Sedan News

The facelifted Mercedes-Benz C-Class 2018 model has been revealed and detailed at the 2018 Geneva motor show, with the popular model set to adopt a range of new high-tech powertrains. Australian buyers will see the range opened by a new mild hybrid drivetrain in the C200 models, which will pair a new 1.5-litre

The all-new Mercedes-AMG GT 4-door Coupe has been revealed, with the performance oriented rival to the Porsche Panamera carving its own niche in the realm of four-door AMG models.

Czech brand Skoda and British carmaker Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) have revealed which models will be recalled as part of the wide-spread mandatory Takata airbag call back.

The mildly facelifted look of the 2018 Mercedes-AMG C43 hides a wealth of changes to the company's second-hottest C-Class.

Holden recorded its lowest monthly market share yet last month, dipping to 4.9 per cent while it transitioned to its new model line-up, including the imported ZB Commodore and Equinox mid-size SUV.The Red Lion, a one-time market leader, claimed eighth position for the first time ever in last month’s VFACTS national sales rankings, trailing Mitsubishi, Ford, Honda and Nissan but just ahead of Volkswagen and Kia.Managing only 4689 units in February, Holden sales were down 18.1 per cent on the same month last year, despite the overall Australian new-vehicle market improving by 7.8 per cent to 95,999 vehicles – the second best February return yet following 2016’s 96,443 units.Holden product and brand communications senior manager Mark Flintoft said the brand had anticipated a slower start to the New Year, but expected to return to form soon.“It’s always our aim to sell more vehicles, and our current market share is not where we want it to be,” he said. “That said, February’s result is unnatural in that new Commodore is only just reaching dealerships, and while Equinox inquiry and test drives are growing, we are still establishing the nameplate.“We’re also waiting on the diesel Equinox which arrives at the end of the month. We’ve got our strongest product line-up ever with more in the pipeline, so we expect to bounce back quickly.”Holden sold only 737 Commodores during the month, representing less than half the total of February last year when 1566 examples of the locally built model were sold.It was also the second month in a row that Holden’s sales took a significant hit, with its January tally down 20 per cent, partly due to a lack of Commodore stock and a flood of ‘demonstrator’ Astras registered in dealerships in December. The newly-minted Equinox amassed just 364 sales last month, good enough for 11th in the evergreen mid-size-SUV segment that was again led by the Mazda CX-5 (2181). While light-commercial vehicles were booming in other showrooms, Colorado sales dipped about 20 per cent, to 1039 vehicles – around a quarter of the Toyota HiLux’s volume.Overall, Holden’s sales are down 19 per cent year-to-date – or 2500 units – while its market share sits at 5.6 per cent, which is well behind its full-year effort of 7.6 per cent in 2017.SUVs and light-commercial vehicles again drove the market last month, up 12.1 and 13.3 per cent respectively year-to-date, while passenger cars slid once more (down 0.7 per cent).Toyota took advantage of the thriving market conditions, increasing its sales by 12.1 per cent, to 18,281 units, which allowed it to again claim first place.Similarly, the HiLux utility was the most popular model in February, tallying 4426 sales – its best-ever return for the month and an improvement of more than 1000 units over last year – to outpace the Ford Ranger (3544) which assumed second place.Mazda totalled 9913 sales last month – down 0.1 per cent – to take second spot on the sales chart ahead of Hyundai which sold 8001 vehicles – up 14.3 per cent – for third position.Mitsubishi and Honda were two of the bolters in February, with the former increasing sales by 24 per cent to 7142 units and fourth spot, while the latter improved 55.3 per cent to 4962 vehicles and sixth place.Strong Ranger sales – up more than 20 per cent – and better performances from its SUVs helped Ford lift its sales by 6.9 per cent to 6059 units and fifth position.Nissan’s Navara utility – which was recently updated – and X-Trail mid-size SUV were central to the seventh-placed Japanese brand’s increased sales, up 9.9 per cent to 4863 vehicles.Volkswagen came within striking distance of Holden for the first time, finishing in ninth spot with 4671 sales. However, it was ahead of Kia (4664, up 11.7 per cent) and Subaru (3901, up four per cent).

Specialist auction house Manheim is declaring it a chance to claim “a piece of Australian motoring history”

Audi has revealed its all-new A6 sedan ahead of a public debut at the Geneva motor show.

Mazda has given its popular Mazda3 small car a refresh for the 2018 model year, with an increase of standard specification on some variants and new nomenclatures that are expected to tide the model over until an all-new version arrives next year. The changes apply to the Neo, Maxx and Touring variants, while driveaway

Mitsubishi Motors Australia (MMAL) has taken out full-page advertisements in national newspapers begging for action from car owners affected by the global Takata airbag recall.Drivers and passengers of vehicles affected by the Takata airbag recall run the risk of being impaled by shards of metal that are propelled out of the airbag when deployed.It has been reported that at least 22 people have been killed as a result of defective Takata airbags, including an Australian man who lost his life in a car accident in Sydney last year. MMAL PR boss Karl Gehling suggests that while these incidents do increase awareness, many owners continue to ignore the risk.“During 2017, the publicity around the fatality in Sydney from a faulty Takata airbag inflator led to significant media coverage and a subsequent increase in customer awareness of this serious issue,” he said.“Over the past few months we have noticed the number of customers presenting their vehicle for repair has dropped significantly.”Since the announcement of the recall, Mitsubishi Motors has replaced around 136,000 defective airbag inflators from a total 235,151 in Australia.This means thousands of potentially-deadly Mitsubishi Lancer, Triton, Pajero and I-MiEV models are still in circulation.All repair work is carried out at a Mitsubishi dealership and is free of charge to vehicle owners.“In some cases we have sent up to six letters to owners to advise them of the need to replace their Takata airbag inflator without any result,” said Mr Gehling.“This owner indifference or apathy to the risks from the Takata airbag inflator fitted to their vehicle has prompted us to publicly notify all owners in the hope that it will generate greater impact and encourage more owners to action the recall.”To get the attention of the remaining affected vehicle owners, Mitsubishi Motors has purchased full-page advertisements in newspapers around the country.The advertisement shows a letter signed by MMAL CEO John Signoriello that reads:“To our Mitsubishi owners“Since the announcement of the global Takata airbag recall, Mitsubishi Motors has been working hard to replace all affected airbag inflators.“In Australia, there were 235,151 Takata beta airbag inflators fitted to Mitsubishi vehicles affected by this recall. Over 136,000 Takata inflators have been replaced so far with an inflator from another manufacturer.“For all remaining affected vehicles, there is a risk to the vehicle occupants in the event of an accident that results in the airbag inflator deploying. There is a potential risk that due to excessive internal pressure, metal fragments could shoot out towards the vehicle occupants causing serious injury or even death.“Testing by Takata Corporation of their airbag inflators removed from Australian cars has shown there is a clear risk to vehicle occupants. Due to degradation of the inflator propellant, the airbags can rupture on deployment.“We are seeking all remaining customers with affected vehicles to make a booking with their nearest dealer to address this recall, which is free of charge."The advertisement also directs Mitsubishi owners to the MMAL website where they can input their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to see if their car is affected. “We urge all customers who own one of these models to verify if their vehicle is subject to the Takata recall and make a booking with your local dealer to replace your Takata airbag inflator.”Mitsubishi also has a dedicated recall phone line (1800 931 811), which can be used for free between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.

The updated Subaru Liberty 2018 model has arrived on sale in Australia, sporting revised styling refinements to its drivetrain and equipment enhancements across the range.