john mellor’s goauto news · jac truck in new zealand, where the fi rst shipment of 48 jac euro...
TRANSCRIPT
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May 4, 2011 No. 579
GoAuto NewsJohn Mellor’s
Australia’s No.1 Automotive Industry Journal 70,000 Readers Weekly
PROTECTION FROM THE MOMENT YOU TURN THE KEY.
JAC attackAustralian importer secures car deal with China’s JAC and sets 2012 launch date
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By RON HAMMERTONTOP-10 Chinese vehicle manufacturer
Jianghuai Automobile Co (JAC) is set to
launch its passenger car range in Australia
within 18 months, becoming the fourth car-
maker from the world’s biggest motor market
to lock in its car export plans for this country.
The JAC range of cars and SUVs will be
imported by Sydney-based WMC Group,
which is already gearing up to introduce
JAC trucks and vans in the second half
of this year alongside its existing Higer
Chinese bus import business.
JAC cars will go head-to-head with
existing Chinese light-vehicle brands Great
Wall Motors, Chery and Geely, which all
have major model expansion plans in place
for Australia in the next two years.
WMC Group managing director Jason
Pecotic confi rmed to GoAuto that the deal
to extend the JAC distribution deal beyond
trucks to light passenger cars had been
signed in February, with JAC selecting two
car platforms to be developed in both right-
and left-hand-drive for western markets,
including Australia, and exported by the
fourth quarter of next year.
This means WMC – formerly known
as White Motor Corporation – will have
exclusive rights to distribute all vehicles
under the JAC brand across Australia and
New Zealand.
JAC, best known as China’s second-
largest truck-maker and number-one truck
exporter, already offers nine passenger
vehicles in China, ranging from a Suzuki
Alto-sized fi ve-door hatch to a Camry-sized
sedan, and including two people-movers
and a Hyundai Tucson-style SUV.
GoAuto understands that at least two
Australian importers sought the highly
prized JAC light-vehicle deal.
The successful WMC bid was backed by
Australia’s biggest automotive dealer group,
Automotive Holdings Group, which is set to
offer both JAC trucks and cars through its
national dealer network.
Mr Pecotic said WMC’s commitment to
the truck business had been instrumental in
winning the passenger car import deal.
“We have spent millions on trucks and
pre-purchasing product over the last few
months,” he said.
Mr Pecotic said that, now the decision had
been made, JAC was moving ahead with its
product development plans for Australia.
“It is all coming together so quickly,” he
said. “They are moving ahead at 100 miles
an hour.”
WMC’s JAC import operation kicks off
in New Zealand in May with the showroom
launch of the fi rst 7.5-tonne, Cummins Euro
4 diesel-powered truck.
The same truck but with a Euro 5 version
of the ISF 3.8-litre Cummins engine – made
under licence by Chinese truck-maker Foton
– will hit the Australian market in limited
numbers in August before larger shipments
arrive in the fi nal quarter. A smaller 4.5-tonne
model is set for launch about the end of July.Continued next page
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INSIDEGOAUTO DRIVES
INFINITI’S G37
May 4, 2011 Page 2
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JAC attackJAC attack
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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 [email protected]
ADVERTISE: Steve Butcher Ph: 0419 562 110 [email protected]
GoAuto NewsJohn Mellor’s
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Continued from previous pageThe JAC Multivan – a Mercedes-Benz
Sprinter-style six-metre-long multi-purpose
van powered for Australia by a 2.8-litre
four-cylinder ISF Cummins engine – is
scheduled to go into production in October
and arrive in Australia in November.
Although the passenger car plans for
JAC in Australia are still under wraps, the
company is likely to follow the lead of other
Chinese brands and start with light and small
cars, potentially with more than one variant
built off each platform.
Contenders could be the current or next-
generation versions of the Cruze-sized JAC J5
in sedan and fi ve-door RS crossover styles, the
smaller J3 sedan and hatch, or the baby of the
range, the J2 fi ve-door hatchback city car.
The J3 was famously designed by Italian
styling house Pininfarina, making it among
the most contemporary cars from a Chinese
manufacturer. The J5 is also said to have
been infl uenced by the Italian designers.
However, all these models will probably
have to be renamed for Australia, as rival
Chery has already snapped up the ‘J’ format
for its range, which so far includes the J1
and J11, with a J3 on the way.
Similarly, Chery importer Ateco
Automotive was forced to change the name
of the Chery cars – known as A1, A3 etc
elsewhere – because Audi had already
adopted those tags worldwide.
All existing JAC passenger cars are front-
drive and powered by four-cylinder engines,
either petrol or diesel, ranging from the 1.0-
litre unit with just 55kW/85Nm in the J2 to
2.4 litres with 110kW/210Nm in the S1 SUV
that also offers a 2.0-litre diesel producing
100kW/190Nm.
JAC makes its own 16-valve four-cylinder
petrol engine in a range of sizes, while also
running alternative engines from Mitsubishi.
Manual transmissions, in either fi ve or six
speeds, are standard across the range, but no
automatic transmission is currently on offer.
Based in the central Chinese city of Hefei,
JAC has a production capacity of 700,000 units
a year and last year sold 460,000 cars, trucks
and buses – up from 310,000 in 2009 – putting
it among China’s top 10 manufacturers.
Last year, it exported 20,000 vehicles,
mostly trucks, to developing countries. It
hopes to double those exports this year and
push its overall sales to 600,000 units.
The local Anhui provincial government
based in Hefei is a major shareholder in the
company, which has backed its commitment to
exports by opening research and development
centres in Turin, Italy, and Tokyo, Japan.
The Turin and Japanese operations are
jointly credited with designing the JAC
Multivan, with Turin looking after the exterior
and Tokyo being responsible for the interior.
In China, the van is offered in a range of
confi gurations, from standard commercial
work van to coach and even ambulance.
Local importer WMC already imports a
range of Higer buses, all powered by Cummins
engines fi tted with Allison transmissions. Its
latest model is the Higer Munro – a 27-seater
named after majority shareholder in the
WMC Group, Sydney doctor Don Munro.
JAC trucks set to roll – next page
Brazil showroom and (below) Chinese production
May 4, 2011 Page 3
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Importer reveals big order bank for JAC truck range, with van launch due in Q4
JAC trucks set to rollJAC trucks set to roll
By RON HAMMERTONCHINESE vehicle importer WMC Group
says it has pre-sold 100 of the 300 JAC
Motors trucks it expects to receive from
China’s second-largest truck-maker –
Jianghuai Automobile Company – in the
second half of this year as it launches the
new brand in Australia.
And the Sydney-based importer has
revealed to GoAuto that it will add a JAC
large van in the mould of the Mercedes-Benz
Sprinter to the opening two-truck range from
November, before extending into passenger
cars from the fourth quarter of 2012.
WMC Group managing director Jason
Pecotic said he expected the fi rst JAC
truck model – a 7.5-tonne vehicle powered
by a 3.8-litre ISF Cummins engine – to
get offi cial ADR approval in June when
a production version with the latest Euro
5-compliant engine arrives to be signed off
by the Department of Transport and Road
Safety (DOTARS).
Mr Pecotic said the fi rst batch of fi ve
production trucks would then arrive in
August, with mass-produced customer
vehicles following from September.
As well, the fi rst 4.5-tonne model with the
same 3.8-litre diesel engine was expected to
land in Australia about July.
Mr Pecotic said WMC’s JAC division
– JAC Trucks Australia Pty Ltd – had
committed to taking delivery of 300
vehicles in the fi rst six months, with a
target of 950 sales for 2012. If achieved,
those fi gures would place JAC in the top
10 in the Australian truck industry in its
fi rst full year.
“We have actually sold the fi rst 100,” Mr
Pecotic said. “The problem we have got at the
moment is not getting them here in time.
“I have so much pressure on getting them
here earlier, so we are fairly excited about
the trucks getting here.”
WMC – formerly known as White
Motor Corporation – has been backed in
the venture by Australia’s biggest dealer
group, Automotive Holdings Group, which
operates more than 100 dealerships across
Australia and New Zealand.
WMC also imports and distributes Chinese-
made Higer buses, also with Cummins
engines and Allison transmissions.
JAC has had a prototype truck in
Australia for a year preparing for local
homologation – a process that moved a
step closer with an inspection two weeks
ago by DOTARS offi cials at the company’s
Australian headquarters at Milperra, in
Sydney’s south-west.
However, the fi nal sign-off will have to
wait until the arrival in June of a formal
SUTI (single uniform type inspection)
vehicle with the production-ready Euro
5 diesel engine, as the vehicle already in
Australia has an earlier Euro 4 powertrain.
The company is just three weeks away
from the showroom launch of the fi rst
JAC truck in New Zealand, where the fi rst
shipment of 48 JAC Euro 4-diesel trucks are
making their way through customs.
In China, JAC makes a full range of trucks,
from light delivery vans to heavy haulage
prime movers, as well as buses, passenger
cars and light commercial vehicles.
For Australia and New Zealand, WMC has
specifi ed all Cummins ISF diesel engines,
which are assembled in a new Chinese
factory built near Beijing as a joint venture
between Cummins and major truck-maker
Beiqi Foton.
Mr Pecotic said Cummins was making a
batch of 50 Euro 5 engines for WMC’s fi rst
JAC production.
FULL STORY: CLICK HEREJAC Multivan
May 4, 2011 Page 4
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Four-way Chinese stoush looms as Great Wall joins hunt for $10,990 Chery J1
China lights the wayChina lights the way
By RON HAMMERTONTHE price battle at the bargain-basement
end of the new-car market, where Chinese
brand Chery has just announced a $10,990
driveaway price for its entry-level J1 city
car, has the potential to turn red hot before
the end of the year with the arrival of up to
three more Chinese-made light hatchbacks.
Great Wall Motors importer Ateco
Automotive has all but confi rmed that its fi rst
Great Wall passenger car – a fi ve-door light
hatchback called Voleex C10 in China, where
it was launched last year – is on the launch
pad for the fourth quarter of this year.
And, as GoAuto has previously reported,
Perth-based Chinese Automotive Distributors
this year is planning to nationally launch
not one but two new Geely light cars, the
diminutive LC mini hatch – called the Panda
in China – and the one-size-larger CE hatch
– replacing the WA-only Geely MK.
