The FastLane News Archives - 2001  

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December
31/12/01: Leaded petrol makes the outlaw list
31/12/01: Dash for Cash winners donate prize - Citroën doubles it

21/12/01: crusading cyclist & Terios complete round-Australia marathon
20/12/01: Fit for the Queen - Bentley unveils the State Limousine in clay
20/12/01: `black office' - Mercedes' mobile office with all the trimmings
19/12/01: Honda to boost production as part of global strategy

13/12/01: Toyota confirms $321M investment in Australian production
12/12/01: Avensis, a Toyota 7-seater "with flair & versatility"  
11/12/01: VFACTS - November sales confirm Holden's lead
11/12/01: Peugeot's 206 gets upgraded with multiplex technology
11/12/01: Annointed from above?  Blair sings praises of new Range Rover
8/12/01: Peugeot's Euro-conquering 307 reaches Aussie showrooms
6/12/01: Toyota Corolla reaches ninth model after 34 years
5/12/01: Citroën aiming to be Europe's `greenest carmaker'
4/12/01: VW Australia records `best-ever' sales month
4/12/01: Lexus raises the stakes with 4-year warranty
3/12/01: Toyota awarded for its innovative T3 Training Programme

November
29/11/01: Sydney to Hobart classic gets a classic (and very French) supporter
26/11/01: Go and show appeal for new T3 Series from Ford & Tickford 
23/11/01: Nissan's Pulsar hatches itself a top security rating
23/11/01: Peugeot's new 307 takes European `Car Of The Year'
13/11/01: Aussie-inspired steroids give MX-5 the go to match its looks

October
Hyundai recalls thousands of car jacks for the sake of a label  -  19/10/01
Sydney Motor Show : An onslaught of Lexus luxury  -  15/10/01
Sydney Motor Show : Rover releases 75 Tourer luxury wagon  -  12/10/01
Fiat expresses long-term confidence despite market jitters  -  10/10/01
Toyota releases upgraded Mk II Avalon  -  9/10/01
Maserati's new Spyder to bite at Sydney Motor Show  -  9/10/01

Toyota's ground-breaking Prius hybrid car goes on sale -  5/10/01

Three more `special edition' Falcon utes pack the value  -  2/10/01
Chrysler confirms Crossfire concept for production by Karmann  -  2/10/01

September
VW's `cutesy' New Beetle toughens up on a turbo  -  26/9/01 
Nissan's new Z Car confirmed for Sydney Motor Show  -  26/9/01

GM signs on the dotted line for Daewoo  -  21/9/01
Honda's new CR-V breaks cover two days early in Japan  -  18/9/01

Two sporty new stunners unveiled at Frankfurt by MG  -  13/9/01
Honda's CR-V and Civic singled out for praise in consumer survey  -  11/9/01
Ford Australia tells employees to `stop and smell the flowers'  -  10/9/01
Toyota sells millionth RAV4 - they're everywhere!  -  9/9/01
Trakka's luxury Jabiru motorhome gets Sprintshift simplicity  -  5/9/01
VW Bora joins China lineup to mark tenth anniversary  -  4/9/01
V70 wagon gets hit by Volvo's performance concept `blue lightning bolt'  -  3/9/01
Audi gives A4 a shake with world-first production technology  -  3/9/01
Honda's 2002 CR-V surfaces early in the USA  3/9/01
Magna gets `hot tested' in the Middle East, then goes there  -  3/9/01

August
Saab reveals its multi-dynamic, multi-use 9X concept  15/8/01
Hyundai reports first-half sales income up by 30%  -  14/8/01
Toyota gives Corolla the Sportivo touch  13/8/01
Audi's worldwide first half results set a new record  10/8/01
Strike is over,  industry begins picking up the pieces  8/8/01
Industry remains in limbo as Tristar dispute bogs down in stalemate  -  7/8/01
200SX gives Nissan's July sales a boost  -  7/8/01
Audi's last RS4 rolls off the line at Neckarsulm  -  6/8/01
Renault appointing new dealers to meet Australian interest  -  6/8/01
Mitsubishi's Adelaide plants to continue building Magna  -  3/8/01
Motor industry in crisis as thousands of workers stood down  -  3/8/01
Saab's new 9-3 Design Edition offers distinctive open-top thrills  -  2/8/01
Tribute helps carve out a new July record result for Mazda  -  2/8/01
Volkswagen Australia sets an all-time record month of sales in July  -  1/8/01
No `glass ceilings' at Holden - feminine presence on the board  -  1/8/01
Holden vs Ford debate to benefit Qld Variety Club  -  1/8/01
Win a trip to Thailand on Chrysler (with complimentary elephant)  -  1/8/01

