No. 573

GoAuto NewsJohn Mellor’s

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

PROTECTION FROM THE MOMENT YOU TURN THE KEY.

Infi niti locked inNissan luxury brand to launch in September 2012 with FX, G37 and M line-up

By BYRON MATHIOUDAKISNISSAN has committed to relaunching

its Infi niti luxury brand in Australia by

September next year, initially in the form of

a three-model attack that aims to muscle in

on Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, Lexus and

other premium brands.

Following Toyota’s Lexus division as the

second dedicated Japanese luxury brand

on sale here, Nissan’s prestige marque is

expected to fare better than it did the fi rst

short-lived time around in 1991-93 by

launching in Australia with FX mid-size

SUV, G37 mid-size coupe and convertible,

and M-series large sedan models.

Led by Nissan Australia chief executive

Dan Thompson, who is also now Infi niti

Cars Australia CEO, the new management

team refused to discuss sales aspirations

for the brand at yesterday’s Australian

announcement, but said there should be no

restrictions on vehicle supplies from Japan.

The cars will be sold through ‘exclusive’

standalone dealerships in Melbourne, Sydney

and Brisbane, to be called Infi niti Centres.

These may or may not be part of

an existing Nissan franchise, with the

company saying it had commenced “formal

discussions with a number of outstanding

automotive retailers, who share a passion

for premium cars and outstanding customer

service, to join the brand as the inaugural

retail partners in 2012”.

Mr Thompson revealed Infi niti’s planned

return to Australia a year ago on the 370Z

Roadster launch, emphasising that global

representation was part of the brand’s

GT2012 (Growth and Trust 2012) strategy.

“As part of Infi niti’s worldwide

expansion, Australia is a mandatory next

step for the luxury brand,” Mr Thompson

said this week.

“In a little more than a year, the promise of

luxury vehicles with a unique combination of

inspired performance, attentive hospitality

and unparalleled quality will become a

reality for the Australian market.”

The company said it was in the process of

assembling a “team of professionals from

luxury consumer goods and automotive

backgrounds who are experts in delivering

an outstanding luxury brand experience”.

The new management team includes

former Saab Automobile sales and

marketing executive Kevin Snell as general

manager, ex-Swatch Group member

Andrew Millar as sales and marketing

manager, and former AWB Landmark

executive Nick Parkington as national

retail performance manager.

Former BMW Group executive Mark

Grier has been appointed manager for

digital marketing and customer relations,

while ex-Mercedes-Benz executive Zac

Loo has taken on the role of product and

sales planning manager.

Further appointments will be announced

closer to the brand’s relaunch.

The Japanese-built prestige and luxury

vehicles will be marketed using an ‘Inspired

Performance’ catchcry.

Under the Infi niti Financial Services

brand, Nissan Australia’s fi nance arm will

also be a key asset in helping establish the

marque in this country.Continued next page

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March 23, 2011 Page 2

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

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GoAuto NewsJohn Mellor’s

sales@auto-it.com.au | +61 3 9349 3062

The leader in

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Continued from previous pageThe models coming next year are being

dictated, to some degree, according to where

each is within its respective lifecycle.

Arguably the most important at launch for

Infi niti in Australia is the FX, a mid-sized

luxury SUV that will directly target Lexus’

volume-selling RX and is based on the FM

(Front Midship) architecture that currently

underpins the Nissan 370Z sportscar.

A rear-drive-based platform, FM has been

designed for balanced front-to-rear weight

distribution. To that end, the FX’s doors and

bonnet are fashioned from aluminium to

save weight.

Two Euro 5 emissions-compliant petrol

engines will be offered initially – a 247kW

3.7-litre DOHC V6 for the FX37 and a 290kW

5.0-litre V8 for the FX50 – driving either the

rear or all four wheels (depending on model

variant) via a seven-speed automatic gearbox.

The 175kW/550Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel

FXD is still to be confi rmed.

Top-level technologies include Infi niti’s

‘Intelligent AWD’ system that can channel

between zero and 50 per cent of torque to

the front wheels, radar-controlled cruise

control, lane-departure prevention, a blind-

spot warning device, and 360-degree camera

monitoring to aid parking.

Suspension is via double wishbones up

front and a multi-link design at the rear.

Meanwhile, the M-series will take on the

BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz E-class, Audi

A6 and Lexus GS, with a number of variants

using a single four-door body style as its base.

Also based on the FM architecture, the

M offers the same suspension and rear/

AWD drivetrains and will feature similar

powertrains, including the aforementioned

247kW 3.7-litre V6 in the M37 and the 3.0-

litre turbo-diesel in the M30d.

However, the M-series will also feature

a 313kW 5.6-litre V8 for the M56, while

the M35h Hybrid – Nissan’s fi rst in-house

hybrid – leverages a 3.5-litre V6 and electric

motor for claimed V8-like performance

(261kW) and four-cylinder economy (8.1

litres per 100km).

Most of the FX’s hi-tech gizmos are

M-bound, but the slippery (0.26Cd for

M35h) sedan goes one better than its SUV

stablemate by offering a Sport Package with

four-wheel ‘active’ steering (4WAS), along

with sports-tuned suspension, ‘Sport Brakes’

and 20-inch alloy wheels.

Finally for now is the G37 – another

FM-platform vehicle – that has been around in

its current guise since 2007 as a coupe and 2009

as a convertible. A V36-generation vehicle, it is

also sold as the Nissan Skyline range in Japan.

Fresh from a mid-cycle facelift last year,

the G37 uses a 250kW 3.7-litre V6 petrol

engine mated to either a six-speed manual or

seven-speed automatic. Whether this is the

drivetrain combination slated for Australia

remains to be seen.

Infi niti Cars Australia will eventually

roll out a whole swag of new models to

complement the launch range.

Perhaps most pressing will be the

introduction of an all-important competitor

for the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes C-class,

Audi A4 and Lexus IS.

Already available abroad as the G37

sedan, it is thought that Infi niti Australia is

waiting on the next-generation version to

surface. But that probably will not be due

until 2013 at the earliest.

Also on the wish list is the EX, a smaller

SUV sibling to the FX crossover that is

expected to be in the Audi Q5 mould. Whether

we see the current J50 series that debuted in

2007 or the next-generation version due in

about two years’ time is unknown.

An Infi niti hatchback to take on the BMW 1

Series, Audi A3 and Lexus CT200h is also on

the drawing board. It was previewed in Etherea

concept car form – a supercharged 2.5-litre

four-door coupe with fi ve-door practicality –

at the Geneva motor show earlier this month.

FULL STORY: CLICK HEREMore reports – page 7, 8, 13-14, 21

Infi niti locked inInfi niti locked in

Etherea

March 23, 2011 Page 3

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Hyundai’s radical coupe arrives in Sydney ahead of launch later this year

Veloster hits AustraliaVeloster hits Australia

By HAITHAM RAZAGUISYDNEY’S Circular Quay and world-

famous Opera House were the backdrop for

the fi rst public showing of Hyundai’s radical,

concept-made-reality Veloster coupe outside

of a motor show, with two production-ready

examples on display last Sunday beside the

glittering harbour of Australia’s oldest city.

Hyundai announced that its Accent-based

Coupe will go on sale in Australia by the

end of this year, debuting for the brand

both an all-new 1.6-litre direct-injection

petrol engine and six-speed dual-clutch

transmission.

And, having decided that only vehicles

specifi cally developed with the European

market in mind will receive an i-prefi xed

numerical designation, the South Korean

automotive giant revealed the Veloster will

retain the name from the original concept

that debuted at the Seoul show in 2007 rather

than take on the expected i15 moniker.

No exact launch date, pricing or

specifi cation levels were announced, but

the world’s fi fth-largest car company said

Australian-delivered Velosters will have

their suspension and steering tuned to suit

local road conditions and will carry high

levels of safety equipment, including a

sophisticated new stability control system

and a “full complement of airbags”.

Hyundai said Veloster will offer value

for money and be targeted at the youth

market, but could not yet provide any early

indications of price.

The Veloster challenges the conventional

wisdom that symmetry is beauty, for it is

wilfully asymmetrical, having two doors

on the passenger side and a single driver’s

door that is longer than the corresponding

passenger-side door. Despite this, because

it is diffi cult to view both sides of the car

at once and the rear passenger door has an

Alfa-style concealed doorhandle, the design

makes sense in the fl esh.

Unlike the Mini Clubman, which also

has an asymmetrical door design – albeit

an RX-8 style rear-hinged ‘suicide’ door

that requires the driver’s door to be opened

fi rst – the Veloster’s conventionally hinged

individual doors will be re-engineered for

right-hand drive markets.

Hyundai claims this bold and unusual

layout, which attempts to combine the

style and excitement of a coupe with the

practicality of a hatch, perfectly embodies

its new corporate slogan of “new thinking,

new possibilities”.

The two Korean-spec Velosters were

presented to the media outside the Opera

House as part of Hyundai’s sponsorship of

the YouTube Symphony Orchestra event,

the grand fi nale of which was held on

Sunday night.

Several women at the event expressed

enthusiasm for the coupe, describing it as

sexy, funky, sporty and sleek while praising

the practicality of the rear door and a more

spacious than expected interior.

