Articles by Joshua Dowling

Joshua Dowling reviews the Kia Sorento at its Australian launch

But a change brought about following an investigation by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission may unwittingly have the opposite effect.The ACCC recently took one big brand to task because the price of each service was subject to change over several years, generally in line with inflation.In reality it meant the possibility — not all prices went up — of prices rising by an average of 2.5 per cent a year, depending on the materials involved in each service.Now that the prices are harder to find, the car makers can creep them back up again if they chooseBut the net result of the ACCC action so far is that some brands have made it harder to get a servicing quote online.On some sites, you must enter the car’s Vehicle Identifying Number (VIN) to figure out exactly how much each service costs.This may be more accurate but it means potential customers have no idea when comparing brands.And now that the prices are harder to find, the car makers can creep them back up again if they choose.If the consumer watchdog really wants to keep pressure on service costs, it needs to find a better way of enforcing its regulations.The authority could start by requiring all car companies to publish service prices online, without the need for a password or vehicle identifier.

The number of vehicles caught up in the world's biggest recall over potentially deadly airbags has ballooned to more than 660,000 in Australia, after more cars were added to the list overnight.Despite the increase in numbers, car safety experts have warned motorists of affected vehicles not to disable the airbags in their cars, even if they are worried they may explode shrapnel when deployed in a crash -- because it may make the cars less safe and unroadworthy.Honda is recalling 18,210 Accords made from 2001 to 2006 and added 3030 MDX family SUVs made from 2003 to 2006 to the list of more than 20 popular makes and models.Meanwhile Chrysler has also increased the number of 300C sedans to be recalled locally, from 4500 to 5500.The executive director of the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce, Geoff Gwilym, told News Corp Australia motorists should not "attempt to disable, deactivate or remove airbags".Mr Gwilym said disabling an airbag is "more likely to contribute to the damage caused by an accident, in the same way that you are at greater risk if you do not wear a seatbelt"."Airbags should never be tampered with by motorists or unqualified people," said Mr Gwilym.Follow the advice of their relevant car company and return the vehicle to the dealer when the replacement part becomes available"Airbags are not a discretionary item of equipment and cannot be simply turned off and on again. The mechanism is technically sophisticated and forms an important part of the vehicle's engineering."If the airbags in a car were deliberately tampered with, the car would be deemed unroadworthy, he said, and any mechanic who carried out the work could be liable."In addition to the legal implications, a professional vehicle technician will not deactivate airbags as they are aware of the risks to the vehicle occupants," said Mr Gwilym."While the recent global airbag recall is a concern, we advise affected vehicle owners to follow the advice of their relevant car company and return the vehicle to the dealer when the replacement part becomes available."The VACC also warned that buyers considering the purchase of a used car should check to see if it subject to a vehicle recall notice by visiting recalls.gov.au.The majority of motorists have no option other to wait up to a year before the airbags are replaced — because the supplier at the centre of the crisis can't build them fast enough.It became the biggest recall in the world after Japanese manufacturer Takata — which supplies 20 per cent of the car industry's airbags — admitted in a US hearing this week the problem was more widespread than it had claimed for years.The faulty airbags, which can explode shrapnel if deployed in a crash, have so far claimed six lives overseas. No deaths or injuries have been reported in Australia.Authorities in the US and Australia have not ordered the recalled cars off the roadLegal experts say motorists have little choice but to endure the painstaking wait for the replacements, and they can't sue the car companies unless someone dies or is seriously injured from the defective airbags.The crisis has left drivers with the unenviable task of taking the risk and driving their cars or — if they can afford it — park their recalled car until new airbags become available.So far, authorities in the US and Australia have not ordered the recalled cars off the road.The odds of being killed are difficult to calculate. Not all of the airbags in the 53 million cars are defective.But internal testing by Takata over the past six months found 265 of 30,000 recalled airbags