28 February 2018 by Matt Campbell
There has been a lot of action in the ute segment since the start of 2018. But with all the fanfare around a certain ute (the one wearing the three-point star), as well as a range of rugged and sporty new additions to the dual cab segment, some of the biggest improvers have missed out on their...Read more
26 February 2018 by Mark Oastler
The Ford Ranger was Australia’s top-selling 4x4 in 2017. In the process it knocked off its arch rival for the first time, the Toyota Hilux, even though Toyota shifted more Hiluxes overall thanks to its long established strength in 4x2 sales, mainly to commercial fleets. Even so, the Ranger’s...Read more
26 February 2018 by Mark Oastler
The Ford Ranger XL Plus has unique features designed to meet the specific requirements of mining companies, government departments and other organisations needing more functionality from their vehicle fleets in the field. The XL Plus could also appeal to some private buyers. On top of the vinyl...Read more
26 February 2018 by Mark Oastler
The XLS is designed to bridge the gap between 4x4 XL and XLT models on price and features, offering a more appealing package for both fleet and private buyers without compromising the XL’s no-nonsense work-focused persona. Based on the XL dual cab ute , it shares all of its features including Ford’...Read more
26 February 2018 by Mark Oastler
The XL is the entry point for the 2018 Ford Ranger range. With its 16-inch steel wheels it’s the back-to-basics workhorse aimed more at those with muddy boots than sharp suits. The no-frills cabin has a tough vinyl hose-out floor but is a comfortable mobile office that includes useful features like...Read more
31 January 2018 by Mark Oastler
The Caddy is the undisputed king of the compact (that's under 2.5-tonne GVM) van class in Australia. The popular Volkswagen soaks up about 60 per cent of all sales in this small but important segment, meaning two out of every three compact vans sold are wearing a Caddy badge. At least part of that...Read more
19 January 2018 by Mark Oastler
Australia's increasingly competitive 4x4 dual cab ute market has prompted some manufacturers to offer additional models that fill gaps between entry-level, mid-range or top-shelf grades. These ‘in-betweeners' are usually created in response to feedback from customers for whom the traditional three-...Read more
9 January 2018 by Matt Campbell
To say that Toyota is really hitting its stride with HiLux sales is like suggesting that Steve Smith is in reasonable form, or that Lionel Messi is quite good at football. The Toyota HiLux has just wrapped up the title of best-selling vehicle in Australia for the second year running, and the good...Read more
19 December 2017 by Mark Oastler
When Holden launched the RG Colorado in 2012, it was obvious General Motors had seriously underestimated the benchmark in Australia’s booming 4x4 ute market. Holden was left with no choice but to pull the thing apart, identify all the problem areas (and there were plenty), engineer solutions to...Read more
1 December 2017 by Mark Oastler
Mid-sized commercial vans in the popular 2.5-3.5 tonne GVM segment used to be little more than containers-on-wheels in which performance, safety and driver comfort were not considered high priorities. However, numerous manufacturers now offer vans that can not only haul competitive payloads but...Read more
22 November 2017 by Mark Oastler
The metamorphosis of the humble 4x4 dual cab ute from a bare-boned utilitarian workhorse to a work-and-play family fun machine has been remarkable. One of the driving forces behind the booming popularity of dual cab utes in this dual-purpose role has been Ford's premium-grade Ranger Wildtrak ,...Read more
6 November 2017 by Mark Oastler
The rise and rise of 4x4 dual cab ute ownership proves these high-riding hay haulers have created a lucrative sweet spot in the Australian car market. The Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux are not only runaway leaders of their segment, they recently became the industry’s two top-selling models for the...Read more
25 October 2017 by Mark Oastler
While the popularity of diesel-powered dual-cab utes continues to grow and grow, the same can’t be said for those equipped with petrol engines, with less torque and higher fuel consumption blamed for their drooping sales. Want proof? Even top-selling Toyota recently took the axe to the the 4.0-...Read more
6 September 2017 by Mark Oastler
The small (under 2.5 tonne GVM) commercial van market in Australia is characterised by fewer sales and competitors than the medium (2.5-3.5-tonne GVM) van segment. The requirements of small vans tend to be more specialised, typically involving light loads, stop-start city traffic and confined pick-...Read more
25 August 2017 by Mark Oastler
Although Ford's Transit is Europe's most popular commercial van it has struggled to compete with the likes of Toyota's top-selling HiAce and Hyundai's iLoad in Australia's mid-sized (2.5-3.5 tonne GVM) van segment, largely due to the lack of an automatic transmission. In June 2017 Ford Australia's...Read more
2 August 2017 by Mark Oastler
Toyota has a lot riding on the enduring success of its latest NG-series HiLux in an increasingly competitive Australian and global ute market that forced it to freeze its initial design plans and come up with something better. Much better in fact, because this is the best one yet and it relied...Read more
31 July 2017 by Mark Oastler
There's an emerging trend within the popular 2.5 to 3.5-tonne medium-sized van segment that's offering a practical alternative to the large SUV or dual cab ute as a work-and-play vehicle – the Crew van. The Hyundai iLoad , Mercedes Vito , Toyota HiAce and VW Transporter all offer the option of a...Read more
17 July 2017 by Mark Oastler
Not all commercial enterprises require medium-sized commercial vans like the Toyota HiAce or Hyundai iLoad with 2.5-3.5 tonne GVM capacity. That's why there's a healthy market for under-2.5 tonne GVM versions tailored to suit small to medium-sized businesses and fleets. The Renault Kangoo has...Read more
5 July 2017 by Mark Oastler
For decades the Falcon station wagon was Ford’s ideal family transporter. Then in the new millennium came the Territory SUV, which, with seating for up to seven, multiple clever storage ideas, and the lower-priced option of rear-wheel drive (RWD) only, was a natural successor. The Aussie-designed,...Read more
29 June 2017 by Mark Oastler
Toyota's HiLux is feeling the heat from Ford's (PXII) Ranger in Australia's hotly contested 4x4 ute market. Recent national sales figures show the Ranger is outselling the former undisputed champion of this segment and closing the gap on the Toyota's long-standing dominance of the 4x2 ute segment,...Read more
