Holden Rumored to Decide on the Future of the Commodore by the End of December

Once a production hub, Australia's motoring industry is now facing the prospect of losing one of its most acclaimed model series, the Holden Commodore (and apparently, its Caprice derivatives) after the upcoming redesign, which is scheduled for 2013.

While production of the 2013 Commodore VF will endure at least until 2017, The Sydney Morning Herald (via its Drive car site) is reporting today that Holden chairman and managing director Mike Devereux confirmed that the brand will decide on its local manufacturing future beyond 2018 before the end of December.

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Toyota Debuts New 2012 Camry Sedan in Australia [52 Photos]

Toyota continues its global roll out of the seventh-generation of its Camry sedan with the Australian launch. The down-under version of Toyota's bestseller is identical to the North American model sans for the interior fabrics, colour, and trim as well as the steering and suspension settings that were adapted for the local market.

The Australian Camry is produced in Melbourne with the factory being heavily dependent on exports, mainly to the Middle East region.

"Camry will be a significant contributor to the Australian and Victorian economies, and holds the key to a strong future for the local automotive sector," said Toyota Australia senior executive director sales and marketing, David Buttner.

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Video: Was This a Dangerously Close Call or a Ballsy Move?

A minor spat has broken out on Youtube over whether or not a Lotus Exige GT3 traveling close to 250km/h [155mph] should have passed in between a Mazda MX-5 and a Porsche Boxster during the Production Sports Cars CUE Enduro Series held at the Phillip Island circuit in Victoria, Australia.

If you watch the first video shot from an inboard camera on the MX-5, it looks like a rocket ship flew by inches away from the Japanese roadster. In fact, it all happens so fast that you have to actually pause the video to see the Exige GT3 driven by Barton Mawer.

According to the Philip Island Circuit's official website, the driver in the No66 MX-5 was Michael Hall. Here's what he said on Youtube:

"I'm chasing down a Porsche Boxster in the #66 Mazda MX5 whilst trying to hang onto the lead of Class E. Meanwhile Barton Mawer is trying to hunt down Alan Simonsen in the Lambo for the overall lead, and obviously not in the mood to waste any time."

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2012 Hyundai Santa Fe Modestly Refreshed in Australia

While Hyundai's engineers are working on the development of the next generation of the Santa Fe, which may carry the iX45 moniker in select regions, the Korea firm is presenting a 2012 model year version of the crossover with some very subtle cosmetic and equipment upgrades in Australia.

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Helicopter Crashes While Installing Giant Christmas Tree, Pilot Walks Away Unharmed! [Video]

A chopper that was using cables to help install a seven-story Christmas tree in central Auckland, New Zealand, crashed down to the ground on Wednesday morning.

Miraculously, the pilot, Greg Gribble, escaped virtually unharmed with only minor injuries, while no one else was hurt, despite the fact that workers were very close by under the helicopter when the incident occurred.

Television crews captured the dramatic footage showing the helicopter descending towards the waterfront when all of a sudden it started jolting like crazy before hitting the ground.

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Varley evR450 is Australia’s First-Ever Electric Supercar, Automotive Pictures

Australia’s claim to performance cars revolves mostly around V8-powered sport saloons such as the Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon. Powerful? Yes, especially the Holden HSV models but they are as far from the world of supercars as Australia is from the North Pole. Enter the world of Varley evR450. Billed as "Australia’s first-ever electric supercar", the yellow-mellow sports car was unveiled at the third Electric Vehicle Conference in Brisbane on October 26.
If you’ve never heard of Varley, that’s because it’s not really a car company but rather an industrial group with a 125-year history that manufactures all kinds of vehicles ranging from airport tugs and hospital bed movers to urban search and rescue models and transportable aircraft landing systems.
This is about to change as its Varley Electric Vehicles division is going all Mad Max in the electric supercar arena with the evR450. Its specifications are quite impressive: 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) comes in just 3.8 seconds, top speed is electronically limited to 200 km/h (125 mph) and its range is 150 km (93 miles) or 300 km (186 miles) with the optional range-extension pack.
Moreover, this is not just a flight of fancy, but a real car that has a price estimate of around AU$200,000 or US$211,000 and is scheduled to hit the streets early next year.
“You could expect seeing it on Queensland roads as early as January 2012”, said John Bettini, Varley Electric Vehicles division manager. We are proud of its technology based on Varley’s long experience in electric vehicles and out close relationship with Tritium and Ultramotive, two other local technology companies.”

Story References: Varley Group via Autoblog.Green

HDT Commodore VL / VE Group A is a Retro Throwback to the 1980s

HDT Commodore VL / VE Group A is a Retro Throwback to the 1980s

If you're not from the Land of Down Under or at least an avid Holden fan, then you're probably unfamiliar with the 1987 HDT Commodore VL SS Group A prepped by Australian racing legend Peter Brock. So before we get into the details on the new VL/VE Group A package, allow us to fill you in on a bit of the history. Up until the late 1980s, Peter Brock was running HDT, or Holden Dealer Team, but GM's Australian division subsequently cut ties with him after he began publicly supporting and fitting all HDT models with the a device called the "Energy Polariser".
It seems that Brock was undergoing a weird phase in his life then and had somehow been convinced that the "Energy Polariser", which was a box containing crystals and magnets, mysteriously gathered all the lost energy from the car and put it back, bettering performance and handling through "aligning the molecules". Weird stuff indeed…
More than two decades after and following Brock's death in a racing accident in 2006, the "Energy Polariser" is making a comeback as a tribute to the Australian legend in HDT's new VL/VE Group A Plus Pack based on the latest Commodore.
Along with the magical box, HDT's proposal comes with all the styling hallmarks of its classic predecessor including 1980's type aero components, a huge bonnet scoop, large 20-inch alloy wheels, original Peppermint Red body finish, a Bilstein suspension package, performance brakes and a heritage interior with rectangular headrests.
Power comes courtesy of a modified 6.2-liter V8 LS engine delivering a healthy 350kW or 470-horses along with a peak torque of 610Nm (450 lb-ft), and if that ain't enough, HDT also offers an optional supercharger package.
Only 250 examples of the VL/VE Group A Plus Pack Commodore will be built, each with its build papers, Peter Brocks’ signature and individual build plate.

VL/VE Group A Plus Pack Vehicle Specs Group A
Based on VE SS or SSV V8 Commodore
350kw performance engine package
HDT modified Bilstein suspension package
HDT Custom style body kit including bonnet scoop
Body finished in original Permanent Red
Performance brake package by Harrop
Custom Momo-like 20” custom wheels and tyres
HDT Custom Heritage interior
HDT Build plate (1 of 250)
DB Tech Energy Polariser
OPTIONS
HDT Supercharger Package
HDT Coil Over Suspension Package
HDT High Performance Brake Package
And all new to the VL/VE Retro
HDT Track Pack

PHOTO GALLERY:

The Price of Parking: Colliers’ Releases Results of 2011 Global Survey

The results of Colliers International’s 2011 Parking Rate Survey are in for the U.S., Canada and the rest of the world, and there are few surprises.
The U.S. national median monthly parking rate is US$155.22, with the highest being midtown Manhattan at US$541 and Renoa at US$45 the cheapest. In Canada, Calgary topped out at US$486 followed by Toronto at $342 USD and Montreal at $305 USD.