hholden hybrid doubtolden hybrid doubt · biopower models in australia, there is still only one...
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John Mellor's Australia’s Number One Automotive Industry Journal
July 16, 2008 50,000 READERS WEEKLY
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No. 442
GoAuto News
ADVERTISE: Steve Butcher Ph: 0419 562 110 [email protected]
Electric Commodore no longer a certainty as Holden boss questions hybrid techElectric Commodore no longer a certainty as Holden boss questions hybrid tech
Holden hybrid doubtHolden hybrid doubt
DIG
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By JAMES STANFORDGM HOLDEN chairman and managing
director Mark Reuss has cast doubt over the
hybrid Commodore program, indicating
last week that the petrol-electric large car in
development might not be brought to market.
Responding to questions at the release of
a CSIRO report into future fuels last Friday,
Mr Reuss also questioned the viability of
hybrid technology.
The position contradicts GM Asia Pacifi c
president Nick Reilly who told GoAuto
and other Australian media in May that
the Commodore would be “one of the fi rst
hybrids you see” with a timeframe of “a
couple of years”.
However, Mr Reuss made it clear that
Holden’s priority was to develop dedicated-
LPG technology, as well as leading with
cars that run on E85 ethanol fuel (85 per
cent ethanol, 15 per cent petrol).
When asked specifi cally about a hybrid
Commodore, Mr Reuss indicated the car
was far from a production certainty.
“We aren’t going to provide a solution, we
are going to provide many solutions here,”
he said. “One of the many solutions may or
may not be a hybrid Commodore.”
Mr Reuss went on to indicate that there
were a lot of strong arguments against
building a hybrid Commodore.
“There are probably a lot of things that I
don’t have time, in answering this question,
to go into in terms of the price of a hybrid
for the average person anywhere in the
world and the benefi t of that price and cost
and payback on fuel,” he said.
“The older technologies don’t pay back
(but) some of the newer technologies do.”
Mr Reuss indicated that Holden was more
interested in introducing more affordable
technology that “everyone has access to”
and went on to talk about the development
of a single-fuel LPG Commodore.
Just weeks after the announcement that
Toyota would produce a Camry Hybrid
in Australia with the aid of $35 million
federal government funding and a similar
amount from the Victorian government, Mr
Reuss said accessible technology such as
dedicated-LPG engines would ultimately
benefi t more people than hybrids, despite
being less of a hot topic for politicians and
the mainstream media.
“I think it is easy for the media and
politicians all over the world to talk about
hybrids because it has become something
that is understandable,” Mr Reuss said. “A
gas (petrol) electric vehicle is a sexy way
to provide better fuel economy and in some
cases it does and some cases it doesn’t.”
Mr Reuss believes a dedicated-LPG
V6, which is currently being developed
by Holden, will deliver more signifi cant
savings. “I’ll give you an example,” he said.
“On an LPG basis over a year’s use, we can
produce an LPG Commodore that is about
$2000 less on an operational basis than a
four-cylinder smaller-car segment vehicle,
so that is a very compelling argument for
anybody including myself, my three kids
and my wife. So these are the things that we
really need to be cognisant of.”
Perhaps pre-empting a forthcoming
advertising campaign, Mr Reuss added that
an LPG Commodore was “an Australian
solution for an Australian car”.
Read more: Green era for GMHHolden’s ethanol agenda – next page
Is it a coupe?Is it an SUV?
- page 11
GoAuto News July 16, 2008 Page 2
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Holden’s ethanol agendaHolden’s ethanol agendaGMH chief puts ethanol on agenda with promise of E85 Commodore
By JAMES STANFORDGM HOLDEN will introduce a Commodore
that can run on E85 ethanol well before the
eco-oriented bio-fuel is widely available in
Australia.
Using a “build it and they will come”
approach, GM Holden managing director
Mark Reuss said Holden had a responsibility
to take a lead on bio-fuels.
Its premium Saab division has already
introduced E85-capable models, which run
on a blend of 85 per cent ethanol and 15 per
cent petrol, despite just one E85 fuel pump
being available in Australia.
This is offered through United Petroleum
in Sydney.
Speaking at the release of a CSIRO
report into future fuels last week, Mr Reuss
confi rmed Holden would introduce an E85
Commodore before an ethanol infrastructure
was in place.
“The answer is yes. We will lead with
equipment on vehicles before the supply is
readily available,” Mr Reuss said.
“We only have E10 supply available right
now, but we design our ethanol-capable cars
up to E85 and you can expect to see that
here from Holden and GM in Australia.”
Mr Reuss did not provide a timetable for
the introduction of an E85 Commodore, but
when asked how long it could take all cars to
change to alternative fuels he replied: “Within
GM we can do that in the next two years.”
While it might seem strange that Holden
would introduce cost into its vehicles when
the Australian ethanol industry is embryonic,
and it might be decades before E85 fuel is
widely available, Mr Reuss said Holden felt
compelled to act.
He pointed to the US, where GM had
introduced E85-capable vehicles before
much of the fuel was available.
“This becomes almost a chicken-and-egg
scenario and we intend to do the same thing
in Australia, which is lead with equipment on
the car, driving both the societal awareness
of renewable fuels and the application of
the supply base for them,” Mr Reuss said.
“The benefi ts of ethanol are huge, it is a
comparatively clean-burning renewable fuel
and it requires a very small cost to modify
existing technology.”
“I think it is our responsibility as an auto
industry and as a company to lead this,” he
said. “If we wait until we have $8 a litre
gasoline and we wait until bad things happen
to respond, that is a pretty poor place to be.
We owe the society, the economy and our
customers a lot more than that as an industry
and a company.”
Holden is also currently developing
a dedicated-LPG engine, which along
with E85 ethanol could reduce Australian
dependency on imported oil and reduce fuel
bills without forcing large-car customers to
switch to a smaller vehicle.
“I don’t know anyone who decides
that they want to have the smallest car
available,” Mr Reuss said. “They might not
have any option because of the alternatives
that we as an industry have provided from a
technology standpoint.”
GM’s promotion of E85 has triggered
warnings of escalating food prices as arable
land used for food crops is converted to
crops used for ethanol.
However, the company has pointed to
technology being developed that would
see ethanol produced using waste products
rather than food crops.
According to Biofuels Association of
Australia chief executive Bruce Harrison,
who took part in the CSIRO study, most of
Australia’s ethanol is currently produced
from waste starch and molasses. He added
that work was being done to advance other
methods of ethanol production.
“In Australia, one of my members is
currently growing algae (to make ethanol)
and the commercialisation process has begun
down here in Victoria,” Mr Harrison said.
Councils stall E85: United – next page
E85 Chevrolet Silverado in the US
GENERAL Motors will build Opel- and
Vauxhall-branded versions of the Chevrolet
Volt in the United States for export to
Europe in 2012, according to GM Europe
president Carl-Peter Forster.
Speaking to German industry journal
Automobilwoche, and providing a clue to
the source, timing and pricing possibilities
for Australia, Mr Forster said the initial
production source would be GM’s Detroit-
Hamtramck plant and that these fi rst-
generation “E-Flex” versions would be
based on the compact class but carry “a
substantial surcharge … up to 10,000
Euros ($A16,400) more than a comparable
model with a conventional powertrain”.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
Euro Volts in 2012
GoAuto News July 16, 2008 Page 3
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PUBLISHER: John MellorEDITOR: Terry Martin MANAGING EDITOR: Marton PettendyJOURNALISTS: David Hassall, Byron Mathioudakis, Philip Lord, James StanfordPRODUCTION AND GRAPHICS: Chris Harris, Luc BrittenSUB-EDITOR: Katrina WebbNEW MODEL DIARY: Lou PaolinoProduced by GoAutoMedia: Ph: (03) 9598 6477 [email protected]
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By DAVID HASSALLINDEPENDENT fuel retailer United
Petroleum is blaming local councils for
delaying the roll-out of ethanol-based E85
pumps in Australia to service the small
number of Saab ‘BioPower’ cars sold here.
Eight months after Saab launched its
BioPower models in Australia, there is still
only one commercial outlet here – United’s
Rozelle service station in Sydney opened
two months ago – and still no timeframe for
the projected Melbourne site that was due to
be operational by last February.
However, with GM Holden last week
fl agging its intention of introducing E85-
compatible Commodores within the next
few years, United is pressing ahead with its
plans to open more pumps in Melbourne,
Brisbane, Adelaide and Hobart.
United Petroleum general manager
David Szymczak told GoAuto
yesterday that the company’s plans
were being held up by getting the
necessary council permits to install
new E85 tanks.
“We’ve been delayed in Victoria
with some of our permits and so
forth, and we’re working through
that currently,” Mr Szymczak said.
“We’re still going down the track
of rolling out E85 – it’s just taking longer
than we thought.
“We’ve got plans to go into Melbourne,
Adelaide and Brisbane. And we currently
do E10 in Tasmania, so that’s not out of the
question as well.
“With every site, you have local councils
and issues that you need to work through
and Rozelle was the fi rst one that we were
able to get up and running easily, so we’ve
done that and we’re working on the others.”
Mr Szymczak said that each site required
an investment of between $50,000 and
$200,000 to install the small E85 tanks and
pumping equipment.
Demand has been very low at Rozelle,
with only two or three cars a day being
fi lled with E85.
However, Mr Szymczak said that United
is the market leader for E10 (10 per cent
ethanol and 90 per cent petrol) and was
determined to be in on the ground fl oor with
E85 (85 per cent ethanol).
