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Crystal Ball Gazing
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
Australian Driving by State, Age, Gender & Car Type
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 in this government – backed driver survey
An alarming one in six of those surveyed admitted falling asleep at the wheel, and up to 1 in 10 drivers said they had driven while they thought they might have been above the legal alcohol limit at least once in the last twelve months.
Our own Private Fleet survey conducted amongst a much larger cross section reached similar conclusions and also showed many more concerning traits.
• Young Toyota drivers are 40 percent more likely than the average driver to talk on the phone whilst driving but they are 30 percent less likely to drink and drive.
• Female drivers fare well except that they are more likely to text when driving than their male counterparts.
• Holden holds the unenviable title of housing Australia’s worst drivers, whereas Mazda comes out top as having the best behaved drivers.
• The Australian Capital Territory can proudly claim to have the best behaved drivers in the country. But South Australia takes the booby prize, however the worst driving individual segment goes, perhaps unsurprisingly, to NSW ‘P’ platers
• Tasmanian drivers are more likely to speed than their Victorian cousins.
• Remarkably 51 percent of West Australian drivers admitted to having consumed three or more standard drinks before driving.
Does this sound right to you? Put your own theories to the test here – and feel free to add your comment below…
Breaking news – another recall?
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 rain, water can leak on to the electic mechanism and can be a smoke and fire risk. Although it is understood that there are no reported health and safety incidents in Australia, apparently such an incident has allegedly led to the death of a two year old girl in South Africa last year, according to British media reports.
Apparently all recalled cars will be fixed with a waterproof skirt that will prevent further water getting in.
It is reported that over 650,00 Honda Jazz models are being recalled world wide.
It is not yet clear whether Honda Jazz models supplied in Australia will be subjected to a similar recall.
SAAB – SAVED?
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 deal is expected to close in February.
Thus, according to Spyker ” Saab’s future as an independent car maker is assured.”
Spyker will pay General Motors US$74m. in two instalments, to be completed by July 15th 2010.
But the sale is also subject to a loan of 400m. euros from the European Investment Bank, guaranteed by the Swedish Government.
So that all looks positive for Saab dealers, supporters and customers.
But is it sustainable?
Saab suffered a massive loss of production in 2009 over 2008. By ‘massive’ we mean no less than 76.7 percent!!
No business, let alone a highly structured car company, can survive these sorts of losses if such diminished returns continue.
It seems, therefore, that Spyker/Saab have a huge task in front of them if they are to preserve this iconic brand.
It will be interesting to see the difference between hopes and reality.
Level 2, 9 Help Street