Keema News - Aug 2009

1. MY2010 Nissan DUALIS range repurposed and repositioned

Overview

Nissan extends the appeal of the DUALIS model range, adding a new 2WD version and

simplifying the DUALIS AWD line-up. Standard specifications improve and prices now

start at a highly competitive $24,990 (plus dealer delivery and on road costs.)

In Detail

Nissan Australia has significantly enhanced the market appeal of the versatile DUALIS

family with the arrival of a new front-wheel drive model, DUALIS Hatch.

The DUALIS 2WD Hatch will target buyers of small hatches with strong visual appeal,

safety, spaciousness, flexible interior and an attractive entry price; all key factors that

have supported the success of DUALIS in Europe since 2007.

The Nissan DUALIS AWD was introduced to Australia in January 2008 in ST and Ti

grades. (The ST model was also available with a safety option pack.)

Now, Nissan has reconfigured DUALIS specifications in the Australian market to provide it

with unrivalled value.

There will now be DUALIS 2WD and DUALIS AWD models on offer later this month, both

of which are available in ST and Ti equipment grades.

The previous DUALIS ST Option pack is now incorporated as standard in the ST variant.

The premium specification of the DUALIS AWD Ti remains unchanged and is shared with

the DUALIS 2WD Ti.

The only difference between the DUALIS 2WD and DUALIS AWD is the drivetrain and the price.

The entry model to the DUALIS range, the new 6-speed manual DUALIS 2WD ST Hatch

is priced at a value-driven $24,990 (plus dealer delivery and on road costs.)

The 6-speed manual Nissan DUALIS AWD ST model is now priced at only $26,990 (plus

dealer delivery and on road costs.)

The DUALIS 2WD ST with the Xtronic Continuously Variable Transmission with six-speed

M-MODE is priced from $27,490, while the DUALIS AWD with the CVT transmission is

priced at $29,490 (both plus dealer delivery and on road costs.)

Following its success last year, the Hyundai i30 SX CRDi will aim to retain its crown as class winner of the Modern Challenge category in this years 2009 QUIT Targa West tarmac rally.

This years competition sees a record 99 vehicles entries, with the Modern Challenge category attracting an 9 impressive competitors including a Nissan GTR 35, a Ferrari 575M GTC, a Subaru Impreza WRX STI and an Audi S4.

We really love hitting the tarmac in the i30 CRDi, said driver Razvan Vlad, the W.A. based environmental specialist who steered the i30 to success last year. The production standard Australian suspension and steering set-up is a great match for the course whilst its Green Diesel engine also reduces the vehicles impact on the environment. With a wider entry field, the competition is going to be fierce.

Genuine Hyundai Accessories are fitted to the production i30 SX CRDi Green Diesel including alloy wheels and a rear spoiler. Apart from the fitment of semi-slick tyres, upgraded front brake pads and safety equipment to meet competition requirements, the car is completely standard.

Hyundais 2009 entry is again a collaborative initiative between Hyundai Motor Company Australia, supplying the vehicle, and the Western Australian Hyundai Dealer network, which will support the event with technicians and a professional race support team.

After winning the Modern Challenge category last year, the Hyundai team is determined to repeat its success! said Heinz Wiesner, Regional General Manager Western Region. A win would crown what has been a tremendous year of sales growth for Hyundai in WA.

Nissan Australia has launched an online pricing calculator, which enables customers

within Australia to determine the purchase cost of a vehicle in their locality.

With the introduction of regulations for published pricing in the motor industry, local

product pricing has become harder to define. The Nissan Pricing Calculator found on each

product page on www.nissan.com.au makes it possible for customers to obtain an

estimated driveaway price* that is relevant to the area in which they intend to purchase.

"Nissan continues to be innovative when is comes to customer relationships and this latest

initiative creates another level of convenience." Andrew Holbrook Nissan Motor Co, Model

Line Marketing Manager SUV's and Commercial Vehicles

The Nissan Pricing Calculator has been designed to take into consideration all of the

various statutory charges around Australia. It provides customers an estimated driveaway

price* for their vehicle of choice. The calculator will work out an average estimate for each

individual State/Territory based on the following components:

o RRP or for Business reg "ABN" pricing for Navara and Patrol C/C

o Dealer Delivery

o Statutory Charges and whether business or private registration including LCT and

any other stated variable charges.

o CTP is based on an average of high and low risk insurance areas and

Private/Business rates for individual States and Territories.