He welcomed Holden’s intention
to offer a ‘Flex-Fuel’ Commodore,
saying it was necessary for the big
manufacturers to drive E85 demand
and make it commercially viable
for fuel producers, wholesalers and
service stations.
“It really is in the hands of the
Holdens and the Fords of Australia
for this sort of thing to take off,” Mr
Szymczak said.
“I think if Holden go down the Flex-Fuel
route with Commodore, I think it will take
off in a big way, defi nitely.
“They have been in contact with me
asking a few questions about E85. Given
that we sell the most ethanol in Australia,
we’ve got some expertise, so they ring from
time to time to talk about that and I believe
they’re after some E85 in order to do some
testing, so I think they’re moving ahead.
“From our perspective, we want to be in
E85 because we want to be an early entrant
into the market. We see that it will come, but
it’s really years off.Continued next page
David Szymczak
E
to
s
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a
f
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David Szymczak
Councils stall E85: UnitedCouncils stall E85: United
B DAVID HASSALL tibl C d ithi th t fill d ith E85
United Petroleum blames local government red tape for E85 delays
GoAuto News July 16, 2008 Page 4
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Continued from previous page“It’s really in the hands of the manufacturers.
There’s no point rolling out E85 across the
country when there are no cars to use it. By
the same token, manufacturers will say there’s
no point in producing E85 cars until there’s
supply, so it’s a bit of chicken and egg thing.
We’re just in that early stage in Australia.
“United was really the fi rst company
to really get into E10 in a big way across
Australia and, as a consequence, the ethanol
industry has really taken off here. Prior to
that, it was really just a few independents
here and there.
“I think E85 will come, but it’s a way
off. It’s a bit like LPG. If you look back in
history, LPG started as almost a boutique sort
of thing and it really took the taxi drivers to
pick it up in a big way for the LPG industry
to really take off.”
While being frustrated by local
government, United has resolved all other
regulatory issues involved with selling a
new type of fuel in Australia.
“There were issues with things like working
out what sort of dispensing pump you can
use and then getting permits and so forth
in Australia to use that because it’s specifi c
gear, but all that’s been worked through.
“From the point of view of the federal
government and state governments, we
worked through that earlier in the year
so we’ve got all those people onside and
supportive, so that’s not an issue for us.”
Mr Szymczak said Australian ethanol is
produced from by-products and therefore
avoids the international social debate raging
over substituting food production for fuel.
Whereas most foreign ethanol is
produced from crops, local producers
CSR in Queensland and Manildra in New
South Wales respectively use molasses (a
by-product of sugar production) and starch
(a by-product from milling fl our).
There has been no shortage of supply and
a new plant is also set to start production
soon at Dalby in Queensland.
Although the federal government subsidises
locally produced ethanol by dropping its
38-cent fuel excise, the local producers are
not doing consumers any favours on price.
“The ethanol producers have put up
their prices quite substantially,” said Mr
Szymczak.
“They’re seeing that oil prices are rising
and they can charge more for the product, so
they do. That’s something that’s in the hands
of the ethanol producers, not us.”
As a result, E85 at Rozelle this week was
priced at 124.9c a litre – well up on United’s
own projection of less than a dollar early
this year – compared with 159.7c for regular
petrol.
With fuel consumption of Saab’s BioPower
models running at up to 30 per cent more on
E85 than regular petrol, owners are actually
paying more to derive the environmental
benefi ts of this alternative fuel.
Read more: Saab boosts bio-fuel rangeCSIRO fuel warning – next page
Continued from previous page
Councils stall E85: UnitedCouncils stall E85: United
E85 in the US
GoAuto News July 16, 2008 Page 5
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CSIRO fuel warningCSIRO fuel warningHeadline-grabbing report predicts fuel prices could soar - or hardly move at all
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By JAMES STANFORDTHE headlines screamed “Petrol to hit $8 a
litre in 10 years” last week, but there was
more to the CSIRO future fuel report than
most mainstream media reports let on.
Indeed, the report, which was released
last Friday and is offi cially called Fuel for
Thought – the future of transport fuels:
challenges and opportunities, did indicate a
possible rapid increase in fuel prices, but its
own modelling revealed the petrol price in
10 years could be as low as $2 per litre or
as high as $8 per litre depending on a range
of factors.
“Owing to changes in international
oil markets and to a lesser extent carbon
pricing, further substantial increases in the
price of oil-based fuel products (petrol and
diesel) are considered plausible, although
very uncertain in their timing and extent,”
the report said.
“Modelling projected that if international
oil supply continues to grow steadily, petrol
and diesel prices will experience only a slight
rise on present levels. However, if there is a
near-term peak in international oil production
resulting in declining future oil supplies,
petrol prices could increase to between $A2
and as much as $A8 per litre.”
What the report was clear on was the fact
that Australia would be hit hard by fuel price
increases, and it effectively called for action
to be taken to avoid the worst-case scenario
of $8 a litre fuel.
“We are a nation whose common way of
life is underpinned by access to affordable
and sustainable fuel sources, but we are
also a nation more vulnerable to the costs
of rising oil prices due to our import use,
relatively high fuel consumption of our
vehicle fl eet, our 97 per cent reliance on oil-
based fuels for transport and our declining
domestic oil reserves. It is a pretty potent
mix,” said CSIRO Energy Transformed
Flagship director John Wright.
The Future Fuels report is based on
a series of CSIRO models with input
from the Future Fuels Forum which was
formed last November involving a wide
range of delegates including Holden,
Caltex, Biofuels Australia, Woolworths,
the Australian Conservation Foundation,
NRMA, government organisations and
several other groups.
The report predicted that Australia’s
transport fuel mix would change
dramatically, with more vehicles using
electricity, LPG and natural gas in the next
10 years. Other alternative fuels are likely to
emerge further down the track.
“Longer term, beyond 2020, advanced
biofuels that limit competition with food
production and synthetic fuels derived
from gas and coal (using carbon capture
and storage) are also expected to come
into use once production infrastructure has
had suffi cient time to scale up,” said the
report. “The extent of their use will depend
on primary fuel prices and government
greenhouse gas emission targets.”
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
GoAuto News July 16, 2008 Page 6
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Export ‘enabling force’Export ‘enabling force’Australian exports made easier with new global vehicle certifi cation offi ce
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By DAVID HASSALLINTERNATIONAL vehicle certifi cation
authority VCA has established an offi ce
in Australia that should make it easier and
cheaper for local car-makers and suppliers
to service global export markets.
The British government-owned
organisation, which has offi ces around the
world and does offi cial third-party type
approval for most countries apart from
North America, launched VCA Australia in
Melbourne earlier this month.
The establishment of a globally
recognised agency in Australia will
streamline the certifi cation of vehicles that
have been designed and engineered here
for international markets as well as those
manufactured locally for export.
Holden, Ford and Toyota are heavily
involved in international development
programs for their parent companies
and employ thousands of design and
development engineers, but certifi cation of
the vehicles overseas has been an expensive
and time-consuming operation.
Certifi cation is required on all vehicles
to ensure they meet the growing number
of international standards applied around
the world, ranging from air-conditioning
and headlight performance through to
crashworthiness and emissions.
VCA Australia general manager Howard
Danielson told GoAuto that vehicles sold
in UN-affi liated countries have to meet 35
different system approvals and that each one
of those systems requires dozens of tests.
“I come in and we agree which tests we
need to do together. I actually witness those
tests in a VCA-recognised laboratory, I issue
the test reports and the certifi cates, and then
they can sell them,” said Mr Danielson.
“Previously, cars would be sent to Japan
or the US with some engineers, and the VCA
Japan or US offi ce would witness the tests.
It was very expensive and time-consuming,
the logistics were diffi cult and they would
lose a prototype vehicle for a time.
“Because some of our customers have
gotten big enough, it justifi ed us opening an
offi ce here, so now their design engineers
don’t have to go abroad for testing – it can
all stay in Australia.
“So now there are no customs issues, they
keep their prototype vehicles nearby and
they don’t have to send their engineers and
product abroad for long periods of time to
get the testing done.”
He noted that Toyota’s TRD performance
car division said they would not use VCA
until the company established an Australian
offi ce.
Apart from the costs involved in sending
cars and engineers overseas, Mr Danielson
said that VCA’s fee for certifi cation would
now be at least 50 per cent lower for a
program that lasts more than four days.
It should also save a great deal of time
because he can attend an urgent test almost
immediately.Continued next page
th i d i i
Holden-sourced Vauxhall VXR8
GoAuto News July 16, 2008 Page 7
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Export ‘enabling force’Export ‘enabling force’
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Marketing Manager – Passenger Cars
Continued from previous pageThe VCA was established by the UK
department of transport in the 1970s to help
British car-makers with their exports. It now
has 10 offi ces around the globe.
VCA CEO Paul Markwick, who travelled
from London for the formal Melbourne
opening this month, said he hoped the
Australian offi ce would become “an enabling
force” that helped the local automotive
industry meet the global challenges and
opportunities.
“The Australian automotive industry
is a very important part of the overall
economy and has become increasingly
export focused,” said Mr Markwick. “I very
much hope our presence in the region will
help support industry in its drive to access
European markets.”
He described Mr Danielson as one of
the company’s most experienced expert
engineers who had been responsible for the
success of other overseas offi ces in the US,
Japan and Malaysia.
