Toyota HiLux 2014 News

A Federal Court case has been launched against unscrupulous importers of bogus brake pads as Toyota tries to locate the dodgy parts.

The all-new Nissan Navara and heavily facelifted Mitsubishi Triton are due in April and May ahead of updates to the Ford Ranger and Mazda BT-50 in July and an all-new Toyota HiLux in October. Dealers are keen to move stock about to be superseded with 2014 build plates.As with our story last week on clearance prices for passenger cars, the savings on utes vary from brand to brand.Most of these deals end on January 31, but if you sign on the dotted line this weekend, most will honour the sale price next week. After all, the vehicles in dealer stock aren't getting any younger.Discounts on the Ranger are rare but with an update around the corner Ford has sharpened the price on the middle-of-the-range XLS to compete with most other brands which sell around this RRP. The 2.2-litre diesel XLS crew cab 4x4 is $41,990 drive-away and the 3.2-litre five-cylinder diesel version is $44,490 in the traffic.Both offers equate to savings of about $5000. A tip: these prices are for manual models; use the savings to upgrade to automatic (adds $2000) as the manual transmission is not as refined or reliable as the six-speed auto. Footnote: savings on the popular XLT are relatively minor ($53,490 drive-away is not much off the RRP) so haggle for at least another $2000 off.The Mazda BT-50 is the Ford Ranger's twin under the skin — they have different bodies but are made on the same production line in Thailand and share the same engines, which is why Ford's premium RRP is normally so conspicuous. The BT-50 dual cab XTR is good buying at $45,990 drive-away; the $1500 premium over the 3.2 Ranger XLS adds navigation, larger alloy wheels, dual zone air-conditioning and side steps.The discounts on the Mitsubishi Triton crew cab GLX+ 4x4 have cooled but it's still one of the best buys. Late last year the price limboed to $29,990 drive-away but the 2014 clearance price is $31,990 drive-away with a free towbar.The price of the Triton is likely to get sharper in the coming months as the new model gets closer, and newer rivals start to appear in showrooms. Mitsubishi also has the cheapest single-cab 4x2 diesel ute with a drop-side tray (from a mainstream brand): $22,990 drive-away.Nissan Navara discounts are hard to pin down because the company favours finance offers or teases buyers with "huge factory bonuses", without highlighting exactly what price you can expect to pay. That means some buyers will pay more than others, so be sure to shop around.The only transparent price on the Nissan Navara this month is a limited edition "Silverline" crew cab 4x4 that comes with a sports bar, alloy wheels, and tub-liner. The $34,990 drive-away price is OK, but Nissan has dipped to lower than this on other models in the past six months, so there should still be some wriggle room in this price.Discounts on the Isuzu D-Max fluctuate and the 2014 clearance prices are middle-of-the-road in the current climate, but it's still one of the cheapest tickets to five-star ute safety: $37,990 drive-away for the SX crew cab 4x4 on steel wheels, with a $1000 voucher to spend on accessories.The Holden Colorado is available from $38,990 drive-away for the LS crew cab 4x4. You can take up the "no deposit, no repayments until 2016 offer" but the loan must be repaid in four years or less and the interest rate is not disclosed online and varies from dealer to dealer. We were quoted an interest rate of between 8 and 9 cent. Note: the interest is calculated from the day you sign the deal, even though you don't have to make the first payment until 2016.That means that your individual instalments will be higher than if you had started paying off the loan immediately.The top-line HiLux SR5 can currently be had for $49,990 drive-away, but it has been as low as $46,990 drive-away in the past 18 months, so be sure to haggle. Want a cheap 4x2 single cab with drop-side tray?The base model Workmate manual with air-conditioning (yes, still an option normally) can be had for $21,990 drive-away for the petrol model.Deals on the Volkswagen Amarok ebb and flow but the German brand has a super-sharp offer at the moment to keep up in the sales race with the mainstream ute brands: $37,990 drive-away for a the Amarok crew cab 4x4 manual with alloy wheels, fog lights and metallic paint.There is still a question mark over VW reliability but the Amarok is covered by a three-year/unlimited kilometre warranty. A factory-backed extended warranty (to five years) is available for between $3000 and $3500 depending on distance coverage.

