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LUBRICANTS. 

TECHNOLOGY. 

PEOPLE. 

fuchs.com.au 

Jan 30, 2013 Australia’s No.1 Automotive Industry Journal No. 663 70,000 Readers Weekly 

Better Place hit 

Focus on Israel, Denmark sidelines Better Place in Australia as Thornley departs 

EXCLUSIVE 

By HAITHAM RAZAGUI 

THE Australian future of electric-vehicle 

charging infrastructure provider Better 

Place is in doubt as the global company 

shifts focus onto its best-established, core 

markets of Denmark and Israel to battle 

accumulated global losses approaching 

$US600 million ($A576m). 

This change of tack follows the recent 

departure of the company’s global 

CEO Evan Thornley – an Australian 

former politician, entrepreneur and chief 

executive of Better Place’s local arm – 

after less than four months in the role. 

According to insiders, expansion of 

Better Place Australia’s public charging 

network is on hold until the new global 

leadership team makes clear indications 

of what the local impact of its change 

in focus will be – but the options on the 

table are clear: to keep pushing forward 

or pull back. 

Almost a quarter of Better Place 

Australia staff are understood to 

have already been laid off as part 

of a worldwide rescue plan 

formulated by Mr Thornley. 

The RACV, Lend Lease 

Ventures, energy group 

ActewAGL and several private 

investors have pumped a 

combined $27 million into 

Better Place Australia. 

It is unclear whether Better 

Place Australia’s woes were infl uenced 

by or had an infl uence on Renault’s 

decision late last year to indefi nitely 

postpone the Australian introduction 

of its electric Fluence ZE sedan, the 

world’s only production car compatible 

with Better Place’s battery swap 

technology. 

Only a handful of prototypes around 

 

 

the world, such as the seven electricpowered 

Holden Commodores built 

by Port Melbourne start-up company 

EV Engineering – of which Better 

Place is a major partner – and a fl eet of 

Nissan Dualis taxis built for a 

Better Place trial in Tokyo have 

battery swap capability. 

Renault appears to have 

dropped the battery swap 

technology central to Better 

Place’s business plan as the 

Kangoo ZE, Zoe and Twizy 

Evan Thornley EVs all have fi xed batteries – 

and there is little sign of the technology 

being adopted by other manufacturers. 

Continued next page 

► Nissan Pulsar 

► Subaru Forester XT 

► LDV V80 

LAUNCHED 

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GoAuto News 

Better Place hit 

Continued from previous page 

Nevertheless, Better Place reportedly 

remains committed globally to battery 

swapping as it regards the technology as 

the most convenient way of extending 

the range of electric vehicles. 

In an open letter to Better Place 

employees, excerpts of which were 

published in The Financial Times, Mr 

Thornley said he stepped down because 


GoAuto News 

PUBLISHER: John Mellor 

EDITOR: Terry Martin 

MANAGING EDITOR: Ron Hammerton 

JOURNALISTS: Haitham Razagui, Mike Costello, 

Byron Mathioudakis, Ian Porter 

PRODUCTION: Luc Britten, Ian James 

SUB-EDITOR: David Hassall 

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT: Tim Nicholson 

Produced by GoAutoMedia: Ph: (03) 9598 6477 

newsroom@mellor.net 

ADVERTISE: Steve Butcher 

Ph: 0419 562 110 ads@mellor.net 

SUBSCRIBE FREE: www.GoAutoMedia.com 

“strong and honestly held differences 

have emerged at the most senior levels 

of the company about how we best take 

the company forward”. 

Mr Thornley’s promotion to global 

CEO arose from a leadership shake-up in 

October that ousted Better Place founder 

Shai Agassi from the top job as investors 

lost patience with the mounting losses. 

In a recent interview with Reuters, 

Better Plac e chief fi nancial offi cer Alan 

Gelman, who was promoted to deputy 

CEO and chairman of the Danish 

operation following Mr Thornley’s 

departure, admitted the company was 

at times “too focused on turning into a 

global company and expanded too fast”. 

He added that “most time and effort will 

be on operations in Israel and Denmark”, 

painting a bleak picture for the future of 

Better Place’s Australian operation. 

Disclosure: Better Place is a sponsor of 

the GoAutoGreen section of GoAutoNews. 

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE 

Fluence ZE on hold – page 21 

We need a DMS supplier that offers the latest 

technology, has proven change management 

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They must provide us with fi rst-class technical 

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Talk to us today. sales@auto-it.com.au | 03 9349 3062 


Jan 30, 2013 Page 2 

Mitsubishi fi res back at 

report of i-MiEV axing 

By RON HAMMERTON 

MITSUBISHI Motors Australia Ltd 

(MMAL) has fi red back at a report that 

it has dropped the i-MiEV electric city 

car from its line-up, saying it has no 

plans to do so. 

More than 80 of the slow-selling allelectric 

runabouts were registered in 

December as the company pushed them 

into dealerships across the country. 

Just 14 of the cars had been registered 

in the previous 11 months of 2012, and 

only three the previous December. 

Mitsubishi acknowledges sales of the 

pioneering electric car – the fi rst massproduced 

EV on the Australian market – 

have been slow, and that future deliveries 

will be made only on customer order. 

Stung by a Fairfax Media report that 

indicated the model had been dropped, 

Mitsubishi issued a media statement 

saying it had no plans to do so and that 

it was expanding its i-MiEV dealership 

network from the previous nine specialist 

outlets to a much larger number. 

MMAL CEO Mutsuhiro Oshikiri 

was quoted as saying: “We have been 

implementing an expansion plan to 

increase electric vehicles and PHEV 

sales in Australia by making them 

more widely available.” 


i-MiEV

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GoAuto News 


Pulsar back in town 

AUTOMOTIVE PERSONNEL 

International 

www.automotivepersonnel.com.au 

Email: craig@automotivepersonnel.com.au or brooke@automotivepersonnel.com.au 

Jan 30, 2013 Page 4 

Product-led Nissan renaissance starts with new value-laden, spacious small sedan 


NISSAN’S Pulsar sedan is back and 

ready to take a big slice of Australia’s 

hotly contested small-car segment with 

its spacious interior and sharp $19,990 

(plus on-road costs) starting price. 

After disappointing sales of the Tiida 

that replaced the Pulsar in 2006, Nissan 

Australia fought hard to bring back 

the Pulsar nameplate – which is now 

unique to Australia – for this larger new 

Thai-built model. 

A distinctly styled hatchback version 

– with a turbocharged sports variant that 

will reprise the iconic SSS designation 

– will join the line-up three or four 

months from now. 

The Pulsar is a vital piece of Nissan 

Australia’s aggressive growth strategy, 

and Nissan Australia managing director 

and CEO Bill Peffer said he hoped the 

Pulsar could take the fi ght up to Toyota’s 

Group Business Manager 

Privately owned group seeking a Group Business 

Manager or Senior Business Manager who’s ready 

to take the next step in their career to build and 

 

Corolla, which shifted 38,799 units last 

year for a 19.6 per cent segment share. 

If that happened, Nissan, which sold 

79,747 cars in Australia last year, could 

potentially overtake both Mazda (103,886 

units in 2012) and Holden (114,665 units 

in 2012) to become not only Australia’s 

top full-line importer but 

second-biggest car brand here. 

“We would love to be 

number one (in small cars), 

but it depends on what our 

competitors do,” said Mr Peffer. 

“I am sure they are just not 

going to roll over and let us take sales 

from them.” 

Mr Peffer said Nissan was aiming to 

quadruple its small-car sales compared 

with Tiida, which sold just 3059 units 

last year. 

He said Nissan had received thousands 

of expressions of interest in a special 

 

Register now on our website for specialised JOB ALERTS!! 

Regional Manager - Southern Region 

Our client requires an industry professional to lead the regional team 

for this growing brand. You will demonstrate a stable career in driving a 

Sales, Service and Parts teams to support the Dealer network in achieving 

- 

 

appropriate industry training to enable you to be short listed and receive 

a Position Description. 

 

 

pre-sale offer of monthly lease payments 

from $299 and guaranteed future value. 

Nissan has a packed Australian launch 

schedule this year with the V8 Patrol 

luxury SUV, Altima mid-size sedan, 

Juke crossover, Pathfi nder seven-seat 

SUV and a diesel variant of the popular 

Dualis compact SUV. 

PRICING: 

Recent motor show concepts 

ST $19,990 

have also previewed the 

ST (a) $22,240 

next-generation X-Trail and 

ST-L $23,650 

ST-L (a) $25,900 

Murano SUVs that will keep 

Ti (a) $28,990 

the Nissan product pipeline 

pumping in the future. 

Mr Peffer said the well-regarded 

Pulsar name still has a 71 per cent 

awareness rate with the Australian 

public and it is no accident that the 

$19,990 starting price matches that of 

every Pulsar generation between 1996 

and 2006. 


02 9331 3477


GoAuto News 

Pulsar back in town 


Of the big players in Australia’s smallcar 

segment, the Pulsar is one of few 

models with a base variant combining 

air-conditioning, cruise control, 16-inch 

alloy wheels, a multifunction steering 

wheel, remote keyless entry and a sixspeaker 

audio system with Bluetooth 

phone connectivity, MP3 and iPod 

compatibility. 

Further building the value case for 

Nissan is the fact that mid- and top-spec 

Pulsar variants are priced at least $1000 

lower than popular equivalents from 

Mazda, Toyota, Holden, Hyundai and 

Ford. 

Value becomes even stronger 

higher up the three-tier model line-up, 

culminating in a $28,990 top-spec Ti 

variant that offers almost unmatched 

levels of equipment for the money. 

The mid-range ST-L ($23,650 manual 

or $2250 extra for an automatic CVT) 

adds a colour audio system display, 

LED daytime running lights, front 

foglights, a rear spoiler and upgraded 

interior materials including a leather 

Expressions of interest are being sought 

by our client on the sale of its dealership 

business comprising of a high volume major 

German luxury brand located in one of the 

prime metro markets in Australia. The ability 

to acquire such a prestigious dealership 

represents a wonderful once in a lifetime 

opportunity. 