Mr Danielson said that Australia has
all the test facilities required for full
certifi cation, including the Australian
Automotive Research Centre at Anglesea in
Victoria, EMC Technologies in Melbourne
and Crash Labs in Sydney, as well as the car
companies’ own facilities.
Nevertheless, he is still interested in
hearing from other test laboratories that
could be added to the VCA-approved
roster for either full vehicle or individual
component testing.
Although Mr Danielson has offi cially
been based in Australia since March, the
American-born engineer spent most of the
past year commuting from his offi ce in
Malaysia to service clients here. He said he
was keen to stay in Australia long-term.
Much of his time is spent visiting the
local design centres and addressing issues at
an early stage of development.
“We are doing design reviews so that they
can be made without any legislative problem
before it ever gets to the prototype stage,” he
told GoAuto.
“We look at CAD drawings and we
discuss it before they actually issue a
part number or tool up. We fi nd the issues
and say ‘change that’ so by the time they
create their fi rst prototype there shouldn’t
be any issues.
“That’s another mass of savings, less
headaches, less changes due to legislation. I
spend a lot of time teaching design engineers
how to understand the legislation.
“The white-collar work here in Australia
is actually increasing quite a bit – there’s
a lot of design, testing, certifi cation and
R&D happening here. The assembly and
manufacturing is moving offshore, but it’s
actually growing (overall).
“I can’t name names, but there are some
customers I have whose headquarters
are struggling, so the subsidiaries here in
Australia have been earmarked for receiving
a lot more responsibility and work within
the global organisation.
“That’s really why VCA is here, because
we’ve got some big customers that are
getting a lot bigger, even though it’s not
obvious when you read the newspapers.”
Crash Lab testing
GoAuto News July 16, 2008 Page 8
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Munich makeoverMunich makeoverBMW’s evergreen 3 Series goes under the scalpel for an early 2009 debut
By BYRON MATHIOUDAKISBMW hopes to steal the limelight away
from the best-selling Mercedes-Benz W204
C-class and revitalised Audi B8 A4 range
with a facelifted E90 3 Series sedan and
Touring wagon.
Unveiled on Friday in Germany a full
week before intended thanks to an embargo-
breaking publication in the United States,
the visual makeover is a relatively minor
one for the three-and-a-half-year-old range.
It includes extremely subtle headlight,
bonnet, bumper, side skirts and tail-
light treatments, with the latter’s more
pronounced ‘L’ shape and LED illumination
being probably the most obvious alterations
to the casual observer. They are designed to
emphasise the car’s width from behind.
If you look more closely you might also
pick that the grille is now larger, the optional
bi-Xenon adaptive headlights incorporate
new LED indicator lamps, there are a pair
of bonnet lines for a “more muscular”
look, the rear track is up to 24mm wider on
six-cylinder cars due to some suspension
modifi cations, there is a new bootlid handle,
and the door mirrors have been restyled.
Inside, current 3 Series owners are likely to
appreciate the use of higher-quality cabin trim
and increased number of storage facilities,
while BMW’s “ergonomic” automatic
transmission shifter that was fi rst seen on the
current X5 fi lters its way down to some of
the 2009 models. Better anti-whiplash head
restraints are also on the menu.
Some minor switchgear has also been
repositioned for easier usage. An improved
iDrive system is also included, with
programmable “favourite” buttons for
easier and faster access to some of the more
prominent functions. A new 80GB hard-
drive also improves the speed of the revised
satellite navigation set-up, while the audio
system has also been upgraded.
Whether Australian-bound models will
score BMW’s new ConnectedDrive internet
facility remains to be seen.
In the engine room, the 320d four-
cylinder turbo-diesel has been massaged to
make it fi t for Euro V emissions compliance,
while the 330d model we do not yet see here
(but surely will soon, to combat the fl agship
C320 CDI and A4 3.0 TDI) scores a newly
developed 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder
turbo-diesel.
With the aid of third-generation common-
rail direct-injection with Piezo injectors
(capable of delivering 1800 bar of pressure)
and a variable turbine geometry turbo-
charger that helps to generate 180kW of
power and 520Nm of torque, the 330d
scrambles to 100km/h from standstill in 6.1
seconds, returns 5.7L/100km, emits 152g/
km of CO2 and meets Euro V compliance.
Of more interest to keen drivers is that the
stonking 335i Coupe and Convertible models
will gain BMW’s new seven-speed dual-
clutch transmission in lieu of the revised and
smoother ZF six-speed automatic gearbox
that serves other versions. The sedan and
Touring may follow suit later. The six-speed
manual will continue as before.
While the equivalent C-class and A4
sales are well up in the fi rst six months of
2008 (3809 versus 963 and 1932 versus
1279 respectively), and the Lexus IS 250
has remained steady, the 3 Series sedan and
Touring have tumbled over the same period,
from 2912 to 2659.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
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GoAuto News July 16, 2008 Page 10
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Establish clear objectives and driving disciplines
BMW tests electric power and mulls sharing Mini platform with Alfa Romeo
BMW tests electric power
Mini-Alfa pactMini-Alfa pact
By DAVID HASSALLTHE next-generation Mini could share its
platform with a new Alfa Romeo model
specifi cally targeted at the US market
following the signing of an agreement
between parent companies BMW and Fiat.
At the same time, the potential for electric-
powered BMW or Mini variants has been
raised with the confi rmation last week that
global trials are about to start with several
hundred Minis modifi ed to take “purely
electric” powertrains.
Zero emissions plug-in electric vehicles
could be required in the US if proposed
Californian legislation is approved for
introduction in 2012, and would also help the
BMW Group reach the projected European
corporate emissions levels that are also set
down for 2012.
While this coincides with when the third-
generation Mini is due to be released, BMW
insiders point out that testing the electric
drivetrain in a Mini does not necessarily
indicate where it might eventually be used.
The hundreds of test cars are being built
without drivetrains at Mini’s Oxford plant
in the UK before being sent to Munich to
be fi tted with electric motors, batteries and
transmissions. The electric-powered Minis
will be tested over the next 12 to 18 months
in Europe and in California.
“This step will allow the BMW Group to
gain an initial knowledge of how mobility
can be achieved effi ciently using purely
electrically powered vehicles,” said BMW
chairman Norbert Reithofer last week. “Our
task here is to combine the ultimate driving
experience with an effi cient electrifi ed drive
with practically no emissions.”
At the company’s annual general meeting
in May, Dr Reithofer said that BMW was
still committed to its hydrogen combustion
engine program in the long-term but that it
would decide about building an electric car
later this year.
“Today, modern lithium-ion batteries
would allow for the combination of an
electric drivetrain and sheer driving
pleasure. Due to the limited reach, such
vehicles would be most suitable to urban
traffi c,” he said.
The component-sharing deal struck
between the BMW Group and Fiat Group
Automobiles (FGA) is aimed at helping
Alfa Romeo make its much-promised return
to the US market, which the brand deserted
in 1995.
Statements issued by BMW and Fiat said
that the discussions involve “co-operation in
the areas of architectures and components”
for Mini and Alfa Romeo. A memorandum
of understanding was signed by BMW board
member Friedrich Eichiner and Fiat senior
vice-president Alfredo Altavilla, who is also
CEO of Fiat Powertrain Technologies.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERECoupe de grass – next page
Mini Cooper
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☎
8
BMW delivers an SUV with coupe looks and sportscar performance
BMW delivers an SUVwith coupe looks and
Coupe de grassCoupe de grass
By BYRON MATHIOUDAKISUNIQUE styling, SUV proportions, twin-
turbo engines, technology-enhanced sportscar
handling and ultra-niche positioning are the
hallmarks of the BMW X6 ‘Sports Activity
Coupe’ launched this week.
On sale from August 11, and priced from
$114,705, the E71-series X6 is a four-door,
four-seater, wagon-cum-coupe luxury SUV,
with the Range Rover Sport being its nearest
conceptual competitor. BMW describes it as
“a blend of the strengths of the BMW X5
and the BMW 6 Series Coupe”.
In fact, the X6 is derived from the second-
generation E70-series X5 SUV – itself
loosely based on the current E60 5 Series,
which also begat the 6 Series range – that
is built from the same production plant in
Spartanburg, South Carolina, in the US.
However, while the X6 and X5 share
much of their mechanicals, understructure
and interior, they have no body panels in
common and there are specifi c differences
in areas such as the rear track.
Dimensional differences include the X6’s
4877mm length (up 23mm) and 1983mm
width (up 50mm).
Two well-specifi ed AWD models will be
available from launch, with more to follow
later: the twin-turbo in-line six-cylinder petrol
known as the xDrive35i; and the xDrive35d,
which employs a variation of the twin-turbo
inline six-cylinder diesel that debuted in the
X5 3.0sd in the beginning of the year.
January 2009 will see the debut of the
twin-turbo V8-powered xDrive50i.
In BMW parlance, ‘xDrive’ refers to its
four-wheel drive system, while the ‘35’
denotes the current most powerful versions
of each 3.0-litre engine on offer – which, for
the X6, means twin-turbocharged. This new
nomenclature is expected to spread to future
X5, X3 and (as yet unconfi rmed) X1 models.
The petrol engine is the twin-turbocharged
2979cc N54-series unit already seen in the 135i
Sport and 335i models. It includes second-
generation high-precision direct injection
and Bi-VANOS variable valve technology
(but not Valvetronic – as the turbo application
eliminates intake vacuum issues), as part of
BMW’s Effi cientDynamics package.
