Articles by CarsGuide team

Ford has issued a recall on the Ford Territory for a defective impact sensor. The recall on the Ford SZ Territory is to fix a problem with the vehicle's left-hand C-pillar side impact sensor.The recall notice says there is a possibility that a sensor that forms part of the vehicle's supplemental restraint system may not have been secured.This could mean that in the event of a side collision, the side curtain airbag may not operate correctly, possibly resulting in serious injury to the occupant.Ford says only a small number of the vehicles are affected. The problem occurred in 134 Territorys built between 29 March  - 26 April 2012.

So French champion Alexandre Premat has added penguin power to his impressive assault on the V8 Supercar Championship by bringing Phillip Island local 'Philippe' into his camp ahead of his debut at the world class circuit. Premat has continued to impress after being drafted by Fujitsu Racing GRM boss Garry Rogers this season with his anticipated debut at the Phillip Island Grand Prix circuit set to be his best given the fast flowing European style circuit. With his young family settling in to Victorian life Premat has already claimed Phillip Island as a home away from home, and has now adopted Philippe, who is named after both the island and his father. The new addition to the Premat family was made as part of the announcement that the Penguin Foundation would be the official event charity of the Phillip Island 300. Alex, his wife Cleo and daughters Zoe and Sasha also built a penguin box, which will be placed on the Summerland Peninsula among the other penguin boxes, for Philippe to use.  The Fujitsu Racing GRM driver is the first V8 Supercar driver to adopt a penguin on Phillip Island, and he said he was privileged to be able to contribute to the conservation of penguins and their habitat. "They are fantastic little creatures," said Alex. "They are really interesting and very cute my children love them. The former DTM and sportscar driver is in his first season of Australian motorsport, and hopes to come to grips with the Phillip Island circuit as easily as he has with the penguins. "It is a big, fast track like we have in Europe," said Alex. "From the moment I got into a V8 Supercar I have been good in the fast corners the team have been saying to me, 'just wait until you get to Phillip Island'. "The cars are very different from what I have been used to the power and the brakes are very similar, however there is much less downforce, which really changes the way you have to drive the cars. The Phillip Island 300 event will be on track May 18-20, with a new sprint race format seeing a 140km race on Saturday and 200km race on Sunday. The best in touring cars is joined by the best in two-wheel racing with the Australian Superbikes returning once again. Kids 12 and under will be admitted free with a paying adult, making the event a great family day out, and there is plenty of entertainment including the Disney-Pixar CARS Truck Tour, featuring Mack the Transporter, and for the first time a life-sized Lightning McQueen will appear at the event on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are now on sale now from Ticketek outlets, online at Ticketek.com.au, or by phoning 132 849. On circuit camping is also available for those wanting to make a great weekend out of the event.  

The cars were produced between September 2010 and last month, with 55,146 shipped to the domestic market and 53,801 others that were exported to countries including to Australia, Mexico, and Europe.Suzuki said that an inadequate connection on the rubber fuel filler hose could cause petrol to leak. Four cases of such leakage have been reported in Japan, but they did not lead to any accidents, the statement revealed."There have been no reports of such defects abroad,'' the spokesman added. "About the exported cars, we will deal with them in keeping with local procedures of the countries concerned.''In March, Suzuki recalled about 93,000 Swifts, including 11,000 in Australia, to repair the fuel filling system.

Holden says its car-making operations in Australia are viable and sustainable but it doesn't expect to increase imports while the dollar remains high. The company says car producers in Australia continued to face tough conditions with disrupted supplies of components, unfavourable exchange rates and stronger competition from importers.  Holden had a limited ability to compete with import companies that continued to chase aggressive pricing in the local market, chief financial officer George Kapitelli says. But Holden had made fundamental improvements to its cost base over the past two years, Kapitelli says, and the savings reflected in a brighter longer-term outlook for the company.  "Plant utilisation has increased considerably and local production is viable and sustainable with two car lines at Holden vehicle operations," Kapitelli says. Holden's assessment of its business, which includes the vehicle assembly plant in Adelaide and the Melbourne engine production facility, came as the company yesterday posted an $89.7 million after-tax profit for 2011, with the result hit by a softening large-car market and a shortage of some imported vehicles, including Barina and Captiva. Holden says its revenue was down to $4.3 billion last year, from $4.4 billion in 2010, while its profit result compared to the $112 million net profit the company reported in 2010. The 2011 profit was the same amount as it received in assistance from the Federal Government ($89.7 million), but Kapitelli says the commonwealth funds came with some spending requirements, including local investment in research and development. He says the company's second consecutive year of profit was driven by the success of the Australian-built Cruze small car and the leaner cost structure.  "After the financial crisis, we reshaped our business to improve structural cost, reduce our reliance on exports and bring the Cruze into local production so we could continue to make cars in Australia," he says. "We could be a very profitable importer, no question about that, but we have chosen to make a long-term commitment to advanced manufacturing in Australia." Holden says local vehicle production was up 36.8 per cent in 2011, with 90,424 cars built at its assembly plant in South Australia, compared to 66,061 in 2010. Engine production in Melbourne rose 2.9 per cent to 101,019.  

