Ford Laser News

With the chances of ever seeing the Santa Cruz and Maverick – or the conceptually similar Honda Ridgeline also from America for that matter – in Australia remote at best, it’s time we take a look back at the rollcall of other car-based, unibody utes and pick-ups that were dropped before they ever even had a chance to carve out a life in the lucky country. Could they have been legends alongside th

A new Ford Focus is coming. And we have the old Ford Laser to thank for it.

The high-end Italian fashion label worked with the Korean carmaker for more than four months on the project, which will result in a very limited edition of three cars to be called the Genesis Prada.The makeover includes Prada-designed — and built – 20” alloy wheels, matte metallic midnight blue paint set off by accents in titanium and dark matte gold plating on the badging, radiator grill and exterior handles.In the cabin, Prada’s signature ‘saffiano’ leather was used to give “a luxurious and sophisticated finish” to the artisan-crafted dashboard and upholstery. And anybody who’s been within hand’s reach of the fashion house’s shoes or bags will be betting that press blurb statement is, for once, not too far from the truth.This isn’t the first time there has been a collaboration between the catwalk and the car industry.French `luggagerie’ Hermes last year worked with Bugatti on the Bugatti Veyron Fbg par Hermès. Hitting the showroom floor at an estimated $3 million-plus, the Fbg featured interior surfaces “sheathed in bull calfskin” – although why the little girl calves were shunned for the task, nobody could explain.Among other touches, the door handles echo the shape of those on Hermes travel bags, and glovebox was redesigned to hold “a selection of small travel accessories and a zipped Hermes wallet” while the leather-lined trunk carries a specially fitted hand-made case.Even as far back as nearly four decades ago, Italian brand Gucci kitted-out a car for the American Motor Corporation – the manufacturer that bought the struggling Harley-Davidson badge and further ruined it before the Davidson family redeemed it into the merchandising powerhouse of today.For AMC, Gucci ran the red, green and beige livery over the trim of the 1972-73 Hornet ‘Sportabout’ station wagon. It was hideous, of course. And sold like hotcakes in the US. Naturally.Louis Vuitton’s history has long been tied to transportation – as the inventor of the first `trunk’ — so no surprises when it got in on the act with Chrysler for a version of the retro PT Cruiser. The Louis Vuitton Edition included extra chrome, ‘LV’ logo fabric upholstery and saddle leather trim.And not all the action has been overseas. Australia’s own Carla Zampatti redesigned a Ford specifically for the women’s market. The Carla Zampatti Ford Laser first appeared in 1985, and was followed two years later by more Lasers and Ford Meteors. Whether or not they won over the woman buyer remains open to question. But they had to have a better impact than the crowded cleavages of Ford’s later ute ads.And Aussie surfwear brand Rip Curl – which our Gen-Y workmates swear is a fashion house (like … totally awesome) – has teamed up with Renault for a version of the little Clio.Oddly not available here, but still aimed at the yoof market, the Clio Rip Curl has body graphics and “ocean inspired” paintwork in Ice Blue – a name that, however, suggests the inspiration may have come instead from amphetamines.There’s also a range of special options for the Clio ‘Ripped’ (as we’ve rechristened it), including an easy-clean cargo area and rubber matting. Both of which will make it a snap to hose out the Schoolies Week regurgitated alcopops.And thankfully, there’s also turn-by-turn satnav, because – ripped or not — that generation clearly has no idea where it’s going.