The pressure will ratchet up even further
in late 2012 with the arrival of passenger
cars from a fourth Chinese brand, Jianghuai
Automobile Company (JAC).
Although the JAC models destined for
Australia are yet to be revealed, the Chinese
company is equipped with a Pininfarina-designed
light sedan and hatchback range, known as J3, as
well as a mini hatchback called the J2.
All these Chinese newcomers are expected
to come in below most existing contenders,
such as the Indian-made Suzuki Alto and
Malaysian-built Proton S16, as well as other
potential players such as the Hyundai i10
and Kia Picanto from Korea.
The Great Wall C10 is a fi ve-door,
fi ve-seat hatchback offered in China with
a choice of 68kW/118Nm 1.3-litre and
77kW/138Nm 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol
engines, each in a choice of two equipment
levels, Luxury and Elite.
Unlike many Chinese light cars, the
C10 comes with an automatic transmission
alternative – a continuously variable
transmission (CVT) – alongside the standard
fi ve-speed manual gearbox.
Standard equipment includes air-
conditioning, ABS four-wheel disc brakes,
electric windows and central locking.
Asked if the Great Wall C10 was locked
in for Australian launch this year to kick off
the brand’s passenger car range, Ateco’s
Chinese brands spokesman Daniel Cotterill
told GoAuto: “We wouldn’t be far from that.
I think that is where we get started.”
Mr Cotterill said Ateco and Great Wall
still had some details to fi nalise, including
the design of the front fascia.
“There are a couple of different grilles
and I think it would be fair to say it is not
actually fi nalised as to which one Australia
gets just yet,” he said.Continued next page
Voleex C10
May 4, 2011 Page 5
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Volkswagen Group Australia is looking for a Dealer Business Manager to partner with its Commercial Vehicles Dealer network across central and regional Queensland. This is a Brisbane based position.
Reporting to the National Sales Manager - Commercial Vehicles, the successful candidate will work with relevant dealership representatives to ensure they meet their performance objectives.
Some specific requirements of the role include:
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Regular travel is required and support for a home office arrangement will be provided. For information on this role, contact Amanda Lintott on (02) 9699 3144 or email your application to [email protected]
China lights the wayChina lights the wayContinued from previous page
One of the grilles – the most public variant
seen in China – has a distinctive toothy
vertical chrome bar design, while the other
is a more conventional horizontal affair.
For Great Wall, the arrival in about
November of the C10 – which is also
known in China as the Phenom – will cap
a hectic six months in which it will also
introduce long-awaited diesel versions of
its two current sister models, the ‘V’ ute
and ‘X’ SUV.
The diesel version of the latter – to
be called X200 TDi – will also get an
automatic transmission option, greatly
expanding the market reach of this small
crossover wagon entry.
The 105kW diesel engine will generate
more power than the current 93kW 2.4-litre
Mitsubishi-derived petrol engine that will
continue in the range, as well as delivering
more than 300Nm of torque.
Mr Cotterill said the diesel was the missing
link in the Great Wall ute and SUV range.
“The sooner we can get these on the
market, the sooner this business becomes
better in terms of Great Wall,” he said.
Mr Cotterill said he could not speculate on
the incremental sales the diesel powertrain
would bring to the ute and SUV, but said it
would be signifi cant.
Asked if the engine had the potential
to double volume, he said: “If those cars
have already proved to have been such a
good value proposition to so many people
now, I would not be surprised to see things
of that magnitude.”
So far this year, Great Wall has registered
990 V240 petrol utes and 662 petrol X240
SUVs, according to offi cial VFACTS fi gures
to the end of March.
Mr Cotterill conceded that the showroom
introduction of the diesel engine had been
delayed, saying that the company just
wanted to ensure the engine was fully ready
for the Australian market.
The V200 TDi ute is now expected to arrive
about July, with the X200 TDi to follow a
little later in the third quarter, along with the
optional fi ve-speed automatic transmission.
“We are down to the fi ner points of
homologation and production orders and so
on, and we expect it (the V200) about the
third quarter,” he said. “But I wouldn’t be
surprised to see a manual ute or two a little
bit before that.
“The auto will be in the SUV, and that’s a
third quarter proposition.”
The single-cab V-series ute is also
expected to receive the same cosmetic
facelift that was applied to the dual-cab
earlier this month, when the facelifted X240
crossover was also released.
Mr Cotterill dismissed the chances of an
Australian launch for Great Wall’s large Ford
F-150-rivalling pick-up concept, the CL,
which was shown at the recent Shanghai motor
show. “It’s not in our current planning, no,” he
said. “We are pretty happy with the Great Wall
line-up as it is, but clearly we would like to add
some depth to it where it makes sense.”
FULL STORY: CLICK HEREChery hits new low – next page
CL
May 4, 2011 Page 6
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Australia’s new-car entry level has fallen to $10,990 driveaway with Chinese J1
Chery hits new lowChery hits new low
By MARTON PETTENDYCHINESE car-maker Chery has wound
Australia’s new-car price clock back 20
years by slashing the pricetag of its brand-
new J1 city car to just $10,990 driveaway
after only two months on sale.
That sort of retail price – let alone one that
includes all statutory and on-road costs –
has not been seen in Australia since 1991, on
Hyundai’s industry-changing Excel hatch,
or more than two decades ago, on Suzuki’s
1990 Swift.
Factor in two decades of infl ation and the
Chery J1 could well be the most affordable
new car ever sold in Australia.
The new J1 pricetag not only undercuts
Proton’s $11,990 driveaway S16 sedan –
previously Australia’s equal-cheapest new car
alongside the J1 – by $1000, but is signifi cantly
lower than the rock-bottom stickers on city cars
like Suzuki’s Indian-built Alto (from $11,790
plus on-road costs or $12,490 driveaway) and
Holden’s Korean-made Barina Spark (from
$12,490 plus ORCs or $13,990 driveaway).
At the same time, traditional Korean
price leaders like Kia and Hyundai, whose
$15,490-plus (or from $15,990 driveaway)
i20 will become the brand’s lowest-priced
model when the long-running Getz (from
$12,990 driveaway) is retired this year,
have both fl agged their intention to move
upmarket with all-new light cars later this
year via the redesigned Rio sedan and hatch
and Accent sedan respectively.
Chery became Australia’s third Chinese
passenger vehicle brand in March, when it
released the pint-size J1 hatch and Australia’s
cheapest SUV – the J11 – following the
launch of two Great Wall utes in July 2009
and, so far only in Western Australia, the
Geely MK light car in January.
Now Chery distributor Ateco Automotive
says it is passing on its savings from the
surging Aussie dollar by offering a $1000
cash-back offer on the J1, effectively
reducing its smallest model’s driveaway
price from an already bargain-basement
$11,990 to just $10,990.
“The Australian dollar is running at levels
not seen since 1983, the year Australia won
the America’s Cup,” said Chery Automotive
Australia general manager Dinesh
Chinnappa. “We have decided to pass on the
benefi t of the strong Australian dollar to the
Australian car-buying public.”
To take advantage of the nation’s best new-
car deal, which sees the 1.3-litre fi ve-door
J1 priced about the same as a fi ve-year-old
Holden Commodore Executive, customers
must fi ll out a form and pay the discounted
price of $10,990 or pay the full retail price of
$11,990 and receive $1000 in cash.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
J1
May 4, 2011 Page 7
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GoAuto NewsJohn Mellor’s
We are one of the fastest growing, exciting and dynamic motor dealership groups in Australia. We are Queensland’s largest automotive retailer and the second largest automotive retail group in Australia and we plan to keep growing. With over 95 dealerships representing 31 car brands and 12 truck & bus brands we have operations in 5 states and territories. We also own a Motor Auction business, 5 Parts Distribution Centres and 2 Panel Shops and we currently employ approx 3,000 people with sales revenue in excess of $2.4 billion per annum.
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Chinese car-maker Hawtai rides to the rescue as Saab aims to resume production
Saab moves into ChinaSaab moves into China
By RON HAMMERTONSAAB Automobile has signed a strategic
partnership with small but ambitious
Chinese motor company Hawtai Motor
Group that will not only help the struggling
Swedish company to revive production at its
stalled home factory at Trollhattan but also
get the brand into manufacturing in the huge
Chinese market.
Hawtai has agreed to spend €120 million
($A163m) to buy a stake of up to 29.9 per
cent in Saab parent company Spyker Cars
NV in return for the rights to build and
distribute Saab vehicles under joint ventures
in China, as well as share technology.
As well, Hawtai has agreed to lend Saab
€30 million ($A40.7m) in the form of a
convertible loan.
The Saab-Hawtai tie-up was announced
yesterday in Beijing by Saab chairman Victor
Muller and Hawtai vice-president Richard
Zhang, just 24 hours after Spyker announced
it had secured a €30 million short-term loan
that would, along with fi nancing from the
European Investment Bank (EIB), help kick-
start production at Saab’s Trollhattan factory,
possibly within a week.
The Saab production lines ground to a
halt last month when unpaid parts-makers
refused to deliver components until cash-
strapped Saab settled their bills.
Announcing the deal, Mr Muller said:
“The partnership with Hawtai allows Saab
Automobile on the one hand to continue
executing its business plan since we secured
the required mid-term fi nancing subject to
meeting certain conditions, whilst on the
other hand it allows Saab Automobile to
enter the Chinese car market and establish
a technology partnership with a strong
Chinese manufacturer.”
In other promising news for Saab, former
major shareholder in Spyker, Russian bank
owner Vladimir Antonov, has been given
clearance to invest in Saab from Sweden’s
National Debt Offi ce after previously
being disallowed following claims he was
connected with Russian mafi a.
Mr Antonov, chairman of Conversgroup, has
been cleared of any wrongdoing by an offi cial
Swedish government investigation, paving
the way for him to become a shareholder in
Spyker and thus secure Saab’s future.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
Hawtai Boliger
May 4, 2011 Page 8
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• Compare your departmental performance to franchise averages and industry benchmark
• Provide an insight into the industry and best practice dealerships
• Conduct a top performance planning session to define Performance Action Plans.
The Deloitte Top Performance Workshop outcomes:
• Drive a performance culture
• Generate performance commitment of all department managers
• Quantifiable action plans for your senior management team to deliver on.
Deloitte Performance Workshops – Book one today!