Production of locally-made vehicles hit a 61-year low last year as new-car sales experienced their biggest slowdown since the Global Financial Crisis in 2009 and the natural disasters of 2011 -- as Australians treated themselves to a record number of imports, SUVs and luxury cars. Official figures from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries show 1,113,224 new cars were reported as sold in 2014 -- down 2 per cent compared with the previous year’s record 1,136,227 deliveries.Eight of the Top 10 brands were down -- only Hyundai and Subaru posted gains -- as most luxury marques posted significant sales increases. “The prices of luxury cars have come down … and they have a wider array of vehicles in different segments, so they’re starting to drift down into areas where they weren’t historically,” said the chief executive of the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, Tony Weber. “Australia is now in its 23rd year of economic growth … it makes a a difference to people’s standard of living and that’s reflected in the car fleet,” said Mr Weber. It was the seventh time in the past eight years Australians have bought more than 1 million cars in a calendar year, and the third year in a row it has topped the 1.1 million mark. However record-low interest rates and car affordability at a 38-year high were not enough to drive sales growth for the mainstream brands -- even though the strong Australian dollar wound back prices of popular models by 20 years. The Toyota Corolla -- starting at $19,990 plus on-road costs, the same price it was in 1994 -- was Australia’s top-selling car for the second year in a row ahead of the Mazda3 as sales of our historical favourites, the Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon, hit a new rock bottom.Just 100,468 locally-made Holdens, Fords and Toyotas were sold in 2014; the last time the tally was this low was in 1953 when 99,133 vehicles were made in Australia.Just 100,468 locally-made Holdens, Fords and Toyotas were sold in 2014; the last time the tally was this low was in 1953 when 99,133 vehicles were made in Australia, according to a historical Manufacturing Industries report prepared by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.The same report shows, at its peak, the Australian car manufacturing industry produced 473,045 vehicles in 1976. Between 1968 and 1985 the annual average number of vehicles produced locally exceeded 400,000.  However, the Australian car manufacturing industry has been in free fall since the most recent peak of 344,000 vehicles were produced locally just seven years ago, in 2007. In 1960, more than 90 per cent of cars sold in Australia were made locally. In 2005, locally made vehicles accounted for one in four (25 per cent) of all new cars sold. In 2014, less than one in 10 cars (or 9 per cent) was built locally. Falcon sales fell to a shockingly low 6349 deliveries in 2014, less than one-third of the Falcon’s first full year in production on the same Broadmeadows assembly line in 1960 when 26,499 cars were made. The Ford Falcon, last the top-seller in 1995, is now well outside the Top 20, overtaken by the likes of the Volkswagen Golf and a raft of other imports. Ford as a brand had a shocker, posting its worst sales in more than 23 years (as far as digital records go back ) and the 10th year in a row in decline. The Holden Commodore posted its second lowest result on record (30,203 deliveries) but still managed to finish in fifth place even though it has been in a sales slide for the past six months in a row and Holden posted its lowest result in 21 years. Sales of the Holden Cruze, which is made alongside the Commodore at the Holden factory in Elizabeth, are barely half their peak of 33,784 deliveries in 2011. The locally-made Toyota Camry also found market conditions tough, with sales down 11 per cent to 22,044 deliveries -- despite drive-away deals at $26,990, about $8000 off the full retail price -- although it has remained Australia’s best selling medium-size sedan for 21 years. Despite the factory slowdowns Australia’s three remaining car manufacturers say they will keep