Articles by Paul Gover

Someone at Holden got the name wrong for the company's newest, and surprisingly impressive, mid-sized hopeful.

The camouflage is almost gone and the car is revealed as slightly longer and wider, although the big changes are in the cabin where the centre-mounted speedo is gone. 

Toyota has split the world with its all-new Corolla sedan and, in the process, is likely to split opinions in Australia. But there is no changing the umpire's decision on the car that's coming downunder.We are getting the new European Corolla, pictured here in white, not the red American model. The difference is only in the detail, but the US car is clearly more aggressive around the nose and - helped by the splash of red on the bodywork - looks more desirable than the vanilla wrapped Euro model.It's up to you, but Toyota Australia is talking up its choice as it readies the sedan for action in early 2014 alongside the Corolla hatch that currently heads the race to be Australia's showroom favourite for 2013.It says the Euro look is closer to the style for Australia - without actually confirming the final details - and that it is already ahead in informal polling with potential buyers. But neither of the Corollas picks up the flair and impact of the car on which they are based, the Furia concept unveiled last year.That's no surprise as the Corolla sedan must be a sales success in 47 countries, which helps explain the simultaneous unveilings more than 10,000 kilometres apart, one at Istanbul in Turkey and the other in Santa Monica, USA.Away from the design, the car delivers extra cabin space and lower noise levels. But final details and pricing - including the all-important sub-$20,000 starting sticker that's already working well to bait the Corolla hatch - will not be released for more than six months.Regardless of how it looks, the new car is part of the 11th generation Corolla model and will be built in 16 different factories. Supplies for Australia are likely to come from - not Europe or the USA, but Japan.

Someone at Toyota has been channelling the spirit of the Mini Moke for the brand's most outrageous concept car in many, many years. The stripped-down Camatte 57s could easily be a born-again Moke, right down to the minimal bodywork and bolted-on bumpers. But it's not, and it's not even a car. It's actually a full-sized toy intended to get kids interested in driving through a special display at the Tokyo Toy Show. The Camatte takes its name firstly for the Japanese word for 'care', then from the 57 pieces that make up the bodywork. It's the second Camatte concept and much more fun than last year's slightly dowdy and boxy effort. This time around, the battery-powered plaything has 57 lightweight, detachable panel pieces that can be finished in a wide range of colours and designs to add impact to the bodywork. Toyota believes it's also boosted the appeal with the roadster styling, although there is also a hardtop for wet-weather work. The 57 measured exactly three metres in length and has three seats. Not that the Camatte will ever be built. "Toyota's new concept is about sharing ideas to build the ideal car," the company says. "Involving youngsters in choosing the shape and look of a car will help these drivers of the future learn more about the fun aspects of motoring." The layout of the Camatte includes a seat and pedals that can be adjusted for children to drive, but there is also a right-rear seat set close enough that a supervising adult can help with the steering and braking. This reporter is on Twitter: @paulwardgover  

An ambitious plan to give Australians a homegrown 21st century supercar has failed. The single JOSS JT1 has been parked and will soon be auctioned as a piece of history. The great looking, mid-engined road rocket failed to win essential private and government support despite predictions that it could have been a long-term export success with the potential to earn as much as $100 million for Australia. "It's a sad day for JOSS. And, unfortunately, another bad-news story for Victoria," the technical director of JOSS Developments, Matthew Thomas, reveals to Carsguide. "JOSS was founded in 1997 and has existed with practically no government support. Our sole purpose was to design and produce a global supercar contender that was to be Australia's first homegrown supercar." The Melbourne-based company was established with an engineering focus and progressed rapidly to a road-going prototype which was displayed at the Melbourne International Motor Show. Development continued with more than 17,000 man-hours devoted to the JT1 test car alone. The prototype cost $400,000 and, after a failed pitch by the owners to the Fox Museum in Melbourne, will soon be sold, most likely through a Shannon's auction. The plan for the JOSS car was to develop a direct link to major suppliers and there was early interest for a number of potential buyers. "The JOSS business strategy would have seen $25 million in vehicle exports within three years of investment and within seven years that would reach $100 million in genuine Australian exports. It was set to ramp up to employing a minimum of 20 automotive professionals with a supplier ripple effect of an addition 50 people, many of them high-end automotive experts. "We had good support with small investment but were unable to lock in the high net-work individual or company with the $10 million investment required." The company battled with private investment and only $28,000 in government funding, and was not able to convert dreams into reality. Thomas says the JT1 is now being prepared for sale but he has still not given up hope. "You never know, we may get some last-minute interest from somewhere," he says. This reporter is on Twitter: @paulwardgover