With the aid of two identically sized
turbochargers working on three cylinders
each, outputs are 225kW of power at 5800rpm
and 400Nm of torque at 1300rpm to 5000rpm,
resulting in the 2070kg xDrive35i taking
6.7 seconds to reach 100km/h, touching a
top speed of 240km/h, using a combined
12.1L/100km of premium unleaded petrol
and emitting 286g/km of CO2.
BMW claims this twin-turbo 3.0-litre
delivers the performance of a V8 with the
effi ciency of a naturally aspirated six-
cylinder engine.
Meanwhile, the all-aluminium 2993cc
M57D30T2 twin-turbo diesel X6 xDrive35d
boasts the world’s most powerful six-
cylinder engine of its fuel type, as well as
one of the lightest at 210kg. Peak power is
210kW at 4400rpm and torque tops out at
580Nm between 1750rpm and 2250rpm.
However, in contrast to the petrol, the
diesel’s twin-turbos are variable items
featuring two turbochargers of different
sizes. The smaller one works in reducing
low-rev turbo lag thanks to its low inertia,
while the larger turbine gradually takes over
as revs rise for a stronger power delivery
right up to the rev limit.
The upshot is a 6.9-second 0-100km/h
dash for the 2110kg xDrive35d, on the way
to a top speed of 236km/h, while the offi cial
combined average and CO2 ratings are
9.0L/100km and 237g/km respectively.
Both X6 engines are mated to the ZF
six-speed automatic transmission common
to most BMWs, recalibrated and retuned
for “sporty” response and utilising the
fi rm’s ergonomic fl oor lever. Steering
wheel-sited paddle-shifters also make their
fi rst appearance in this level of BMW. No
manual gearbox will be offered, despite the
car’s sportscar aspirations.
On the chassis front, the X6 also introduces
BMW’s new “Dynamic Performance
Control” (DPC) rear differential, which,
according to the manufacturer, pushes
the dynamic envelope for all-wheel drive
vehicles by counteracting the inherent mild
understeer for a more rear-wheel drive-
centric neutral attitude.
This is done by switching power between
the left and right rear wheels for improved
traction and lateral acceleration, leading to
lighter and more precise handling.
The system links the standard rear
differential with a mechanical planetary gear
set and an electronically controlled multi-
plate clutch for each wheel, and processes
data such as the yaw rate, wheel speeds,
steering angle and engine torque in order to
react immediately. Continued next page
GoAuto News July 16, 2008 Page 12
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Continued from previous pageTorque distribution is thus freely dished
out in varied amounts as required, to quell
understeer and oversteer, as well as increase
directional stability when accelerating in a
wide variety of adverse conditions.
DPC also improves traction by supplying
more power to the wheel with the greater
amount of grip – even when the vehicle is
coasting. BMW claims torque differences
hitting 1800Nm can be actively created
between the left and right wheels.
BMW uses a canoeing analogy, whereby
the rower wanting to turn right would brake
the right paddle, or alternatively paddle
harder with the left one.
As a result of DPC, there is a 56mm
difference in the X6’s track compared
to the X5, precluding the fi tment of the
latter’s alloy wheel range. Expect to see this
technology trickle down
the BMW range in due
course.
The rest of the running
gear is pure X5, meaning
double wishbones in the front, while the
rear uses BMW’s Integral IV axle multi-link
arrangement. An optional “Sport Package”
with “Adaptive Drive” employs active
hydraulic anti-roll bars to mitigate roll
during cornering and features electronically
adjustable dampers for more athletic
dynamics.
Working in conjunction with xDrive are
predictive stability and traction control
systems, and advanced ABS and other
technology systems, collectively known as
DSC+.
Steering is via a hydraulically activated
rack and pinion design, with BMW’s
variable-ratio “Active
Steering” feature available
at extra cost.
Despite the plunging
roofl ine, BMW points
out that the rear seat can comfortably
accommodate the ‘6-foot 4-inch’ frame
of design head Adrian van Hooydonk. At
946mm, headroom exceeds both the 6 Series
and Mercedes-Benz C-class’ by 44mm and
4mm respectively.
Luggage space extends from 570 litres
(X5: 620L) to 1450 litres (X5: 1750L) with
the split-fold rear seats in the down position.
The X6 is closely aligned to the X5’s
up-spec Executive level, so besides the
inclusion of a full orchestra of active and
passive safety items, there are also bi-Xenon
adaptive headlights, a USB audio/media
interface, a higher-range sound system, Head
Up windscreen digital instrumentation, and
runfl at tyres.
On the other hand, you cannot have
more than four seats, nor the X5’s optional
panoramic sunroof (a regularly sized item is
in its place), or Adaptive Drive independent
of the Sport Package set-up.
Only 300 X6s are slated for import
this year, owing to production capacity
restrictions.
For drive impressions, go to www.GoAuto.com.au from this afternoon.
X6 aims at 911! – next page
v
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ro
PRICING:xDrive35i (a) $114,705xDrive35d (a) $120,530
Continued from previous pageTorque distribution is thus freely dished
Coupe de grassCoupe de grass
GoAuto News July 16, 2008 Page 13
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X6 aims at 911!X6 aims at 911!BMW looks to net Porsche 911 and Cayenne buyers with its X6 coupe SUV
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By BYRON MATHIOUDAKISBMW is aiming to lure Porsche buyers,
seeking to underline the sports car appeal of
its mould-breaking E71 X6 ‘Sports Activity
Coupe.’
Speaking at the launch of the X5 SUV-
based 4WD in Melbourne this week, product
manager Paul Ryan revealed that BMW is
targeting potential purchasers of the 911 as
well as the X6’s more obvious competitor,
the Cayenne.
“It’s for people who need functionality (for
their everyday lives) … but who also want a
car they can drive hard on the weekend,” Mr
Ryan said. “The ability to fi t four golf bags
– that is something that we had to achieve
with this model.
“It also has to be very emotional, for
people who specifi cally buy a car because it
is unique, for early adopters.”
BMW Australia spokesman Toni
Andreevski added that the X6 was likely
to capture buyers who already had the
ownership experience of something like a
911, or a Maserati.
To this end, the X6 was designed from the
beginning to combine the key features of a
coupe as well as an SUV – namely a strong
driving experience and a sleek silhouette
with a commanding driving position and
good ground clearance.
BMW has ensured that no body panels
are the same between the X6 and its E70
X5 donor vehicle despite the overwhelming
number of mechanical and structural items
shared under the skin, and that the rear seat
can only accommodate two people of up to
about 190cm in height.
For the time being, it is also the sole BMW
with the much-touted Dynamic Performance
Control variable torque-split rear differential.
“Dynamic Performance Control … is one
of the very key attributes of this vehicle,”
Mr Ryan said. “It gives the car its coupe-like
handling characteristics.”
“We’ve crammed as many things as we
can into this car … we had to ensure we
positioned the vehicle above the X5, and
that it has key features for people to want to
buy it above the X5.
“We feel we are going to have a very high
conquest rate for this vehicle.”
Other vehicles in BMW’s line of fi re
include Maserati’s Quattroporte and Gran
Turismo, the Range Rover Sport, the
Mercedes-Benz/AMG CLS and E-class,
Audi’s Q7 and the Lexus GS.
Interestingly, the Bavarian company
admits that it is prepared for the X6 to
conquest some sales from within, and even
reveals which models in descending order: 3
Series coupe, M Coupe/Roadster, 5 Series, 6
Series and X5.
Unlike the 73 per cent share of sales that
the diesels command in the X5 range, BMW
expects a more even 50:50 split between
petrol and diesel in the X6.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
GoAuto News July 16, 2008 Page 14
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Private dancerPrivate dancer
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Holden aims at private buyers like never before with its sleek VE station wagon
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By JAMES STANFORDPRIVATE customers are the prime target
for the sleek new Holden VE Sportwagon,
which goes on sale nationally this week.
Fleets accounted for 90 per of the previous
Commodore station wagon sales, but Holden
is determined to spread the appeal of the new
load-hauler beyond company car barriers.
Holden spent $105 million developing the
new Sportwagon over and above the $1.03
billion it laid down for the VE Commodore
program, and offi cially calls it the VE
Sportwagon, although the Commodore
badge is still present on the rear end.
It designed a smaller, more attractive and,
as the name suggests, sportier car than the
VZ Commodore wagon that was phased out
towards the end of last year.
Previous Commodore wagons were based
on the long-wheelbase (Statesman/Caprice)
platform, which gave them a massive cargo
area but also brought disadvantages like
handling trade-offs and parking diffi culties.
The new Sportwagon is built on the
same platform as the Commodore sedan. In
fact, the wheelbase has even been reduced
slightly, from 2939mm to 2915mm, while
the track is wider by 43mm at the front and
31mm at the back.
The vehicle is 4897mm long, making it
136mm shorter than the previous model, but
is 53mm wider at 1899mm.
The attractive Sportwagon has a sloping
tail designed to look more like a hatchback
than a traditional wagon, and cargo space
has been reduced as a result.
With the rear seats in place, the
Sportwagon has a boot volume of only 895
litres compared to the whopping 1402 litres
for the previous model. When the rear seats
are folded, the Sportwagon can
carry 2000 litres of gear versus
2752 litres for the VZ.
GM Holden sales and
marketing manager Alan Batey
said existing fl eet customers
were not worried about the
reduced cargo space.
“We’ve had a lot of fl eet
customers in over the last
12 months and taken them
through the car individually
because obviously they need to
be able to carry what they need to carry,”
said Mr Batey. “They have no issues with
the car. They love the rear tailgate from an
accessibility point of view and the users
(user-choosers) just look at it and say they
want to drive it.”
