I won’t write much here as we decided this was important enough to deserve a home page mention

Suffice to say, the announcement from Julia Gillard over the weekend could be good news for anyone looking to trade-in their old banger for a new fuel-efficient vehicle.  Please read the details on our Cash for Clunkers intro page and look forward to more comment and analysis on the rebate on this blog.

If it’s a Volvo it’s Swedish, and Vee Dubs are German, right? Well, not necessarily. We’ve done a quick fun quiz to show you that where a car is made is not so obvious.

To take part in the quiz click here

But on a more serious note, manufacturers do not have to reveal to their Australian customers where they make their cars.

If you buy oranges you want to know if they are locally produced or imported.

Strangely, if you want to buy leather shoes, electrical ......

Massive changes are happening in the motor industry right now, so can you imagine what it’s going to be like in twenty years time?

We asked three of our staff members what they thought the likely trends could be.

Their thoughts varied from all-electric cars to plastic engines and a China/India domination.

Click here to read the full article. If you disagree or have any other thoughts to add we’d love to hear from you, so please add your comments below

A recent survey conducted by the Social Research Centre confirms our own startling research survey conclusions conducted a year or so ago.
Australian drivers are simply not getting any better.

For example, a staggering 61 percent admitted illegally using mobile phones whilst driving, a shocking 30 percent said they had sent text messages and one in four believed they could drive 10 kph above the speed limit in a 100kph zone without being fined.
 
Sadly these are not the most serious indiscretions revealed ......

Hot on the heels of the Toyota world wide recall we hear that another Japanese manufacturer is suffering from the ignomony of a widespread product recall.

Honda in the UK has announced a recall of the Honda Jazz model produced between 2002 and 2008 so that electric window master switches can be checked.

Honda say that “the master switch in the driver’s door can malfunction when exposed to large amounts of liquid ingress”

That’s Honda-speak for getting wet.

If the driver’s window is left open during heavy ......

After several delays, the ‘on again, off again’ confusion over the future of Swedish car maker Saab has finally been determined, or has it?

Last month General Motors unequivocably announced the demise of Saab. There was horrified reaction to this and some desperate last ditch offers were put into the melting pot in a bid to reverse GM’s decision.

GM relented and re-considered.

Yesterday Spyker Cars announced that they had reached agreement with GM over the transfer of the ownership of Saab.

Terms are agreed and the ......

Four consortia have made last ditch bids for Saab after General Motors announced its intention to shut down the Swedish car company.

Amongst those involved in trying to save Saab is Bernie Ecclestone, the Formula 1 guru who said that Saab is ‘ a good brand that has probably been neglected by its current owners”. It has not been revealed how much he is personally offering for the purchase.

Spyker Cars have also submitted a modified bid to GM who have said that all four bids will ......

Any ideas that can help save you fuel are worth considering.

We’ve assembled ten of them, some obvious, others less so.

Here are our top ten.

1. Buy on the right day of the week.

2. Don’t buy ethanol added fuel.

3. Pump up your tyres

4. Slow down

5. Keep a clean air filter

6. Idling your engine costs fuel – the 60 secs. bench mark.

7. Turn off the aircon.

8. Maintain your car.

9. Proper start up procedure.

10. Buy a fuel efficient car.

For the full story on fuel saving ideas click ......

Hot on the heels of Saab’s likely demise, another iconic Swedish brand, Volvo, is to be sold to the Chinese.

Ford announced last week that agreement had been reached to sell its subsidiary, Volvo Cars, to China’s Geely Automotive for a reported $AUS 2.26 bn. (Ford acquired Volvo for $6.45 bn. US  just ten years ago).

The deal is expected to be completed early in 2010, though the Swedish press are sceptical – and angered.

” How can a former refrigerator parts manufacturer with just ten ......

A last ditch attempt to sell Saab to Spyker Cars has failed, forcing General Motors to announce “an orderly wind-down of Saab operations”

The demise of the very distinctive, if slightly quirky Swedish car maker is a direct result of the Global Financial Crisis and General Motors plans to dispense with its non-performing overseas assets.

GM said it would close Saab dealerships around the world, although it would honour warranties and provide service and parts to Saab owners.

It is likely that Saab owners will suffer ......