"Computer says no" is my favourite line from the wickedly clever Little Britain television series, because it's such a telling reflection of modern life.Computers rule the world and if you cannot get along with the little black boxes, or at least arrange some sort of non-aggression pact, life is not fun.My time on the road over the past 25 years has been riddled and riled by computer problems of all sorts, from recalcitrant cars through to laptops that needed major intervention by a manchild named Nick at the other end of an international telephone line.The power of the PC is rammed home to me, once again, as Volkswagen flails and fights against the surging tide of bad news in Australia about its Golfs and DSG gearboxes.I should point out that those dramas are nothing new to anyone on the Carsguide crew. We've been fielding complaints and trying to help people for years, usually battling the arrogance and denial which has led Volkswagen Australia to where it is today.But, as I face a fresh tide of incoming emails this week, I get to thinking about the power of the computer and how it could - quite easily - have contributed to the Volkswagen dramas.There was a time, not so long ago, when a quality mechanic was worth their weight in Sidchrome.These days, new-age technicians have flooded workshops across the country and old-fashioned experience and intuition has been replaced by plug-and-play computer analysis.No-one really wants to waste time on a test drive or hands-on diagnosis when it's so easy to plug the 'diagnostic tool' into a socket, interrogate the car and see if there are any of the telltale 'error codes' popping up.The first time I saw one of these devices, a combined effort by BMW and Bosch, it was a revelation. It was obviously a key to the future.But that future has arrived and 'error codes' have become both the objective and the excuse for far too many of the people on the service side of a workshop counter.Every week I get dozens of disgruntled emails and the power of the computer diagnosis is reflected in the number of people who are dissatisfied with their workshop outcome. Often they report being dismissed because their complaint or concern does not match the printout from their car's Electronic Control Unit.I'm hearing "Computer says no" almost every day. Even when a real person takes a car for a real-world test drive, it often ends in tears and tangles when the complaint is dismissed as 'within tolerance'.Is that just another version of "Computer says no"?Doctors are taught that bedside manner is as important as any diagnosis of illness, because it honours the concerns of their patient and makes them feel they are part of the solution and not just creating a problem.Perhaps that's a lesson that now also needs to be taught in the world of motoring, before the rise of the computer becomes totally irreversible.I, for one, don't enjoy the prospect of a world where - to twist another line from Little Britain - you arrive at a workshop to hear "I'm the only mechanic in the village".This reporter is on Twitter: @paulwardgover 

Holden's new new mid-sized hopeful, the Malibu, is battling to overcome the lacklustre start of its US twin. The American Malibu has just been rushed through an early update to add some kerb appeal and extra rear-seat space, setting the scene for a troubled touchdown for the car that now sits between the locally-made Cruze and Commodore. But Holden says it's not worried about the Malibu, for a very simple reason. "We actually have a different version of the car," the executive director of sales and marketing at Holden, Phil Brook, tells Carsguide. "Our car was designed to be a Holden from day one. We see a bit of an opportunity for it. We're happy with the way it looks, from front to rear." The Malibu for Australia is coming from Korea, where Holden designers Justin Thompson - the bodywork expert who also led the VF Commodore work - and interior specialist Yan-hong Huang were involved from the start. Holden has also done a lot of tweaking to the way the car drives, from its electric power steering to the suspension, engine response and noise suppression. "In the 'states, they had issues with two key things - the frontal look and rear-seat space," says Brook. "They had downsized the car. And this was the core, bread-and-butter Chevy." He says Holden is not expecting complaints about cabin space because people who want more have an obvious choice. "You know what it is. For us, we have the Commodore," he says. But what about the negative feedback from the American situation? "It hasn't been an issue outside the 'states. We don't see it as a problem. There is a different lineup and a different requirement here. "We've had a lot of input, from day one." But it's true that Holden has struggled with mid-sized cars in the past, from the miserable Epica that was parked back in 2011 back through the over-priced European Vectra to the re-badged Toyota Camry called the Apollo. And the situation in the USA paints the Malibu as a loser even before it gets on the road in Australia. "We argue that it's not a failure. It's done well in the 'states," Brooks says. "But is there an opportunity to do better? Yes." "It's a big, big change (locally). There is no comparison between this car and what we've done in the past." This reporter is on Twitter: @paulwardgover  

