Toyota Corolla 2007 News

The Holden Commodore is facing the toughest challenge yet to its long reign as Australia's favourite car.An all-new version of Toyota's Corolla has landed and took less than a month to overtake the Commodore.More than 5800 Corollas were delivered in Australia last month, against around 5500 Commodores, although official Vfacts sales figures will not be public until later today.It is the fourth time in the past year that the Corolla has stolen No.1 spot from Commodore for an individual month.However, the GM Holden flagship has not been beaten over a full year, since it ended the last serious challenge from the Ford Falcon more than a decade ago.But the change to an all-new Corolla means Toyota will be able to mount a sustained threat to the Commodore, instead of relying on value prices and rising fuel costs to lure converts and win occasional months.The Vfacts results will also show the best half-yearly industry total on record, at more than 525,000 vehicles, with industry forecasts of the first one-million year looking increasingly accurate.Ford did well with its Falcon and Territory, sales of Mitsubishi commercials were strong, and many brands will claim record months.Toyota and GM Holden are playing down the potential for a Corolla-Commodore contest.“We're pleased at the large car market stabilising, and showing some growth. We've never had a stronger mix and we're getting fantastic retail response,” Alan Batey, Holden's executive director of sales and marketing, said yesterday. 

Car companies are struggling with a $1000 problem — buyers want the latest safety technology but don't like to pay for it.In fact, they'd rather have bling rims than a certain, potentially life-saving active safety measure.The issue is over stability control, a hi-tech system that can prevent a skid. Most experts rate it as the single biggest advance in car safety in a generation. However, the Australian car industry has found it is popular only when standard, not when an extra-cost option.So far this year, only one in 100 buyers of the Hyundai Getz, from $13,990, have added the safety pack option including stability control.A “sports pack” of alloy wheels, roof spoiler and bright interior trim has proved twice as popular.In the $21,000-plus Mazda 3, demand for the stability control option has reached five per cent this year, up from two per cent last year.The US intends to make stability control mandatory on all new cars and Europe reportedly has plans to do the same.European research found the move could reduce by 80 per cent the number of crashes caused by skidding, saving 4000 lives a year if fitted to all cars there, according to Germany's University of Cologne.But in Australia, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, representing car makers and importers, is pressing the Federal Government not to make stability control mandatory.“That just tends to lock in old technology,” said FCAI president and Toyota Australia chairman emeritus, John Conomos.He said self-regulation would allow companies to switch to better systems as they were developed.Stability control is expected to be in 40 per cent of new cars by the end of the year.Holden has made it standard in Commodore sedans and Toyota will fit it to all Camry sedans from August. It is an option in most Falcons, standard in top-level versions. But it is not available in the new model Toyota Corolla, the top-selling small car. 

In the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) results this week, the Toyota Aurion, Toyota Camry and Holden Commodore all received a four-star safety rating, adding to the previously tested four-star performers, the Ford Falcon and Mitsubishi 380.NRMA Motoring and Services Vehicle Safety Expert, Jack Haley says most of these cars failed to reach a top rating because of the lack of side curtain airbags.The Toyota Aurion is the only car equipped with side head protection as standard, but Haley says Toyota chose not to proceed with an optional pole test. This meant they were unable to score five stars in the overall testing. The testing involved the top-selling version of each model and Haley says the other large cars offered curtain airbags as an option, but not as a standard feature in the models tested.“Obviously our aim is to get all cars up to a five-star safety rating,” Haley says. “We'd like to see curtain airbags in all vehicles and we would also like to see stability control as standard.”The Toyota Aurion and Holden Commodore have stability control as standard, but it is only an option in various other family cars. But Haley says stability control didn't contribute to the ANCAP testing, as the results show how a car performs in a crash, whereas stability control is an active accident-prevention device.Each car underwent three main areas of testing under ANCAP.They included frontal, side impact and pedestrian tests.Many Japanese and European cars have already received a five-star rating in the European version of testing, known as the EuroNCAP.They include the Toyota Corolla, Peugeot 207, Ford Focus XR5, Land Rover Freelander 2, Citroen Picasso, Mitsubishi Outlander, Volvo C30, VW Passat and Mini Cooper.Most of these models were tested as top-of-the-range, whereas in Australia the extra airbags are optional on some models. ANCAP advises motorists to buy vehicles with a full six-airbag package, including side head protection and electronic stability control.The Toyota Tarago and Mitsubishi Triton also scored a four-star rating in the recent testing, an improvement for the Triton, which is up from a previously low two-star rating.The Hyundai Accent scored three stars and the Mitsubishi Express van scored poorly with just one star. STAR RATINGS  Source: ANCAP 2007 