Chief designer Richard Ferlazzo said
the Sportwagon still had a large amount of
useable space and added that both the old
Commodore wagon and the existing Ford
Falcon wagon were bigger than required.
“The Falcon and Commodore wagon are the
largest kind of (car-based) wagon in the world
– no-one else builds them that big,” he said.
“They had their place, but they were designed
in the 1990s and the world has moved on.”
Unlike the previous Commodore wagon,
the Sportwagon is purely a fi ve-seater
and there is no seven-seat option. Those
requiring seven seats will be encouraged to
opt for a Captiva SUV instead.
While fl eets are still expected to make
up a large proportion of Sportwagon sales,
Holden is not offering an LPG option with
the new model.
Holden hopes that the improved handling
and attractiveness of the Sportwagon will
win over SUV customers. Despite selling
around 1000 Captiva SUVs a month, Holden
will have a crack at that style of vehicle with
an advertising campaign that suggests SUVs
are “so 1994”.Continued next page
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1
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bBerlina
GoAuto News July 16, 2008 Page 15
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A fantastic opportunity exists for an experienced operational manager to join Queensland’s largest regional Ford Dealership and Mercedes-Benz Dealership. Strengths in staff management, negotiating, team building and commercial acumen are essential, as is a commitment to customer satisfaction. A proven senior management background, including sales experience in new and used vehicles and fi xed operations, will be looked upon favourably. The right candidate will possess strong organisational and interpersonal skills and the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver to tight deadlines. It will be your responsibility to effectively manage the overall running of the dealerships in a professional and ethical manner.
This is a senior position, reporting directly to the dealer principal. A rare career development opportunity, this is your chance to join well-established dealerships in a key position. An excellent remuneration package of $150-$200k is on offer to the right professional. If you have the experience, drive and the ability required for this position, please forward your resume in strict confi dence to:
Peter Koeman Dealer PrincipalEmail: [email protected]: Carmichael Ford PO Box 5085 MCTownsville Qld 4810
Operations & General ManagerTownsville North Queensland
Carmichael Motors
Private dancerPrivate dancerContinued from previous page
The new Sportwagon represents a
$1000 premium over a comparable VE
Commodore model, whereas the VZ wagon
carried a $2000 premium. The specifi cation
of the Sportwagon models is identical to
the equivalent sedans, but all Sportwagon
models gain rear parking sensors as
standard.
While Holden only offered the VZ in three
model grades, the Sportwagon is available in
seven model guises, from Omega to Calais
V V8. There is even an SS manual.
The front half of the Sportwagon is the
same as the sedan, but the rear doors, roof
and tail section are unique. In all, there are
72 wagon-specifi c parts.
The tail-lights may
look like those from the
Holden Ute, but they are
a slightly different shape,
and those on the SS and
SV6 are slightly darker
than other Sportwagon
models.
Rear headroom is
greater than in the sedan
and the Sportwagon has
more knee and legroom
than the VZ wagon, despite the shorter
wheelbase.
Holden claims that access to the boot
is aided by a tailgate hinge point that is
much further forward, requiring less space
(apparently just 268mm) behind the vehicle
to open the hatch.
A cargo blind, which can be vertically
adjusted, comes standard,
as do shopping bag hooks,
a 12-volt power outlet and a
low-mounted light that casts
light on the area even when
the cargo blind is in place.
Of course, the Sportwagon
models use the same
powertrains as the sedan
equivalents, but there is a fuel
economy penalty because
they are around 90kg heavier.
The Omega and Berlina use
an average of 11.1L/100km, the SV6, Calais
V6 and Calais V V6 use 11.3L/100km, the
SS auto, SS V auto and Calais V V8 auto
use 13.8L/100km and the manual SS and
manual SS V use 14.4L/100km.
All models use the ‘FE1’ suspension,
while the SS and SSV have the fi rmer ‘FE2’
set-up. Holden engineers have tweaked the
rear suspension, modifying spring rates to
cope with the extra weight and fi tting three
cross axle ball joints instead of two for
improved toe link stiffness to help prevent
oversteer.
Holden had plenty of time to test these
settings, with engineers notching up
513,000km of wagon-specifi c testing in an
18-month period using 60 test cars. They
also carried out 1500 virtual barrier tests
and four real-life barrier tests to ensure the
safety of the wagon matched the sedan.
Like the sedan, the Sportwagon comes
standard with electronic stability control
and front, side and curtain airbags.
DRIVE IMPRESSIONS: CLICK HERE
a
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PRICING:Omega (a) $37,790Berlina (a) $41,290SV6 (a) $42,290SS $46,290SS (a) $48,290SS V $53,790SS V (a) $55,790Calais (a) $46,790Calais V V6 (a) $55,290Calais V V8 (a) $60,290
SS
GoAuto News July 16, 2008 Page 16
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Mitsubishi’s awesome new Lancer Evolution fi nally
hits the road in Australia
By JAMES STANFORDMITSUBISHI Australia has launched
the stunning Lancer Evolution, which is
effectively an advanced racecar that can be
driven on the road.
Offi cially, it might be called the Evolution,
but Lancer fans will know it as the Evo X,
the 10th iteration of the rally-bred cult car.
When it comes to platforms, the new
Evolution is the third-generation Evo and
features a larger footprint, upgraded engine
and even more advanced drivetrain.
Pricing starts from $59,490 for the
base model with a manual gearbox, while
choosing the new dual-clutch automatic
adds a hefty $5000 and a performance pack
with wheel, suspension and brake upgrades
is also available for $5000. The fully loaded
MR model, which comes only with an auto,
is priced from $71,690.
Pricing of the base Evo and one fi tted
with the performance pack line-up directly
against the Subaru WRX STI at $59,990 and
the WRX Spec R at $64,990 respectively.
Crucially, there is no automatic option for
the STI and no luxury model like the MR.
Mitsubishi engineered the new Evolution
from the ground up, providing it with what
it regards as the ideal track and wheelbase
for a rally car. Both the front/rear track (at
1545mm each) and wheelbase (at 2650mm)
have been increased by 30mm over the
previous model.
While it may look similar to other Lancer
models, the only common panels are the
doors and the boot. To keep weight down,
it has an aluminium roof, bonnet and front
guards as well as new aluminium bumper
rails that replace steel ones. The
guards are pumped out to account
for the wider track, the roof has two
spines running down either side and
the bonnet has a cooling duct and
vents.
The Evolution also features new
front and rear body bracing, resulting
in a torsional rigidity improvement of
39 per cent.
Mitsubishi was free to increase the
Evo’s performance now that the Japanese
car-makers have dropped their gentleman’s
agreement to publicly limit power outputs to
206kW. The new 2.0-litre engine produces
217kW of power at 6500rpm (up 11kW) and
366Nm of torque at 3500rpm (up 11Nm).
The powerplant is still a turbocharged
inline four-cylinder mounted transversely
and running a front-mounted intercooler,
but Mitsubishi has replaced the previous
cast-iron block with an aluminium one that
is 12kg lighter and fi tted a freer-fl owing
exhaust system that helps performance and
creates a sportier sound.
It now also has variable valve timing
for the intake and exhaust camshaft, which
helps widen the powerband. For example,
at 2000rpm there is 50Nm more torque
available compared to the previous model.
Mitsubishi did not provide an offi cial
0-100km/h sprint time, but internal fi gures
suggest a time of 5.7 seconds for the manual –
matching the offi cial time for the Evo IX – with
the dual-clutch auto being slightly slower.
While fuel consumption is unlikely to be a
determining factor for Evolution customers,
the offi cial combined fi gure has remained at
10.2L/100km for the manual and increases
to 10.5L/100km for the automatic.Continued next page
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GoAuto News July 16, 2008 Page 17
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Continued from previous pageThe Evolution requires 98 RON ultra-
premium unleaded, although it can run short
distances on 95 RON premium if required.
The standard transmission is now a fi ve-
speed manual instead of the six-speed of the
previous model, but Mitsubishi denies this is
a backward step and claims the extra torque
of the engine makes up for one less cog.
It went for the fi ve-speed because it could
handle the increased output of the engine.
Known as Twin Clutch Sports Shift
Transmission (TC-SST), the automatic option
is similar to the Volkswagen DSG. It has two
clutches and pre-emptively engages the next
gear to enable faster changes. There are three
shift modes – Normal, Sport or Super Sport
– and the driver can leave the transmission in
automatic mode or choose to shift manually
with the lever or with
paddles behind the
steering wheel.
Sport mode means
the shifts are faster and
the gearbox more likely
to hold onto gears, while the Super Sport
mode is even more aggressive. Both blip
the throttle on downchanges, but the note is
more noticeable in Super Sport mode.
Interestingly, Mitsubishi insiders hint that
the new Evolution fi tted with the TC-SST
automatic is pre-wired with a launch control
system, but the company is not inclined to
talk about it publicly because it is concerned
about potential component damage through
over-use.
As a result, the company will not tell
owners how to engage the system, although
we’re sure they will fi nd out soon enough.
Both Evo models run Brembo brakes as
standard, with ventilated brake discs that are
30mm larger and use four-piston callipers at
the front and two-piston callipers at the rear.
The MR variant and the performance pack
cars feature a high-performance two-piece
front disc that is also 1.3kg lighter per disc.