While the Veloster exhibits its own brand

of Hyundai’s ‘fl uidic sculpture’ design

language at the front, from the side and

rear it recalls the Alfa Romeo Brera and

Renault Megane RS250. Short overhangs

and muscular-looking curves further add to

the suggestion of sporting intent.

The Veloster is strictly a four-seater, with

a cup-holder space between the rear seats.

A rear passenger sitting behind the driver

must slide across the bench to exit, making

sure that on both entry and exit they are not

obstructed by a beverage container.

FULL STORY: CLICK HEREHyundai’s new quartet – next page

March 23, 2011 Page 4

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Four new models set for 2011 launch as Hyundai mulls i40 sedan position

Hyundai’s new quartetHyundai’s new quartet

By HAITHAM RAZAGUIHYUNDAI’S new Veloster coupe will cap

four new models joining the South Korean

company’s Australian line-up this year, with

the European-developed i40 mid-sized wagon

and the new-generation Accent and Elantra

sedans all confi rmed for local launch.

The groundbreaking Veloster, which

received its fi rst public airing outside of a

motor show in Sydney at the weekend, will

arrive at the end of the year, just after the

new i40 wagon.

The Accent and Elantra – sedan

counterparts for the light-sized i20 and

successful i30 small hatch – will arrive in

quick succession in the third quarter.

However, these new sedans will retain the

global Accent and Elantra names, eschewing

the ‘i’ moniker system attached to other

Hyundais launched locally in recent years,

as will the Veloster.

All models feature the ‘fl uidic sculpture’

design language that debuted last year with

the ix35 SUV and i45 mid-size sedan.

The i40 wagon – which emerged in

production form at the Geneva motor show

earlier this month – will complement the

related i45 sedan and compete head-on with

wagon versions of the Ford Mondeo, Mazda6

and upcoming new Volkswagen Passat.

Benchmarked against the Passat and

European Toyota Avensis, the i40 will have a

more premium fi t, fi nish and feel than the i45.

Hyundai Motor Company Australia

(HMCA) senior manager for product

planning Roland Rivero told GoAuto that the

as-yet-unrevealed i40 sedan variant, which is

expected to take styling cues from the 2010

i-fl ow Geneva concept, could later join the

wagon and be sold alongside the i45 similar

to Honda’s Accord/Accord Euro line-up.

“There is an i40 sedan for the European

market, but we’ve got to study it from our

end as I’m mindful of where i45 is,” said Mr

Rivero. “The i45’s been pretty successful for

us, so we’ve got to be careful of incremental

volume versus cannibalisation.

“If we do bring in the i40 sedan I’ll aim

to make sure it is a rationalised situation

in which I can get incremental models and

perhaps that could work in an environment

whereby the sedan acts like the Accord Euro

to the Accord.”

While no line-up, specifi cation or engine

details will be revealed until closer to the

time of launch, GoAuto has previously

reported that the European i40 wagon’s

engine line-up will include a new 1.7-litre

diesel engine reportedly offered in two

states of tune and emitting a low 113 grams

per kilometre of CO2.

The option of a diesel powerplant no doubt

will add to the appeal of Hyundai’s mid-

size offering in Australia as the local market

becomes increasingly fond of the fuel.

Mr Rivero said the i40 would “feature

all-new technologies never seen before on

a Hyundai product or for that matter, on our

competitors in the medium segment” but

would not be drawn on what these might be.Continued next page

i40 wagon

Accent

March 23, 2011 Page 5

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This position requires a highly committed commercial vehicles professional, with an extensive record in fi rst-class service management delivery, excellent communication skills, sound time management and organisational skills combined with a strong customer focus and the ability to create a positive working environment. In addition the successful candidate will have excellent leadership skills and a proven track record in developing successful teams in a retail transport industry service department.

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Do you want to take service to the next level?

By HAITHAM RAZAGUIIMPORTING the diminutive, Indian-built

i10 light car to Australia appears to be a plan

B strategy for Hyundai, which on Sunday

unveiled plans to launch four new models

by the end of the year – none of which are

a direct replacement for the brand’s second-

best selling model, the Getz light car, which

has already ceased production.

The classy new light-segment Accent

and small Elantra sedans, Euro-centric

i40 wagon and the radical Veloster coupe

all serve to take Hyundai’s brand image

upmarket, which would render the i10

budget runabout a bit of a misfi t in the

repositioned range.

However, the fact remains that having no

direct Getz replacement poses the risk of

losing light-segment market share and overall

sales volume in the short to medium term.

Hyundai Motor Company Australia

(HMCA) senior manager for product planning

Roland Rivero told GoAuto: “It’s always a

balancing act between our desires for market

share as well as the brand and volume.”

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

‘Modern premium’ ethos pushes i10 to backburner

i10

Hyundai’s quartetHyundai’s quartet

Continued from previous pageThe active demist system that automatically

detects and clears mist from the windscreen

as featured on the i40 Geneva show car is one

likely candidate for class-fi rst technology.

Mr Rivero simply offered that Hyundai was

aiming to have at least one segment-fi rst

feature on each model it

launched.

Hyundai provided no

indicative pricing for the i40

wagon, but Mr Rivero said

Hyundai anticipated it will

be marginally higher than

the i45 price, “taking into account of course

that there is a wagon premium as well”.

“It will carry even more premium features

than the i45 on top of the attention to detail

and quality of the product, the fi t and

fi nishes,” he said.

Mindful of the fact that its second-

biggest seller – the Getz light car – is

out of production and stocks will dry up

mid-year, Hyundai will attempt to drive

light volume with the Accent sedan and

possibly a diesel-engined i20, for which the

company has received Australian Design

Rule certifi cation.

Replacing its slow-selling namesake, the

new Elantra will not be named i35 as expected,

due to a new global naming strategy. Models

designed primarily for

Europe receive the i-prefi xed

model designations while

vehicles for the general and

North American markets will

continue with names.

The strategy leaves

Australia in an odd position when it comes

to naming, as Hyundai’s local outpost cherry-

picks available right-hand drive models

from all markets to suit Australia’s unique

automotive landscape.

As a result, Australian-delivered Hyundais

will be badged with a confusing mix of

‘i-series’ and noun-based nomenclature.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

WHAT’S COMING:Accent sedan July

Elantra sedan Aug

i40 wagon Nov

Veloster coupe Dec

Elantra

March 23, 2011 Page 6

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Ford says Falcon LPI and facelift on track but 4-cyl sales delayed until 2012

‘There is no problem’‘There is no problem’

Current Falcon

By MARTON PETTENDYFORD Australia says it has deliberately

delayed the introduction of its ground-

breaking EcoBoost Falcon amid a bottleneck

of global engineering projects to provide

maximum exposure for the release of its fi rst

four-cylinder large car.

While the turbo-four Falcon will become

available later than expected in January

or February following the traditional

Christmas holiday period, Ford has revealed

the new-generation Liquid Phase Injection

(LPI) LPG system for its Falcon will go

on sale earlier than expected in July, while

the updated 2012 Falcon continues to be on

target for release in September or October.

Last week, Ford announced the availability

of Australia’s fi rst EcoBoost engine – in this

case a lower-output version of the 2.0-litre

turbocharged direct-injection four-cylinder

engine that Ford said would become available

alongside the new LPI engine in the Falcon

this year – in the Mondeo by mid-2011.

In the same press release, Ford said the

turbo-four Mondeo would mark the fi rst of

a number of EcoBoost engine applications

in Australia, including the introduction

of a more powerful version in the Falcon

EcoBoost “over the next 12 months”,

leading to reports that Ford’s landmark four-

cylinder Falcon had been delayed.

Ford has since confi rmed the Falcon

EcoBoost’s offi cial release may not take place

until February 1, but insists the later on-sale

date is not the result of any technical or

production delay and follows Ford’s decision

to launch the vital new and more fuel-effi cient

Falcon after – rather than immediately before

– the Christmas/holiday period.

“There is no problem,” said Ford Australia

public affairs director Sinead McAlary. “It

is simply a launch issue. There is no point

launching a signifi cant new technology in the

lead-up to Christmas and the holiday period

because nobody is interested at that time.

“Falcon LPI will be launched in July,

Falcon freshening activity will take place

either late in the third quarter or early in

the fourth and Falcon EcoBoost was always

going to be launched very late this year

because we can’t do everything at once.”

Ms McAlary said Ford may still launch

Falcon EcoBoost in December as planned,

but had now decided to postpone production

and retail sales of the model until after its

traditional Christmas plant shut-down in

December/January.

GoAuto understands the move aims

to maximise initial sales of the Falcon

EcoBoost to both private and business

buyers, many of which do not return to the

market until February, and Ford says the less

compromised LPG system will allow it to

target more retail buyers than it previously

has with LPG-powered Falcon models.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERERanger aero work – page 23

March 23, 2011 Page 7

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Te lephone: (02) 9957 4182Emai l : aust ra l ia@cour land .com

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Nissan’s Leaf EV to use Australian components as casting factory fi ghts back

Aussie parts to drive LeafAussie parts to drive Leaf

By RON HAMMERTONAUSTRALIAN parts made in a Victorian

factory that was perilously close to being

shut forever just nine months ago will help

to drive Nissan’s ground-breaking Leaf

electric car for global markets.