their factories open until their planned shutdown dates: October 2016 for Ford and late 2017 for Holden and Toyota. Toyota is in the final stages of upgrading its Altona factory to introduce the updated Camry by the middle of this year, two-thirds of which will be exported to the Middle East until the closure. Toyota was the market leader for a record 12th year in a row – ahead of Mazda -- and 18 years in total. But it wasn’t all good news for the Japanese giant; Toyota sales were down for the third year in a row, to 203,498 deliveries, a significant drop from its peak of 238,983 new cars in 2008.Toyota says it will bounce back in 2015 with 10 new models over the next 12 months, including updates to the Camry, Prius and an all-new HiLux. Hyundai eclipsed the 100,000 mark for the first time and Mercedes-Benz came within 1000 sales of bumping off Honda and making it into the Top 10. Indeed, at least three brands -- Jeep, Kia and Mercedes-Benz -- came close to pushing into the Top 10 sellers list. NSW was the only state or territory to post a sales gain in a down market (up 1.5 per cent) and accounted for almost a third of the nation’s new vehicle sales (356,174). Utility vehicles continued to climb the sales ladder, boosted by mining and building sectors and the arrival of more car-like workhorses that serve as family cars on weekends.The Toyota HiLux was Australia’s top-selling pick-up for the 36th year in a row, although the Ford Ranger closed the gap to second place in the ute class ahead of the Mitsubishi Triton.The Toyota HiLux was Australia’s top-selling pick-up for the 36th year in a row, although the Ford Ranger closed the gap to second place in the ute class ahead of the Mitsubishi Triton. All three vehicles made it into the Top 10.Australia’s favourite SUV is a city-friendly faux-wheel-drive called the Mazda CX-5, which signifies another change in buyer tastes: we no longer need heavy duty four-wheel-drives to enjoy the great outdoors. SUV sales hit an all-time high in 2014 and for the first time accounted for more than 30 per cent of the new-car market. “The increase in SUV purchases is a reflection of the versatility these vehicles provide and the increasing range available in the market,” said Mr Weber. Last year Australians bought 100,000 fewer passenger cars than they did in the peak year of 2007 -- and yet over the same period SUV sales have grown by more than 150,000 vehicles. Eight years ago passenger cars accounted for more than 60 per cent of the market; over the past two years they have slipped below 50 per cent. Industry experts believe the shift towards SUVs will continue in 2015 and forecast a similar sales result of 1.1 million vehicles. Mazda and Toyota have just announced price adjustments ahead of the Free Trade Agreement with Japan which comes into force on January 15, 2015. However, rather than discount prices, both car makers have indicated they will add equipment. The removal of the 5 per cent tariff will not equate to a 5 per cent reduction in the RRP; the 5 per cent cut applies to the landed cost of the car and will typically translate to a $500 saving -- or $500 of extra equipment -- on a $20,000 car, according to industry insiders. Cars sourced from South Korea landed have also been exempt from a 5 per cent tariff from December 15, 2014 -- but Holden (which sources most models from South Korea), Hyundai and Kia are yet to announce FTA-related price cuts or equipment changes. Top 10 cars in 2014Toyota Corolla 43,735 -- up 0.5 per centMazda3 43,313 -- up 2.9 per centToyota HiLux 38,126 -- down 4.5 per centHyundai i30 31,505 -- up 3.0 per centHolden Commodore 30,203 -- up 8.8 per centFord Ranger 26,619 -- up 22.3 per centMitsubishi Triton 24,256 -- down 1.0 per centToyota Camry -- 22,044 down 11.3 per centMazda CX-5 21,571 -- up 7.2 per centVolkswagen Golf 19,545 -- up 10.6 per cent Top 10 brands in 2014Toyota 203,501 -- down 5.2 per centHolden 106,092 -- down 5.3 per centMazda 100,704 -- down 2.4 per centHyundai 100,011 -- up 3.1 per centFord 79,703 -- down 8.6 per centMitsubishi 68,637 -- down 4.0 per centNissan 66,025 -- down 14.0 per centVolkswagen 