Articles by Rebeccah Elley

A car shopper got a big shock when five championship Collingwood Football members clamber into the Captiva 7 being test driven.Holden's latest social media campaign takes a tongue-in-cheek approach to showing off the latest features in their vehicle range, such as the Captiva 7's seven seat functionality.Holden hired an actor to play the Holden salesman and set up a camera in the dashboard to capture the surprise and in this case the delight of the customer.Watch the desktop version of the Holden customer gets Collingwood surprise video here. 

With a hidden camera set up in the dashboard and a hired actor to play the Holden salesman, the Holden four part series focuses on real-world usage of an SUV with a "Holden twist".So far we've seen five members of the championship Collingwood Football Club clamber into a Captiva 7 and the Holden salesman sing along to music via Pandora internet radio capability in the Holden Trax.Watch the Holden customer gets Collingwood surprise video here. Also watch: Holden Trax test drive surprise video here. The twist in the Alex Davis video is a coffee run, where the Holden salesman bumps into the Chadwick model offering her a lift to her next gig.The salesman even fits in a quick selfie with the WAG, who is engaged to captain of the Collingwood Football Club Scott Pendlebury.Watch the desktop version of Alex Davis in cheeky Holden prank video here.

Every month the paycheck comes and miraculously disappears. Sometimes I may stroll (or should I say sprint) to the nearest fashion outlet. And my dream car fantasies take a backseat. But with some simple saving solutions my dream hot-hatch is still attainable.Whether you're a newly christened P-plater or a high flying corporate car nut saving for some wheels doesn't have to be impossible. In fact, it can be as easy as plan, budget and save. Here are 6 easy car saving tips:Create a weekly budget: Forget those designer threads and have a good look at your monthly budget. Set aside money for the essentials, such as food and rent. Of course you're only human and need to budget for weekend get-togethers but have a think about areas where you can save that works for you. My clothes indulgence may have to be kicked to the curb! To track your budget day to day with ease, make sure you have access to your money through an account that allows for mobile, phone and internet banking.Make a savings goal: While scouring the net for my dream car, I stumbled across the new Porsche 911 and it seemed like the perfect fit. Sadly my measly budget didn't seem to agree and a more budget friendly Toyota Yaris or Mazda2 was down my alley. Once you have planned your budget, it's time to start setting money aside for your wicked wheels. It's important to think about how much you want to save and whether you will pay for the car outright or apply for a car or personal loan. Remember the more you save the less you will have to pay over the life of the car loan (some car loan interest rates are over 15 per cent!).Once you start saving look out for opportunities where your money can get rewarded for sticking to your savings plan. ANZ's Progress Saver account pays bonus interest on top of a base rate when you make a minimum $10 deposit per month and make no withdrawals or debits in that same month. Road trip here I come!Open a high interest savings account: A great way of reaching your savings goal is by opening a high interest savings account dedicated to your car purchase. This way you can set up automatic deposits that come out of your pay weekly, fortnightly or monthly. For those who aren't planning to purchase a car for a significant amount of time a term deposit may be the perfect option, as you won't be able to touch your savings for the specified period of time.When I started to save for a car I decided to open a savings account with limited access, so I wouldn't be tempted to dip into my savings. On payday my bank would automatically deposit $200 into the specified account and before you know it, this car-dedicated account had built up an attractive amount.Negotiate a good deal: Once you have the money in the bank take your time to do some research and practice your negotiating skills. Using my Instagram I started to get inspiration from car accounts and the dream started to feel real. Thorough research prior to purchasing a car will give you confidence when approaching the car seller. Find out what the vehicle is worth before you visit the dealer or private seller and have an idea of the amount you're willing to pay for the car. Visit our price guide and car reviews and road tests sections. In terms of financing make sure you don't get hit with extra or hidden fees.Search for second hand deals: Purchasing a car a couple of years old can save you thousands. But tread carefully with used cars that are priced much lower than their market value and if you do decide to go ahead get the car thoroughly checked over. Search our used car reviews section.  Keep saving for ongoing costs: Now that you've successfully saved for your sleek ride, there are still many ongoing costs to think of like registration, insurance and servicing. Don't get caught out by surprise car related bills instead keep up your savings habit with a separate high interest savings account and set up a regular direct debit that rolls easily into your account each month. So when the time comes to pay for a big nasty bill your wallet will be smiling! The ANZ Online Saver account is perfect for ongoing savings. It has no minimum balance so you can save as little or as much as you want for ongoing costs like registration and no withdrawal fees so you can withdraw extra money for servicing the car whenever the need arises. There are also no fixed term requirements meaning you can save for as long as you need to.Saving for a car doesn't have to be a headache, by making a budget and savings goal you'll be cruising in your cool mobile in no time. Time to get my piggy bank out! Boost your car savings with ANZ's competitive bonus interest rate with the Progress Saver account or enjoy the flexibility of the ANZ Online Saver account. Start saving for your dream car today!Any advice does not take into account your personal needs and financial circumstances and you should consider whether it is appropriate for you. ANZ recommends you read the Terms and Conditions and the Financial Services Guide before acquiring the product. 

