Holden Colorado 7 News

Law firm Maurice Blackburn has launched a class action lawsuit against General Motors Australia and New Zealand.It alleges faulty transmissions were fitted to “hundreds of thousands” of Holden Commodore and Colorado models, with owners possibly getting a pay-out. The gearboxes in question are codenamed: GM 6L 45, 6L 50 and 6L 80, along with their derivatives. They were sold in new vehicles between January 1, 2011 and December 24, 2024. Models include the Commodore VE and Commodore VF also in Ute, Caprice and Calais guises. Some versions of the Colorado ute and its derivatives — the Colorado 7 and Trailblazer — also used the automatic transmissions. Maurice Blackburn’s class action “alleges that the transmission systems in the affected Holden vehicles are defective due to a design fault in the Torque Converter and Torque Converter Clutch.” “As a result of the alleged defect, the affected vehicles have a propensity to experience various problems including intermittent transmission shudders, excessive vibrations, harsh gear shifts, leakage of Automatic Transmission fluid, accelerated degradation of the components of the transmission system and greater servicing requirements. “The class action alleges that General Motors failed to comply with the guarantee of acceptable quality under the Australian Consumer Law and engaged in misleading and deceptive conduct. ”The class action is open to those who bought new or used vehicles affected. It is also open to those who have sold their vehicle or who own a vehicle, and those who have not yet experienced any issues. Maurice Blackburn is seeking to recover compensation from General Motors Australian New Zealand for loss and damage on behalf of the consumer. A GM spokesperson told CarsGuide, "GM does not comment on ongoing litigation."GM stands by its commitment to achieving the best outcomes for Holden customers."There is precedent for transmission-related class actions, with one being brought against Ford’s ‘Powershift’ dual-clutch transmission in 2016. The case evolved into an ACCC matter and Ford was ordered to pay a $10 million fine for its handling of the situation.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has announced its latest round of automotive recalls, with models from Citroen, Holden, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi and Peugeot affected.

The new-car market is set to break two records. It’s on track to become the biggest June to date

This Chevrolet concept from Bangkok Motor Show is next Holden Colorado.

June is by far the biggest month for new-car sales as dealers push hard to close their books for the financial year.The devaluing Aussie dollar means the deals for all brands are not as sharp as in previous years — but if you know where to look you can still drive a bargain.Some models are in run-out, so there is an extra push on those, while other brands have taken the knife to the RRP because they're chasing volume for their overseas parent companies.Here are the 15 best deals for the end of the financial year plus a few tips on those either to avoid or to haggle harder on.Suzuki CelerioThe cheapest car from a mainstream brand isn't discounted — because it launched with such a sharp price: $13,990 drive-away with automatic transmission effectively makes this a $10,000 car plus on-road costs. Astonishingly cheap and giving plenty of reason to cheer. With a 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine, it'll run on loose change.VW Polo 66TSIRecent deals on the Toyota Yaris ($17,990 drive-away with auto) and Hyundai i20 ($14,990 drive-away with auto) have evaporated this month (still might be worth a try). The Holden Barina and Ford Fiesta deals are not that sharp either. Enter the Polo 66TSI at $18,490 drive-away with a seven-speed automatic gearbox. Its turbo 1.2-litre four-cylinder is powerful (for its size) and super-efficient. Stock is thin on the ground so be sure to shop around.Kia CeratoDeals on the VW Golf ($25,490 drive-away with auto), Toyota Corolla sedan ($23,990 drive-away with auto) and Mazda3 (you're invited to talk a deal) are not as generous as in previous months, while Nissan is offering $2800 of "extra value" but no driveaway deals on Pulsar SSS. No-one can compete with the South Koreans this month. The Cerato sedan or hatch with automatic is still an incredible $19,990 drive-away (with seven-year factory-backed warranty). At $4300 off, we called it deal of the decade — until...Hyundai i30Holy smoke. This wasn't a misprint: $19,990 drive-away — with automatic transmission — for the recently updated i30 hatch, with the new nose and standard reversing camera. That's more than $5000 off full price, eclipsing Kia's deal.VW JettaFancy some European flair? Don't mind driving a sedan? The VW Jetta is $24,490 drive-away with auto. That's $1000 cheaper than the Golf with which it shares its engine and underpinnings. And it has a bigger boot.Kia KoupTreat yourself to something a bit sporty — the Koup has European styling and a 1.6-litre turbo engine and can be had for $23,990 drive-away, about $6000 off full price.Holden TraxIt may not be the prettiest on sale, but it's one of the roomiest and best equipped for the money. Now $23,990 drive-away for the LS with free auto, and $24,990 drive-away for the Active with free auto. Both are about $6000 off the full RRP.Ford Kuga MkIIAn unsung hero of the compact SUV segment, it's good buying at $29,790 drive-away (about $3000 off). Don't be put off by the 1.5-litre four-cylinder in such a big car. It's turbocharged, so it has plenty of oomph, and the smaller capacity makes it more fuel efficient. Only blot: no rear camera.Mitsubishi ASXRecently updated, the ASX gets a sharp price: $25,000 drive-away for a manual or $27,500 drive-away for an auto. That price is for cash or via Mitsubishi's own finance deal — which has a catch. You must have a 20 per cent deposit.Mazda CX-9The CX-9 is nearing the end of its model life. Its petrol V6 isn't the most fuel-efficient but this is the biggest seven-seater for the money. The 2WD base model is a bargain at $39,990 drive-away (about $6000 off full price).Holden Colorado7 LTWant to get off the beaten track and don't mind a bouncy ride around town? The Colorado7, normally $47,490 plus on-roads (about $50,000 drive-away), is available until June 30 from $43,990 drive-away, about $6000 off — with five-year warranty and three years' free servicing.Mitsubishi ChallengerThe Challenger is fairly crude, even by heavy-duty 4WD standards, and ageing. Its replacement is due within months — which is why the price is a super-sharp $37,990 drive-away, about $10,000 off full price.Holden ColoradoThere are a couple of good deals, starting with $36,990 drive-away for the base model LS (auto adds $1000). The range-topping LTZ with all the bling is $42,990 drive-away for the manual (aim for $44,990 drive-away for the auto). This is a mega discount of more than $10,000. Holden includes a five-year warranty and three years' free servicing.Toyota HiLux SR5With a completely new HiLux due in October, discounts are steady on the run-out model. The SR5 crew-cab manual is back to its previous low of $47,990 drive-away, auto is $49,990 drive-away.VW AmarokJoining in the tradie discount war, VW continues its free eight-speed auto deal on all Amaroks. The base model crew-cab Core is sharp buying at $38,990 drive-away while the Trendline adds bigger alloys and some bling for $43,990 drive-away. Both are about $6000 off full price.

