“A gross distortion of the facts” – AMIF
The Australian Motor Industry Federation (AMIF) says the current visa debate is distorting what is happening in regional and rural communities across Australia.
Big growth for trucking industry
The trucking industry faces continued growth for the next five years across Australia, say to government reports. According to the government DEEWR 'industry employment projection report', the driver sub-sector of the transport industry will create more than 28,000 of an expected 830,000 new jobs between 2012 and 2017.
Service skills winners announced
Mitsubishi Australia has announced the winners of its annual service skills competition.The Mitsubishi technician of the year title was claimed by Michael Bitar from New South Wales’s Northshore Mitsubishi.Carla Smith from Len Patti Mitsubishi in Queensland was named Mitsubishi’s service adviser of the year for the third year in a row.
Updates for Hyundai i40 models
Hyundai Australia has introduced new safety technologies to the ‘Premium’ i40 sedan and i40 Tourer models.Both smart parking assist, and lane departure warning and assist, are now standard features, bring cutting-edge technologies to Hyundai’s flagship passenger car.
New Lexus IS 300h tops green rating
Lexus' all-new IS 300h will have the highest green vehicle guide rating, and the lowest CO2 emissions, of all its luxury sedan rivals - including diesels - when it is released here later this year.The first ever hybrid in the IS range, IS 300h will produce 113 grams of CO2 per kilometre and consume 4.9 litres of fuel per 100km (combined cycle) with a combined power output of 164kW from its petrol-electric drivetrain.Lexus says these figures are unmatched by all rival petrol, diesel or forthcoming hybrid vehicles in the segment.
Consumer confidence sees slight rise
Roy Morgan's weekly consumer confidence rating shows consumer confidence rising to 121.0pts (up 1.4pts since March 2/3, 2013).
US firm buys remaining Repco shares
An American listed firm is now the sole owner of Repco, paying a total of $US800 million for the the Australasian car parts provider.Genuine Parts Company bought 30% of Repco's parent, Melbourne-based Exego, in January last year and has now purchased the remaining shares.Exego's annual revenue is about $1.1 billion and it has more than 430 stores in Australia and New Zealand, including Repco Australia, Repco New Zealand, Ashdown-Ingram, McLeod Accessories and Motospecs.
Auto apprentice training in jeopardy
Hundreds of automotive apprentice positions could be lost due to a massive and unjustified wages push by unions, says the South Australian Motor Trade Association.The unions are seeking first year rate rises of $127.10 or a 43% increase per week and an extra $70.61 or 18% increase for second year apprentices.“These increases are simply not affordable for our industry,” says MTA CEO John Chapman.
Toyota boosts FJ Cruiser appeal
Toyota has boosted the appeal of its FJ Cruiser 4x4 by more than doubling its fuel range and adding an off-road cruise control system known as CRAWL.The FJ Cruiser's fuel-tank capacity has been expanded to 159 litres with the 72-litre main tank now supplemented by an 87-litre sub-tank.As a result, the theoretical driving range increases to 1060km in the city and more than 1700km on the highway.
Audi TT Coupé S line competition package arrives
Audi has boosted the character of its iconic sports car with the TT Coupé S line 'competition package'.