July
Holden goes rallying with Peter, Bruce - and Jack  -  30/7/01
Okay, we're listening - Alfa adds three-door to Aussie 147 lineup  -  28/7/01
Sprint & Lifestyle, choice of no-cost packs on Hyundai Accent  -  25/7/01
Maserati's Assetto Corsa - is that Italian for `no compromises'?  -  16/7/01
Kia bucks price-rise trend by cutting its prices  -  13/7/01
Mitsubishi jumps on Water Rats over portrayal of Magna security  -  11/7/01
A record June for Nissan - sales leap by 48% as Pulsar hatch arrives  -  5/7/01
Daihatsu's limited edition Terios Aero touches down in Oz  -  5/7/01
Saab gets the recall blues - 900 models need airbag rectification  -  3/7/01
Aussie brake manufacturer can't stop (winning awards, that is)  -  2/7/01
Honda releases first new Integra in eight years and it's headed this way  -  2/7/01
Zoom-zoom! Mazda sets a new sales record in June  -  2/7/01
Chrysler wins gold for design of PT Cruiser & Jeep Willys concept  -  2/7/01

June
A year of double celebrations for Toyota Celica  -  26/6/01
Marathon veterans gain a category in East Coast Classic Rally  -  25/6/01
Honda's new compact, the Fit, claims boosted small car standards  -  22/6/01
Audi ready to launch its refined new A4 model into Australia  -  22/6/01
MG-Rover buys Mangusta builder & reveals design for new X80  -  20/6/01
World-first internet vehicle tracking system by Aussie software developer  -  19/6/01
Holden number 6,000,000 rolls off the line at Elizabeth  -  7/6/01
Zafira - Holden's easy path to a medium people mover  -  7/6/01
Ford puts the Model T back into production (well, sort of...)  1/6/01
Daewoo says Holden engine procurement important to Oz economy  -  1/6/01
Autobarn tops giveaway promotions with a $45,000 Mitsubishi Lancer  -  1/6/01

May
Suzuki Oz wants new SX concept confirmed for production and here  -  28/5/01
Tickford takeover by Prodrive seen as good news by Ford Australia  -  22/5/01
The legend has landed - Mitsubishi's Evo VI goes on sale in Australia  -  22/5/01
Suzuki launches roadside assistance with CustomerCare program  -  22/5/01
Perth dealership wins Toyota's Gold Award for service excellence  -  21/5/01
Great White Shark says goodbye Holden, hello Toyota  -  16/5/01
Mitsubishi gives its Magna VRX a little more VRX-tra  -  16/5/01
Honda launches new `EasyCover' insurance service through dealers  -  15/5/01
Chrysler releases the fourth generation of its MPV-leading Voyager  -  14/5/01
Up against the big blokes : Kia launches V6 Optima sedan  -  11/5/01
VW opens its new Australian HQ - and starts planning a new one!  -  11/5/01
Daewoo Oz gets excited by GM/Fiat takeover report in Korean media  -  11/5/01
Ford's base model Forte gets upgraded to limited run Falcon SR  -  10/5/01
Winnebago's new Freeway motorhome hits the highways, byways...  -  9/5/01
Melbourne dealer wins Toyota's gold award for service excellence  -  9/5/01
Ford massages the Falcon XR8 up to 220kW output  -  8/5/01
Saab and Avis do a bit of trying harder together   -  7/5/01
VFACTS April : Holden maintains its margin in a rising market  -  4/5/01
$2500 of extras makes limited edition Camry an Intriguing proposition  -  4/5/01
Renault's new Australian models arrive on the docks  -  2/5/01
VW packs features into its restyled Passat GP flagship sedan  -  2/5/01
Spectra, Kia's replacement for Shuma, goes on sale today  -  1/5/01
ABS, alloys and more loaded into Honda's special edition Civic VTi  -  1/5/01
Chrysler boosting production of PT Cruiser to meet consumer demand  -  1/5/01
Strong April sales mark a four month resurgence for Mazda  -  1/5/01

April
Dommerson to head new Peugeot distribution company in Australia  -  23/4/01
Covers come off prototype of Honda's new Integra Type R  -  20/4/01
Price rises on the way for several models in Mazda's Australian lineup -  18/4/01
Peugeot releases a special edition 306, the Rallye 2.0  -  17/4/01
Toyota stacks free extras into limited edition Avalon SportsPack  -  12/4/01
Falcon ute sets a new sales record, so Ford throws extras at it  -  12/4/01
New business park offers greater efficiency to Ford and suppliers  -  10/4/01
Audi makes multi-million dollar investment in Australian distribution  -  10/4/01
Alfa Romeo Spider will have six l-o-n-g-e-r legs for next summer  -  10/4/01
VFACTS: Market strengthens in March, Holden retains overall lead  -  5/4/01
Mercedes' bright idea - a light bulb to last the life of  the vehicle  -  3/4/01
Assurance given of Peugeot's future in Australia & New Zealand  -  3/4/01
More senior chair-changing at Mitsubishi Australia  -  2/4/01
Saab's new technology centre to set premium vehicle pace for GM  -  2/4/01
Mitsubishi Magna/Diamante gets big tick with added US export order  -  2/4/01
Mazda Australia scores its best March result in 18 years  -  2/4/01
Daihatsu uses driveaway pricing to make Sirion GTvi a hip pocket rocket  -  2/4/01

