Comments on: Building Cars No One Wants http://www.aussiemotoring.com/2006/12/20/building-cars-no-one-wants/ News and Reviews From the Australian Motoring Scene Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:21:27 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Stuart http://www.aussiemotoring.com/2006/12/20/building-cars-no-one-wants/comment-page-1/#comment-11787 Stuart Fri, 13 Feb 2009 22:38:58 +0000 http://www.aussiemotoring.com/2006/12/20/building-cars-no-one-wants/#comment-11787 Stuart The question of seats and seat designs is a very interesting one and something I'm going to get one of our writers to look at in more depth. It's hard to believe that some designers get seats so right while others get them so wrong. Back around 1994 I was stationed at a two-man centre that had two vehicles and a huge area to cover. One was a brand new Falcon sedan while the other was a Hoden Rodeo ute. As the officer-in-charge I had my choice of which vehicle I wanted to drive and always chose the Rodeo ... even with a bench seat ... was a lot more comfortable to drive than the Falcon. These days I share office space with a guy who has a late model Falcon wagon and sometimes borrow it for a day return trip to Brisbane ... I only do that when I really have to because the seats in my 2000 model Hyundai Grandeur offer much better support and, like you, I don't have to fold myself into the car. Before I learned to do that I whacked my head on the top of the door opening several times. As for your other question about importing and modifying a vehicle from the UK, I'm afraid I can't help you. One time there were several businesses that specialised in that but whether they're still around in these tough times is anyone's guess. Stuart ... the editor :) Stuart

The question of seats and seat designs is a very interesting one and something I’m going to get one of our writers to look at in more depth. It’s hard to believe that some designers get seats so right while others get them so wrong.

Back around 1994 I was stationed at a two-man centre that had two vehicles and a huge area to cover. One was a brand new Falcon sedan while the other was a Hoden Rodeo ute. As the officer-in-charge I had my choice of which vehicle I wanted to drive and always chose the Rodeo … even with a bench seat … was a lot more comfortable to drive than the Falcon.

These days I share office space with a guy who has a late model Falcon wagon and sometimes borrow it for a day return trip to Brisbane … I only do that when I really have to because the seats in my 2000 model Hyundai Grandeur offer much better support and, like you, I don’t have to fold myself into the car.

Before I learned to do that I whacked my head on the top of the door opening several times.

As for your other question about importing and modifying a vehicle from the UK, I’m afraid I can’t help you. One time there were several businesses that specialised in that but whether they’re still around in these tough times is anyone’s guess.

Stuart … the editor :)

]]> By: stuart http://www.aussiemotoring.com/2006/12/20/building-cars-no-one-wants/comment-page-1/#comment-11779 stuart Fri, 13 Feb 2009 10:33:00 +0000 http://www.aussiemotoring.com/2006/12/20/building-cars-no-one-wants/#comment-11779 Speaking of imported cars, do you know anyone in Oz who would import and comply a Ford C Max diesel from the UK. These are the most comfortable car on the market, bar none and it astounds me that they're not sold here. If you don't believe me, sit in a Falcon (I have) then sit in one of these (I have). You instantly discover the Falcon's ergonomics to be the throw back to the 1970's that they are, ie low seat position and you have to bend your head down every time you get in and out of the thing (no good for 6 foot plus like me with a dodgy back). To get an idea of what I'm talking about, go and sit in a Ford teritory and now imagine this space in a car about the size of a Ford Focus with 4 cylinder diesel diesel economy. Better yet, why don't we build thewm here? Speaking of imported cars, do you know anyone in Oz who would import and comply a Ford C Max diesel from the UK. These are the most comfortable car on the market, bar none and it astounds me that they’re not sold here. If you don’t believe me, sit in a Falcon (I have) then sit in one of these (I have). You instantly discover the Falcon’s ergonomics to be the throw back to the 1970’s that they are, ie low seat position and you have to bend your head down every time you get in and out of the thing (no good for 6 foot plus like me with a dodgy back). To get an idea of what I’m talking about, go and sit in a Ford teritory and now imagine this space in a car about the size of a Ford Focus with 4 cylinder diesel diesel economy. Better yet, why don’t we build thewm here?

]]> By: David Layton http://www.aussiemotoring.com/2006/12/20/building-cars-no-one-wants/comment-page-1/#comment-8130 David Layton Sat, 15 Mar 2008 02:17:28 +0000 http://www.aussiemotoring.com/2006/12/20/building-cars-no-one-wants/#comment-8130 Yes a medium sized 4 cylinder car ( including a diesel) locally built is long overdue. How big is the average Australia family. 2 adults 2 children max. Ford/Holden run from Detroit and we all know how fuel efficent Yank cars are. We desperatley need a lot more European influence in locally built cars.Smaller/lighter, fuel efficent, high on safety features is required. Yes a medium sized 4 cylinder car ( including a diesel) locally built is long overdue. How big is the average Australia family. 2 adults 2 children max.
Ford/Holden run from Detroit and we all know how fuel efficent Yank cars are. We desperatley need a lot more European influence in locally built cars.Smaller/lighter, fuel efficent, high on safety features is required.

]]> By: thelma forster http://www.aussiemotoring.com/2006/12/20/building-cars-no-one-wants/comment-page-1/#comment-6958 thelma forster Fri, 23 Nov 2007 09:19:50 +0000 http://www.aussiemotoring.com/2006/12/20/building-cars-no-one-wants/#comment-6958 I bought a 4 cylinder car I don't want or need speed,just comfort and safety.. I think a meduim car running on hydrogen would be the answer to their woes... cheap lean and green..... the technology is available....so come on... I bought a 4 cylinder car I don’t want or need speed,just comfort and safety.. I think a meduim car running on hydrogen would be the answer to their woes… cheap lean and green….. the technology is available….so come on…

]]> By: alborz http://www.aussiemotoring.com/2006/12/20/building-cars-no-one-wants/comment-page-1/#comment-1010 alborz Wed, 20 Dec 2006 04:41:06 +0000 http://www.aussiemotoring.com/2006/12/20/building-cars-no-one-wants/#comment-1010 It always amazes me how Aussie manufacturers continue to make big family cars, realize they are not selling, and then ask for money, so they can build more of these big family cars, and we, the tax payers, are funding their mistakes It always amazes me how Aussie manufacturers continue to make big family cars, realize they are not selling, and then ask for money, so they can build more of these big family cars, and we, the tax payers, are funding their mistakes

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