Articles by Mark Oastler
23 December 2022 by Mark Oastler
Prepping for off-road A 4x4 dual cab ute like our BT-50 XTR , which can tackle the harshest terrain and venture deep into remote areas, obviously runs a much higher risk of being damaged than a family sedan or soft-roader that rarely (if ever) leaves the bitumen. So, with serious off-roading and...Read more
5 December 2022 by Mark Oastler
Preparations for towing As mentioned in last month’s report, we wanted to see how the BT-50 performs as a heavy-duty tow vehicle, so as part of our Mazda Genuine Accessories (MGA) installation program we returned to Ringwood Mazda to get the BT-50 kitted out for towing . Read the other long-term...Read more
23 November 2022 by Mark Oastler
For many years the Mitsubishi Triton has maintained a solid foothold in the local 4x4 dual cab ute market as Australia’s third-highest seller behind the dominant Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux. And that enduring buyer affection is showing no signs of waning. The latest VFACTS industry sales figures...Read more
30 October 2022 by Mark Oastler
Installing Mazda Genuine Accessories During our six-month test, we’re adding a few accessories along the way to personalise the BT-50 to make it better suited to our family’s requirements. And the most convenient way to do that is to go online and check out the huge range of Mazda Genuine...Read more
25 October 2022 by Mark Oastler
In 2018 Toyota Australia launched three ‘halo’ variants of its HiLux dual cab 4x4 ute comprising Rugged, Rogue and top-shelf Rugged X. Although the Rugged had an early departure due to slow sales, the ‘urban adventurer’ Rogue and ‘hardcore off-road’ Rugged X have proven popular with premium-grade...Read more
19 October 2022 by Mark Oastler
The badgework for Great Wall Motors’ Cannon range is a confusing mix of the GWM acronym used in export markets and the letter 'P' displayed on the grille and other places which symbolises its domestic brand name Poer. However, there’s clearly no confusion for Aussie buyers looking for a well-...Read more
4 October 2022 by Mark Oastler
When the all-new T6 Ford Ranger was released in 2011, Ford made sure its big bruiser was never short of grunt. The premium engine choice at launch was a punchy 3.2-litre inline five-cylinder turbo-diesel with 147kW/470Nm, soon followed by a new Bi-Turbo 2.0-litre four-cylinder which literally ‘...Read more
19 September 2022 by Mark Oastler
Mid-sized (2.5 to 3.5-tonne) commercial van buyers have a variety of makes and models to choose from, even though most buy the venerable HiAce. Latest VFACTS figures confirm Toyota’s long-standing dominance, as the HiAce commands just under 40 per cent market share with the remainder spread across...Read more
14 September 2022 by Mark Oastler
BT-50: all new with Isuzu The Australian launch of the latest generation BT-50 in June 2020 heralded a significant change for Mazda’s ute, as it was the first to ‘platform share’ with Japanese commercial vehicle giant Isuzu after previous pairings with Ford’s Ranger . The current BT-50 was embedded...Read more
14 September 2022 by Mark Oastler
The Jeep Wrangler-derived Gladiator dual-cab ute launched here in 2020 is primarily designed with serious off-roading in mind. The premium Rubicon model grade is named in honour of the notorious Rubicon Trail in California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains, which all Jeep models most conquer before they...Read more
26 August 2022 by Mark Oastler
The then all-new T6 Ford Ranger launched in 2011 was proudly designed and developed in Australia. So, if you ignored the fact it was assembled in Thailand to minimise production costs, it was the closest thing you could get to an ‘Aussie’ ute and Australian buyers responded in large numbers. More...Read more
10 August 2022 by Mark Oastler
Unlike Australia’s mid-size (2.5-3.5 tonne GVM) commercial van segment, where up to a dozen rivals compete for customers, there are currently only three players in the small (under 2.5-tonne GVM) van class, comprising the Volkswagen Caddy, Renault Kangoo - and Peugeot Partner. Up to July 2022, the...Read more
3 August 2022 by Mark Oastler
The Isuzu MU-X is a ute-based SUV built off the even-more popular D-Max pickup truck, and it's a seven-seater as standard. We've got the top-spec LS-T 4x4 model for a six-month loan as a family truckster, to see what this new-generation MU-X is like to live with.Read more
21 July 2022 by Mark Oastler
The Mahindra Group is a $20 billion Indian conglomerate based in Mumbai. It consists of more than 150 companies and has an expansive global reach across 22 different industries in more than 100 countries. Its diverse operations include aerospace, construction/farm/industrial equipment, defence,...Read more
4 July 2022 by Mark Oastler
Isuzu offers a convenient ready-to-work option for tradies with its appropriately named ‘Tradepack’ based on the popular N-Series range, available in a choice of wheelbases and either 4500kg or 5500kg GVM ratings. The lower weight rating can be driven using a standard car licence, so we recently...Read more
22 June 2022 by Mark Oastler
For many tradies and mobile service providers, a single cab one-tonne ute in cab-chassis form is a versatile platform that can be equipped to suit virtually any task, from off-the-shelf drop-side trays to complete custom-made canopies and service bodies. However, utes of this size typically have...Read more
26 May 2022 by Mark Oastler
The Hyundai iLoad, in both single-cab and crew van variants, established a large and loyal customer base in Australia’s mid-sized (2.5-3.5 tonne GVM) commercial van market between 2008 and 2021. It had a facelift in 2019 but by then the iLoad was stretching beyond the usual 10-year generational...Read more
3 May 2022 by Mark Oastler
LDV, a division of China’s largest automotive manufacturer SAIC Motor, has been selling its T60 ute in Australia since 2017, during which time it’s established a solid foothold in the low-priced ute segment against similar rivals from China (GWM) and Korea (Ssangyong). During that time LDV has...Read more
19 April 2022 by Mark Oastler
The latest generation of Mazda’s workhorse has clearly benefitted from the company’s joint venture with truck manufacturer Isuzu, resulting in the BT-50 sharing the latest D-Max ute’s rugged 4x2 and 4x4 underpinnings and body hard-points. The only major differences between these two are exterior...Read more