Archive for the ‘Automotive news’ Category

GM rings up $7.6 billion profit

<![CDATA[ ]]> GM rings up $7.6 billion profit Volt from the blue: GM’s plug-in Volt is one of the new breed of cars changing the company’s image in North America. North America leads the way as GM profit jumps, despite European woes 17 February 2012 By RON HAMMERTON FRESH from recovering the coveted number-one global […]

First drive: Renault plans to Master large van market

<![CDATA[ ]]> First drive: Renault plans to Master large van market In the van: Renault’s new Master has already racked up 100,000 sales in Europe. All-new Master to give Renault more bite in light commercial vehicle market 16 February 2012 By MIKE COSTELLO RENAULT – western Europe’s long-reigning king of light commercial sales – will […]

First look: Porsche Macan a more compact crossover

<![CDATA[ ]]> First look: Porsche Macan a more compact crossover Macan hay while sun shines: Porsche will launch its all-new Audi Q5-based mid-size luxury SUV in about a year. Porsche reveals name and first official sketch of Cayenne’s impending baby brother 17 February 2012 By MARTON PETTENDY PORSCHE has revealed the first official image of […]

Market Insight: Women make their mark

<![CDATA[ ]]> Market Insight: Women make their mark WOW factor: The Women on Wheels workshop provides a hands-on approach for basic vehicle maintenance and safety awareness. Educational workshops for women provide tangible benefits to car companies, dealers 17 February 2012 By TERRY MARTIN WOMEN have a strong influence over motor vehicle sales in Australia, with […]

Renault Australia steps up LCV presence

<![CDATA[ ]]> Renault Australia steps up LCV presence Now available: The new Master completes Renault Australia’s burgeoning LCV line-up. All-new Master projected to help Renault conquer 25 per cent more LCV share in 2012 17 February 2012 By MIKE COSTELLO RENAULT Australia sees the light commercial vehicle market as a key plank in expanding on […]

Holden steps up Colorado tease

<![CDATA[ ]]> Holden steps up Colorado tease Coming soon: The next-generation Holden Colorado will hit Australian showrooms around mid-year. New Colorado range details confirmed as Holden faces run-out one-tonner drought 17 February 2012 By RON HAMMERTON GM HOLDEN has rolled out details of its upcoming new-generation, all-diesel Colorado ute range, as stocks of its run-out […]

Toyota named America’s most dependable car-maker

<![CDATA[ ]]> Toyota named America’s most dependable car-maker Number one: Lexus has reclaimed its title as America’s most dependable brand, according to JD Power. Lexus tops US vehicle dependability study as three Toyota brands place top ten 17 February 2012 By MARTON PETTENDY TOYOTA has been named America’s ‘most dependable’ car-maker, despite conducting the world’s […]

New Ford Kuga just $1000 less than Territory

New Ford Kuga just $1000 less than Territory Better late than never: Ford has plugged a chasm in its range with the German-built Kuga compact SUV, several years after its arrival on the European market. Kuga will prowl Australia in high-spec trim only until all-new replacement arrives 17 February 2012 By HAITHAM RAZAGUI FORD has […]

Nissan launches more affordable Navara V6

Nissan launches more affordable Navara V6 Load of pull: Nissan’s V6 diesel Navara models stump up no less than 550Nm of torque. Navara to fight new ute rivals with engine upgrades and extra equipment 15 February 2012 By JAMES STANFORD NISSAN has called its stump-pulling V6 diesel to the frontline in a bid to return […]

Renault plans to Master large van market

Renault plans to Master large van market In the van: Renault’s new Master has already racked up 100,000 sales in Europe. All-new Master to give Renault more bite in light commercial vehicle market 15 February 2012 By MIKE COSTELLO RENAULT – western Europe’s long-reigning king of light commercial sales – will attempt to broaden its […]

