Articles by Joshua Dowling

The government wants to ensure a steady supply of affordable cars once Australia's car makers shut their factories.But the reason they are closing is because Australia is already the most competitive market in the developed world.More than 65 brands compete for 1.1 million annual sales versus 38 brands in a market of 15.5 million in the US; Commsec data shows new-car affordability is at a 37-year high, with prices at 20-year lows.This rule change, without exaggeration, could cost livesWe are in favour of price competition but not at the risk of exposing unwitting customers to rogue importers with vehicles that may have been stolen and given a new bogus identity, were written off and then repaired illegally, or lack the safety features of equivalent models sold here.The government has apparently told industry leaders "buyer beware" will save customers. Really?This rule change, without exaggeration, could cost lives. Newer, safer cars are the driving force behind last year's 89-year low in the road toll.Enthusiast buyers can already import the specialist cars they desire. Do we really want to relax the rules to let any car in without proper checks?We should proceed with extreme cautionBuyers trying to save a dollar may pay a higher price by being stuck with a lemon. What happens to unwitting buyers who can't tell the difference between a car originally sold here (with historical parts and service support) and a privately imported car that could be dearer to insure, service and repair — and lack vital safety equipment?The old saying "if it's too good to be true, it probably is" applies to the Federal Government's "cheaper cars" mantra. We should proceed with extreme caution.

Joshua Dowling road tests and reviews the new 2015 Volkswagen Polo GTI at its Australian launch.

The Federal Government is promising cheaper cars for the masses under controversial changes to the rules on imported cars.

Imagine a shipping container that could outrun a Porsche. That's the best way to describe the new BMW X5M and X6M high-performance SUV twins. They each weigh more than 2.2 tonnes and yet can reach the speed limit faster than a 911 sports-car – 4.2 seconds if you don't mind – and slice through corners with the

Holden is recalling almost 3000 of its Captiva family SUVs because the car could lurch forward by itself if the keys are left in the ignition of certain models.The car maker is attempting to contact 2951 owners of Captiva 5 and Captiva 7 vehicles made between 22 February 2007 and 25 November 2010.The engine may crank over and the car may move forward half a metre or soThe recall affects only models with manual transmission, the bulletin says."If the key is left in the ignition and the car is still in gear … there is a chance the engine can crank and cause the car to lurch forward," said Holden spokeswoman Kate Lonsdale."The car won't drive off but the engine may crank over and the car may move forward half a metre or so."Holden says it has had seven reported incidents in Australia but no accidents and injuries occurred as a result of the fault.The recall is similar to one on the Holden Barina and Trax models late last year where a faulty ignition led to the same fault.However, the Captiva was not recalled at the same time because the faulty part was made by a different supplier.Holden says the latest ignition recall issue in Australia is unrelated to recalls in the US last year for ignition faults that affected more than 2.6 million vehicles and was linked to 84 deaths.Holden has had three recalls so far this year, the same number as Jeep.Last year both Holden and Jeep set a new record with 14 recalls each in a calendar year.

The car world really has flipped its lid: a humble ute has just earned a higher safety score than a luxury car.A new BMW has been slammed by safety experts in the latest round of crash tests after it was awarded a lower score than a workhorse ute made in Thailand.The new Mitsubishi Triton pick-up due in showrooms next month scored five stars for safety while the BMW 2 Series hatchback scored just four stars after earning a poor result in the frontal crash test.BMW's score is one of the lowest from a prestige marque in recent yearsThe result is remarkable given that it is more difficult for larger and heavier vehicles such as four-wheel-drive utes to score well in barrier tests.The BMW earned just 11.34 points out of 16 after crashing into a barrier at 64km/h, while the Mitsubishi tradesman ute earned an impressive score of 15.22 points in the same test by the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP).The technology required to get a higher score is well known to the car industryThe BMW's score is one of the lowest from a prestige marque in recent years."It's a disappointing result for any car maker let alone a luxury brand," said NRMA safety expert Jack Haley."The technology required to get a higher score is well known to the car industry … it's a surprising result."Meanwhile, BMW's sister brand Mini also scored a four-star rating after not achieving enough points in the side impact test.The massive improvement in the safety of utes has been welcomed by experts given that trade vehicles are over-represented in crashes, one of the reasons they have higher insurance premiums."It is pleasing to see an increasing number of commercial vehicles scoring the top rating", said Mr Haley."Many commercial vehicle drivers travel much greater distances than private drivers as part of their job, so they should be able to purchase a vehicle that provides the best protection."BMW Australia spokeswoman Lenore Fletcher told News Corp Australia: "We are seeking clarification from our head office in Munich regarding these results"."It's not a bad result, the passenger compartment held its shape well in the frontal offset test. The (BMW) vehicle did score five stars in Europe."However, European safety authorities have been criticised for relaxing the requirements for a five-star rating, making it easier for less safe cars to earn top marks.