The 1950s commercial promotes its “fair Dinkum” Aussie product with the help of the Sabrina, who just happens to turn up at a garage asking about grease. As many a glamour model and movie starlet would. She’s then given a riveting demonstration of the grease’s properties, but the ad is designed to ensure most eyes will be on her tiny 19-inch (48cm) waist and 41-inch (104cm) bosom. The British glamour model’s famous dimensions were astounding enough to become a part of the popular culture of the day. The 1950s Royal Air Force, 1950s British truck manufacturer ERF and the 1974 British motoring press have all used the term “Sabrina” for protruding parts on their products. Watch the 1950 Caltex ad video here. 

The proudly Australian manufacturer played up its heritage in the 1980s with this fun ad full of classic Aussie stereotypes. Whether you're a footy favouring car nut or a meatpie loving larrikin you'll love the catchy jingle. Strewth, all that's missing is a VB-swigging swagman.Watch the 1981 Holden TV ad here.Longstanding Aussie rival Ford has also aired some hilarious ads that pay homage to its homeland.See Our favourite Ford ads here.  

In the countdown to Halloween, Mini has released an ad that draws on well-known horror movie characters to showcase the Countryman softroader.The rear seats fit a hockey-masked villain from Friday the 13th, while another chainsaw-wielding maniac stashes his weapon in the boot and climbs in as well – both of them terrifying the young couple cowering in the Countryman.But it turns out the villians are themselves fleeing from an even more terrifying horror … 

Honda has launched a surreal commercial that uses eye-fooling optical illusions to make it seem an SUV is suspended above pylons, can drive over bollards and sit on a table.The 60 second piece -- directed by Chris Palmer of Gorgeous – was created to promote the Honda CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC Diesel.  Called "An Impossible Made Possible" the brief for the ad was to point out that things aren't always as they appear, to communicate the unexpected fuel efficiency of the diesel CR-V. In each sequence the audience is let in on the trickery at hand, so you decide if Honda is the ultimate master of illusion.Watch Honda ad will trick your eyes | video to see the illusions.This is not the first time Honda has created imaginative and playful videos. Honda's Rube-Goldbergian ad, The Cog had audiences smiling with its delightful commercial about a single cog that sets off a chain reaction - using a range of Honda parts - ultimately leading you to the Honda Accord. Watch Honda's The Cog video here.Also watch: World’s top 10 car ads here. 

