Articles by Neil McDonald

BYD, which is virtually unknown outside China, has done a deal with Mercedes-Benz and will collaborate on a joint-venture electric car. The Chinese company is putting up its battery technology and e-drive systems while the Germans will contribute the electric-car knowledge and experience. The tie-up could also have a surprising side-effect - improved safety for Chinese cars."It is a co-operation between the most senior automaker and the most junior," says BYD's general manager of international sales, Henry Li. "We know the requirements for safer cars and we will have cars that meet those standards. We are very keen to make sure all our cars pass the crash tests."Mercedes believes the tie-up with BYD is a win-win business model. "Daimler's knowhow in electric vehicle architecture and BYD's excellence in battery technology and e-drive systems are a good match," says company chairman, Dieter Zetsche.The two companies will also collaborate on a technical centre in China to develop and test the electric car, which will be marketed under a new joint-venture brand specifically for China.BYD is moving ahead rapidly on the electric front and showed its new E6 electric wagon and F3DM electric sedan at the Geneva Motor Show.The E6 has a range of 330 kilometres between charges using what BYD calls the 'Fe lithium-ion phosphate battery' and a 74kW/450Nm electric motor. The car's battery can be recharged to 50 per cent capacity in 30 minutes and the pack has a 10-year lifespan. The car will hit 100km/h in less than 14 seconds, with a projected top speed of 140km/h. The E6 will be sold first in the USA and then Europe in 2011, with both front and all-wheel drive.Li says the first target is taxis and large corporate fleets. "We don't expect to build high numbers but it is an important car for us," he says.BYD is aiming to be China's best selling car company by 2015 and on top of the world by 2025. It is already sixth of China's domestic brands, with sales of 450,000 cars in 2009. But Australia is not a target yet. "We want to concentrate on America and Europe first, and obviously our home market," says Henry Li.

Now the venerable VW is settling into its senior years. The famous vehicle is celebrating its 60th birthday this month, having become one of VW's best selling commercial models globally. When production of the van started in March, 1950, the German carmaker had no idea it would become a world-wide hit. With more than 10 million built, the purpose-built load carrier has evolved through five-generations to become today's Transporter, Multivan and Caravelle. However, many of the original Microbuses are still on the road and craved by collectors. The first T1 split-screen model was powered by a rear mounted four-cylinder, air-cooled, 1.1-litre petrol engine that developed just 19kW and had a top speed of 100km/h. The newest Transporter gets a range of turbo-diesel engines from 2.0-litres to 2.5-litres with outputs ranging from 62kW up to 128kW and top speeds of more than 160km/h. Although the design has evolved, the oldest and newest Transporter share the same badge at the front and a generous load area. VW has toyed with the idea of a 21st century Microbus and whetted appetites in 2001 when it launched the Microbus concept. Unfortunately it has never gone into production.

After a frustrating eighth spot at Bahrain and widespread complaints that new refuelling rules have taken the buzz out of the race, Webber is confident Albert Park will be different."Being a street circuit, this track evolves a lot over the course of the weekend," he said. "It's a very green circuit, with low grip initially and then as the weekend goes on the teams have to adjust to the track where Bahrain is grippy right through the weekend."The Melbourne weather could play a part too. "It can always throw something up," he said. "Either of those two I think will play a reasonable role on the Sunday afternoon. There's no way the next four races will go like Bahrain - there will be more action."Webber had two wins last year and is confident his Red Bull team and teammate Sebastian Vettel will do better this year. "We are certainly in the hunt of a good result," he said. "However Ferrari is very strong, they've just had a one-two in Bahrain and both Seb and I are certainly in a position to challenge for a good result. Ferrari have a phenomenal record here in Melbourne too, they have always had good cars here and we hope we can give them a hard time."Webber said the return of seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher to F1 this season had hyped up the Bahrain opener and now it was down to business. "It wasn't probably the most exciting Grand Prix but I think there will be some other races this year that won't be like that," he said.Saturday qualifying and grid position will be even more critical this year. "In the past you could get out of jail sometimes but it's not the case this year," he said. "It wasn't the case in Bahrain, most people were in the position where they qualified."Lean as a whippet Webber is fighting fit, having lost the 5kg he put on over the off-season and getting the all-clear for minor surgery in November. "I was the heaviest I've ever been," he said. "I know what people go through now when they hop on the scales and ask 'how the hell did that happen?' It was the first time in my life it happened to me."Last year's success is motivating him. "I'm more than fit enough to do the job I need to do."