Suspension is largely the same as before,
using a MacPherson strut-type front and
multi-link rear confi guration, but this has
been tuned to suit the widened track and
bigger 18-inch wheels (Enkei on the base
model). The rear stabiliser bar is thicker for
a better roll profi le and new springs allow for
greater wheel travel over rough surfaces.
MR and performance pack models use
Bilstein shock absorbers and Eibach springs,
which are set up for a
fi rmer ride, and ride
on lighter forged BBS
alloy wheels.
The Evo continues
with its Super All Wheel
Drive Control system (S-AWDC), with a
helical front limited-slip differential that
manages power across the front axle, an
electronically controlled centre differential
that manages the power split between the
front and rear axles, and an active yaw
control feature that manages the power split
across the rear axles.
None of this has changed, but the
electronic stability control system – which
can now be switched off at the touch of a
button – adds individual wheel braking and
an engine management feature to attempt
to right a slide. As was the case before, the
S-AWDC system can perform in three modes
– tarmac, gravel and snow – to distribute the
power in different ways.
The weight of the Evolution has increased
by around 90kg to a total of 1565kg for the
standard car and 1625kg for the MR. The
TC-SST auto adds another 30kg over the
manual.
While some of the extra bulk can be
attributed to its larger size, loading it up
with more equipment has no doubt had an
impact on the scales.
Mitsubishi admits the previous Evos
looked as “bare as the base model” inside
and went about adding some features that
are expected of a car at this price.
The base Evo comes standard with body-
hugging Recaro sports seats, automatic
climate control, keyless entry (which allows
the driver to get in and start the car without
taking the key from their pocket), Bluetooth
connectivity, automatic headlights, rain-
sensing wipers and cruise control.
Side airbags, which were previously not
available, are now standard, along with
front, curtain and driver knee airbags.
Apart from the previously mentioned
performance upgrades, the MR adds the
TC-SST automatic, HID headlights with
cornering feature, heated leather front seats,
a Rockford Fosgate sound system with
boot-mounted subwoofer and a multimedia
system that includes satellite navigation and
a range of audio formats.
The Evolution models are backed by
a fi ve-year/130,000km warranty, with a
10-year/160,000km powertrain warranty.
Evolution colours include white, silver,
red, black and a blue that looks suspiciously
like the hero colour of its main rival.
Mitsubishi expects to sell around 60
Evolutions a month with a mix of 30 per
cent manual base car, 50 per cent automatic
base car and 20 per cent MR models.
DRIVE IMPRESSIONS: CLICK HERE
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PRICING:Lancer Evolution $59,490
Lancer Evolution (a) $64,990
Lancer Evolution MR (a) $71,690
GoAuto News July 16, 2008 Page 18
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By MARTON PETTENDYHONDA has revealed a sketch of the saucy
two-seater roadster concept that will make
its global debut at the British International
Motor Show in London on July 22.
More than just another convertible
concept, the Honda OSM (Open Study
Model) could be the latest step in the
Japanese car-maker’s strategy to produce
a family of hybrid sportscars, starting with
the road-going version of last year’s petrol-
electric CR-Z coupe concept in 2010.
After beating Toyota by just a matter of
months to deliver the world’s fi rst hybrid
production car in 2000 (the two-seater Insight
coupe, which lasted barely four years on
sale in Australia, from March 2001), Honda
has lost considerable ground to Toyota – a
brand name now synonymous with hybrid
vehicles thanks to the Prius, which is now
into its second generation and has attracted
more than one million sales globally.
The inconspicuous Civic Hybrid continues
and will be joined by a ‘global hybrid’ family
car from Honda in 2009, but just as Toyota’s
next-generation Prius will spawn a family
of unique hybrid models (including a Lexus
version), the OSM show car suggests Honda
does not plan on missing the hybrid party.
The low-emissions roadster is claimed
to “couple sleek looks with exciting
driving dynamics and more effi cient
engine technology, to give lower exhaust
emissions”.
Although Honda has stressed there are
no plans for the design study model to enter
production, it did claim it would “gather
feedback from customers at the show to
guide any future developments”.
Designed by the same talented young
designers that styled the Honda Small
Hybrid Sports Concept (Geneva 2007) and
the Accord Tourer Concept (Frankfurt 2007)
at Honda’s R&D facility in Offenbach,
Germany, the OSM wears a super-slippery
skin featuring a huge front airdam and
long, stylised headlights, differentiating it
signifi cantly from the CR-Z coupe.
There is a sloping rear-end that comprises
a wraparound lighting strip, plus six-spoke
alloys, but otherwise details remain scant.
The OSM will be joined in London by
the UK debut of Honda’s hydrogen fuel
cell production car, the FCX Clarity, fi rst
customer versions of which rolled off the line
in Japan last month. The fi rst examples will
be delivered in California this month, before
the FCX launches in Japan later this year.
Open mindOpen mind
Honda sketches its open-air hybrid sportscar plan
GoAuto News July 16, 2008 Page 19
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‘Suffering’ ‘Suffering’ -- but secure but secureDealer issues and fl eet deal failings are hurting Saab at the sales counter
Authoritative. Convenient pocket size Engine sizes and specs. Transmission and induction details. Chassis, engine and VIN numbers (and their locations) Rim dimensions Equipment levels. Body styles and variations. Limited editions documented
duction details. locations)
The pricing authority for over
Just $192.50 (incl GST). Phone Michaela Donovan (02) 9310 7622 to subscribe.
Specifications, identifying features, accurate line drawings of all models back ten years and more
THE 2008 RED BOOK IDENTIFICATION MANUAL
By TERRY MARTINSAAB Australia director Parveen Batish
has blamed dealer issues in Sydney and a
lack of fl eet sales nationwide as the primary
reasons behind the Swedish brand’s poor
sales performance this year.
Saab sales volume is down across all
model lines and a massive 28.9 per cent for
the marque as a whole in the fi rst half of
2008, following 214 sales in June – down
36.3 per cent on the June 2007 tally.
With just 806 buyers in six months and
a 0.1 per cent market share this year, Saab
could sell fewer than 1600 cars for the entire
year, down from around 1850 in 2007.
“We’re suffering in the Sydney market
– we’re not getting the sales from that area
as much as we should do,” Mr Batish told
GoAuto. “We had a change of dealerships
in Sydney and it always takes a while for
dealers to understand a premium brand and
to get going.
“The second thing is that we’re getting
good traction with retail customers but we
haven’t got good traction with fl eet. We
expected to have more of an input from fl eet
in terms of our overall sales.
“If you take those two in combination,
when you’re only selling 100 to 150 cars a
month, having your biggest market in the
country (Sydney) not performing, it has a
big impact.”
Mr Batish was unequivocal in his belief
that Saab’s slow sales were due
to its retail performance rather
than marketing and advertising
activities or the product itself.
“If I was to show you our leads
and test-drive enquiries for this
year compared to the last three
or four years – they’re up. We
know we’re getting more people
interested. We know we’re getting
more people interested in a test drive,
and we still have a very good conversion
rate … it’s just getting them there,” he
said.
“(The problem)
mainly seems to be
Sydney. We’re really
pleased with the
performance that
we’re getting in
Perth, in Adelaide,
in Canberra, and in
fact in Melbourne.
We don’t have a
very large network
– we only have 25 (dealers) – and of those
14 are in metro areas.
“If we could get every one of those 14
dealers up and running, that 25 to 27 per
cent negative (sales) would be 25 to 27 per
cent positive.
“Sydney is … a very fi ckle
market. It very much goes with the
newest, the trends, and so on. But
I think our customers have a little
bit of unrest in terms of the dealer
network over the last few years,
and that doesn’t help because they
don’t feel as confi dent.
“Premium customers like to see
familiar faces, they like to feel as
though they’re important et cetera,
which is quite right, really. Unfortunately,
when you have a change of hands, it takes
a bit of time for staff to understand the
different customers.
“When you’re used to selling a volume
brand and all of a sudden you’re dealing
with a premium brand, in terms of customers
it’s a different feel. The time it takes for a
premium customer to make a decision in
terms of buying a car is that much longer.
They’re not instantly turned on by whatever
is being advertised as far as a tactical
message is concerned.”Continued next page
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9-X BioHybrid
GoAuto News July 16, 2008 Page 20
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Z U P P S – D R I V E YO U R C A R E E R
C A R E E R O P P O R T U N I T I E SPart of Australia’s largest motor retailer, AHG Group, Zupps have been a Queensland icon for 60 years. With ten vehicle dealerships and three truck centres as well as a large parts distribution network we employ approximately 800 staff throughout Queensland.
FINANCIAL CONTROLLER – Southport
Reporting to the Dealer Principal, this role will require you to oversee and manage the financial wellbeing of the dealership; manage monthly and annual departmental and dealership operating reports; maintain an accurate set of accounts, costs and payments; maintain control to keep expenses, stock and debtors levels within budget and manage all department employees.
Ideally, the successful candidate will have the following:• Tertiary qualifications in accounting (CPA highly desirable).• Commitment to ongoing study to maintain skills and knowledge.• Thorough knowledge of tax, cash flow, cost accounting, FBT, GST and financial accounting.• Significant experience in an administrative role with substantial time in an automotive dealership.• Outstanding interpersonal and management skills.• Intermediate to advanced computer skills (ERA would be desirable).
Zupps offers positive and supportive work environment, excellent remuneration, career path opportunities and great team environment!
Please send your details to:Byron Flowers, Financial Controller, 83 Ferry Road, Southport QLD 4215. Phone: (07) 5561 6161. Email: [email protected]
This is an excellent opportunity for you to further your career with Australia’s largest automotive retailer.