54,801 -- down 0.2 per centSubaru 40,502 -- up 0.8 per centHonda 32,998 -- down 15.9 per cent WinnersAlfa Romeo -- up 5.3 per centAston Martin -- up 8.1 per centAudi -- up 20.1 per centBentley -- up 11.6 per centBMW -- up 10.7 per centCitroen -- up 10.8 per centFerrari -- up 6.6 per centFiat -- up 49.4 per centHyundai -- up 3.1 per centIsuzu -- up 63 per centJaguar -- up 5.6 per centJeep -- up 37.2 per centLand Rover -- up 21.0 per centLexus -- up 1.2 per centMaserati -- up 199 per centMercedes-Benz -- up 15.8 per centMini -- up 1.4 per centPorsche -- up 47.6 per centRenault -- up 42.7 per centRolls-Royce -- up 143 per centSkoda -- up 8.4 per centSubaru -- up 0.8 per cent LosersFord -- down 8.6 per centGreat Wall -- down 56.8 per centHolden -- down 5.3 per centHonda -- down 15.9 per centKia -- down 6.0 per centLamborghini -- down 42.6 per centLotus -- down 14.1 per centMazda -- down 2.4 per centMitsubishi -- down 4.0 per centNissan -- down 14.0 per centPeugeot -- down 0.4 per centSuzuki -- down 21.1 per centToyota -- down 5.2 per centVolkswagen -- down 0.2 per centVolvo -- down 9.3 per cent Australia versus the world: a generation of decline1960: 284,992 of 310,519 = 91.7 per cent locally made cars2005: 248,912 of 988,269 = 25 per cent locally made cars2006: 201,623 of 962,666 = 20.9 per cent locally made cars2007: 200,485 of 1,049,982 = 19 per cent locally made cars2008: 171,432 of 1,012,164 = 16.9 per cent locally made cars2009: 147,680 of 937,328 = 15.7 per cent locally made cars2010: 146,314 of 1,035,574 = 14.1 per cent locally made cars2011: 141,939 of 1,008,437 = 14.0 per cent locally made cars2012: 139,796 of 1,112,032 = 12.5 per cent locally made cars2013: 118,510 of 1,136,227 = 10.4 per cent locally made cars2014:  100,468 of 1,113,224 = 9.0 per cent locally made cars Source: Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries

Best of all there is actually a reasonable excuse. Interest rates are still at record lows and prices on imported goods are likely to rise if the Australian dollar continues to dive.Whether you want something on two wheels or four — or even for the water — there is plenty of temptation to spoil yourself rotten. Because you're worth it.Powered by a supercharged V8, the HSV GTS Maloo is the world's fastest ute. Only 150 were supposed to be built but Holden squeezed an extra 100 into the production schedule (the balance to be built at the start of this year).Despite the $90,000 price tag, all are spoken for. But you could get lucky if someone else's deal falls over.With a 0 to 100km/h time of 4.5 seconds it's as fast as a Porsche. If anyone asks why a ute needs so much power, tell them you don't understand the question. Or that it also has the biggest brakes ever fitted to a ute, as well as a stability control system similar to that used by Porsche.If the budget doesn't stretch as far as a HSV GTS Maloo, then the new Ford Falcon XR8 could be a bit of you.It has the supercharged V8 from the previous GT Falcon but, at $52,000, costs about $20,000 less. If the missus can save $100 on a pair of shoes, imagine what a champion you'd be by saving $20,000. At this rate, you're almost making money. Ahem.Forget what you may have read in the car buff magazines, the new Falcon XR8 is so quick it gives the Holden Commodore SS a bloody nose.No wonder it's sold out until March. It'd be a good idea to get in quick because Ford massively undercalled the demand for the last V8 Falcon of all time.If you want a workhorse that's also a show pony then the top of the range Toyota HiLux TRD Black Edition is the go.Toyota has raided the parts bin for the HiLux because the first all-new model in 10 years in due in October.The Black Edition has no extra power, payload or towing capacity but it gets pimped-out looks and a leather interior. Available from about $55,000 in, er, black or white, the Black Edition costs $550 extra if you want a black one.With a design inspired by Formula One motor racing cars and a supercharged engine that uses aerospace technology, the Kawasaki Ninja H2 is expected to claim the title of the world's fastest motorcycle when it goes on sale