Holden Pushes Forward With Answers To The Diesel Demand

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:52:23 GMT

The 2008 Holden Astra CDTi Wagon will appeal to customers seeking a vehicle with more room and excellent performance as well as better fuel economy.

Available with six-speed automatic transmission with an Active Select feature, allowing the driver to shift gears manually, and using fuel at a rate of 7.1L/100Km, the Astra diesel variant is a serious contender in the diesel market.

The Epica VCDi will feature the same 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine that powers the Captiva Turbodiesel and will return a figure of 7.6L/100Km as opposed to the 9.3L/100Km on the six-cylinder petrol variant. Impressive figures that will tempt those looking for greater economy.

The four-cylinder diesel will also display power and torque outputs of 110/kW and 320 Nm and will be available with a five speed automatic gearbox.

Holden are clearly responding to their customers needs, with the Astra and the Epica making it four diesel options for the Holden range.

Hybrid Commodore by 2010

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:52:23 GMT

The introduction of a petrol-electric Commodore in response to worldwide environmental concerns will help secure the position of the Australian-made car as the brand’s most popular vehicle.

Hybrid engines can reduce fuel consumption by up to 50% by using a regular petrol engine combined with an electric motor.

The proposed hybrid is likely to arrive in dealerships within two years and is expected to be just the start of things in a wider plan to bring greater efficiency to the Holden range.

Speaking of the proposed plans, General Motors group vice president Nick Reilly said, ‘That could be one of the first hybrids you could see [in Australia from GM]. I would put a time frame on that of probably a couple of years.’

‘We will bring in a full range of things over the next couple of years. I think there should be a range of solutions. I wouldn’t be putting all our eggs in the hybrid basket.’

Diesel fans will be happy too, with talk of a diesel powered Commodore in the pipeline: ‘We don’t yet have a diesel Commodore but that will come,’ confirms ReillyEver the technological innovators, Holden have aimed to move with today’s green-focused times by offering environmentally sound vehicle choices, but will continue to focus on their current performance market too.

‘We’re going to stay very strong in those things [performance cars], because you don’t wipe out a love and a heritage for those type of vehicles,’ says Reilly. ‘And it’s what we know a lot of people in Australia enjoy.’

We have helped raise $61,000 for the Royal Children's Hospital

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:52:23 GMT

Ferntree Gully Holden, in a joint effort with the Melbourne Holden Dealers Association, has raised a staggering $61,000 for the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal by auctioning a brand new Holden Sportwagon which was donated by Holden.

The newly released VE Commodore SS V-Series Sportwagon in Phantom Metallic was won by a long-time and valued customer of Ferntree Gully Holden, Sonya Causer, who submitted the highest bid.

The Good Friday Appeal online auction, which is just one part of an ongoing mission to raise crucial funds to ensure all children with life threatening illnesses receive the best possible care, has raised a total of $127,170 for 2008 so far.

The amount raised by all lines of fundraising for the charity throughout Victoria totals $3,100,170 for 2008 so far.

Ferntree Gully Holden is thrilled to be a part of such a worthwhile cause and we thank Sonya for her donation and hope she enjoys her new Sportwagon for years to come.

Barloworld Mascot customer wins Polo

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:52:23 GMT

Busy with work as per usual. Have been back at work for a couple of weeks now after having a week off and jetting to Thailand for a NOVA promotion. It was only a couple of days work followed by 5 days in Koh Samui with my sister and it was heaven! Which is why it is great to feel as though Summer is on its way back here at home after being spoilt with a bit of sunshine overseas!

This time of year has a sense of excitement because the good weather is on its way and everyone starts coming out of hibernation.. Getting out the house, going away for the weekend, even planning Christmas holidays!!

I write this on a Friday afternoon so am eager to get out of the office with the weather supposedly 31 outside! I am about to jump in my Golf GTI and head straight to Neilson Park in Vaucluse for a swim and some serious relaxation in the sun or the shade of a tree somewhere beautiful. Just as well the aircon works in the heat as well as the seat warmers did in winter!

Sunday sees me heading to Barloworld to give away a brand new to a lucky winner of a promotion run recently at Barloworld Volkswagen Mascot and Five Dock! STOP PRESS: Me pictured with Marilena Anastassiou who was drawn as winner of the Polo in Barloworld's Olympic Sale Competition.

Beetle is a girl’s most wanted car!

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:52:23 GMT

The New Beetle Cabriolet has won the award for Most Wanted Car in AutoChic’s Car of The Year Awards for women!

The Beetle Cabriolet’s “Most Wanted Car” title was announced by www.autochic.com.au, Australia’s leading automotive website for females, following a six-month voting period during which time over 25,000 votes were cast.

The girls of Australia were asked to nominate and recommend their favourite vehicles in each of five categories most relevant to them, including the Best First Car, the Most Wanted Car, the Sexiest Girl’s Car, the Best Car for a Girl on a Budget, and the Best Car for Mums (aka the best yummy-mummy mobile).

With women now buying over 50% of all new cars, and making the final decision in 85% of all new car purchases, the awards were created to demystify the car-buying decision by involving women in the industry on their own terms.

Auto Chic’s Managing Director Kathy Hamill commented: “The results reflect a diversity in tastes and lifestyles, and has resulted in the most comprehensive guide online as to ‘what women want’ – in a car, at least!”

Barloworld's Service Champions

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 11:52:23 GMT

Why would you have your Volkswagen serviced anywhere else?

After all, we are the service champions!

At Volkswagen, Australia's recent Service Qualification World Championships, which determined Australia's best technician, Barloworld Volkswagen secured first and second spot.

Our service technicians John Borda and Daniel Faliszewski walked away with first and second place respectively - a truly remarkable achievement.

Well done to both of our lads and we wish John all the best as he competes against 62 other countries later this month to be crowned the World Champion.