had ruptured — or less than 1 per cent.That may sound like good odds, until you realise it still leaves 530,000 cars around the world — and at least 6000 in Australia — with airbags that can kill.Chrysler 300C sedan 2005 to 2007BMW 3 Series 1997 to 2006Honda Jazz 2004 to 2009Honda Accord 2001 to 2006Honda Accord Euro 2004 to 2007Honda CR-V 2002 to 2008Honda Civic 2004 to 2005Honda MDX 2003 to 2006Lexus SC430 2001 to 2003Mercedes-Benz SL and SLK 2014Nissan N16 Pulsar 2000 to 2006Nissan D22 Navara 1997 to 2004Nissan Y61 Patrol 1997 to 2010Nissan T30 X-TRAIL 2001 to 2007Nissan A33 Maxima 1999 to 2003Subaru Impreza 2004 to 2007Toyota Echo 2003 to 2005Toyota RAV4 2003 to 2005Toyota Corolla 2003 to 2007Toyota Yaris 2005 to 2007Toyota Avensis 2003 to 2007

Cheap tradie utes bolted out showroom doors last month as small businesses appeared to be quick to take up the Federal Government's tax incentive on $20,000 company vehicles.Sales of the most basic versions of the Toyota HiLux ute increased by 12.4 per cent while the Mitsubishi Triton -- both of which scrape below the $20,000 threshold -- surged by a staggering 42.7 per cent, as both brands cleared old stock and took advantage of new tax rules.However, the actual number of bargain basement utes delivered was relatively small (996 Toyotas and 421 Mitsubishis), and they appear to be the only two winners in a dark month for the rest of the car industry.New-car sales hit the brakes for the first time in four months in May, figures due to be released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries at midday Wednesday are expected to show.The number of new cars reported as sold was down by 1.3 per cent compared with the same month the previous year, to 93,327 deliveries, making it the weakest May result in four years.The tally has surprised the industry as it had been forecasting another record after a strong start to the year. Sales year-to-date, however, are still up, by 2.5 per cent.Half of the Top 10 brands were down, including market leader Toyota, Holden, Ford, Hyundai and Nissan -- and German car maker Volkswagen closed to within just 460 sales of former top-seller Ford.The Toyota HiLux ute was the top-selling vehicle across all types -- for the 14th individual month since 2008 and the first time in almost two years -- however its sales were down by 4 per cent (once all versions of the HiLux are tallied) compared with the same month last year.Sales of utes in general were down by 0.9 per cent, as the majority of models fall outside the Federal Government's $20,000 threshold on company purchases.The car industry warns it is too early to determine if the Federal Government's stimulus package -- which is due to run until the end of the 2016/17 financial year -- is a success or a failure."None of us were ready for it, it was really only the last two weeks of the month, and there were really only a handful of cars across the entire market that were eligible," one Toyota dealer told News Corp Australia."This deal will be around for a while so I think you will find several brands try to put something together that meets the $20,000 criteria," said the industry veteran.Following changes announced in last month's Federal Budget, small businesses and sole traders will be able to claim a deduction on company assets valued up to $20,000 in this financial year, rather than have the refunds spread out over eight years, as is usually the case with motor vehicles.The changes mean sole traders will be eligible for a refund of up to $8500 on a $20,000 work vehicle, while small businesses could pocket up to $5400 -- providing quarterly tax instalments or pay-as-you-go taxes are up to date.Sole traders in the maximum tax bracket of 47 cents in the dollar stand to make the most gains, while companies with a turnover not exceeding $2 million may be eligible for an instant tax refund of 30 cents in the dollar on $20,000 purchases.Private buyers, however, will not benefit from the new scheme.Meanwhile, the industry is bracing for a boom in June, customarily the biggest month of the year for new-car sales.Toyota - 15,928 - down 7.6 per centMazda - 8717 - up 12.5 per centHyundai - 8269 - down 1.6 per centHolden - 7956 - down 11.7 per centMitsubishi - 6149 - up 6.4 per centFord - 5994 - down 13.8 per centVolkswagen - 5534 - up 12.5 per centNissan - 4467 - down 28.9 per centSubaru - 3776 - up 14.4 per centHonda - 3086 - up 21.5 per centToyota HiLux - 3173 - down 4 per centMazda3 - 2876 - down 12.6 per centToyota Corolla - 2688 - down 30.6 per centMitsubishi Triton - 2679 - up 18.8 per centFord Ranger - 2411 - up 4 per centHolden Commodore - 2217 - down 16.3 per centVolkswagen Golf - 2093 - down 9.0 per centMazda CX-5 - 1981 - up 15.5 per centHyundai i20 - 1920 - up 36.6 per centHyundai i30 - 1666 - down 34.7 per cent Source: Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries. Sales in May 2015 and the percentage change compared with the same month last year.