The expressions of interest will be assessed 

based on a number of factors including, 

but not limited to, proposed consideration, 

financial capacity and expected acceptability 

to the manufacturer. 

steering wheel and gear selector. 

The Mazda3 Maxx Sport ($24,490 

manual) goes further with desirable 

equipment including sat-nav and 

Bluetooth audio streaming, while the 

Hyundai Elantra Elite ($23,590 manual) 

has dual-zone climate control, but the 

Pulsar is competitively positioned at 

this price point. 

Nissan has fi tted top-spec Ti variants 

($28,990 with standard CVT) with 

sat-nav, leather upholstery, dual-zone 

air-conditioning, dusk-sensing Xenon 

headlights, keyless entry/start, 17-inch 

alloy wheels and a reversing camera. 

An Elantra Premium runs close with 

an almost identical price and similar 

spec that substitutes the Pulsar’s sat-nav 

and Xenons for a sunroof, heated seats 

and electric driver seat, while a similarly 

well-specifi ed Corolla, Mazda3, Focus 

or Cruze costs upward of $30,000. 

However, no Pulsar variant is available 

Expression of interest 

Major German luxury brand dealership sale 

Key attributes include: 

Significant annual new volumes 

A leading market share for the franchise 

Significant opportunities to further enhance 

profitability 

Experienced and long standing management 

and staff 

Operates from prominent location with 

excellent and recently upgraded facilities. 


Jan 30, 2013 Page 5 

Expressions of interest are due to close shortly. 

All communications and enquiries should 

be directed to Deloitte. Contact details are 

as follows: 

Stavroula Papadatos 

Deloitte Partner 

Tel : +61 2 9322 3577 

email: spapadatos@deloitte.com.au 

Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee, and its 

network of member firms, each of which is a legally separate and independent entity. Please see www.deloitte.com/au/about 

for a detailed description of the legal structure of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited and its member firms. 

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation. 

© 2013 Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu 

with parking sensors, automatic wipers, 

heated seats or electric seat adjustment, 

while paddle shifters are not available 

to manually override the CVT. 

At 4615mm in length, the Pulsar sedan 

sits with the Holden Cruze at the larger 

end of Australia’s small-car segment. 

However, it beats all-comers in its 

class with a cavernous 510-litre boot 

(but no fold-down bench) and promises 

leading rear passenger space, helped by 

a wheelbase that is 15mm longer than 

the Cruze. 

Fuel consumption from the naturally 

aspirated 1.8-litre petrol engine is 

middling for the segment at 7.2 litres 

per 100km with the six-speed manual 

gearbox or 6.7L/100km with the CVT. 


For drive impressions, go to 

GoAuto.com.au from this afternoon 

All set for Dualis diesel – next page


GoAuto News 

Engineered unlike any other? 

Sales Professional 


All set for Dualis diesel 

Nissan receives offi cial 

approval to add hi-tech 

dCi to Dualis crossover 

By MIKE COSTELLO 

THE diesel-powered Nissan Dualis 

is back on track for Australia, with 

fi rst examples expected to arrive in 

showrooms around the middle of 2013. 

The diesel version is unlikely to be a 

substantial volume player in Australia, 

and will instead be pitched as a premium 

variant with performance and economy 

advantages over its petrol sibling. 

The oil-burner had been scheduled 

to arrive here as a premium alternative 

to the existing 102kW/198Nm 2.0-litre 

petrol version in 2012, but was promptly 

put on the backburner due to heavy 

demand in its European heartland. 

Documents viewed by GoAuto 

confi rm power will come from Nissan’s 

fl agship direct-injection 1.6-litre 

turbocharged four-cylinder engine – 

sourced from alliance partner Renault 

– which produces 96kW of power and 

320Nm of torque while consuming a 

meagre 4.5 litres of diesel per 100km. 

This fi gure is almost half that 

of the existing petrol, which uses 

between 8.2L/100km and 8.5L/100km 

depending on the variant. 

Other diesel engines available 

on the Dualis/Qashqai in Europe 

A Daimler Brand 

are 91kW/240Nm 1.5-litre and 

110kW/320Nm 2.0-litre units. The 

bigger engine, which is only slightly 

more powerful than the newer 1.6-litre 

unit, is far less effi cient at 7.0L/100km. 

However, the 1.6 engine is matched 

exclusively to a six-speed manual 

gearbox, with no automatic option. 

The lack of an automatic will prove 

a disadvantage in Australia, which 

is traditionally less keen on manual 

transmissions than most of Europe. 

The dCi engine is available overseas 

in both front- and all-wheel-drive 

confi gurations, as well as both fi ve-seat 

Dualis and seven-seat Dualis +2 body 

styles, although it is unclear at this stage 

what will comprise the Australian line-up. 

Previous Nissan Australia managing 

Morrisons are looking for a Sales Professional with a world class outlook. 

If you have confi dence, enthusiasm and exceptional sales skills, then consider 

joining our dynamic sales team. The position provides the following benefi ts: 

Company car 

Uncapped commission, additional bonuses and incentives 

No Sunday trading 

Established client base 

Comprehensive training and management support 

If you have a full driver’s license, bundles 

of energy and ambition, apply today. 

Call Michael Cole on 9468 8888 or 

email michael.cole@morrisons.com.au 

to express your interest. 

748 Pacific Highway, Chatswood 2067 Tel: 9468 8888 DL485 

Jan 30, 2013 Page 6 

Qashqai dCi 

director and CEO Dan Thompson told 

GoAuto in 2011, before the diesel 

version was postponed, that an oilburning 

version of the Dualis +2 would 

not be offered. 

Sales of the Dualis (or Qashqai, as 

it is known elsewhere) were up again 

last year in Europe – bucking the trend 

as the market as a whole contracted – 

and made up more than one third of 

Nissan’s total volume in that part of 

the world. 

Despite continued strong demand for 

the model, Nissan Australia has secured 

supply from the manufacturing plant in 

Sunderland in England. 


Micra four no more – next page


GoAuto News 

Micra four no more 

Indian production switch 

leaves Nissan light car as 

three-cylinder range only 


THE popular Nissan Micra range is 

now exclusively three-cylinder, with 

a production switch from Indonesia to 

India forcing the company to drop the 

four-cylinder option. 

Nissan Australia’s move to source 

its smallest and cheapest car from the 

sub-continent means the 56kW/100Nm 

1.2-litre three-pot previously limited 

to the base ST variant is now standard 

across the line-up. 

This results in a substantial drop in 

power for the mid-range ST-L and the 

top-spec Ti, both of which previously 

featured a 75kW/136Nm 1.5-litre fourcylinder. 

There is no drop in price despite the 

drop in power, with the range continuing 

to cost $13,490 plus on-road costs 

for the ST, $15,490 for the ST-L and 

$17,490 for the Ti. These prices are all 

with a fi ve-speed manual gearbox, with 

the optional four-speed auto adding a 

further $1500. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Instead, Nissan Australia has added 

extra features to both, with the ST-L 

picking up 15-inch alloy wheels, 

foglights, a rear spoiler, passenger-seat 

bag holder and a driver’s armrest. The 

Ti now comes with a rear spoiler. 

All variants also get automatic 

headlights with levellers, a new seat 

design and rear armrests as additional 

standard equipment. 

The switch to the three-cylinder is 

likely to shave a small amount from 

running costs, with the 1.2-litre using 

a claimed 5.9 litres per 100km of fuel 

compared to 6.5L/100km for the 1.5 

when matched to the manual gearbox. 


Jan 30, 2013 Page 7 

This increases to 6.5L/100km (versus 

6.6) with the four-speed auto. 

Several of the Micra’s key rivals are 

also three-cylinder-only propositions, 

including the just-launched Mitsubishi 

Mirage (57kW/100Nm 1.2-litre), 

Volkswagen Up (55kW/95Nm 1.0-litre) 

and Suzuki Alto (50kW/90Nm 1.0-litre). 

The expected shift in sourcing to 

India comes earlier than expected, with 

Nissan Australia CEO Bill Peffer telling 

GoAuto last August that any such move 

would be unlikely to take place until at 

least mid-2013. 

FULL STORY: CLICK HERE


GoAuto News 

Are you washing your vehicles 

THIS WAY 

See you at NADA 

GM, Ford, Chevy platforms and 

our own central booth #1443. 

Ask for Nick Howard at the show! 

nick@broadwayequipment.com - 0433 329 228 

WWW.BROADWAYEQUIPMENT.COM 

BROADWAY EQUIPMENT BROADWAY EQUIPMENT BROADWAY 

Or the 

BROADWAY 

- SUBSCRIBE FREE: www.GoAutoMedia.com 

Pro_Cee’d GT breaks free 

Australian launch on the 

cards as Kia reveals first 

official pics of GT hatch 


KIA has formally released images of its 

sporty new Pro_Cee’d GT hatch, hours 

after two of the embargoed images were 

leaked on a Greek website. 

Describing the 1.6-litre turbocharged 

Pro_Cee’d GT and the equivalent fivedoor 

Cee’d GT as “the brand’s most 

performance-focused production cars 

ever”, Kia confirmed the pumped-up 

hatch twins were designed in Europe 

under the direction of Kia president and 

chief design officer Peter Schreyer. 

Both GT models will go on public 

display at the Geneva motor show in 

March ahead of production start-up at 

Kia’s Slovakian plant in mid-May for a 

midyear showroom rollout in Europe. 

As GoAuto reported earlier this 

week, the three-door Pro_Cee’d GT is a 

hot contender for Australia, where Kia 

hopes to have the hatch as a performance 

flagship for its small-car line-up, on top 

of the Cerato and its Koup spin-off. 

Kia Motors Australia says it hopes to 

make a decision on the car by the time 

the covers are ripped from it at Geneva. 

It is likely to be the only Cee’d family 

model to make it to Australia, where 

the main focus will be on the Cerato 

small car that enters a new generation 

in April. 

The pictures released on Monday 

night reveal for the first time some of 

the interior detail, with the GT logo 

embossed in red onto the black leatherand-piano-black 

sports steering wheel. 

As well, a prominent Recaro logo 

is seen on the headrest of the leather 

sports seats that appear to be trimmed in 

black leather with red contrast stitching. 

