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What is the World Coming To?
By Stuart Livesey on Mar 28, 2007 in General News
MG – that classic British sports car – is now owned by Nanjing Automotive and built in China.
Archive for March, 2007
Have You Purchased a Black Rat Power Lifter?
By Stuart Livesey on Mar 23, 2007 in General News
It’s a car jack in case you didn’t know.
If you have bought one of those then the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission would like you to return it to the point of purchase and obtain a refund.
The Federal Court has ordered that the jack be recalled because testing has shown that the jack cannot lift [...]
Sometimes the Truth Hurts
by Stuart Livesey
Consumer Reports is a US based expert, indepenent, non profit organisation not unlike our Australian Consumers Association so when they do their annual report on the best and worst cars it’s well worth a look … unless you happen to be Mercedes Benz.
If you happen to be Mercedes Benz then the 2007 report5 [...]
Over 30 Years Old …
By Stuart Livesey on Mar 21, 2007 in General News
… and still going strong
by Stuart Livesey
This is a Mini Moke (built back in the days when no one would have dreamed of a German car maker buying out a British manufacturer) – about 1.2 litres under the bonnet – runs on the smell of an oily rag and has to be around 30 [...]
A New Kia in Australia
by Stuart Livesey
Before winter arrives Kia plans on having the Kia Rondo available in Australia.
If you don’t quite recognise the model name then think Kia Carens in overseas markets and you’re right on the button.
Overseas the Kia Carens comes in a variety of equipment levels and is available in either 2 litre petrol [...]
Low Rates of Pay?
Perhaps I’m showing my age but I can remember back to a time when we were told that Japanese cars were so cheap because the workers on the production line back in Japan were poorly paid.
A quick glance at a new story in the auto section of Business Week Online might seem to confirm that [...]
Ford Sells Aston Martin
By Stuart Livesey on Mar 13, 2007 in General News
by Stuart Livesey
Starting in 1986 Ford began purchasing shares in Aston Martin and currently has complete control of the company. However Ford is now in financial difficulties and has decided to sell off Aston Martin in an attempt to raise some much needed cash.
It was announced today that Ford has now sold Aston Martin to [...]
Record Motor Vehicle Sales in February
By Stuart Livesey on Mar 12, 2007 in General News
The Australian automotive industry has shaken off the effects of last year’s petrol price volatility and interest rate rises to post an all-time record sales total for the month of February.
Official VFACTS retail figures released today by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries show that 83,740 motor vehicles were sold last month – an increase [...]
Toyota, Jeep, Chrysler and Dodge
By Stuart Livesey on Mar 09, 2007 in Chrysler, Dodge, General News, Jeep, Land Cruiser, Lexus, Toyota
What do all these have in common here in Australia?
by Stuart Livesey
Since the beginning of March they’ve all issued recalls on vehicles and the recalls have all had to do with the braking system.
Toyota has issued the biggest recall of vehicles and it’s safe to say that this recall would have to be one of [...]
Three Winners From Kia?
by Stuart Livesey
Despite some heavy advertising campaigns Kia continues to not live up to its potential in the new car market in Australia. Kia’s share of the market currently wanders between 1.8% and 2.1% but things might improve for Kia if they were to bring these three models into the country.
Two are based on the [...]
New Vehicle Sales for February 2007
By Stuart Livesey on Mar 06, 2007 in General News
Sales are definitely up
New vehicle sales throughout Australia during February 2007 totalled 83,740. That’s an increase of 6,294 vehicles over the same month last year and 6,804 more vehicles than were sold in January 2007.
Once again Toyota led the market with 18,602 vehicles sold, Holden was next with 13,083, Ford was third with 9,110, Mazda [...]
Holden Cuts 600 Jobs
Holden has announced that it will be cutting 600 jobs from its Adelaide workforce. Holden says that increased efficiency at it’s Elizabeth plant and the end of production of the VZ models has meant that 600 positions have become surplus to requirements.
Got an Old VW Diesel?
Then you might wish you lived in the US
by Stuart Livesey
Volkswagen of America, Inc. are looking for the oldest and highest mileage diesel-powered Volkswagens in America. Interested owners have until May 31 to register their vehicles if they think that their VW diesel might be the record holder.
The oldest U.S. market diesel Volkswagen search [...]
