Articles by Stuart Martin

The Chery J11 also scored zero in ANCAP's pedestrian tests due to a front-end that "is not friendly to pedestrians and other vulnerable road users." At the other end of the spectrum, the incoming Cruze Series II hatch inherited its sedan sibling's five-star rating and the Hyundai i40 (tested by the European NCAP) also scored five stars.ANCAP chairman Lauchlan McIntosh said the Chery J11 had been scheduled for a side impact test but a recall campaign relating to side impact protection had delayed that. "Under ANCAP's rating system, the poor result in the frontal offset test restricts the Chery J11 to a maximum 2-star rating - irrespective of the outcome of the side impact test," he said.The ANCAP test showed the Chery J11 scored 2 out of 16 in the offset front crash test, which caused the passenger compartment to lose structural integrity and resulted in excessive pedal displacement.Chery spokesman Daniel Cotterill said the compay was "surprised and disappointed" at the J11 crash test result, given the company's internal test results."We were of the view that the J11 would do better than it did - it does however still comply with Australian Design Rules, we work in with ANCAP with this testing and a senior Chery engineer was present at that test."Work is already underway to improve the J11, it could take some time - even though the Chinese move quickly on these matters it will still take some time," he said.Mr McIntosh also said protection from serious chest, leg and foot injury was poor for the driver."ANCAP is still planning to conduct a side impact test on the Chery J11 following completion of the recall campaign. "While this will assess the side impact protection of the vehicle it cannot improve the 2-star rating," he said.The Chinese brand scored a three-star rating for its J1 five-door hatchback earlier this year, as did the Chinese-sourced Geely MK small-car range.Fellow Chinese imports Great Wall had three crash test results in 2010 - the X240 SUV scored four stars and the brand's two light-commercial utes (the SA220 and V240) both rated two stars.The Hyundai i40 achieved its 5-star result following crash tests conducted by EuroNCAP and assessed by ANCAP, while the Holden Cruze Hatch receives a 5-star rating based on tests of the sedan.

Industry sales figures released by VFACTS and the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) yesterday show Corolla took top spot last month. Holden's two Adelaide-built cars filled the rest of the September passenger car sales podium and were only split by the Toyota HiLux in overall vehicle sales totals. The Commodore's tally of 3712 was just 54 sales behind the Corolla, which surged back to the top of the list after months of supply problems caused by the natural disasters in Japan. Toyota's sales and marketing senior executive director David Buttner said the June-August market was down about 30,000 - 27,000 of that was Toyota - and he expected the market to top one million units for only the fourth time. "We're back to normal availability levels, Japan has been supportive of our efforts to pull back some of the losses, we want to finish the last quarter strongly to put us in a stronger position for 2012," he said. "I'm sure it will be a good last quarter for consumers." The battle for top spot for year continues to be close, with the Commodore back in front of the Mazda3 by just 539 units - both cars have been refreshed in time for the closing stages of the 2011 sales battle but Holden's new LPG system won't arrive in time to make a difference. The Toyota HiLux range sold 3191 last month, just ahead of the Holden Cruze tally of 3117 for September - the fourth consecutive month above the 3000-unit mark. The VFACTS sales figures showed 86,819 new vehicles were sold in September, up 2.1 per cent (or 1765 vehicles) over the corresponding month last year. So far this year 752,128 new vehicles have been sold, narrowing the gap to just 3.7 per cent behind 2010 to the same point. New FCAI chief executive Ian Chalmers said two consecutive months of strong growth signalled a recovery in sales, particularly from some Japanese manufacturers. "Sales stimulus by means of competition in the marketplace saw the third quarter end strongly, and we are now looking toward continued growth through to the end of the year," he said.  