As Kia has already announced, the GT 

models will get Hyundai-Kia group’s 

1.6-litre turbocharged direct-injection 

four-cylinder engine introduced on the 

Hyundai Veloster SR Turbo last year. 

Producing 150kW of power and 

265Nm of torque, the engine will be 

mated with a six-speed manual gearbox 

in Europe, driving the front wheels and 

propelling the Pro_Cee’d GT from zero 

to 100km/h in 7.9 seconds. 


The Dealers Choice. 

We offer the best way to wash your vehicles. 

Jan 30, 2013 Page 8 

KIA PLOTS HOT COUPE 

KIA is set to keep the design 

innovation ball rolling via a 

mysterious small concept coupe at 

the Geneva motor show in March. 

The unnamed two-door small car 

will feature the latest take on Kia 

Motors design chief Peter Schreyer’s 

signature ‘tiger nose’ grille, described 

by Kia as “mischievous yet friendly”. 

No details of the car’s powertrain 

or prospects for production have been 

revealed, but the coupe could be the 

rear-drive GT that Mr Schreyer has 

always said he would like to add to the 

Kia line-up. 


• NADA • 

BOOTH # 

1443 

• 2013 •


GoAuto News 

Audi Australia is one of the most progressive automotive brands, 

known for its quality German premium vehicles. The Audi brand is 

attractive, sophisticated and technically advanced. 

Due to staff changes, Audi Australia is now looking to appoint an 

experienced Regional Sales Manager to continue the strong growth in 

the Northern Region. This is an exciting Brisbane-based opportunity, 

reporting to the General Manager Sales. 

Working closely with the Sales Operations Manager and Corporate 

Manager, the Regional Sales Manager will primarily focus on 

supporting the Dealer Network in the Northern Region with all 

aspects relating to new and used vehicle sales. 

Key responsibilities will include: 

• Implement, execute and manage appropriate dealer sales and 

marketing plans to increase sales in line with Audi targets and objectives. 

• Initiate informal and formal dealer reviews 

• Provide weekly sales forecasts and ensure regional monthly/annual 

targets are met for retail and wholesale sales 

• Assist in ensuring dealer participation in the Audi Sales programs; 

identify dealer training requirements 

Regional Sales Manager – Northern Region 


Kuga claws to be sharp 

Front-drive, manual-only 

Kuga price-leader to help 

Ford sink teeth into rivals 


FORD’S second-generation Kuga 

compact SUV is likely to undercut 

the ancient Taiwanese-built Escape 

when it launches here in April, with a 

front-drive, manual-only base variant 

expected to come in at around $27,000 

plus on-road costs. 

The competitive new positioning 

means the new Kuga range could start 

more than $10,000 lower than the 

outgoing model that launched here less 

than a year ago with a steep starting 

price of $38,990 – just $1000 less than 

the most affordable Territory from the 

next size up. 

Documents viewed by GoAuto show 

the new Kuga has been approved for 

Australia with three specifi cation levels, 

with a 1.6-litre petrol engine available 

in two power outputs and a 2.0-litre 

turbo-diesel. 

The entry-level Ambiente, with 

a 110kW/240Nm version of Ford’s 

acclaimed 1.6-litre EcoBoost fourcylinder 

engine driving the front wheels 

through a six-speed manual gearbox, 

will become the new price leader. 

GoAuto understands this variant will 

be sharply priced to help Ford drive a 

wedge into the competitive segment, 

populated by big sellers like the Mazda 

CX-5 (from $27,880), Hyundai ix35 

(from $26,990), Honda CR-V (from 

$27,490) and the AWD-only Subaru 

Jan 30, 2013 Page 9 

Forester, which hits showrooms this 

month priced from $30,990. 

The Kuga’s Ambiente trim level 

will also be available with a punchier 

134kW/240Nm version of the EcoBoost 

engine driving all four wheels through 

a six-speed Powershift dual-clutch 

automatic transmission. 

Mid-spec Trend and fl agship Titanium 

variants will also be offered with this 

driveline combination or a 120kW/340Nm 

turbo-diesel, also paired with the sixspeed 

Powershift transmission. 


Move ahead with Audi 

• Implement and manage sales support measures 

• Liaise between dealer network and all internal Audi departments 

• Execute regional/DAC marketing and advertising plans for region 

• Manage appropriate national/regional promotions as required 

- motor shows / rural events / dealer promotions 

• Ensure that the CSI measurement process leads to analysis of 

performance short falls and eff ective corrective actions are 

implemented 

• Ensure eff ective implementation of the “Audi Approved:Plus” used 

car program 

The successful candidate must have a minimum of 3 years’ experience 

in a similar role, with a proven success record in target & budget 

achievements. You will possess sound business acumen, excellent 

standards of business conduct and strong communication skills. 

Please forward your application to Kassandra Vic, HR Manager, at: 

kassandra.vic@audi.com.au, including current CV and a cover letter. 

All applications will be treated with the strictest confi dence and 

should be sent by close of business Friday, 8th February 2013. Only 

successful applicants will be contacted.


GoAuto News 

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Jan 30, 2013 Page 10 

More powerful, sophisticated XT turbo fronts Subaru’s all-new Forester range 


SUBARU has smoothed over its feisty 

Forester XT to broaden the appeal 

of the turbocharged fl agship of its 

new-generation SUV range that hits 

showrooms this month. 

While power and performance have 

been increased, overt “boy racer” 

features such as the pronounced bonnet 

scoop have been deleted in favour of 

family-friendly design elements, a more 

refi ned ride and better fuel economy. 

The company also has elected to dump 

the manual gearbox that comprised 15 

per cent of XT sales in the previous 

generation, instead employing the latest 

continuously variable transmission 

(CVT) in place of the fi ve-speed manual 

and dated four-speed auto, bringing 

the top petrol Forester into line with 

other newer Subaru models such as the 

Outback. 

The CVT and smaller engine contribute 

to a 19 per cent improvement in fuel 

economy, even though the Forester XT 

is 40kg heavier than before, at 1629kg. 

Standard features have 

also been ramped up 

with a resultant impact 

on price. The Forester 

XT now starts at $43,490 

(plus on-road costs), 

an increase of $1500 

or 3.5 per cent on the 

previous-generation XT 

auto (or $3500 over the 

discontinued manual). 

The range-topping XT 

Premium has been hiked $3000 or 6.3 

per cent per cent to $50,490 compared 

with the old-generation auto (or $5000 

over the old manual). 

The XT sits on top of the Forester 

line-up that now starts with the 2.0-litre 

PRICING: 

2.0i $30,990 

2.5i (a) $32,990 

2.0i-L $33,490 

2.5i-L (a) $35,990 

2.5i-S (a) $43,990 

2.0D $35,490 

2.0D-L $37,490 

2.0D-S $43,990 

2.0XT (a) $43,490 

2.0XT Premium (a) $50,490 

2.0i manual at $30,990 – the same price 

as the previous 2.5-litre entry model. 

The Forester XT’s new-generation 

boxer engine has been downsized from 

2.5 litres to 2.0 litres, but 

thanks to direct injection 

and other refi nements, has 

slightly more power – up 

from 169kW to 177kW 

at 5600rpm – and 9.4 

per cent more torque, to 

350Nm at 2400-3600rpm. 

Acceleration from 

zero to 100km/h has 

been cut by 0.4 seconds, 

to 7.5 seconds. 

The smaller engine is also more 

effi cient, helping the Forester XT to 

achieve a 19 per cent fuel consumption 

improvement, down from 10.5 litres per 

100km to 8.5L/100km. 

Continued next page


GoAuto News 

One for all 


Describing the new Forester XT as 

“comfortably quick”, Subaru Australia 

managing director Nick Senior said the 

XT was the sporty alternative, but not at 

the expense of comfort. 

“It has been to fi nishing school,” he 

said. 

Mr Senior said he expected the new 

XT to make up between 15 and 20 

per cent of Forester sales – up from 

about seven per cent in the previous 

generation. 

He believes many of the buyers will 

come from traditional sedans, seeking 

a more interesting family vehicle with 

plenty of power. 

For now at least, the XT will be the 

most powerful Forester in the range, 

with Subaru yet to say if it will bring 

back the even more grunty S-Edition 

that mustered 193kW of power and 

347Nm of torque from its turbocharged 

2.5-litre fl at four in the previous model. 

The new XT’s 177kW engine output 

is comparable with that of the 2.0-litre 

turbo engines of the most powerful 

Volkswagen Tiguan and Range Rover 

Evoque variants, and shades all of 

the four-cylinder engines in compact 

SUVs fi elded by Subaru’s Japanese and 

Korean rivals. 

The engine employs a twin-scroll 

turbo to force air into the cylinders 

where multi-jet direct injection adds the 

juice. 

With the bonnet scoop relegated to 

history, the turbo intercooler is now 

on the underside of the bonnet. Subaru 

says the deletion of the scoop in the 

new aluminium bonnet not only helps 

to improve aerodynamics (11 per cent 

better) but improves forward vision for 

the driver. 

Like all new fourth-generation 

Foresters, the XT gets the all-new, 

10,000 lubricants. 

1 phone number. 

Fuchs, the world’s largest independent lubricant supplier with 

global headquarters in Germany, has developed and 

manufactured technologically advanced lubricants in 

Australia for over 75 years. FUCHS has a huge range 

of automotive lubricants to cover any application. 

Along with the best support team to cover you and 

your dealership. 


Jan 30, 2013 Page 11 

bigger and more aerodynamic body 

based on a platform shared with the 

latest Impreza. 

About 35mm longer than before 

at 4595mm, the Forester XT sits on a 

26mm longer wheelbase that affords an 

extra 26mm of rear seat space. 

The hot turbo model is differentiated 

from other Foresters by a mesh grille 

embedded in a unique front fascia, 

along with one-inch-larger 18-inch 

alloy wheels. 

The Forester XT becomes the second 

Subaru to gain direct fuel injection after 

the new BRZ sports coupe, but the fi rst 

to combine it with turbocharging. 


DRIVE IMPRESSIONS: CLICK HERE 

Hot XV turbo hope – next page 

L U B R I C A N T S . T E C H N O L O G Y . P E O P L E . 