Dale McCauleyDirectorTel: +61 (0) 2 9322 7277
Tony HuttonManagerTel: +61 (0) 2 9322 3710
Dealer profi tability is topof mind for Mitsu but four per cent return ‘idealistic’
Target line drawnTarget line drawn
THE new chief of Mitsubishi Motors
Australia has vowed not to drag his dealers
into the maelstrom of bullying and strongarm
tactics being experienced within a wide range
of new-car franchises across Australia.
Incoming president and CEO Genichiro
Nishina told GoAuto the company was
pursuing a policy of steady growth and that
its goal was to make sure all its dealers were
making a strong net profi t on sales.
His predecessor, Masahiko Takahashi,
told GoAuto: “We want Mitsubishi to
be the most preferred franchise
and this concept will be passed to
Nishina-san.”
The two MMAL chiefs were
commenting on recent presentations
to Deloitte Motor Industry Services’
clients in each mainland capital city
by GoAuto publisher John Mellor,
who revealed widespread discontent
among dealers from pressure being
placed on them by car companies.
Mr Mellor’s research for the presentation
involved interviews with leading dealers
in a cross-section of markets. It revealed:
massive pressure to take excess stock;
underhand tactics to prevent dealers from
taking on Chinese franchises; unrealistic
expectations for dealership upgrades;
and failure to understand mounting cost
pressures across all dealership activities
which are collectively making a large
number of Australian dealers unviable.
Mr Mellor warned that many dealerships
were unprofi table and the owners were
trapped in their businesses while looking for
an exit from the car industry.
He said the car industry was facing the
loss of key dealership sites as dealers placed
under pressure by the car companies sold or
leased their facilities to other retail sectors
– especially the rapidly expanding
hardware sector for which dealership
sites are especially suitable.
However, Mr Mellor told the
Deloitte audiences that one franchise
was setting out to be a model of
factory-dealer relations and was
working with its dealer group to
achieve a retail structure where all
dealers could achieve a four per
cent net return on sales.
Asked if Mitsubishi was that franchise,
Mr Takahashi said: “Four per cent profi t
is probably a little idealistic. We have not
talked about that as a concrete target for our
dealers, but we are very keen to improve the
dealers’ profi tability.
“We are seeing that our dealer profi tability
on the Deloitte (Profi t Focus) database is
so-so and we have set a target line as an
ideal position, but it is not four per cent.
“We are not trying to totally change the
(dealer) structure. We are taking a mild
approach where we know that dealers’
investments should be covered out of their free
cash fl ow. So we are keen to improve their free
cash fl ow, but it can’t be achieved overnight.
“The easiest way is to allow them to get
more gross margin, but that is not so easy
because there is a trade-off in sales and
market competition which is very severe at
the moment.
“We need to secure profi tability fi rst of all.
In order to make that happen we are trying
to support dealers by increasing their parts
and service revenues.
“So there are no such enforcing requests to
our dealers. We are trying to approach them
in a very mild way and we are emphasising
that dealer profi tability is the fi rst priority.
“The relationship is very important and
we are not enforcing some things on dealers
and we are very keen to listen to our dealers.
This is totally the opposite strategy from
some of the other car-makers operating in
Australia. I will not say who they are, but we
are totally the opposite.
“In the long term, the relationship and the
mutual respect (with MMAL dealers) will
grow our business. Maybe not in the short
term but long-term growth will be the best way
… and MMC itself is running the business in
that concept,” said Mr Takahashi.Continued next page
Genichiro Nishina
MasahikoTakahashi
May 4, 2011 Page 9
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GoAuto NewsJohn Mellor’s
New Car Sales Manager • Used Car Sales Manager • Sales Executives
Career Opportunities
Established on the Gold Coast in the late 1950’s, the Grand Motors Group celebrates over 50 years of unsurpassed customer
service and dealership excellence. Recent additions to the Grand Motors Group in Sydney include Marshalls Motors Mercedes-
Benz and Grand Motors Parramatta; which includes Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Citroen, Chery and Great Wall Motors.
Due to the phenomenal growth of the Chinese brands and with exciting new products from Alfa Romeo, Citroen and Fiat, Grand
Motors Parramatta is expanding rapidly. We are now seeking experienced Sales professionals with a desire to become part of our
dynamic team and share in our success and growth, working in a rst-class dealership facility. Excellent remuneration packages
are on offer for the right individuals.
Please send your resumé and covering letter to the Dealer Principal Ed Butler on email: [email protected]
www.grandmotors.com.au• No.1 Chery Dealership in Australia • No.1 Great Wall Dealership in NSW
Mitsubishi aims for ‘preferred franchise’ status and sets new profi tability targetContinued from previous page
Mr Nishina said he would continue to
pursue the current policy of co-operation
with the dealers: “Business continuity is
very important and so is sustainable, step-
by-step growth. That is what we are aiming
at and I will continue that strategy because
in the long-term that is very important.”
Mr Takahashi said those dealer policies
were established by former president
Robert McEniry. “I have maintained and
grown that and Nishina-san will continue
that because you need to be consistent,” he
said. “That should not be changed.”
Mr Nishina, who has been with Mitsubishi
for 30 years, mainly in overseas sales and
marketing operations, said he was well-
placed to help MMAL’s growth because he
was well-connected in Japan. “Of course I
have lots of friends in headquarters,” said Mr
Nishina. “Those friends are already senior
level so, by using my experience with MMC
and my overseas experience, I strongly hope
that will be a benefi t to the operations here.”
By JOHN MELLORMITSUBISHI Motors Australia Ltd has
decided not to force market growth by pushing
cars into dealerships, opting instead for steady
market share increases over the longer term.
With a caveat that there will be disruption
to sales due to the Japanese earthquake and
tsunami by mid-year, senior management
has told GoAuto that forcing market share
would create a “backlash” in the market and
that it would instead pursue sustained share
growth in Australia.
MMAL’s incoming president and CEO,
Genichiro Nishina, said the transition from
local manufacturer to total importer was
achieved without loss of share by careful
management of products and price points.
He said that in his view the company
should plan on steady growth in Australia
without forcing the market by loading
excess vehicles into dealerships.
“If we hit seven, eight or nine per cent
market share, we will probably see a backlash
later on, so therefore we are pursuing very
sustainable growth,” Mr Nishina told us.
“Currently we are 6.3 per cent market share
and we will increase that to 6.5 and then 6.7.”
He said MMAL would have a series of
replacement products coming in from late
2012 to 2013 “that will be a key driver to gain
market share”. “With those new products
available we are expecting real market share
growth up to possibly 7.5 per cent,” he said.
Asked if MMC had a policy of forcing
growth by oversupplying dealers with
cars, outgoing MMAL president and CEO
Masahiko Takahashi said: “While the plant
was running in Adelaide, I cannot deny that.
But once we became an importer, the plant
in Japan is reasonably well managed at a
certain level of throughput and therefore we
run the business naturally.”
But Mr Takahashi said that any “oversupply
situation” would be reversed as soon as June
or July. He added that there “will defi nitely
be supply shortages in Australia” due to the
earthquake in Japan and that “excess stock
in Australia could be cleaned out in one or
two months’ time and probably after that the
supply will be totally short”.
Mr Nishina said MMC was assessing the
impact of the disaster and that the “outlook
changed very much for the worst” as more
details about vital tier four and fi ve suppliers
emerged. “MMC’s plants were away from the
earthquake area, but not its suppliers. I hope
there will not be a severe problem,” he said.
Mitsubishi declares not to drive up share by shoving new cars into showrooms
‘Sustainable’ growth chart‘Sustainable’ growth chart
ASX
May 4, 2011 Page 10
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GoAuto NewsJohn Mellor’s
NationalParts
Manager
Australia and New Zealand
To support the growth plans for the business, WMC Group are now seeking an experienced Parts Manager to drive this fastpaced division for the JAC and HIGER brands.
Operating across our Australia and New Zealand business, andworking with IDS e42, this role will be responsible for the overallstrategy and success of the parts department. This includes the strategy for pricing and profitability, inventory management, sales promotions, NPD, dealer network strategy and sales into boththe genuine and aftermarket segments.
JAC and HIGER are two of the world largest manufacturers, andthrough new releases will offer a product range covering passenger, LCV and heavy commercial segments.
Proven success in a wholesale parts manager role is essential.
MOTORS
Ford Australia set to sell all-new Focus hatch and sedan range from August
Next Focus draws nearNext Focus draws near
By MARTON PETTENDYFORD has announced its third-generation
Focus will go on sale in Australia in just
three months, headlined by a frugal new
1.6-litre petrol engine to open the all-new
small-car range.
Now offi cially confi rmed for release
here in August, the redesigned Focus will
be available from launch in both four-door
sedan and fi ve-door hatchback body styles,
with the choice of four specifi cation levels.
In addition to a new 2.0-litre GDi direct-
injection four-cylinder petrol engine and
upgraded 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi turbo-
diesel, the 1.6-litre Duratec Ti-VCT petrol
four will bring the initial number of new
Focus engines to three.
Full details of the local launch range will be
announced next month, but GoAuto expects
Ford Australia to expand the number of sedan
variants it offers in order to capitalise on the
more stylish new three-box Focus design.
Sales of the current LVII-series Focus
are heavily skewed to the hatch, while the
top-selling Mazda3’s hatch/sedan split is
closer to 50:50. That is why the MkII Focus
sedan range includes just two entry-level
petrol versions, while the hatch is available
in four model grades (CL, LX, Zetec and
TDCi diesel).
However, the addition of a range-topping
Titanium variant, which borrows its name
from the fl agship Mondeo and now Territory,
and the availability of diesel power in both
hatch and sedan confi guration, should result
in the widest Focus range for some time.
Ford says the new 1.6-litre engine reduces
fuel consumption by more than 15 per cent
over the most fuel-effi cient 2.0-litre petrol
Focus currently offered (7.1L/100km),
which equates to about 6.0L/100km.
However, it is not clear which transmission
the smaller engine will be matched with, or
which body style it will be available in.
Although the Focus 1.6 is not expected
to signifi cantly reduce the current model’s
entry-level price of $21,990 – at least not
until MkIII Focus production for Australia
switches from Saarlouis in Germany to
Rayong in Thailand late next year – it
will join a growing number of smaller-
displacement models in what was once
exclusively a 2.0-litre class.