Called Carfit, the system has been pioneered by US-based occupational therapist, Elin Schold Davis. Schold Davis has been visiting Australia and New Zealand to help the RACV and NRMA put ageing drivers on the health agenda with governments. The NRMA is keen adopt a similar system in Victoria to keep older drivers on the road. Schold Davis, says Carfit could easily be adapted for Australians. "There are strong similarities between our ageing populations," she says. "Australia is a car culture, demographically you are sprawling and depend on your vehicles to get into the city. We have the same problem in the US." She says Carfit is about safety and allowing older drivers to keep driving. "It is important to continue to provide mobility for older people and recognise their needs - it lessens the drain on infrastructure and resources." Carfit allows older adults to check out how a particular vehicle 'fits' them. "Something as simple as the correct seat height adjustment is important for an older driver," she says. "Many elderly people rank vision as critical." For an elderly person, a driver's licence is important for their self esteem. "It's a mark of mobility and independence," she says. Schold Davis's views are borne out by the Federal Government's 2010 Intergenerational Report, which shows that the number of Australians aged between 65 and 84 will double over the next 40 years. By 2050 the population will hit 35 million. Of that number almost 23 per cent will be over 65 and 21 per cent will be between 15 and 24. Schold Davis also wants to remove the stigma associated with older motorists. Compared to younger drivers, who are over represented in crash data, elderly drivers "tend to be wiser, drive more safely and drink and drive less", she says. "Seniors are a really important resource to our communities too. They do meals on wheels, they drive each other to medical appointments." US ageing forecasts show that in future almost have the population over 85 will have a dementia problem. "If we look at the number of people over 85 still driving we need to assess this and prepare for it," she says. "But it's not about age, it's about function and abilities."

Volvo has confirmed that an XC30 soft-roader is set to be the fourth crossover in the line-up.  Although details are scarce, the new car will be based on the C30 and sit under the XC60 and XC70.The company's president overseas corporate strategy, Lex Kerssemakers, confirmed the newcomer at the recent Geneva Motor Show.  "There will be some further expansion of the XC range in the near future," he says.Reports out of Europe suggest the all-wheel drive XC30 is coming in 2012 with a range of petrol and turbo-diesel engines and similar chunky styling to the XC60.  A station wagon version of the new S60, expected to be called the V60 is also due around the same time.Kerssemakers says V and XC cars "are the core of our business" and the next logical step was a smaller XC.  "Naturally you would go down at this moment because we're rather well filled with XC60, XC70 and XC90," he says.However, he believes that unlike other European carmakers who are chasing smaller city cars, Volvo will not go below the C30.  But he concedes that the Swede's impending sale to Chinese carmaker, Geely, could open up new opportunities."You never know, the world is changing rapidly," Kerssemakers says.  "You can imagine an electric city car just slightly below the C, could be a good future."  However, to do so would require a partner, he says.Apart from adding a smaller off-roader to compete against the BMW X1 and Audi Q3, Volvo is working on a five-door version of the C30.  "It's definitely part of the evaluation," Kerssemakers says.  "We elected five years ago to go deliberately with the three doors because it makes a great design statement.  "It's easier.  But at the end, a big part of the market is five-door market and not in the three-door market."Volvo is also pushing ahead with electric vehicles, he says. "It's an absolutely integrated philosophy with Volvo," Kerssemakers says.Volvo Australia will launch its ultra-frugal 1.6-litre turbo-diesel DRIVe C30 hatch this month.  Meanwhile, German high performance tuning house, Heico, has already built an all-wheel drive turbo C30 hatch. The XC30 borrowed the same Haldex all-wheel drive system as the V50 all-wheel drive wagon. The one-off was built in 2006 to showcase the company's performance expertise.