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Ph 1800 1800 13


GoAuto News 

Hot XV turbo hope 

Subaru chief sees special 

vehicle programs shifting 

more to small cars, SUVs 


SUBARU’S hot-selling XV small 

SUV might be the next candidate for 

the high-performance turbocharged 

powertrain treatment, at least if Subaru 

Australia managing director Nick 

Senior gets his way. 

Speaking at the Australian launch of 

the 177kW turbo Forester XT last week, 

Mr Senior said the dramatic market 

swing to SUVs over the past 12 months 

meant the next logical step was more 

special vehicles based on these highriding 

vehicles, which he described as 

“the family cars of the 2010s”. 

While Mr Senior said Subaru had no 

immediate plans to introduce an ‘XT’ 

fl agship version of the smaller XV, he 

did not rule it out. 

Introduced in Australia 12 months 

ago, the XV garnered 9908 sales in its 

fi rst year, making it the third-best seller 

in the 2012 Australian ‘small SUV’ 

segment behind the Nissan Dualis 

(13,141) and Hyundai ix35 (11,469). 

This micro-SUV segment grew by a 

whopping 55 per cent last year, making 

it the fastest-expanding segment in 

the land. With new entrants such as 

Holden’s Trax headed our way this 

Contact John or 

Brett to arrange 

a time to discuss. 

www.moorestephens.com.au 

year, it is unlikely to slow down. 

Overall SUV sales growth was 25 

per cent in 2012, with sales soaring 

past 300,000 units for the fi rst time and 

heading for a third of the market this 

year. 

Mr Senior said the decline in largecar 

sales and a question mark against 

the locally made Holden Commodore 

and Ford Falcon meant the future of 

special vehicles would be in SUVs and 

small cars. 

He said he did not see an end in sight 

to the switch to SUVs, which he said 

would continue. 

“There’s nothing to indicate that it’s 

going to slow down,” he said. 

The Subaru XV employs the same 

110kW 2.0-litre petrol engine as the 

Forester’s manual gearbox variants, 

along with the same continuously 

variable transmission (CVT), seemingly 

Moore Stephens Automotive Newsletter 

Summer 2013 Edition Out Now 

Click here to sign up to this key industry publication. 

Featured in the summer edition: 

Record car sales 1.112 million but mind the “growth gap” 

What is Your Maximum Absorption Potential? 

Unfair Contracts 

Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation. Moore Stephens is a network of independent firms 

which are independent members of Moore Stephens International limited – members in principal cities throughout the world. 


Brett Fowler, Partner John Gavljak, Partner 

Moore Stephens (Melbourne) Moore Stephens (Sydney) 

0418 187 759 0499 773 881 

bfowler@moorestephens.com.au jgavljak@moorestephens.com.au 

Serious about Success ® 

Jan 30, 2013 Page 12 

making it a relatively simple task to 

upgrade to the high-powered 177kW 

turbocharged boxer engine from the 

new Forester XT. 

Tipping the scales at 1400kg – more 

than 200kg lighter than the Forester 

XT – the XV would potentially be 

considerably more potent than the 

Forester version, should the smaller 

vehicle gain the turbo engine transplant. 

The new Forester XT covers the 

0-100km/h sprint in 7.5 seconds, while 

the standard normally aspirated XV 

does the dash in about 10 seconds. 

Mr Senior ruled out a diesel for 

XV, saying buyers of small SUVs 

overwhelmingly favoured petrol, 

making it hard to justify the engineering 

cost of such a variant. 


More reports – page 14 

XV

Keep your eye on 

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and let our experts take care of the rest 

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GoAuto News 

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with Australia’s leading F&I Sales Tool. 

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Maximising Performance 

Oil drilling 

Auto diesel Forester model hinges on Outback sales 


SUBARU Australia might yet realise 

its wish for an automatic transmissionequipped 

diesel Forester, although it 

would not be for at least two years. 

The local branch of Subaru is 

pinning its hopes on the success of the 

upcoming Outback diesel automatic – 

the fi rst vehicle with that powertrain 

combination in the Subaru range – to 

convince head offi ce in Japan that 

spending the money and effort on an 

auto diesel Forester also would be 

worthwhile. 

Subaru Australia managing director 

Nick Senior said at last week’s Forester 

XT launch that he had high hopes for the 

Outback diesel that gains an automatic 

variant from April. 

“We see the Outback diesel with CVT 

(continuously variable transmission) as 

a big opportunity for strong incremental 

sales,” he said. 

Mr Senior said no such version 

of Forester was on offer or in the 

engineering pipeline, but was not 

completely out of the question. 

“We hope that with strong sales 

of Outback (diesel CVT), we can 

demonstrate the potential for a Forester 

diesel CVT,” he said. 

Subaru decided to develop the CVT 

diesel powertrain for Outback as it 

was seen as the model that would most 

benefi t from it. 

Mr Senior said the Outback’s medium 

SUV class had a stronger take-up of 

diesel than the Forester’s compact class, 

where petrol had a stronger hold. 

However, a diesel engine with a CVT 

transmission would attract more buyers 

to Forester. 

Plummeting sales of vehicles in 

the diesel stronghold of Europe in the 

post-GFC recession has not helped 

Australia’s cause in its quest for a CVT 

version of its diesel Forester, which 

comes only with a manual transmission 

in the new fourth-generation range 

arriving in showrooms this month. 

With minimal diesel light-vehicle 

sales in the United States, Japan and 

China, Subaru Australia is struggling 

for allies in its quest for the CVT diesel 

Forester, which Mr Senior believes 

would enhance the attractiveness of the 

thrifty diesel engine in Australia where 

automatic transmissions are king. 


 

 

 

 

CALL 1300 807 177 for free online 

demo. Or visit 

Forester 


Click to see the BIG picture 

Jan 30, 2013 Page 14 

Subaru Australia snares 

extra 200 BRZ coupes 


SUBARU Australia has good news for 

long-suffering BRZ customers awaiting 

delivery of their two-door coupes – an 

extra 200 vehicles are being rushed to 

Australia over the next two months. 

Instead of the usual 30-35 cars a 

month, Subaru dealers will get about 

130 BRZs a month in February and 

March, shortening the wait by several 

months for many buyers. 

The extra allocation comes courtesy 

of a drop in demand in Japan for the 

base model of the BRZ’s Toyota twin, 

the 86, freeing up supply from the 

Japanese Subaru factory that builds 

both models for the world. 

Subaru Australia managing director 

Nick Senior said the waiting time for 

BRZs had been out to September, but 

the extra cars would cut that to July. 

He said all the cars in the extra 

deliveries were spoken for under 

Subaru’s build-to-order system for 

BRZ, with customers ordering their 

vehicles online. 

Subaru hopes to deliver up to 550 

BRZs this year – small numbers in 

Subaru’s annual sales of about 40,000 

vehicles. 

Mr Senior had bad news for buyers 

hanging off for a hotter version of 

the BRZ or perhaps a convertible – 

he says no such vehicles are in the 

production schedule. 


Uniquely Australian built F&I technology 

BRZ


GoAuto News 

JAC car, van plan off 

WMC Group decides not 

to pursue fresh JAC deal, 

with LDV to be key focus 


HAVING started sales of the LDV V80 

van, Sydney-based vehicle importer 

WMC Group has walked away from a 

deal to distribute light-commercial and 

passenger vehicles from rival Chinese 

brand JAC Motors in Australia. 

The importer previously said it 

would sell of the Mercedes Sprinterstyle 

JAC Sunray and the Hyundai 

iLoad-rivalling JAC Refi ne by the 

middle of this year, followed within 

12 months by the Reni ute and several 

small passenger vehicles. 

The JAC commercials were to have 

been sold in the same dealerships as the 

JAC light trucks and Chinese 

Higer buses it already distributes 

in Australia. These agreements 

will remain in place. 

However, WMC now says 

it will direct its focus in the 

light-commercial market to 

establishing LDV – a subsidiary 

of China’s largest automotive 

group SAIC – which it claims can 

provide it with a wide range of 

workhorse and passenger vans, built to 

a higher standard that will be palatable 

to a western market from the get-go. 

Furthermore, the company says it is 

not yet ready to expand its reach here 

beyond commercial vehicles into the 

realm of passenger cars, ruling out JAC 

Neil Bamford 

Service Manager 

models such as the J2 and J3 hatch, J5 

sedan and J5 RS small people-mover. 

In March 2012, WMC also dropped 

a proposed deal to import Chinese 

Joylong minivans here after JAC made 

it a better offer, while in 2011 the 

importer tore up a deal to distribute 

the Chinese Foton Tunland ute 

after pricing negotiations broke 

down. 

Foton is now imported locally 

by Queensland company FAA 

Automotive Australia. 

At a media event for the 

LDV launch last week, recently 

appointed WMC chief executive 

offi cer Neil Bamford told GoAuto the 

company did not want to introduce 

“competing products in the market”. 

“I think with those products, while we 

can bring them to a level that would be 

acceptable for the market, I’m not sure 

why we would undertake that when we 

have here a van (LDV) that can hit the 

ground running,” he said. 


Jan 30, 2013 Page 15 

“SAIC will take direction from us, and 

they are a breath of fresh air to deal with 

because they harass us for information, 

they want to meet your dealers and fi nd 

out what they want us to change. 

“They want to know all about the 

Australian market and where it’s changing. 

“To me, it underlines their commitment 

to this market, which after meeting some 

other manufacturers in China I didn’t 

feel the same commitment from them.” 

Mr Bamford said the decision to 

drop its plans to expand the JAC range 

beyond light trucks was “effectively 

made” when WMC saw the high quality 

standards of the initial LDV models, and 

its ability to provide several passenger 

vans by the end of 2013. 

“The fact that LDV or SAIC can do a 

range from the seven- to nine-seater, up to 

the 18-21-seater, means we cover most of 

those markets we want to be in,” he said. 


V80 value drive – next page 

Do you believe you are the world’s best franchise motor dealership Service Manager? 

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If you are a passionate, driven individual, who most importantly possesses proven people skills, communication skills, a positive outlook 

on life and a never-say-die attitude, then we want to meet you now! 