Three aluminium castings using a new

Australian-developed hi-tech process at Nissan

Casting Plant in Dandenong, Victoria, will be

exported at the rate of 22,000 a month to three

Nissan plants assembling the new Leaf – the

world’s fi rst mass-produced full-electric fi ve-

door hatchback – from early next year.

The $21 million project – partly funded

by a $3.3 million grant from the federal

government’s now-defunct Green Car

Innovation Fund – will generate $160 million

in export earnings over the next fi ve years and

help to secure the factory and its 145 jobs.

The three castings for the Nissan Leaf’s

electric inverter and its accompanying

cooling system – and a fourth casting that is

yet to be announced – are critical components

of the drivetrain of the EV that is due to go

on sale in Australia in early 2012 as part of a

global rollout that started in Japan last year.

The Corolla-sized Nissan Leaf has a range

of up to 170km, driven by an 80kW/280Nm

electric motor powered by advanced lithium-

ion batteries.

The imported hatch is set to join the

smaller Mitsubishi i-MiEV, Tesla Roadster

and locally converted EVs from Blade

Electric Vehicles and Energetique.

Announcing the deal that was won against

rival bids from other Nissan casting plants

around the world, Nissan Australia CEO Dan

Thompson revealed that the company had come

“very close” to closing the 30-year-old plant in

the wake of the global fi nancial crisis last year.

“I can be quite candid and tell you that it

was only in the recent past that we took a

detailed look at the future viability of casting

aluminium parts in Australia,” he said.Continued next page

Dan Thompson with the Leaf’s inverter

March 23, 2011 Page 8

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Aluminium accessories next on list of projects for reborn casting plant

Nissan raisesNissan raisesthe barthe bar

Aluminium castings made in Melbourne to help drive Nissan’s Leaf worldwideContinued from previous page

Mr Thompson told GoAuto that the

decision on the future of the casting plant – the

last remnant of Nissan’s car manufacturing

operations in Australia – came so close in July

last year that Nissan Australia had drawn up

two sets of forward plans for the Australian

company – one including the casting plant

business and another without.

He said a change of plant management,

improved productivity and the good

prospect of winning the new Nissan Leaf

casting contract all combined to convince

Nissan’s head offi ce in Yokohama to keep

the plant open.

“Now, the Nissan Casting operation has

never been busier,” he said, adding that it was

working three shifts a day, seven days a week.

Mr Thompson said the federal green car

grant and fi nancial help from the Victorian

government had helped to get the Leaf

casting deal over the line, as did advanced

casting technology developed by the

CSIRO and its Centre for Applied Special

Technology (CAST).

According to Nissan, the technology

allows for the castings to be treated after

the casting process to better dissipate heat –

a major factor in high-voltage applications

such as the EV drivetrain.

Plant managers said Nissan’s Japanese

engineers had been amazed at the Australian-

developed process – a world fi rst – that is

likely to lead to other casting contracts.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

By RON HAMMERTONNISSAN Australia is proposing to become

the fi rst subsidiary of the Japanese company

in the world to make some of its own key

motor vehicle accessories.

The company is mulling a plan to make

a range of aluminium items such tow bars,

nudge bars and ute sports bars for vehicles

such as the Navara, Pathfi nder, Patrol and

X-Trail in an area of the Nissan Casting

Plant at Dandenong, Victoria, to be sold

through Nissan dealers across Australia.

Traditionally, the factory’s fare has

been restricted to original-equipment cast

aluminium components such as transmission

cases, oil pans and gear carrier assemblies,

mostly destined for

Nissan factories in

Japan, Thailand, Mexico

and the United States.

Last week, Nissan

announced that the plant had won a

major contract within Nissan to supply

cast aluminium parts for Nissan’s most

advanced model, the all-electric Nissan

Leaf. The three parts will be exported at

the rate of up to 22,000 pieces a month

to Nissan assembly plants overseas from

early next year.

As well, Nissan Australia managing

director and CEO Dan Thompson

revealed that his company was planning to

branch out into accessories, at this stage

just for the local market.

He said that traditionally, Nissan in

Australia and elsewhere had taken all of

its accessories from outside suppliers, but

that with the casting plant’s considerable

experience with aluminium, it had been

decided to bring at least some of the

accessories in-house.

FULL STORY: CLICK HEREMore reports – page 13-14, 21

Navara

March 23, 2011 Page 9

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Holden hatch out

At last, Holden shows off its local fi ve-door Cruze

By BYRON MATHIOUDAKISHOLDEN has taken the unusual step of

fl agging minor styling details on the next-

generation Commodore, which may be up

to three years away.

Speaking to the media at the launch

of the vital new JH Cruze in Melbourne

last week, Holden design director Tony

Stolfo emphasised improved aerodynamic

effi ciency as one of the ways the next

Commodore will use less fuel.

The car in question is the so-called ‘VF’

model – a model designation that is yet to

be confi rmed – which is expected to be

released in 2013 or 2014.

The veteran company designer pointed

to the newly ridged-off extremities of

the latest Cruze’s rear bumper during

the JH presentation, saying that we “can

expect the same” on future versions of the

Commodore.

Later, Mr Stolfo suggested that the

upcoming Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid

car (due in Australia in the latter half of

next year) and its European Opel Ampera

twin also feature styling elements proposed

for the future Commodore.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

Holden has aero focus over aluminium for ‘VF’

Volt

By MARTON PETTENDYHOLDEN badges have taken their rightful

place on the Port Melbourne-penned Cruze

hatchback, three weeks after the Chevrolet

version of the Australian-designed fi ve-

door small car made its global debut at the

Geneva motor show.

GM Holden used last week’s launch of

its facelifted Series II Cruze sedan, which

is now in production in Adelaide ahead of

its offi cial release later this month, to also

reveal fi rst offi cial images of the Lion-

badged Cruze hatch, which will join it on

sale in the fourth quarter of this year.

Australia’s small car market is split

evenly between hatch and sedan models, but

the success of Holden’s hitherto Korean-

built Cruze, which has established itself as

Australia’s top-selling small sedan since

being launched here in May 2009 – could

see the hatch comprise only about 40 per

cent of Cruze sales.

Although Holden remains mum on

details of the locally designed fi ve-door,

which together with the sedan is expected to

eventually outsell Holden’s and Australia’s

top-selling vehicle, the Commodore, the

Cruze hatch should join its ‘localised’ four-

door namesake in showrooms with identical

pricing and specifi cations when it goes on

sale in just over six months.

That means the cheapest Cruze CD hatch

should land by year’s end with the same

$20,990 pricetag as the entry-level Cruze

CD sedan, with which it should also share

its upgraded 104kW/176Nm 1.8-litre Ecotec

four-cylinder petrol engine.

It also means the same, more powerful

120kW/360Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine

that powers the Cruze CD Diesel sedan

($24,990) – and which now returns fuel

consumption of just 5.6L/100km – should

also become available in the hatch.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERECruze ‘SS’ in works – next page

March 23, 2011 Page 10

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Persue New Goalsu

Holden prepares to boost Aussie-built Cruze range with powerful sports line

Cruze ‘SS’ in worksCruze ‘SS’ in works

By BYRON MATHIOUDAKISA HIGH-PERFORMANCE version of

the Cruze – potentially carrying Holden’s

coveted ‘SS’ badge – is in development as

General Motors embarks on a new chapter

in Australian vehicle manufacturing with

the launch of the Adelaide-built JH four-

door Cruze sedan.

Believed to use a variation of the

132kW/230Nm 1.6-litre turbocharged four-

cylinder Ecotec petrol engine employed

in European versions of the Cruze’s Opel

cousin, the Astra, the sports model will sit

above the newly announced SRi-V fl agship.

Expected on sale next year, the sports Cruze

will probably be offered in four-door sedan

and fi ve-door hatch body styles, and will most

likely fi rst see the light of day at the Australian

International Motor Show in Melbourne in

early July, ahead of a late-2011 launch.

The Melbourne-made Chevrolet Cruze

hatch concept shown at the 2010 Paris

motor show is a strong indicator of what

Holden’s answer to the VW Golf GTI,

Mazda3 MPS and Ford’s upcoming Focus

ST/XR may look like.

According to a Holden insider, the Cruze

has been designed to accommodate any

powertrain available now or in the future for

the Astra J, since both cars share the same

basic GM Delta II small-car architecture.

“We are investigating all possibilities,”

he said. “We would love to explore a

performance version. It is obviously on our

wish list. Every engine option available in

the Astra is under review.”

Holden engineers are already exploring a

fi rmer and lower version of the Watts link rear

suspension system that debuted in 1.4-litre

turbo-petrol ‘iTi’ versions of the facelifted JH

Cruze sedan last week, along with a weightier

calibration for the electric power steering

set-up that also appears in the same variants.

“We just did not have the resources to

develop (revised) suspension and steering

for the SRi models,” the insider added. “But

watch this space.”

Meanwhile, GoAuto understands the

existing torsion beam rear suspension and

hydraulic power steering systems that

underpin all non-1.4 turbo models may

gradually give way to the more sophisticated

Watts link and EPS hardware, with the diesel

thought to be next in line.

“We expect that would probably be the

case,” our source said.

The Australian-built Cruze will eventually

emulate the Mazda3 in providing blanket

coverage of the small-car segment, as

Holden aims to overtake it and the Toyota

Corolla in terms of sales.

