Keema News - Oct 2009

Hyundai Team R is entering the Global Green Challenge 2009 event with two new 2010 Santa Fe 7 seat SUVs.

The cars will feature Hyundai's new R series turbo Diesel engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission, offering drivers 32% more power alongside fuel consumption and emissions that have been reduced by 10%.

Set to go on sale later this year, the new Santa Fe R-series will have its first Australian outing in the Global Green Challenge, which runs from Darwin to Adelaide this month. Under the direction of motoring expert John Cadogan, both vehicles will cover the 3,027 km journey in six days, setting off on Friday 24th October.

Like the award-winning i30, i30cw and iLoad van range, the new Santa Fe will feature revised suspension which has been optimised for Australia's demanding road conditions, as well as the option of a new six-speed automatic transmission.

"Hyundai will demonstrate how significant fuel economy savings can be made by driving a latest generation AWD seven-seat SUV," said Kevin McCann, Sales and Marketing Director of Hyundai Motor Company Australia. "It will be a real world test - no wing mirrors folded flat or anything like that - and will show owners how much they can save in terms of both fuel costs and reduced emissions by driving the latest generation Santa Fe."

Hyundai is no stranger to proving its fuel efficiency and eco-friendliness. In 2007, Cadogan drove an i30 CRDi in the Panasonic World Solar Challenge (again, from Darwin to Adelaide), achieving averaged fuel figures of just 3.2L/100km.

Nissan Australia has appointed Tim Stuckey to the position of Executive General

Manager, Sales and Marketing effective November 4.

Stuckey was, most recently, employed by Wesfarmers Ltd in the role of General Manager,

Marketing Services. Having originally joined the Coles Myer Group in 1997, he managed

a number of business units across Coles Myer in senior marketing, brand development

and business management roles.

Nissan CEO Dan Thompson said "Tim has a proven record in bottom-line brand building

strategy and execution. He has delivered significantly improved marketing effectiveness

across a diverse range of businesses to deliver sales growth and market share."

Stuckey will be an active member of the Nissan Australia Management Operating

Committee and is responsible for brand and model line marketing, national sales, product

planning and dealer performance.

X marks the spot where Great Wall Motors in Australia moved into the mainstream passenger vehicle market. The X240 4WD sports utility vehicle is now on sale through Great Wall's national dealer network from $23,990 drive away.

Great Wall's V240 and SA220 twin cab utilities have been embraced by Australian buyers since their launch in this country last June. Now that winning formula of quality, high equipment levels and ultra competitive pricing is available to those seeking a 4WD sports utility vehicle.

The X240 is a modern design loaded with many creature comforts including electric driver's seat; leather trimmed seats, power steering, air conditioning, central locking, eight speaker CD/MP3 sound system, alloy wheels and four wheel disc brakes. Colours available are white, black, silver and red. A sun roof is a $1000 option.

Power comes from a 2.4 litre petrol engine mated to a five speed manual gearbox that drives through a switch operated "on the fly" high and low range 4WD system.

Standard safety features on the full chassis X240 include dual air bags, anti-lock brakes, and electronic brake force distribution and reverse warning sensors.

The X240 is backed by a comprehensive three year/100,000km warranty, and supported by Great Wall's dealer network in every Australian state and territory. In the unlikely event of a malfunction you can rely on Great Wall's roadside assistance program which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week 365 days a year.

Nissan Financial Services, the new financial services arm of Nissan Motor Co.

(Australia) Pty Ltd., today celebrates its first birthday having posted impressive

growth in its premier year

A wholly owned subsidiary of automotive importer Nissan Australia, Nissan Financial

Services (NFS) provides strategic support to the Nissan dealer network and competitive

financial products and service to Nissan customers.

NFS, in only 12 months has grown its loan portfolio from zero to $250M and has secured

funding to enable its growth to continue.

Nissan Financial Services, Executive Director, George Leondis, said the full-service

operation has performed strongly despite the challenges of the credit crisis and tougher

economic conditions during the past financial year.

"We have focused intensely on funding through the credit crisis but stuck to our core

strategy of supporting and growing the Nissan brand. Our team has built a high level of

trust with our key stakeholders including our dealer network, shareholders, bankers and

customers," Leondis said.

"Importantly, we supported our dealers with retail and wholesale finance while there was

consternation in the market as some more established players deserted the auto finance sector.

"New product arrivals and plans for continued market expansion mean NFS will play a

major role in Nissan's development in Australia," he said.

Nissan Australia sells around 60,000 vehicles annually and supports a retail network of

nearly 200 dealers.

Globally, Nissan sold 3.77 million vehicles last financial year and, in alliance with its

automotive partner Renault, is the third largest automaker in the world.

For further information:

George Leondis (03) 9797 4492Nissan Financial Services; Managing Director Jeffrey Fisher Email: jeff_fisher@nissan.com.au Phone:(03) 9797 4358Head, Corporate Communications & Government Affairs Mobile: 0400 028 425Editors' Note: George Leondis is available for comment today at the above phone contact.

921- 929 Kingsford Smith Drive, Eagle Farm, QLD 4009 PO Box 1128, Eagle Farm, Qld 4009 1300 1 ISUZU www.isuzuute.com.au abn 80 129 563 739 D-MAX shares the same Isuzu 3.0 litre, common-rail, variable-vane turbo-diesel engine as Isuzus NNR 200 series two-tonne truck range, evidence of its under-stressed spec and why it is so economical despite its larger capacity than most and its meaty 360 Nm of maximum torque.

Class highest tow ratings of 3.0 tonnes for 4x4 and 2.5 t for 4x2 further prove the point.

Frugal freighter

The D-MAX single cab/chassis tops the class 4x4 fuel economy stakes with an ADR 81/02 combined 8.1 litres/100km, while the 4x2 versions 7.9 l/100km is also class best bar one 2.5L lower-output competitor. Economy expert Hans Tholstrup stretched a D-MAX SX 4x2 crew ute 1,716 km on one tank of diesel in an outback run which included 175 km of harsh gravel.

Rallyist Bruce Garlands D-MAX beat all other diesel utes by over half a day in Januarys car-killing, 9,000km Dakar Rally across Argentina, Chile and the Andes. Since then he has podium-placed as the top diesel in the Finke Desert Race and the Australasian Safari.

Isuzu Utes D-MAX range now totals 13 regular model variants encompassing 4x4 and 4x2 drivetrains, cab/chassis and ute variants as well as single, space and crew cabs. Manufacturer retail prices (plus on-road costs) span $24,900 to $44,200 excluding the Limited Edition Pearler crew utes.

Isuzu UTE dealers now number 62 across Australia, with seven satellite facilities.