While the 1.6-litre Focus will be Ford’s
answer to Hyundai’s 1.6-litre petrol i30 hatch
range-opener ($19,590) and Volkswagen’s
1.2-litre Golf 77TSI ($22,990), the new
Focus itself will be joined in Australia’s
fastest-growing sales segment by facelifted
Mazda3, all-new Holden Cruze hatch, new
Subaru Impreza and new Citroen C4 models
by year’s end, plus new Honda Civic and
Opel Astra models next year.
FULL STORY: CLICK HEREFord posts $2.6b Q1 profi t – page 16
May 4, 2011 Page 11
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GoAuto NewsJohn Mellor’s
Established in 1984, the James Frizelle’s Automotive Group is a large privately owned Automotive Group representing many of the world’s best vehicle manufacturers such as Hyundai, Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Volkswagen.
Today, the group retails in excess of 8000 New and Used vehicles per year and employs over 300 people across our Southport, Nerang, Lismore and Tweed Heads operation.
Due to unforseen personal circumstances the position of General Manager – Tweed Heads has now become available. Reporting directly to the Dealer Principal, the successful applicant will be a pivotal part of our groups operation and responsible for achieving growth in Sales, Service and Parts for our Tweed Heads Dealership. The successful applicant will also need to maintain a culture based around industry best practices and consistent with our goal to both a Dealer and Employer of choice. This rare opportunity to join an iconic dealer group, is a genuine long term opportunity for a dynamic and experienced General Manager or suitably qualified person to pursue a lifestyle change to one of Australia’s most progressive regions and sort after destinations.
Applications will be treated in the strictest confidence and initial inquiries can be made by contacting Megan Mckenzie at [email protected]
McKenzie24824
General Manager
A U T O M O T I V E G R O U P
Australia waits for green light as stunning red-hot coupe emerges overseas
Opel turns out Astra GTCOpel turns out Astra GTC
By MARTON PETTENDYOPEL has revealed the showroom-ready
version of its wild GTC Paris concept, which
will make its global debut at September’s
Paris motor show as the Astra GTC coupe
– and could top Holden’s born-again Astra
line-up in Australia next year.
The Astra GTC is the latest of three range-
topping Opel model variants to appear in
the past few weeks, following the limited-
edition Corsa Nurburgring Edition and the
Insignia OPC ‘Unlimited’.
GM Holden has announced the light-sized
Corsa hatch, small Astra hatch and mid-
sized Insignia will be the three core models
for the Opel line-up it plans to introduce in
Australia next year.
Holden will not comment on the chances of
their local release, but has said it will consider
every model in the Corsa, Astra and Insignia
ranges, and the OPC/GTC trio would make
the perfect fl agships for each model.
Revealed simultaneously in Germany and
England last week by Opel and its British
sister company Vauxhall, the Astra GTC
pictured in two computer-generated images
looks almost identical to the GTC Paris
concept from last year’s Paris motor show.
Dressed in the same sleek three-door body,
it differs only in its use of toned-down front
and rear bumpers with revised foglights and
a less radical rear diffuser with single (rather
than twin) exhaust outlets.
As GoAuto has reported, Holden – which
designed the fi ve-door version of the Cruze
that will join the sedan on sale here later this
year – was responsible for styling one of three
upcoming Opel models, including the Astra
GTC, a small Corsa-based SUV codenamed
Junior and the all-new Astra convertible.
However, we understand Holden Design
did not have a hand in styling the Astra GTC.
At Paris last year, GM said the GTC
concept measured 4.46 metres long, making it
around 40mm longer than the fi ve-door Astra,
although a heavily arched roofl ine and narrow
rear glass area disguise its extra length.
GM Europe says full details – including
pricing – of the Astra GTC, which is in fi nal
validation testing, will be revealed on June 7,
when European order books will also open.
It said the fi rst three-door version of
Opel’s new-generation Astra hatch, which
is yet to be made available in Australia,
will still be capable of accommodating fi ve
adults and will also feature all of Opel/
Vauxhall’s latest technologies and “unique
chassis features”.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
• Work for a dynamic automotive company
• Four exciting opportunities with m{zd{:
Field Manager
Dealer Business Manager
Technical Analyst
National Learning and Development Manager
Field Manager Technical (NSW)
Mazda NSW is the state headquarters for Mazda Australia. The Field Manager Technical will work with Dealer service teams to resolve technical issues and with Mazda’s Customer Services team to negotiate outstanding customer resolutions. You will also assist in the assessment and validation of warranty claims and assist Dealer service teams to build their technical capacity, through training and mentoring.
Reporting directly to the NSW State Manger, the role is based in Kingsgrove. Regional travel within NSW will be required.
Applicants should be qualifi ed in a relevant automotive trade or as an automotive engineer. You will need to demonstrate strong communication skills and have an analytical and systematic approach to fi nding solutions.
To apply, send your resume and a covering letter or email to:
quoting the reference SY-FMT-04
in the subject line by 27 May 2011.
Dealer Business Manager (VIC)
The Dealer Business Manager (DBM) is the key interface between Mazda and our Dealer networks. This role will see you developing strong working relationships with Dealers in all areas of their business, monitoring Dealer performance and working with Dealers to plan and implement collaborative business solutions. You will also provide marketing and business planning support and assist Dealers to fulfi ll our Corporate Identifi cation requirements, build their product and business knowledge and implement strategic business programs at the Dealer level.
Based at Mt Waverley, this role reports directly to the respective State Manager. Regional travel and interstate travel may be required. Tertiary qualifi cations in the areas of business, marketing or commerce are essential. Experience in the automotive industry may be advantageous.
To apply, send your resume and a covering letter or email to:
quoting the reference VIC-DBM-01 in the subject line by 27 May 2011
Technical Analyst(VIC)
The Customer Support team manages the relationship between Mazda Dealers and our customers via a range of industry leading services. This entry-level role involves responding to and assisting Dealers with all technical enquiries via our Technical Help Desk.
You will provide the Mazda Dealer network with quality technical advice, follow up with Dealer staff to ensure they have addressed customer issues, carry out hands-on technical investigations, work to enhance Mazda’s brand, ethics, product quality and professional image through the services you provide and liaise with other Mazda departments to ensure you have the most accurate technical information available.
This is a full-time Melbourne based (Mount Waverley) role and the successful applicant will report directly to the Warranty and Technical Manager.
The successful applicant must have mechanical knowledge and will have experience working in a technical role handling enquiries in a retail or call centre environment. Only applicants with experience in the Automotive Industry should apply.
To apply, send your resume and a covering letter or email to:
quoting the reference CS-TA-04 in the subject line by 27 May 2011.
National Learning and Development Manager (VIC)
Mazda is a top four automotive vehicle brand in Australia, and the top full line importer of cars into the country over the last fi ve years. Mazda’s range of vehicles embody the emotion of motion; cars that are stylish, a joy to drive and which enhance the everyday lives of drivers.
Mazda Australia is responsible for importing, wholesaling and distributing vehicles and parts to our Dealer network, as well as providing marketing, advertising, customer support and Dealer development services. An important feature of Mazda’s support for our Dealers is our Learning & Development function, which is responsible for delivering training programs and content for Dealer staff in both classroom and online formats.
The Manager – Learning & Development role is responsible for leading a signifi cant team and interfacing with the Dealer network directly. The key functions of the role include:
• Defi ning the strategic direction of L&D based on inputs from Mazda Australia management, Dealer stakeholders and the L&D team
• Collaborating with Dealer stakeholders to identify training and developmental needs and to review the ongoing relevance and effectiveness of L&D programs
• Ensuring the L&D team are supported in achieving their objectives, meeting project deadlines and producing quality outcomes
• Setting and maintaining a schedule for program development and delivery
• Supporting other Mazda Australia departments in the implementation of their key business projects
• Driving participation in L&D initiatives from the Dealer network through the demonstration of business value.
We are seeking applicants who are qualifi ed with a suitable undergraduate degree. You will be business minded and have proven yourself as a leader, with the project management skills to deliver programs on time and to budget. The successful applicant will also have strong communication and relationship building skills, be able to infl uence management and Dealer stakeholders and enjoy a good awareness of adult learning principles. Experience in the automotive industry is not required, but may be advantageous.
The role is based at our head offi ce in Mt Waverley, 20 minutes south east of the Melbourne CBD, and reports directly to the National Manager of Human Resources. Interstate travel will be required periodically.
To apply, send your resume and a covering letter or email to:
quoting the reference NLD-MLD-01 in the subject line by 27 May 2011.
May 4, 2011 Page 13
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GoAuto NewsJohn Mellor’s
Car LeatherItalian car leather
Pantera Command CentreHardtop CanopiesThe most stylish looking Nissan Navara Hardtop Canopy on the market.
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GoAuto takes a drive in Infi niti’s G37 coupe ahead of its 2012 Australian debut
Class act, from A to Zed
By JAMES STANFORD in LOS ANGELES
THE sporty G37 coupe will be crucial to the
success of the Infi niti roll-out in Australia next
year. With Infi niti starting off with negligible
brand recognition here, it will be the relatively
affordable G37 coupe’s role to promote the
brand as a serious sports luxury player.
After a brief test of the American version
in California, it is clear the car will be up to
the task.
That’s no surprise, as the G37 is based
on the 370Z, so it has street cred right from
the start. While it is clear the two vehicles
are related, there are still some striking
differences between them.
The fi rst is the level of refi nement. The
Zed is a great sports coupe, but no one would
accuse it of being refi ned. Sharp, responsive,
explosively fast, yes, but not refi ned.
The sledgehammer VQ Zed V6
delivers the fi repower required for a high-
performance machine, but it sounds thrashy
when pressed. This is not a smooth in-line
experience of its forebears but you put up
with it for the performance. The Zed’s six-
speed manual is also a rough unit.
The G37 gives a different impression.
Firstly, it is only available with an automatic
transmission.
Secondly, a lot of work has gone into
suppressing the sound of the engine. The
harshness is muffl ed, although the exhaust
still produces a meaty note.
It still produces enough power to shoot
the G37 forward at an exhilarating rate.
The power and torque is almost identical
to the Zed’s powerplant, with 243kW at
7000rpm (down 2kW) and 366Nm at
5200rpm (up 3kW).
We don’t have an accurate 0-100km/h
time yet, but the Infi niti is unlikely to match
the 370Z.
