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Vehicle technology to drive pedestrian safety

A new generation of vehicle technologies holds the key to radically improving pedestrian safety.This is the view of the University of Adelaide’s Centre for Automotive Safety Research (CASR), the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) and the Australasian College of Road Safety (ACRS), who joined together to conduct a pedestrian safety demonstration at CASR’s Vehicle Testing Laboratory in Kent Town.Marking the second anniversary of the United Nations' decade of action for road safety – 2011 to 2020 - during UN Global Road Safety Week, the demonstration showed how new technologies can alert the driver to an imminent crash, and intervene to prevent a crash from occurring.

Dealer fined $37,000

A former licensed motor car trader has been convicted and fined $37,000 for breaching the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) and the Motor Car Traders Act 1986.Nigel Vivian Cowan, who operated Victory Auto Brokers as a licensed dealer in Tullamarine, was fined $30,000 for two breaches of the ACL and $7000 for three motor car trading offences.Cowan pleaded guilty in the Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court to: - accepting payment and failing to supply a motor car- making a false or misleading representation that a vehicle would be sold with 12 months registration- consignment selling (selling, exchanging or otherwise disposing of a motor car, or any interest in one, as an agent for someone who is not an LMCT or a special trader)- failing to comply with an inspector’s requirement, without a reasonable excuse- failing to make the prescribed entries into the dealings book for 23 motor cars.The court also ordered Cowan to pay costs of $1400.

Misleading online car insurance tool closed down

The online car insurance comparison tool 'Ezi-Estimates' has come under the scrutiny of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), who ordered it to be shut down over misleading content.The service, offered by insurance comparison website JustEzi, ranked insurers by price, from lowest to highest, after the consumer entered certain details.ASIC found 'Ezi-Estimates' had not received access to insurers’ data but based the estimates on a formulation created by the website operator.

17 Honda dealerships honoured

Honda says its 'dealer excellence awards' have been given to the dealerships that display excellence in professionalism and performance in all aspects of their business.“The Honda Dealer Excellence Award is a very significant achievement and represents outstanding performance in sales, service, parts and customer satisfaction throughout 2012," says Stephen Collins, Honda Australia director."We believe we have some of the best people in the business in our dealer network and this is our way of recognising their commitment to excellence.” Dealerships have the opportunity to win a Honda Dealer Excellence Award each year provided they meet the qualifying criteria ingcover all areas of the business including sales, service, parts and customer satisfaction.The winners for this year are as follows:Dave Potter HondaFormula HondaDarwin HondaMotors HondaYarra HondaNordic HondaTrinity HondaCarlin & Gazzard HondaBurswood HondaTorque HondaIreland HondaPace HondaHonda NorthNorthway HondaSunshine Coast HondaEastern HondaNew World HondaBack row left to right1.

Volvo’s end of financial year offer

Volvo Car Australia has launched its end of financial year sale season with Volvo Freedom, a special offer that gives customers:- 3 years free scheduled servicing- 3 years warranty including Roadside Assistance- 3 years free fuel The deal is available across the Volvo model range of new and demonstrator vehicles (except the new V40) purchased and delivered between now and May 31.

Renault targets further growth in commercials

Renault has introduced limited special offers across its commercial range for business owners and fleet operators.Each of the three Renault LCV models is now available with drive-away pricing, with the short wheelbase Kangoo petrol manual - with dual sliding side doors - priced from $20,990 drive-away.The Renault Trafic short wheelbase manual is now $29,990 drive-away, while the long wheelbase manual is $32,990 drive-away.

Audi launches world’s fastest diesel SUV

Audi Australia has launched the world's fastest diesel SUV, the SQ5 TDI, starting from $89,400 (manufacturers list price).The company's first diesel 'S' model is powered by a twin-turbo, 3-litre diesel V6, outputting 230kW and a whopping 650Nm of torque between 1450 and 2800 rpm.The sprint to 100km/h is achieved in just 5.1 seconds, yet the car retains excellent efficiency of just 6.8 litres per 100km, a figure which qualifies the car for reduced luxury car tax (LCT).

Mitsubishi launches deals

Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited has launched its 'End of Financial Year Sale'.To build momentum on MMAL’s best ever first quarter import result of 21,070, CEO Mutsuhiro Oshikiri says his company’s decision to start the sale in May is aimed at extending its strong sales momentum.“We have had a strong start to 2013 and we want to see it continue, so we have developed some outstanding offers across the whole range that will suit buyers wanting high levels of specification at really good prices.

Nissan drops Leaf price

Nissan's Leaf electric car is now available from $39,990 drive-away, down from its previous drive-away price of $46,990.The company says the offer is designed not only to broaden the Leaf's appeal, but to capture the attention of buyers considering an EV who may have previously been put off by the comparatively higher purchase price typically associated with the vehicles.