While buyers put fuel economy at the top of their priorities in the latest Roy Morgan automotive research, consideration of a hybrid has dropped to rank outside the top 10 of customer attitudes."Hybrid consideration has actually dropped," according to Roy Morgan account service director, Ben Pilkington. Of the 15,000 motorists surveyed last year, 52 per cent said they would consider a hybrid, down from 59 per cent in 2008. This pushed possible hybrid buyers to 12th spot. "Although outside the top 10, this figure highlights the potential for future growth in volume, with consumer demand for hybrid vehicles outstripping supply," he says.Pilkington says there is a strong correlation to interest in hybrid vehicles, as well as fuel economy, when petrol prices rise. That has not been the case in recent months, he says. "In 2008 hybrids figured prominently," he says. "When prices peaked, the importance of fuel economy also peaked."The latest buyer attitude research shows that fuel economy is more important to most Australian drivers than performance. Women also rank safety and fuel efficiency higher than men. Roy Morgan canvassed the 15,000 drivers nationally over the past 12 months about their views on 31 key motoring attitudes. An overwhelming 79 per cent rank fuel economy higher than performance. Of those who planned to buy a new car within four years, 76 per cent want a car with all the extras as standard.Apart from economy, prospective buyers say they will only buy a car from a brand that has a proven track record and they want a high level of standard equipment."These ranked number two and three in importance," Pilkington says. Most motorists also believe a long warranty is essential and many research widely before deciding on which car to buy. Almost 70 per cent of buyers say safety is their number one priority. "However, among those intending to buy a new car, extras and warranties topped the list," he said. "But fuel economy was also still of great importance."Men and women also had clear differences in attitudes, he said. "Although high for both genders, women who contribute to 45 per cent of private new car buying intention, were in much stronger agreement about safety and fuel efficiency," he says.He says car companies keenly awaited the customer attitudes survey as it provided an acute insight into what consumers are thinking. Pilkington says the survey is part of larger research looking at brand consideration, advertising and loyalty.Top 10 driver attitudes*1. Fuel economy is more important than performance - 79.9 per cent2. I will only buy a car with a proven track record - 74.2 per cent3. I want a car with all the extras as standard - 72.44. A long warranty is essential - 71 per cent5. I research my options before buying - 69.9 per cent6. Safety is my number one priority - 69.8 per cent7. I won't take a risk with a lesser known brand - 68.3 per cent8. A car is just A to B transport - 66.2 per cent.9. I rely on facts and figures rather than gut feeling when buying - 61.8 per cent10. Performance and roadholding is my number one concern - 57.5 per cent* Source: Roy Morgan Research

The self-confessed Citroen enthusiast - he's never owned anything else - counts the SM as one of the company's most outstanding cars.  "It was way ahead of its time," Gladman says.  Even today fellow motorists mistake it for a brand new Citroen."I've had people come up to me and ask if it's a late model Citroen," he says.  "They don't realise it's 40 years old."Powered by a Maserati V6 engine, the SM was one of the fastest front-wheel drive cars of its day with a top speed of more than 220km/h.  It had several pioneering features, a new type of variable assistance power-steering that was ultra-light at low speeds but became more meaty at higher speeds.  Like modern-day Citroens, it also had hydro-pneumatic suspension with automatic height adjustment.The six headlights too had automatic levelling.  Apart from the SM, Gladman has a 1985 CX25 and 1998 XM in his Melbourne garage.  But the SM is his favourite."When I got it 30 years ago it was a bit rough," he says.  The right-hand drive conversion was a disaster and the engine was in a bad way.But Gladman has rectified those problems and his $13,000 purchase is now a sort-after classic.  "I don't drive it as much as I should be when I do it feels like a modern car," he says."It is a beautiful touring machine."  SM prices reflect their rarity as only 12,900 were built between 1970 and 1975.  Many sell for more than $40,000 today.Gladman believes there are only 45 SMs in Australia and very few right-hand drive examples.  Contrary to popular belief the SM is not a complicated machine if you know what you are doing."Modern cars are far more complicated," Gladman says.  "Because the SM is mostly hydraulic with mechanical linkages, it is relatively easy to work on."The chassis and gearbox are virtually bulletproof."Only the Maserati V6 is a bit complex."  The SM was originally unveiled to rave reviews at the 1970 Geneva Motor Show.Apart from Hollywood stars, French Presidents from Georges Pompidou to Jacques Chirac used two specially modified four-door convertible "presidentielle" models, created by coach builder Henri Chapron.