As the baby boomer generation ages – with the 65+ group projected to increase from 14 to 20 per cent by 2030 - a greater strain will be put on hospitals and aged-care services. Honda is one of the companies researching assistive technology for the elderly. The Walking Assist Device imitates human movement to help the patient walk longer distances at a greater speed. The device comes as Fujistu introduces the New Generation Cane equipped with GPS, WiFi connectivity and LED lights. The Walking Assist Device is currently leased to Japanese hospitals helping with physical therapy and rehabilitation for patients with lower limb disabilities. “We need to collect real world data to determine how this technology could be used to help an individual,” Honda’s Australia spokeswoman Melissa Cross says. Honda’s previous gadgets include Honda’s humanoid robot ASIMO and the self-balancing one-wheeled electric vehicle UNI-CUB. The Walking Assist Device weighs just 2.6kg and can be used on indoor or outdoor flat surfaces (except in rain). The device works as an exoskeleton-like 'belt' using a control computer that activates angle sensors to help the timing of each leg lift from the ground, extend forward and take longer strides. So far it has been tested in seven Japanese hospitals and Honda is now inviting a broader range of Japanese hospitals to test a total of 100 units to receive further feedback. Honda Australia says there is no indication whether trials will be held in Australia. The innovative technology comes after 14 years in development. Honda hasn’t suggested a price tag but we’re guessing it will be more than a Honda lawn mower.

The Mitsubishi Attrage – the name is a blend of attractive and Mirage – will be built in Thailand as a global light sedan, and could arrive here late this year or early next year.Mitsubishi Australia has not confirmed its arrival, but says it would slot in here with the Mirage. “It’s a compact sedan and will have its own little space in the market; it will sit just above the Mirage or within the mirage range,” Mitsubishi Australia spokeswoman Caitlin Beale says.  “It will be offered on a global scale, so will be sent to any countries that decide to pick it up.”“Whether it will keep the Attrage name in Australia is yet to be been confirmed. However, it’s likely since it’s part of a global line.”The Attrage adds a light sedan to the Mitsubishi range in Australia, which currently offers only the Lancer with a boot. The Attrage gets the Mirage’s 1.2-litre 3-cylinder MIVEC engine mated to a five-speed manual or CVT gearbox and a fuel efficiency of 4.6L/100km.Beale says there’s no indication of price yet, but that the sedan would compete against the booted versions of the Toyota Yaris and Holden Barina. With those main rivals starting well under $20,000 – the Yaris from $18,190 and Barina from $16,490 – Mitsubishi will need to be strategic on the pricing, so it’s likely to be not too far north of the Mirage hatch’s $12,990 entry price.Beale says there are no confirmed local arrival dates as yet. However, don’t be surprised to see it roll into Australian dealerships either late this year or early next year.The Attrage follows the fashion of adding a small sedan into ranges near a hatch: Nissan did it with its Micra hatch and Almera sedan and Honda with its Jazz hatch and City sedan. 

Renault has embedded a phone and tablet in its Twin’Z concept, with the devices taking over the duties of the dashboard and car system controls.A smartphone mounted in the driver’s line of sight on the dash gives the car’s speed, range and warnings, while the tablet fixed to a post in the centre stack takes care of GPS, airconditioning, and controls for the seats, roof, lights – and of course internet connectivity.Used to highlight the French carmaker’s latest design strategy, the electric Twin’z features a carbon-fibre body and glass roof with arrays of LED lighting that forms animated patterns.The hinged front and rear doors open electrically, removing the need for a central pillar and freeing up space.  Inside, four lightweight seats have been formed to ‘grow’ from the floor, and covered in a high-tech mesh that renders them waterproof and flame-resistant.The 3.62 metre long electric car drives through its 18 inch rear-wheels, with a rear-mounted motor and batteries located under the floor.The Twin'Z draws its inspiration from the heritage of some of the brand's most emblematic models, such as the Renault 5 and Renault Twingo but with 50 kilowatts of power it’s going to have to rely on the lightweight body to get it off the mark in a hurry. It has a top speed of 130km/h and a range of 160km.The small car was a collaboration between Renault and British designer Ross Lovegrove, the fifth concept car in Renault’s design program – and was unveiled not at a car show, but at the prestigious design-fest at the Salone Internazionale del Mobile di Milano.