PSU’s Dime a Dozen

What tomorrow will bring What tomorrow will bring.

New Zealand Herald (Auckland, New Zealand) January 6, 2011 T HE new-vehicle industry in New Zealand goes into 2011 a lot happier than it went into 2010. No word on overall 2010 sales yet but the market towards the end of last month was running at an average 14 per cent up on 2009 _ 12 percent for passenger cars and 16 per cent for commercials.

It was welcome relief after a bleak 2009, when around 70,000 new cars and commercials were sold, a slump of 28 per cent from about 97,000 units in 2008.

Industry analysts were forecasting sales in 2010 of between 78,000 and 80,000. Another 12 per cent gain in 2011 would push sales towards 90,000.

The Motor Industry Association is happy with growth in 2010. “We don’t have the final figures yet but looking at the segments, the biggest change occurred in the SUV segment, with compact and medium SUVs accounting for nearly a quarter of all sales,” said CEO Perry Kerr. “This came at the expense of the small segment, which was down 2.8 per cent at the end of November. Most other segments fell by around 1 per cent.” Kerr said the industry is optimistic going into 2011. “Sales should remain buoyant due to an election year coupled with the economic benefits arising from the Rugby World Cup.” So what’s new in 2011? A whole bunch of new vehicles. Here’s an indication, some of which have been confirmed, some not.

Aston Martin: Officially, no new models for New Zealand. Unofficially, expect two new variants to be unveiled at the Geneva motor show in March. One, say the rumours, is a potential replacement for the ageing DB9. The New Zealander who bought the $2.6 million limited-edition One-77 Aston gets the keys to it mid-year. His will be one of only 77 in the world.

Alfa Romeo: Highlight of the year is the Giulietta, the hatchback that topped the Euro NCAP crash test. The three-door MiTo gets a dual-clutch automatic gearbox and stop-start fuel-saving technology.

Audi: Luxury segment leader will unveil the A7 Sportback this month and the go-fast RS3 hatchback later in the year. Expect upgrades across the range.

Bentley: First up is the Mulsanne saloon, due in a few weeks and priced at $595.000. Facelifted GT arrives in May. It doesn’t look much different from the existing model, but Bentley says there’s not a single common panel between the two. Under the bonnet is the same 6-litre W12 engine but this time with a pair of turbos, which lifts power to 423k and torque to 700Nm. Price? Around $400,000.

BMW: New 5-Series models, including Touring station wagon. SUV X3 lands next month. Facelifted 1-Series and 6-Series due. Also a rumour that the bahn-storming M5 will appear later in the year.

Chrysler: New Jeep Grand Cherokee on sale in a few weeks.

Citroen: New C3 hatchback, C5 facelift, DS3 Racing, among others.

Ferrari: Big surprise in 2011, says Ferrari boss Luca Di Montezemolo. The smart money is on a new generation V12 grand tourer to replace the 612 Scaglietti, which is expected to use more light weight materials in the quest for improved fuel economy and performance. The yet-to-be-unveiled 458 Italia Spider may arrive Downunder later in the year.

Fiat: Expect upgrades across range. Sportier Abarth version of 500 mid-year.

Ford: Updated turbo-diesel Territory gets 2.7-litre engine from Discovery3 Land Rover. Upgrades to Falcon range. Ranger ute arrives late in year. Talk that the Focus might sneak in around then too. go to web site new zealand map

Honda: Heading into hybrid heaven with new offerings. Jazz, Civic, CR-Z coupe. The hybrid Insight kick-started sales charts late last year.

Holden: Upgrades across Commodore and Cruze range, including new Cruze hatch around Christmas.

Hyundai: Record sales in 2010. Host of new models due, including sedans, wagons and Velostar coupe.

Jaguar: Expect upgrades but nothing new.

Kia: New Carnival people-mover at Detroit show. Impressive Optima sedan on sale here next month. Expect upgrades across range.

Lamborghini: New Gallardo LP 550-2 is the price leader, weighing in at 1380kg and sitting at around $370,000. It is essentially a rear-wheel drive version of Lamborghini’s all-wheel drive LP 560-4. Lamborghini changed springs, dampers, stabilisers, tyres, revised the e-gear six-speed transmission, upgraded rear axle with a 45 per cent limited slip differential, and modified the stability control system to allow good drivers to tuck the tail out. Power comes from a 5.2-litre V10.

Land Rover: Rugby World Cup vehicle sponsor has big year ahead, mostly ferrying around rugby VIPs during the tournament. New Freelander range arrives soon; one model gets stop-start technology. Range Rover Evoque due later in year.

Lexus: Goes into all-new territory with the petrol-electric CT200h, a five-door hatchback a bit bigger than the Toyota Corolla. Lexus believes the hybrid could boost sales figures in Europe by a whopping 50 per cent. The car should give sales in New Zealand a lift, too. It is Lexus’ new entry-level model and due March/April. Nothing else this year, apart from the odd upgrade.

Lotus: Nothing on the New Zealand map but across the ditch Lotus plans to launch its new supercharged Evora S. The booster bumps up performance from the 3.5-litre Toyota V6, to 258kW/400Nm from the regular Evora’s 206kW/350Nm. Also expected is the Evora IPS (Intelligent Precision Shift), a paddle-shift automatic version of the regular Evora.

Maserati: The fastest, lightest and most powerful version of Maserati’s GranTurismo arrives mid-year. The MC Stradale ditches the coupe’s two rear seats to help reduce weight by 110kg, while the 4.7-litre V8 gets slight increases in power and torque to 330kW and 510Nm.

