Sydney & Melbourne to Alternate Motor Shows
The organisers of the Sydney and Melbourne motor shows are looking at alternating their shows after increasing costs drive carmarkers out of attending two shows a year.
The Sydney and Melbourne motor shows are likely to be held on alternating years from 2009, with organisers of both events poised to change the scheduling to have just one major car show a year in Australia.
Private Fleet wants Fuel Watch Action on Diesel Prices
Privatefleet.com.au, Australia’s biggest online car buying service says that the price of diesel fuel should be reviewed by the Petrol Commissioner.
According to Privatefleet.com.au Marketing Director Tim Marsh, the sales of diesel powered cars were steadily increasing until May this year when the price of diesel began to accelerate away from petrol. Since May there has been a decline in the sale of diesel powered cars.
2009 Melbourne Motorshow
The 2009 Australian Motorshow is into its last week. As the only show this year with Sydney and Melbourne having agreed to alternate shows each year to appease cash-strapped car makers, the Sydney motor show will not be staged again until October 2010.
Despite a couple of withdrawals from brands for this show, Melbourne isn’t short of fresh metal – whether it’s shaped in production or concept form with over 340 different vehicles on display representing nearly 95% of all vehicles sold in Australia.
50% Tax Break on New Cars Explained
The federal budget has revealed an increase in the tax break for small and other sized businesses when they purchase equipment for more than $1,000.
This presents a fantastic opportunity particularly for small business in terms of vehicle acquisition as they should be able to claim an exceptional tax rebate.
Australia’s Great Drives – The Great Ocean Road
Stretching down along Australia’s Southern Coastline from Torquay to Allansford is perhaps Australia’s most well known “Great Drive” The Great Ocean Road. This long winding piece of roadway includes some of the most spectacular ocean views along its 243km journey. Broken up into 3 sections it is not a short trip by any means. In fact to do the road and yourself justice you be well advised to allow at least a couple of days to travel along it and see the many wonderful sights and towns that are nestled in along the route.
From the twelve apostles to natural rainforest waterfalls there is something along this road for everyone to marvel at. The road itself is an enjoyable and relaxing drive through the many bends and curves hugging the coastline, regardless of whether you’re on a motorbike, or in a 4WD, bus or car.
For those interested in its history the road itself was built between World War I and World War II by returned servicemen to honour their fallen comrades. The road took 16 years to build and was all done by hand with picks, shovels and dynamite. It was also Australia’s first toll road but was later a gift to the Victorian government and motorists no longer incur any toll.
2010 Australian GP Swansong
The Australian GP has just finished for another year with a sensational win for the F1’s newest team Brawn GP. Brawn GP has come out of the old Honda team who withdrew due to economic difficulties early this year. The management of the team bought out the license and on qualifying day picked up major sponsor Virgin before going on to have record a one-two finish in its first race. The twilight race at Melbourne was a limited success with crowds down and some drivers having problems with the glare coming in and out of corners.
The Melbourne GP is due to hold one more race next year before its contract expires and at the moment is fighting hard to hold on to the event for an additional term. It won’t be easy though with competition from other Australian states as well as international pressure with Russia and India looking to host a race from 2011.
With a complex negotiation going on between the Melbourne GP Corporation and the F1 governing body it could well mean that next year is the last GP in Melbourne if not Australia. Whilst other states may argue they are better suited to host or at least deserving of the right the real shame will be if Australia loses the right to host a GP anywhere in 2011. Unfortunately this may become a reality in the next few months meaning the 2010 GP could be Australia’s F1 swansong.
Australian Car Sales Down but hope on the Horizon
With the global financial crisis in full swing, Australian automotive sales are down across the board by around 22% this year. The decline has also impacted the second hand market with less sales being recorded there in the first few months of the year.
Manufacturers have also begun to cut back production and reduce allocation of vehicles to Australia with Honda topping the list with a 60% cut back in allocated vehicles against last years sales. A number of brands are also up for review with Saab, Hummer, and even Holden unsure of its future as problems persist with its parent company General Motors. The cuts in production and allocation has made it harder for individuals to gain discounts on their vehicle purchases with dealerships as they the dealers have attempt to achieve the same amount of profit from less vehicles.
2007 Frankfurt Motor Show
The Frankfurt Motor Show has just opened and features a definite theme – green.
Car makers have been jostling for position as each tries to show off its eco-friendly credentials with every major manufacturer featuring models with improved fuel efficiency, running on bio-diesel, batteries or hydrogen.
Tassie Connection
In around 4 to 5 hours of driving I believe you will experience unsurpassed contrast, magical colonial history and magnificent landscapes, more so than in any other 4 hour driving experience in Australia.
I’m talking about the drive from Hobart, the Island’s capital, to Strahan on the Wild West Coast.
Cylinder Displacement Systems
The thinking here is that you don’t need the power and grunt of a six or eight cylinder motor all the time.
So if you don’t need it, don’t use it and save fuel.
Level 2, 9 Help Street