The biggest scandal to hit the Australian automotive industry is about to get bigger.News Corp Australia understands the Fiat Chrysler motor company is considering expanding its Federal Court action into the alleged misuse of $30 million of corporate funds to include allegations concerning other former executives not currently named in the action."As this is a matter before the courts we won't engage in further discussions and cannot comment at this stage," said Pat Dougherty, who was appointed president and CEO of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Australia (FCA Australia) in December 2014.A News Corp Australia investigation has learned that several people who benefited from lucrative contracts had worked together at another car companyThe revelation comes as a News Corp Australia investigation has learned that several people who benefited from lucrative contracts had worked together at another car company -- and one person had been sacked overseas for misuse of corporate funds.At least four of the executives named in the FCA court documents worked together at Mercedes-Benz Australia 10 years ago.There is no suggestion any action is pending from their previous employment at Mercedes-Benz Australia, and the German car maker is not involved in the FCA court case.Fiat Chrysler Automobiles — which distributes Jeep, Chrysler, Fiat and Alfa Romeo cars — has filed court documents that allege former chief executive Clyde Campbell misused more than $30 million of company funds during his term in office, from October 2010 to May 2013.According to court documents, FCA Australia alleges Mr Campbell "breached his fiduciary duties" and also used corporate funds "directly or indirectly" to buy a yacht, a plane, and lavish overseas trips.The statement of claim lodged to the Victorian Registry of the Federal Court of Australia also alleges Mr Campbell's successor, Veronica Johns — who joined the company in 1998 as a personal assistant to the finance director and in May 2013 became the first Australian woman to head a car company — helped pay for house renovations using corporate funds.The 51-page statement of claim filed to the Federal Court also names former Mercedes-Benz executives -- Ernst Lieb, David Piva and Sam Tabart -- who worked with Mr Campbell at the German car-maker.Mr Campbell was general manager of sales for Mercedes-Benz cars in Australia from 2004 to 2007.Mercedes-Benz Australia spokesman David McCarthy told News Corp Australia: "I am not aware of any specific allegations or investigations at Mercedes-Benz Australia regarding those people (the former Mercedes-Benz employees)."In the Federal Court documents FCA Australia alleges Mr Lieb and Mr Piva benefited from $2,495,000 in funding towards "marketing support" and the acquisition of two Melbourne dealerships -- at Brighton and Chadstone -- in which they have a joint financial interest.At the opening of the Chadstone dealership in April 2013 -- the same month Mr Campbell left his role as the boss of FCA Australia -- Mr Campbell, Ms Johns, Mr Lieb and Mr Piva "enjoyed an evening of mingling and speeches", according to a press release issued at the time.Mr Piva described the occasion as "an exciting time to be a part of the Fiat Chrysler team".Prior to becoming involved with the FCA brand of dealerships, Mr Lieb was from 2003 to 2006 the CEO and President of DaimlerChrysler Australia-Pacific, which represented the Mercedes-Benz and Chrysler group of companies that were jointly owned at the time.Mr Piva also previously worked for Mercedes-Benz. According to his LinkedIn profile, his last position with the company, from 2006 to 2008, was as dealer principal of the Mercedes-Benz of Melbourne showroom, owned and operated by the German car-maker.In October 2011, Mr Lieb was sacked from his role as the boss of Mercedes-Benz USA after the company found he used corporate funds to pay for golf club fees, flight upgrades, and renovations to his New Jersey house, including adding a home theatre, a gym, a washer and dryer and a barbecue.In November 2012 Mr Lieb appealed the decision and tried to sue for wrongful dismissal. But the court in Stuttgart, Germany, dismissed the case saying the claims against Mr Lieb were "so serious that any further employment would be unacceptable".Mr Lieb, who was born in Germany, eventually returned to Australia and reconnected with his former colleague, this time as a car dealer and with Mr Campbell as a car company CEO.When Mr Campbell left Mercedes-Benz Australia in December 2007 he initially tried to establish a dealership within the Mercedes-Benz retail network but the plan