The Royal Automobile Club of Victoria has just completed its annual cost of ownership survey of a range of current models.The survey looks at total running cost and is based on vehicles travelling 15,000km a year, which is the Australian average.It factors in the cost of a typical car loan, depreciation, registration, club membership, comprehensive insurance plus servicing, fuel and tyre costs.Fuel costs were calculated on an unleaded petrol pump price of $1.26 a litre, $1.31 for diesel and 47c for LPG.Fuel prices have risen significantly since the survey was finished so true running costs will be even higher.The survey results show the cheapest car costs about $6000 a year to run, compared to $18,500 for the most expensive.The most affordable car was Hyundai's Getz at $116.54 a week, followed by Holden's Barina ($120.85) and the Toyota Yaris ($125.88).Go up a size and Toyota's Corolla was the winner at $154.49, followed by the Ford Focus ($156.49) and Holden Astra ($158.12).The medium class sector was won by Toyota's Camry at $193.05, followed by the Mazda6 at $197.85, and Honda Accord Euro ($218.07).Large cars are, as expected, more expensive to run but, surprisingly not that much more.The best was Mitsubishi's 380 at $200.44, so it is cheaper than the Honda Accord. Toyota's Aurion was next best ($217.60), followed by Ford's Falcon ($229.13).For large families, the Kia Carnival people mover at $216.68 beat the Honda Odyssey ($228) and Toyota Tarago ($267.61).Diesel and hybrid cars were cheaper to run but don't forget diesel cars initially cost more and replacement batteries for hybrids are hellishly expensive and have a short lifespan.The cheapest was the Honda Civic hybrid at $175.29, beating the Toyota Prius at $200.63. A VW Golf diesel was better than the Prius on the wallet at $187.93.A Ford Falcon running on LPG cost $211.43 a week, while the dual-fuel Commodore came in at $225.10.The popular compact SUV market was headed by Honda's CRV at $203.86, followed by Nissan's Xtrail ($207.36) and Subaru's Forester ($208.52).Medium SUVs had the Holden Captiva out in front at $225.16, followed by the Ford Territory ($234.47) and Toyota Prado ($286.16).At the expensive end of the running cost spreadsheet were the big four-wheel-drives.The cheapest was Nissan's Patrol at $269.53, while the Toyota LandCruiser cost $357.51 a week.

Toyota Australia is working on its Vehicle Stability Control and promises it will be available next year, but it should have been ready for the first delivery of its all-new compact champion.The Corolla could easily become Australia's best seller in the next few years, even though Toyota refuses to mount a head-on attack against the Holden Commodore, and it has a responsibility to set the standard for small-car safety.But the situation on electronic stability control in the Corolla is typical of a life-saving technology that is having a tough time worldwide.And it follows a slow take-up for airbags beyond the basic frontal protection.The European NCAP safety organisation, which has set the standard for independent crash testing, has recently called for ESP to be standard on all cars and has criticised carmakers' attitudes to its introduction.It was particularly unhappy with the results of a recent European survey of the take-up rates for electronic stability control (ESC), which senses the onset of a potentially dangerous slide and uses brake and engine controls to pull a vehicle straight.It rates Denmark, Sweden and Germany at the top of the countries pushing the ESP advantage, with Britain, Holland, Greece, Malta and Ireland at the bottom of a European Union ranking.“We must all do what we can to raise awareness of ESP's importance,” Euro NCAP general secretary Adrian Hobbs says.“Car manufacturers respond to the demands of customers but customers will demand it only when they become aware of the benefits.“The reasons for the disparity are not technical ones. Some models have ESP fitted as standard equipment in one country, yet it is not available, even as an option, in others.”Euro NCAP has begun a program called “Choose ESC” and it is one that should be mirrored in Australia.Ford and GM Holden are doing a good job on pushing the introduction of ESP but other companies are taking far too long.Luxury brands, including Mercedes and BMW, worry that Australia's discriminatory luxury car tax is actually anti-safety because of the extra cost it imposes on new life-saving technology.And Toyota? At least the Corolla is available with airbags and anti-skid brakes, unlike the company's 70-Series LandCruiser workhorse, which is still not available with any sort of airbag at any price.