... it's far more useful and has Australian engineering input. General Motors have unveiled what it is calling an industry-first front centre airbag, developed in part by Holden to shield front occupants in side-impacts on the side furthest from the impact.Holden spokesperson Emily Perry says an advanced engineering team from Holden Innovation worked with Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) on the centre airbag before transferring it to the US safety group."Research showed that far-side impact injuries represent nearly 40 per cent of all side impact injuries, but this area of research was lagging other occupant safety R&D," she says."So the Holden Innovation team was aiming to advance understanding far-side restraint systems and develop new occupant protection systems for these types of accidents." Holden is looking at the possibility of bringing the new centre airbag technology to future models in Australia but as yet has nothing to announce."This is a great innovation, but it does present some challenges in terms of integrating the hardware into the vehicle - so there is some significant re-engineering required in relation to the seat packaging," Ms Perry says.The front centre airbag - to be first seen in a trio of GM's medium SUVs in its model-year 2013 line-up in the US - works like a standard side airbag but from the side of the seat nearest the centre console.A three-year development program for the new airbag was undertaken and the result is a tethered, tubular device has two main purposes - as a restraint during passenger-side crashes and as an energy absorbing cushion between driver and front passenger."The front centre airbag is not required by federal regulation, and no other airbag in passenger vehicles today offers the type of restraint and cushioning this airbag is designed to provide for front occupants," said Scott Thomas, senior staff engineer in GM's advanced restraint systems.GM says the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics show far-side impact crashes accounted for as many as 11 percent of the belted front occupant fatalities in non-rollover impacts between 2004 and 2009.The far-side fatalities, where the occupant is on the non-struck side of the vehicle, also represent 29 percent of all the belted front occupant fatalities in side impacts. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety president Adrian Lund says GM and Takata are to be commended for taking the lead in this important area."The front centre airbag has real potential to save lives in side crashes," he says. GM executive director of Vehicle Safety and Crashworthiness Gay Kent says the new airbag technology demonstrates the company's commitment to provide occupant protection."While no restraint technology can address all body regions or all potential injuries, the front centre airbag is designed to work with the other airbag and safety belts in the vehicles to collectively deliver an even more comprehensive occupant restraint system," she says.

... as small car rivals nip at its heels in the battle for overall sales leadership. The Aussie-made fleet favourite has found itself locked in a life or death battle for most of this year with the darling of private-buyers, the Mazda3. But auto industry sales figures set to be released tomorrow are expected to show that the Holden Commodore is now also fending off a late surge from the Toyota Corolla, as the Japanese giant ramps up promotion and stock levels return to normal following the tsunami earlier this year. The Corolla is expected to take the number one spot ahead of the Commodore, with the newly facelifted Mazda3 relegated to third spot after having claimed victory in January, June and August. Despite the challenges Holden is not about to surrender the prestigious number one spot easily and Commodores solid September performance is expected to kick it clear of the Mazda3 in the close-fought battle. Holden insiders said the Commodore had put in another consistent performance last month to return to the number one spot in year-to-date terms with the Adelaide-built Cruze again performing strongly with sales in excess of 3000 units. Toyota is still the clear overall market leader despite being down on last year's tally to the same point. Toyota's sales and marketing executive director David Buttner said the company was pleased with its recovery post-tsunami and earthquake. "We're delighted with the pace of our recovery following the earthquake and tsunami, our share I believe is in excess of 20 per cent for September and we're looking forward to a big last quarter," he said. Mr Buttner said the June-August market was down about 30,000 - 27,000 of that was Toyota - and he expected the market to top one million units. "We're back to normal availability levels, Japan has been supportive of our efforts to pull back some of the losses, we want to finish the last quarter strongly to put us in a stronger position for 2012," he said. "I'm sure it will be a good last quarter for consumers," he said. Mazda public relations manager Steve Maciver wouldn't elaborate on specific sales figures ahead of the official release but said the company was happy with its supply from Japan and its rate of sales. "We are pretty happy with our September result off the back of record August, the key thing for us is to measure the months either side of our M-Day Sale, we're happy with our running rate and we're on track for the rest of the year," he said. Among the segments being watched by industry pundits will be the medium-car segment, sales of which is now closing in on the once-dominant large car market. One of the key cars in the medium segment will be the new Camry, which has been slowed by industrial action at Toyota's Altona plant. Mr Buttner said the industrial action had not greatly delayed Camry's changeover to the new model, expected in November. "At this stage there's no further industrial action planned, there's a secret ballot and that result will be known next Monday. We haven't had to change many dates, we've only pushed wholesale out by one week, at this stage we're pretty well on track," he said.

