Articles by Paul Gover

  And it will bring good news for the company's 3500 production staff in Victoria. A fresh injection of more than $50 million is coming from Ford Motor Company that will secure the immediate future of the Falcon and Territory despite the worst showroom result in the history of the Ford flagship in 2011. An announcement is planned for the Detroit motor show involving Ford's global chiefs, local president Bob Graziano, and a government delegation led by the Federal Minister for Industry Kim Carr. The true scale of the investment is still a secret, but it comes as both Ford Australia and GM Holden jockey for positions in the future model plans of their global parents. Neither can afford to be left out of accelerating globalisation that is reducing the number of individual models produced around the world. Senator Carr is visiting Detroit with the Premier of South Australia, Jay Wetherill, to try and ensure the Australian makers are included and is locked into make-or-break talks with both Ford and GM. "I want Australia to remain a player at the table. It's critical for the future of the Australian automotive industry. It's pivotal," Carr told News Limited on Friday before leaving for Detroit. "It's not just for Ford and General Motors, but the whole industry. There are nearly 200 companies involved in the industry. "This mission is all about fighting for jobs in Australia. There is no question that the rise of the Australian dollar has placed jobs under threat." Australia's three makers all suffered showroom setbacks during 2011, although Toyota has committed $350 million to a new engine factory in Melbourne, as well as the costly switch to an all-new Camry for 2012, and are being forced to justify their local positions. Ford and Holden each employ more than 1000 engineers and designers who are primarily involved in offshore development work, although their places are cemented by the local manufacturing operations. A Holden-designed midsized car soon goes in production by GM and Ford engineers are responsible for an all-new compact SUV called the EcoSport, which will be built in India and sold in Australia in 2013. The Figo baby car, also developed in Australia, was India's Car of the Year in 2011 and the Ranger pickup - which will be followed this year by an SUV called Endeavour - also comes from Broadmeadows and is the first ute anywhere in the world to win a five-star NCAP safety rating. But there are still doubts, and the latest Ford cash from Detroit only protects Ford Australia's factories at Broadmeadows and Geelong until around 2018, when an all-new car is intended to take on the Falcon nameplate. There are also questions over the Commodore from 2018, when the current program expires, and that has prompted Senator Carr's latest visit to motown. He will meet with GM's CEO and Dan Akerson and the CEO of Ford, Alan Mulally. "We're going to secure new investment. There is a genuine concern about the future of the industry given the rapid acceleration in the Australian dollar. The high currency has placed enormous pressure on Australian manufacturing." The latest talks come following a similar visit to China last year to talk with regional motoring bosses. "I'm a regular visitor to Detroit. And I was also in Shanghai in August to meet with their regional leadership for the Asia-Pacific. We have been dealing with this issues for some months. It's not something you do in just five minutes." Senator Carr will not be specific about his needs, or what he has to offer the carmakers, but said he is committed. "Our whole approach has been predicated on co-investment and we're seeking long-term commitments to Australian manufacturing. And that can only be secured by new investments. "We have the flexibility, and the wit and wisdom, for Australian governments - there are responsibilities for state governments as well - to build the partnerships that will last us for years to come. It's about understanding their attitude towards global investments. "You have to talk to the global leaders about the role of Australia. If governments don't take a key interest in this you can guarantee that we will not remain a player at the table."