That is simply a matter of weight. The
Infi niti is longer, has two extra seats and
a load more luxury gear which adds about
130kg to the tally for a total of 1647kg,
which is still respectable.
The transmission, a sport-tuned torque-
converter-type unit, is a competent gearbox
and shifts quickly via paddles mounted on
the steering column.
The fact they are mounted on the column
and not the wheel itself means they don’t
move when the wheel is turned into a
corner, and losing touch with the paddles
can be off-putting.
We drove the G37 on a mixture of
suburban streets and Californian freeways
and were therefore unable to test the Infi niti
on any twisty tarmac. But the car did seem
to be fairly agile.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
May 4, 2011 Page 14
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GoAuto NewsJohn Mellor’s
GENERAL MANAGERScotts Honda is a prestige motor dealership located in the heart of Sydney’s North Shore, seeking a dynamic, process driven General Manager to lead our Artarmon based Honda franchise.
This role reports to the Managing Director and will suit an experienced motor industry professional who can work with our team to drive the business forward.To succeed in this role, you will;• Motivate an exp’d sales, service and parts team to achieve and exceed monthly targets.• Have extensive senior management experience within a motor dealership. • Be driven to deliver outstanding customer service and encourage your team to have the same passion.• Take a systems based approach with a focus on process and procedure.• Be an effective communicator & leader.• Have good computer skills
On offer is an excellent salary & comm. package, state of the art facilities at a landmark location, growth potential and a strong, established business and customer base.potential and a strong, established business and customer base.
If you want to be part of an energetic team, contact Jason Everett on 9431-2333, Fax 9906-6843 or [email protected]
Customer Driven
Australia to receive up to 10 units of Porsche’s wild 500hp GT3 RS 4.0 special
Ultimate 911 street racerUltimate 911 street racer
By MARTON PETTENDYUP TO 10 examples of the most extreme
street-legal Porsche racecar, powered by the
largest engine to grace the rear end of a factory
911, will become available in Australia late
this year, each priced at more than $400,000.
The special-edition Porsche 911 GT3 RS
4.0 Coupe will be limited to a production
run of just 600 units globally as a swansong
for the current-generation 997-series 911.
While the all-new, and even more
confusingly named, 991-series 911 will
make its world debut at this September’s
Frankfurt motor show before going on sale
in Australia next year, the RS 4.0 is the
ultimate naturally aspirated 911 road car.
Taking the relatively new GT3 RS Coupe
to even greater extremes, the 4.0 – as its name
suggests – employs a variation of the 4.0-
litre boxer six from the 911 GT3 RSR racer
to deliver an astonishing 368kW (500hp) at
a heady 8250rpm (350rpm higher than the
GT3 RS’s 3.8-litre fl at-six) and some 460Nm
of peak torque 1000rpm earlier at 5750rpm.
Borrowing the RSR’s crankshaft, forged
pistons and titanium conrods not only makes
the Porsche Motorsport-developed fl at-six
the most powerful naturally aspirated 911
engine ever, but gives the RS 4.0 a specifi c
output of some 92kW per litre, which at
125hp/litre easily breaks the magic 100hp/
litre mark once achieved by few road cars.
The wildest GT3 road car’s 368kW
output betters the ‘garden variety’ GT3
(320kW/430Nm) and piping-hot GT3 RS
(331kW/430Nm), and even matches the
peak power – but not torque – of the force-
fed fl at-six in the 911 Turbo and the twin-
turbo V8 that powers the Cayenne and
Panamera Turbo models.
Porsche says the close-ratio six-speed
manual-only GT3 RS 4.0 is almost as
quick as the 911 Turbo, too, with claimed
0-100km/h and 0-200km/h acceleration
of just 3.9 and 12.0 seconds respectively,
depending on its (variable) gearing.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
DIESEL FOR PANAMERALAST week Porsche revealed its biggest-
engined 911 ever, the GT3 RS 4.0; this
week the Stuttgart sportscar-maker
presents its fi rst diesel-powered passenger
car, the Panamera Diesel.
Now on sale at $194,900 plus on-road
costs, representing a $1900 premium
over the entry-level V6 petrol-powered
Panamera, the oil-burning four-door sets a
new Porsche fuel consumption benchmark
of just 6.5L/100km.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
May 4, 2011 Page 15
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GoAuto NewsJohn Mellor’s
Your one-stop guide to all aspects of our market and industry from Australian Automotive Intelligence - Australia’s automotive sector specialists.
INDEPENDENT ANALYSIS
UNIQUE DATA Need to know Australia’s automotive industry & market?
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OVER 100 COMPANY PROFILES
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MG fl ame fl ickers from China with model plans covering major segments
Grand plans for MGGrand plans for MG
Wedding bells in Britain as Team Lotus takes the hand of Caterham sportscar brandBy HAITHAM RAZAGUI
TEAM Lotus, the Formula One team
owned by enigmatic Malaysian tycoon and
airline owner Tony Fernandes, has bought
Caterham, the British sportscar-maker
famous for keeping alive the concept of
Colin Chapman’s iconic Lotus Seven road-
going racecar.
To celebrate the union, Caterham has
launched a run of limited-edition upgrade
packages comprising Team Lotus livery and
“a raft of bespoke Team Lotus additions”.
Just 25 Caterham Sevens will be produced
with the upgrade package, which can be
specifi ed on any Seven variant. The cost
of the package to Australian customers is
$5500 on the entry-level Roadsport SV120
and $7150 for all other models, which are
subject to luxury car tax.
Each of the 25 limited-edition cars will
feature a cockpit plaque exhibiting the
signatures of Team Lotus Formula 1 drivers
Jarno Trulli and Heikki Kovalainen, and
customers will also receive a book about
the history of the Seven, signed by Team
Lotus chief designer Mike Gascoyne.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
By TERRY MARTINCHINESE-OWNED British brand MG is
preparing to make a massive comeback to
international markets, possibly including
Australia, with a host of new models –
including an all-new sportscar.
Other key passenger vehicles for the
revamped marque include the MG5 small
car unveiled in near-production ‘concept’
form at the recent Shanghai motor show, the
MG3 light hatch already available in China
and the MG6 small-medium fi ve-door
‘fastback’ that has just hit UK showrooms.
In addition, an all-new sportscar, an SUV,
an MG7 replacement and a host of new
engines, including a hybrid and all-electric
powertrain, are also understood to be in
development.
An Australian program is still to be
confi rmed, although MG owner SAIC –
China’s largest car-maker, which took control
of the MG and Roewe (Rover) brands when
it merged with Nanjing Automobile in 2008
– has made it clear that its heavy investment
and ambitious product plans will ultimately
reach global markets outside China and the
UK over the next fi ve years.
While dubbed a concept, the MG5 is close
to production and should hit the Chinese
market through Nanjing Auto later this year
alongside the MG3, which was fi rst seen as
the Zero Concept at last year’s Beijing motor
show and was recently launched in China.
MG Motor UK, which is also a subsidiary
of SAIC and is now building the MG6
fastback at the reborn MG-Rover plant in
Longbridge, Birmingham, said the MG5
fi ve-door hatch was designed in the UK
under the watch of SAIC’s global design
director Tony Williams-Kenny and is aimed
at a “slightly more mature and sophisticated
audience” than the Williams-Kenny-created
Zero, “with a more refi ned and dynamic
style and chic technical fi nish”.
Details are scarce at this stage, but
overseas reports indicate the MG5 will hit
the UK market in 2013 to compete with
European small cars such as the Ford Focus,
Vauxhall/Opel Astra and Volkswagen Golf.
It will be based on the Roewe 350 platform.
SAIC’s Roewe website shows the 350
four-door sedan is based on a 2650mm
wheelbase and measures 4521mm long,
1788mm wide and 1492mm high, with a
luggage capacity of 458 litres.
It uses a 1.5-litre VCT four-cylinder petrol
engine that produces 80kW of power at
6000rpm and 135Nm of torque at 4500rpm,
driving the front wheels through a conventional
fi ve-speed manual or a fi ve-speed ‘SSG Multi-
Mode’ automated transmission.
The suspension set-up is a MacPherson
strut front and torsion beam rear, with
standard 16-inch alloy wheels and
205/55-section tyres.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
MG5
May 4, 2011 Page 16
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Con dential applications with resumé and covering letter can be forwarded to: [email protected]
Line dancingLine dancing
Subaru to split Impreza range into ‘character lines’
By RON HAMMERTONFORD Motor Company’s fi rst-quarter net
profi t soared to $US2.6 billion ($A2.4b) –
its best Q1 result in 12 years – as the Blue
Oval’s product-led recovery hit top gear.
New fuel-effi cient vehicles such as the
Focus, Fiesta, Fusion, Edge and Explorer
helped to propel Ford’s profi ts upwards by
22 per cent or $US466 million ($A431m)
over last year’s fi rst-quarter return and put
the Dearborn-based company on track for
its third consecutive year in the black.
Ford president and CEO Alan Mulally
said the Ford team had delivered a
great quarter, with solid growth and
improvements in all regions.
“We continue to accelerate our One Ford
plan around the world, delivering on our
commitments to serve our global customers
with a full family of best-in-class vehicles
and deliver profi table growth for all, despite
uncertain economic conditions,” he said.
Ford not only lifted Q1 sales revenues
by $5 billion, to $33.1 billion, but slashed
automotive division debt by $2.5 billion to
help its cause by reducing its interest bill.
Vehicle wholesales were up 150,000
units, to 1.4 million, and the company is
forecasting another lift to 1.5 million for
the second quarter, putting Ford on track
for annual sales of almost six million units
in 2011 compared with 2010’s 5.3 million.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
Ford posts impressive$2.6 billion Q1 profi t
By BYRON MATHIOUDAKISSUBARU will follow Nissan’s lead in
splitting its coming fourth-generation
Impreza small-car series into three distinct
“characters” made up of mainstream,
performance and lifestyle lines – with the
latter being a Dualis-rivalling compact
crossover based on the Shanghai motor
show XV concept.
However, while the naturally aspirated
G4 Impreza sedan and hatch that made
their New York motor show debut late last
month are only about six months away from
launch in Australia, the eagerly anticipated
turbocharged WRX and STI cars are up 18
months from Subaru’s local dealerships,
meaning the current performance models
will solider on until late 2012 at the earliest.
