If you happen to see stars whilst at the snow this year there is no cause for alarm.

To coincide with the New South Wales ski season, Mercedes-Benz has established an Alpine Response Vehicle to further assist customers with any minor car problems whilst on holiday, and to maximise peace of mind when heading to the snow.
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Mercedes-Benz today announced Australian recommended retail prices for the all-new C-Class sedan range, the much-anticipated replacement for a highly-successful model series which has become the best selling model to grace the three-pointed star in Australia.

The new C-Class was an award winner even before it was released, earning an Environmental Certificate from German certification authority TÜV earlier this year. First revealed in January, the new saloon enjoyed a rapturous reception at this year’s Geneva Motor Show before wowing the world’s international motoring media in Spain later that month.
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When Chrysler bought Dodge in 1928, the need for a dedicated parts manufacturer, supplier and distribution system to support the growing enterprise led to the formation of the Chrysler Motor Parts Corporation (CMPC) in 1929.

Originally used in the 1920s, Mopar (a simple contraction of the words MOtor and PARts) was trademarked for a line of antifreeze products in 1937. It was also widely used as a moniker for the CMPC. The Mopar brand made its mark in the 1960s – the muscle car era. The Chrysler Corporation built race-ready Dodge and Plymouth “package cars” equipped with special high-performance parts. Mopar carried a line of “Special Parts” for super stock drag racers and developed its racing parts division called Mopar Performance Parts to enhance speed and handling for both road and racing use.
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Richard Chow-Wah, Chrysler Group Vice President – Powertrain Manufacturing, joined Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels to officially name Tipton County, Ind., as the site of a new dual-clutch transmission manufacturing plant with partner company, GETRAG. The $530 million investment is another step in Chrysler Group’s “Powertrain Offensive” – $3 billion in investments to produce more fuel-efficient engines, transmissions and axles for Chrysler Group.

“We appreciate the support that has been offered by state and local officials to help bring this investment to Indiana,” said Chow-Wah. “Together with our new partner, GETRAG, our combined $530 million investment in Tipton will create a state-of-the art facility to manufacture fuel-efficient, dual-clutch transmissions and reaffirm our long-term commitment to producing vehicles that meet and exceed consumers’ demands for more economical-to-operate vehicles.”
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The new Saab 9-3 range features bold, more assertive looks, reflecting a series of powertrain improvements that include the introduction of all-wheel-drive and more powerful diesel, petrol and BioPower (E85) engines.

Unveiled in Sweden ahead of its local launch in Australia around the end of the year, the distinctive frontal styling of the new 9-3 is inspired by Saab’s award-winning Aero X concept car.

The new 9-3 ranges boasts a ‘tri-fuel’ engine line-up and introduces to the range:

* Aero XWD (‘cross wheel drive’) with an industry leading advanced all-wheel-drive system and uprated version of the 2.8V6 turbo producing 206 kW and 400 Nm,
* TTiD, an innovative and powerful 132 kW, twin-stage 1.9 turbo diesel delivering 400 Nm of torque, and
* a new 2.0 litre BioPower engine for Sport Sedan, SportCombi and Convertible with 147 kW on E85 fuel.
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Global sales for convertibles and roadster models from Mercedes-Benz are posting impressive results: A total of 400,000 units of the current Mercedes-Benz SL and SLK roadster models and the CLK convertible have been sold to date. In the roadster segment, Mercedes-Benz is the worldwide market leader with the SL and the SLK.

The compact second-generation SLK-Class roadster alone has been sold to about 162,000 customers all over the world since its market launch in March 2004. With a total of 480,000 deliveries, the SLK is the best-selling premium roadster ever. The open two-seater is especially popular in Germany, where the SLK has a market share of around 55 percent in the roadster segment. More than half of the SLK roadster customers throughout the world have chosen the SLK 200 Kompressor.

Ever since the world-famous 300 SL gullwing coupé made its debut more than 50 years ago, Mercedes-Benz SL-Class sports cars have been among the world’s most fascinating and sought-after automobiles. The current SL-Class is the fifth generation to continue this tradition. About 133,000 enthusiastic customers have been delighted by its sophisticated design, pioneering technology, outstanding comfort and all-around driving pleasure.
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The ground-breaking BMW Hydrogen 7 has been presented to Deputy Mayor of London and London Hydrogen Partnership Chair, Nicky Gavron, at City Hall to raise awareness of hydrogen as an alternative energy source for tomorrow’s consumers.

BMW UK’s Head of Government and Industrial Affairs, John Hollis, handed over the BMW Hydrogen 7 for the use of the Deputy Mayor. Hydrogen is an efficient and clean form of power supply resulting in only water vapour exiting the exhaust. The car is part of BMW’s initiative to encourage debate around the role of hydrogen in the economy. For the next two months, cars will be evaluated in the UK by business leaders and opinion formers.
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The new Audi S3 has arrived in Australia.