Despite the worst showroom performance in the car's history during 2011. Sales of the family-sized Ford fell to just 18,741 cars last year, less than a quarter of its all-time high of 81,000 in 1985. The poor performance comes after three years when Falcon sales hovered around 30,000 cars, and is a 36.5 per cent fall over the result for 2010 despite the late arrival of a facelifted FG model towards the end of last year and plans for a four-cylinder model this year. "There is no impact. In fact, we just launched the new FG Series II," the sales and marketing director of Ford Australia, Brad Brownell, told News Limited. "We're putting our money where our mouth is, and investing in the future of this product. I see that the glass is half full. I'm positive." Brownell's comments come despite bad news from India, where Ford's global product chief Derrick Kuzak has cast doubt on the future of the Falcon and Territory beyond the current model cycle at the opening of the Dehli motor show. The Falcon's result came at the announcement of the official VFacts sales figures for 2011, which saw an overall total of 1,008,437 deliveries for the year. The result was a 2.4 per cent drop over 2010 but still only the fourth one-million year on record, with a similar total forecast for 2010. Toyota was confirmed as overall number one for the nighth straight year and the biggest change was the end of the Holden Commodore's 15- year run as Australia's favourite car. It was unseated by the Mazda3, by just 812 sales, as Australians continued to desert big cars in favour of more fuel-efficicient compacts. "While Australians keep buying more cars, the cars they buy are getting smaller. The demand for sport utility vehicles was up again - an increase of 3.8 per cent - which is a phenomenal result suggesting that Australians are embracing SUVs as the new family car," said Ian Chalmers, chief executive of the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries.

Official sales figures for 2011 put the total at 1,008,437, down by 2.6 per cent on 2011 but still a remarkable result after a series of natural disasters in Australia, global economic uncertainty and floods, an earthquake and tsunami in Thailand and Japan that badly affected the supply of vehicles. Toyota topped the charts for the ninth straight year, while the Mazda3 was the country's favourite car. The Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon were the big losers in 2011, as the 3 ended the Commodore's 15-year run as Australia's favourite car - by a margin of 812 - and  Falcon's support dropped by 36.5 per cent and it was only ninth among the country's best sellers. Results for 2011 reflect the continuing improvement by Mazda, which finished fourth overall with a 4.2 lift in sales, as well as Hyundai and Volkswagen, which had the biggest growth among leading brands with a 17.7 per cent improvement. On the other side, Honda was the biggest loser with a 25.4 per cent fall in 2011 deliveries. The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries says the result was a good one after the challenges of 2011 and is predicting another one-million result for 2012. "This achievement highlights the determination of the Australian automotive industry to be successful within one of the most open and competitive markets in the world," says FCAI chief executive, Ian Chalmers. "This number also is a welcome indication of the strong underlying demand that exists in Australia for personal transportation." Commenting on the continuing slide in large-car sales, Chalmers says it reflects changing consumer preferences. "While Australians keep buying more cars, the cars they buy are getting smaller. The demand for sport utility vehicles was up again - an increase of 3.8 per cent - which is a phenomenal result suggesting that Australians are embracing SUVs as the new family car." Source: VFacts

But it would be a very tight squeeze for the fast talking, fast driving Queenslander. This Falcon is only one-eighteenth the size of the original that Johnson and John Bowe used to win the Bathurst 1000 on October 2, on the day that Craig Lowndes marked himself as a future champion with a storming drive to second with Brad Jones in a Commodore for the Holden Racing Team. The racing replica comes from Biante, the Perth company that helps set the standard for high-quality motoring models in Australia, and is its first new model for 2012.  Officially it's the 1:18 EB Falcon from Dick Johnson Racing, and sells for $215 including a certificate signed by both Johnson and Bowe. Like all of Biante's best models, production is limited and the run on this one is 3500 cars. One of those is already in Bowe's study at home and he is a fan - despite writer's cramp from signing the certificates. "That car is the best V8 Supercar I ever had," Bowe says.  "I remember everything about it, and the race. I've been going to Bathurst for a long time and that's probably the best race I've seen there - and I was in it. "It was the time when the Stone brothers were at Dick Johnson Racing and they produced an awesome car. And the race threw up everything. "In qualifying Dick snicked the wall out of The Cutting, so we started tenth instead of first or second, and the race was wet-and-dry, wet-and-dry. It came right down to a battle at the finish." But what about the Biante model? "I've seen the model and it's fantastic. Actually, it's more than a model, it's a real replica of the car. Everything is in place and you can open the doors, bonnet and boot to check it out," Bowe says. But there is one big difference between the Biante car and the original. "Unfortunately, that car was the one I wrote off at Phillip Island in 1995. it was an EBII and we updated it, and then I tagged Lowndes and went upside down," Bowe recalls.