Kelly Landry is a self-confessed action junkie who dreams of slipping into the driver's seat of the world's fastest and most expensive car. For people who don't know - and she is not one of them - that car is a Bugatti Veyron. Landry is an international model and former travel reporter with Coxy's Big Break on Channel 7, but gets her big television break as co- host of Nine's born-again Million Dollar Wheel of Fortune.What was your first car?A 1989 white Ford Laser. It was a beast. I loved that car.What do you drive now?A new Ford Focus.Do you have a favourite drive and who would you take?I love the drive to Daylesford. Aside from the obvious reason, being a weekend away, I particularly love a certain part of the drive when the road is encased with beautiful oak trees and on a sunny day the light strobes through the branches. It would be nice to take a partner on that drive.How far do you drive in an average year?More than I'd like to. I love the open roads, but I think I clock up close to 20,000km sitting in horrible city traffic.Do you have a favourite motoring memory?A couple of times my family holiday involved driving to Queensland. I say a couple because after that we flew. I think three kids in the back for 20-odd hours nearly killed my parents. We sure had fun, though. I also used to own a 1967 Ford Mustang coupe. Every motoring moment was a pleasure in that car.And if money was no object?I have always had a bit of a love affair for a well-shaped motor vehicle. I really love cars so its hard to pick one, but looking at top-end-priced cars on appearance it would be a toss up between the Aston Martin DB9 and Audi R8. But if money was no object, I'd take the Bugatti Veyron out for a spin.What music is playing in your car?Whatever the mood strikes, really. I always have my iPod in the car, but I can be partial to a bit of 3AW. It's great in traffic.How much is too much for a new car?Well, the Bugatti is really a ridiculous amount of money to spend on a car, but I suppose it's all relative if you have a few spare million in your back pocket.What should be done to make driving safer?Road safety is actually really good in Australia in comparison to a lot of other countries. The problem is there isn't just one simple solution to road safety as there are so many variables that constantly change every time you are on the road. Making motor vehicles safer in terms of how they perform in an accident is definitely one on the top of a long list.Are you sponsored by a car company?No.

According to research and statistics, it seems they are making pretty sensible buying decisions.In a national survey of young drivers, 93 per cent rated value for money as an important factor when buying a car, followed by safety and security (85 per cent).More than half (52 per cent) of the 1053 drivers aged 18-25 years polled in the Just Car Insurance survey rated environmental friendliness as a key factor.Items such as brand, colour and how the vehicle looks to others rated lower on the scale.It comes as no surprise that the most popular car for young drivers is the Holden Commodore.Except for a couple of months this year and last year during high petrol prices, the Commodore has also been the biggest-selling car over the past 10 years.That very fact means there are a lot out there and that reduces second-hand prices, making them more affordable and attractive to first-car buyers.Commodores make up about 8 per cent of the 32,000 vehicles registered for road service under the RACQ's free2go youth membership program.Second favourite is also no surprise. The Toyota Corolla, which was the car that pipped the Commodore for sales and is consistently the second-highest seller, accounts for 6.25 per cent for free2go members.Next were the Ford Laser at 5 per cent and Hyundai Excel at 4.75 per cent.The financial realities of first car ownership is reflected in the average ages of those vehicles: an average 12.1 years old for the Commodore, 14.8 years for the Corolla, 15.7 for the Laser and 9.2 for the Excel.The average age of the top 40 models driven by free2go members is 12.4 years, with the Toyota Corona — number 20 on the list — soldiering on at an average 21.4 years.The free2go program offers free RACQ membership for three years to all Queensland residents from the age of 17 or school year 12.Roadside assistance on any vehicle being driven by a free2go member is included in the first year. In the second and third years, members can opt to nominate a vehicle for road service at half the full RACQ membership fee; or simply maintain access to all other standard RACQ services at no charge.While sensible factors are top-rating among young people in the Just Car Insurance survey, car image still plays a major role with 27 per cent believing you can tell what somebody is like by the car they drive.The poll also found 30 per cent saying they are more likely to take notice of somebody who has an expensive car.However, 38 per cent claim the look of the car doesn't matter — it only needs to get them from A to B.Sex appeal is also important with 18 per cent more attracted to someone who drives a nice car and 40 per cent claiming a nice car helps attract the opposite sex.Some of the results differed between the sexes and overall the guys were more interested in vehicle style and the impression it gives: 57 per cent rated how it looks to others as important versus 40 per cent young women; 91 per cent of women were more interested in safety and security compared with 79 per cent of men.Contrary to the perception that youth drive modified vehicles, 72 per cent drive standard vehicles without modifications.Almost two-thirds (62 per cent) believe young drivers are unfairly criticised for their driving.