The next-generation WRX and STI will
sport different exterior sheetmetal – as well as
signifi cantly revamped chassis and drivetrain
components – to live up to their standing as
the company’s high-performance fl agships.
As they will be the last of the new small-
car range to be rolled out, the long-running
performance and rally icons are expected to
be the fi rst to herald Subaru’s fresh styling
direction. As GoAuto has learned, this will
move the Japanese fi rm’s look from the
chunky design language that debuted with the
existing Liberty/Outback models in 2009.
As with the current G3 Impreza-based
WRX and STI updates launched towards
the end of last year – as well as the new XV
that will slot beneath the Forester when it
arrives in Australia sometime during 2012 –
the ‘Impreza’ badge will remain only with
Subaru’s Volkswagen Golf/Jetta rival.
“We announced at the last WRX launch
that those models are now totally separate
to the current Impreza range – in fact, the
current cars don’t even carry those names at
all,” said Subaru Australia corporate affairs
manager David Rowley.
“There will be no turbo Impreza models
at change time … those are totally separate
to the mainstream range and form part of
Subaru’s performance stable that includes
the Liberty GT and Forester S Edition.”
Mr Rowley added that, while the G4
Impreza is still on track for a late 2011
release, Japanese earthquake and tsunami
disaster-related delays may push the launch
date back to the fi rst quarter of 2012.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE Fusion Hybrid
May 4, 2011 Page 17
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Toyota faces fall from top global sales spot as quake cuts into Japanese output
Quake costs to mountQuake costs to mount
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Boom sales in China accelerate Volkswagen and Mercedes profi ts in fi rst quarterBy RON HAMMERTON
GERMAN motor company profi ts
soared in the fi rst quarter of 2011 as the
giant Chinese market’s love affair with
Volkswagens, Audis and Mercedes-Benzes
reached new heights.
Volkswagen Group, whose fi rst quarter
car sales in China leaped 20 per cent year
on year, reported a Q1 net profi t of €1.71
billion ($A2.3b) – an increase of 260 per
cent on last year’s €473 million ($A639m)
quarterly after-tax profi t.
Daimler AG’s net profi t almost doubled,
to €1.18b ($A1.59b), as Chinese sales
of its Mercedes-Benz vehicles rose 82
per cent to 48,861 units in the fi rst three
months of the year.
Both companies have reconfi rmed their
positive outlooks for 2011, with continued
sales gains predicted as the world emerges
from the worst of the global fi nancial crisis.
VW chairman Martin Winterkorn said the
company was continuing to power ahead.
“Volkswagen shifted into the fast lane in
2010 and that’s exactly where we intend to
stay this year,” he said.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
By HAITHAM RAZAGUITHE Japanese car-makers have released
fi nal production fi gures for their fi nancial
year ending March 31 – just 20 days after
the devastating earthquake and tsunami hit
the country – and all but Toyota, Mazda and
Honda reported double-digit increases on
the previous year.
Toyota, dogged by a damaged reputation
as a result of repeated recall dramas, saw
its worldwide production grow just 1.1 per
cent, to 8,241,675 units.
The modest production increase for the
year, coupled with the company’s expectation
that it will not return to full production until
November or December, paves the way for
a resurgent General Motors and relentless
Volkswagen Group to send it tumbling from
the global top spot to third – or even fourth
if combined results of the Renault-Nissan
Alliance are taken into account.
For the 2010 calendar year, GM was just
28,000 units behind Toyota in the sales race.
As expected in the aftermath of the
earthquake, Toyota’s production for March
was down 31.3 per cent globally, with a
61.5 per cent reduction in Japan and 2.2
per cent overseas.
In the face of the uncertainty caused by
the rebuilding efforts, no Japanese vehicle
manufacturer has issued production or sales
forecasts for the present quarter or beyond.
At the opposite end of the growth
spectrum, Nissan produced 24.5 per cent
more vehicles worldwide at 4,214,959.
The company’s fi nancial results will not
be published until May 12, but before the
earthquake it forecast net profi t of ¥315
billion ($A3.5 billion), a 643 per cent
increase over FY2009.
Mazda production grew 4.7 per cent to
866,992 units while Honda car sales rose
5.5 per cent compared with an 18 per cent
rise in power equipment sales and a 19.7 per
cent rise for motorcycles.
Honda, which recorded a net profi t of
¥534 billion, an increase of 266 per cent, said
the increased sales and efforts to reduce the
overall costs of running the business enabled
it to fend off the impacts of the March 11
disaster, a strong Yen and increased research
and development costs.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
Toyota US production
Martin Winterkorn
May 4, 2011 Page 18
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No hatch for Australia but fresh sedan details emerge in US for new-gen Accent
Korean-American AccentKorean-American Accent
Alfa celebrates with Viper-based Zagato specialBy HAITHAM RAZAGUI
ALFA Romeo has leveraged Fiat Group’s
Chrysler tie-up by launching a new limited-
edition sportscar built on a Dodge Viper
chassis and drivetrain to wrap up the Italian
marque’s 100th birthday celebrations and
its 90-year association with design house
and coachbuilder Zagato.
The road-legal Zagato TZ3 Stradale –
just nine of which will be built – is clothed
in a bespoke carbon-fi bre body, delivering
what Zagato says “can represent the fi rst
American Alfa Romeo”.
The fi rst three Stradales are already spoken
for, with number one already in the hands of
a United States-based Alfa Romeo Zagato
collector. A further two will be delivered to
customers in Japan and Europe.
Alfa Romeo’s Australian importer Ateco
Automotive told GoAuto that it is unlikely
that any of the remaining six will make an
appearance Down Under.
No performance fi gures have been
provided, but the Viper on which it is based
deploys a 450kW/760Nm 8.4-litre V10 to
achieve 0-100km/h in less than four seconds
and reach a top speed of 296km/h.
Zagato says the TZ3 Stradale celebrates
the road legal heritage of Alfa Romeo
Zagato coupes dating back to the 1920s.
The Stradale is inspired by, but not to be
confused with, 2009’s TZ3 Corsa, a one-
off track-only car weighing just 850kg and
commissioned by German Alfa Romeo
Zagato collector Martin Kapp, whose
collection also includes examples of the
classic TZ1 and TZ2 from the 1960s.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
By HAITHAM RAZAGUISOUTH Korean auto-maker Hyundai used
the recent New York motor show to launch
its new light-sized Accent hatch and sedan
onto the US market ahead of its showroom
arrival there in the Northern summer.
In contrast to the car slated for Australian
release in the third quarter of this year as a
more upmarket sedan sibling to the Indian-
built i20 hatch, the sedan variant of the US
market Accent will be the entry-level model
with 14-inch steel wheels, while the hatch
– which is not coming here – will be more
highly equipped.
Air-conditioning, electric windows and
cloth door inserts are part of an option package
for the manual transmission sedan, although
automatic models get these as standard.
A premium package, which is only
available with the automatic transmission,
adds extra equipment, including keyless
entry, steering wheel audio controls, cruise
control, Bluetooth, 16-inch alloys and body-
coloured doorhandles.
Hyundai Australia will be pitching the
Accent sedan as an upmarket alternative
to the well-equipped i20 hatch, so expect
locally delivered cars to be highly specifi ed.
Hyundai Motor America makes much
of the Accent’s roominess. Despite its sub-
compact (light car) exterior dimensions
– at 4369mm in length the sedan is 69mm
longer than the equivalent Yaris and 78mm
longer than the booted Fiesta – the Accent is
classifi ed as a compact (small) car in the US
due to its interior volume.
Hyundai claims its glovebox is at least
20 per cent bigger than the rival Chevrolet
Aveo (Holden Barina), Toyota Yaris and
Honda Fit (Jazz).
Despite a 22 per cent stiffer body
structure, extra safety features and onboard
technology, Hyundai claims to have avoided
weight gain with the new Accent, which in
manual sedan form weighs 1087kg.
It is claimed to be 18 per cent more fuel
effi cient than the outgoing model (11 per cent
for the auto) thanks to a new 103kW/167Nm
1.6-litre direct injection petrol engine, which
is 18kg lighter than the unit it replaces and
has a claimed best-in-class specifi c output of
63kW per litre.
The powerful engine and low weight of the
new Accent give it a 22 per cent power-to-
weight ratio advantage over the previously
class-leading Honda Fit. The 1.6-litre engine
in the i20 produces 12kW less power and
11Nm less torque than the Accent but must
pull a car that is 32kg heavier.
Hyundai estimates the Accent will achieve
5.9L/100km on the highway cycle and
7.8L/100km on the city cycle compared with
Australian standard fi gures of 5.1L/100km
and 7.7L/100km for the manual-equipped
1.6-litre i20 (5.4 and 8.4 for the auto).
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
Accent sedan
May 4, 2011 Page 19
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Sexier new Honda Civic slips in to US but couldbe a year away from Oz
Civic centrefoldsCivic centrefolds
More power and lower consumption for next Mazda3By MARTON PETTENDY
IT DEBUTED at the Toronto motor show in
Canada in February but now the fi rst offi cial
details have accompanied the upgraded
Mazda3’s North American premiere at the
recent New York motor show.
Mazda Australia has confi rmed the
facelifted version of Australia’s top-selling
small car so far this year will go on sale
here in 2011, but will not say exactly when
and will not comment on technical details.
However, Mazda’s extensive US press
release provides vital clues about what to
expect from the fi rst production model to
be equipped with Mazda’s ground-breaking
SkyActiv engine technology.
While all versions of the 2012 Mazda3 will
come with subtle new exterior styling changes
– including new headlights, fresh wheel
designs and a new front bumper with new-
look grille and foglight bezels – only selected
North American models will be powered by
Mazda’s all-new direct-injection 2.0-litre
four-cylinder SkyActiv-G petrol engine with
dual sequential valve timing (S-VT).
In the US, it will better most of the
Mazda3’s small-car rivals and match
BMW’s 2.0-litre petrol four by producing
155hp (115kW) at 6000rpm and 148lb-ft of
torque (about 200Nm) at 4100rpm.
That is about fi ve per cent more peak power
and 10 per cent more torque than the current
Mazda3’s entry-level MZR 2.0-litre engine,
which offers 108kW (at a higher 6500rpm)
and 182Nm at a similarly busier 4500rpm.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
By MARTON PETTENDYYOU would be forgiven for missing the global
public debut of Honda’s ninth-generation
Civic sedan at the New York motor show late
last month, given the all-new Japanese small
car is virtually identical to the ‘concept’ that
previewed it at January’s Detroit show.