never eventuated.Mr Campbell subsequently joined Motortrak, a dealer marketing services company, before he was appointed as the boss of FCA Australia in October 2010.Mr Tabart worked with both Mr Campbell and Mr Lieb at Mercedes-Benz from 2005 to 2007 as marketing manager for the Smart car brand, a subsidiary of Mercedes-Benz.Mr Tabart was later hired by Mr Campbell to join FCA Australia as marketing director from 2010 to 2013. Mr Tabart is credited with commissioning the "I Bought A Jeep" advertising campaign.In April 2013, the same month Mr Campbell left FCA Australia, Mr Tabart also left the company, to work for a corporate internet services business that, according to its website, specialises in search engine optimization, data reporting, and social media advertising.Prior to Mr Tabart leaving, however, FCA Australia says in May 2012 it entered into a three-year contract worth "approximately $6,600,000" with the company called Digital Dialogue, which FCA Australia alleges was part owned by Mr Tabart.The statement of claim alleges Mr Campbell "authorised the Digital Dialogue Media Contract on behalf of (FCA Australia)".The statement of claim, filed on behalf of FCA Australia by law firm Arnold Bloch Liebler, repeatedly says throughout the document "further particulars will be provided before trial", when referring to most of the allegations.  The interlocutory hearing of the FCA Australia case was due last week but has been postponed until June 16.Mr Campbell's lawyer Sam Bond, has told media the accusations of misusing funds are "not only completely denied but considered scandalous".News Corp Australia could not reach Veronica Johns, Ernst Lieb, David Piva and Sam Tabart for comment at the time this article was written.

The all-new Toyota HiLux due in showrooms in October has a digital dashboard display inspired by the new Mercedes-Benz C Class, and top-end models are expected to get automatic emergency braking and pedestrian avoidance.The HiLux is loaded with more technology and capability as it faces its stiffest competition since the original was launched in 1968.In addition to the arrival of a new Mitsubishi Triton last month, a new Nissan Navara on sale next week, there is a refreshed Ford Ranger due in July -- which also has a more upmarket interior and equipment once reserved for luxury cars.Top end versions of the new Ford Ranger will be available with radar cruise control, forward collision warning, blind zone alert, and lane keeping technology that beeps at the driver if they wander from their lane.The Ford also has an 8-inch touchscreen including navigation and a rear-view camera, voice control, and a 240 volt power socket to charge a lap top while on the move.Toyota is yet to release the complete list of standard equipment on the new HiLux, but camouflaged prototypes have been photographed testing pedestrian detection technology.Never before have so many brand-new or heavily revised contenders been launched so close togetherAble to scan the road ahead, top end versions of the new HiLux are understood to be available with automatic emergency braking, which stops the car at speeds up to 30km/h if the driver is distracted and about to hit the car in front.The arrival of a refreshed Ford Ranger and an all-new Toyota HiLux within months of a new Mitsubishi Triton and Nissan Navara is likely to increase the competition between the top selling utes in Australia.Never before have so many brand-new or heavily revised contenders been launched so close together.The HiLux once had more than one-third of the workhorse market, but its leadership has been eroded by the Ford Ranger and others; the Toyota currently represents one in five utes sold.Even though the HiLux has been the top-selling four-wheel-drive pick-up for more than three decades, Toyota says it welcomes the competition and believes that it will remain number one because the ute market has grown.Anecdotally, the growth in ute sales has been driven not only by the mining boom, but also by families switching from large cars and SUVs."Traditionally the HiLux was very much a workhorse-based, tool-of-trade vehicle," said Toyota Australia executive director of sales and marketing Tony Cramb."What customers are looking for now is a more family-oriented vehicle that they can take to work."To create the new HiLux, Toyota appointed the same person who developed one of the world's smallest cars.The chief engineer Hiroki Nakajima was also responsible for Toyota's tiny European city car, the iQ, about the same size as a Smart and known for its clever use of available interior space.Toyota insists the eighth