FULL STORY: CLICK HEREAussie Cruze era begins – page 17

SRi-V

March 23, 2011 Page 11

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Expert warns of broad cost rises for fl eets as prices soar for oil, steel

Fleet costs to surgeFleet costs to surge

By RON HAMMERTONA VISITING American fl eet expert has warned

fl eet managers to prepare for spiralling costs

because of a broad range of price pressures

on oil and other commodities, higher levels of

onboard technology and other factors.

Mike Antich, the editor of Automotive

Fleet magazine and past president of the

United States Automotive Fleet and Leasing

Association, said the rising costs would

force fl eets to continue the trend to vehicle

downsizing – one of the few options still

available to cut expenses.

Speaking in Melbourne at the

Australasian Fleet Managers

Association national fl eet

conference yesterday, Mr Antich

said cars would not only become

more expensive to replace but also

to run and maintain.

He cited the higher cost of the

base commodities used to make

vehicles and the higher levels of technology

in the latest models as two factors that

would not only make cars more expensive

to replace but also repair.

“Fleet vehicles will continue to become

more complex with the addition of more

onboard electronics and telematic devices,” he

said. “All these advances, although benefi cial,

put upward pressure on acquisition costs.”

As well, such technology was costly

to repair. “Greater vehicle complexity is

increasing both repair and labour costs when

vehicles are involved in an accident,” he said.

Mr Antich said such repair costs had

already been driven up by the proliferation

of airbags in cars, adding between $2000

and $4000 to the repair cost of

a similar vehicle with just two

airbags in a similar crash a few

years ago.

He said that in the US, many

fl eet operators were also tending

to replace all airbags in a damaged

vehicle, even those that had not

discharged, for fear of litigation.

Mr Antich said that although cost

containment was the number one priority of

company fl eet operators, this was becoming

increasingly diffi cult.

“There will be diminishing opportunities

to reduce cost and enhance effi ciency,

especially if you are running a well managed

fl eet,” he said. “The low-hanging fruit has

been picked long ago.”

Mr Antich said the volatile price of oil could

be expected to continue, with China consuming

ever larger proportions of world supply.

He said China’s current fl eet of 88 million

vehicles was expected to rise to 200 million

vehicles by the end of this decade, a situation

that could double that country’s oil requirement

from the current 10 per cent of global supply.

Mr Antich said the oil price rise would

have a domino effect with fl eets also facing

rising costs of components and services from

suppliers passing on their own cost increases.

“For instance, tyre costs are increasing

due to the high cost of oil, since the main

ingredient is entirely manufactured from

oil,” he said, adding that tyres were the

second greatest fl eet expense after fuel.

Mr Antich said that even the growing size

of tyres, from 16 inch to 17 and 18 inches,

also made them more expensive, while fl eets

needed more of them because they were

extending their vehicle replacement cycles.

Fleets were hanging on to vehicles longer

in an effort to reduce their costs, but that

could raise maintenance costs, he said.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

Mike Antich

March 23, 2011 Page 12

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Bring it onBring it on

By MARTON PETTENDYMERCEDES-BENZ has fi nally produced

a direct rival for BMW’s iconic M3 Coupe

and Audi’s ballistic RS5 Coupe, the C63

AMG Coupe.

Confi rmed for Australian release

alongside the facelifted C63 AMG sedan

(Australia’s top-selling AMG model) and

wagon in September, the all-new two-door

C-class AMG promises considerably more

focus and aggression than the long-forgotten

CLK63 AMG coupe.

On paper, it moves straight to the top of its

class with a benchmark-setting 0-100km/h

acceleration claim of just 4.5 seconds, which

is no quicker than the four-door C63 AMG

sedan but one-tenth better than both the RS5

and (DCT-equipped) M3 coupes.

Like the C63 sedan, however, the new

AMG coupe will be available with an optional

‘AMG performance package’ that increases

peak power by 22kW, from 336kW to 358kW

at the same 6800rpm, and lowers its 0-100

sprint time by a further tenth to 4.4 seconds.

As with the sedan’s AMG performance

kit, which currently costs $15,000 and has

so far attracted 30 per cent of Australian C63

buyers, peak torque is unchanged at 600Nm

at 5000rpm and maximum speed remains an

electronically limited 250km/h.

However, also like the C63 sedan, the

C63 Coupe returns combined EU fuel

consumption of 12.0L/100km – more than

the 331kW RS5 (10.8L/100km) and around

the same as the 309kW M3 (11.9 manual,

12.4 auto).

Borrowing components from the

gullwing-doored SLS AMG super-coupe’s

dry-sump V8, the AMG performance pack

comprises forged pistons, conrods and a

lightweight crankshaft to shave 3kg from

the weight of the C63’s naturally aspirated

6.2-litre V8.

The AMG pack is visually differentiated

by a titanium grey painted inlet manifold,

higher performance brakes featuring

composite front discs instead of the usual

iron, red brake callipers, a carbon-fi bre

boot spoiler and a leather/Alcantara AMG

steering wheel.

The C63 two-door is based on the all-new

C-class Coupe that made its global debut

alongside the facelifted C63 AMG sedan at

the Geneva motor show earlier this month

and goes on sale here in July – a month after

the facelifted C-class sedan arrives.

It therefore offers all the fresh technology

introduced in the 2011 C63 sedan and wagon,

including a more effi cient speed-sensitive

power steering pump with more direct 13.5:1

ratio and a ‘Controlled Effi ciency’ mode for

its standard AMG Speedshift MCT seven-

speed automatic transmission that cuts shift

times to as little as 100 milliseconds.

The auto features a wet start-off clutch to

replace the torque converter fi tted in garden-

variety Mercedes models and, in this case,

an M3-style launch control function that is

accessed via a rotary controller also carried

over from the SLS.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

Mercedes-Benz revealsits most fearsome M3rival ever - the C63AMG Coupe

March 23, 2011 Page 13

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BUSINESS MANAGERFINANCE & INSURANCE – BRISBANE

To apply for this position, please submit your resumé with covering letter to: Dee Bendo, Human Resources Leader, 1310 Logan Rd, Mt Gravatt, QLD 4122 or email: dbendo@qld.ahg.com.au. Applications are strictly con dential and close on Friday 1st April 2011.

AUTOMOTIVE HOLDINGS GROUP is Australia’s largest automotive group with 10 of the top 11

automotive brands in Australia and over 100 Dealerships, employing over 3,500 people, throughout Australia and New Zealand.

AHG are seeking a Business Manager with previous experience in managing a successful Finance & Insurance department. Demonstrated ability in building

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An industry-leading remuneration package and 5-day working week (including Saturday roster), is on offer to the right candidate.

Nissan’s green Leaf EV shows its true colours in a fi rst drive on Australian roads

True coloursTrue colours

By RON HAMMERTONTHE proof that Nissan’s all-electric Leaf

can cut it – performance-wise – against

conventional commuter cars in Australia can

be observed in the rearvision mirrors of this

breakthrough hatchback and the potholes of

Melbourne back roads.

In the mirrors, the other traffi c can be seen

shrinking into the distance as the Leaf and

its torquey electric motor stream effortlessly

away from the traffi c lights, leaving the 20th

century in its wake and underlining that just

because a car does not run on petrol, it does

not have to be a shrinking violet.

We had to look a bit harder for potholes

on our 30km drive route on smooth urban

roads last week, but a small detour down a

couple of back roads near Nissan Australia’s

head offi ce at Dandenong, south-east of

Melbourne, found a bunch of beauties,

which the Leaf dispatched without a hair

out of place, even on hard low-rolling-

resistance tyres.

This answered a couple of questions that

had been left hanging after GoAuto’s fi rst

taste of the Leaf on a Japanese test track last

year – how it would handle real-world Aussie

roads and the daily grind of the big city.

While we still have more questions to

ask of the Leaf when the fi nal Australian-

spec car hits our shores in the fi rst quarter of

2012, the world’s fi rst mass-produced fi ve-

door all-electric hatch is starting to stack up

as a serious contender.

Nissan, which air-freighted two of the

UK-spec EVs to Australia for trials, says

one of the Leaf’s great attributes is that it

is just a car – it handles, accelerates, steers

and generally drives like a conventional,

internal-combustion-engine small car.

We beg to differ; we think that in at least

a couple of ways it is better than those daily

drivers.

Stop-start urban traffi c – the natural

habitat for this family fi ve-seater – is not

only comfortably handled by the Leaf,

it does so with turbine-like smoothness

unmatched by even luxury cars.

Such quiet, stepless acceleration has

been one of the holy grails of automotive

engineering since the birth of the car 125

years ago, and now it is here – at least for

a handful of people lucky enough to get

their hands on one of the trial vehicles that

will grow in number by a further 16 in July

when Nissan joins a Victorian government

fl eet EV trial.

Of course, the multiple elephants in the Leaf

room are driving range, charging time and

price, all of which remain unanswered from

our perspective after our small taste test.

Nissan claims a potential range of

170km, but cheerfully acknowledges that

can only be achieved with careful driving

and that most people will get between

100km and 120km on a full charge of the

24kWh, 250kg pack of lithium-ion batteries

that are stacked low in the car, under the

front seats and rear fl oor, to lower the car’s

centre of gravity.