The first image of Hyundai's new i-oniq concept car looks anything but boring designed, as it is to showcase its future thinking. The i-oniq is an electric sports hatchback with a range-extending petrol engine with a range of up to 700km. At 4.4 metres long, i-oniq has space for four occupants in its driver-oriented cabin. Hi-tech equipment in the driver interface and controls reflects contemporary and future premium consumer electronics technology. Passengers benefit from a lounge-style space designed to optimise comfort, featuring sculpted surfaces inspired by musical instruments to create a positive contrast with the sports-focused driver area. The i-oniq concept has an innovative powertrain that demonstrates Hyundais commitment to clean technology. A 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine is mated, via a generator, to a lithium ion electric motor which produces 80kW. In electric-only mode, i-oniq has a range of 120km, while with assistance from the petrol engine it can travel up to 700 km, producing just 45 g/km of CO2 in the process.  

Available in a range of new and modified layouts, the 2012 Jayco Sterling range brings even greater levels of style and comfort thanks to its unique layouts and furnishings.As well as the fantastic electric slide out bed and lounge feature which is available in a number of layouts, caravanners will also be impressed with additions to the Sterling's interior which include a new curved kitchen design which incorporates curved seats, sink, drawers and a table.The Sterling offers travellers a new and improved Thetford swivel toilet, patented aluminium furniture construction and an upgraded 150 litre fridge. Holidaymakers will also enjoy new standard additions including a Coast to Coast washing machine and high quality Dometic windows with built in blinds.Externally, Jayco has upgraded the Sterling's wheels, graphics and offers a provision for external BBQ installation, as well as a range of other improvements to ensure the Sterling is entrenched as the leader in the caravan market. 

Police are warning that mobile phones and music players can have terrible consequences for drivers and pedestrians, after more than 40 people were hit by cars in NSW in a week.

The latest victim was a 76-year-old woman, who died on Sunday when she was struck by an SUV in a shopping centre car park at Mount Druitt, in Sydney's west.

 The spate of accidents involving pedestrians has prompted police to warn that using a mobile phone while at the wheel can distract a driver with fatal results.

"It is these momentary distractions that can result in (drivers) running a red light, crashing into the car in front of you or, worse still, hitting a pedestrian," Assistant Commissioner John Hartley said in a statement.

People walking or jogging while listening to music also need to pay attention to their surroundings, he said.

"Headphones and music can drown out traffic noises and make you oblivious to your surroundings."

Sunday's fatality followed the death of a 38-year-old woman on Wednesday, who was killed when she was hit by a bus while crossing a road in Beecroft.

Her 11-month-old baby girl, whom she was carrying at the time, escaped uninjured.

"A life cannot be replaced, but by driving to the speed limit and remaining focused on the road you can reduce the risk to yourself and other road users," Assistant Commissioner Hartley said. 

Volkswagen had previously been said to be planning a sub-compact SUV as a joint project with Suzuki, based on the Japanese brand’s SX4 platform. However the tie-up between Volkswagen and Suzuki has ended, and it seems the German giant could be looking in-house.  That means something like the Buggy Up concept might move from motor show stands to the production line.  Smaller SUVs would slot into below the compact Tiguan in the line-up, and with the growing interest in sub-compact models could make a good business case.  The Up is built in Volkswagen’s Slovakia plant, and VW Slovakia boss Albrecht Reimold told German publication Handelsblatt that the Up line-up would be a strong prospect for future exapnsion. "It's certainly an area we must look at," he told the publication.

An independent competition watchdog investigation into petrol price collusion may be more effective than a parliamentary inquiry, says shadow treasurer Joe Hockey. Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) petrol commissioner Joe Dimasi said on Thursday the industry had been put on notice about arrangements that may breach the Competition and Consumer Act. "There has been an inquiry under all governments into petrol virtually every 12 to 18 months, so how this will be different I don't know," Mr Hockey told the Seven Network on Friday."But I'd like to think given the ACCC's initiated this one instead of politicians, that in fact, they will get to the bottom of it. "People are frustrated with the enormous volatility in prices." Labor frontbencher Tony Burke said repeated inquiries into the oil industry had failed to uncover whether price collusion was occurring."There's been attempt after attempt to get in behind what's happening with petrol prices and I don't think anyone has nailed the right way," he told the Seven Network. "To make sure that there's not price gouging, I think, is something that lies at the heart of what everybody expects." The ACCC is concerned that possible arrangements between the oil giants is hampering price competition. Australian law bans contracts, arrangements or understandings that cause or are designed to erode competition.

Audi has had success with SUVs ...the Q7, Q5 and most recently Q3. The Q6 has previously been said to be in the works – and now there are also hints of a Q2 on the way.  A report in the UK magazine Auto Express says the Q2 ultra-compact will be a four-seater three-door, offered with both front-drive and quattro all-wheel drive.  The report suggests the Q2 could be launched in 2014, slotting in just before the latest A1 and A3 get a mid-life facelift.  It is likely to carry the A1’s 136kW 1.4-litre TFSI four-cylinder turbo petrol engine, and a 1.6-litre diesel intended to appeal to European buyers - although with the right auto transmission it would win a few hearts here too.  However the report says the Q2 will not be bases on the A1’s platform but on the new versatile Volkswagen Group MQB small car platform, which underpins the new A3 and the next VW Golf models. With the booming global popularity of small packages, where to after this? Next bets are on a Q1 micro-SUV at some stage in the future? Stay tuned.