generation model has retained the HiLux's ruggedness, even though it is available with seven airbags, a remote sensor key, LED headlights and other mod cons.Toyota will be the first car maker to fit a standard rear camera to so many ute modelsA rear-view camera is standard on every model in the new HiLux range, except for the cheapest cab-chassis fitted with a drop-side tray (it's a dealer fit accessory).With 31 variants in the new line-up, Toyota will be the first car maker to fit a standard rear camera to so many ute models.The other big news is that the new HiLux will be able tow literally a tonne more than before, with capacity increased to 3500kg to match the Ford Ranger and Holden Colorado pick-ups.Payload has also increased to a maximum of 1240kg on certain models.Perhaps the biggest telltale sign that the new HiLux hasn't gone soft, though, is the fact that the driver still does not get a vanity mirror.Meanwhile, Toyota's Australian engineers have for the first time had a hand in how the top-selling ute drives."Australia is a very important market for the HiLux and Australian engineers have played an important role in its testing," said Cramb."Australia has 80 per cent of the world's harshest road conditions so that made it an ideal place to test the new HiLux."More than 16 million HiLux utes have been sold worldwide since 1968, including 850,000 in Australia.Toyota estimates there are more than half a million HiLux utes still on Australian roads.The HiLux is not only Australia's favourite ute, it is also our biggest selling four-wheel-drive, and has been our top-selling vehicle outright on 13 individual months over the past five years.Perhaps the biggest indication of our changing taste in cars: the Toyota HiLux now comfortably outsells two former Aussie favourites: the Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon.Price: $21,000 to $60,000 (estimated)On sale: OctoberEngine: 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinderPower: 130kW and 450NmTransmission: Six-speed manual or six-speed autoEconomy: TBC but Toyota says 10 per cent better than today's modelTowing capacity: 3500kgPayload: 1240kg maximum on certain modelsAvailable technology: Seven airbags, rear view camera on all models except the cab-chassis, sensor key, LED headlights, iPad-style display in the dashboard.The body, engines and 80 per cent of the undercarriage are new and the suspension has been heavily revised. But the main chassis rails are unchanged from before, which is why the new Triton looks so similar to the old one. The chassis dictates that the body's "hard points" are largely unchanged, even though not a single panel can be swapped from the new model to the old one. Engine: 2.4-litre turbo diesel. Peak power: 133kW/430Nm. Maximum towing capacity: 3100kg.As with the Mitsubishi, the body, engines and 80 per cent of the undercarriage are new and the suspension has been revised, including the option of independent rear suspension on top end models. As with the Mitsubishi, the main chassis rails are unchanged from before, which is why the new Navara looks similar to the old one. The chassis dictates that the body's "hard points" are largely unchanged, even though not a single panel can be swapped from the new model to the old one.Engine: 2.3-litre turbo diesel. Peak power: 140kW/450Nm. Maximum towing capacity: 3500kg.The Ford Ranger is new from the windscreen forward, with a completely different bonnet, front fenders, headlights, grille and front bumper. It also gets a completely new dashboard, with a larger touchscreen and a rear camera on more models than before. Electric power steering and better noise insulation join the technology highlights such as radar cruise control and lane-keeping assistance. The drivetrain and towing capacity is unchanged from before however. Engine: 3.2-litre turbo diesel. Peak power: 147kW/470Nm. Maximum towing capacity: 3500kg.Toyota says every part of the eighth generation HiLux is new, including the body, chassis rails, suspension, steering system, interior and engines. Even the badges and rear bumper are new (the bumper from the superseded model actually came from the predecessor, so it's been around for 20 years). If we had to take a guess, the rear mudflaps might be carried over from before. Engine: 2.8-litre turbo diesel. Peak power: 130kW/450Nm. Maximum towing capacity: 3500kg.

The biggest scandal to ever hit the Australian automotive industry is off to a stalled start.

Tech giants Google and Apple are apparently about to develop their own vehicles, but the car industry says they have a lot to learn if they want to be successful.

