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D-MAX Offers Space Cab for Less Cost
Isuzu UTE Australia is adding a Space Cab variant to its increasingly popular Isuzu D-MAX diesel one-tonne ute and cab/chassis range for much less extra cost than its competitors.

The new Space Cab D-MAX SX 4x4 cab/chassis costs just $2,200 more than its single cab/chassis stablemate compared to the $4,000 to $5,500 extra that other brands charge for this variant.

With a Manufacturer's Retail Price (MRP) of $35,800 (including GST, excluding on-road costs and rear body) or $37,476 MRP with its endorsed 2100mm (load floor length) alloy GPA tray body fitted dockside, the D-MAX Space Cab SX 4x4 cab/chassis offers generous in-cabin room behind its two bucket seats, ideal for locking valuable gear inside or a spot of power-napping via fully reclined bucket seat backrests.

Arguably the most stylish of the D-MAX cab variants, the Space Cab stands out with its signature low-sill and round-cornered rear quarter windows-which are openable at their trailing edges for added cabin ventilation with minimal wind noise.

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Mercedes-Benz B-Class F-CELL: First Fuel Cell-Powered Car to Enter Series Production
Stuttgart - Mercedes-Benz is launching its first series-produced fuel cell car on the road: the new zero-emission B‑Class F-CELL. The environmentally friendly electric car has performance similar to a 2.0-litre petrol car and is fully suited for everyday driving. The zero-emission drive system consumes the equivalent of 3.3 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres in the NEDC (New European Driving Cycle). Production of the B-Class F-CELL will commence in late 2009 with an initial small volume. The first of around 200 vehicles will be delivered to customers in Europe and the USA at the beginning of next year.

Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) today launched an exciting new model Series aimed at broadening its appeal to Australia's automotive enthusiasts.

Named in tribute to a fondly-remembered Ford from the late '60s, the new GS sedan and GS Ute are unique limited-edition models offering buyers entry to the FPV family at a very competitive price point.

FPV's GS sedan and Ute are individually-speced to provide a combination of GT-based 302kW V8 engine performance, FPV chassis enhancements, bespoke GS graphics and FPV driver comfort features.

Available in limited numbers, the new FPV GS Series models hark back to the original Falcon GS of 30 years ago, introduced with the XW-model of 1969 and now the second most collectible Ford Falcon behind the GT.

"GS is another iconic badge in Ford's family history in this country," FPV General Manager Rod Barrett said.

"Our aim was to develop a model that provides the performance, prestige and individuality that is a signature of the FPV brand, with its own identifiable model personality, and all at a great price.

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BMW has unveiled a high-performance concept study with ActiveHybrid technology visualising the dynamic performance typical of a BMW against the backdrop of future demands in sustained mobility.

The BMW Vision EfficientDynamics, which will be shown at the Frankfurt motor show, is the future of the Ultimate Driving Machine in harmony with trendsetting efficiency.

"The concept is an emotional expression of BMW's desire to retain driving pleasure when it comes to sustainable motoring," says BMW Group Australia managing director, Stavros Yallouridis.

"This is a glimpse of the future BMW and it packages all of our Efficient Dynamics technologies into one car to show what's possible.

"Some of the components used are already in production, will be introduced soon or are in various stages of development," he says.

The development of the stunning concept car is the performance of a BMW M Car and a highly emotional character combined with the fuel economy and emission management of a modern small car in the premium class.

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The new Honda Insight has been rated one of Europe‘s safest cars, setting the benchmark for hybrid vehicles, according to the new independent crash testing results from Euro NCAP.

Euro NCAP's rating scheme focuses on the vehicle's overall safety performance which gives consumers an easy to understand single score. The system considers occupant protection in frontal, side, pole and rear impacts, child protection, pedestrian protection and the availability of driver aids. The Honda Insight has been awarded the maximum 5-star rating.

The new rating scheme, introduced in February 2009, uses a weighted score, combining many aspects of a car's safety performance: adult (50%), child (20%) and pedestrian (20%) protection assessment results with the availability of safety assistance devices (10%). To qualify for inclusion, safety assistance devices (VSA for Honda) must be fitted as standard across 85% of the EU 27 2009 model range.