in the first half of this year priced about $30,000.It is said to blast from 0 to 100km/h in less than 2.5 seconds — as quick as an F1 racing machine, if riders can hang on to it.The supercharged engine has almost as much power as a Volkswagen Golf GTI hot hatch, but the Kawasaki Ninja H2 weighs barely one-fifth as much as a car.The supercharger technology is so sophisticated it has been banned from international motorcycle racing since 1946, but has returned to a modern, road-going motorcycle in the search for more power from smaller engines. Cool factor: infinity.The price of a jet ski (or "personal water craft", as they're officially known, because "jet ski" is a Kawasaki name) has been cut by more than half with the arrival of the Sea-Doo Spark which is about $9000 tow-away, no more to pay — including a trailer.The Sea-Doo Spark has a little less power than the $20,000 to $25,000 beasts but is barely any slower and still capable of giving you a fright — or a workout.The best way to get this over the line with the other half is to explain that riding one is like Pilates and Yoga for men.Jumping waves and skimming over choppy waters will work your pelvic floor and other core muscles you didn't know you had, including those in your glutes and quads. I know because I tried it and have only just started to walk normally recently.This truly is Yoga at 100km/h on the water, with a nice sea breeze. Best of all, you have to put the phone away. And it's light enough to tow it with a hatchback. If you dare.

New-car sales have slowed for nine out of the past 10 months as Australian-made cars fall out of favour and we embrace luxury cars.Australians are falling out of love with locally-made cars faster than expected, putting increased pressure on the industry to make it all the way to the end of 2017 before Ford, Holden and Toyota factories shut down.Official sales figures for October show that sales of Australian-made cars have tanked and we are buying imported and luxury cars in greater numbers than ever before.The Ford Falcon, once our top seller, hit a new record low of just 396 deliveries in October as the new-car market slowed for the ninth time in 10 months, figures released at midday Thursday are expected to show.The new Commodore has also hit the skids, with sales down by a staggering 33 per cent, which dragged Holden’s tally across the range down by 28 per cent in the same month that company boss Gerry Dorizas left Holden suddenly after a little more than six months in the job.VIDEO: Holden says it's here to stay RELATED: Holden boss makes sudden exit MORE: Govt must boost funds to stop early shut downs Even the bulletproof Toyota Camry is off the boil, with sales down by 15 per cent compared with the same month last year.The Ford Falcon and Toyota Camry are due to receive updates in the next few months and a dip in sales is usually offset by heavy discounting. But both cars have failed to attract buyers as they once did.Despite record low interest rates and car affordability at a 38-year high, official sales figures for October show the market is down by 1.5 per cent compared with the same month last year, with 91,236 deliveries, although we are still on track to buy more than 1 million vehicles in 2014.Private buyers kept their hands in their pockets (sales down 3.9 per cent), as did business fleets (down 2.0 per cent). Only government (up 2.2 per cent) and rental fleets (up 18 per cent) showed growth in October, the latter injecting new cars into the system ahead of the summer holidays.The Toyota Corolla has stretched its lead over the new Mazda3 as Australia’s favourite car for 2014, although the pair is separated by fewer than 1000 sales year-to-date.This means if you’re in the market for a new Corolla or Mazda3 in the next two months you will likely get an even sharper deal as each tries to secure the top-seller title.In other upsets, South Korean car maker Hyundai was the second best-selling brand for the first time ever, ahead of Holden and behind Toyota. Hyundai Australia has been led by CEO John Elsworth, a former Holden executive for 22 years, since 2012.Meanwhile