Japan strikes back! The cool new-wave cars, SUVs and MPVs denied to Australians, including the latest Honda Prelude, Toyota Crown, Suzuki Alto and more

Japan strikes back! The cool new-wave cars, SUVs and MPVs denied to Australians, including the latest Honda Prelude, Toyota Crown, Suzuki Alto and more

23 Jul 2024 by Byron Mathioudakis

Japan is on a roll. Not since the heyday of the ’80s and early ‘90s has its car industry been so confident and progressive, taking wild chances when – in the past – things ...Read more
Dude, where are our cars? From the Holden Caprice and Ford Territory to the bargain-basement Suzuki Alto and sexy Honda CR-Z coupe, the car segments that have virtually or totally disappeared over the past decade

Dude, where are our cars? From the Holden Caprice and Ford Territory to the bargain-basement Suzuki Alto and sexy Honda CR-Z coupe, the car segments that have virtually or totally disappeared over the past decade

28 May 2022 by Byron Mathioudakis

Australians used to be spoiled for choice. Read more
Zombie car apocalypse! How are the 2006 Toyota FJ Cruiser, 1997 Nissan Navara, 1986 Mazda 121 and other cars still in production in 2021, and why?

Zombie car apocalypse! How are the 2006 Toyota FJ Cruiser, 1997 Nissan Navara, 1986 Mazda 121 and other cars still in production in 2021, and why?

5 Sep 2021 by Byron Mathioudakis

Australia is regarded as one of the world’s most sophisticated and mature vehicle markets. We’re right up there with the richest. ...Read more
High-performance concept cars debuted at 2016 Tokyo Auto Salon

High-performance concept cars debuted at 2016 Tokyo Auto Salon

8 Jan 2016 by Craig Duff

Flares have never gone out of fashion in Japan and the annual Tokyo Auto Salon shows why. Read more
Best small car deals for under $16,000

Best small car deals for under $16,000

31 Oct 2014 by Joshua Dowling

The small-car segment has plenty of options - the players are frugal yet safe and well-appointed. Here are the best buys under $16K. Read more
Toyota reveals ultra-efficient engines

Toyota reveals ultra-efficient engines

14 Apr 2014 by Daniel Bishop

The new family of engines will give 15 Toyota and Daihatsu models an efficiency gain of up to 30%, including Toyota's new Yaris due in 2015.The Yaris will be battling for top spot in light car sales ...Read more
Why new-car prices WON'T be cheaper with Japan FTA

Why new-car prices WON'T be cheaper with Japan FTA

8 Apr 2014 by Joshua Dowling

Don't expect new-car prices to suddenly drop by 5 per cent now that a Free Trade Agreement has been signed with Japan -- where 35 per cent of all new cars sold in Australia come from -- but you might ...Read more
This week a good time to buy a new car

This week a good time to buy a new car

25 Mar 2014 by Joshua Dowling

New-car prices will hit new lows between now and the end of the month as Japanese brands push to reach their sales targets before the end of the Japanese financial year, which is March 31.March is ...Read more
2014 Suzuki Alto Celerio set for European debut

2014 Suzuki Alto Celerio set for European debut

7 Feb 2014 by Malcolm Flynn

Hot on the heels of its global debut in New Delhi this week, Suzuki will show its new Celerio sub-light hatch at the Geneva motor show next month.Described as a new global A-segment model, the new ...Read more
Next Suzuki Alto revealed

Next Suzuki Alto revealed

5 Feb 2014 by Karla Pincott

The leaked images are from a brochure for the Maruti Celerio, the replacement for the Maruti A-Star nameplate the Alto wears in the Indian market.The car is being unveiled tomorrow at the Indian Auto ...Read more
2014 Suzuki Alto previewed

2014 Suzuki Alto previewed

2 Dec 2013 by Karla Pincott

The next Suzuki Alto five-door hatch promises to be bigger and roomier, with the design being previewed in the A:Wind concept unveiled in Thailand.Measuring up with the same 1600mm width as the ...Read more
Price cuts push 1000 per cent sales boom

Price cuts push 1000 per cent sales boom

26 Sep 2013 by Daniel Bishop

As the Australian car sales race heads into the final quarter lap for 2013, most eyes are on what will be the top car. But further back in the field, there’s been a big improvement for several ...Read more
Suzuki Alto recall tally rises to 13,000

Suzuki Alto recall tally rises to 13,000

25 Jul 2013 by Karla Pincott

Suzuki has recalled 13,216 Alto models from 2009 onwards for a heating system fault. The recall notice says the Alto’s heater blower motor may jam, causing the resistor fuse to overheat and cut out, ...Read more
Car running costs

Car running costs

8 Jul 2011 by Mark Hinchliffe

….over the past year thanks to decreasing finance costs and fixed price servicing. The Suzuki Alto, Barina Spark and Hyundai Getz shared the honours as the cheapest cars on our roads, according to ...Read more
Saving money downsizing, LPG, hybrids and diesels

Saving money downsizing, LPG, hybrids and diesels

19 May 2011 by Mark Hinchliffe

The spiralling petrol prices mean fuelling a family car like a Commodore or Falcon now accounts for 2.6 per cent of average weekly earnings. But you don't have to sit back and take it in the hip ...Read more
Ed Ordynski's fuel-efficient driving tips

Ed Ordynski's fuel-efficient driving tips

15 Feb 2011 by Stuart Martin

Then we head north in a Holden Cruze and Mitsubishi ASX, looking to see how far this pair can go on a single take of fuel.  Ed Ordynski is in the ASX and I have the Cruze, holding  the trip computer ...Read more
Ono inspired Suzuki changes

Ono inspired Suzuki changes

26 Aug 2010 by Paul Gover

He is - or was - Hirotaka Ono - a visionary who re-invented the Japanese brand and changed everything, from boosting the quality of its cars to creating the can-do attitude among senior managers that ...Read more
Clunker rebate 'too small to work'

Clunker rebate 'too small to work'

29 Jul 2010 by Neil McDonald

Suzuki boss, Tony Devers, wants it ramped up to make it more attractive to motorists."If you look at some of the countries in Europe, they had incentives of up to 5000 Euros ($7200)," he says. "The ...Read more
Suzuki Alto lowers fuel economy

Suzuki Alto lowers fuel economy

13 Jul 2010 by Karla Pincott

Shod with new low rolling-resistance tyres, the Alto’s fuel consumption has dropped to 4.7 litres per 100km with the manual transmission, a reduction of 0.1 litre. The tyres have also reduced the ...Read more
Suzuki Alto tyre problem fixed

Suzuki Alto tyre problem fixed

6 May 2010 by Neil McDonald

Suzuki Australia and tyre supplier Goodyear were quick to repond after reports from concerned owners over problems sourcing replacement rubber for the Alto's 14-inch rims.  A shipment of 155/65R14 ...Read more
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