The Federal Government is poised to announce controversial changes to car import laws by the end of this week, say senior automotive industry insiders.It is feared the plan to allow private buyers to import new and used vehicles could lead to an increase in unsafe cars on the road, turn Australia into a "dumping ground", and won't deliver cheaper cars, as the government has promised.News Corp Australia understands the Federal Government will release an outline of the plans "subject to a regulatory impact statement" by the end of this week. But the industry believes approval for the ground-breaking changes is "a formality".Motor vehicle standards are there for a reason and we need to protect road safety and we need to protect consumersAs the Senate hearing into the automotive industry, The Future of Australia's automotive industry, was held in Canberra today, Senator Kim Carr has backed the car industry's position."I have very deep concerns about the safety of (private vehicle) imports," said Senator Carr. "Motor vehicle standards are there for a reason and we need to protect road safety and we need to protect consumers."Senator Carr said the government is "doing everything it can to kill off the auto industry".With Australia's three remaining car manufacturers due to shut their factories by the end of 2017, the Federal Government wants to ensure there is competition in the car market.However, the reason Toyota, Holden and Ford are closing their factories is because Australia is the most competitive car market in the world and they cannot build vehicles in sufficient volumes to sustain manufacturing them locally.Senator Carr says automotive dealers "have every right to be concerned about the changes (to vehicle import laws)".These changes could cause job losses at dealership level"There has been no consultation with the industry and no thought given to the consequences," said Senator Carr.There are 68,000 people employed at car dealerships across Australia, more than double the number of those employed in vehicle manufacturing."These changes could affect these businesses and the livelihoods of those who work there. These changes could cause job losses at dealership level," said Senator Carr."We need car dealerships, they train apprentices, they develop skills, they work with technology."Senator Carr's comments come as the car industry addressed the Senate hearing into the automotive industry, The Future of Australia's automotive industry, in Canberra today.We underestimated the speed and magnitude of changeRichard Dudley, the CEO of the Australian Motor Industry Federation, told the hearing: "In 32 months time all car manufacturing will have ceased leaving the retail motor trades as the face of the Australian automotive industry and representing 95 per cent of all industry activity".Mr Dudley said while the government and media focus has centred on the closure of vehicle manufacturing over the past two years, there are more jobs at risk across other parts of the industry."Senators, the storm is here. We underestimated the speed and magnitude of change (in the Australian car market)."Mr Dudley said that from July 2012 to June 2013 there was the "largest reduction of registered automotive businesses observed to date".The office for assistant infrastructure minister Jamie Briggs, who is handling the proposed changes to vehicle import rules, was contacted for comment and was yet to respond as this article was published.Senator Carr said it was flawed for the Australian government to mirror New Zealand's policy change, which saw the average age of cars there increase since the import rules were relaxed."The government points to the changes in import rules in New Zealand, but there is no question the impact there was a negative one," said Senator Carr.We don't need to become the world's dumping ground for right-hand-drive cars"In my opinion these proposed changes raise serious safety concerns … we don't want to turn Australia into a dumping ground for used cars."Senator Carr said the Japanese government has incentives to keep the car fleet there young so that drivers are in safer and more environmentally friendly vehicles."If it's good enough for Japan (to have a young car fleet) then it's good enough for Australia," said Senator Carr. "We don't need to become the world's dumping ground for right-hand-drive cars".