German luxury brand Mercedes-Benz made it into the Top 10 for only the second time ever (the first time was in May this year), ahead of mainstream brands Jeep and Kia.Luxury vehicles now account for approximately 10 per cent of Australia’s new-car sales; the global average is 7 per cent.Top 10 cars in OctoberToyota Corolla 3819 down 1.1 per centToyota HiLux 3228 up 1.7 per centMazda3 2928 down 19 per centHyundai i30 2475 up 4.0 per centFord Ranger 2405 up 18 per centHolden Commodore 2210 down 33 per centToyota Camry 1908 down 15.2 per centMitsubishi Triton 1787 down 2.6 per centVolkswagen Golf 1755 down 10.8 per centMazda CX-5 1594 up 3.5 per centTop 10 brands in OctoberToyota 17,382 down 4.1 per centHyundai 8401 up 3.3 per centHolden 7542 down 28.4 per centMazda 6880 down 13.6 per centFord 6337 down 15.3 per centNissan 5759 up 8.9 per centMitsubishi 5115 up 0.9 per centVolkswagen 4764 down 3.0 per centSubaru 4003 up 40.0 per centMercedes-Benz 3150 up 39.3 per centSource: Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, VFACTS. Percentage change compared to the same month last year.

Toyota adds style for special HiLux Black Edition range-topper.A huge, ultra-conservative car maker like Toyota never does anything in a hurry. Yet, even by Toyota standards the length of time taken for it to move into the sports ute market segment could be considered excessive. However, the giant has finally stirred - and come up with a HiLux sports ute that has been worth the wait. Toyota HiLux Black is based on the SR5 4WD double-cab pickup. Toyota tells us that fewer than 1000 Blacks are being produced, but doesn't nominate an exact number. Strange, but it would be worth your while to visit your local Toyota dealer asap as sales are likely to be fast and furious. Toyota's performance division, TRD, aided the design of the cosmetic enhancements, so a TRD logo appears on the wheel caps and the front bumper extension. Toyota HiLux Black is on sale now in a range of exterior and interior designs, all presented in bold black to match the famed toughness of the vehicle. Black side steps and sports bar are immediate standouts; as are the 17-inch alloy wheels painted black behind brightly machined six-spoke faces.The large black lower front grille features a red stripe along the bottom edge. LED daylight running lamps are specified for the first time on a HiLux in Australia. Black extensions below the foglight surrounds also make a statement.Prominent new front and rear bumpers, never previously offered in Australia, give the HiLux Black a planted stance. Special-edition badges located discreetly on the front and rear bumpers further distinguish the HiLux Black.Leather-accented black interior trim is part of the package as is a six-way power-operated driver's seat. The Black has a reversing camera and a satellite navigation system with Suna Live Traffic updates. A handy sized 6.1-inch screen is used for these, as well making it simple to navigate the audio system.Despite this long awaited foray into the special edition pickups, Toyota says it hasn't forgotten HiLux's day-to-day strengths. Toyota Australia executive director of sales and marketing, Tony Cramb says, "People buy HiLux as a tough workhorse, a family vehicle, or as a mixture of both, which means they are attracted by its renowned ruggedness and also its car-like comfort. HiLux Black delivers the best of both worlds. Its aggressive black features build on the unbreakable image of HiLux while exuding a premium appearance because black is always in style." The colour choice is black and white - literally. Toyota Australia has specified Eclipse Black and Glacier White as the only exterior paint options for the special-edition model.The HiLux Black is powered by a 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, mated to either a five-speed manual or the five-speed automatic transmission.HiLux Black is priced from $53,240 for the manual version in white. The optional black paint is $550 extra.Automatic transmission adds a hefty $2750.Like all Toyota HiLuxes, the Black is covered by Toyota Service Advantage at a maximum of $170 per service.