March
Sime Darby Group to take over Aussie & NZ distribution of Peugeot  -  30/3/01
Mitsubishi Australia boss hits out at speculation on company's future  -  29/3/01
Honda's record-breaking Insight to star at Adelaide Motor Show  -  27/3/01
New guidebook from Toyota takes the surprises out of servicing  -  24/3/01
Winners of Ford Australia's Women in Engineering scholarships  -  23/3/01
Return of wagon to enhance Peugeot's 406 model range  -  22/3/01
Breakthrough emission control system achieved by Honda  -  22/3/01
Peugeot announces new retail outlets in Sydney & Melbourne  -  21/3/01
VW to take a big kick in Australian Rules football (especially the ball)  -  20/3/01
Saab takes a new approach with pilot `City Centre' opening in Berlin  -  19/3/01
Prestige Honda creates WA's first combined Honda car & bike centre  -  16/3/01
Nissan 200SX beats off Euros to win MOTOR's Performance COTY_-  15/3/01
Near-record attendance confirmed at Melbourne motor show  -  15/3/01
Mitsubishi puts two more Aussie directors on its Australian board  -  15/3/01
Honda goes grape-grazing in Yarra Valley Festival  -  15/3/01
Two sporty new Toyotas: the Sportivo Echo & Sportivo Corolla turbo  -  14/3/01
Shannons GP auction sets a new record with $1.6M in sales  -  13/3/01
Distributor becomes dealer as Jaguar creates its own Australian subsidiary  -  9/3/01
February sales break a 10-year-old record for Nissan  -  9/3/01
Saab offers extended `Approved' warranty on new & used Saabs  -  9/3/01
"One of the world's most beautiful cars" to be auctioned in Melbourne  -  9/3/01
VFACTS:
Holden retains leadership of tight market in February  -  7/3/01
Chrysler's PTCruiser picks up another award in Canada  -  7/3/01
Mazda runs out of stock as its new Tribute 4WD takes off  -  6/3/01
Honda's groundbreaking Insight first hybrid on sale in Australia from today  -  5/3/01
Melbourne show used by Renault to preview its `return to Oz' model range  -  2/3/01
A `Dream Cruise' for Ford fans in Melbourne for the AGP  -  2/3/01
Holden's `UTEster' show special raises the roof (and could go on sale!)  -  1/3/01
Sensational Falcon `300+' 2-door revealed at Melbourne Motor Show  -  1/3/01

February
Mitsubishi outlines big changes; Australia "not surprised" by announcement  -  26/2/01
XR Pursuit is Ford's powerfully persuasive new ute  -  23/2/01
HR-Sea (a fish called Honda) is a splash hit as a fishtank!  -  23/2/01
Volkswagen settles into its new Australian headquarters  -  23/2/01
Attempt on Brisbane-Melbourne fuel record by Honda's hybrid Insight  -  22/2/01
Alfa's 2.0 litre 147 to appear at Melbourne GP just hours after world debut  -  22/2/01
3 door version of Honda's 7th generation Civic to debut at Geneva  -  22/2/01
Daewoo's Tacuma tops UK magazine's MPV survey  -  21/2/01
Ford's new Laser SR2 is set for celebrity on the streets of Adelaide  -  21/2/01
Balarinji Design & Mitsubishi create a uniquely Australian Pajero -  20/2/01
And Mitsubishi rolls out another stunner ; Australia's hottest wagon? -  20/2/01
There's a bit more to Mazda's new SP20 than a facelifted Astina... -  20/2/01
Mitsubishi's Lancer cabriolet fills up the fun factor  -  20/2/01
Volvo to offer direct contact with its experts via ConceptLab  -  20/2/01
Grille Wars - DaimlerChrysler sues over `Jeep' radiator grille on Hummer  -  19/2/01
Rolls Royce & Bentley appoint McMillan Prestige as Sydney dealer  -  19/2/01
Hyundai Accent proves best import in NRMA crash repair tests  -  16/2/01
Mazda releases /Premacy - the car for 21st Century Woman?  -  16/2/01
Track - offroad concept based on Daewoo Matiz (we think they're serious)  -  16/2/01
Reduced profits for Mazda Australia in 2000, but still a "good result"  -  16/2/01
A family day out for performance car fans, at Tickford  -  14/2/01
It seems like everybody wants to be a Vee-Dub dealer  -  14/2/01
Fiat's new Stilo to preview in style at Geneva motor show  -  14/2/01
Green light - Honda Insight is first hybrid car to gain ADR approval  -  13/2/01
Record profit for 2000 reported by Hyundai  -  13/2/01
Ford recalls almost 100,000 Falcon sixes over throttle fault  -  13/2/01
Victoria's Travis Honda is Honda Australia's Dealer of the Year  -  12/2/01
Enviro-friendly Toyota Prius hybrid goes on trial in Queensland  -  9/2/01
Budget Renta Car signs preferred supplier agreement on Mitsubishi Magna  -  9/2/01
Toyota's WiLL Vi shows the way at Brisbane Motor Show  -  9/2/01
Rapid response by DaimlerChrysler to interest rate cut  -  9/2/01
Honda's `Indy Mean Machine' Odyssey pacecar at Brisbane Motor Show  -  9/2/01|
Hyundai chairman honoured by Automotive Hall of Fame  -  8/2/01
South African appointed as Audi's new managing director in Australia  -  8/2/01
Funding announced for 16 new CNG refuelling stations  -  7/2/01
Saab makes leather trim standard fitment in all models  -  7/2/01
Nissan begins the year with a record January & boosted market share  -  7/2/01
Stong growth at home and abroad for Toyota last year  -  6/2/01
Mitsubishi celebrates 20 years in Oz with `Anniversary Pack'  -  5/2/01
`Young gun' and `living legend' share Toyota country music awards.-  5/2/01
Fifth successive year on top of Western Australian market for Toyota  -  2/2/01
Toyota's small car family is an Echo-ing worldwide hit  -  1/2/01
Mazda leaps into 2001 with best January in three years  -  1/2/01
Number One status in Queensland for Toyota for eleventh year  -  1/2/01