Small cars are the new stars on Australian roads, and that's official. The baby Mazda 3 has ended the 15-year reign of the Holden Commodore as the country's favourite car during a 2011 showroom stoush

The Koreans starred, the Japanese mounted a comeback, and One Ford hit the headlines with an extended family of Focus-based newcomers that it is certain to make a big hit in Australia. But it was one car and the commitment of its company chief that made the most impact as America fought back on the opening day of the 2011 North American International Motor Show.Cadillac failed to find a foothold in Australia but is still chasing fresh friends in the USA, and to that end will unveil the all-new compact ATS at the Detroit motor show.The ATS is a potential rival to the BMW 3 Series and the seriousness of Cadillac's effort - in contrast to Australia, where the plug was pulled before the first cars arrived in 2008 - is reflected in the intensive testing the car has had at the Nurburgring course in Germany.The rear-wheel drive ATS will be built in Detroit alongside Cadillac's most recent success, the mid-sized CTS that is built as a coupe, sedan and wagon including HSV-style V-Series performance models.While the ATS headlines for General Motors at home, the Detroit show will also see Chevrolet presenting a sporty RS version of the Sonic that's sold in Australia as a Barina.There will also be concept cars from GM's advanced styling studio in California, but they are secret until the show opens on Monday in the USA.

It's currently only a motor show tease, with no firm plan for production, but the Lexus LF-LC concept has the potential to become the next big thing for the Japanese brand and a major magnet for prestige car buyers. Lexus already has its LFA supercar and the latest GS on the road, but the A-car is way too costly and the S-car is too mainstream. The LC - the letters stand for Lexus Coupe - is a truly great looking two-door coupe that could easily make the move onto the road. It sits in size between the IS and GS lines but Lexus insiders say it is much more sports focussed than a 3-Series BMW coupe. It will be officially unveiled on January 9 at the Detroit motor show and Lexus says it sets the next design direction for the brand. Not surprisingly, it was styled in California and not in Japan. “Crafted from a clean sheet of paper at the request of Lexus headquarters in Japan, the LF-LC blends both high technology and organic shapes to connect the driver to the machine,” says Mark Templin, Lexus group vice president and general manager. “The clean lines of the vehicle emphasize motion, creating a distinctive look for this futuristic sport coupe.” The LC could easily be a GS coupe but Lexus Australia says no. "It's not linked to any existing model," says Peter Evans, local spokesman. He admits the importance of the car but nothing more. "We'll all have to wait until the Detroit show. We cannot say anything until then." The LC is much more aggressive than current Lexus production cars, although it does share the Darth Vader-style 'spindle grille' already seen on the GS. It's already getting a warm reception in Australia and the model expansion is likely to include a new hybrid, in addition to the GS250 price leader, with Lexus recently registering the GS300h tag for Australia. And Lexus is not alone in pre-Detroit teases. Nissan has now released a teaser side-on picture of the all-new Pathfinder it will reveal in motown ahead of production later in 2012. But Hyundai is even more adventurous, and has provided a sneak peak of the i-oniq coupe it is reading for show duty, although not until the Geneva event in March. So far it's only a sketch but Thomas Burkle, chief designer at Hyundai’s European research and design centre in Germany, says the concept previews “the next evolution of the brand’s ‘fluidic sculpture’ form language”.