Like all car companies bringing such

cars to market, it argues that those distances

easily cover the average daily slog of most

Australian city slickers.Continued next page

March 23, 2011 Page 14

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True coloursTrue coloursContinued from previous page

That is undeniable, but range anxiety – the

buzz term of 21st century motoring – remains

a real barrier to EV sales growth, at least until

batteries improve, as they surely must. Right

now, a full charge takes up to eight hours on a

home socket, although most commuters will

only need a top-up each night.

Nissan has tried to address this anxiety

in a number of ways, including a sat-nav

system that will direct drivers to the nearest

public charging point which, at this stage,

remain few and far between in Australia.

On our drive, our eyes were glued to the

array of driving-range, battery-health and

power-use meters, which even include a

strangely alluring – if kitsch – gauge that

allows drivers to ‘build trees’ – a graphical

representation of a pine tree that, branch by

branch, builds into a full tree if the driver

is being particularly sparing with the battery

juice during a journey.

Drivers need to be careful not to pay too

much attention to the virtual trees or they

could end up in the real ones.

But attempting to conserve electricity and

extend the range of the Leaf is addictive,

and no doubt will become a daily game, not

just for individual drivers trying for a new

personal best, but also against other Leaf

drivers via the global portal for this 21st

century model.

Yes, all your driving data can be uploaded

via a mobile phone SIM card for you to pore

over and to check your rating as a card-

carrying electron-saving master of driving.

Leaf drivers can also select an Eco mode

to help in this quest, extending the range

by up to 10 per cent by delivering milder

acceleration, more sparing use of the climate

control and more aggressive regeneration of

electricity under braking.

Even the latter becomes addictive, with

GoAuto attempting to maximise the amount

of electricity recovered under braking. The

same gauge that indicates the amount of

power being consumed then goes into reverse,

graphically illustrating the gains being made

by the motor-cum-generator as it slows the

car and claws back some of the energy.

When we climbed aboard the Leaf, the

fi rst thing we did was to turn the car off.

Yes, the previous driver had left it switched

on, but because there is no engine noise or

vibration to detect a running car, we turned

it off, before our Nissan co-driver pointed

out that all the dash lights had gone out.

On turning it back on, we were greeted

with an oh-so-Japanese greeting chime –

Nissan’s way of telling the driver we are up

and running because of the aforementioned

lack of under-bonnet mechanical activity.

A check of the ‘fuel gauge’ – a digital bar

graph similar to those on a mobile phone –

and the accompanying range estimate – what

petrol car drivers will know as a ‘distance to

empty’ read-out – showed we had suffi cient

battery charge for 107km.

That was surprisingly good, as this car had

already been driven around the 30km loop

by other journalists, who are not renowned

for sparing the horses.

‘Gears’ are selected by a mouse-like

shifter on the centre console, and in this case

we selected reverse – which requires the foot

to be placed on the brake like a conventional

car – and nothing happened.

Only with a dab of the accelerator pedal

did the Leaf leap backwards, perhaps a little

too eagerly, and then we moved the ‘mouse’

forward to engage ‘drive’.

From them on, the Leaf could have been

any other extremely refi ned car, except for the

tiny turbine whine of the electric motor under

acceleration and deceleration, and the instant

and near effortless application of power.

No, the Leaf is no V8 Supercar or even

a WRX, but it derives more-than-adequate

forward propulsion from the electric motor

that has a mere 80kW of power – far less

than cars of equivalent size, such as the

Mazda3 – but 280Nm of torque.

Get within shouting distance of any EV

convert and they will tell you that electric

motors generate maximum torque from rest,

when the fi rst power is fed into their coils.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERECall for clear CO2 path – page 21

March 23, 2011 Page 15

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SEATS

Audi lands another niche model in the stylish, practical and sporty A7 Sportback

A Seven with the lot

By JAMES STANFORDAUDI has arrived fashionably late to the

luxury four-door coupe party, launching

its large A7 Sportback – an uber-stylish

derivative of the new A6 sedan due on sale

here mid-year – in Australia last week.

The range comprises two 3.0-litre six-

cylinder versions of the A7 to start off with

– a V6 diesel priced from $142,750 and a

supercharged V6 petrol model starting at

$147,800 – while a cheaper 2.8-litre petrol

V6 will follow.

Mercedes-Benz boldly kicked off the

four-seat four-door coupe concept with its

dramatically styled CLS back in 2004 – the

same year Maserati’s conceptually similar

Quattroporte appeared globally.

Since then BMW has returned fi re with

the 5 Series GT – and will next year release a

coupe-like four-door version of the 6 Series –

and Porsche has fi red off its own (considerably

more expensive) salvo with the Panamera.

According to Audi, the A7 Sportback

combines the elegance of a coupe with the

comfort of a sedan and the practicality of

a wagon.

It introduces a range of new features to the

Audi Australia stable, including an optional

head-up display ($3400) that projects relevant

information such as vehicle speed onto the

windscreen – technology that has only been

available in top-end BMWs until now.

Audi’s big new hatchbacked cruiser also

presents much of the technology introduced

last year in its top-shelf A8 limousine, but at

a far lower price point.

It also gives Australians a taste of what

to expect from the important new A6,

which will take on the BMW 5 Series and

Mercedes-Benz E-class from around the

middle of this year.

Built off the new A6 platform, the A7 uses

the same fi ve-link front and trapezoidal-

link rear suspension systems, with new

aluminium control arms. Customers can

choose from standard steel springs or

optional adjustable air suspension.

The A7 features the same new, more

economical electro-mechanical steering

system as the new-generation A6, for which

engineers have chased BMW with a more

direct steering ratio for a more precise feel.

Like its sedan sibling, the A7’s body is

mainly steel but has 20 per cent aluminium

content, which Audi says saves close to 50kg.

Several panels including the bonnet, doors and

hatch are made from aluminium. The weight-

saving measures prevented a blowout and the

A7 weighs in at around a hefty 1800kg.

The big Audi is only slightly shorter than

a Holden Caprice, measuring 4969mm nose

to tail, but appears even larger because of

its long sloping roofl ine, the highest point

of which is just 1420mm. The wheelbase

stands at 2914mm.Continued next page

March 23, 2011 Page 16

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A Seven with the lotA Seven with the lotContinued from previous page

Despite the curvaceous roofl ine, Audi

says passengers, including those in the two

rear seats, have more headroom than the

passengers in the back of the current A6.

Luggage space stands at a handy 535

litres, although the boot is quite shallow

towards the rear. Audi has catered for longer

items of cargo by allowing for the 60/40-split

rear seats to be folded down, opening up a

massive 1390 litres of space and enabling

very long items to be carried.

An electric tailgate system is standard,

allowing for the hatch to be opened or closed

at the touch of a button.

The entry-level A7 engine is the

Volkswagen Group’s familiar 3.0-litre TDI

turbo-diesel V6 with common-rail direct-

injection. It generates 180kW between

3800rpm and 4400rpm and a healthy 500Nm

between 1500rpm and 3250rpm.

Audi says that allows it to dash from

0-100km/h in just 6.5 seconds. The offi cial

average fuel economy fi gure is just 6.0

litres per 100km, while the CO2 emissions

number is 158g/km.

For those who are up for some Otto cycle

action, Audi’s supercharged TFSI 3.0-litre

direct-injection petrol V6 – seen in the

current A6, S4, Q7 and Porsche’s Cayenne

Hybrid – is also available.

This high-performance engine takes the

place of the 4.2-litre V8 that is being phased

out of most Audi models. It generates 220kW

between 5250rpm and 6500rpm and 440Nm

between 2900rpm and 4500rpm.

The more potent engine allows for a claimed

0-100km/h sprint time of just 5.6 seconds. It

might be faster than the diesel, but also uses

more fuel with offi cial fuel

economy of 8.2L/100km and

emissions of 190g/km.

Both engines employ an

idle-stop system to save fuel while at standstill

– a feature that can be switched off.

Both the petrol and diesel A7s feed their

torque through Audi’s quattro all-wheel-

drive system, which now features a crown-

gear centre differential that the company

says is far lighter than the torque-sensing

Torsen system it replaces.

As before, the new centre diff feeds 40

per cent of power to the front and 60 per

cent to the rear in normal conditions, but

can feed up to 70 per cent to the front and

alternatively up to 85 per cent to the rear,

depending on the conditions.

Audi’s seven-speed dual-clutch DSG

automatic, called S-Tronic, is standard on

both cars and can be controlled with the

regular gearshifter or the standard paddles

on the rear of the steering wheel. No manual

transmission is available.

The 3.0-litre diesel A7 sits on 18-inch

rims as standard, with 255/45 tyres featuring

built-in pressure monitoring.

The 3.0-litre petrol model

has 19s as standard with

255/40 tyres, while 20s are

available from the options list.

The A7’s interior is shared with the

upcoming A6 and comprises a waistband

that runs around the top of the dashboard.

The centre stack faces toward the driver

and an eight-inch display pops up out of

the dash-top.

Occupants can use the traditional MMI

(multi-media interface) control unit, which

features a roller-ball with surrounding buttons

or can be operated via fi nger squiggles on a

special pad. Interestingly, it even recognises

characters of many Asian languages.