Look, no hands! German car-maker Audi has confirmed it will have an autonomous vehicle on sale within two years, beating industry predictions that self-driving automobiles wouldn't arrive until 2020.It might not be legal to do so in some countries -- including Australia -- but drivers will, in theory, be able to keep their hands off the wheel and their feet away from the accelerator and brake pedals while the car guides itself in stop-start traffic.The traffic law in most Australian states requires the driver to have “proper control of the vehicle”; for now it is unclear if the new technology will meet that criteria.Audi's announcement at a consumer electronics expo in Shanghai overnight has renewed concerns about how much control should be taken away from drivers in cars of the future.Audi says "piloted driving" systems will improve road safety -- even though the company controversially plans to use technology to encourage motorists to watch TV, check email or update social media while on the move.The car is now the world's fastest and most powerful mobile device"The car is now an interface between the driver and their digital life," said Audi chairman Rupert Stadler. "The car is now the world's fastest and most powerful mobile device."The Audi boss said piloted driving "has the potential to improve safety" while also enabling "the safe integration of email and social media" into the car.While road safety experts strongly oppose anything that increases driver distraction, advocates for the technology say automated assistance may be a safeguard against drivers who continue to break the law regardless of the potentially fatal consequences, or the hefty fines.There have been at least two deaths in Australia in the past two years directly linked to drivers talking or texting on a handheld phone, but experts believe the real figure is much higher.Australia has among the toughest penalties for distracted driving. In most states the fine for using a handheld mobile phone is three demerit points and more than $300. Victoria has the harshest fine: four demerit points and a ticket costing more than $400.Audi is testing the technology in China because the traffic is more dense, driver behaviour is more sporadicAudi insist it does not want drivers to pick up their phones, instead it wants them to access their digital devices via the screen integrated into the dashboard, and let the car do the rest.Audi's experimental autonomous vehicle uses cameras, radar, and laser systems -- and 21 ultrasonic sensors -- to scan the road to "read" the traffic ahead, behind and in adjacent lanes.Audi is testing the technology in China because the traffic is more dense, driver behaviour is more sporadic, and it is harder for the system to keep up with the unexpected changes in driving conditions."China has very dynamic driving, people cut in very early, brake very abruptly and drive bumper to bumper with a very small gap to the car in front," said Audi development driver Sebastian Klaas during a demonstration of the technology in Shanghai traffic."Those type of driving situations are still difficult for the technology to detect," he added after a taxi nearly crashed into Audi's laboratory on wheels and Klaas had to slam on the brakes because the technology didn't intervene in time.Dr Bjorn Giesler, Audi's piloted driving expert who has overseen its development from the beginning, said once these glitches are sorted out the technology will be ready, even if the law isn't."We don't know the legal situation in Australia very well. But we are making it entirely possible for the driver to divert their attention from the driving task," said Dr Giesler.When asked if drivers would develop a false sense of security, Dr Giesler said: "It's not a false sense of security, that's why we're starting with traffic jams. We need to guarantee the system is safe."Audi pointed to a recent study that found automatic emergency braking reduced vehicle occupant injuries by 38 per cent since it became more widely available over the past five years."We have every reason to believe this is going to be more safe," said Dr Giesler. "There will always be freak accidents, that a human driver would be able to prevent but a system will not be able to prevent, so there is an ethical issue in there as well. Ultimately, we do think it will be more safe."The industry is divided on how quickly cars will become completely autonomous.For now, Audi can take the wheel at speeds up to 60km/h providing the road is relatively straight, the lanes are clearly marked and there are no sharp turns.It's coming, no matter what"The next step is 'highway pilot' at speeds up to 130km/h with automatic lane changes, and then after that we will go into the cities," said Dr Giesler.How long will it take for the completely autonomous car to arrive in showrooms, one that you simply type your destination to the navigation unit and go along for the ride?"Two years ago nobody talked about (autonomous cars), now every major car company has fleets of vehicles in testing," said Dr Giesler."The technology is accelerating so fast that I can't tell you if it's going to be 2020 or 2025 before we get full automation. But it's coming, no matter what."First there was cruise control which set the speed of the car so the driver could focus on the road ahead and not glance at the speedometer constantly.Then radar technology enabled a safe gap to be maintained with the vehicle ahead, matching its cruise control speed so the driver didn't have to touch the brakes if another car came into the lane.The latest step is radar cruise control with automated stop-start -- using similar technology developed for automatic emergency braking.The most a car can do today is stop and go by itself providing it hasn't broken the radar cruise control "beam" with the car in front. Available on selected luxury cars.Japanese car maker Nissan announced earlier this year it would have an automated car ready by the end of this decade, while Mercedes-Benz is already testing a car in Silicon Valley that can read stop signs, traffic lights and spot pedestrians -- as well as react to other cars around it.The Mercedes-Benz driverless technology, also due in 2020, is more advanced and more capable, but the Audi will arrive in showrooms first.Audi's piloted driving system is effectively like a radar cruise control with automatic stop-start technology. But the difference is that it will also steer itself and keep within the lane, even if the driver's hands are off the wheel.Audi claims it will be the most advanced automated driving system in the world when it becomes the headline feature on its next generation limousine, the Audi A8, due in 2017.The industry is divided on this but the best brains in the business say it will be at least 2025 or 2030 before completely automated cars can navigate our cities.The reason car makers are focusing on freeway driving first is because the conditions are more constant and easier to process.With city driving the car must take in traffic lights, bicycles, pedestrians and sudden unexpected movements of other cars.