The Federal Government's controversial plan to relax the rules on imported cars could leave owners unwittingly out of pocket with a stolen vehicle or stuck without a warranty.Cabinet is due to meet today to discuss the changes which would allow buyers to privately import new and used vehicles.In addition to concerns that Australia would become a "dumping ground" for used cars, private importers of new cars could be left without basic consumer protection, and have no way of being notified of a recall for their car, prompting safety concerns.The industry has grave concerns over the protection of consumers who might unwittingly import stolen cars, illegally repaired vehicles, or cars that don't meet Australian safety standards.Data from Commsec shows car affordability is at a 37-year high and prices are at 20-year lowsThe Federal Government proposed the changes last year -- after Australia's three remaining car manufacturers announced they would shut their local factories by the end of 2017 -- in the mistaken belief it would lead to cheaper cars.But data from Commsec shows car affordability is at a 37-year high and prices are at 20-year lows.Australia is already the most competitive new-car market in the developed world with more than 65 brands competing for 1.1 million annual sales, compared to 38 brands in the US competing for more than 15.5 million sales.This is a ludicrous proposition and it has been done without any thought given to the jobs of people in the motor trade"The industry is scratching its head trying to figure out what problem the government is trying to solve," said Patrick Tessier, the CEO of the Australian Automotive Dealers Association, which represents 4000 members."This is a ludicrous proposition and it has been done without any thought given to the jobs of people in the motor trade."Approximately 68,000 people are employed at new-car dealerships nationally, about twice as many as the number employed in car manufacturing.The industry says relaxed rules on imported cars would expose buyers to overseas scams."The Government has a responsibility to ensure there is competition, but it also has a responsibility to protect the consumer," said Richard Dudley, the CEO of the Australian Motor Industry Federation.Senior industry figures are concerned that the government has adopted a "buyer beware" attitude to the risks involved in privately importing cars."Australian authorities have made great progress stamping out stolen rebirthed cars (cars with new bogus identity); trying to properly identify an imported used car will be next to impossible if the floodgates open," said Mr Tessier.No-one in Government has thought this through"The Federal Government has looked to New Zealand as an example of this policy, but the age of cars there has actually increased since the import rules were relaxed, so there are now more less safe cars on the road there."The Australian road toll fell to an 89-year low last year, due in part to the increase in newer and safer cars."No-one in Government has thought this through," said Mr Tessier. "All it will take is one fatal crash in one of these dodgy privately imported cars and we will be asking ourselves why this happened in the first place."News Corp Australia contacted the office of Jamie Briggs, the assistant minister for Infrastructure, who is overseeing the proposed changes, with the car industry's concerns. But Mr Briggs' office was unable to comment as this article was prepared.

Super-sized Dodge Ram pick-ups are coming to Australia in a top-secret deal that will see experts from Holden Special Vehicles complete the conversion from left to right-hand-drive.It's the first time a full-size US pick-up will be sold in Australia with manufacturer backing since the iconic Ford F-Series pick-up was dropped locally in 2007.Ram pick-ups will go on sale in Australia and New Zealand by the end of this yearFiat Chrysler Automobiles' global head office has awarded exclusive rights to a local distributor who will convert Dodge Ram pick-ups for Australia.Industry sources say the parent company of Holden Special Vehicles, the Walkinshaw Group, which can undertake contract work outside of General Motors, has been closely involved in the engineering process."We will not confirm or deny any other partners other than Fiat Chrysler Group globally," said Clyde Campbell, the former boss of Fiat Chrysler Australia who is now the distributor for Fiat and Chysler vehicles in New Zealand and is heading up the Dodge Ram deal.Mr Campbell said his company had chosen "a conversion and engineering partner who provides unrivalled engineering excellence to world-class standards" and who have "an impeccable reputation on a global level in both the motor racing and automotive industries."The vehicles are expected to start from $120,000Mr Campbell confirmed Ram pick-ups will go on sale in Australia and New Zealand by the end of this year.Price and details are yet to be announced but the vehicles are expected to start from $120,000, before more affordable models follow.The biggest of the Dodge Ram pick-ups coming to Australia can carry more than 3 tonnes in the ute tub (versus the current category maximum of 1 tonne) and tow more than 7 tonnes (versus the current category maximum of 3.5 tonnes).Mr Campbell said the vehicles will meet "all government requirements for full volume certification".Translated, that means the vehicles will meet the same standards as mass production vehicles; most vehicles converted by smaller operators locally do not meet these mass production standards.Clearly there is demand for this type of vehicle, both in private and fleet salesUtes are now the third biggest category in Australia and four of the Top 10 vehicles are workhorses.The Toyota HiLux has been our top-selling vehicle outright more than a dozen months since April 2008."Clearly there is demand for this type of vehicle, both in private and fleet sales," said Mr Campbell.Dodge Ram is expected to target the mining industry, which needs heavy duty utes, and grey nomads, who want to tow large caravans."Until now, the only way to own one of these vehicles in Australia was through a low volume aftermarket conversion," said Mr Campbell."Our vehicles are being developed with the full blessing of Ram and the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles global group."Mr Campbell said his company had been working closely with engineers in the US to build a vehicle that is "as close to a factory right-hand-drive vehicle as it possibly can be without having run down the production line".

New-car sales hit the accelerator for the second month in a row after the best March result of all time - but former Australian favourites Holden and Ford hit a wall.