Car News Articles

News that a car components supplier in Tasmania is in danger of going out of business underlines the huge challenges facing the local car industry.

Launceston bearings maker ACL has received a $2.3 million bail-out from the Federal Government to allow it to keep its doors open.

ACL is the sole supplier of precision auto bearings to Ford, Holden and Toyota. If they go under, the local manufacturers have a huge headache on their hands.

ACL cites tariff cuts and currency challenges as the main reasons for its difficulties.

It’s a predicament that is shared by the local manufacturers.

Tariffs have been cut from 57.5 per cent in 1988 to 10 per cent. Add to that free trade agreements with the United States and more importantly, Thailand, and the pressure on the locals is obvious.

By the end of 2008, Australians will have bought more Thai-built cars than Australian-made ones.

But if you ask the local manufacturers, the strength of the Australian dollar is the biggest thorn in their side.

In 2001, the value of the Australian dollar was around US50c. In January last year it was up to US77c and today it is trading at about US92c. It has been just as strong against the Japanese Yen, South Korean Won and the Thai Baht.

The impact of this shift in currency was evident at the recent release of the new generation Subaru Forester, which was bigger, better equipped and up to $3000 cheaper than its predecessor.

Subaru boss Nick Senior readily admits the currency situation helped the company sharpen its pencil.

But that’s not the only way the strength of the dollar is hurting the locals.

Most people agree that the key to survival of the local industry is exports. But as both Toyota and Holden are finding, the strong Aussie dollar is making the Commodore and Camry less attractive to export customers.

It also makes Australia a relatively high-cost manufacturing base. Recent rumours out of Detroit suggest that Ford has decided against basing its rear-wheel-drive development program in Australia because of currency issues.

And the local Toyota operation is facing similar pressure from low cost plants in China and Russia.

So do you think it’s time the Government reviewed its tariff policy and gave greater protection to the local industry?

After all, the Thai and Korean governments put up plenty of barriers to protect their local industry while benefiting from our free trade approach.

Isn’t it time to level the playing field a little?

Richard Blackburn

Motocross superstar Robbie Maddison is the latest bike ace to want a future in V8 Supercars.

Australia’s answer to Evel Knievel smashed his own word record for the longest motorcycle jump last weekend at Calder Park.

He jumped 107.29m to improve on the 98m he leapt in Las Vegas on New Year’s Eve.

But Maddison is confident he can clear 128m (420 feet) at his next record attempt, scheduled for China at the end of the year.

But his win in the Celebrity Challenge at the Australian Grand Prix last month has got him hooked on car racing.

Asked if he wanted to race cars, the 26-year-old could not hide his enthusiasm.

“I would absolutely love to,” Maddison said. “I went over to the Vodafone V8 Supercar pit and talked to (Craig) Lowndesy and Jamie Whincup and got the full tour through their cars.”

“Mate, they are such an awesome machine.”

He won both Celebrity Challenge races at the GP with ease. Despite his bike background, Maddison is no stranger to four-wheel action.

“It is something I have always loved,” he said. “When I was growing up I drove go-karts with (V8 Supercar star) James Courtney. I drove his kart once and I was only a couple of splits off the lap record in that class of karts.”

“His dad back then offered me one of his karts to race that season but I was tied up with my motocross.”

“Motocross was more important to me back then but now it’s not so important to me.”

“I think I could do the V8 Supercars and a couple of world record jumps a year and that would be a good year for me.”

Having jumped the distance of a football field on a motorcycle, Maddison is confident in his abilities and said they could transfer to cars.

“I’d back myself,” he said. “I don’t know how well, but I think I’d do all right.”

Maddison joins fellow dirt biker Chad Reed and retiring World Superbike star Troy Bayliss in wanting to switch to four-wheels.

Reed has tested a V8 Supercar for Paul Morris Motorsport with success.

“Chad and I hang out quite a bit and race go-karts over in the states,” Maddison said.

“He’ll take one race out, I’ll take the next one out. So if he did all right, I should do all right.”

Maddison did not rule out an all-star bike team with his mate.

“If Reedy and I could have a run and do a team that would be a great thing. I’d trust Chad to be my teammate and I think he’d trust me to be his.”

“Just need someone to supply a car, that’s all.”

Whincup, the V8 Supercar championship leader, said it was hard to judge how well Maddison could adapt.

“It’s a tough one,” he said. “Whether these guys can get up to speed quick enough to be competitive is the question.”

- Herald Sun

It may only be a concept at this stage, but the highly-detailed Kia Koup points to a future of a two-door sports coupe.

Originating from the Kia Motors America Design Centre in Irvine, California, the striking Koup concept surprised show goers at the New York motor show and illustrates the shape and evolution of future Kias.

Looking from some angles like a two-door Mitsubishi Lancer, the aggressive, pillarless Koup is a practical four-seater.

Chief designer Tom Kearns says the car is a taste of future Kias.

“Kia is designing cars to appeal to drivers who want stylish looks and advanced technology,” he says.

The Koup styling is likely to appear first in the small, four-door Spectra sedan, codenamed TD, which features a strong wedge-shape, short boot and long angular front end in 2010.

The Koup combines balanced proportions and a fluid design that hints at an almost production-ready front-wheel-drive sports coupe.

Adding further fuel to the flames is that the car also has six-airbags, electronic stability control, adaptive headlights and a tyre-pressure monitoring system.

The independent front suspension gets MacPherson struts and the rear has a dual link set-up, borrowed from Kia’s parts bin. The suspension features continuous damping control.

Front on, the car has a bold, dynamic stance with carbon-fibre and black-chrome LED headlights.

From the side there is a distinct wedge-shaped profile with short front and rear overhangs and 19-inch alloys with a Brembo brake package.

Inside there is plenty of carbon-fibre detailing, sports seats, smart key ignition with push-button start and six-speed sequential gearbox with steering wheel-mounted paddles.

The car is powered by a 2.0-litre Theta II turbo-charged four-cylinder.

- The Daily Telegraph

Volskwagen starts airing in the US its commercials featuring Heidi Klum. Expect to see a lot more Heidi Klum and her husband, famous singer Seal, in the brand new and shiny VW products. Both have signed a deal with VW last year to be the auto maker official ’celebrity’ ambassadors.

New VW “Das Auto” campaign:

VW Tiguan commercial, only aired in germany so far:

Ever since Industrial Light and Magic dropped Jurassic Park onto the scene, it’s rare to see a movie, TV show or advertisement that doesn’t involve some form of CGI. It’s amazing what can be done by a handful of programmers and a case of RedBull, but something gets lost in translation when computerized effects are used in place of their analog forbearers. The advertising firm IdeaCity recognized this and melded high-tech wizardry with old-school filmmaking to create an absolutely beautiful ad for BMW’s new M3.

The edifice for the spot began with a tour of BMW’s M facility in Munich, where the IdeaCity crew studied the inner workings of the M3’s 4.0-liter V8. They had three complete engines shipped out to Belgium, where manifolds were cut, cylinders were shaved and lighting holes were drilled to mount special cameras, lenses and lights. After two weeks of intensive study and preparation, the team took another four, 20-hour days to film what happens inside the 420 hp mill during a single revolution. The completed spot was filmed at 10,000 frames-per-second and doesn’t utilize any form of computer-generated effects. We’ve already watched it a half a dozen times and we think you’ll do the same. Check it after the jump.