Continued from previous pageMr Batish said he believed sales would
pick up in the second half of this year –
“we’re hoping to be at least on a similar
level to where we were last year” – and that
Saab, on an international level, remained
secure as a brand of General Motors.
“I think Saab is very secure. If you look at
the new product we showed in Detroit and in
Geneva, you can see that there is investment
in future products. And at the end of the day,
future products is the lifeline of any brand,”
he said.
“For Saab, we’ve had the 9-5 for too
long. And with the 9-3 you could argue
that 90 per cent of the bodywork was
changed, but we’ve had that probably
longer than most people
(competitors) would do
in their cycle. And also,
at the moment we don’t
have the proliferation
of products in terms
of the range that our
competitors do.”
Saab will get AWD
variants into its regular 9-3 range later
this year, while the long-overdue new-
generation 9-5 sedan has been pushed back
to next year.
The 9-4X SUV was shown at the North
American International Auto Show in
Detroit in January (with a 221kW/400Nm
version of the 2.0-litre BioPower engine),
while the 9-X BioHybrid unveiled at the
Geneva motor show in March was the fi rst
offi cial look at the forthcoming 9-1 compact
car. An all-new 9-3 is
also overdue.
“There’s absolutely no
reason why we couldn’t
double our volume over
the next few years,” Mr
Batish said. “That’s what
we’re trying to work
towards. We’ve had more
of a stable dealer network over the last two
years than we had in the previous two years.
We’ve turned over more than 50 per cent of
our dealer network.
“Over those circumstances, you can’t
help but reduce your sales, et cetera, and it
takes a while to stabilise. If you look at what
we’ve been trying to do, we are trying to
make sure that the brand is alive and people
understand what the brand is.
“We’ve spent the last 18 months or so
trying to tell people what the brand is about,
rather than just telling people what the
price is. And we’re going to continue to do
that. We’ve got to get equity in our brand –
we’re not there (at that level) with some of
our competitors – so we’ve got to get that
equity.
“We have to give people a reason to
go and look at our brand, and we haven’t
always done that in the past … The
plank that we are using is ‘responsible
performance’. We do provide performance
cars because that’s what people like. But
they’re also, at the moment, interested in
fuel economy.”
Continued from previous page
‘Suffering’ ‘Suffering’ -- but secure but secure
ca
al
re
do
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WHAT’S COMING: 9-3 XWD variants 4th qtr
All-new 9-5 2009
All-new 9-3 2010
9-4X SUV 2010
9-1 compact 2011
9-4X
GoAuto News July 16, 2008 Page 21
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finance fleet insurance salary packaging
If you have sound management experience, excellent interpersonal skills and a hands-on management style, the opportunity to be part of an exciting new start up company could be yours. nlc pty ltd is seeking a highly motivated, enthusiastic Manager who is ready to take the next step in their career. This is a signifi cant opportunity for someone with passion, initiative and entrepreneurial fl air to play an infl uential role within a small dynamic team to drive this new business venture.
Established in 1990, nlc has enjoyed rapid growth and success in providing novated lease and fl eet management services to many Australian companies. The company has been built by passionate people committed to helping customers keep ahead of changing fi nancial and fl eet management needs.
Based in Sydney and reporting to the CEO, you will have proven capability including responsibility for fi nance, marketing, sales, key account management and managing teams. Working with a small team, you will have an opportunity to apply your broad general management business skills.
Automotive industry knowledge is an essential requirement for this role.
If you are ready for your next career challenge, send your application to the HR Manager, nlc pty ltd,[email protected]
General Manager 2IC
Santa Fe recastSanta Fe recastHyundai gives its medium SUV more safety and style - but drops the 2WD
By MARTON PETTENDYHYUNDAI has heralded the late-2008
release of a revised Santa Fe medium
SUV model line-up, which will banish the
front-drive 3.3-litre petrol V6 variant from
the range and feature cosmetic and safety
upgrades.
The new range will comprise one all-
wheel drive variant powered by the existing
138kW/248Nm 2.7-litre petrol V6 (entry-
level SX trim only) and three AWD variants
powered by a carryover 114kW/34Nm
2.2-litre CRDi turbo-
diesel four-cylinder,
which Hyundai
claims makes the
Santa Fe Australia’s
most fuel-effi cient
medium SUV.
The 2007 Santa
Fe 3.3 2WD will
continue at run-out pricing until the new
model range arrives in the fourth quarter.
While the single-model 2.7 SX will be
available with either fi ve-speed manual or
four-speed automatic transmissions, the
three-tier 2.2 CRDi version will come in
SX, SLX and Elite trim levels – the latter
two exclusively with seven seats and a fi ve-
speed auto.
The 2008 Santa Fe will be differentiated
via a new chrome-fi nished grille, and entry-
level SX versions gain electronic stability
control (ESC) including traction control,
full-length side
curtain airbags and
front side (thorax)
airbags.
The changes will
make the potentially
life-saving safety
features standard
across the entire
Santa Fe range following the Korean
brand’s employment of stability control
as a key marketing campaign. However,
other Hyundai SUVs including the Terracan
continue to be unavailable with ESC.
In addition, the fi ve-seater Santa Fe SX
will continue to offer standard features
including twin front airbags, ABS brakes
with electronic brake-force distribution
(EBD), 17-inch alloy wheels, a six-speaker
sound system and a roof rack system with
“one-touch” sliding bars.
The mid-range Santa Fe SLX will gain a
dual-zone climate-control air-conditioning
system with external temperature display as
standard, and continue to add to the SX grade
a folding third-row seat, cool box, “parent”
mirror, front foglights, mesh sports seat fabric,
a trip computer and heated door mirrors.
The top-shelf Santa Fe Elite will
be unchanged, adding powered front
seats, 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic
headlights-on, door and boot chrome
inserts, an electro-chromatic interior
mirror with integrated digital compass,
an electric glass sunroof, six-CD in-dash
audio system and seven speakers, leather
seat facings, a rear spoiler and stainless
steel scuff plates.
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PRICING: 2.7 V6 AWD SX 5-seat $33,990
2.7 V6 AWD SX 5-seat (a) $35,990
2.2 CRDi AWD SX 5-seat $36,990
2.2 CRDi AWD SX 5-seat (a) $38,990
2.2 CRDi AWD SLX 7-seat (a) $41,990
2.2 CRDi AWD Elite 7-seat (a) $46,990
GoAuto July 16, 2008 Page 22
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Green issues in the auto world
GoAuto Green is brought to you by Custom Fleet
Custom FleetPart of GE Commercial Finance
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Drive Lightly with Custom Fleet.To find out how to reduce your fleet’s carbon footprint, call Custom Fleet on 1800 812 681.
Red team’s green effectRed team’s green effectFerrari uses Formula One tech to help meet future economy, emissions laws
By DAVID HASSALLWHEN Ferrari needs to meet a technical
challenge like those presented by the
environmental age, it needs to look no
further than the famed race team located
at the back of the company’s famous
Maranello production factory.
One of the long-term projects currently
being assessed involves Kinetic Energy
Recovery Systems (called KERS), which
Ferrari is developing for F1 under new
regulations that apply from 2009.
In the F1 application, KERS involves
capturing the energy produced from
braking, for example, and feeding it, when
required, to one or more electric motors
built into the drivetrain to allow a burst of
extra performance for overtaking.
KERS technology is also used on hybrid
road cars such as the Toyota Prius (in which
it is called regenerative braking), where it is
used to help keep the main battery charged.
Energy recovery is linked with hybrids,
but Ferrari will not produce a hybrid car as
we know it – simply one that uses electric
motors that can utilise energy which
would otherwise go to waste, improving
performance and effi ciency.
Ferrari road car technical director Roberto
Fedeli has told GoAuto that Ferrari is
currently building a road-going 599-based
test car that will be fi tted with the same
KERS components being developed for use
in Kimi Raikkonen’s 2009 F1 car.
“This is not for production, but is only
a concept study to better understand what
we can achieve with this technology,” said
Mr Fedeli. “For Formula One, this kind of
technology will give you something like 50
horsepower for overtaking, but for the road
cars the electric engines are very important
for approaching the (European Commission)
regulations in a very good way.
“If you are driving in the regulation
(combined) cycle, you have a very high
gain from this kind of technology, but if you
drive the car outside the cycle the gains that
you can have are not so high.
“Our clients drive the car in the city
for only a very small time – it’s not so
important – but, from a practical point of
view, we have to meet the regulations and ...
perhaps in the future, when the technology
is ready, it may be a good solution.
“We are also thinking about more
applicable solutions like the supercharger
and so on. So our innovation basket of
projects has more than one solution and we
are thinking about the approach to the project
but also with a more physical approach – not
prototypes, because that suggests you will
serialise the cars, but with ‘demo’ cars.”
While acknowledging the need to meet
environmental standards, Ferrari underlines
the importance of maintaining all the sporty
and performance characteristics that have
made the Prancing Horse such an iconic
brand, and of using the technology transfer
from the world’s oldest, most famous and
most successful F1 team.
As well as helping to meet targets such
as the 2012 Euro emissions standards,
Ferrari’s technology transfer has produced
big gains in performance.
For example, the F430 Scuderia launched
last year has 150 horsepower less than the
mighty Enzo from only fi ve years earlier,
yet it produces the same lap time around
Ferrari’s superb Fiorano test track located
next to the race team at Maranello.