It was only launched last month, at the Tokyo motor show, but Honda Australia says the car will not meet local safety regulations for at least another five years. That's the time it will take for a scheduled renewal of the Brio to be updated sufficiently for Australia. "It won't come in this generation. It is at least four or five years ago," the managing director of Honda Australia, Satoshi Matsuzawa, tells Carsguide. He admits Honda would like a car to sit below the Jazz in both size and price, and that Honda Australia has been studying both the Brio project and the trend towards smaller cars. "We have to judge if the current trend from the large car to the small car continues to the class below Jazz. It could be very important in the Australian market," Matsuzawa says. "For daily use there is no need to drive big cars. But the trend could shift, so we have to keep monitoring." He says the Brio cannot meet current Australian Design Rules, mostly likely on safety, although he does not go into detail. "The current design is dedicated for India and Thailand, which is difficult to meet for the ADRs. It is important to keep monitoring the market trends . .  . and stay current on the ADR compliance." Even without the Brio as a price fighter, Matsuzawa predicts a big lift in Honda's sales in 2012 after major price cuts across the lineup. It could be more than 10 per cent, after a double-digit drop through 2011. "Next year I would like to get back to at least 40,000," he says. Matsuzawa says the key to the recovery is a return to normal supply from Honda's factory in Thailand, as well as two key new models. "Civic comes in March. Just the four-door, but it comes with the hybrid. This is the alternative sourcing from Japan, not Thailand," he says. "Civic Hatch will be the middle of the year. CR-V, also, we expect to have in the middle of next year. But in the case of CR-V it depends on the process of the recovery at the Thailand factory."

Supplies to Australia were originally capped at just 1000 cars when  the Optima Platinum hit local showrooms early in 2011 with a $36,990 pricetag, but now the gates have been opened and a second model joins the lineup.  The Optima Si has the same mechanical package but less equipment, allowing it to sell from $30,490. It's a mark that continues to undercut the Hyundai i45 and similar mid-sized rivals including the all-new Toyota Camry.  Kia Australia is also not ruling out a third Optima model to fill the $6000 gap between its two cars. The big breakthrough comes with extra supplies from Korea, after delivery restrictions throughout the past year.  "We are confident of getting more supply. From now," says Kia spokesman, Kevin Hepworth. "The launch of the Si will be January 20 and we have an assurance that there will be improved supply of that car. Around the world there are  some sales falling off, so they are placing the cars and that is  giving us a better bite." The Optima has not hit its original Australian target but Hepworth says supply is the biggest problem. "To the end of November it was 775. It's probably going to be 800 or 850 sales for 2011, says Hepworth. "For next year, we're not giving numbers."  The Optima Si still has a 148 kiloWatt, 2.4-litre petrol engine but the cabin has been downgraded with cloth trim, manual seats, and less punch in the stereo. But it continues with the reversing camera, Bluetooth, auto aircon and six airbags of the Platinum. Mechanically, it gets smaller 17-inch alloys and front discs, while the LED running lights, sunroof and rear spoiler from the Platinum have also been dropped.Into the future, Kia says there won't be an Optima wagon but the Australian operation is still pushing hard for a performance model.  "There isn't a station wagon variant of that car. Hybrid is still not a high priority car," says Hepworth. "The Optima Turbo is one we continue to ask for, but there still isn't a right-hand drive program." There will be a small tweak to the Platinum model by March with the introduction of satnav, which will also be migrated into Kia's Sorento and Sportage SUVs. "It will be sooner rather than later. It's not decided yet if it will be standard or optional," says Hepworth. "The Platiunum will also get satnav availabiity from the first quarter this ear. Probably earlier rather than later. It's not decided if it  will be standard, and the same applies to Sorento and Sportage."