Kia Australia is considering ramping up its warranty across the range from five to seven years.  The lucky seven deal is currently only available in Europe, where Kia is aiming to lift its market share to 3 per cent by 2015, up from 1.8 per cent today.  But Kia Australia senior product manager, Nick Reid, adding two extra years ‘is something we're looking at’.Reid says it is appealing but the cost would have to be weighed up against a consumer need.  "Extended warranties have to be paid for," he says.Kia Europe's seven-year warranty deal was previously just available on two models but in January it extended it across all its models.  To help protect its used car values, the warranty will also be transferable to owners who buy a second-hand Kia.Kia currently has a 10-year/160,000km warranty for its entire line-up in the United States.  In Australia Mitsubishi and Hyundai have two of the longest warranties available to new car buyers.Mitsubishi's has a 10-year/160,000km powertrain and five-year/130,000km general warranty while Hyundais are covered by a five year/unlimited deal.  Kia reaffirmed its warranty commitment at the launch of the new Sportage during the recent Geneva Motor Show.The chief operating officer of Kia Motors Europe, Paul Philpott, says the South Korean brand is aiming to be the world's number one carmaker for customer satisfaction.  "Our seven-year warranty is a major step towards achieving that goal," he says.Like the Hyundai ix35, Australian Sportages will be available in both front and all-wheel drive.  Kia is also likely to stick with the larger capacity 2.2-litre turbo diesel and 2.0-litre petrol four cylinder engines rather than the new European 1.7 diesel and 1.6-litre direct injection petrol fours with stop-start technology.The new Sportage has grown slightly in every dimension except ground clearance.  At 170mm, the new wagon has 25mm less ground clearance and Kia has shaved 90kg weight out of the car.

The quirky Gen-Y Juke was initially only planned as a left-hand drive car for sales in Europe and North America but production in Japan has also made it a prime target for Nissan Australia. There is now a good chance the five-door crossover with the unusual looks will be part of a drive to put more personality into local showrooms, alongside the sporty 370Z and the funky new Micra. “Two years ago we didn’t have space in our portfolio but now we do,” says the managing director of Nissan Australia, Dan Thompson. “We don’t think of it as a large volume role for us, more from a brand perspective to deliver a stylish sporty crossover. The Juke would sit below the Dualis and X-Trail but is designed as an entirely different vehicle focussed more at on-road performance than off-road capability. We already have the X-Trail for that and the Dualis all-wheel drive as well,” Thompson says. The Juke is designed for a younger buyer, from its slightly weird frontal treatment to a motor-cycle inspired interior with plenty of colour-coded highlights around the snug cabin. It is powered by a turbocharged 140kW/240Nm 1.6-litre direct-injection petrol four that delivers the performance of a 2.0-litre with economy of a 1.4-litre. The engine is mated to Nissan’s All-Mode 4x4 system which has been updated to include torque vectoring, which can split torque from front and rear but also can move the torque from side-to-side, balancing driver to reduce understeer. Nissan's vice-president of design and development in Europe, Jerry Hardcastle, says the Juke is being aimed at the same buyer who goes for a Mini. “We hope to repeat the Qashqai (Dualis) experience,” he says. It has been a runaway success for Nissan with more than 200,000 sold globally last year, although it took a re-think on pricing and the introduction of a front-wheel drive model to get it moving in Australia. Thompson admits the Nissan brand has not been as “sexy” as he would like in Australia and the Juke has a chance to help change that. “We also have the 370Z, Murano and Dualis, and they are all heading in the right direction to deliver an emotional connection with the brand,” he says. Thompson says a car like the Juke will help the brand connect with younger buyers and, with the all-new Micra and facelifted Dualis - now with seven seats available - arriving this year, perceptions are changing. “We are very much a commercial and SUV brand at the moment. But the plan is to change that by 2012 to get 10 per cent of market share with cars like the Micra.” But the arrival of the Juke has effectively killed any chance of the square-rigged Nissan Cube coming to Australia. The Cube, a huge seller in Japan and has just reached Europe after the introduction of a second-generation model, was being considered for local sales because of its youth appeal. But Dan Thompson believes the Juke is a better fit for Australian buyers, even the company has looked at the Cube "many times" while trying to build a workable business case. He admits the Cube has taken a hit because the Juke can do the same job better. “It’s really more in keeping with where we’re going," Thompson says.