Geneva show: Ferrari finesses California

Geneva show: Ferrari finesses California More Prancing Horse power: First deliveries of Ferrari’s upgraded 2012 California arrive here late this year. Prancing Horse brand announces lighter, quicker and more powerful 2012 California 16 February 2012 By MARTON PETTENDY FERRARI has revealed a lighter, more powerful and therefore quicker iteration of its entry-level California coupe-convertible, first […]

More zip – and sip – for Citroen Picasso

More zip – and sip – for Citroen Picasso Powered up: Citroen’s C4 Picasso gets more power and torque in a 2012 powertrain tweak. What is green? Citroen C4 Picasso people-mover gets more muscle, but also a larger appetite 16 February 2012 By RON HAMMERTON CITROEN’S C4 Picasso compact people-mover has gained more zip at […]

Geneva show: Volvo teases V40 small car

Geneva show: Volvo teases V40 small car Sunny outlook: The sun shines out of Volvo’s new V40, which will be fully revealed at Geneva. Volvo’s new V40 rumoured to be Swedish brand’s new entry model, replacing C30 hatch 16 February 2012 By RON HAMMERTON THE all-new Volvo V40 that is primed to be sprung at […]

First drive: Top of the BMW Three

First drive: Top of the BMW Three Arch rivals: BMW Australia expects its new 3 Series mid-sizer to wrestle back segment leadership from the Mercedes-Benz C-class. BMW hopes its sixth-generation 3 Series will regain segment leadership 15 February 2012 By BYRON MATHIOUDAKIS BMW expects its latest 3 Series range to retake market segment leadership from […]

New chief takes the reins at Nissan

New chief takes the reins at Nissan American way: Dan Thompson (pictured) departs as Nissan Australia CEO and managing director from April 1, to be replaced by William Peffer. Nissan CEO Dan Thompson heads to Europe, making way for William Peffer 15 February 2012 By HAITHAM RAZAGUI NISSAN Australia announced today that CEO and managing […]

Top of the BMW Three

Top of the BMW Three Arch rivals: BMW Australia expects its new 3 Series mid-sizer to wrestle back segment leadership from the Mercedes-Benz C-class. BMW hopes its sixth-generation 3 Series will regain segment leadership 15 February 2012 By BYRON MATHIOUDAKIS BMW expects its latest 3 Series range to retake market segment leadership from the Mercedes-Benz […]

Geneva show: Audi advances the Avant

Geneva show: Audi advances the Avant Practical supercar: The blistering Audi RS4 Avant is set to hit Australian showrooms in early 2013. Audi’s legendary RS4 Avant makes a comeback, this time with 331kW V8 15 February 2012 By RON HAMMERTON AUSTRALIA is line to get the latest incarnation of Audi’s fastest five-door family fun machine, […]

Toyota Prius C to be Australia’s cheapest hybrid

Toyota Prius C to be Australia’s cheapest hybrid Affordable greenie: The Toyota Prius C will become Australia’s cheapest hybrid car, with the brand projecting a saving of “thousands” over the $29,990 Honda Insight. What is green? Yaris-sized Toyota Prius C to undercut Honda Insight as cheapest hybrid Down Under 15 February 2012 By MIKE COSTELLO […]

Holden hits back on pay claims

Holden hits back on pay claims Payback: Holden workers will get lump-sum payments as reward for sacrifices in the GFC. “Conservative” pay deal will help secure Holden’s future beyond 2020: Devereux 14 February 2012 By RON HAMMERTON GM HOLDEN has defended as “reasonable” and “conservative” its latest three-year pay offer to 3000 of its workers, […]

First drive: Hyundai vies for youth vote with Veloster

First drive: Hyundai vies for youth vote with Veloster It’s here: The Hyundai Veloster is now available in Australia from $23,990 – unorthodox door layout and all. Cheeky new Veloster coupe arrives as Hyundai targets youth in incremental sales push 13 February 2012 By MARTON PETTENDY HYUNDAI’S first sporting model since the Tiburon is now […]