The Calculator is very easy to read and gives customers the choice to select their model

and whether they want standard, metallic or premium paint. The customer also nominates

whether they intend to register the vehicle in a business or private name which, determine

what statutory charges are applicable to them.

*This is an average, estimate price which includes the recommended retail price, 12

months registration, 12 months compulsory third party insurance, stamp duty, other

applicable statutory charges and dealer delivery and administration charges. Prices will

vary from state to state and dealer to dealer. These components are not always a fixed or

constant value, meaning the 'on road' costs vary according to individual circumstances. All

product information and prices subject to change without notice.

The increasingly popular Isuzu D-Max diesel one-tonne ute and cab/chassis range is adding a lower cost SX 4x4 crew cab ute to its line-up, saving buyers around $1800. With an MLP

, the SX 4x4 crew ute is D-Maxs first addition since being launched locally late last year.

Despite its lower price than the higher-spec D-Max LS-M, the SX still offers a generous standard

feature list including air-conditioning, ABS with EBD, LSD, dual airbags, power door locks, remote

entry, CD/FM/AM MP3 audio and electric windows with one-touch drivers glass up and down.

Distributor Isuzu Ute Australia has also added dual front airbags as standard in its basic farm spec

EX 4x4 single cab /chassis, now priced at $29,900 MLP plus on-road costs or $31,600 MLP with

the standard endorsed alloy 2.55m tray body fitted or around $35,600 driveaway

. This completes dual airbag fitment across the D-Max range.

The new SX crew ute comes with D-Maxs 4x4 package of three-tonne maximum tow capacity,

high 225mm ground clearance, ultra-low low-range crawler first gear with anti-stallideal for

negotiating very steep slopes, steel plate sump and transfer case guards, fuel tank shield, wider

track 16x7 wheels with meaty 245/70 tyres, wheel arch flares, push-button dash controls for

2WD/4WD/low range selection and shift-on-the-fly up to 100 km/h between 2WD and 4WD High.

The SX 4x4 crew ute shares the economical and torquey 3.0 litre common-rail, variable-vane

turbo-diesel engine featured in the rest of the D-Max range, with maximum torque of 360 Nm at

1800

2800rpm, 120kW maximum power at 3200rpm and ADR 81/02 fuel economy rated in this

In demand D-Maxs order bank last month more than doubled to over 560 and almost all are private or small

business buyers as we havent established into the big fleets and government sectors yet. This

new SX 4x4 crew ute will appeal to many of these fleet buyers.

Well soon have new stocks arriving to meet the increasing D-Max demand as word spreads of

our presence, Mr Kono said.

Australian 4WD Action, has named thehigher-series D-Max LS-U 4x4 crew ute its

4WDers Ute Of The Year 2009, after testing the top six selling diesel utes over several gruelling days of tough trail driving in the rugged country around

Hill End in NSW.

The eight-person judging panel included real world 4x4 users including a farmer, a tradie, a single

bloke, a grey nomad and a young mother with toddler.

The D-Max proved itself the most economical in the class, it matched the best in driving prowess

over the rough stuff and was more affordable than the others.

With the neatest overall length in its class of just over 4.9 metres, but still offering a sizeable load

tub and roomy rear seat, the D-Max SX 4x4 crew ute will fit into smaller garages with room to walk

around or open its tailgate, not so possible with most of its competitors. This is mainly due to its

short 770mm front overhangthe shortest of all the Japanese-design one-tonne utes and

cab/chassiswhich also gives D-Max 4x4 its acute 34.6 approach angle, a boon in more serious

off-roading.

Isuzu truck design integrity shows in many detail areas like the eight-crossmember chassis with

underslung supports for tailshaft and fuel tank, double needle roller bearings for the rear wheels

and kerbside offset spare wheel wind-down access so towed trailers dont have to be unhitched.

A good example is the SX (and LS-M) crew utes cabin guard frame which stands slightly higher

than the cabin roof so it doubles as a ladder rack. It also unbolts for a better look if a sports bar is

fitted or facilitates fitting a canopy or hard tonneau, avoiding the rust-inducing cutting off of the

welded-on frames on others. Additionally, it bolts back on at trade-in time if the canopy transfers to

a new ute.

Manufacturers List Price incl GST Actual driveaway price depends on state & dealer location & buyer profile