Freed from the unbreakable early ties to its SUV clone companion, the Porsche Cayenne, the Touareg has emerged for 2010 with sweeter new looks, more curves and a much trimmer body line. The new-age Touareg is a full 208 kilograms lighter than the model it replaces — and it shows everywhere, from the new look to improved safety and driving dynamics. To add extra fuel to the supermodel push, Volkswagen has also added a diesel-engine bonus with the promise of a 20 per cent improvement in efficiency. But the Touareg makeover is not just good news. The bulky off-roader will not make it to Australia until early in 2011 and the petrol-electric version of the SUV — previewed at the Geneva Motor Show — is not part of the plan even though it has 279kW/580Nm and sips petrol at just 8.2 litres/100km.  “We think that with the weight reductions, improved aerodynamics and the more economical engines, there is really no need for the hybrid,” says Karla Gehling, spokesman for Volkswagen Group Australia. He denies that VW could not afford to have the car certified for Australia and says it comes down to the complication in local showrooms. “It’s more about the added cost of having it in the range,” he says. But, typically, he is not bolting the door. “However, we may revisit the idea of a hybrid in the future," Gehling says. The second-generation Touareg is distinctly Volkswagen in design, from the family grille to the cabin. There are deliberate hints of Golf, Polo and the new Jetta coupe in the car’s rakish profile. Despite the diet, the LandCruiser-rivally SUV has grown 40mm in length while its height has been cut by 20mm. The new wagon sits on a slightly longer wheelbase, which has freed up interior room. Like the smaller Tiguan SUV, the rear seat is capable of sliding and the rear seatbacks recline. Boot space is 580 litres with the rear seats up and can be expanded to 1642 litres. Australia is likely to get a 206kW/360Nm V6 petrol engine as well as the show cars’ 176kW/550Nm 3.0-litre TDI and 250kW/800Nm 4.2-litre V8 TDI engine, which replaces the V10 and becomes the new range-topper. The V6 TDI uses 7.4l/100km and the V8 TDI 9.1l/100km, 2.8 litres/100km less than the V10. Every model gets a new eight-speed transmission, there is stop-start engine technology on some models and a new touch-screen satellite navigation system. VW has dived deep into its upmarket parts bin to add high-tech features like high-beam assist, which automatically dips the headlights when they sense oncoming traffic. Side assist, which warns of vehicles in the blind spots, is also likely to be on the options list for Australia 'active' air suspension and airconditioned, massaging seats. The Touareg is likely to be available with a standard 4motion all-wheel drive and a system called 4Xmotion “terrain tech packet”. It has a low crawler range as well as centre and rear differentials that can each be fully locked for off-road work and five-stage control for the four-wheel drive system — where each stage provides progressively extra grip and traction.