The new Toyota, which is priced from $20,990, has been aimed at younger buyers - the Japanese company looking to attract more private buyers in its bid to gather one quarter of the entire Australian market.The success of the Corolla nameplate worldwide has been considerable - on average, one Corolla has been sold somewhere in the world every 40 seconds over the past 40 years. There are 1.3 million Corollas produced and sold worldwide each year.The tenth generation of the world's biggest selling nameplate is on sale in Australia this week.Toyota aims to increase its sales volume from 46,000 units a year by up to 15 per cent, subject to supply availability from Japan.Toyota Australia chairman John Conomos said it would be a bonus if the new Corolla knocked Commodore from its perch as Australia's number-one seller, as it did in September, 2005, June and July 2006, and January this year. “If it occurs, that would be great,” Mr Conomos said.“But Corolla is one of a number of vehicles we'll use in aiming for a 25 per cent share target,” he said.The Corolla nameplate has sold more than 32 million units worldwide since it first came to market in 1966.The new model will be available in sedan and hatch - developed separately to give the cars distinct personalities - which use similar amounts of fuel to the outgoing model despite weighing 50kg to 180kg more.The top model, equipped with seven airbags, has achieved a five-star New Car Assessment Program crash test rating, but the base model comes standard with two airbags and anti-lock brakes.The cars, however, do not have stability control.Sales executive director David Buttner said the system was under consideration but would not be available until 2010. WHAT YOU GETPrice: From $20,990 for the Ascent to $31,990 for the Ultima.Engine: A 100kW/175Nm 1.8-litre DOHC 16-valve aluminium-block four-cylinder.Fuel consumption: hatch - 7.4 litres per 100km (7.7 auto); sedan - 7.3 litres per 100km (7.4 litres per 100km for auto).Other features: A five-star NCAP crash test rating, dual front airbags (with up to five more available as options), ABS brakes, six-speed manual or four-speed automatic. Boot space: 283 litres in hatchback and 450 litres in sedan.

Though the large-car segment grew 4.7 per cent in March, small and light cars still dominate the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries' Vfacts figures for the month.Holden sold 5752 VE Commodores and Toyota managed 2037 Aurion V6 sales, the first time the car has eclipsed 2000 sales since it was launched last year.The Aurion's kissin' cousin Camry four-cylinder managed 2574 sales.Ford and Mitsubishi still trail in the family sedan stakes, selling 3249 and 1022 respectively. But their lowly large-car sales were offset by strong import performances.Overall, Mitsubishi had a 22 per cent lift in first-quarter sales against the same period last year, on the back of solid Colt, Lancer, Outlander and Pajero sales.Ford's Focus and Territory helped maintain the momentum for the Broadmeadows-based carmaker, as well as fleet sales that pushed Fairlane numbers to 263 for the month.FCAI chief executive Peter Sturrock says the remarkably strong start to the year may have even taken industry optimists by surprise."Consumers appear to have shaken off any lingering concerns about fuel prices and interest rates and have responded enthusiastically to the intensely competitive prices," he says.The new-vehicle market is being pushed by deflation, with new cars becoming cheaper and better equipped as the various brands fight it out.The market was up 8.3 per cent, compared with March last year, with an all-time sales record of 94,392 vehicles.If the sales momentum continues, this year could eclipse one million sales for the first time.In the first three months of the year 255,068 vehicles were sold, up 20,463, or 8.7 per cent, on the same period last year and surpassing the previous record for the quarter of 237,000 set two years ago. Despite the buoyant first quarter, the FCAI is still forecasting 970,000 sales this year.All segments, except people movers, are experiencing growth.The fastest-growing of all segments remains small passenger cars, which added 8532 sales, or 16.7 per cent, in the first quarter compared with last year. The small-car stars continue to be the Toyota Corolla and Mazda3, selling 4029 and 3182 respectively last month.Light-car sales grew 3334, or 11.9 per cent, SUV compact 2851, 22.2 per cent, and SUV medium 1617, 4.7 per cent.Toyota set a cracking pace in March with 21,390 sales, giving it No.1 sales spot ahead of Holden on 13,454 and Ford on 10,074.So far this year, Toyota has 22 per cent of the market, with Holden at No.2 with 14.3 per cent and Ford third with 10.7 per cent.

Mitsubishi, Ford and Holden all showed off production or concept cars that are designed to move fast and get the blood pumping.But the big news came from Toyota, which launched its new TRD performance brand in Australia at the show.The launch of TRD represents first time Toyota has marketed under the TRD banner anywhere in the world. It is timed to celebrate the car manufacturer’s 50th anniversary of involvement in motorsport globally.Several models sporting new TRD livery were unveiled at the show, including an Aurion and a HiLux concept car. There are several more models on the way.Also previewed at the Toyota stand was the new Corolla hatch and a new Corolla rally car, which is based on the new production model to be launched soon.Mitsubishi opened the show with a Lancer concept “Sportback”.But Ford and Holden went all-out in the performance stakes. Ford revealed a new Fiesta XR4 which will be on sale in July this year. It will feature a variant with a two-litre diesel engine – the first diesel car to grace Ford Australia’s line-up.Also on show was a 40th Anniversary GT from FPV.Holden tried to top that with the unveiling of a Chevrolet Camaro concept car which attracted great interest from the assembled press. It was the first time this car had been seen in Australia.The company said although there are no plans to launch the Camaro here, it was on the stand in Melbourne to gauge customer reaction. The implication was that if interest is strong enough it may launch here.

