Autos

Sharp new pricing, a longer list of standard equipment and now the new 2013 Audi A3 can add a 5-star safety rating to its list of credentials. A left-hand-drive, three-door Audi A3 scored an impressive 36.41 points out of a possible 37 in a Euro NCAP (New Car Assessment Program) safety test. The Euro NCAP test also satisfied the requirements of the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP), leading the organisation to award the car a 5-star safety rating. In the frontal offset... Read more The Motor Report is Australia's fastest growing auto website. Click through to read the full article.

A new police squad has been established to target anti-social 'hoon' behaviour among drivers in Melbourne’s south-east. During a three-month trial, the specialist squad will target overloaded vehicles, illegal street-racing and speeding. Tough new hoon laws introduced in 2011 gave police the power to immediately impound cars being used for anti-social behaviour. Minister for Police in Victoria, Kim Wells was in Dandenong yesterday to make the announcement. ... Read more The Motor Report is Australia's fastest growing auto website. Click through to read the full article.

Skoda's all-new 2014 Octavia range will be here later this year, but if you're in the market right now, there's a deal to be had with the current model. Introduced as production of the ageing second-gen model winds down, the Octavia Special Edition adds extra features and new drive-away pricing. In six-speed manual form, the Special Edition is available for $21,990 for the sedan and $23,690 for the wagon, marking savings of $3000 and $3300 respectively. A seven-speed DS... Read more The Motor Report is Australia's fastest growing auto website. Click through to read the full article.

Ford, General Motors and Chrysler will miss the Tokyo Motor Show for the third time running. The ‘big three’ from Detroit have not shown at the Japan event since 2007. Poor sales figures have been cited, but the carmakers initially turned down the invitation back in 2009 due to the onset of the Global Financial Crisis. Last year, Ford sold just 3952 cars in Japan while GM could manage only 2732 sales (1255 sales for Cadillac, 1477 for Chevrolet). Chrysler fared slightly bette... Read more The Motor Report is Australia's fastest growing auto website. Click through to read the full article.

It has been hinted at since last year, but now it’s official. Yesterday, Ford Australia finally announced the intention to cease its local manufacturing operations, ending production at the Broadmeadows and Geelong plants in October 2016. The closure will directly affect around 1,200 jobs at the two plants. Production in Australia has been around since 1925, the company first assembling Model Ts in Geelong, Victoria. Ford Australia currently assembles the Falcon, Falcon Ute and the Territory SUV. The SZ Territory’s primary export market is New Zealand, though it is also being exported to Thailand in small numbers. The decision on ending local manufacturing was driven by increasingly challenging market conditions, including market fragmentation and the high cost of manufacturing. Ford losses in Australia in the last five years have totaled approximately AUD$600 million. The company announced an after-tax operating loss of AUD$141 million for the 2012 financial year. This follows a loss of AUD$290 million in 2011. Since November 2012, production has slowed from 209 vehicles per day to 148 vehicles per day, due to a lessening demand for larger vehicles. Nonetheless, the company said that plans to launch updated versions of the Falcon, Falcon Ute and Territory in 2014 will continue. Despite the end to local production, Ford’s presence in the country will remain significant, and Australia is currently one of four product development hubs for Ford globally. The Australian product development team – more than 1,000 strong – has been responsible for designing, engineering and testing global vehicles, including the Ford Ranger. The post Ford Australia to close production plants in 2016 appeared first on Paul Tan's Automotive News. Related posts: Ford Escort Concept – production version rendered Import duties on cars from Japan, Australia to be reduced in stages to zero by 2016 – MITI Production European Ford EcoSport SUV revealed FPV Pursuit Ute, GT RSPEC on Ford stand in Sydney Mazda ends 20 years of US production, Ford to take over Flat Rock, Michigan plant Ford Territory – the SZ heads off to Thailand Ford to cease Aussie production by 2016, report says Toyota’s total vehicle production tops 200 million units Ford Focus – ASEAN production begins in Thailand Ford to end Phillipines production, close Santa Rosa plant by end of 2012

Huntington Beach Concours d'Elegance in California to celebrate 25 years of Lexus:

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Colour: Red/ Black with BlackDoors: 2Fuel Type: PetrolEngine Size: 1998Specs: Black, 1998 cc, Here at Dick Lovett we are delighted to off this Ariel Atom 3. With full Atom UK Service history, One Owner and very low mileage. 245 BHP and 5 speed manual gearbox. Factory fitted options include: Atom battery conditioner, Ltd slip diff, Aluminium dampers adjust, Two piece spring kit, 16Previous Owners: 1

Colour: Nero with Non StandardDoors: 2Fuel Type: PetrolEngine Size: 4499Specs: Non Standard, 4499 cc, ABS, Elec. Adjustable Steering Column, Alarm and immobiliser, Adaptive air suspension, ASR, CST Traction Control, Carbon-ceramic Brake, F1 Paddle Shift Gearbox, 20" Alloy Wheels, Protection cover for car and seats, Hi-Fi system with bluetooth, MagneRide shock absorber System (SCM2), Dual-Zone Climate Control, F1 Trac, Tyre repair kit, NIT racing in the instrumental panel, Bi-xenon headlamp with Led position and direction light, Manettino, Evolution of Electronic differential (E-Diff3), Carbon Racing Seats Large, Passenger Seat Kit, One Piece Wheel Nut, Quick Release Bonnet, Purspex Sliding Windows, High Pressure Overhead Dual Tank fuel System, Carbon Door Trim, Air Con, Removable Steering Wheel, Roll CageLarger Gear Shift Paddles, Carbon Engine Head Cover, Exterior And Interior Engine Kill Switch, Four Point Safety Harness, Built In Fire Extinguisher System, Nero Alcantara Steering Wheel Dash.

Colour: Nero Daytona with SabbiaDoors: 2Fuel Type: PetrolEngine Size: 5748Specs: Sabbia, 5748 cc, Leather Trim, Air Conditioning, Electric Windows, Central Door Locking, Electric Seats, Power Steering, ABS, Climate Control, Bi-Xenon Headlights, ASR, CST Traction Control, Headlight Sensors, Normal/Sport Gearbox and Damping Settings, Speed-sensitive Power Steering, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, Scuderia Ferrari shields