A major makeover of the Ford range has not yet seen a move in the compact SUV direction, but Ford Australia's boss says "stay tuned." The production version of the Vertrek concept car (based on the same underpinnings as the new Focus and likely to retain the Escape badge) will succeed the Escape. That's given this concept car has a production future that reportedly includes Thailand under the One Ford banner - which promises global cars for multiple markets in a way similar to the Ranger. The Ford Australia president and CEO Robert Graziano says the company will have - by the end of this year - revamped the bulk of its range, but a new compact SUV competitor may take a little longer. "By the end of this year will have updated with all-new or significantly improved vehicles 85 per cent of our showroom, that's a significant transformation for the Ford brand here in Australia, it's an exciting time for us this year," he says. One segment where the company has little presence is the compact end of the SUV market - it's Escape model is a long-serving product that sits below three per cent share - but the Ford boss is tightlipped about what it's plans for the compact SUV segment are. "There are other segments that are very important in the SUV market, we recognise that, so I would say stay tuned," he says. "There's a lot of growth in the small SUV segment and we recognise that - we can't talk about future products," he says. Graziano -- who took the reigns in November last year -- is pleased with the new Territory's performance since it was released with a turbodiesel powerplant and doesn't think there's a need for anything larger in the company's SUV portfolio. "I don't think we need to go larger than Territory, we've been number one in that segment in the last three months, we're pleased with that vehicle, hopefully it goes from strength to strength," he says. Graziano has also defended sliding Falcon sales by suggesting the absence of wagon and LPG variants had not been taken into consideration when comparing year-on-year sales data. "We're right in the middle of a $232 million investment on that platform, we look at January through August, we've seen increases. We're going to add LPI - people look at last year and we had a wagon and LPG, we haven't had that this year," he says. The company continues to pin its Falcon sales volume hopes to the new LPG sedan and ute models - as well as the facelifted MkII model range - which have been receiving positive feedback from the company's fleet customers. "Fleets that we've spoken to have been positive as well, they're looking forward to the LPG Falcon returning. Sales of LPG has represented around 25 per cent of our volumes annually between Falcon and Falcon Ute, the ute is a strong LPG market, the performance of the LPI we think will be well received by tradesman," he says. "I think of it (Falcon) as an iconic vehicle for Australia, it's a tremendous product - we've still got a bit of time to go before we have to make a decision on the next-gen Falcon, because of the efficiencies we now have in engineering and development," he says. The future of a locally-built Falcon - as opposed to a rebadged import - have not been harmed by the job done by the Ranger team. "I think the team has always been recognised as having the core acumen from an engineering standpoint, they've done terrific work on Ranger, Territory and Falcon, as well as the Figo small car for India and South Africa - that core acumen they have that I think want to continue to leverage globally," Graziano says.