AUDI - Two models looks like slim pickings for a brand that seems to have a new model - or at least a new engine - every week. But the Q3 should be huge despite compact size, and there is certain to be other stuff - perhaps including E-Tron production plans.APRIL: Q3 compact SUVAUGUST: A1 Sportback hot hatch. BENTLEY - How can you call a car with a $400,000 pricetag an entry-level model? Ask Bentley. It has the new Continental V8s as GT coupe and convertible and also boasts a 40 per cent improvement in economy and emissions.JUNE: Continental V8 BMW - The new year is all about the 3 Series, especially with the vast band of existing owners across Australia who are looking for something new. The X6 facelift is unlikely to do much about the gargantuan styling but the GranCoupe promises at least one good looker in 2012.FEBRUARY: M5, 3 Series sedanAUGUST: X6 facelift, 6 Series GranCoupeOCTOBER: M6, 3 Series Touring. CHRYSLER - The gangsta 300C is coming back and will provide the power and punch for the rest of the Chrysler-Jeep family. The all-new C is much more luxurious and far less American inside, but we'll wait to see how it drives.JANUARY: Compass 4wd, Patriot 4wd, Cherokee 2wdAPRIL: Grand Cherokee SRT-8JUNE: 300C. CITROEN - If only the adventurous looks of the classy DS cars was matched by their suitability for Australia. Still, there are people who think that a quirky French car is right for them.FEBRUARY: DS4MARCH: C4 Picasso update, C5 petrol turboJUNE: DS5SEPTEMBER: C4 AirCross SUV. DODGE - Too little and way too late, there is hope for some Dodge models further in the future.JANUARY: Journey facelift.FERRARI - The gorgeous droptop Spider is the antidote to the ugly breadbox body of the all-wheel drive FF. And 2012 will include a Euro preview of the successor to the V12-engined 599.JANUARY: FFJULY: 458 Spider, California upgrade.FIAT - A super-frugal two-cylinder engine should sit well in the baby Fiat. A pity, then, that Australia does not get the comfier seats fitted to the car in the USA.APRIL: 500 TwinAir.FORD - There are some hot newcomers from the blue oval, starting with the compact Kuga that will be popular with SUV shoppers. The extra Ranger models will also go well and the hot hatch ST will bring people to the Focus.MARCH: KugaAPRIL: Falcon EcoBoost; Ranger single-cab, SuperCab, 2WD, WildtrakJULY: Focus ST. GEELY - The Chinese brand is going national but its new sedans still have a long way to go.SEPTEMBER: EC7 and CE sedans.GREAT WALL - The baby hatch becomes a new starter car for Great Wall, promising a great price.JANUARY: C10 Phenom.HOLDEN - Another busy and varied year, with the Volt as the headliner despite the crucial importance of a gas-powered Commodore for fleets. The Malibu has a big job but has had early input from Australia.FEBRUARY: Commodore LPG, Barina sedanJUNE: ColoradoNOVEMBER: VoltDECEMBER: Malibu, Colorado 7.HONDA - The overseas response to the latest Hondas is not good, with the company chief even apologising for the underdone Civic. They will need a sharp price to hit the target in Australia.JUNE: Civic sedan, hatch.NOVEMBER: CR-V.HYUNDAI - The first Korean car to win a Carsguide COTY, the i30, is new again this year with promises of another big leap forward. The Veloster is certain to sell well just on its looks.FEBRUARY: VelosterJULY: i30.INFINITI - Another year, another new brand for Australia. Infiniti failed in the 1990s but the luxury Nissan brand has some impressive cars that drive really well. And Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber to spruik.SEPTEMBER: FX, Coupe, Convertible.ISUZU - Now we can finally see what Isuzu can do as a standalone brand, not just working with GM on a car that would previously also have been sold as a Holden.FEBRUARY: D-Max ute.KIA - The Rio is already a winner, so the pressure is on Kia to ensure the new Sorento SUV loses its blandoid looks and driving experience without killing the family-friendly price.FEBRUARY: Rio sedan and 3-doorAUGUST: Sorento.LAND ROVER - A new Range Rover is always a big deal, and this one is also huge with a 10 centimetre stretch in the wheelbase and plenty of other impressive new stuff. Most of