The number of Australian cars affected in the world’s biggest recall is now more than 637,000 and climbing.The majority of motorists have no option other to wait up to a year before the airbags are replaced -- because the supplier at the centre of the crisis can’t build them fast enough.It became the biggest recall in the world after Japanese manufacturer Takata -- which supplies 20 per cent of the car industry’s airbags -- admitted in a US hearing this week the problem was more widespread than it had claimed for years.The faulty airbags, which can explode shrapnel if deployed in a crash, have so far claimed six lives overseas. No deaths or injuries have been reported in Australia.Legal experts say motorists have little choice but to endure the painstaking wait for the replacements, and they can’t sue the car companies unless someone dies or is seriously injured from the defective airbags.The crisis has left drivers with the unenviable task of taking the risk and driving their cars or -- if they can afford it -- park their recalled car until new airbags become available.The faulty airbags have so far claimed six lives overseas.So far, authorities in the US and Australia have not ordered the recalled cars off the road.The odds of being killed are difficult to calculate. Not all of the airbags in the 53 million cars are defective.But internal testing by Takata over the past six months found 265 of 30,000 recalled airbags had ruptured -- or less than 1 per cent.That may sound like good odds, until you realise it still leaves 530,000 cars around the world -- and at least 6000 in Australia -- with airbags that can kill. At first it was thought only airbags fitted to vehicles with long term exposure to humidity were most at risk.But this week Takata doubled the number of airbags recalled after determining humidity may not have been the only contributing factor.In the faulty airbags, the propellant in the inflator deteriorates over time, making it more volatile and prone to explode with too much force when deployed in a crash.In Australia, perhaps because there have been no known airbag-related deaths locally, it seems not everyone is in a panic to get their car fixed.Then again, the majority of owners of affected cars don’t have a choice but to wait.Retired couple Mark and Delwyn Bridgeman waited a year before they took their 2002 Honda CR-V to get fixed.“Honda contacted me about a year ago to say there was going to be a recall, and then in January they said I could bring the car in,” said Mr Bridgeman, who bought his CR-V new 12 years ago.“When I heard the extra recalls on the radio the other day I thought I better get in quick. I got mine fixed yesterday.”Honda only needed to replace the passenger airbag in this instance. Was his wife Delwyn worried that she was sitting in front of a potentially deadly airbag in her husband’s car?“He’s a very safe driver,” said Mrs Bridgeman. “After 60 years of driving, how many accidents have we had?” Presumably the rhetorical question meant they had none.Young couple Kelly and Gene White and their three-year-old boy use their 2006 Toyota Corolla hatchback as a family car.“It’s a little bit worrying that if we have an accident we could have shrapnel flying at us,” said Mrs White. “We want to get it fixed as fast as possible, so it’s distressing to have to wait so long.”Young mum Farah didn’t know about the airbag recall until News Corp Australia approached her in a shopping centre car park. With her 17-month-old boy secured in a baby capsule in the back seat of the 2002 Honda CR-V handed down to her from her parents, Farah told us: “Now that I know about (the recall) I’m a bit nervous to be honest. I try to drive carefully, but what if a crash happens, even if it’s not your fault? There is still a risk the airbags could go off. How do you know yours isn’t one of the deadly ones?”P-plate driver Emmalene Royce has a 2005 Toyota Echo that was originally her grandmother’s car. She learned to drive in it and the car has been in the family since new.“I won’t sell the car because I have an emotional attachment to it,” she said. “I definitely want to get it fixed but I don’t have a choice but to drive this car while I wait for the new airbags. I can’t afford to buy another car.”Josh Simons, a partner from Thomson Geer, a competition and consumer law firm, says there may be little action motorists can take now that the car companies involved have issued recalls.“Consumers now have an obligation to take reasonable steps to protect themselves, but car companies are not off the hook,” said Mr Simons.