It was revealed at the Melbourne International Motor Show ahead of its worldwide competition debut with Neal Bates and the championship winning TRD rally team in June.And there is much more to the Corolla story for Australia.The all-new compact, which was revealed at the Paris Motor Show last year as the Auris, is about to become the $20,000 price fighter for Toyota Australia.It will be sold as a sedan and hatchback with a 1.8-litre engine.Full details will not be confirmed until the on-sale date, but Toyota emphasised its role this morning."The importance of these Corollas cannot be under-estimated," said Dave Buttner, the head of sales and marketing for Toyota Australia."Corolla was the country's best selling vehicle in January - and for two months of last year. We expect the new Corolla and hatch to build on the success of the current model.The Corolla hatch was unwrapped by Nicky Whelan, who stars as Pepper Steiger in 'Neighbours', while Commonwealth Games gold medallist John Steffernsen did the job for the Corolla sedan.The cars were shown by Toyota alongside the all-new Kluger family wagon which will reach Australia in the third quarter of 2007.

However, all complaints except one about a Hyundai TV ad about two children in nappies driving a Santa Fe sports utility vehicle have been dismissed by the Advertising Standards Bureau.The ASB last week upheld the complaint that it was illegal for toddlers to drive and that they were wearing seatbelts instead of legal child restraints.Hyundai agreed to retract the ad which was filmed in New Zealand and featured a toddler in nappies who picks up hitchhiking Springwood toddler Siena Dutson.Hyundai Motor Company Australia PR general manager Richard Power said he had received calls of support from the public, but had no other campaign ready to replace the ad."There is no doubt that the controversy about this decision will attract attention but in a while it fades away and people forget and we will have to raise the awareness some other way," he said.Car ads represent about 15 per cent of complaints to the ASB, second only behind food (about 20 per cent).Over the past year, nine Ford ads attracted complaints, while Toyota and Nissan had five each and Honda and Holden four.Two of the Nissan ads featuring Sex and the City actress Kim Cattrall attracted complaints about sexual content.Complaints about sexual content were also levelled at the Fiesta ad in which two scientists mould clay, and two Falcon ute ads in which women and dogs follow the car.Honda's Odyssey ads in which a married couple are "making out" in the car received complaints for "a simulated sex scene".A Holden Rodeo ad featuring a man fantasising about a Rodeo and a female passenger apparently promoted infidelity.Unsafe driving represented the most complaints, despite the ASB beefing up its crackdown in this section of its code of conduct in 2004.Ford and Toyota attracted the most complaints for promoting unsafe driving practices.Toyota copped its complaints for ads involving its Corolla Sportivo, Yaris, Prado and a Kluger which leaves behind a torn road surface.The Ford ads were the Turbo Territory eating sports cars, another Territory ad in which women drive past a school and the ad in which a young boy is disappointed because he can't get a Falcon slot car to fly off the track.A Holden Captiva jumping across the tops of buildings was also considered dangerous driving, but was dismissed as fantasy.Mazda attracted complaints for offensive language in a Mazda BT50 ute ad for use of the word "bloody".Ford's Ranger ad in which a one-eyed monster throws boulders at the ute was considered too scary for young children, but the complaint was dismissed.Ford also copped complaints of racism and incitement to violence for its Tonk-a-Pom cricket campaign.Cruelty to animals was the complaint in the Focus ad in which Jackie O pours a goldfish down a drain and in a Toyota LandCruiser ad in which the driver wears crocodile-skinned boots.Animals were also blamed for offensive behaviour when a dog in the back seat of a Dodge Caliber moons dogs in other cars.The drought prompted complaints that an ad in which a man hoses down his mud-caked Nissan Murano was inappropriate during water restrictions.Environmental issues also surfaced when complaints were received about a Jeep ad which allegedly featured "polluting diesal (sic) motor vehicles hiding behind the pristinity of a lovely natural environment".A Kia Carnival ad in which a sleeping woman is woken by a Kia salesman blowing a horn attracted complaints that it was "dangerous to blast an air-horn close to a person's ear".