All new Holden Volt - The No Compromise Electric Car

Today we are showcasing the all-new Holden Volt to motoring media in Sydney, ahead of its arrival in dealerships later this year.

The launch of the highly-anticipated Volt will lead us into the home stretch for 2012, after many significant and exciting product and corporate announcements this year.

Volt is an important vehicle for Holden. It represents ground-breaking technology, with its extended-range capabilities meaning it’s electric when you want it, petrol when you need it.
The Holden Volt will offer some of the most advanced technologies in Australia and has won a long list of awards and fans around the world.

I recently took a Volt to my son’s football match and I literally had people all around the car, with many requesting a quick spin around the block. They were blown away.  When I asked one of the parents if he would buy one, he answered, “in a heartbeat.”

Holden is continuing to change. You may have seen our new advertising campaign which represents a new direction for Holden, and there’s no better way to indicate change than with a new kind of flagship vehicle.

Here at Holden we’re extremely excited about the arrival of this car, which we know will be a game changer for us.

I’m looking forward to hearing what you think about the Volt so please leave us a comment or question below.

Mike Devereux
Holden Chairman and Managing Director

No recall in Australia on Chinese cars built with asbestos parts

THERE will be no recall of the nearly 24,000 Chinese-made cars sold in Australia with asbestos parts.


Despite an official recall, the asbestos gaskets fitted to the Great Wall and Chery vehicles will stay in place until they need routine servicing or if the owner demands their removal.

The decision comes as the importer of Great Wall and Chery, Ateco Automotive, admits the use of asbestos ‑ which was outlawed in cars in 2004 – has damaged the budget brands.

“I wouldn't think it would be helpful,” Ateco spokesman, Daniel Cotterill, said.

Ateco forced a production shutdown in China when it discovered the use of the asbestos gaskets during an Australian audit, despite earlier written guarantees from the Chinese brands that the cars complied with Australian standards.

. The brands have since found an alternative, asbestos-free, supplier of the gaskets and production has resumed to keep pace with Australian deliveries.

“Everything we import now from China is free of asbestos. We have checked the cars and they comply,'' Cotterill says.

“The Chinese are well aware of the gravity of the situation. They had to establish their own internal audit of their suppliers to find out how this happened.”

'But the cars already with owners will not be touched, despite a recall campaign that will include fitting a warning sticker.

Instead, owners will be advised by letter of the problem and sent a copy of a risk assessment commission by Ateco from consultants in occupational health and safety, Hibbs and Associates.

It concludes there are “negligible” asbestos risks to either owners or mechanics working on the car.

“Even if carried out in an uncontrolled way, handling and removing these gaskets constitutes a very low asbestos related health risk,” the report said.

Ateco said it had approval from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission for its recall program, even though it does not include a compulsory change of parts.

“The intention is to replace the gaskets only if, and when, necessary. The key thing is to make sure that anyone who replaces one is aware of the situation,” Cotterill said.

More than 6000 Chinese vehicles of all types have sold in Australian this year aimed at the budget end of the new car market.

More...http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/no-recall-in-australia-on-chinese-cars-built-with-asbestos-parts/story-fndo48ca-1226451218317

0.5% FINANCE AVAILABLE AT HOLDEN DEALERS

STOP PRESS!! Holden has announced that for the first time ever customers can take advantage of an

incredibly low 0.5 per cent per annum comparison rate on a term of up to 36 months, with no

deposit, on a range of Holden vehicles*.

This national one week finance campaign sees Holden partner separately with three finance

providers, Esanda, St George Finance Limited and Capital Finance Australia Limited, to

bring car buyers the lowest finance ever offered through Holden dealers.

Holden Executive Director of Sales, Marketing and Aftersales, John Elsworth, said

consumers were the big winner in today’s competitive marketplace as there had never been

a better time to buy a Holden.

“Holden is known for its great deals but for anyone in the market for a new car this is one

definitely not to be missed,” Elsworth said

“This year we have already introduced capped priced servicing and now, through our finance

providers, a great 0.5 per cent comparison rate that makes it even easier to get behind the

wheel of a brand new Holden.

“Whether it’s a Barina, a locally-made Cruze SRi or Commodore, our Captiva SUV or tough

all-new Colorado 4x4, there’s a Holden to suit every new car buyer.”

The exciting one week sale event starts on Thursday 9 August and will run until close of

business Wednesday 15th August at participating dealers.

Details, terms and conditions can be viewed at www.holden.com.au/latestoffers from

Thursday 9 August.

For more information on Holden, visit: www.media.holden.com.au or www.autonews.net.au