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Our brand new service department is about to Open its Doors and is set to handle some of the best brands in the marketplace today, 

 

missing is an individual who stands out from the crowd to drive it! 

Are you able to drive our new service operation to world’s best practice standards, with an unwavering determination to provide the 

ultimate in customer service, and exceed the industry’s recognised benchmarks? We are looking for an individual with experience, 

passion, and superior leadership skills. Are we looking for you? 

Please contact Rob Dyba on email: careers@keema.com.au or phone 0407 964 331 

 

Refi ne


GoAuto News 

DUTTONS AUTOMOTIVE is an award-winning 60-year-old family 

business that has built a substantial client base servicing the Adelaide 

Hills, Murraylands and Fleurieu Peninsula. Our strong reputation and 

client base is built on our used car and six new car franchises of Holden, 

Mitsubishi, Nissan, Mazda, Hyundai and Volkswagen. 

We are seeking an experienced, professional and self-motivated Finance 

and Insurance Manager to join our multi-franchised dealership, located in 

Murray Bridge. 

Applicants must have dealership experience and be looking for a longterm 

career opportunity. 


Jan 30, 2013 Page 16 

LDV van kicks off from $32,990 as China’s SAIC makes fi rst move in Australia 


AUSTRALIA’S fi rst Chinese-made 

van – the LDV V80 – will beat key 

Korean, Japanese and European rivals 

on cargo capacity and specifi cation 

while undercutting them by thousands 

on sticker price. 

That’s the word from Australian 

LDV distributor WMC, which last 

week staged the long-awaited local 

launch of the V80 short- and longwheelbase 

commercial van range, 

priced from $32,990 plus on-road costs 

for the SWB, $37,990 for the mid-roof 

LWB and $39,990 for the high-roof 

LWB. 

Sydney-based WMC already imports 

trucks from separate brand JAC, and 

Higer commercial buses. 

At launch, the V80 will sell through a 

network of 37 commercial or passengeroriented 

dealers spread throughout 

V80 value drive 

NSW, Victoria, Queensland, ACT, WA, 

SA and Tasmania. 

WMC says it has 210 V80s in 

Australia, with several hundred on a 

boat. 

General manager Shannon Taylor told 

GoAuto local supply was 

not restricted, with SAIC 

able to satisfy demand 

should it outstrip modest 

initial targets. 

The introduction of 

LDV – the fi fth Chinese car brand to hit 

Australia after Great Wall, Foton, Geely 

and Chery – also marks the fi rst venture 

into the local market by governmentbacked 

Shanghai Automotive Industry 

Corporation (SAIC). 

SAIC, which also owns the famous 

MG brand that is in line to return to 

Australia in the near future, is China’s 

largest motor manufacturer and 

FINANCE & INSURANCE MANAGER 

purchased the rights to the V80 when it 

bought the van’s original developer and 

manufacturer, British fi rm Leyland Daf, 

in 2009. 

WMC chief executive offi cer Neil 

Bamford said the combined industrial 

might of SAIC and the 

PRICING: V80’s European origins 

meant it would not 

simply be a price-point 

proposition, but could 

rather match its main 

rivals in terms of build quality and 

comfort. 

The limited launch line-up is powered 

exclusively by a Euro 4-compliant 

100kW/330Nm 2.5-litre turbo-diesel 

engine built in China and licensed from 

Italian fi rm VM Motori, matched to a 

standard fi ve-speed manual gearbox 

driven through the front wheels. 


SWB $32,990 

LWB Mid Roof $37,990 

LWB High Roof $39,990 

Remuneration will be determined by experience and will consist of a base 

retainer, monthly commission, superannuation and a company vehicle. 

Suitable applicants are invited to apply in writing including referees, 

resumé and letter of application to Tamara Bormann, HR Co-Ordinator, 

Duttons Automotive, PO Box 296, Murray Bridge, SA 5253. 

All applications will be treated in strictest confidence. All applicants 

successful at achieving interview level will be required to undergo 

National Police Clearance. 

For further information please email: tbormann@duttons.com.au


GoAuto News 

V80 value drive 


WMC cites a combined fuel economy 

fi gure on the SWB of 7.7 litres per 

100km. 

All versions come with dual airbags, 

four-wheel disc brakes, and ABS brakes 

with electronic brake-force distribution 

and brake assist, but side airbags and 

stability control will not join the range 

until the end of the year at the earliest. 

There is no offi cial NCAP safety 

score, but WMC claims SAIC’s own 

tests indicate a likely four-star result. 

WMC says both petrol and automatic 

versions – the latter likely to be a ZF 

torque-converter unit – will join the 

range within 12 months. People-mover 

and cab-chassis versions based on the 

V80 three-seater are also in the pipeline, 

either for late 2013 or early 2014. 

The SWB version is pitched squarely 

against the Hyundai iLoad diesel (from 

$34,490) and Toyota HiAce (from 

$36,990), currently Australia’s two 

best-selling vans. 

Unlike either of these models, the 

V80 comes standard with 16-inch 

alloy wheels, foglights, dual sliding 

side doors with forklift access, cruise 

control and reversing sensors. All 

SALES MANAGER 

variants get 180-degree swinging rear 

barn-style doors. 

WMC also claims a payload of 

1300kg – at least 180kg over the HiAce 

or iLoad – plus a larger cargo area and a 

wider, higher cabin. 

Priced from $37,990 (or an extra 

$2000 for the high roof), the LWB 

version has the same standard features 

list and is aimed at European rivals such 

as the Ford Transit (from $43,990), 

Fiat Ducato ($42,490), Renault 

Master ($44,990), Volkswagen Crafter 

($50,200) and even the Mercedes-Benz 

Sprinter ($53,490). 

Both LWB versions have a tray long 

enough for two pallets and a payload 

of 1800kg (3500kg GVM). The cargo 

area measures 3300mm long, 1800mm 


Jan 30, 2013 Page 17 

wide and 1960mm high in the highroof 

version, with a capacity of 11.6 

cubic metres. 

The slip-proof cargo fl oor in both the 

SWB and LWB versions comes with 

integrated wiring and either four or six 

tie-down points. 

The V80’s chassis features 

components made under license from 

ThyssenKrupp, ZF and Bosch, while 

British fi rm MIRA tuned the springs 

and shocks specifi cally for Australian 

conditions. 

Prototype models underwent testing 

here before going on sale to iron out 

the kinks. 


DRIVE IMPRESSIONS: CLICK HERE 

In joining Melbourne City Hyundai you will also be a part of Australia’s largest automotive group, Automotive Holdings 

 

 

 

We are looking for an energetic and highly motivated Sales Manager to be a part of a brand new state-of-the-art Hyundai dealership in 

the heart of Melbourne’s CBD. This is a rare opportunity to establish a new sales department from the ground up, with the exciting and 

 

positions, establish vehicle ordering requirements, and performance manage the sales team. 

The perfect candidate for this role will have at least 3-years experience as a sales manager in a medium to large automotive dealership. 

To apply, please send your resumé and covering letter explaining why you are suitable for this position, to Con Kafetzis on email: 

ckafetzis@vic.ahg.com.au


GoAuto News 

410kW Rapide S 

Aston unleashes its most powerful four-door ever 


ASTON Martin has turned up the wick 

on the Rapide four-door sedan, replacing 

it with an S model that packs a 17 per 

cent power hike, sharper dynamics and 

purposeful-looking styling tweaks led 

by a gaping new grille. 

Drawing elements of Aston Martin’s 

fourth-generation VH (vertical, 

horizontal) underpinnings, the Rapide 

S is claimed to deliver a sharper, more 

agile drive. 

The revised V12 engine is mounted 

19mm lower to reduce the car’s 

centre of gravity and a “tangible” 

improvement to turn-in, while 

improved adaptive dampers – now 

with three operating modes – ensure 

tight body control or extra comfort 

depending on the driver’s mood. 

Despite now pumping out 410kW 

of power and 620Nm of torque (up 

from 350kW/600Nm) and peak power 

coming in 750 revs higher at 6750rpm, 

the 6.0-litre V12 has not become more 

peaky, as more grunt is available lower 

in the rev range. 

As a result, 0-100km/h comes up three 

tenths quicker at 4.9 seconds and top 

speed creeps up slightly, to 306km/h. 

The powerplant is also more fuel 

effi cient at 13.9 litres per 100km, down 

from 14.9L/100km. 

Aston says the power and effi ciency 

gains are yielded by technology transfer 

from its racing efforts, including CNCmachined 

combustion chambers and 

lightweight hollow camshafts. 

In addition to that gaping new grille, 

styling updates are largely limited to 

a more pronounced lip spoiler on the 

boot lid, which Aston says reduces lift 

at high speeds. 

Customers will be able to dress their 

Rapide S with a new pack of carbonfi 

bre exterior additions comprising 

a front splitter, rear diffuser, mirror 

housings and tail-light trims. 

Interior luxury can also be increased 

with optional piano-black fi nishes for 

the dashboard fascia, transmission 

tunnel and doorhandles, complemented 

by a darker instrument surround and 

black steering wheel trim. 


Prestige Pre-Owned Sales Manager 

The Zagame Automotive Group is a passionate advocate 

of luxury motoring & whose focus on customer service 

has made them award winning dealers across all brands. 

Due to sustained growth, we now require an experienced 

Prestige Pre-Owned Sales Manager at Audi Centre Brighton – 

Audi Approved:plus site in Elsternwick. 

The position’s primary goal is to leading, managing and 

developing a team of Sales Executives to reach monthly sales 

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Audi 

Centre Brighton 

Jan 30, 2013 Page 18 

Latest Rolls Wraith teaser 

shows off coupe silhouette 

By TIM NICHOLSON 

ROLLS-ROYCE’S drip feed 

campaign for the upcoming Ghostbased 

Wraith coupe continues with a 

second teaser image issued in the runup 

to its global reveal at the Geneva 

motor show in March. 

The silhouette image clearly shows 

the outline of the Wraith and highlights 

its sloping roofl ine that angles towards 

the rear of the car, giving it a traditional 

coupe-like shape. 