HiLux limited edition is Black ... but that colour costs more.Black is the new black when it comes to utes.Toyota has released the HiLux Black Edition, joining the recently announced Holden Colorado Black Edition and the Volkswagen Amarok Dark Label accessory packs.The special edition HiLux is the last high-profile hurrah for Australia's favourite workhorse before an all-new model arrives in the second half of next year.There is just one catch, however: the Black Edition Toyota HiLux costs extra if you want a black one.The white version of the Black Edition starts at $53,240 but a black one will be $550 more because that option is metallic paint.A five-speed manual is standard; a five-speed automatic transmission adds $2750. It may seem unusual that Toyota can charge more for a black one when it is called the Black Edition but the company says orders are strong and fewer than 1000 will be imported.All models are powered by the HiLux's proven 3.0-litre turbo diesel engine. There are no enhancements in power, efficiency, payload or towing capacity. Changes include unique front and rear bumpers, black sports bar and sideskirts, LED daytime running lights (for the first time on a HiLux), unique alloy wheels, badging and rear-view camera.Inside, there are partial leather seat trim, six-way power driver's seat and a navigation system with live traffic alerts is standard.The Black Edition is a pointer to a super-luxury version of the HiLux that will sit above the current SR5 flagship in the model range when next year's model arrives.The next HiLux is expected to be unveiled next April at the motor show in Thailand, where the HiLux is built, before arriving in Australian showrooms in October. Meanwhile, the Black Edition is due here next month.

Toyota adds new automatic version of the diesel SR 4WD dual-cab chassis to suit mining and trade buyers.The top-selling Toyota HiLux has added a 23rd variant to its Australian lineup with the inclusion of a new automatic version of the diesel-only SR 4WD dual-cab chassis.The four-wheel drive HiLux SR dual-cab was previously only available with the five-speed manual transmission, but Toyota has responded to demand from the lucrative mining sector and trade buyers for an automatic variant. Such demands have already brought us a dual-cab version of the classic (in-text) 70 Series LandCruiser ute, along with the (in-text) specifically tailored Ranger XL Plus from Ford.Cab-chassis flexibility allows for custom fit-outs for the rear of the vehicle for tradespeople who find the tub-style tray restrictive.Coupled with the auto, the SR’s 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine develops the same 126kW and 360Nm as other HiLux diesels, and returns a 8.7L/100km combined fuel figure – 0.4L/100km more than the manual.A $43,740 list price sits $2750 higher than the manual, and the five-seat SR Double Cab comes equipped with a 6.1-inch multimedia screen with Bluetooth connectivity and multifunction steering wheel.Toyota adds new automatic version of the diesel SR 4WD dual-cab chassis to suit mining and trade buyers.The top-selling Toyota HiLux has added a 23rd variant to its Australian lineup with the inclusion of a new automatic version of the diesel SR 4WD dual-cab chassis.The four-wheel drive HiLux SR dual-cab was previously only available with the five-speed manual transmission, but Toyota has responded to demand from the lucrative mining sector and trade buyers for an automatic variant. Such demands have already brought us a dual-cab version of the classic 70 Series LandCruiser ute, along with the specifically tailored Ranger XL Plus from Ford.Cab-chassis flexibility allows for custom fit-outs for the rear of the vehicle for tradespeople who find the tub-style tray restrictive.Coupled with the auto, the SR’s 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine develops the same 126kW and 360Nm as other HiLux diesels, and returns a 8.7L/100km combined fuel figure – 0.4L/100km more than the manual variant.A $43,740 list price sits $2750 higher than the manual, and the five-seat SR Double Cab comes equipped with a 6.1-inch multimedia screen with Bluetooth connectivity and multifunction steering wheel. 2014 Toyota HiLux 4x4 SR Double Cab chassis auto list price - $43,740

