Fleet Beat Blog | Fleetcare

The all new Holden Barina - Top ten material?

Walking into the Melbourne docklands warehouse that hosted the Holden Barina launch I was immediately confronted with two vehicles. One was Holdens first attempt at the Barina, its boxy awkward frame reminded me of my mothers old 1980’s Ford Fiesta which would break down at the most inopportune of times (once on the beach as the tide was coming in). The other was the all new Holden Barina, which despite its less aesthetically... Read More

View comments | Add a comment

Top selling cars of 2011

Click here for the year end update Jan 2012From cars, to computer games, to holiday destinations and everything in between, top ten lists are a favourite of hobbyists and enthusiasts the world over. From the fickle (the bar stool top ten) to the rigorous (top tens based on massive amounts of results and research), they reveal more and more about how we relate to the world around us and how we prioritise belongings, experiences and... Read More

Add a comment

The Perth Motor Show 2011; A review

The Perth Motor Show returned to the Perth Convention Centre after a 3 year break to mixed reviews, tentative expectations and guarded optimism. The show was engaging and enjoyable but cost cautiousness on behalf of the organisers (and car manufacturers) was evident as some more fun motor show elements were absent. Highs and lows While the motor show was largely a successful venture with their event managers reporting the attendance... Read More

Add a comment

What makes a good mine vehicle?

When we think of mine vehicles, images of super dump trucks, diggers and equipment hauling mega machines come to mind. However there is another vehicle strutting its stuff all over mines in Australia; the mine ready four wheel drive (4WD). For obvious reasons a conventional vehicle will simply not suffice in the tough, rugged, dangerous and changeable environment of a living mine. So what makes a long living, sturdy and reliable mine... Read More

Add a comment

Will Holden Captivate the growing SUV market?

Posted: 01/07/2011 By: Rory Deegan - Online Marketing Coordinator
Comments: (1)
Categories: | Car Review | Holden | Environmental News

Review; Holden Captiva Series 2 (7 seater diesel) Family wagons were, at one time, the vehicle of choice for so many Australian mums and dads. Lately however, this seems to be changing. With wagons declining in popularity and manufacturers discontinuing some models it would seem that there is now a space vacant in the Australian auto market. In a previous article I noted that the SUV’s seemed to be gaining ground on all other... Read More

View comments | Add a comment

What makes a popular fleet car?

Car popularity has always been an issue of debate and popularity amongst fleet cars is a similarly contentious subject. Does popularity really mean quality and reliability, or does it mean something altogether less reassuring? For most, any given car's popularity is a combination of factors, some emotional and some practical, but is it possible to separate the two contributors? Without segmenting the fleet industry too much (the... Read More

Add a comment

Holden on for a new Cruze

Posted: 07/04/2011 By: Rory Deegan - Online Marketing Coordinator
Comments: none
Categories: | Automotive Industry News | Car Review | Fleet Management | Holden

Since an emotional launch in Adelaide back in late February Australians have waited to hear the assessment of the new series 2 Holden Cruze. Would this second model build on the relative sales success of the first, or would it remind us of the disappointing Vectra range which Holden and GM would prefer to forget?The changesApart from a new grill, new bumpers and new wheels there isn’t much to distinguish the new Cruze from the one... Read More

Add a comment

The rise of in-car technology

Posted: 11/02/2011 By: Cliona Kenneally - Marketing & Brand Manager
Comments: none
Categories: | Automotive Industry News | Technology | Range Rover | Holden

In 1929, American Paul Galvin, the head of Galvin Manufacturing Corporation, invented the first car radio. Customers were required to purchase the radio separately with the car as the first car radios were not available from car makers. Imagine how many people would cause a riot if they were told today that their car radioshave to be purchased independently! Its hard to believe just how far we've come since then.Here at the Fleet Beat... Read More

Add a comment

Holden Barina Spark - An ideal first car

Posted: 12/11/2010 By: Cindy Anthony - Marketing Assistant
Comments: none
Categories: | Car Review | Holden

Do you remember your first car? I imagine some people would not have many pleasant recollections of their first bought as a teenager. However, the stereotype of the first car is fast approaching a revolution. This week at Fleetcare, we have had the amazing opportunity to cruise around in the new Holden Barina Spark for a whole week. The low price is definitely the first draw card, but delving further than first glance we found many... Read More

Add a comment

Cruze vs Corolla

Posted: 15/10/2010 By: Laura Taylor - Marketing Assistant
Comments: none
Categories: | Car Review | Toyota | Holden

Holden, the genuine Aussie icon. Toyota, the reliable household name. Both big names, both big players in the Australian car market. So how do they compare? We take a look at the new and improved Holden Cruze CD (5 speed manual) and put it next to the sturdy Toyota Corolla Ascent Sedan (6 speed manual) to see what these competing brands have to offer in the small car segment. Starting with the first look, the Cruze is a definite... Read More

Add a comment

The Real Price of Safety

An article caught my eye this week - ”Safety expert: don’t buyCamry Hybrid” (drive.com.au). The reason? It’s only a 4 star safety rating. I don’t know about you, but for a car around $41,000 for the basic model, I’d probably expect 5 stars. When I mentioned this to someone in the office they said, “Most cars are actually 4 star safety – you always have to pay extra to get 5.” This... Read More

Add a comment

March New Car Sales Increase by a Record Breaking 25.2%

In December 2009 the car sales figure dubbed ' the magic million' seemed like a far off prospect left back in 2007/08. The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industry chief Andrew Mckellar predictied 2011 as the year Australia would return to pre-GFC sales levels. However the outstanding March new car sales figure of 94,744 was enough to change Mr Mckellar’s somber tune from last year,“This is an outstanding March result and... Read More

View comments | Add a comment

Holden, Caltex and the Victorian Government Create Alternative Fuel Consortium to Introduce E85 Fuel Network

Posted: 25/03/2010 By: Bowan Spanbroek
Comments: none
Categories: | Automotive Industry News | Technology | Government News | Holden

The bio-fuel cars of tomorrow could be closer than we think with the Victorian government recently announcing the formation of a consortium including, Caltex, Holden, & Coskata. The group will investigate the viability of creating an ethanol production plant in Victoria. This plant could produce up to 200 million litres of ethanol annually for cars powered on the ethanol based bio-fuel E85. This alternative fuel consists of 85%... Read More

Add a comment

Holden’s Incredible Hulk

Posted: 21/10/2009 By: Bowan Spanbroek
Comments: none
Categories: | Automotive Industry News | Car Review | Technology | Holden

This year Edward Norton and Lou Farigno aren’t the only one showing off some green muscle. Holden’s new ‘MY10’ Commodore takes a progressive step away from previous gas guzzling models with a greener, more powerful 210kw engine. Who says that the environmentally friendly driver has to sip chai latte and drive a Hybrid? Holden’s new SIDI technology (Spark Ignition Direct Injection) reduces previous carbon... Read More

Add a comment