Commentary by Bob Aldons - Northstar Motor Group

Long before I was a Chrysler Jeep Dodge, Isuzu Ute and Volkswagen dealer and way before Mitsubishi and Suzuki, my passion was with Ford through my employment with Torque Ford. For over 22 years, I sold the blue oval cars and trucks and I loved them unconditionally. Offers, and very attractive ones from Holden dealerships to move over to the Lion, were met with contempt. Once you're a Ford person, you could never sell Holden. And it's this reason that the demise of Ford in Australia is heart wrenching. From the coal face, I could tell you horror stories of the attitude of Ford personnel to the brand. But let's not kick someone when they're down, or should we?

Let's. Ford's demise didn't start in the last few years as consumers downsized from large cars to small, medium and SUV. It started long before that with ignorant or arrogant decisions by Ford USA and Ford Australia senior management - that's what I think anyway. A tip for automotive management - listen to your dealers - listen to the people at the coal face - listen to the people that have a passion for the brand.

It's all well and good to have a university degree - nowadays if you don't have one, you'll not get a position in any global automotive company. But it doesn't take a degree to know and feel what's happening in the market. Consultation with those who have a vested interest in the success of the company is an essential ingredient to that success. Listen carefully and those charged with the responsibility will become aware that it's not all about the board or the senior managers - it's about the people that drive the cars, the people who sell the cars and also the people who work on the cars.

Vale Ford Falcon - you'll soon be gone but never forgotten Today's announcement could easily be the beginning of the end for Ford Australia.


The Falcon will die in 2016.

The death notice was posted today with news of the 440 job losses at Ford Australia and the continued decline in production at the company's Broadmeadows factory.

The family-sized Ford has been on a slippery slope for nearly a decade, and the Holden Commodore has also been going badly backwards this year as customers have switched in ever-increasing numbers to imported SUVs. Things would probably have been even worse for Ford and its workforce if the Territory SUV was not contributing 50 per cent of sales for the troubled carmaker, which is being hit worst by a another 25 per cent downturn in large-car sales this year. No-one at Ford is making any promises beyond the end of 2016, following a planned update to the current Falcon in 2014 that's partly funded by more than $30 million from the Federal government.

That says everything about the Falcon and, most likely, Ford's extremely shaky future as a local manufacturer. But the trouble runs deeper, as the closure of Ford's car making business would almost certainly have knock-on effects at Holden and Toyota. The other two local brands rely on a web of Australian companies that supply components for their Commodore, Cruze, Camry and Aurion. Those suppliers need a critical mass for local production and, more importantly, the ongoing investment in new technology and components.

Without Ford Australia as a local producer, their future would also be shaky and - in a major knock-on - that could easily undermine the plans of Holden and Toyota. And it's important to remember that the Commodore is only locked in place until the end of 2016, although Holden - thanks to the Cruze, and the showrooms success of the locally-made compact car - is committed to a much longer future as a manufacturer.

So today's announcement could easily be the beginning of the end for Ford Australia - and perhaps even worse for the Australian motor industry.

  

Volkswagen have announced their plans to finalize the takeover of Porsche bringing to a conclusion the work done over the last 2 or 3 years. The German giant will complete the takeover by buying up the final 50% for 3.9 billion Euro

VW to finalise Porsche takover for €3.9billion

Volkswagen Porsche logos

The long winded story of Volkswagen's takeover of porsche looks to be finally heading for a conclusion. According to a report by Bloomberg, the German giant will complete its takeover of the sports car maker by buying up the remaining 50.1% of the company it does not own for €3.9 billion.

Unidentified managers within the VW hierarchy have confirmed that they will set up a holding company to take control temporarily. It is believed by completing the transaction before 2014 will save the company €1 billion in taxes.

Additionally, the necessary actions will be taken to ensure that Porsche will stay independent from the parent company, keeping the objections of the Porsche labor leaders at bay.

The companies had originally intended to merge together before Porsche attempted their own hostile takeover in 2009. After accumulating debts of more than €10 billion, the takeover was abandoned and the roles where reversed as Volkswagen came to their rescue.

Neither company is officially confirming if the rumours are true, but we'll keep you posted if or when they ever do.

Source: autonews - Read more: http://www.worldcarfans.com/112012340174/vw-to-finalise-porsche-takover-for-39billion#ixzz1kPUkPho7

Northstar Volkswagen Dealer Principal, Bob Aldons advised that the VW Golf was their number one selling model in 2011.

"Not only was it ours at Northstar, it was also Queensland's and Australia's top seller in the Volkswagen range" said Mr Aldons. Since returning Volkswagen to the Redcliffe area in August 2009, Northstar Volkswagen has seen sales grow by over 15% year on year in an industry that fell 5% nationally.

