An article those Wheels journos should read

[sleekism]

http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/Ar...eID=39617&vf=7

The reason I stopped purchasing Wheels magazines is that week in and week out there was doom and gloom surrounding the local car industry.

How much marketing damage was done to Ford, Holden and Mitsubishi by Wheels and others constantly saying they were going to shut down?

Also the "assistance" the locals get is not direct cash they get import tariff subsidies for jumping through hoops for the Government.

The truth is, as this article correctly states, is that large cars are extremely profitable and a switch to making "relevant" cars would be a disaster and would quickly spell the end for the local industry.

I remember reading about the Valiant and how it was kept in production long after it's shelf life because the profit from one Valiant would equal ten Sigmas.

Holden and Ford are establishing an excellent niche for themselves as global RWD experts and people shoild realise the local industry is actually booming.

Anyway people should remember that the most profitable cars are the small production ones such as Porsche and BMW who make a ridiculous amount of profit per car.

[Bossxr8]

Very true. If Australian manufacturers started to make small cars they would be slaughtered by everyone else. Too much competition, too small profit margins. No one can compete on size, ruggedness, power and value for money with Australian built cars.

[new2ford]

But Wheels has been saying the same things over time. Anti Australian industry? Hardly. Very pro Australian cars the way I read it.

[sleekism]

I dunno about that. The Holden Epica was given a good rating in the latest wheels mag something about "it does what it was designed to do" geez a model T Ford does what it was designed to do doesn't mean it is a good car in today's terms.

At least Wheels didn't give car of the year to the Aurion I guess.

Worse car mag ever I vote NRMA open road.

[banarcus]

But the Aurion is a Australian built motor vehicle just like the Commodore and Falcon.

[new2ford]

Originally Posted by sleekism

Worse car mag ever I vote NRMA open road.

I'll drink to that!

[DirtyHarry]

Originally Posted by banarcus

But the Aurion is a Australian built motor vehicle just like the Commodore and Falcon.

It's a V6 Camry with some unique front & rear panels.

The actual Australian design work in he car is SFA.

[xtremerus]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

No one can compete on size, ruggedness, power and value for money with Australian built cars.

I agree. If the local manufacturers go, what import could replace my BF XR6 1 tonner?
Imported cars are overrated in my opinion.

[bigAl]

wheels / motor, dont read them, there full of crap

[uranium_death]

Originally Posted by xtremerus

I agree. If the local manufacturers go, what import could replace my BF XR6 1 tonner?
Imported cars are overrated in my opinion.

Imported cars often give a false perception of being superior due to their overpricing. People don't realise that importing costs money, as does conversion from LHD to RHD. In many cars, you've got luxury car tax on top of that.

I still see no point in Mercedes C200s. If I want to buy a car of the same price, could get a Fairmont or Fairmont Ghia, except it looks better, bigger engine, better ride and more comfortable.

I think the government needs to do more to promote Australia's car industry.

[K_Man]

That's odd, I think they're quite pro-Australian car industry. I've missed the past few issues but there was an article from John Carey a while ago having a go at the media (in particular the ABC) who have been saying for about 10 years that Mitsubishi Australia have been in dire straits, and what a negative impact it was having on the consumer.

[Flouro_Joe]

Originally Posted by sleekism

Worse car mag ever I vote NRMA open road.

Its a travel magazine for nobs