“Technology is still fundamental to
Ferrari, as well as the technology transfer
from Formula One to the GT cars – that’s
what really makes Ferrari cars different,”
Ferrari press offi ce chief Davide Kluzer
told GoAuto.
“Formula One is not just a marketing tool,
but the best resource of technical innovation.
Ferrari was the fi rst to introduce a Formula
One gearbox into a road car, we introduced
the electronic differential in the F430, we
learn lessons for aerodynamic effi ciency,
we develop lightweight materials and now
you see carbon-ceramic brakes standard on
all our cars.
“In the future, it will help us develop
systems to reduce consumption, so we will
continue to exploit Formula One ... and I
think we have the capability, knowledge
and the passion to face new challenges.
“What makes Ferrari different is that
we face challenges every weekend with
Formula One and other championships.
Racing and challenges and technology are
part of our DNA. Without challenges, this
company would not survive.”
Kimi Raikkonen
GoAuto News July 16, 2008 Page 23
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AFTER confi rming last week that it was
working towards a late-2010 production start
date for its forthcoming plug-in hybrid sedan
known as the WhiteStar, American electric
car manufacturer Tesla Motors has named
former Chrysler engineering executive Mike
Donoughe as the man who will lead the
production development of this car.
Armed with the title of executive vice-
president of vehicle engineering and
manufacturing, Mr Donoughe will be
responsible for manufacturing, supply
chain, quality and operations for Tesla
Motors. He will oversee the electric sports
sedan program – described offi cially as
“Model S” – as well as the company’s
recently introduced Tesla Roadster.
To be built in California rather than New
Mexico as previously planned, the four-
door fi ve-seater model has been at the heart
of legal action against rival Henrik Fisker,
whom Tesla initially contracted to design
the sedan but is now alleged to have done
substandard work and in effect delayed
the introduction of the vehicle. Mr Fisker
is also alleged to have used confi dential
information from the project to develop his
own rival sedan.
Signifi cantly, Tesla Motors president
Ze’ev Drori said that the zero-emissions
WhiteStar would, unlike the niche roadster,
be a “high-volume” vehicle built for “mid-
range family use”. He also confi rmed that
Tesla would “continue on and build even
more affordable (electric) cars” with a
cheaper model known as the BlueStar.
“Mike’s immediate priorities are to ensure
that production of the Tesla Roadster runs
smoothly and effi ciently and to drive the
continued development of our next car, the
‘Model S’ – a four-door, fi ve-passenger sports
sedan,” Mr Drori said.
Mr Donoughe was previously vice-
president of ‘Project D’ at Chrysler, where he
led the redesign of the company’s global mid-
size vehicle portfolio. He had spent 24 years
at Chrysler, leading various product creation
efforts, including the ‘Stow N Go’ minivans,
Jeep Wrangler and Dodge Ram programs.
Mr Donoughe also spent three years with
Mercedes-Benz in Stuttgart as director of
passenger car development (M- and R-class).
Read more: Electric car wars
TOP CHRYSLER ENGINEER TO OVERSEE TESLA GROWTH PHASE
VOLKSWAGEN Group Australia managing
director Jutta Dierks has been appointed to
the German manufacturer’s ‘Global Top
Management’ – a group of about 220 senior
managers from across the world “who have
excelled in all areas of the business”.
A 25-year Volkswagen veteran, Ms Dierks
has worked in areas of fi nance, human
resources, parts and sales across Europe, China
and, since 2005, Australia. According to a
statement released last week, the appointment
is a signifi cant personal honour for Ms Dierks
and is also recognition of the contribution the
Australian arm now makes to the international
Volkswagen AG business.
VW AUSTRALIA CHIEF BECOMES GLOBAL TOP MANAGER
M D h i l i
By JOHN MELLORAUSTRALIA’S leading auto website
Carsales has gone back in time with its latest
alliance with Yahoo!7, announced this week.
Under the deal, Carsales becomes the auto
content provider to the web portal which is
jointly run by the Seven Network and Yahoo!
Car buyers will now get Carsales web pages
co-branded as Yahoo!7 and Carsales.
The move harks back to 2000 when Yahoo!
gained a 10 per cent share of Carsales as part of
a three-year advertising deal in which Carsales
also paid $1 million. At the time Yahoo! was
the second most-visited website in Australia.
Under the arrangement, Carsales ran the
auto classifi eds section of the website called
Yahoo! Cars. But the performance of the
portal in delivering traffi c to Carsales was
seriously disappointing and the deal ended in
tears when Yahoo! sold its 15 million Carsales
shares to Fairfax without notice to Carsales
and installed Drive.com.au advertising
instead of Carsales advertising.
When the three-year Yahoo!/Fairfax deal,
said to be worth $3 million, expired recently,
Carsales moved in. This time the Yahoo!7
deal will be performance-based with traffi c
targets and revenue-sharing arrangements.
One intriguing element to the arrangement
is that Carsales is now the automotive
classifi ed provider for fi erce free-to-air rivals
Seven Network and Nine Network with the
latest deal on Seven and the Carsales-owned
CarPoint website running on the NineMSN
web portal.
Ironically, the Yahoo!/Fairfax shares
wound up in the hands of PBL Media, which
bought the Fairfax parcel in the wake of the
merging of ACP’s online motoring assets
with Carsales in 2005.
The Fairfax acquisition gave the PBL
interests just over half of Carsales but that
holding has been watered down to just
under half with the exercising of options by
Carsales management and directors over the
past year.
Disclosure: John Mellor has shares in
Carsales.com.au Ltd.
CARSALES STRIKES NEW DEAL WITH YAHOO!
Tesla Roadster
GoAuto News July 16, 2008 Page 24
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GoAuto’s latest car review www.GoAuto.com.au
Audi A4 1.8 TFSI sedan
It works.Get us working for you. Become a Carsales dealer 1300 308 690
JULY:Audi A3 CabrioBMW X6 SUVHolden Colorado uteHolden SportwagonHSV W427 sedanMazda RX-8 faceliftMitsubishi Lancer EvoNissan Navara King CabNissan X-Trail diesel
New model diary: CLICK HERE
Launch Padbrought to you by
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Holden Sportwagon
A3 Cabrio
CAR REVIEW: CLICK HERE
AUDI has just replaced its volume-selling A4 with a new model that promises a far more sophisticated package to counter BMW and Mercedes-Benz, the
established prestige Germans in the segment. The new A4’s entry-level engine, the 1.8-litre TFSI, is a brand new design that, in tandem with the car’s new, bigger body, impressive interior and extensive features list, gives the Audi A4 its best shot yet of taking a bigger slice of the entry-level executive
sedan market.
FORD RWD ‘RETHINK’THE Ford Motor Co’s global development
program for large rear-wheel drive cars is
now being reviewed in light of rising fuel
costs and changing market trends.
Global product development chief
Derrick Kuzak has told US industry journal
Automotive News that he is reconsidering
the program, which sources indicate was on
track for the 2013 model year.
“We need to understand the role of those
vehicles, given the change in the market
mix,” Mr Kuzak said, but added that
development work continued at full speed.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
308 CC BREEZES INPEUGEOT has released images and details of
its forthcoming 308 CC 2+2 coupe-cabriolet,
the latest model from the French marque
to use a folding steel roof and one with the
promise of all-round comfort via four full-
size seats and increased rear legroom.
To make its world debut at the Paris
motor show in October, and due on sale in
Australia inside 12 months, the 308 CC is
based on the hatchback and has a number of
striking features, not least of which is a new
104kW 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
500 ABARTH SPECIALFIAT has launched its 500 Abarth hot hatch
in Europe with a limited-issue “Opening
Edition” that has more power, bigger brakes,
modifi ed suspension and a unique 17-inch
wheel-and-tyre combination. But here’s the
rub: only 100 will be built and then only for
its home market of Italy.
The standard version of the famous
Scorpion-badged Abarth is due in Australia
mid-2009 and features a 1.4-litre turbocharged
four-cylinder engine developing 99kW at
5500rpm and 180Nm at 2500rpm (or 206Nm
at 3000rpm in ‘Sport’ mode). By contrast,
this Opening salvo has a more highly tuned
version of the engine that develops 118kW at
5750rpm and 230Nm at 3000rpm – enough
to propel the little pocket rocket, via a fi ve-
speed manual gearbox and the front wheels,
from 0-100km/h in a claimed 7.4 seconds.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
RESTYLE FOR C4TWO new 1.6-litre petrol engines
co-developed with BMW and a revised
C5-style front-end are the headline acts of
a midlife facelift for Citroen’s C4 hatch,
which makes its world public debut at the
Paris motor show in October and goes on
sale in Australia in mid-2009.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
PICASSO DOWN TO C3WITHIN hours of revealing its facelifted
C4 hatch, Citroen has released fi rst images
and details of its surprising new C3 Picasso
- three months ahead of its global public
premiere at the Paris motor show in October.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
MAHINDRA HEADS WESTAUSTRALIAN Mahindra distributor TMI
Pacifi c has announced it will expand its
dealer network beyond the eastern seaboard
to South Australia within the next three
months, before opening Mahindra Pik-Up
outlets in Western Australia.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
CORRECTIONGOAUTO would like to clarify that VE
Commodore factory LPG conversions are
performed by HSVi (Individual) at a facility
adjacent to Holden’s Elizabeth assembly
plant in Adelaide, not at HSV’s base in
Clayton, Melbourne.
308 CC BREEZES IN
308 CC