Articles by Ron Hammerton

Ron Hammerton
Contributing Journalist

GoAutoMedia

Ron Hammerton is GoAuto's senior writer.

A veteran of more than 40 years in journalism and the motor industry, Ron Hammerton is one of the most experienced writers covering the Australian motoring scene today.

He cut his teeth in country newspapers in Mildura and Bendigo, and then spent 13 years with Melbourne's Herald Sun - Australia's biggest-selling daily newspaper - where he became deputy chief sub-editor.

In 1986 he was attracted into the role of motoring editor, reviewing cars and covering both the motor industry and motor racing.

In 1991, he became editor of the Automotive Business section of The Australian with John Mellor's Melbourne-based production team, before switching to the other side of the automotive industry fence in 1993 to become public relations manager for Honda Australia, rising to the rank of general manager.

From 2001, he spent eight years providing marketing writing services to GM Holden. During that time, he also indulged his passion for motor racing by accepting the media manager's role with the HSV Dealer Team as it won back-to-back V8 Supercar championships with Rick Kelly and Garth Tander in 2006-2007.

In January 2009, Ron returned to John Mellor's GoAutoMedia, this time as a sub-editor and senior writer for GoAuto.com.au and the weekly newsletter, GoAutoNews.

In 2010, he was appointed managing editor, a position he held until his semi-retirement in 2013.

Ron brings to the GoAutoMedia team a broad understanding of news management as well as a vital knowledge of the paradigms that drive the motor industry.

VW Sedric previews autonomy, electrification
By Neil Dowling · 08 Mar 2017
Volkswagen has hinted at its plans for 30 electric models by 2025 with a hands-free, electrified concept car called Sedric shown at Geneva.
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Compact Subaru XV morphs from lauded Impreza
By Ron Hammerton · 08 Mar 2017
Subaru has shared the platform behind its latest Impreza with the second-gen XV compact SUV.
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Ford off to Equator for Territory replacement
By Ron Hammerton · 03 Mar 2017
Ford may have been forced to rename its imported Territory-replacing Edge large SUV to Equator for the Australian market
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Expansive Velar line-up includes 42 variants
By Ron Hammerton · 02 Mar 2017
Set to arrive in Australian showrooms in December, the new fourth member of the Range Rover line-up, the mid-sized Velar, will have an entry price below the most affordable Jaguar F-Pace.
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Alpine A110 comes out at Geneva show
By Ron Hammerton · 01 Mar 2017
Images of Renault's long-awaited ultra-light Alpine A110 sports coupe have been revealed prior to the model's public launch at the Geneva motor show later this month.
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Ghosn quits Nissan post, remains chairman
By Ron Hammerton · 23 Feb 2017
Brazilian-born Carlos Ghosn has stepped aside as CEO of Nissan Motor Corporation after 15 years at the helm, handing over to Japanese company veteran Hiroto Saikawa.
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Range Rover line-up to expand with Velar
By Ron Hammerton · 23 Feb 2017
The Velar will join the Range Rover line-up next month and debut a new interior design language as hinted by its teaser image.
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Transmission fault found in Mazda BT-50
By Ron Hammerton · 22 Feb 2017
Mazda Australia has recalled 5000 BT-50 utes to fix a potential fault which could see the workhorse suddenly thrown into first gear while in motion, causing drivers to lose control of the vehicle.
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Powered-up Toyota Kluger cops price rise
By Ron Hammerton · 22 Feb 2017
Toyota Australia has confirmed its upgraded Kluger SUV will be subject to price increases of between $1360 and $2360 when it starts to roll into local showrooms this week.
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More power for updated Nissan Pathfinder
By Ron Hammerton · 16 Feb 2017
Nissan has updated its Pathfinder seven-seat SUV as part of a mid-life refresh
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