The automotive equivalent of multi-tasking - which could be why most cars are assigned the female gender - has invaded the light-commercial market. The phenomenon of dual-cab utes serving as a tradie truck Monday to Friday and as family truckster - towing toys and carting kids - on the weekend is upon us, and Ford's

The production at the Toyota factory ceased as more than 3000 striking employees demand a better pay agreement. The strike has removed around 580 cars from the company's production plan with the prospect of a similar number not being built as the protected industrial action continues today, which also effects some suppliers. The industrial action took an ugly turn as around 400 employees who did turn up for work received threatening letters, something the union has denied any involvement in - AMWU acting national secretary (vehicle division) David Smith said the letter did "not endorse this sort of thing in the workplace and we will undertake further inquiries when the workforce comes back." Mr Smith said the negotiating parties were at a stalemate. "At the moment we're at a stalemate .... we're entrenched and there doesn't seem to be too much middle ground," he said. Mr Smith said the union's membership were concerned at the timing of Toyota's proposed agreement, as well as the percentage increase during the first 12 months. "They're proposing 11 per cent over 39 months and we're looking for 12 per cent over 36 months - the sticking point is when the agreement would operate from - July 26 was when the old agreement stopped," he said. Toyota's offer involves a two and 2.5 per cent rise by April next year, followed by a 3 per cent the following year and then 3.5 per cent in the third year. Spokeswoman Laura Hill said the company was hoping to continue negotiations with the union next week and avoid any further stoppages. "We will try to get something finalised before next week, we'll started renegotiating next week, we'd love to be able to come to an agreement, if we can finalise an agreement early next week that would be a very good outcome," she said. Toyota Australia president and CEO Max Yasuda said the production halt stoppages will cause significant short term pain and have long term consequences for domestic and export markets. "Industrial action at this time can only hurt Toyota Australia's case to maintain its export program, if Australian operations are uncompetitive and perceived as unreliable, these cars can be made in another Toyota plant. It puts a serious dent in Australia's reputation as a car maker and reduces job security for our employees," he said. The company expects to lose a similar amount of production - equating to around 580 cars - to industrial action today.

If the question was posed as to what was Holden's third-best selling model in Australia was, would this car be the answer? It should be. If you combine Captiva 5 and 7 sales, the wagon range is third behind Commodore and Cruze. Given the market's appetite for SUVs it's not hard to see why, but a recent stint in the top-spec LX petrol model raised doubts about its comfort day-to-day. The mid-spec turbodiesel CX seven-seater has turned the tables.The $39,490 CX turbodiesel costs an extra $1000 above the lacklustre three-litre petrol V6 but it's money well spent. The features list is not short of gear - fog lamps, power-adjustable heated exterior mirrors, cloth trim with a leather-look bolster, functional and easy-to-use seven seater set-up, cruise control, rear parking radar, a trip computer (within a quirky but informative centre display), a leather-wrapped steering wheel with phone, audio, cruise control and even fan switchgear. There's also Bluetooth link for the phone and sound system, automatic headlights, a six-speaker 6CD sound system (but lacking a USB input), climate control, power windows and three 12v outlets.Top of the list for technical highlights is the new double-overhead cam 2.2-litre intercooled particle-filtered turbodiesel, which employs a variable-geometry turbocharger - the turbo's vanes adjust to the best angle for the engine's demands, something that is becoming more common in the new-car ranks. Fuel is supplied via a common-rail direct fuel injection system, using multiple fuel injections for efficient but quiet combustion (the extra injections reduce the diesel rattle). The all-wheel-drive system runs predominantly front-wheel drive, bringing the back end into use when required by means of an electronically-controlled clutch-pack within 100 milliseconds from 100 per cent front to as far as 50/50 front to rear.Looking sharper and less "Plain Jane" than its predecessor, the current Captiva's narrower headlights and gaping front air intake give it a handsome snout, while the twin-piped rear end is less adventurous. The cabin's seven-seater set-up is user-friendly, with the third-row quite literally child's play to operate, although there's not a massive amount of room for cargo with all three rows upright. The driver and front passenger do get plenty of space in the centre console, with the sliding cupholders opening to reveal a good storage space below, but the seating could be a little more cushioned - to sit in rather on.Aside from the inherent safety of an all-wheel drive system. The active safety