Holden is recalling more than 26,000 examples of its Colorado ute and family SUV -- almost every one sold in the past 18 months -- because they may catch fire.Holden issued a “stop delivery” notice to dealers and is urging Colorado owners to bring their cars in for rectification work after five customers experienced “thermal incidents”.The models affected were made between September 2013 and January 2015.The latest safety bulletin makes Holden the most recalled car brand so far this year; last year Holden had the equal highest number of recalls with Jeep, with each issuing a record 14 notices.According to the Federal Government’s recalls website, “there is a risk that (a) cable insulation may melt or catch fire, which may pose a risk of injury to the vehicle occupants and other road users”.A statement from Holden said an alternator cable “may have been assembled so it makes contact with a steel bracket on the battery tray”. The latest safety bulletin makes Holden the most recalled car brand so far this yearUnder certain driving conditions, Holden says, movement of the engine may cause the cable to rub through the insulation.“This may cause a short circuit. If the short circuit creates sufficient heat, there is a risk that the cable insulation may melt or potentially catch fire,” the Holden statement said.Holden says drivers of affected may notice a battery warning light on the instrument cluster or “in more serious cases a small amount of smoke may be emitted from the engine bay area”.The safety alert for the Thailand-made Colorado ute is the fifth Holden recall so far this year.Earlier this month Holden issued a recall for the Korean-made Captiva family SUV because certain models could lurch forward if the key was left in the ignition.Jeep and Nissan have issued four recalls so far this year while Honda, Hyundai, Mazda and Suzuki have issued three recalls each so far this year.Market leader Toyota has only issued two recalls so far this year.