FULL STORY: CLICK HEREDRIVE IMPRESSIONS: CLICK HERE

PRICING:3.0 TDI quattro (a) $142,750

3.0 TFSI quattro (a) $147,800

March 23, 2011 Page 17

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GoAuto NewsJohn Mellor’s

www.peelvalleygroup.com.auwww.peelvalleygroup.com.au

This position provides an opportunity for an experienced person to relocate and enjoy a regional/rural lifestyle in one of Australia’s nest regional cities, featuring affordable housing, excellent schools and sporting facilities.

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We are currently looking for a Service Manager to manage our constantly growing Car Service Department. The successful applicant will be required to monitor all work in progress and ensure all jobs are completed on time and to a high standard. Sound people management and leadership skills will be required. The ability to work to a busy schedule is essential. Ongoing factory technical and management training will be provided to the right individual. Previous experience in this eld is essential.

For further information in the strictest con dence please contact Mathew Wilson, General Manager, on 0429 113 413. To apply for this role, please send your resumé with covering letter to the postal address below or via email: mwilson@peelvalleygroup.com.au

SERVICE MANAGER

PEEL VALLEY MOTORS – Box 7006, NEMSC, NSW 2348

GoAuto takes a drive of the JH Cruze as GMH returns to small-car manufacturing

Aussie Cruze era beginsAussie Cruze era begins

By BYRON MATHIOUDAKISGM HOLDEN has launched the fi rst

Australian-built small car in more than 12

years, releasing detailed information on

the changes wrought upon the Cruze in

its transition from South Korea to South

Australia manufacture.

On sale from late March, with deliveries

due from mid-April, the upgraded JH-series

– or ‘Series II’ – sedan is a visual makeover as

well as an evolution of the highly successful

JG, encompassing a fresh face, improved

Euro 5 emissions-compliant engines, and

better performance and refi nement.

Aiding the latter are new powertrain

calibrations and differences in insulation,

while the implementation of a solar glass

windscreen benefi ts cabin comfort as part

of a two-year, 350,000km validation and

testing program conducted by Holden.

However, the big news – at least until the

Holden-designed JH fi ve-door hatchback joins

the facelifted sedan on sale here in October –

is the combination of a downsized turbo-petrol

engine and a signifi cant new chassis package.

It arrives in some Cruze variants in the

form of a new 1.4-litre ‘iTi’ engine, Watts

link rear suspension and electric power

steering (EPS) set-up – a combination that

cannot be ordered individually.

Cribbed from the Opel Astra J due on sale

in Australia during 2012, it highlights the

similarities and inter-changeability of both

models, since they share the same Delta II

small-car architecture.

Available optionally (for $1250) on the

entry-level Cruze CD and standard on the

new sports-oriented SRi and sport-luxury

SRi-V grades, the 1.4 iTi components aim

to improve the Cruze’s dynamic capabilities

– an area that has come under criticism since

the JG’s launch in June 2009.

If demand exists, a CDX iTi may also be

introduced.

Ending two years of sourcing from GM

Korea (formerly GM Daewoo), the Cruze is

said to ‘future-proof” Holden manufacturing

in Australia, where small cars comprise more

than 25 per cent of annual new vehicle sales.

“It’s a great place to be – making the best-

selling car in Australia as well as one that

competes in the most popular segment,”

Holden chairman and managing director

Mike Devereux told GoAuto.

From launch, less than 50 per cent of the

JH is produced in Australia (including its roof,

body sides, closures, fascias and most interior

plastics and trim), with local content expected

to increase in a tiered manner as more suppliers

come on board over the next few years,

according to a Holden spokesperson.Continued next page

SSSSRiSRiS -VVVVV-V

CDX

March 23, 2011 Page 18

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Aussie Cruze era beginsAussie Cruze era begins

All-new Holden Colorado ute emerges in ThailandBy MARTON PETTENDY

HOLDEN’S fi rst all-new one-tonne ute in

eight years has broken offi cial cover on the

eve of its world debut at the 32nd Bangkok

motor show in Thailand this week – less

than a year before the redesigned Colorado

goes on sale in Australia.

The new Colorado emerged in Chevrolet

guise in the world’s biggest utility market,

where production and sales begin later

this year before the vital new workhorse

hits Holden showrooms in Australia – the

world’s fourth largest ute market – in the

fi rst quarter of next year.

As GoAuto reported earlier this month,

when General Motors released a tightly

cropped teaser image of the next-generation

Colorado, GM’s vital new global compact

utility replaces the Isuzu D-Max-based

Colorado (nee Rodeo) that dates back to

2003, but continues to share its full ladder

chassis underpinnings with its Isuzu-badged

mechanical twin.

Isuzu’s new D-Max is yet to emerge,

but this time around the 2012 Colorado’s

sleek yet muscular new sheetmetal – seen

here for the fi rst time in extended-cab form

comprising a pair of short rear-hinged

‘suicide’ rear doors – will be unique to GM.

In contrast, Volkswagen’s ground-breaking

new Amarok and Ford’s all-new Australian

designed and engineered T6 Ranger ute

(which goes on sale here alongside its

mechanical twin, the new Mazda BT-50, in

the third quarter of this year) were both seen

fi rst in dual-cab body styles.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

Continued from previous pageHolden says limited resources and tight

timing prevented it from altering much

visually beyond the plastics (bumpers –

including different air intakes and foglight

housings), wheels and interior trim.

But the headlights now have amber

fl ashers and a more fl ush-fi tting beam unit for

a more integrated look, while the rear bumper

has a squared-off ridge for subtly improved

aerodynamics. Look for a similar treatment

on the 2014 VF Commodore, according to

design boss Tony Stolfo.

As far as the SRi newcomers

go, both are identifi able by a

modifi ed grille and air intake,

a rear lip spoiler and revised

alloy wheels, while the SRi-V

introduces remote keyless

entry and start, satellite-

navigation, a 10GB hard

drive, CD/MP3 rip and store

capability, DVD player and

live-radio pause functionality

to the Cruze for the fi rst time.

Since the JH is built on the

same Elizabeth production

line as the VE Commodore

Series II and its many variants, the two

Holdens share many of the same paint

colours, increasing the palette choice on a

vehicle that is already highly regarded for its

varied hues, says sales and marketing chief

Philip Brook.

Holden executives will not reveal sales

forecasts, but privately one

company insider told GoAuto

the Cruze nameplate is likely

to push past the Mazda3 and

Toyota Corolla’s 40,000

annual volume barrier when

the JH hatch comes on stream

from late this year. In 2010,

just under 29,000 Cruze

CD and CDX sedans found

buyers.

The company has high

hopes for the 1.4 iTi. A

1398cc DOHC four-cylinder

petrol unit with variable valve

timing and a turbocharger that

is integrated within the exhaust manifold,

the Austrian-made 1.4 iTi delivers 103kW

of power at 4900rpm and 200Nm of torque

between 1850-4900rpm, and is paired to six-

speed manual or automatic transmissions,

the latter with a manual-shift mode.

It averages 6.4 litres per 100km (auto: 6.9)

and 153 grams per kilometre of carbon

dioxide emissions (auto: 164).

For even better fuel economy, Cruze

buyers can choose the heavily revised 2.0-

litre turbo-diesel engine, now with DOHC

(instead of the old single-cam design).

Although power is now up nine per

cent to 120kW at 3800rpm and torque

jumps 12.5 per cent to 360Nm at 2000rpm,

combined average fuel consumption now

slips 0.1L/100km to 5.6L/100km for diesel

models fi tted with the improved six-speed

manual gearbox, making this the most

economical Australian-built car available.

Sticking with the 6T45 six-speed auto

means the fi gure remains unchanged at

6.7L/100km. Holden expects the Cruze

Diesel’s popularity to increase as fuel prices

spike upwards. Currently it accounts for

about 20 per cent of all Cruze sales.

FULL STORY: CLICK HEREDRIVE IMPRESSIONS: CLICK HERE

PRICING:CD 1.8 $20,990

CD 1.8 (a) $22,990

CD 1.4iTi $22,240

CD 1.4iTi (a) $24,240

CD Diesel $24,990

CD Diesel (a) $26,990

CDX 1.8 $24,490

CDX 1.8 (a) $26,490

CDX Diesel $28,490

CDX Diesel (a) $30,490

SRi 1.4iTi $24,490

SRi 1.4iTi (a) $26,490

SRi-V 1.4iTi $27,990

SRi-V 1.4iTi (a) $29,990

SRi-V

March 23, 2011 Page 19

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Porsche medium SUV just two years away as Leipzig named as production base

Green light for CajunGreen light for Cajun

Porsche 918 to cost $1.3m here, with $420K in taxes!By MARTON PETTENDY

PORSCHE has attacked a whopping

Australian tax bill of more than $420,000,

which will push the local price of its 918

Spyder to a staggering $1.29 million, for

potentially deterring at least three well-

heeled customers who had placed serious

expressions of interest for the mould-

breaking plug-in hybrid supercar.

The Stuttgart sportscar-maker this week

announced a European price of €645,000

($A866,500) plus value-added taxes and

country-specifi c charges for the limited-

edition model, just 918 left-hand drive

examples of which have been confi rmed for

production from September 18, 2013.