features list encompasses stability, roll-over and traction control, anti-lock brakes with brakeforce distribution and brake assistance systems. While the Captiva doesn't pretend to be a mud-plugging rock-hopper SUV, it does have hill-descent and hill-start assist systems. There are dual front and side airbags up front, as well as side curtain airbags.Just because it's the most expensive, doesn't make it the best - that's the lesson learned from the LX Captiva. Stop, take a breath, give the satnav (which was a bit out of whack in the LX) a miss and get into a CX turbodiesel. The turbodiesel is quiet (and well-insulated from cabin as well) but has a solid band of grunt with which the automatic works well. There's a brief hesitation on take-off but the diesel has character, unlike the three-litre V6, which feels dulled (and nowhere near its output claims) and doesn't team as well with transmission. It's reasonably frugal too, despite being driven with scant regard for fuel economy - we averaged 10.5 according to the trip computer, 65 litre tank.The other area where the CX excelled was the ride, which was apparently thanks to 18in wheels and slightly taller-sidewalled tyres (the LX has 19in wheels and lower-profile rubber). This is where the CX pulls ahead of its more luxurious counterpart - the ride comfort is much better and yet the CX can still be flung at a corner well above the recommended speed sign (but below the speed limit, may I hasten to add) without fear of massive body roll or an electronic driver aid frenzy. Unsealed surfaces are also easily traversed at speed, with the AWD system more responsive in bringing the rear axle into play than some of its on-demand AWD opposition, all without paranoid reactions from the stability and rollover control systems - although I still have a personal preference for a 50/50 ballpark split a la Subaru.In five-seat mode the boot space is a reasonable 465 litres, although it suffers a little for depth with the presence of a third row of seats. For big loads the back seats drop to expand that figure to 930, or for serious (and long) loads, the front passenger's seat can folded down to increase the loadspace to a claimed 1565 litres, says Holden. Folding out the third row is a simple enough task, with enough accommodation for average-sized adults on a short hop, or kids for a longer day-trip, but pack light if you're transporting 7 - there's only 85 litres of cargo space.

The German carmaker has given the BMW 1 Series coupe and convertible range a "very minor" model update ahead of the new-look 1 Series arrival in last quarter of this year. The sales columns of the smallest Beemer will be given a jolt by the introduction of a new entry-level hard-top - the 120i Coupe - amid mild exterior changes, but without any pricetag changes. The new entry-level model - powered by a four-cylinder 115kW/200Nm petrol engine for a 0-100km/h time of 8.6 seconds - gets leather trim, sports seats, climate control, Bluetooth phone link, USB port, cruise control, rear parking sensors, automatic headlights and 17in alloy wheels and is designed to bring new customers to the brand, says product and marketing manager Toni Andreevski. "The segment is down, the whole sportscar segment is down - the entry-level coupe will appeal to a new customer, it's the most affordable coupe we've ever offered, this is a new alternative in that segment," he says. The model update new front air intakes, with the air curtain vent system to reduce wheelarch air turbulence (for improved aerodynamics), mildly-made-over headlights (with LED eyebrows if you option up to bi-xenons, which includes LED tail lights), but buyers opting for cars with the M-Sport body package don't benefit from the exterior changes. Mr Andreevski says 135i buyers can also boost the outputs to near 1 M Coupe levels. "There's also a power kit upgrade, it ups the power to 240kW, up from 225kW, with an intercooler as well. BMW says the torque is boosted to 430Nm for manual models with the upgrade kit, or 450Nm for the automatic variants." The company has also added two new metallic paint colours - "Marrakesh" brown and "Vermilion" red - as well as new interior trim and alloy wheel designs. Drivetrain changes (including more work on fuel economy and emissions reductions) have seen small decreases in fuel use and emissions for some of the models in the 1 Series range. The 1 Series customer now also has access to the optional Innovations package that the company says is a popular choice with 3 Series buyers - which adds the upgraded satellite navigation, bi-xenon headlights (with spray washers) and the auto-headlight dipping High-Beam Assist system to the bulk of the 1 Series fleet. Those signing up for the package on a 135i add the Harman Kardon surround sound system and auto-dipping "anti-dazzle" exterior rearvision mirrors to the features list. With no changes to the prices of the existing range, the only pricetag of note is the new entry-level car - the 120i Coupe, which starts from $47,400, rising to $55,600 for the 125i, $58,200 for the 123d and finishing at $75,000 for the 135i. The droptop line-up starts with the 118d and the 120i both for $53,200, $64,900 for the 125i, the 123d is priced from $67,500 and the 135i tops the list at $82,500.