"This really attests to the strength of the Volkswagen brand overall and confirms the decision jointly between Volkswagen Group Australia and ourselves to locate and build our new showroom in Redcliffe" said Bob

Northstar delivered over 300 new VW's in 2011 with over 30% of these being Golf hatchbacks, wagons or the sporty GTI, GTD or R versions.

Expectations are high for another strong year in 2012. "Volkswagen have asked us to really increase our sales numbers this year - we're expecting over 400, an increase of nearly 30%" said Mr Aldons. "This of course will require us to increase the size of not only our sales team, but also the vital people in our service and spare parts departments"

Volkswagen Golf remains #1 in Europe

Redesigned model coming later this year

For the fourth consecutive year, the Volkswagen Golf has been crowned the best-selling car in Europe.

While sales declined by two percent, the German automaker still managed to sell 484,547 Golfs last year. The popular model was followed by the Polo which racked up sales of 356,490 units.

Rounding out the top five were the Ford Fiesta (348,465), Opel/Vauxhall Corsa (313,325) and Renault Clio (294,172).

As we have previously reported, Volkswagen will introduce the seventh-generation Golf at the Paris Motor Show. It remains unclear if the model will have the success of its predecessor, but the company is likely very optimistic.

Source: Automotive News - Read more: http://www.worldcarfans.com/112012340180/volkswagen-golf-remains-1-in-europe#ixzz1kPUbXAk9

NEVER complain in front of someone considerably older than yourself, unless you're prepared to be outdone.

The aged are brilliant complainers and have always had it tougher. They ate nothing but rotten turnips during the Depression, lived in tents in the middle of a road and had to sit around talking to family members before television was invented. Or something like that.

This happened in Germany recently after I test drove the new Volkswagen Scirocco coupe. It's finally coming to Australia in January despite being available in Europe since 2008.

It's a beautiful car and great fun to drive, so I couldn't help but complain about the delay, expressing frustration that Australians would have waited more than three years to get into one.

VOLKSWAGEN SCIROCCO R, small coupe
ENGINE: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol
OUTPUTS: 188kW at 6000rpm and 330Nm at 2500rpm
TRANSMISSIONS: Six-speed manual or dual-clutch automatic, front-wheel drive
PRICE: From $47,490 plus on-road costs
ON SALE: January

"Speak for yourself," said an esteemed motoring scribe of a far older vintage. "I've been waiting more than 30 years."

You see, this is not the first Scirocco Volkswagen has produced. That was way back in 1974, even before the first Golf, and my colleague drove one that was being evaluated for sale in Australia.

He loved it, but Volkswagen baulked at importing the Giugiaro-designed two-door. We also missed out on the second Scirocco that ran from 1981 to 1992. Australia was very nearly denied the Scirocco a third time because local Volkswagen execs were worried it would take sales away from the Golf GTI, which does exceptionally well here.

Instead it has decided to bring just one specification, the range-topping Scirocco R, which will cost $47,490 for the manual or an extra $2500 for the automatic.

It replaces the three-door Golf R in the Australian line-up, although you can still buy a five-door Golf R for $49,990.

The addition of an R on the end of a Volkswagen means it goes really fast, of course. In this case, both Golf and Scirocco R models have the same turbocharged 188kW 2.0-litre four-cylinder. It seems relatively benign until the 2600rpm mark, at which point it goes bananas. The surge is brutally exciting and there is a raucous quality to the exhaust note. It can reach 100km/h in 6.2 seconds and keeps going to 250km/h.

Choose the dual-clutch automatic and you will be rewarded with a lovely THRAP-sound when you flick a paddle and change up. The only problem with the auto is that it changes up whenever it wants, even in manual mode when you are pushing hard.

Going up the Stelvio Pass, a staggering mountain road filled with delicious hairpins near the Italian and Swiss borders, it dampened the mood by jumping up to third just before the braking zone of first-gear corners. The manual option gives you no reason to cuss and it's cheaper.

Normally, a key part of the R package is all-wheel drive to better deploy the extra power, but not this time. The Scirocco R sends all its power to the front wheels, and that's a shame. Punch hard out of a tight bend and the car's computer restricts the power to the wheel that wants to spin.

The Scirocco R would have been a better car with all-wheel drive, but it is still great fun. The excellent handling combines stability with agility and it just loves corners. While it is a two-door, the Scirocco is reasonably practical with good head and leg room in the rear seats and a relatively useful 312-litre boot.

The interior has the same simple premium design of high-end Golfs, although there were some quality issues including a few dodgy trim panels and the odd creak.

Not that I'm complaining. The Scirocco R may not be perfect but it does have a lot going for it. Including the important fact it is now available in Australia. Finally.