Bold metallic window surrounds 

demonstrate the ultra-luxury status of 

the Wraith, which will have a more 

rounded look than its larger Phantom 

Coupe sibling. 

A glimpse of what appears to be a 

silver doorhandle below the exterior 

mirror suggests the Wraith will have 

rear-hinged ‘suicide’ doors, like 

the Phantom Coupe and Drophead 

convertible. 

Rolls-Royce said in a statement 

that the design of the Wraith will 

hark back to the brand’s history while 

highlighting its performance pedigree. 

“Flowing lines hint at the 

extraordinary power and dynamic 

promise of the most powerful Rolls- 

Royce in history, yet also highlight 

design cues that can be traced 

through the model generations,” the 

company said. 


Essential qualities: 

 

personal skills 

 

 

 

 

 

Tony White at tony.white@audicentrebrighton.com.au 

together with your resume and cover letter.


GoAuto News 

Sports vision splendid 

Hi-tech sportscar could 

herald host of rapid eco 

cars from BMW, Toyota 


A NEW mid-sized sportscar to be 

developed jointly by automotive leaders 

Toyota and BMW is likely to combine 

fuel-cell and hybrid technologies with 

lightweight carbon-fi bre construction 

techniques. 

And the car – plans for which were 

mooted in July last year and now 

expected to be set in stone by the 

end of this year – might be just the 

fi rst such vehicle to emerge from the 

burgeoning collaboration between the 

two engineering giants, who have also 

announced plans to work jointly on 

next-generation lithium-air batteries 

and other advanced technologies. 

Heads of the two companies last 

week gathered in Toyota’s home city 

of Nagoya, in Japan, to sign a binding 

agreement to work on four projects 

at the cutting edge of automotive 

development. 

Lifetime Opportunity, Cairns. Parts Sales Representative. 

Authorised Dealers for: Holden, HSV, Mitsubishi, Ralliart, Fiat, Fiat Professional, 

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2013 is planned to be a time of expansion creating the opportunity 

for a hard working productive Sales Representative with a proven 

APPLY NOW 

The deal follows other agreements 

signed over the past year to share 

technology and engines, including 

small BMW-built petrol and diesel 

engines in Europe from 2014. 

Now, BMW and Toyota have climbed 

further into bed by agreeing to formally 

work together on lithium-air batteries 

– seen as the next big thing to replace 

current lithium-ion batteries – along 

with a new sportscar platform, a newgeneration 

fuel-cell vehicle system and 

lightweight construction methods. 

In announcing the sportscar program, 

BMW board member Herbert Diess said 

BMW and Toyota planned to settle on a 

history of generating growth, developing contacts for the 

sales cycle and networking with suppliers, customers 

and colleagues. 

The package includes a generous retainer plus commissions, 

a company vehicle, laptop, phone, and the potential to earn 

65k to 70k per annum. 


Jan 30, 2013 Page 19 

feasibility plan for a jointly developed 

platform and components by the end 

of 2013, with each of the companies 

contributing core competencies – 

Toyota with environmentally friendly 

hybrid and fuel-cell technology and 

BMW with effi cient, highly dynamic 

premium vehicle skills. 

This statement indicates that the two 

companies envisage a fuel-cell sportscar, 

perhaps incorporating BMW’s newfound 

reinforced carbon-fi bre plastic 

construction techniques developed for 

its electrifi ed i3 and i8 vehicles. 


Daimler, Ford and Nissan form alliance to build affordable fuel-cell cars from 2017 


FORD, Nissan and Daimler have 

announced the formation of a 

partnership to develop and launch 

“affordable, mass market” hydrogen 

fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) 

within fi ve years. 

The three-way agreement will see 

each party invest equally in a project 

that aims to “jointly develop a common 

fuel-cell electric vehicle system while 

reducing investment costs associated 

with the engineering of the technology” 

Mercedes F-Cell 

through economies of scale. 

In a joint statement, the trio of 

automotive heavy-hitters said the 

collaboration across three continents – 

Ford from the US, Nissan from Japan 

and Mercedes-Benz parent Daimler 

from Germany – would help defi ne 

global specifi cations and component 

standards ahead of a wider rollout of 

the technology. 

The partners also claim this latest 

joint venture into the relatively 

immature fuel-cell market will send 

a “clear signal” to suppliers, policymakers 

and the wider industry to 

encourage the further development 

worldwide of FCEV infrastructure – 

including hydrogen fuelling stations. 



GoAuto News 

GM, PSA model plans 

Joint venture to cover MPVs, small SUV and more 


GENERAL Motors and PSA Peugeot 

Citroen will jointly develop peoplemovers, 

a compact SUV and a new 

platform for the next generation of 

Opel/Vauxhall, Peugeot and Citroen 

light cars under the strategic partnership 

formed almost a year ago. 

The alliance plans to co-develop a 

C-segment (small) people-mover to 

replace the Opel/Vauxhall Zafi ra, the 

fi rst generation of which was sold as 

a Holden in Australia between 2001 

and 2005 and could make a comeback 

wearing Opel badges. 

PSA’s Peugeot brand will get a new 

compact SUV as part of the deal, which 

is likely to replace the Mitsubishi 

ASX-based 4008, although there 

was no mention of Citroen getting a 

replacement for its similar C4 Aircross. 

A prime candidate to underpin these 

vehicles is PSA’s new lightweight 

modular platform, called EMP2, which 

was shown at a recent innovation event 

in Paris and can support a wide range 

of body styles including wagon, peoplemover 

and SUV. 

Development of new B-segment 

(light) people-movers will be led by 

GM but developed on PSA platforms 

to replace Opel’s Meriva, and could 

Suttons Subaru Chullora 

Australia’s newest Subaru showroom in one of 

Sydney’s highest volume dealerships requires a 

New Car Salesperson. The exciting position, for a 

leading automotive manufacturer, is supported by 

state-of-the-art surroundings and a successful and 

established sales team. 

1 x New Car Salesperson 

Are you driven and ready to take your career to 

the next level? A proven track record in sales, 

preferably new cars, will be highly regarded. 

This role requires a motivated, organised, 

confident communicator with a positive attitude 

Za Zafi ra 

become the next Citroen C3 Picasso 

while providing Peugeot with a product 

to sit below its 3008 crossover. 

Next-generation Opel/Vauxhall and 

PSA low-emission light cars will be 

based on a new co-developed platform, 

which could be a reworking of EMP2. 

The recently launched Peugeot 208 

rides on a re-engineered version of the 

207’s platform and the current Opel/ 

Vauxhall Corsa light car is based on a 

platform shared with Fiat’s Punto and is 

overdue for replacement. 

GM and PSA also intend to co-develop 

a new generation of high-performance, 

effi cient three-cylinder petrol engines 

based on PSA’s three-pot engine that is 

already doing service in the 208 light car. 

The strategic alliance between GM’s 

loss-making European operation and 

the struggling French conglomerate, 

announced in February last year, aims to 

cut costs and boost economies of scale. 

In addition to sharing the cost of 

developing new products, the alliance 

extends to the creation of a joint 

purchasing organisation aimed at 

lowering the cost of sourcing shared 

components. 


PSA’s 2.9L/100km hybrid – page 24 

and high attention to detail. You can also expect 

ongoing management support and a fantastic team 

environment. 

In return you will receive: 

 

 

 

 

The role requires working on a rotating roster; 

therefore weekend work is expected. You must hold 

a current driver’s license and drive both automatic 

and manual transmission. If you believe you have the 


Jan 30, 2013 Page 20 

Mercedes-Benz down to 

business with new CLA 


MERCEDES-BENZ’S new frontwheel-drive 

four-door ‘coupe’, the 

CLA, has started rolling off the 

company’s Hungarian production 

line less than two weeks after being 

previewed at this month’s Detroit 

motor show and launched at Berlin 

Fashion Week. 

Daimler chairman and head of 

Mercedes-Benz Cars Dieter Zetsche 

ceremonially steered CLA ‘job 1’ from 

the line in Kecskemet with Hungarian 

prime minister Victor Orban in the 

passenger seat. 

The sleek new car is being 

exclusively built for global markets 

at the 10-month-old plant that has 

cut its teeth on the new B-Class since 

opening in March last year. 

The CLA builds on the success 

of the German company’s coupestyle 

CLS limousine that has been 

widely mimicked by other European 

manufacturers and now by Benz itself 

on the compact CLA. 

Built on the same new MFA 

compact car platform as the latest 

A-Class and B-Class, and with styling 

taken directly from the Compact Style 

Coupe shown at the Beijing motor 

show last year, the CLA is due to hit 

the streets of Europe in April ahead 

of its Australian showroom debut late 

this year. 


CLA ‘job 1’ 

NEW CAR SALESPERSON REQUIRED 

relevant attributes and experience to excel in this 

role, please Apply Now to Simon McGuigan via 

e-mail: 

simon.mcguigan@suttonssubaruchullora.com.au 

Suttons Subaru Chullora Cnr Hume Highway & Waterloo Road, Chullora NSW 2190. Phone: (02) 9642 0233 

34617 34


GoAuto News 

Fluence ZE on hold 

Renault defers launch of 

Fluence EV here to wait 

for infrastructure rollout 


RENAULT has indefi nitely postponed 

the Australian launch of its fi rst electric 

vehicle, the Fluence ZE sedan, which 

had been due to hit Australian roads by 

the end of last year. 

The decision was recently handed 

down to Renault Australia by its head 

offi ce in France, “in order to allow 

for a later rollout of infrastructure in 

Australia”. 

The company now says it has 

no timetable for the release of the 

ZE, which was to have launched in 

conjunction with EV infrastructure 

provider Better Place. 

In June 2011, Renault and Better 

Place committed to starting fl eet trials 

of the Fluence ZE in Canberra by mid- 

2012, ahead of the local launch several 

months later. 

The ZE (short for zero emission) was 

to have been priced from about $40,000 

– at least $7000 cheaper than rival EVs 

and plug-in hybrid vehicles such as the 

Nissan Leaf (the price of which was 

last month cut about $8000, to $47,000 

driveaway) or Holden Volt. 