The final piece in the puzzle of Kia's design-led transformation is in place, as the new 2011 Kia Rio goes on sale. As turnarounds go, Kia's has been swift, going from unappealing styling and - at best - serviceable vehicles to far more stylish and effective machines and (not surprisingly) sales increases, backed by locally-tuned steering and suspension.VALUEKia has only announced five-door pricing - the rest of the range arrives early next year. The entry-level S has the 1.4-litre petrol engine and six-speed manual for $16,290 - up from $14,990 for the out-going entry-level model; the Si gets the 1.6-litre direct-injection engine at $18,990 for the manual, increased from the $16,840 pricetag on the out-going model. The range-topper SLi starts from $19,990 for the manual; automatic buyers will pay an extra $2000 - the S gets a four-speed auto but the Si and SLi run the in-house six speed auto transmission.Standard Rio fare includes Bluetooth phone and audio link, USB and auxiliary plug jacks, steering wheel controls for phone and audio, power-adjustable exterior mirrors, a trip computer, air conditioning, power windows and reach'n'rake adjustable steering.The Si gets 6 speakers, a leather steering wheel, cruise control and 16in alloy wheels; the SLi sits on 17in alloys, LED running lights and tail-lights, automatic headlights, cornering lamps and bigger brakes.TECHNOLOGYThe 1.6-litre petrol engine gets direct fuel injection and variable-valve system to give the Si and SLi 103kW and 167Nm (up from 82kW and 145Nm); the entry-S model gets the 1.4-litrefuel-injected four-cylinder engine offering 79kW and 135Nm - up 9kW and 10Nm.DESIGNThe light car's debut marks the completion of the brand's design makeover under design chief Peter Schreyer, with the new Kia face, a strong stance and good proportions. The Rio's footprint has grown by 20mm in length, 25mm in width but with a 15mm lower roofline and a wheelbase extension of 70mm.SAFETYThe Rio range gets six airbags, anti-lock brakes with brakeforce distribution, stability control, a hillstart assistant and emergency brake-assist all as standard - Kia says its expecting a five-star NCAP rating.DRIVINGRain marred our first stint in the five-door Rio Si six-speed manual, which sits on 16in alloy wheels with Kuhmo tyres (and a full size spare), the Rio coped well with the wet and rough hills roads. The first leg (on city and country roads) returned 8l/100km on the short hop from Adelaide to Tanunda.The little five-door is well-planted, with acceptable body control and a ride that's perhaps just a little too firm - but there's just enough compliance to deal with nastier bumps. The 44 per cent stiffer front 22mm-diameter stabiliser bar and the unique damper for Australia has done the job nicely when it comes to composure and turning into corners, but some driving it daily in the suburbs might like a touch more comfort.The boot is a good-size for the class and doesn't suffer for the proper spare tyre. The cabin space is similarly good, allowing me to sit behind myself (so to speak. The six-speed manual is not without its charms, while the six-speed automatic is tuned for economy and needs a big prod to kick down - it finished the return drive showing 9.1 l/100km. The SLi's ride quality suffered with the step up to the 17in alloy wheels - equipped with 45-profile Continental tyres - which transmitted more of the smaller choppy bumps than would be ideal.VERDICTThe Australian light-car buyer is no longer punished by a bleak field of bland and lacklustre hatchbacks.The segment is now offering better-equipped and more entertaining machines - Kia has added its Rio to that list.2011 KIA RIO FIVE-DOOR HATCHPrice: from $16,290Warranty: 5-years/unlimited kilometresResale: 46% (based on outgoing model) Source: Glass's GuideService Interval: 15,000km/12 monthsSafety: 5-star NCAP (estimated)Engine: 1.4-litre 79kW/135Nm four-cylinder; 1.6-litre direct-injection 103kW/167Nm four-cylinderBody: 3 & 5-door hatch, 4-door sedanWeight: 1143-1215kgTransmission: 6-speed manual or 4-speed auto (S), six-speed auto (Si and SLi), front driveThirst: 5.7-6.3L/100km, tank 43 litres, 91RON, CO2 135-150g/km"A light car with good road manners, decent cabin space and ample attitude''