“They must fix the product, and they may still be liable if a death or serious injury does occur as a result of a faulty airbag.”Even then, however, car makers may not be entirely to blame should the worst happen.Given that the Federal Government must be notified of all recalls, Mr Simons says “it is up to the relevant minister to decide if the recall action taken is reasonable”. As the car industry is grappling with the biggest recall it has ever faced, some customers are demanding replacement vehicles until the new airbags arrive.“If the car has a major defect, you’re entitled to a replacement or a refund -- at the customer’s choice -- depending how old the cars is,” said Mr Simons.“If a customer wants a replacement or a refund it has to be a reasonable period of time from the date the car was purchased new.”However, the definition of a “reasonable period of time” is open to interpretation and depends on the circumstances of the particular goods involved, says Simons.“If you bought a used car from a business, potentially you have rights (to a replacement or refund) against the business you bought the car from,” said Mr Simons.“If you bought a used car privately, you have no recourse against the person who sold you the car, but you may still have rights against the car manufacturer.”When News Corp Australia contacted the brands affected by the airbag recall, most did not know how many cars had already been repaired, or exactly when they would be fixed.“Replacement parts are presently being prepared and, due to the number of vehicles impacted globally, it is anticipated that sufficient parts will be available to commence recall repairs by early next year,” said Toyota Australia’s media statement.The tally for Toyota's airbag recall cars in Australia now eclipses 207,000, Honda totals more than 188,000, Nissan has 156,000 affected cars, utes and four-wheel-drives, and Mazda has called back 5100 vehicles.Of the 4500 Chrysler 300C sedans recalled, the company says 3400 will be fixed by the end of June after airfreighting parts.BMW has recalled 43,000 cars and says it has replacement airbags available, while Mercedes-Benz says it fixed 20 cars in Australia last year.Overnight on Friday, Subaru Australia announced a recall of 33,548 Impreza cars made between 2004 and 2007. That brings the number of cars recalled so far to more than 637,000, but that figure is expected to grow in the coming weeks once Takata provides each manufacturer with the new, broader range of affected airbags. What should you do? If you have a recalled car, expect a letter in the mail, even if you didn’t buy it new. The car industry uses NEVDIS (National Exchange of Vehicle and Driver Information System) which is the database of Australian driver and vehicle information to contact owners of recalled cars. The industry code of conduct says three letters should be sent to the registered owner of the vehicle; the third and final letter is sent by registered post if the repair has not been made within six months. Should you disable the airbag in the meantime? Safety experts advise not to tamper with the airbag. How do I find out if my car is affected? Go to recalls.gov.au and click on the “cars” link and then click on your brand of car. If you’re unsure what make, model, and year your car is, all the information is on your car registration form. Still in doubt? Visit the service centre of a dealership and they can tell you if your car is affected. Or see our list below. Will the recall cost me anything? All recall work is free of charge. The repairs themselves take about 90 minutes but the dealership service centre may want your car for a day while dealing with the backlog. What about Holden and Ford? Although General Motors (Holden’s parent company) and Ford are affected in the US, both companies say cars sold in Australia are so far not caught up in the Takata airbag recall. Takata airbags: the recalled models so far Chrysler 300C sedan 2005 to 2007BMW 3 Series 1997 to 2006Honda Jazz 2004 to 2009Honda Accord Euro 2004 to 2007Honda CR-V 2002 to 2008Honda Civic 2004 to 2005Lexus SC430 2001 to 2003Mercedes-Benz SL and SLK 2014Nissan N16 Pulsar 2000 to 2006Nissan D22 Navara 1997 to 2004Nissan Y61 Patrol 1997 to 2010Nissan T30 X-TRAIL 2001 to 2007Nissan A33 Maxima 1999 to 2003Subaru Impreza 2004 to 2007Toyota Echo 2003 to 2005Toyota RAV4 2003 to 2005Toyota Corolla 2003 to 2007Toyota Yaris 2005 to 2007Toyota Avensis 2003 to 2007reca