Rounding out the A3 model line, the new 3-door Audi S3 is characterised by a potent 188 kW engine, quattro all-wheel drive and a 6-speed manual transmission, all combining to create a compact luxury sports car with a dynamic personality.

Its sparkling performance and practical features make the new S3– like all Audi S models – an ideal sports car for everyday use, according to Audi Australia’s managing director, Joerg Hofmann.

“The S3 has proven a very popular vehicle in Australia, with sales of the previous model exceeding our expectations. Interest in the new model has also been strong from potential customers via the dealer network. We expect to sell at least 100 units per annum thanks to the very sporty yet luxurious nature of this new model,” Mr Hofmann added.
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Sheer top-down sportiness, powerful engines and a stirring driving experience are the hallmarks of the new Audi TT Roadster which has now arrived in Australia.

The open-top two-seater, available in two engine versions, has retained all the strengths of its successful predecessor and added even more emotion, performance and dynamism to creat a sports car built to appeal to all the senses.

Both the award-winning 2.0 TFSI and potent 3.2 V6 engine, with S tronic transmission, are available for Australian buyers, priced at $77,500 and $92,900 respectively.

Audi Australia expects to sell more than 150 units per annum, with 70 percent of sales going to the 2.0 TFSI variant and the remaining 30 percent favouring the 3.2 V6 engine with quattro.
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After years of giving them teenage soaps, export lagers and a seemingly endless parade of Ashes thrashings, the Brits have finally sent Australia something better than warm beer and mushy peas – the all-new Honda Civic Type R.

The first shipment of the British-built Honda Civic Type Rs arrived this week from Southampton, en route to Honda showrooms for the official on-sale date during July this year.

With 148kW of power and 193Nm of torque emanating from the high-revving, 2.0-litre engine, the three door sports hatch will re-introduce the Type R badge back into Australia.

In true Type R style, the car’s focus is on the spirit of the drive, using the engine, six-speed manual gearbox and race-bred handling in harmony to provide the driver with an engaging driving experience.
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Ford’s latest hot-hatch, the Fiesta XR4, will deliver an exciting new sports performance option for small-car enthusiasts when it goes on sale this month.

Engineered in Germany and offering European styling and superb driving dynamics, the feature-laden Fiesta XR4 will have a recommended retail price of $24,990*.

“Fiesta XR4 will become the benchmark in the light car hot-hatch segment, as it boasts a specially modified 2.0-litre engine, numerous safety and sports enhancements and an eye-catching appearance,” said President of Ford Australia, Tom Gorman.

“It is a sexy, new and fun to drive car deserving of Ford Australia’s XR nomenclature, a badge which promises to deliver a special performance orientated vehicle.”
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Honda has been named as the top-rating non-luxury car brand, and fourth overall, in the J.D. Power and Associates 2007 Initial Quality StudySM (IQS) released yesterday.

The Honda Civic and the all-new Honda CR-V ranked as top vehicles in the compact car and compact MAV (Multi Activity Vehicle) segments, leading Honda to rise in the nameplate rankings by two positions to fourth.

IQS serves as the industry benchmark for new-vehicle quality measured at 90 days of ownership and captures problems experienced by owners in two distinct categories — quality of design and quality of production (defects and malfunctions).

The study ranked nameplates and vehicles based on survey reports of Problems Per Hundred Units (PPHU) studied. Honda vehicles averaged only 108 PPHU, an improvement of 2 PPHU over 2006.
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Subaru Australia has appointed Hiep Bui as its Chief Engineer.

Hiep is responsible for the management of the Engineering and Technical department.

Hiep joins Subaru from the NSW Government Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) - Crashlab where he spent 13 years as the Crash Barrier Manager.

During this time he was responsible for conducting the ANCAP test program plus numerous other road safety and occupant protection testing programs.

Nick Senior, Managing Director, Subaru Australia said: “Hiep comes to us highly recommended by the road safety community within Australia and his skills, knowledge and relationships will be a significant asset to our brand.”

Hiep reports to Derek Ashby National Manager Customer and Technical Services.

Already the benchmark for on-road dynamics, quality, safety and passenger comfort, the BMW 3 Series Sedan enhances its role as the luxury car for buyers with uncompromised style through the introduction of the Individual Luminance Edition, which is now available in limited numbers around Australia.

The Individual Luminance Edition of the BMW 3 Series Sedan is equipped with features that add even more exclusivity, comfort and style to the car that is the clear leader of its segment.

Starting with a glistening, exclusive range of colours from the BMW Individual range and adding even more luxury inside the cabin, the 3 Series Luminance is an unquestioned statement of buyer discernment.
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The BMW 3 Series now offers an Innovations Package that brings a host of BMW technical aids for improved safety and convenience.

Available for 320i, 320d in standard and Executive forms, 323i Sedan and Touring, and the 325i Sedan, the Innovations Package builds on the already high levels of equipment in the 3 Series.

For the now-reduced price of the BMW Business Navigation system ($2,500), the Innovations Package includes adaptive Bi-Xenon headlights, headlight washing system, High Beam Assist and USB/Audio interface.
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