the year will be devoted to clearing back orders for the trendy Evoque.OCTOBER: Freelander MkIIIDECEMBER: Range Rover Vogue.LEXUS - The new mid-sizer is far more involving in every way, from the cushy cabin to sharp driving response in the GS-F models.MAY: GS350 and 450h. LOTUS - More of the same, with tweaks of the existing underachievers and no sign yet of the all-new hero cars.FEBRUARY: Lotus Evora S IPSMARCH: Elise robotised-manualAUGUST: Exige S V6.MASERATI - Not much to report with another tweak on a slow seller.JANUARY: GranSport Cabrio. MAZDA - The compact CX-5 has all the right ingredients for success and will do well, although it means the end for the CX-7 in Australia. BT model range will continue to expand.JANUARY: BT-50 single cabMARCH: CX-5.MERCEDES-BENZ - A giant year from a brand on the move, headlined by a baby B-Class that provides new value and a new small-car direction. A new ML is also a key car, with the Gullwing - minus gullwing doors - opening the year as the SLS roadster.JANUARY: SLS RoadsterFEBRUARY: SLK250MARCH: SLK55APRIL: B-Class, M-ClassAUGUST: SLNOVEMBER: E-Class update.MINI - The crazy looking two-doors renew the Mini promise on the fun front, with more concept cars coming through the year ahead of another total overhaul.MAY: Coupe and Roadster MITSUBISHI - A worthwhile baby car at last, previewed at the Tokyo motor show last month so still a year away.NOVEMBER: Mirage NISSAN - The Leaf is the headliner but there is lots of other good stuff on the way, including the mid-sized Almera and the long, long overdue Patrol heavyweight. Oh, and a born-again Pulsar ...FEBRUARY: Nissan GT-RMARCH: Dualis dieselMAY: Leaf JUNE: AlmeraDECEMBER: Patrol and Pulsar.OPEL - Not just new cars, this is a new brand. Opel has supplied baby cars and funmobiles in the past for Holden, but this is serious stuff for a German make that's planning an upmarket slot in Australia.JULY: Insignia, Corsa, Astra.PEUGEOT - The French cars always sell on style, and a new baby 208 promises a really chic changeover.OCTOBER: 208NOVEMBER: 408.PORSCHE - The waiting list for the all-new 911 is already out to the end of the year and it's a car that's worth the wait - faster, leaner, more enjoyable. The baby Boxster could also squeak in 2012 after a preview in Europe in March.MARCH: 911DECEMBER: Boxster. PROTON - The Malaysian brand for battlers has never starred in Australia, but has a new value Persona and its first people mover, the Exora, on the way.FEBRUARY: Persona EleganceMARCH: S16 FLXAUGUST: ExoraSEPTEMBER: Persona.RENAULT - The first electric car with a switch-over battery pack arrives to plug into the Better Place network.AUGUST: Fluence ZESKODA - The Czech cars are classy contenders and the model range is finally growing with the right spread, from practical wagons to the go-fast Fabia.MARCH: Yeti 4wd petrolAPRIL: Roomster; Skoda Fabia Combi, Fabia RS.SMART - The tiny tot is into its last days with a new model set for 2013.FEBRUARY: ForTwo limited edition.SSANGYONG - More promises on improvements, but Ssangyongs still only sell on price.APRIL: SUT-1 ute.SUBARU - A giant year for anyone who craves a new Subaru, with a wholesale change to classy new cars in the compact arena and the BRZ sports car arriving for a non-WRX performance hit.JANUARY: XVMARCH: ImprezaJUNE: BRZ. SUZUKI - A very quiet year for a company that's running out of ideas, beyond force feeding the nice little Kizashi.MAY: Kizashi Turbo. TOYOTA - Australia's favourite brand shifts into top gear with new hybrids, a V6 Aurion from the Altona factory, the 86 to prove Brand T can still do driver's cars, and an all-new Corolla at the end of the year to challenge the small car champions from Volkswagen and Mazda.MARCH: Camry Hybrid; Prius CAPRIL: Aurion; MAY: 86; Prius VOCTOBER: Corolla.VOLKSWAGEN - The rough-rider Scirocco starts the year but the real action comes at the end, with a Beetle that's far more practical and a baby Up to drill down into the $15,000 price fight in Australia.JANUARY: Scirocco RJUNE: Amarok single cab and DSG, CCOCTOBER: Passat AlltrackNOVEMBER: Up, Beetle.ZX - Another Chinese brand hitting Australia. Lovely.MARCH: GrandTiger ute.