Category: News

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NEW MODELS, NEW IMAGE FOR HOLDEN

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Holden’s plans for life after local production are proceeding at pace with the unveiling of a new brand image; a marketing campaign featuring leading Australian record producer and musician Flume; a preview of five new or upgraded models to be released over the next five months and a new extended test drive program. Covering every facet of Holden’s marketing communications, the new Holden ‘master brand’ campaign ranges from an updated logo and a new website, to fresh television and social media activations for all models including the new Astra and… Read more

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JEEP 75TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIALS

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Jeep is celebrating its 75th anniversary by bringing out a series of special editions. However, not all models are coming Australia, only the ‘real’ Jeep models are coming downunder (more about that ‘real’ in a moment). Though the first Willys Jeeps were introduced 75 years ago in 1941 these were purely military vehicles. The first models available to civilians, appropriately tagged as CJ for Civilian Jeep, didn’t hit the road until 1945. These were built by Willys, later by Kaiser, followed by American Motors Corporation (AMC). It wasn’t until 1987… Read more

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INFINITI ACTIVE COMPACT DESIGNED TO EDGE OUT RIVALS

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Since its return to Australia four years ago Infiniti has gone about quietly making inroads into the Australian market. Now, that is to be ramped up with plans for seven models to land by year’s end. First cab off the rank is the Infiniti Q30, which the Japanese company calls an ‘active compact vehicle’, which the company expects to become the volume model. The Q30 comes in three model grades with three engine choices. Infiniti Q30 is available in three model grades; GT, Sport or Sport Premium. The Q30 Sport… Read more

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FORD RANGER XLS SPECIAL EDITION

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Pickup trucks are all the rage in Australia at the moment and Ford says it’s very keen to be the market leader in this important segment. Toyota HiLux has been a winner here just about forever, but Ford says Ranger can oust HiLux and take top spot on the podium. Ford is certainly coming closer by the month. A big ambition? Yes, but a smart one as the Ford Falcon will disappear from the Australian market in October this year and something has to fill its place and bring dollars… Read more

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JEEP CELEBRATES 75TH ANNIVERSARY

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The Jeep has been referred to as, “the car that won a war”. A strong call? Perhaps, but there’s no doubt the versatile little go-anywhere 4WD greatly improved the movement of the men, materiel and messages on all fronts during World War II. Though the USA didn’t enter the War until the Pearl Harbor attacks on 7th December 1941 American military strategists clearly anticipated the country would eventually become involved in the European conflict. Proposals for the small military vehicle that would eventually become the Jeep were called for on… Read more

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MAJOR CHANGES TO HOLDEN COLORADO

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Holden’s latest Colorado is a sure sign the company is moving in the right direction. Times change – and those who don’t change with them can get left badly behind. Holden stops making cars in Australia at a date yet to be announced in 2017. Simply shutting the doors in the factory and carrying on with sales of imported cars is not enough. The mindset of all in the company, as well as the Holden dealers, has to move with the times. New Colorado does just that; starting with a… Read more

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MAZDA3 IS SMARTER THAN EVER

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Mazda has never been a company to follow other auto makers and the updated Mazda3 is a prime example of this. While it has received a mild facelift, the main emphasis is on what you can’t see, with major changes to the steering and suspension systems. Safety, long a strong point with the Mazda Australia organisation, has been further enhanced. It has become customary for Mazda Australia to fly senior engineers from its Japanese head office for car launches downunder. A real honour to our local guys and gals that… Read more

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MASERATI INTRODUCES AN SUV, THE VERY STYLISH LEVANTE

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How times change. If you had asked us ten years ago if the iconic Italian sportscar maker Maserati was to design a diesel-power 4WD we would have laughed outright. Our laughter would have turned into shrieks of merriment if you had asked if you could buy that Maser for under $250,000. Yet here is exactly that vehicle, the Maserati Levante SUV will soon hit the roads – possibly even trails – of Australia. Even more surprising is the price tag. It starts at just $155,000 and tops out at $175,000… Read more

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HYUNDAI RELEASES 2017 SONATA

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Hyundai’s Sonata dates back to the late 1980s and is an excellent example the huge strides made by the South Korean automotive industry in the almost 30 years since its introduction. A medium-large car, Sonata is one of the many contenders starting to line up to replace the Ford Falcon, Holden Commodore and Toyota Camry when they disappear from the local car-making scene. Camry is the closest in external size to the Sonata. Inside however, the Hyundai’s use of front-wheel-drive means it’s not that much smaller than the big Holdens… Read more

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SUZUKI BALENO LAUNCHED ON SPACE MISSION

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Suzuki Baleno is bursting out of the light car passenger segment into the small car space while getting a spurt on in performance with its latest model. The Baleno comes in two specification levels – GL with a 1.4-litre engine, with either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. A new engine, the 1.0-litre Booster Jet turbocharged variant, with six-speed automatic transmission has claimed fuel use of 5.2 litres per 100 kilometres on the combined urban / highway cycle. Low consumption is partly attributed to having a standard six-speed automatic… Read more