That equates to $A1.07 million in the UK,

where fi rst deliveries will commence in fi rst-

in-best-dressed order from November 2013.

In Australia, however, the 918 Spyder will

cost €960,000 or $1.29 million once luxury

car tax (LCT: €210,000 or $A282,000),

goods and services tax (GST: €68,000 or

$A91,350) and almost $50,000 in import

duty is factored in.

That brings the 918’s total local tax

component to an estimated $423,350, despite

the fact the left-hand-drive-only 918 cannot

legally be driven on Australian roads.

Porsche Cars Australia (PCA) said the

Australian Tax Offi ce’s LCT regime, which

it says applies to any vehicle that can be

registered anywhere in the world, should

not apply to LHD vehicles that cannot be

road-registered in Australia – in the same

way that race cars like Porsche’s own GT3

Carrera Cup cars are exempt from LCT.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

By MARTON PETTENDYPORSCHE has confi rmed it will start

building a new factory at Leipzig this year

to produce its all-new Cajun SUV, which is

now expected to hit showrooms worldwide

– including in Australia – within two years.

The German luxury car-maker announced

last week that it would create more than

1000 new jobs by establishing a fully fl edged

production plant for the Cajun at Leipzig,

where assembly of the larger Cayenne SUV

and Panamera sedan already takes place.

While bodies for the Cayenne and,

since 2009, the Panamera are produced

by Volkswagen in Hanover, the expanded

Leipzig facility will comprise body assembly

lines and a paint shop for the Cajun, making

Porsche’s factory in the Saxony region of

Germany a full-service production site.

Porsche has not announced a production

timetable for left- and right-hand drive versions

of the Cajun but it is understood the new mid-

sized luxury SUV will be launched globally

either late next year or in early 2013.

“With the effi cient and agile Cajun,

Porsche extends its SUV segment which

is in high demand all over the world,” the

company said last week.

“In addition to the new generation of

the Cayenne which has clearly managed to

strengthen its market position as one of the most

successful sporting all-wheel drive vehicles

in the premium segment, the lightweight

and refi ned handling Cajun – so typical of a

Porsche – will create further momentum.

“As a desirable entry model, it is expected

to pave the way for new, younger customers

to enter the world of Porsche, in addition to

the Boxster, the market leader among two-

seat mid-engined sportscars.”

Porsche has already stated the Cajun –

based on sister company Audi’s Q5, which

is Australia’s top-selling luxury SUV so

far this year – will come with traditional

Porsche hallmarks “light weight, ease of

handling and agility”.

Porsche said that, subject to approval by

local authorities, it will begin construction of

the new Cajun plant at its 400-hectare Leipzig

facility later this year, creating more than 1000

direct jobs in Saxony, at its Zuffenhausen

HQ and engine plant in Stuttgart and at its

Weissach R&D operations.

In making the announcement, Porsche

CEO Matthias Mueller said: “During the

production of the Cayenne and the Panamera,

our Leipzig plant has impressively proved

that it can produce premium vehicles of

highest quality.

“The decision in favour of this location

is proof of our trust in the skills and

qualifi cations of our Leipzig associates, and

at the same time another contribution to the

economic advancement of the region.”

Porsche has invested around €280 million

($A376m) at Leipzig since 2002.

The chairman of Porsche’s group works

council, Uwe Hueck, said “we had tough but

fair negotiations” and also stressed the need

for expansion at Zuffenhausen.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

Cayenne production

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John Mellor’s

March 23, 2011 Page 20

Early signs this year not good for Honda as sales and share falls continue

By TERRY MARTINHONDA’S position at the bottom of

Australia’s Top 10 sales table this year seems

incongruous for a highly regarded brand

stacked with strong, reputable nameplates –

some of which, like Integra, Prelude, NSX

and S2000, are albeit long gone – and which

increased market share and sales throughout

last decade to the point where it was one of

the top fi ve brands in the nation.

Honda trailed only the ‘Big 3’ (Toyota,

Holden and Ford) and Mazda in 2006, with

VFACTS fi gures showing it had an impressive

5.6 per cent share of the market with almost

55,000 sales, and was outselling Mitsubishi

– despite it being a local manufacturer at that

point – as well as Nissan and Hyundai.

The following year it reached another high

point, breaking through the 60,000 sales

barrier for the fi rst time on the back of success

stories such as the CR-V compact SUV

(12,600+ units), its all-important Civic small

car (17,600+), the Jazz light car (11,600+)

and a dual Accord strategy that together

accounted for 15,500 new registrations.

As we documented in Market Insight 12

months ago, Honda’s downturn since 2007

has been remarkable and, most worryingly

for senior management, it has continued

while the industry overall has recovered

from the global fi nancial crisis.

Even as late as the end of November last

year, in boom times, Honda Australia was

not expecting to fi nish the year worse off

than in 2009, but that is what transpired, with

the fi nal fi gures coming in at just over 40,300

(down 2.6 per cent, or some 1000 units lower

than the previous year) as Honda’s market

share dropped below four per cent (to 3.9)

for the fi rst time in six years.

In the fi rst two months of this year, Honda

has fallen behind Subaru and Volkswagen

and is clinging on to 10th place by just 700

units from a fi red-up Suzuki. Indeed, Honda

is now in serious danger of falling off the

Top 10 table altogether as rival brands with

big aspirations and fresh models – Suzuki

and Kia, to name two – come to the fore.

Honda recorded 2227 new registrations

in January (down 25.9 per cent on the same

month last year) and 2585 last month (down

16.7 per cent), which leaves it 21.2 per cent

in arrears so far this year, with a share of

just 3.1 per cent.

Of course, this accounts for only two

months, but it is diffi cult to think of 2011 as

being anything other than a make-or-break

year for Honda, which blamed last year’s

poor results on stock shortages and the

continued slump in large-car sales.

The latter has rendered the Legend

almost irrelevant (just 66 were sold last

year) and has particularly hurt the larger of

the two Accords.

Combined, the Accord twins returned

only 9500 sales last year, while the once-

dominant CR-V, which is suffering from

the lack of a cheaper 2WD variant (not due

until the next generation arrives in 2012),

climbed back from a miserable 5100 sales

in 2009 to around 7200.

Civic, too, is a shadow of its former sales

self – Honda shifted 10,450 units last year, a

quarter of the number Toyota managed with

Corolla – with its problems ranging from

no fi ve-door hatch model available from

Australian free-trade partner Thailand (which

builds the sedan) to development delays of the

new-generation model during the GFC.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

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Honda under seige

Jan 2010

Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan2011

Feb

6000

5000

4000

3000

2000

1000

0

Honda Subaru Volkswagen Suzuki Kia

Source: VFACTS

Sale

s

Hard road for HondaHard road for Honda

March 23, 2011 Page 21Green issues in the auto world

GoAuto Green is brought to you by Custom Fleet

GoAuto Green

John Mellor’s

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By RON HAMMERTONNISSAN Australia has given up pleading for

Australian governments to introduce direct

incentives to encourage the introduction of

electric vehicles such as its Leaf, instead

hoping for some sort of “carrot” for

environmentally friendly vehicles when

proposed compulsory carbon dioxide

emissions limits are introduced.

The company has been one of the most

outspoken critics of Australian government

inaction on zero-emissions vehicles to date,

saying last year that the unwillingness of all

levels of government in Australia to offer

subsidies would limit Nissan’s ability to roll

out the all-electric Leaf in a timely manner.

Nissan Motor Co has given priority to

markets actively encouraging EVs, such

as Europe, Japan, China and the United

States. In the latter, buyers can apply for EV

incentives of up to $7500 – equivalent to 20

per cent of the cost of the Leaf.

With the Leaf now just a year away from

Australian launch, Nissan Australia CEO

Dan Thompson has told GoAuto that his

company has discontinued direct lobbying

on the issue in Canberra because it was

getting nowhere. “Of course, we are very

disappointed,” he said.

Mr Thompson said the Australian motor

industry’s umbrella organisation, the

Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries

(FCAI) – of which Nissan is a member –

had also “pulled back” on its calls for such

incentives, instead taking a different tack by

addressing the issue in the current round of

negotiations with the federal government

on mandatory CO2 limits.

The federal government is said to be

preparing a discussion paper for a new

mandatory CO2 target, with prime minister

Julia Gillard last year proposing a 190

grams per kilometre limit from 2015, with a

further tightening to 155g/km by 2024.

The FCAI’s own National Average

Carbon Emissions (NACE) fi gures released

last month show the industry-wide average

for light vehicle carbon emissions last year

was 213g/km – down 2.5 per cent on 2009.

Under the proposed compulsory scheme,

each motor company must achieve the CO2

limit on average across its range – known in

the US and elsewhere as Corporate Average

Fuel Economy (CAFE) – or face fi nancial

penalties – effectively a gas guzzler tax.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

No federal EV subsidies prompts Nissan call for incentives via CO2 laws

Call for clear CO2 pathCall for clear CO2 path

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Renault admits it wrongly accused staff of espionage relating to EV programBy RON HAMMERTON

RENAULT has been forced into a humiliating

apology to three employees

wrongfully accused of selling secrets

from the French company’s electric

vehicle program, saying it would offer

to reinstate or compensate the three

after they were cleared of espionage

by French investigators.