January 2001
Holden exports kick into high gear, exceeding $1 billion  -  31//1/01
Victoria's Mentone Saab is Australia's Saab Dealer of the Year  -  31/1/01
Mongrel (Ford's ute with a difference) is coming to a B&S ball near you  -  30/1/01
Exlploring the future with Maxda's Hybrid MX sports tourer concept  -  30/1/01
Australia leads global growth for Bentley with three-fold sales rise  -  30/1/01
Value for money stays intact as Proton says no price increase  -  29/1/01
Saab goes highbrow as production sponsor of Opera Australia  -  29/1/01
Proton takes financing on Satria GTi to an `Extreme'  -  29/1/01
Mercedes plans a design & specification update for its A-class  -  25/1/01
Performance on a budget price in Citroen's new Xsara coupe  -  23/1/01
Volvo's new S60 sedan a sleek performer of two very different worlds -  22/1/01
Holden raises eyebrows in Detroit with the Sandman van concept  -  19/1/01
Expanded support from Toyota for Tamworth country music festival  -  19/1/01
Mercedes releases the M-class ML55 AMG onto the Australian market  -  19/1/01
Toyota's new MR2 Spyder gets off to a flying start with record sales  -  17/1/01
Citroen plans to build and sell Xsara Picasso MPV in China  -  16/1/01
Ford lists the features of its new Escape 4WD (no price yet)  -  15/1/01
Vale; Jim Murcott: Australia farewells pioneer of driver training  -  13/1/01
It's alive! (or it will be) Nissan reveals the rebirth of the Z-car legend  -  10/1/01
Model X: lifestyle vehicle for Gen-Xers? Another concept from Honda  -  10/1/01
Pulsar spearheaded Nissan sales surge in 2000  -  9/1/01
Mazda reveals RX-8 : are 4-doors   the Next Big Thing in sportscars?  -  9/1/01
New all-time Australian sales record set by Mercedes-Benz  -  9/1/01
Challenging the SUVs (safely, of course) - Volvo's Adventure Concept Car  -  9/1/01
A record year of sales for Audi, worldwide and in Australia  -  9/1/01
New Proton GX has advance orders months ahead of release  -  9/1/01
VFACTS:
Toyota leads home a recovering 2000 market  -  8/1/01
Honda tops 30,000 Australian sales in a year for first time  -  8/1/01
Hyundai reports "best ever" December as Accent kicks class  -  8/1/01
Saab closes its 2000 account with renewed sales momentum  -  8/1/01
Lexus misses out on record year, but confident for 2001  -  8/1/01
Jaguar gives its F-Type roadster the green light for production  -  5/1/01
Maserati becomes Australia's fastest growing marque. sales up 150%  -  5/1/01
Kia puts the Shuma into runout mode with a pricecut  -  5/1/01
Hyundai sets new global sales record in 2000  -  5/1/01
Mazda 323 scores its best sales result for 20 years in 2000  -  4/1/01
Alfa Romeo opening new eastern Sydney dealership tomorrow  -  1/1/01

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