Full specifi cations and fi rst images of the
production version were announced in the
US as early as February 17 and no fewer than
seven 2012 Civic model variants – including
coupe, hybrid and natural gas-powered
versions – are now on sale in the US.
Honda Australia has confi rmed its
version of the redesigned sedan will again
be sourced from Thailand but will wear the
new sheetmetal seen in New York, with a
familiar overall profi le bookended by sleek
headlights that look more like the existing
Civic hatch’s than the outgoing sedan’s.
Australia’s next Civic will differ only
cosmetically from the North American
version, including detail changes to wheels,
bumpers, grilles, headlights and tail-lights,
although the previous-generation Toyota
Camry-style shape of the latter will remain.
Although it had been due to arrive here
in the fi nal quarter of this year, Honda says
its Mk9 Civic sedan range – including the
next-generation Civic Hybrid, which is also
reported to have been delayed by at least six
months due to the 2008 GFC – might not go
on sale in Australia until early 2012.
By then the existing Civic sedan, which
was launched here in February 2006, will be
a full six years old and a host of redesigned
small cars will have been launched,
including hatch and sedan versions of Ford’s
MkIII Focus, Subaru’s MkIII Impreza and
the upgraded Mazda3, plus Holden’s all-
new Melbourne-designed Cruze.
Honda Australia has confi rmed its fi ve-
door Civic hatch, which has been available
only in 1.8-litre Si form since January (priced
$9000 lower than before at $29,990), will be
replaced here after its successor appears in
Europe some time next year.
While spy shots of camoufl aged new
Civic hatches are already doing the rounds in
Europe, a successor for our sole three-door
Civic – the Type R – will also eventually
come from Honda’s UK plant, but Honda
Australia will continue to be without an
affordable small hatch.
Worse still, Honda Australia is unlikely to
offer any change to its current Civic line-up
for the remainder of 2011, a year in which
sales of the volume-selling small car were
down 28.3 per in the fi rst quarter.
The bad news continues for Australian
Honda fans with confi rmation the CR-Z
hybrid coupe has also been postponed until
early next year – at least six months later
than its expected local release in July –
this time due to production backlogs from
Japan’s crippling March earthquake.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
Civic sedan
Coupe
SkyActiv-G
May 4, 2011 Page 20
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Taiwanese brand Luxgen reveals all-electric Neora sedan – with 400km range
‘Electro’ Lux hits China‘Electro’ Lux hits China
Big-name Euro brands set for Tokyo motor showBy MARTON PETTENDY
THE organiser of Tokyo’s revitalised
2011 motor show used the recent New
York show to reaffi rm its commitment to
this December’s new-look event, which
has now been confi rmed to host nearly 20
European brands.
Japan’s peak auto industry body, the Japan
Automobile Manufacturers Association
(JAMA), moved to assure the world that the
42nd Tokyo will go ahead as planned from
November 30, despite continuing worldwide
production cutbacks and radiation fears
following Japan’s devastating earthquake
and tsunami on March 11.
“The Japan Automobile Manufacturers
Association would like to inform that the
Japanese automotive industry is working
as hard as possible to help the relief and
recovery effort in the aftermath of the
earthquake,” a JAMA representative said in
a New York press conference on April 21.
“We also want to express our most
sincere gratitude for all the support and
encouragement received from so many all
over the world.
“JAMA is confi dent that the 42nd Tokyo
motor show in 2011 will be an opportunity to
inform the world that Japanese manufacturing
has recovered from the earthquake, and is
committed to holding the show as planned
in December at Tokyo Big Sight.”
After dispelling any doubts this year’s
Tokyo show would not go ahead, JAMA
released an exhibitor list confi rming all of the
major European brands will be in attendance.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
By HAITHAM RAZAGUITAIWAN’S fi rst and only domestic car
brand, Luxgen, used the recent Auto
Shanghai show to premiere its electric-
powered Neora four-door premium sedan
concept, featuring sprightly acceleration
and a 400km battery range.
The budding vehicle manufacturer has
told GoAuto that it regards Australia as
an important market and one that it hopes
to export to in future, but for now it is
concentrating its efforts on Asia.
Luxgen says the Neora weighs 1600kg
(slightly more than a Nissan Leaf), and
that its 48kWh lithium-ion battery pack
– twice the size of the Leaf’s – enables a
claimed maximum range of 400km from
a full charge, comfortably beating the
Leaf’s 160km.
Although the Neora’s large battery pack
promises plenty of kilometres between
charges, Luxgen’s claim should be taken
with a pinch of salt as it has previously stated
EV range fi gures rated at an unrealistic
constant 40km/h.
The Taiwanese brand says the Neora’s
batteries can be charged to 80 per cent
capacity in one hour. The Leaf’s smaller
battery takes 26 minutes on fast-charge or
eight hours from a household outlet.
The Neora’s 180kW electric induction
motor sends 100kW more power to the front
wheels than a Leaf does. As a result, Luxgen
says its electric sedan concept can achieve the
sprint from rest to 100km/h in a Golf GTI-
shaming 6.5 seconds, topping out at 250km/h
– matching the electronically limited top speed
of many high-performance European cars.
The Neora’s design, with its front end
reminiscent of what a car customiser might
do to a Honda Insight, and its side profi le
dropping hints of Hyundai i45, is said to
incorporate design cues that signal the future
styling direction of Luxgen products.
Luxgen says the Neora’s looks
encompass “chic aesthetic and innovation”
and are “perfectly integrated” to “create a
strong visual effect”.
What appears to be a big front grille is
just for show as Luxgen claims the Neora’s
“minimum intake area decreases the drag
coeffi cient and achieves both aesthetics
and effi ciency”.
Look beyond the fancy lighting effects of
the Neora’s exterior and you see a thinly-
disguised concept car that looks close to
production. The same goes for the interior
– for all its translucent surfaces and blue
lighting, it looks realistic, especially when
one considers that the interiors of Luxgen’s
existing product line-up are adorned with
multiple screens and hi-tech gadgets.
Like the new Mercedes SLK, the Neora’s
panoramic glass sunroof uses polymer
dispersed liquid crystals to electronically
vary the amount of light entering the cabin
and a fully digital LED instrument panel
is complemented by a head-up display
and nine-inch colour screen for the
infotainment system.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
Tokyo Big Sight
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US study sees low hybrid, EV share for years ahead as slow sales here roll on
By TERRY MARTINTHE market share of hybrid and electric
vehicles in the United States is expected
to remain below 10 per cent through to at
least 2016, according to new research from
global marketing information company JD
Power and Associates.
The 2011 ‘Green Automotive Study’
released last week reaffi rms conclusions
made from earlier research, including a
JD Power report released late last year that
predicted hybrids and EVs would account
for just 7.3 per cent – or 5.2 million units
– of the 70.9 million passenger vehicles
forecast to be sold worldwide in 2020.
This latest research includes a survey in
February of more than 4000 US consumers
who indicated they will be in the market
for a new vehicle over the next fi ve years.
JD Power says its study is also based on
“information and insight” from primary
consumer research, social media intelligence,
forecasting and transaction sales data.
And for car companies pushing ahead
with hybrid and electric vehicles in the US,
Australia and elsewhere across the globe,
the fi ndings again indicate that there will
be plenty of fi ghting, in JD Power’s words,
“over the relatively few consumers who are
willing to drive green”.
The study, which tracks consumer
attitudes toward conventional hybrids,
plug-in hybrids, full EVs and ‘clean diesel’
models, found a high level of interest in
alternative powertrains among a majority
of Americans. General perceptions of green
vehicles were also largely positive.
However, JD Power concludes that
“converting this interest into actual sales
will require concerted efforts to improve the
technology and infrastructure and reduce the
cost to consumers” – most notably for the 159
hybrid and EV models the fi rm believes will be
available for purchase in the US by the end of
2016 (up from 31 hybrids and EVs in 2009).
Last year, the US recorded more than
274,000 hybrid car sales, selling almost
three times the number in a single month
– 28,600 in December, for example – than
Australia can muster in an entire year.
With 11.59 million overall sales last
year in the US, GoAuto’s calculations put
hybrid’s share at 2.4 per cent. Japan, on the
other hand, has already passed the 10 per
cent mark for hybrids.
While Australia is still a minnow in
EV terms and in any comparison with
the vast US market, the hybrid landscape
nonetheless changed dramatically here last
year with the launch of the locally built
Camry Hybrid in February and, late in the
year, Honda’s $29,990 Insight.
Total hybrid vehicle registrations more than
doubled in 2010 compared to the previous
year – up from 4197 to 9784 units – but,
pointedly, this still represents less than one per
cent of the total new-vehicle market.
It is also less than the annual fi gure
(10,000) Toyota had targeted for its Camry
Hybrid alone.
Of last year’s total hybrid sales, just 2292
went to private consumers, accounting for
less than one in four (23.4 per cent) of the
total and apparently refl ecting the same sort of
attitude among average Australian buyers that
JD Power has found in American consumers.
While people are likely to recognise
the fuel-cost savings hybrids and other
alternative-powertrain vehicles can
offer, study participants cited signifi cant
impediments (whether actual or perceived)
to ownership, including the purchase price –
the number-one barrier – as well as driving
range, increased maintenance costs and
compromised vehicle performance.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
Hybrid share hurdlesHybrid share hurdles1400
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar
Private sales Non-private sales Total sales
2010 2011
Hybrid Sales in Australia
SourSource:ce: VFACVFACTSTS
Sale
s
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May 4, 2011 Page 22Green issues in the auto world
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John Mellor’s
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By HAITHAM RAZAGUILASER igniters might replace spark plugs
in petrol engines to improve their effi ciency,
thanks to a team of Japan-based researchers
who will present their laser development
to the Conference on Lasers and Electro
Optics in Baltimore this week.
Compared with conventional spark plugs,
which ignite the air/fuel mixture closest to
them and create a fl ame front that spreads
throughout the combustion chamber to force
the piston downwards, laser beams can be
accurately focused to start the combustion
at the most effi cient point.