But Renault’s largest shareholder,

the French government, is still far from

happy, with an offi cial spokesman accusing

the company of “amateurism” and saying:

“There will be further consequences.”

As well, French industry minister

Eric Besson said on television that

the apology from Renault CEO

and president Carlos Ghosn after

an extraordinary meeting of the

company board in Paris had been

“very important”, but added: “This is

not the end of this internal story.”

As part of their mea culpa,

Mr Ghosn and all the senior managers

involved in the scandalous accusations

will waive their 2010 bonuses and stock

option entitlements for 2011. As well, chief

operating offi cer Patrick Pelata offered to

resign, but was refused by Mr Ghosn.

In another twist to the story, the French

prosecutors’ offi ce has said it picked up an

employee from Renault’s security department,

Dominique Gevrey, as he was trying to leave

France on March 11 on a fl ight to Guinea.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERECarlos Ghosn

March 23, 2011 Page 22GoAuto Personnel

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George Hennessy

Sharon Hunter

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Doug Tame

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for your business.”

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TRIVETT CLASSIC NAMED BMW AUSTRALIA’S TOP DEALER FOR 2010By TERRY MARTIN

NEW South Wales dealership Trivett

Classic has been named the 2010 BMW

Group Australia Dealer of the Year.

In accepting the award, Trivett Classic

BMW dealer principal Greg Duncan

paid tribute to the team of more than 100

employees at the Parramatta dealership.

“As a BMW dealer for over 26 years, this

is the pinnacle of recognition amongst our

peers,” he said.

“To be awarded the 2010 BMW Dealer

of the Year is testimony to the leadership

of general manager Simon Macedone and

his outstanding team of professionals. It

is also evidence of our commitment to our

customers.”

Mr Macedone added that the award

presentation “was a very proud moment

for our entire team who have shown great

commitment and attention to detail in all

areas of the business”.

This is the second year in a row Trivett

Classic has featured in BMW Group

awards, with its Mini Garage having won a

Mini Excellence award last year.

The 2010 Rural Dealer of the Year award

went to Toowoomba BMW.

BMW says its awards program “celebrates

and rewards exemplary customer service,

professionalism and all-round performance

within the BMW dealer network”.

In an interview with GoAuto earlier this

month, BMW’s new managing director Phil

Horton – who took the reins in February

after the sudden departure of Stavros

Yallouridis last November – admitted that

the company had “a lot to make up” to

increase sales (down 21.8 per cent this year)

and regain the market leadership it lost to

Mercedes-Benz last year.

“We have a good team, we have a well

established network and certainly as you

might imagine one of the things Munich

is looking for is that BMW can regain the

number-one spot,” he said.

“We’ve got a lot to make up. Last year was

a tough year in a tough market and it’s one

that’s not seeing a huge amount of growth

at the moment. In the premium segment it’s

certainly been very competitive. I certainly

know I’ve got my work cut out for me.”

In presenting the DOTY award to Trivett

Classic, Mr Horton said the company was

“extremely proud to honour the hard work

of our dealers in this country”.

“We consistently strive to ensure that

every aspect of owning a BMW is as

enjoyable as the drive itself,” he said.

From left: Simon Macedone,Phil Horton and Greg Duncan

AUSTRALIAN ‘SAVE SAAB’ CAMPAIGNER LANDS GLOBAL SOCIAL MEDIA JOBBy HAITHAM RAZAGUI

THE Australian Saab enthusiast behind

the Saabs United website that formed a base

for the global ‘Save Saab’ campaign has

been hired as project leader for social media

in the born-again Swedish car-maker’s

interactive marketing department.

Saab will be putting to use Steven Wade’s

social media knowledge, built over six years

of operating the Saab blog site Trollhattan

Saab, which became Saabs United in

early 2009 when General Motors put its

Scandinavian subsidiary up for sale.

“My main task will be to create content

about the company and the Saab community

for distribution through various social media

channels,” Mr Wade told GoAuto of his new

role. “The aim of the task is to bring the

company and the community closer together.”

He said that on discovering the blogging

medium in 2004 and how it “gave the

ordinary person a voice”, he took to it

straight away, his enthusiasm for and

knowledge of Saabs providing something

he felt he could write about with some

authority to serve an audience.

“I was fortunate in that people enjoyed the

content of the site. I had some great sources

who provided me with inside information as

to what was going on at Saab. This caused

some irritation with Saab at fi rst, but I still

managed to build up a great relationship

with the company,” he said.

With Saabs United now a thriving

community and regularly serving over

500,000 pages per month to readers all over

the world, Mr Wade said the website had

grown to such a point that he felt unable to

continue managing it while sustaining his

day job and family life.

Asked how his job with Saab came

about, Mr Wade said: “Thankfully, my need

to make changes and Saab’s need to move

more deliberately into the social media

arena intersected, and here we are.

“Saab actually advertised this position last

year and I applied for it. My ‘job interview’

was a discussion with the Saab executive

team at the LA auto show last year and then

a few phone calls shortly thereafter.”

In Saab’s announcement of Mr Wade’s

appointment, the company credits him with

playing a “pivotal role in rallying support

around the globe for the Saab brand during

negotiations for its sale by General Motors”.

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

Steven Wade

March 23, 2011 Page 23

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GoAuto NewsJohn Mellor’s

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

Kia Optima Platinum sedan

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE

JAPAN CRISIS UPDATEMOTOR manufacturers around the world

are hoping for the best and planning for the

worst as parts made by Japanese companies

hit by the recent earthquake and tsunami

begin to dry up, forcing factory shut-downs

and go-slows as far afi eld as the United

States and Spain.

General Motors has issued an extraordinary

company directive to all its branches –

including GM Holden – to conserve cash by

cutting spending until it can assess the full

impact of the Japanese supply situation. Even

air travel by GM staff to conferences and other

events has been put on hold for 30 days.

All three Australian car-makers – GM

Holden, Ford Australia and Toyota Australia

– are saying it is business as usual at their

local factories, but they concede that they

rely on certain Japanese-made components

for their vehicles.

Holden external communications director

Emily Perry told GoAuto that production of

both Commodore and Cruze at Elizabeth,

South Australia, and V6 engines at Port

Melbourne, Victoria was continuing.

“All we’re saying is vehicle production is

not affected and we have appropriate levels

of stock for the coming weeks,” she said.

But she confi rmed that Holden was

following a global GM directive to cut non-

essential spending and put all air travel to

conferences and events on hold for 30 days

to conserve cash as a precaution until the

full impact was known.

Ford Australia public affairs director

Sinead McAlary said Ford might not know

until next week if its local operations

would suffer any impact. “Some Tier 1 or

Tier 2 suppliers could be affected, but their

suppliers may not be able to get into their

plants (in Japan) for some time,” she said.

In Japan, the motor industry so far has lost

about 400,000 vehicles due the factory closures

in the wake of the March 11 calamity.

The longer the shutdown drags on,

the more likely Australian importers will

be affected by shortages of stock that is

currently being replenished from vehicles

still in the shipping pipeline.

Several Japanese manufacturers have

resumed their own parts production to at

least make sure their overseas factories are

replenished. However, external suppliers are

still struggling.

– Marton Pettendy and Ron Hammerton

HALO FOR RUKUSTOYOTA has released a special-edition

‘Halo’ version of its youth-oriented Rukus,

following slower than expected sales of the

Corolla-based small car.

Launched last May with a sales forecast

of 150-200 monthly sales, the three-grade

Rukus line-up last year attracted 1089 buyers

for a monthly average of 136, while sales so

far in 2011 have reduced to 100 a month.

Now Toyota has introduced the Rukus

Halo, priced from $27,990 – $500 higher

than the entry-level Rukus Build 1 upon

which it is based.

RANGER AERO WORKTWO engineers with expertise honed in the

aero-intense world of formula one racing

have turned their hand to the development

of a humble ute Down Under.

Former F1 aerodynamics engineers

Thorsten Maertens and Neil Lewington

were brought into the Ranger program four

years ago to use racing-style simulation

software to fi netune the ute design and

enhance fuel effi ciency.

THE latest in a procession of easy-on-the-eye models from Kia has arrived in the form of the all-new Optima medium sedan. Available in just one equipment grade priced at a value-packed $36,990, the new Optima brandishes undeniably sexy styling, a shed-full of luxury equipment, class-leading refi nement and a locally developed ride/handling package. But can Australian buyers look beyond the fast-growing Korean brand’s badge to consider owning what will be one of the most convincing new sedan packages released here this year?

Launch PadAustralia’s No.1 because it works!

March:Audi A7 SportbackBMW X3 redesignFiat 500 Abarth EsseesseHolden Cruze sedan faceliftLexus CT200hMercedes-Benz G-classNissan GT-R MY11Skoda Scout DSGToyota FJ CruiserVolvo V60

New model diary: CLICK HERE

Audi A7 SportbackA diA dididiA diiA diAudiAAudiuAudiudiAudiAuAudiAAudiAudi AAA7A7A7 SA7 SA7 SA7 SpA7 SpAA7 S7 SpA7 SpA7A7 SA7 SppA7 SpA7 SpA7 SpA7 Sportortbortbaortbaoroortbackck

Toyota FJ Cruiser

BMW X3

Lexus CT200h

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FULL STORY: CLICK HERE