However, this cost would not have 

included the expense of leasing the 

battery pack from Better Place, which 

CHANGE 

planned to offer limitless uses of its 

national battery swap stations, as well 

as to install a charge box at the owner’s 

home or work and allow use of its 

public charging network. 

Better Place currently operates 

a small number of public charging 

points in New South Wales, Victoria, 

Queensland, South Australia and 

Western Australia, but told GoAuto last 

month that it was still up to 12 months 

away from opening its fi rst battery 

swap station, which will be located in 

Canberra. 

The Fluence ZE is the only Renault 

production vehicle compatible with 

Better Place’s battery swap station 

system, and the car is currently on 

sale in Israel and Denmark, which 

respectively have 33 and 17 operational 

swap stations up and running. 

Better Place spokesperson Felicity 

Glennie-Holmes told GoAuto that 

the company’s global head offi ce had 

elected to wait for at least one year after 

the opening of its swap stations in Israel 

and Denmark before starting the rollout 

in Australia. 

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Jan 30, 2013 Page 21 

“The battery-switch network is 

something that was always planned to 

be approximately 12-18 months behind 

our live market launches in Israel and 

Denmark,” she said, adding that those 

launches took place around mid-2012. 

“This gives us the opportunity to 

really learn from the lessons that we’re 

fi nding in Israel and Denmark.” 

Former Better Place Australia 

CEO Evan Thornley, who went on to 

replace founder Shai Agassi last year 

as the global CEO before unexpectedly 

leaving the company earlier this month, 

told GoAuto in April 2010 that the 

organisation would acquire sites for 

its swapping stations around Australia 

by early 2012, and have a site in every 

state by 2013. 

“The economics of today – with 

today’s battery prices, today’s electricity 

prices and today’s petrol prices – 

would make it viable for a signifi cant 

proportion of vehicles to be cheaper to 

run as electric rather than petrol,” he 

said at the time. 


Our advice on your 

processes and procedures 

will enable your business 

to run more effectively. 

CONTACT US FOR A FREE CONSULTATION OR VISIT www.amongdata.com 

Dermot Comerford: dermot@amongdata.com +61 (0)468 348 642 Jo Waters: jowaters@amongdata.com +61 (0)428 150 175


GoAuto InBrief 

Toyota on top 

Global leadership regained with 9.7m sales in 2012 


TOYOTA rebounded to number one 

in global vehicle sales last year as 

its strong performances in Japan and 

North America more than made up for 

a decline in Chinese volumes as a result 

of a consumer backlash over a territory 

dispute between China and Japan. 

The Japanese giant’s collective 

Toyota, Lexus, Hino and Daihatsu 

brands achieved 9.74 million vehicles 

in 2012, up 22.6 per cent and edging 

out 2011 winner GM (9.29 million) 


Jan 30, 2013 Page 22 

GoAuto’s latest car review www.GoAuto.com.au 

Fraser Motorcycles is seeking an experienced F & I Business Manager 

to join our Sydney dealership. Working with Fraser Motorcycles Sydney 

you will be surrounded by Harley-Davidson, BMW and Ducati Motorcycles 

- so if you have an interest or passion for motorbikes we would love to 

hear from you! The role will involve working with our successful sales 

team to drive, promote and sell Finance, Insurance and Warranty 

products. You will also be required to manage and maintain relationships 

with current and potential customers. 

This role requires someone who has: 

Minimum 2 years proven F&I automotive sales or similar A sales 

orientation Strong Written and Verbal Communication Confidence 

in building and maintaining strong relationships with customers 

Excellent literacy and numeracy skills 

and fast-growing VW Group (9.07 

million). 

Recovering from 2011’s natural 

disasters that crippled production and 

forced it to cede the crown to GM for 

a year, Toyota even exceeded its own 

2012 forecast of 8.48 million vehicles, 

propelled by a 35 per cent sales jump 

in its Japanese home market, where 

government incentives helped it 

unload 2.4 million units. 


BUSINESS MANAGER REQUIRED 

GOLF R ‘DEFROSTING’ 

THE countdown to the new-generation 

Volkswagen Golf R is on, with the 

German company announcing plans to 

reveal the car on February 11. 


SUN SHINES ON VW 

VOLKSWAGEN has opened a 

13-hectare solar energy array at its factory 

in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where it plans 

to turn sunshine into Passats. 


VELOSTER RECALL 

A HAM-FISTED robot has been 

blamed for a Hyundai Veloster safety 

recall to replace sunroofs that might 

shatter and potentially cut car occupants. 

Holden Colorado 7 LTZ 


Looking for a go-anywhere vehicle that can seat seven? 

Holden’s Colorado 7 costs less than the default-setting 

Toyota Prado and is more modern than the conceptually 

similar Mitsubishi Challenger and Nissan Pathfi nder. The 

7 shares much with its one-tonne ute namesake – but the 

workhorse’s leaf-sprung suspension has been replaced by 

a fi ve-link rear axle with coil springs for a more refi ned ride 

and the wagon interior has been laid out to provide plenty of 

space for two rows of rear passengers. FULL STORY: CLICK HERE 

To be successful in this role, candidates should have excellent 

Negotiation skills, be target driven and have excellent computer skills. 

The candidate will need to provide customer service that exceeds 

customer expectations and lives up to the quality and reputation of the 

Fraser Motorcycle Group. 

If this sounds like the position for you, contact Ian Walker at 

iwalker@frasermc.com.au for this exciting new opportunity to join this 

prestigious motorcycle dealership.


GoAuto Market Insight 

Latest new-vehicle buyer 

intention data reinforces 

positive industry outlook 

By TERRY MARTIN 

THE latest data from Roy Morgan 

Research on Australian new-car buying 

intentions reinforces the optimism in 

the automotive industry that it should 

maintain its current record-breaking 

level of new-vehicle sales this year. 

Despite uncertain economic 

conditions – fuelled by a rise in the 

national unemployment rate last month 

and expectations that the jobless rate 

will continue to climb in the fi rst half of 

this year – Roy Morgan’s ‘single source’ 

surveys indicate that new-car sales 

momentum is likely to be maintained. 

Results from surveys conducted in 

December show that an estimated 642,000 

Australians intend to purchase a new 

vehicle over the next 12 months, marking 

the third consecutive month that carbuying 

intentions increased after being on 

a downward trend since May last year. 

However, the longer-term outlook 

is less certain, with the latest fi gures 

showing only a marginal improvement 

towards the end of 2012 in four-year 

new-car purchasing intentions. 

According to Roy Morgan Research 

communications director Norman 

Morris, the longer-term averages 

remain high, but recent declines 

could refl ect uncertain economic 

conditions, such as the jobless 

rate and diffi culties in key sectors 

including mining and construction. 

“While 2012 proved to be a very strong 

GoAuto Market Insight – brought 

to you by Dealer Solutions 

year in sales, it will be interesting to see 

if the car industry can maintain its growth 

into 2013 and beyond,” said Mr Morris. 

“Current indicators are that the 

positive trend will continue over the 

next 12 months, particularly if the 

Australian dollar remains strong, 

attractive fi nance deals continue and 

new models are released. 

“Four-year new-car (purchasing) 

intention remains healthy and above 

the average, yet recent declines suggest 

economic uncertainty may be dampening 

Australians’ willingness to commit to a 

major purchase in the long term.” 

Over the longer term, Roy Morgan’s 

data suggests an estimated 2,225,000 

Australians intend to purchase a new 

car in the next four years. This is 

more than 140,000 units above the 

long-term average. 

The fi gures do not include fl eet, 

government and rental car purchases. 


Dealer 

Solutions 

Means Performance. 

Car buyers optimistic 

Estimated no. of Australians (000s) 

2500 

2000 

1500 

1000 

500 

0 

2002 

Intend to buy a new car in the next four years Intend to buy a new car in the next year 

Distributing your inventory online has never 

been this easy! 

Dealer Solutions Inventory Distribution is here to help you. 

Jan 30, 2013 Page 23 

New car buying intention April 2002 - December 2012 

Sour Source: ce: Roy Morg Morgan an Singl Singlee 

So Source urce (Au (Aust). st). Fig Figures ures exc exclude lude fle fl eet, et, gove governme rnment nt and renta rentall 

buyers 

Inventory & Photo Distribution 

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 

Breaking the fi gures down further 

and the most recent data shows that 

the percentage of people intending to 

purchase a passenger car in the next four 

years has increased in recent months 

to 56.4 per cent (1.255 million), while 

those intending to purchase SUVs – 

which has climbed steadily over the past 

18 months – has dropped away slightly, 

down to 27.3 per cent (607,000). 

Within the passenger-car segments, 

small cars remain the strongest 

category for intending purchasers – 

back to 23.5 per cent (523,000) after 

a surge at the end of last year – while 

large cars have shown some resurgence 

in recent months, possibly due to the 

forthcoming VF Commodore, with 

10.3 per cent of people (230,000) 

intending to buy a larger car over the 

next four years. 


Putting you in control. Contact Dealer Solutions today. 1300 66 11 33 

www.dealersolutions.com.au


GoAuto Green 

Green issues in the auto world 

GoAuto o GGreen 

reen is brought 

to you by by y Better 

Place 


PSA’s 2.9L/100km hybrid 

New hybrid system tech 

from French group stores 

energy in compressed air 


FRENCH car conglomerate PSA 

Peugeot Citroen has put on a brave 

face by showcasing a set of bold 

future technologies including a hybrid 

drivetrain that uses compressed air 

rather than batteries to store energy and 

will become production reality in 2016. 

Also among the exhibits at the PSA 

Innovation day, held last week at its 

research and development centre on 

the south-western fringe of Paris, was 

the company’s new modular global 

platform and a low-cost diesel-electric 

mild hybrid system that will feature on 

production cars from 2017. 

The Hybrid Air system was developed 

with Bosch, which has experience 

in hydraulic energy recovery and 

traction systems for heavy trucks, and 

is claimed to deliver fuel savings of up 

to 45 per cent in city driving or 35 per 

cent overall. 

PSA claims that in a light car such 

as the Peugeot 208 or Citroen C3, the 

system can deliver fuel consumption of 

2.9 litres per 100km and CO2 output of 

62 grams per kilometre. 