The Insight is the most recent in a string of Honda cars to receive top marks.

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Mr. Lindsay Smalley, Chairman of The Honda Foundation, presented a cheque for $116,000 to Ms. Vittoria Borazio, Chief Operating Officer of Youth Off The Streets for their young driver training program.

The program provides a number of disadvantaged young people associated with Youth Off The Streets the opportunity to learn to drive a car responsibly and develop road skills to ensure they gain their licence, including the 120 hours of log book training required.

The program, now in its second year, is conducted by Honda Australia Roadcraft Training (H.A.R.T) at their facility at St Ives in Sydney. Three young people graduated from the program in 2008 and a further 12 hope to gain their licence in 2009.

Honda recognises the importance of driver education and road safety, which is an issue that embraces all facets of the community.

Lindsay Smalley, also Honda Australia's Senior Director said, "The Honda Foundation is pleased to support this young driver training program by Youth Off The Streets and H.A.R.T.

PRESS RELEASE

The Executive Committee of the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) has elected incoming GM Holden Chairman and Managing Director, Alan Batey, as its new President.

Mr Batey replaces Mark Reuss who stepped down as Holden Chairman and MD and FCAI President to take up a senior executive position with General Motors in the United States.

"I am pleased and honoured to represent the Australian automotive industry as President of the FCAI," Mr Batey said.

"I believe that our automotive industry must continue to focus strongly on its commitment to improving vehicle safety and continuing to meet the challenge of improving environmental performance - these will remain key priorities for the FCAI," he said.

"I am also firmly committed to the future of automotive manufacturing in Australia and I look forward to working closely with the Federal Government as the industry prepares to implement the next phase of the New Car Plan for a Greener Future," Mr Batey said.

PRESS RELEASE

Hyundai Launches ix35 Compact SUV in Korea
Hyundai Motor Company's all-new Tucson replacement has been officially unveiled. To be known as ‘ix35' in Australia and Europe, and ‘Tucson ix' in South Korea, the compact sports utility vehicle has sweeping coupe-like lines, a premium vehicle feel and comes with many new features. With the start of sales in the Korean market, Hyundai aims to set the trend for the segment and regain sales leadership in the compact SUV market.

Its revolutionary features begin with the exterior styling which is based on the bold ix-onic concept shown at the Geneva Motor Show in March. The power output, fuel-efficiency, comfort and safety features have been all upgraded over the Tucson, which ix35 will ultimately replace. Known by the project name LM, it took 36 months and 280 billion won (approx. AUD$268 million) to develop.

PRESS RELEASE

Subaru has maintained a five-star safety rating across its entire range, with new generation Liberty and Outback scoring highly in the latest round of crashworthiness testing by the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP).

Both new Liberty and Outback were awarded 34.8 out of a possible 37 points, gaining a five-star rating for occupant safety.

In addition to dual front, side and curtain airbags, both models also introduce a driver's knee airbag.

Electronic stability control is standard across the Subaru range.

Nick Senior, Managing Director, Subaru Australia, said: "Safety is an absolute priority at Subaru.

"All our Australian specification cars are crash tested locally. We don't rely on overseas results, which may not necessarily reflect local spec and may not even have been conducted using right hand drive cars."

He added: "Subaru has consistent safety features across its entire range, making it an easy choice for safety-conscious customers. Our own research indicates safety as one of the top three considerations for our customers.

PRESS RELEASE

The new Golf range now features the most fuel efficient model in the Volkswagen range with the addition of the new 1.6-litre diesel Golf.

Powered by a sophisticated and efficient new diesel engine, the five-speed manual Golf 77TDI can cover 100km with 4.9-litres on the ADR 81/02 combined cycle. In highway running consumption drops to just 4.3-litres per 100km.

With a potential range of well over 1100km, the new diesel Golf not only delivers its occupants in comfort and safety to their destination but at minimal expense.

The sixth generation of the Golf establishes an elegant new design direction in the evolution of the iconic model.

In conceiving the interior for the new Golf, Volkswagen's designers unashamedly set themselves the target of defining new benchmarks in quality in this class. This goal extends to all aspects, from ergonomics, through the feel and look of the materials used to the overall refinement within the cabin.