T HE new-vehicle industry in New Zealand goes into 2011 a lot happier than it went into 2010. No word on overall 2010 sales yet but the market towards the end of last month was running at an average 14 per cent up on 2009 _ 12 percent for passenger cars and 16 per cent for commercials.

It was welcome relief after a bleak 2009, when around 70,000 new cars and commercials were sold, a slump of 28 per cent from about 97,000 units in 2008.

Industry analysts were forecasting sales in 2010 of between 78,000 and 80,000. Another 12 per cent gain in 2011 would push sales towards 90,000.

The Motor Industry Association is happy with growth in 2010. “We don’t have the final figures yet but looking at the segments, the biggest change occurred in the SUV segment, with compact and medium SUVs accounting for nearly a quarter of all sales,” said CEO Perry Kerr. “This came at the expense of the small segment, which was down 2.8 per cent at the end of November. Most other segments fell by around 1 per cent.” Kerr said the industry is optimistic going into 2011. “Sales should remain buoyant due to an election year coupled with the economic benefits arising from the Rugby World Cup.” So what’s new in 2011? A whole bunch of new vehicles. Here’s an indication, some of which have been confirmed, some not.

Aston Martin: Officially, no new models for New Zealand. Unofficially, expect two new variants to be unveiled at the Geneva motor show in March. One, say the rumours, is a potential replacement for the ageing DB9. The New Zealander who bought the $2.6 million limited-edition One-77 Aston gets the keys to it mid-year. His will be one of only 77 in the world.

Alfa Romeo: Highlight of the year is the Giulietta, the hatchback that topped the Euro NCAP crash test. The three-door MiTo gets a dual-clutch automatic gearbox and stop-start fuel-saving technology.

Audi: Luxury segment leader will unveil the A7 Sportback this month and the go-fast RS3 hatchback later in the year. Expect upgrades across the range.

Bentley: First up is the Mulsanne saloon, due in a few weeks and priced at $595.000. Facelifted GT arrives in May. It doesn’t look much different from the existing model, but Bentley says there’s not a single common panel between the two. Under the bonnet is the same 6-litre W12 engine but this time with a pair of turbos, which lifts power to 423k and torque to 700Nm. Price? Around $400,000.

BMW: New 5-Series models, including Touring station wagon. SUV X3 lands next month. Facelifted 1-Series and 6-Series due. Also a rumour that the bahn-storming M5 will appear later in the year. site new zealand map

Chrysler: New Jeep Grand Cherokee on sale in a few weeks.

Citroen: New C3 hatchback, C5 facelift, DS3 Racing, among others.

Ferrari: Big surprise in 2011, says Ferrari boss Luca Di Montezemolo. The smart money is on a new generation V12 grand tourer to replace the 612 Scaglietti, which is expected to use more light weight materials in the quest for improved fuel economy and performance. The yet-to-be-unveiled 458 Italia Spider may arrive Downunder later in the year.

Fiat: Expect upgrades across range. Sportier Abarth version of 500 mid-year.

Ford: Updated turbo-diesel Territory gets 2.7-litre engine from Discovery3 Land Rover. Upgrades to Falcon range. Ranger ute arrives late in year. Talk that the Focus might sneak in around then too.

Honda: Heading into hybrid heaven with new offerings. Jazz, Civic, CR-Z coupe. The hybrid Insight kick-started sales charts late last year.

Holden: Upgrades across Commodore and Cruze range, including new Cruze hatch around Christmas.

Hyundai: Record sales in 2010. Host of new models due, including sedans, wagons and Velostar coupe.

Jaguar: Expect upgrades but nothing new.

Kia: New Carnival people-mover at Detroit show. Impressive Optima sedan on sale here next month. Expect upgrades across range.

Lamborghini: New Gallardo LP 550-2 is the price leader, weighing in at 1380kg and sitting at around $370,000. It is essentially a rear-wheel drive version of Lamborghini’s all-wheel drive LP 560-4. Lamborghini changed springs, dampers, stabilisers, tyres, revised the e-gear six-speed transmission, upgraded rear axle with a 45 per cent limited slip differential, and modified the stability control system to allow good drivers to tuck the tail out. Power comes from a 5.2-litre V10.

Land Rover: Rugby World Cup vehicle sponsor has big year ahead, mostly ferrying around rugby VIPs during the tournament. New Freelander range arrives soon; one model gets stop-start technology. Range Rover Evoque due later in year.

Lexus: Goes into all-new territory with the petrol-electric CT200h, a five-door hatchback a bit bigger than the Toyota Corolla. Lexus believes the hybrid could boost sales figures in Europe by a whopping 50 per cent. The car should give sales in New Zealand a lift, too. It is Lexus’ new entry-level model and due March/April. Nothing else this year, apart from the odd upgrade.

Lotus: Nothing on the New Zealand map but across the ditch Lotus plans to launch its new supercharged Evora S. The booster bumps up performance from the 3.5-litre Toyota V6, to 258kW/400Nm from the regular Evora’s 206kW/350Nm. Also expected is the Evora IPS (Intelligent Precision Shift), a paddle-shift automatic version of the regular Evora.

Maserati: The fastest, lightest and most powerful version of Maserati’s GranTurismo arrives mid-year. The MC Stradale ditches the coupe’s two rear seats to help reduce weight by 110kg, while the 4.7-litre V8 gets slight increases in power and torque to 330kW and 510Nm.