A hydraulic pump powered by 

regenerative braking or the petrol 

engine stores energy as compressed air 

in a cylinder in the car’s transmission 

tunnel. 

The stored energy is later used to 

power a hydraulic motor that drives 

the wheels through the car’s planetary 

gearset transmission, which alone is 

said to reduce fuel consumption by fi ve 

per cent and provide a quieter drive 

than conventional units. 

In zero-emissions mode, which 

PSA says runs for 80 per cent of 

urban driving but has not indicated 

a maximum driving range, the petrol 

engine switches off and the hydraulic 

motor alone drives the wheels at up to 

70km/h, providing quiet progress. 

The hydraulic and petrol engines can 

also run in tandem to boost performance 

or, during low-speed driving, refi ll the 

GOING ELECTRIC, MADE EASY 

Charging your electric fl eet 

with Better Place makes 

sense for you, your company 

and the environment. 

We are the only electric car infrastructure provider to support 

all forms of range extension, including battery switching. And 

because we only use 100% renewable energy across our network, 

Better Place makes a true zero emissions electric fl eet possible. 

Call our dedicated fl eet team today for more information, 

or visit www.betterplace.com.au 

If you have any queries, please contact Sarah Cox on (03) 8679 0800 

or email your query to fl eetsales@betterplace.com.au 

Jan 30, 2013 Page 24 

compressed air energy storage. 

PSA says Hybrid Air makes full 

hybrid technology more affordable 

“to the great majority”, the pressure 

accumulators do not eat into interior 

space, and as a mechanical system it is 

reliable, robust and easy to maintain. 

Other benefi ts are that the system 

has a smaller environmental footprint 

than batteries and can be produced and 

maintained anywhere in the world. 

The new EMP2 (effi cient modular 

platform) will underpin more than 

50 per cent of vehicles produced by 

PSA, starting later this year with 

replacements of the Citroen C4 Picasso 

and Peugeot 308. 

Compatibility with diverse body 

styles and weight savings of up to 

70kg are promised, as is the possibility 

for the inclusion of new fuel-saving 

technologies claimed to yield a 22 per 

cent reduction in CO2 emissions. 


ASK US 

ABOUT OUR 

NISSAN LEAF 

PACKAGES


GoAuto Personnel 

GoAuto Personnel – brought 

to you by Motor Staff 


LEXUS CEO TONY CRAMB TAKES UP KEY TOYOTA ROLE IN EXEC RESHUFFLE 

By TIM NICHOLSON 

LEXUS Australia chief executive 

Tony Cramb has left his position for a 

promotion within Toyota Australia as 

part of a reshuffl e of the Japanese carmaker’s 

board of directors. 

Mr Cramb has been promoted to 

executive director of sales and marketing 

for Toyota, marking the end of his twoyear 

tenure at the helm of Lexus. 

It is not yet known who will replace 

Mr Cramb at Lexus, but a Toyota 

Australia spokesperson confi rmed that 

an announcement was 

imminent. 

Now reporting to 

Toyota Australia’s 

sales and marketing 

boss Matthew 

Callachor, Mr Cramb 

has worked for Toyota 

Tony Cramb 

in Australia and 

internationally for more than 20 years 

and took over from John Roca as Lexus 

Australia CEO at the start of 2010. 

In other changes to the Toyota board, 

Jan 30, 2013 Page 25 

executive vice-president David Buttner 

has been given the added responsibility 

of chief operating offi cer, which is a 

new role in the company. 

Mike Rausa has returned to Australia 

to become executive director of corporate 

services after spending two years with 

Toyota Motor Asia Pacifi c – Engineering 

and Manufacturing (TMAP-EM) in 

Bangkok, where he held the role of senior 

vice-president of purchasing. 


BRUCE GRIFFITHS RECEIVES OAM FOR SERVICE TO AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY 

BY TERRY MARTIN 

LONG-TIME Australian motor 

industry executive Bruce Griffi ths has 

been recognised in the 2013 Australia 

Day Honours, receiving the Medal 

of the Order of Australia (OAM) for 

service to the automotive manufacturing 

industry and to the community. 

Mr Griffi ths, 63, is semi-retired but 

remains one of the most infl uential 

voices in the Australian automotive 

components sector. 

He is chairman of Futuris Automotive 

Group, a board adviser for Air 

International Thermal 

Systems, a director 

of EV Engineering 

and the Industrial 

Capability Network, 

and was last month 

appointed to the 

Gillard government’s 

Bruce Griffi ths 

new Manufacturing 

Leaders Group charged with helping 

Australian manufacturing “seize the 

opportunities of the Asian century”. 

A former managing director of both 

Futuris and Air International, Mr Griffi ths 

has held a string of signifi cant governmental 

and industry posts throughout his career, 

including vice-president of the Federation 

of Automotive Products Manufacturers 

from 1990 to 2012, foundation director of 

the AutoCRC (since 2005), and member 

of the Automotive Industry Innovation 

Council (since 2008). 

He was also awarded the Centenary 

Medal in 2001 for services to the 

development of national automotive 

industry policy, and was inducted into 

the Victorian Manufacturing Hall of 

Fame in 2003. 

KATE LAMB BECOMES BMW AUSTRALIA’S FIRST FEMALE MASTER TECHNICIAN 

By TERRY MARTIN 

BMW Doncaster’s Kate Lamb recently 

became the German luxury car brand’s 

fi rst-ever female master technician in 

Australia, reaching the highest possible 

rung on BMW Group Australia’s 

training program. 

Ms Lamb has worked for BMW 

Doncaster, based in Melbourne’s 

eastern suburbs, for almost 14 years, 

moving through the ranks as BMW 

Australia’s No.1 

Recruitment Specialist 

– Established 1992 – 

1300 666 562 

Group Australia’s fi rst 

female apprentice, 

followed by qualifi ed 

technician, diagnostic 

technician and now 

master technician. 

She had a short 

stint overseas over 

Kate Lamb 

that period, working 

for Vancouver Auto in Canada in 

the early 2000s after completing her 

• Australia’s largest database of qualified 

applicants (receptionists to Dealer Principals) 

• Australia’s largest choice of automotive positions 

(sales, service, parts and administration) 

• Australia’s most professional, ethical and 

comprehensive recruitment service 

• Servicing the Australian Motor 

Industry for over 20 years 

apprenticeship with BMW Doncaster 

in 2002. Upon returning to Australia, 

she rejoined the Doncaster dealership 

and spent 18 months as a service 

advisor before heading back into the 

workshop as a technician. 

Over the past three years, Ms Lamb 

has also worked as a volunteer with 

two brigades in the Victorian Country 

Fire Authority, rising to the position of 

First Lieutenant. 

salesservicepartsadmin 

SEEKING 

QUALITY STAFF? 

www.motorstaff.com.au 

“Our Recruitment Specialists take the stress out of hiring the Best People for your business”

GoAuto New Car Diary 

LAUNCH 

JAN 


Holden Cruze wagon 

Land Rover Discovery 

LDV V80 

Mitsubishi Mirage 

Nissan Pulsar sedan ► 

Subaru Forester 

GoAuto New Car Diary – brought 

to you by carsales.com.au 


Jan 30, 2013 Page 26 

Nissan Australia has this week 

reintroduced the Pulsar badge to its range 

after a seven-year absence, replacing the 

unloved Tiida. The 96kW/174Nm 1.8-litre 

sedan has arrived a few months ahead 

of the hatch, and kicks off from a sharp 

$19,990 plus on-roads. 

FULL NEW CAR DIARY: CLICK HERE 

Audi future model tech includes driverless parking, autopilot mode and laser lighting 


AUDI used the recent Consumer 

Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas 

to demonstrate technologies that would 

not look out of place in science fi ction 

but could make production before the 

end of this decade. 

The developments include an 

automatic valet parking feature that 

can operate without the driver onboard, 

and animated organic LED (OLED) 

and laser lighting that addresses the 

shortcomings of existing systems. 

Audi also demonstrated an autopilot 

mode that takes the strain out of driving 

in traffi c or can be activated for limited 

periods to give the driver a break. 

New three-dimensional instrument 

graphics and an advanced sound system 

prototype were also among the exhibits. 

The automatic parking system and 

traffi c jam autopilot come under Audi’s 

banner of “piloted driving”, which 

the German company claims “will be 

technically feasible before the decade 

is out”. 

One of the more impressive features 

of piloted driving was demonstrated in a 

video showing the driver exiting the car, 

pushing the park button on a smartphone 

app and the car driving itself into a 

hotel’s underground garage, locating a 

vacant space and reversing into it. 

The driver is later able to remotely 

summon their car from its parking space, 

in similar fashion – if less dramatic – 

to scenes from 1980s television show 

Knight Rider and the James Bond movie 

Tomorrow Never Dies. 

In this example, the parking facility 

takes over control of the vehicle, 

communicating with it via a wireless 

internet connection to guide it to the 

closest available parking space, while 

the vehicle’s sensors are used to prevent 

collisions. 

Audi says it is in the process of 

equipping a parking facility in its home 

city of Ingolstadt with the technology to 

make automatic valet parking a reality. 

In addition to saving the driver time 

and effort, car parks equipped with this 

technology could be designed with less 

space between vehicles as space for 

opening doors will not be required. 

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As an extension of existing systems 

that can detect a suitable parking space 

and take control of the steering to help 

the driver park, Audi’s vision of the 

future also enables the driver to exit 

the car before parking in tight spots or 

narrow garages. 

Various forms of autonomous driving 

have been demonstrated by several car 

manufacturers, and Audi’s integrates 

numerous existing driver assistance 

and safety technologies to make it 

possible for a car to drive itself at 

speeds between standstill and 60km/h. 

Sensors enable adaptive cruise 

control, lane-keeping assistance, blindspot 

monitoring and autonomous 

emergency braking to combine with 

the electric power steering system to 

enable the car to safely follow traffi c 

and lane markings without driver input. 

Once the congestion has passed 

and traffi c starts travelling faster than 

60km/h, the driver is prompted to 

resume control of the car. 

Audi prides itself on being at the 

forefront of lighting technology, 

having debuted LED daytime running 

lights and full-LED headlights on its 

production cars.

GoAutoNews

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