Updated Colorado ute and Colorado 7 SUV bring improved suspension and interior refinements to the top LTZ.Holden has refreshed the Colorado ute and Colorado 7 SUV ranges for 2015, representing the second minor update to the RG Colorado models since they first arrived in April 2012.The 2015 upgrades are focused on the top LTZ model grade, with Colorado ute and Colorado 7 LTZs scoring retuned springs and dampers and a stiffer front stabiliser bar - aimed at improving urban ride comfort.Acoustic dampening has also been improved, with Holden working in conjunction with Monash University to reduce vibration and road noise during tarmac driving.Holden has also refined the hill descent control and hill start assist systems across the range.Both LTZ models also receive heated leather seats - although still optional on the Colorado LTZ Crew Cab - and Jet Black soft-touch interior trim.The Colorado and Colorado 7 range is also now available with new ‘Satin Steel Grey’ paintwork.Transmission and drivetrain options remain unchanged, although the entry-level LX trim-level for the Colorado has been renamed to LS and the Colorado Single Cab Chassis DX model is how available with the optional six-speed automatic transmission while the Colorado Space Cab Chassis LS has it removed.All models continue with an unchanged 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel engine, producing 147kW/440Nm when mated to the manual transmission and 147kW/500Nm with the automatic.This latest refresh has not brought an increase in pricing however, with Holden previously adjusted pricing for most of their fleet in September.

Holden has issued its thirteenth safety recall notice this year — more than any other brand in Australian automotive history.The latest recalls affect three models. Manual transmission versions of the Holden Barina small car and Trax SUV can unintentionally “bunny hop” should the driver leave the car in gear, turn the engine off and then leave the key in the ignition.And the two seatbelts in the back row of the Colorado SUV can lock into position if the car is parked on a hill.Holden says it has received at least five reports of the unintentional Barina “bunny hop” but “there have been no reports of accidents or injuries relating to this condition”.RELATED: Holden issues record 11 recallsMORE: Holden Commodore recalled five timesVIDEO: Holden here to stay after factory closureHolden will now recall approximately 9188 Barina and Trax models and 3116 Colorado SUVs. The repairs will be made free of charge.Australian-made Holdens account for more than half of the recalls so far this year.The locally-made Holden Commodore has been recalled five times this year and the Holden Cruze has been recalled twice (one of which was the third recall for the same fault initially reported last year).But Holden still insists the Commodore does not need to be recalled for a faulty ignition switch even though 46,000 export versions of the Australian-made Commodore and Caprice were recalled in the US earlier this month, as part of a safety campaign involving a record 2.6 million cars there.In doing so Holden has avoided what would become the biggest single recall in Australian automotive history as it would involve approximately 432,000 Commodores made since 2006.Holden engineers insist the General Motors ignition fault linked to at least 19 deaths across a number of models sold in the US does not affect Commodores in Australia because the position of the key is different.Holden says it has issued a record number of recalls locally because it is erring on the side caution after its parent company General Motors became involved in a recall scandal in the US, which also cost the jobs of several top executives following years of cover-ups.When asked why Holden had issued so many recalls, spokeswoman Kate Lonsdale said: “This is consistent with the approach being taken across (General Motors).”The latest round of safety notices means Australia is on track to recall almost as many cars as have been sold in 2014.In the first eight months of this year, 789,000 vehicles had been recalled compared with 737,000 new vehicles sold over the same period.But the tally to September means the number of new cars sold (832,000) has edged ahead of those recalled so far this year (803,000).The last time more cars were recalled than sold in a year was in 2001, according to Wheels magazine.Jeep has the second-highest number of recalls in Australia so far this year with nine bulletins, ahead of top-seller Toyota with seven.Among the other Top Five brands Mazda has issued three recalls, Hyundai has issued two and Ford has issued one.The Commodore and Cruze are made at Holden’s factory in Elizabeth on the outskirts of Adelaide, but the Barina and Trax models are made in South Korea and the Colorado is made in Thailand, where Holden is likely to source more cars from once it closes its Australian factories in 2017.Holden already sources most of the vehicles in its line-up from South Korea or Thailand but the company says in the future it will source vehicles from several divisions across the General Motors world.The next Commodore is likely to be sourced from Opel in Germany along with the Astra hatch.Meanwhile, authorities in the US found that General Motors knew of the ignition faults for 10 years but hid them and failed to take appropriate action.The scandal prompted US Senators to propose “life in prison” for car executives who try to hide recalls, and has led to a class-action lawsuit against General Motors by at least 650 owners of the affected cars.

New Honda Jazz sets new benchmark for rear view cameras: $14,990.

Holden's dealership video stunts have set up an actor posing as a dealer and pranking customers on test drives. But in this video the tables are turned when the dealer gets taken for a ride. And an offroad one at that...Thanks to 4WDTV's Simon and Miranda Christie, the test drive takes an unexpected turn when the couple - posing as regular customers - decide to test the Captiva's 7 offroad capabilities on a real 4x4 training course.Watch the Holden Colorado 7 test drive prank video on our desktop site.Also watch these videos:Alex Davis joins cheeky Holden prank Holden Trax test drive surpriseHolden customer gets Collingwood surprise