THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES has passed the Rudd Government’s proposed Automotive Transformation Scheme Bill, which aims to inject an estimated $3.4 billion into the  local car industry.

The Bill aims to stimulate innovation and investment in Australian new car design, with a particular emphasis on environmentally-friendly technology.

The money is intended to be spent between 2011 and [...]

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THE RUDD GOVERNMENT and State Premiers are expected to discuss the introduction of mandatory carbon emission standards at this week’s Council of Australian Governments meeting in Darwin - a move which could precipitate radical change in the local car industry.

Green-car incentives are also said to be on the agenda and, if approved, could give buyers [...]

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THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT has followed Victoria’s lead and decided to move ahead with plans to make electronic stability control (ESC) mandatory under Australian Design Rules (ADRs) for all new passenger cars sold in Australia.

Last year the Rudd Government signed its acceptance of a new global technical regulation that will make ESC standard fitment for passenger [...]

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Victoria’s auto industry body the VACC has given a nod of approval to the Federal Government’s continued support for the LPG conversion rebate scheme. It has also encouraged small business owners to take advantage of the new tax breaks on new vehicle purchases announced in the Federal Budget.

Treasurer Wayne Swan announced a reduction in the [...]

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The Federal Government has announced that petrol is to be granted a reprieve from the impending emissions trading scheme, and won’t be affected by it for three years after it kicks off. The news should certainly come as a relief to motorists worried that emissions trading would drive the cost of fuel up.

The introduction of [...]

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Toyota has today unveiled its Hybrid Camry at the Australian International Motor Show, forming just one component of a very hybrid-focused stand for Toyota this year.

The model on display is a left-hand-drive US-specification car, which has been brought specially to Australia for evaluation by Toyota Australia and the Federal Government.

Production of an Aussie-built hybrid Camry [...]

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Not everyone has been thinking with their bums on the dual issues of high petrol prices and urban congestion.

Victorian motor body, VACC, has called on State and Federal Governments to give more support to scooter and motorcycle riders. It says that high petrol prices are fuelling the case for two-wheeled transport, and is calling on [...]

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Following the recent announcement by Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited that they are ceasing manufacture of the 380 sedan in Australia and in the face of continually falling locally made large car sales, comes the announcement that the Australian Federal Government will undertake a major review of Australia’s automotive manufacturing industry.

The move has been welcomed by [...]

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Mitsubishi Motors Australia Ltd (MMAL) together with its parent company Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) has confirmed that while it is committed to being a long-term participant in the Australian car market, regretfully its Tonsley Park production facility in Adelaide, which manufactures the 380 sedan, will cease operations.

Mitsubishi Motors Australia Ltd President and CEO Robert [...]

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Headlining the local auto industry news today is the likely (but not confirmed) closure of Mitsubishi’s Adelaide manufacturing plant. A number of Mitsubishi execs have told Bloomberg, the financial news service that the plant would be closed due to poor sales of the 380 model that is produced there, with production likely to shift to [...]

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