The researchers from Japan’s National
Institutes of Natural Sciences claim that
because the fl ame front generated by a
spark plug travels across the relatively cool
surfaces of the combustion chamber as it
starts to expand, some of its energy is lost.
A laser can avoid this by focusing the
beam into the centre of the combustion
chamber. Team member Takunori Taira said
this caused the fl ame front to expand more
symmetrically and up to three times faster
than it would if ignited by a spark plug.
In addition, several beams can be used
simultaneously for an even faster, more
complete burn and lasers can be more
precisely timed than spark plugs – in
nanoseconds as opposed to milliseconds –
resulting in more effi cient combustion.
Although spark plugs have the ability to
ignite lean fuel/air mixtures, a limitation of
the technology is that the increased spark
energy required causes the spark plug
electrodes to degrade rapidly.
Laser ignition circumvents this limitation
because lasers are able to inject enough
energy to the combustion chamber to ignite
a lean fuel/air mixture without being subject
to the wear that necessitates the regular
replacement associated with spark plugs.
The faster, more accurate and leaner
combustion made possible by laser ignition
results in improved fuel economy and
reduced emissions – particularly NOx,
which contributes to smog.
The research was funded by the Japan
Science and Technical Agency with support
from Denso – a major vehicle component
manufacturer and part of the Toyota
Group.
The team is working with an unnamed
large spark-plug company (which could
be the Japanese fi rm NGK) and Denso to
explore the possibilities of bringing the
technology to market.
Using lasers to replace the spark plug –
which has been around since 1860 and fi rst
made commercially viable by Robert Bosch
in 1898 – is not a new idea.
In 2006, Colorado State University fi led
a US patent for a special type of optical
fi bre that could withstand the high levels
of energy required to create a spark in an
internal combustion engine.
In 2009 Liverpool University in the UK, in
collaboration with Ford Motor Company, did
research into using laser to power combustion
in mass-produced petrol engines. The
researchers successfully ran a four-cylinder
engine using laser ignition, recording smoother
running and reduced exhaust emissions.
However, the British team met problems
delivering the beam to what they called
the optical spark plug via fi bre-optics and
could only use it by aiming the separate
laser unit’s beam directly into the engine –
making it impractical for commercial use.
Mr Taira’s Japan-based team was well
aware of the limitations faced by other
researchers into the fi eld of laser ignition.
“In the past, lasers that could meet (the)
requirements were limited to basic research
because they were big, ineffi cient and
unstable,” he said.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
Laser ignition system set to raise engine effi ciency over common spark plugs
Lasers spark interestLasers spark interest
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May 4, 2011 Page 23GoAuto Personnel
John Mellor’s
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BMW TO BOLSTER CHINESE OPERATIONS WITH SHANGHAI DESIGN CENTREBy TERRY MARTIN
BMW Group has announced that it will
open a design studio in Shanghai, China,
in the second half of this year, broadening
the operations of its DesignworksUSA
subsidiary beyond its current studios in Los
Angeles, Munich and Singapore.
The move, which should increase the
Designworks employee base beyond the 135
designers currently spread across the three
studios, is being described as a key strategic
move that will strengthen BMW’s position in
the world’s biggest market and foster China’s
increasingly important role in global design.
As well as doing advanced design work
for the BMW, Mini and Rolls-Royce brands,
DesignworksUSA – which was established
as an independent industrial design studio in
1972 by Charles Pelly, with the BMW Group
buying it in 1995 – also offers creative
services to a diverse range of clients such as
Coca Cola, Microsoft, HP and Siemens.
Although BMW has operated a
Designworks studio in Singapore since
2006, the new Shanghai centre underscores
the Chinese market’s increasing signifi cance
to the German luxury car manufacturer.
The studio will be overseen by BMW
Group DesignworksUSA president Laurenz
Schaffer – the former director of the
Designworks Munich studio – and come
under the ultimate control of BMW Group
design director Adrian van Hooydonk,
the Dutch designer who was president
of Designworks from 2001-2005 before
moving to BMW’s main styling centre and,
in 2009, succeeding Chris Bangle as global
head of design.
Mr van Hooydonk described the move
to Shanghai as “an important strategic
step for both BMW Group design and
DesignworksUSA”.
“The Shanghai studio will allow us to
better serve design clients in China,” he said.
“Designing in China will also deepen our
understanding of this inspiring culture.”
Mr Schaffer said the Shanghai studio “will
help contribute to China’s creative industry
development” and enabled the BMW/
Designworks “to strengthen our global
creative competency, while supporting
China’s growing role in global design”.
“By tapping into the Chinese market,
DesignworksUSA gains a deeper
understanding of Chinese consumer
behaviours and offers a global creative
perspective to its clients in China and in
Asia,” he said.
“Additionally, we will incorporate the
Chinese viewpoint in projects for its US
and European clients.”
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
By TERRY MARTINRENAULT announced last week that it had
fi nalised a compensation deal with three
executives it falsely accused of feeding
secrets of the company’s electric vehicle
development program to China.
In a statement, the French manufacturer
said it had “fi nalised compensation for the
harm done to Michel Balthazard, Bertrand
Rochette and Matthieu Tenenbaum” and
that it had reached a “positive outcome
to the negotiations on compensation ... as
part of the intelligence fraud that recently
occurred at Renault”.
No details of the payouts were given,
but overseas reports have indicated that the
claim for damages ran into the millions.
While Mr Balthazard, who was senior
vice-chairman of advanced engineering, and
Mr Rochette, who was second in charge in
the same division, have decided not to return
to the company, Renault said Mr Tenenbaum
had accepted a position in its corporate
strategy and planning department.
The former deputy head of Renault’s EV
program started back this week.
All three executives had been wrongfully
accused of spying and were dismissed from
the company in January.
Last week, Renault thanked the three
men and their legal representatives “for
the dispassionate environment in which the
negotiations were held” and also made the
point of thanking Mr Balthazard and Mr
Rochette “for the quality of their work at
the group”.
Renault’s chief operating offi cer Patrick
Pelata resigned last month over the bungled
EV spy case, although he remains working
with the Renault-Nissan alliance.
RENAULT SEALS ‘SPY’ CASE COMPENSATION DEAL CORRIGAN’S NEW ROLESUMMIT Fleet Leasing
and Management has
announced the opening of
a regional offi ce in Perth
and the appointment
of Craig Corrigan as
regional manager for
Western Australia and
South Australia.
Mr Corrigan heads up the new offi ce after
four years with the company in a sales and
relationship management role. He previously
spent several years in the corporate vehicle
rental side of the business.
The new offi ce will be located within the
Perth offi ce of Summit’s parent company,
Sumitomo Corporation, on Mounts Bay
Road. Summit’s head offi ce is in Rydalmere,
NSW, with other regional offi ces located in
Victoria and Queensland.
Adrian van Hooydonk
Craig Corrigan
For more information please call 1300 666 562 or visit www.motorstaff.com.au
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May 4, 2011 Page 24
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GoAuto NewsJohn Mellor’s
GoAuto’s latest car review www.GoAuto.com.au
Mini Cooper Countryman S All4 Chilli 5-dr wagon
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
IS IT really a Mini? Spanning more than four metres long and built in Austria, the R60-series Countryman represents another departure from the original 1959 BMC template, adding the option of all-wheel drive to make it a compact alternative to models as diverse as the Skoda Octavia Scout and BMW’s X1. But to look at and to drive, the Countryman is indeed very much like a Mini and, for the sort of buyers attracted to this sort of vehicle, that’s great news. It doesn’t come cheap though – especially in top-line Cooper S All4 guise tested here – while there are some ergonomic flaws too.
CHRYSLER’S BLACK INKAMERICAN car-maker Chrysler Group has continued its journey from death’s door by announcing its first quarterly net profit since emerging from chapter 11 bankruptcy almost two years ago.
Propped up by United States and Canadian taxpayers and new owner Fiat, Chrysler posted a net profit of $US116 million ($A106m) in the first quarter of this year, compared with a first-quarter loss of $US197 million ($A180m) in 2010.
Chrysler’s success impressed analysts, but was modest compared with cross-town rival Ford which last week announced a $US2.6 billion ($A2.4b) net profit – its best quarterly performance in 12 years.
LOW FINANCE DEALRENAULT Financial Services has opened for business by announcing one of the most attractive automotive finance offers ever seen in Australia. The super-low introductory rate of just 1.9 per cent is available now for all Renault passenger cars except the Clio and Megane RenaultSport.
Underlining how serious Renault is with its latest Australian rejuvenation, the French brand’s 1.9 per cent passenger credit is offered with 3.9 per cent finance for all light commercial vehicle customers, who will also receive free satellite-navigation. Both rates are available to eligible private, business and fleet buyers of Renault vehicles financed for 36 months during May and June and delivered by July 31.
AURION WHITE KNIGHTTOYOTA has released a special edition of its Aurion V6 large car, offering what the company says is $3000 of extra value – for $3500 more than the Aurion Prodigy on which it is based.
The $44,990 Aurion White – all 250 examples in the limited run are painted Crystal Pearl white – comes equipped with an array of extra features including Sportivo bodykit, unique five-spoke grey alloy wheels, “leather-accented” interior, a premium three-spoke steering wheel, electric moonroof, carbon-fibre interior trim highlights, multi-function trip computer, dark grey carpets and Aurion-embroidered floor mats.
MASERATI MC HAMMERTHE quickest, fastest, lightest and most powerful Maserati road car will also be the most expensive, following confirmation that limited numbers of the GranTurismo MC Stradale will arrive in Australia from June with a pricetag of $364,900 plus on-road costs.
Despite the $46,400 premium over the GranTurismo S coupe upon which it is based, making the Stradale almost $27,000 pricier than Maserati’s $338,000 GranCabrio flagship, about half the 18 examples allocated for Australia and New Zealand have already been sold.
TOP FERRARI SERVICEFERRARI has announced a seven-year scheduled servicing program that will entitle European customers ordering one of its 458 Italia, FF or California sportscars to seven years of free scheduled servicing.
Customer cars will receive scheduled maintenance at 20,000km or yearly intervals, with no restriction on the number of services for high-mileage drivers. Genuine Ferrari spare parts, engine oil and brake fluid are all included.
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May:Bentley Continental GTMcLaren MP4-12CMercedes-Benz C-classVolkswagen Golf BlueMotionVolkswagen Eos
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