Just 21 cars separate Toyota Corolla and Mazda3 in the 2014 new-car sales race.New-car bargains are set to continue as sales slowed for the sixth month in a row and dealers remain overstocked.Affordability may be at a 38-year-high and prices already at 20-year lows, but new-car deliveries are down by 2.1 per cent in the first seven months of this year (to 649,818 deliveries) compared to the same period last year.Figures from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries show new-car sales dipped by 0.4 per cent in July compared with the same month last year, with 89,867 vehicles finding new homes.Experts say the downturn could be a "hangover" from last year’s all-time record, with 1,136,227 vehicles reported as sold.Industry insiders believe the official data has been distorted because a number of big brands declared cars as sold last year even though they hadn’t actually been delivered to customers.At least one company, Nissan, has admitted it is delivering more new cars this year than what it is reporting to the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, so that it can balance its books. Mitsubishi and Honda are believed to be doing the same."If you look at (the official sales figures) it may look like we’re falling behind, but the truth is we’re clearing stuff that was already counted," Nissan Australia boss Richard Emery told industry journal GoAuto."So the (official sales figures) you’ve been seeing from us is understated compared to what we’ve actually been putting across the (kerb)." One source who asked to remain anonymous told News Corp Australia: "The industry has digested most of the cars declared as sold last year, even though they were still in dealer stock, so you will start to see the reported sales numbers pick up later in the year."With the Australian dollar likely to strengthen later in the year, according to economists, and with interest rates remaining at record lows, sharp deals are expected to continue across most makes and models.At the top of the sales charts the Toyota Corolla and Mazda3 are in a tighter battle than the Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore ever were.The last time the Ford Falcon outsold Holden Commodore in a month, in September 2003, it was by just 48 sales (7409 versus 7361).The Toyota Corolla -- last year’s top seller -- has taken the lead in the new-car sales race for the first time in 2014, just 21 cars ahead of the arch rival Mazda3.The Mazda3 was Australia’s favourite car for two of the past three years and ended the Holden Commodore’s 15-year winning streak in 2011.Official sales figures for July show the Corolla was the top selling car for the fifth month in a row, but it is the first time it has topped the year-to-date tally after the Mazda3 posted an unusually high number of "demonstrator" deliveries at the start of the year.However, only four of the Top 10 brands posted sales gains, and Holden’s 10th month in a row of sales surges came to an end, posting an 11 per cent drop in July compared with the same month last year.The Holden Commodore has also posted its first monthly sales decline for the first time since the new model went on sale a year ago. But at least there was a silver lining for Holden: it had three cars in the Top 10.As a sign of the changing times, in the luxury segment Mercedes-Benz’s AMG division has outsold Holden Special Vehicles so far this year; figures show HSV sold 1056 cars to June (with the supercharged HSV GTS accounting for almost half of the brand’s sales) compared with 1208 AMG Mercedes-Benz cars.Top 10 cars in July 2014Toyota Corolla 3800 -- down 3.7 per centMazda3 3421 -- down 1.2 per centToyota HiLux 3140 -- up 5.6 per centHolden Commodore 2469 -- down 12.7 per centHyundai i30 2434 -- up 6.3 per centFord Ranger 2023 -- up 13.5 per centMazda CX-5 1895 -- up 15.7 per centToyota Camry 1806 -- down 12.4 per centHolden Cruze 1747 -- down 29.2 per centHolden Colorado 1443 -- down 14.8 per centTop 10 brands in July 2014Toyota 16,486 down 5.4 per centHolden 8990 down 11.3 per centHyundai 8351 up 4.3 per centMazda 8048 down 5.6 per centFord 6210 down 7.8 per centNissan 5451 up 7.5 per centMitsubishi 5042 down 10.4 per centVolkswagen 3991 up 0.6 per centSubaru 3121 up 0.6 per centHonda 2708 down 1.4 per centSource: Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, percentage change compared with the same month last year.

Ute sales boom to new record in June but not everyone was a winner.