The world's most famous muscle car, the Ford Mustang, is nearly certain to become the Blue Oval brand's new hero after the death of the Falcon in 2016. The next-generation Mustang is already confirmed with right-hand drive and company insiders at Broadmeadows are hinting strongly to Carsguide that it's only a question of when - not if - it is confirmed for Australia. The born-again Mustang is exactly what Ford needs to rebuild the shattered confidence of its local followers in the wake of last month's early death notice for the Falcon and Territory in 2016. Especially as the FPV GT is also on death row. Bob Graziano, the Ford president who is presiding over the end of local production, is reluctant to say much for now but hints that the Mustang is on the agenda. "We obviously don't talk about forward programs, so I can't tell you we will have Mustang here. But it's one I hear a lot about. It's a very iconic vehicle, as is the F Series truck," Graziano tells Carsguide. "For the next three and a half years, the hero car will continue to be the Falcon range. And we're really looking forward to the freshening coming next year. "We've talked about a 30 per cent increase in models between now and 2016. We're going to conduct a lot of  research and evaluate what segments are moving and what customers want. One of the benefits of our strategy, corporately, is we can have access to products from around the world." Graziano is keen for Ford followers to stay with the brand, and says it's not just about a single car or an iconic badge. "I want them to understand we have great products and we're standing by those great great products. That is the message going forward. "We'll have a full portfolio of products, right across the board. I don't know that we'll focus on international or global or anything of that nature. We'll focus on the core pillars of the brand, quality, sustainability and technology. We're striving to be best in class in each of those areas." Graziano says Ford Australia will still have around 1500 employees even after it shuts the doors at Broadmeadows and Geelong, with the majority in the engineering group that's now fully connected to design and engineering work throughout the Ford world. "The bulk of them will be in product development. The site here will continue as a centre of excellence for the global product development team. That is one of the key tenants of the strategy going forward." But the news is not as good for Ford Performance Vehicles, which has only just been brought inside company headquarters after a buyout of its British owners at Prodrive. "We're looking at FPV at this point, and what we want to do with the brand going forward. We haven't taken any decision. We're looking at the line-up to be as efficient as we can be." But Graziano is not confident about the Falcon GT. "I think in performance vehicles we use the ST name. I don't think we would use GT on any other vehicle. I think that would be very strange going forward. It's part of the Falcon nomenclature, from my perspective. I don't see us applying that going forward, in the near term." As for the update next year to the Falcon and Territory, and whether Broadmeadows will even survive to the back end of 2014, Graziano is upbeat. "I'm cautiously optimistic that we will get through to the end of October in 2016. It's very early days since the announcement, but I'm encouraged by the level of interest. We're going to remain out there and remind customers we're here and customers can continue to buy with confidence." But don't expect the 2014 Falcon to match the VF Commodore for a level of change and improvement that makes the new Holden easily the best Australian car of all time. "It will not be a VF-level change," Graziano admits. "The best thing will be to get a renewed romance with the large car segment. They are good products." This reporter is on Twitter: @paulwardgover

...but development is picking up pace in Europe. The next i10 for 2014 is even hot lapping at the Nurburgring in Germany, where Hyundai has just opened an all-new test facility.This reporter is on Twitter: @paulwardgover

SUVs look tough and deliver a command driving position - unless everyone else is also sitting up high-and-mighty in a hulking off-roader - but they really don't have the people or carrying capacity you might expect.Even seven-seater SUVs are usually cramped in the back row and you should try fitting a family's luggage needs in the rear when all the seats are occupied.People movers aren't trendy, and they aren't attractive, but there are times when a big box on wheels really is the best solution.Volkswagen got the people movement going with the Kombi, then Chrysler switched the action to the USA before Toyota revolutionised things with the Tarago - named after a NSW country town outside Canberra.These days there are people movers to suit most families and budgets, and these are the obvious contenders:Chrysler Grand VoyagerA fading star that suffers from an ageing design and poor cabin quality, as well as pricetag that means it's a premium contender in a class where there is much better value.Price: from $57,500Seats: 7Engine: 2.8 litre turbodiesel 120kW/360NmTransmission: 6-sp auto FWDThirst: 8.4L/100km; 111g/km CO2Citroen C4 Picasso One of Europe's best people movers drives well and has some great design touches, including a front windscreen that rolls up to the roof. Hurt in Australia by the questions over anything with a Citroen badge.Price: from $39,490Seats: 7Engine: 2.0 litre turbodiesel 100kW/270NmTransmission: 6-sp auto FWDThirst: 5.3L/100km; 137g/km CO2Honda OdysseyIt's getting old but it still does the job, and the price is nice. The Odyssey is not as big as some, and the performance suffers when you load it up, but it is still a smart choice.Price: from $37,100Seats: 7Engine: 2.4L petrol, 132kW/218NmTransmission: 5-speed automatic, FWDThirst: 8.9L/100km, 212g/km CO2Kia Grand Carnival The top choice with the Carsguide crew, thanks to everything from a big body to an available turbodiesel engine and electric sliding doors on the top model. Value is great and there is a big spread of models.Price: from $38,990Seats: 8Engine: 2.2L turbodiesel 143kW/429Nm or 3.5L V6 petrol 202kW/336NmTransmission: 6-spd auto FWDThirst: 8.1L/100km (diesel),  10.9L/100km (petrol)Mercedes-Benz Viano It's the Rolls-Royce of minivans, in Australia at least, lifting the working class Vito van to new highs of comfort and class. Too boxy for some people, but the badge provides plenty of compensation.Price: from $78,990Seats: 6-8Engine: 3.0L turbodiesel 165kW/440NmTransmission: 5-spd auto RWDThirst: 8.6L/100km; 226g/km CO2Toyota Tarago The people mover that time - and Toyota - forgot. Once the best of the breed, particularly in the days of the `giant egg' model, but now just a boring box that's too expensive and doesn't come with a diesel engine.Price: from $48,990Seats: 7-8Engine: 2.4L 4-cyl petrol, 125kW/224Nm or 3.5L V6 petrol 202kW/340NmTransmission: CVT auto, FWDThirst: 8.9L/100km, 207g/km CO2 or 10.3L/100km; 243g/km CO2