Portal:Australian cars/Current events/January 2008
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Listed below is the January 2008 archive of Current events for the Australian cars portal.
Contents |
[edit] V6 power-plants open opportunities for Ford
There has been speculation that by the year 2010 the Ford Falcon (Australia) and Territory (pictured) could have new Lincoln designed 3.7 litre V6 engines delivering just under 200 kW (268 hp) and 359 Nm of toque. The engine sources the underpinnings from the upcoming Lincoln MKS which also means that there could be a less powerful 3.5 litre offered as well. So far, the Ford Motor Company of Australia can’t confirm this but numerous scores point to suggest that the engine could be very feasible. This is because Ford have released details that they are changing their engine formats from the standard straight six engine to V6 engine configurations in 2010 and with the closure of their Geelong engine manufacturing plant. It will be very likely that the engines will be imported from the United States. Building V6 is cheaper than manufacturing the straight six engines here, which is a strategy to cut costs. Unfortunately this is bad news for Ford fans because the humble straight six engines has been used in the Falcons for over 40 years and manufactured in the soon to be closing Geelong plant.
[edit] Holden recalls 86,000 vehicles
More than 86,000 Holden Commodores, Statesmans and Caprices (pictured) are being recalled to fix a fuel line, that could potentially rub and wear out leading to fuel leak and fire. The recall affects all V6 powered Commodores, Statesmans and Caprices that have been built since the models launch in August 2006, to December 5 2007. However, this does not affect V8 powered vehicles. 19 Holden Commodores have already had the same problem, but have fortunately not caught on fire. The chances of this leak are low, but Holden is choosing to err on the side of caution.
Source: [1]
[edit] Hybrid Holden's are on the way
Soon to be Holden boss Mark Reuss has reported that petrol-electric 'hybrid' vehicles are a main priority for Holden. Reuss has said that he may consider importing several General Motors vehicles and develop a hybrid Holden Commodore (pictured). Reuss considers Australia to be the "home of our (General Motors) rear-wheel drive architecture". Some existing vehicles are also set to be converted into hybrid, such as the Holden Captiva, which will accept a 'two mode hybrid' engine.
Source: [2]
[edit] Both Ford and Holden bosses resign
February 1, 2008 will be both a major and historic day for Australian motor vehicles. Both Ford Australia head Tom Gorman and GM Holden boss Chris Gubbey will be resigning, making the 1st of February the first ever day that both Ford and Holden bosses resign concurrently. Ford Australia boss Tom Gorman will be leaving for an unspecified job in Europe, and Holden boss Chris Gubbey will be leaving after only six months at the top job.
The departure of Gorman has been seen as bad timing, for the reason that his departure is only weeks away from the launch of the new eighth generation Falcon which is considered the most important in the model's 47 year history. 2007 has been a poor year for Ford Australia; the company has reported a loss in a record "one-million sales" year for automobiles sold in Australia. As for Holden many are puzzled about the short tenure of Gubbey; General Motors answer is that Gubbey is needed in Russia to use his experience with emerging car markets to their advantage.
Source: [3]
[edit] Holden confirms Cadillac's come-back
GM Holden has confirmed that the Cadillac (pictured) will make a return to Australian shores after a 39 year absence. Chris Gubbey, chairman and managing director of Holden has reported of the return of the Cadillac, and that "Cadillac is undergoing a brand renaissance and global expansion driven by dramatic design and technical innovation." Gubbey also says that "With cutting-edge design, serious performance and luxury appointments, Cadillac will appeal to Australian prestige car buyers and quickly establish itself in a segment traditionally dominated by European brands."
The Cadillac is said to become a luxury branch of Holden, as Lexus is to Toyota. Thus, the Cadillac would allow Holden to offer cars to more prestige buyers and will also allow them to expand over their "price-limit" of around AU$80,000. The Cadillac will compete with such cars as the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes Benz C-Class and Audi A4.
Source: [4]
