Four Wheel Drive News July ... December 1999.

26 - 27 December 1999: It rained and rained, heavily, through much of Victoria (au: not unusual at Christmas!) causing flooding on many roads ... care needed.

25 December 1999: Happy Christmas and drive carefully... don't forget that some of the new incognito toys of the speed police include Subaru Impreza WRX's and even Ford Falcon V8 utes.

24 December 1999: Acura (Honda) will unveil an upmarket SUV (4x4) at the Detroit Motor Show, Jan' 2000.

December 1999: The pedestrian council of Australia would like drivers of four wheel drives to have to take special driving tests to cope with 4WDs' poorer stability and handling. The council would also like bull-bars to be banned from metropolitan areas because of the risks that they pose to pedestrians.

21 December 1999: Honda and General Motors have reached agreement on "power-train cross-supply". "Honda will supply GM with advanced V6 Ultra Low Emission Vehicle engines and automatic transmissions [and] Isuzu [GM] will supply diesel engines to Honda." Just good friends? Although the companies maintain that no "equity" is changing hands, could this be a sign of more merger mania to come in the motor industry? (See also Fuji H. I. (Subaru) and GM below 15/12/'99.)

20 December 1999: Kia has announced that its racing Sportage 4x4 has won its class in the USA SCORE desert racing series for the 3rd year in a row. Kia also won its class (SWB 4WD SUV) in the Baja 1000, the USA's best known offroad race.
Kia 4x4s will also be taking part in next year's Dakar-Cairo offroad rally (was Paris-Dakar), starting 6 January.

16 December 1999: The NRMA and RACV announce the results of tests for low speed crashes. Australian made 6-cylinder cars come out best as least expensive to repair, both in $-terms and as a fraction of the new-car price (6%-9%). The Honda Civic GLi (7.3%) does particularly well for a small/medium car and the Subaru Liberty RX (9.1%) for a medium car. After them, the small / medium four wheel drives, with an average repair cost of 15% of new price, generally outperform the corresponding cars. e.g. Subaru Outback auto' 9.0%, Mitsubishi iO 9.9%, Suzuki Grand Vitara 4-door 11.1%, Honda HR-V 12.5%. The test involves a pendulum crash, "equivalent to a vehicle colliding with the rear of another vehicle at 30km/h.

15 December 1999: Fuji Heavy Industries, which controls Subaru cars, is considering selling 20% of itself to General Motors.

15 December 1999: Tropical Cyclone John monstered the Pilbara coast of Western Australia [WA], bringing winds of nearly 300km/h and 400mm of rain . . . mud, road closures etc.. A second, weaker cyclone may follow.

December 1999: News of a new, faster, electric tyre pump from Opposite Lock.

8 December 1999: Two of the 'nice guys' will not participate next year [in the European Truck Trails]: Dutch Ton Stoker (S4 Tatra) and Austrian Michael Flamm (S3 GamaGoat) have too much work to do. Ton promises to be back in 2001.
Der Oesterreicher Michael Flamm (S3 GamaGoat) und der Niederlaender Ton Stoker (S4 Tatra) sind beruflich so eingespannt, dass sie naechstes Jahr leider nicht teilnehmen koennen. Ton will aber 2001 wieder mit dabei sein. Die Fernsehsendung 'Risiko' (ZDF) sucht einen Kandidaten, der sich mit der 'Geschichte des LKW' auskennt. Die Fragen sind aus den Buechern von Bernd Regenberg zusammengestellt. Die Kandidaten duerfen beruflich nichts mit dem Thema zu tun haben. Freiwillige melden sich bei der Agentur Caro-Team, Christian Schreder, Redaktion Risiko, tel:02204-922526
- dirk, [www]

December 1999: Motor Magazine (au) has pictures of the 5-door version of the next model Ford Explorer, on secret test in Australia. The new Explorer is expected to be at the Detroit Motor Show (10/1/2000...) and to go on sale in 2000 (USA) and 2001 (Au). The new Explorer features coil-spring suspension all round to match its competitors, at last.

7 December 1999: Mercedes Benz is recalling the 1,382 ML320 four wheel drives in Australia built prior to 14 July 1999 to check safety-belt buckles after a small number failed during tests; contact your local M-B dealer.

December 1999: The Victorian Farmers Federation's (VFF) Nissan Rural Achiever competition "will reward a family or individual farmer who show by their performance and their interests that they are a well-rounded business and community centered achiever". The prize is a $53K Nissan Patrol DX Cab chassis. Entry forms are in Victorian Farmer magazine. The winner will be announced at the VFF Annual Conference, July 2000.

3 December 1999, US prices via email:

The most current prices (all include 4WD / AWD option):

column 1 --> Acura Altitude 5dr Delayed Availability Acura SLX 5dr Discontinued Audi A4 1,8T 4dr US$26,115 Audi A4 1,8T 5dr US$27,265 Audi A4 2,8 4dr US$30,915 Audi A4 2,8 5dr US$32,065 Audi A6 2,8 4dr US$36,075 Audi A6 2,8 5dr US$37,425 Audi A6 2,7T 4dr US$29,075 Audi A6 2,7T 5dr Delayed Availability Audi A6 4,2 4dr US$49,425 Audi A8 4,2 4dr swb US$62,525 Audi A8 4,2 4dr lwb Delayed Availability BMW X5 3,0i Delayed Availability BMW X5 4,4i US$49,970 BMW X5 4,4i Niemen Marcus Edt. US$56,295 *Limited Availability. Available only through Neimen Marcus department stores. BMW X5 M Edition Delayed Availability Cadillac Escalde 5dr US$46,875 Chevrolet Astro 4dr MPV (Cargo) US$23,660 Chevrolet Astro 4dr MPV US$24,507 *Base price only shown. Also availble in LS and LT models. Chevrolet Tracker 2dr Convertible US$15,425 Chevrolet Tracker 5dr US$16,550 Chevrolet Tracker LT 4dr Delayed Availability Chevrolet Blazer 3dr US$22,520 Chevrolet Blazer LS 3dr US$25,120 Chevrolet Blazer ZR2 3dr US$26,120 Chevrolet Blazer Xtreme 2dr Delayed Availability Chevrolet Blazer LS 5dr US$27,120 Chevrolet Blazer LT 5dr US$29,120 Chevrolet Suburban US$29,337 *Available in base, LS, LT, and Z71 trims Chevrolet Tahoe Classic Limited 5dr US$34,606 Chevrolet Tahoe Classic Z71 5dr US$39,569 Chevrolet Tahoe New US$28,520 *Available in base, LS, Z71, and LT trims Chevrolet TrailBlazer US$32,120 Chrysler Grand Voyager SE Delayed Availability Chrysler Town & Country LX 5dr MPV US$30,115 Chrysler T&C LXi 5dr MPV US$32,180 Chrysler T&C Limited 5dr MPV US$37,320 Dodge Grand Caravan Sport 5dr MPV US$28,670 Dodge Grand Caravan LE 5dr MPV US$30,960 Dodge Grand Caravan ES 5dr MPV US$32,600 Dodge Durango 5dr US$28,510 *Available in Sport, SLT, SLT Plus, and R/T trims Ford Excape 5dr Delayed Availability Ford Excursion XLT V10 US$37,475 Ford Excursion Limited V10 US$40,905 Ford Expedition XLT US$33,190 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer US$40,300 Ford Explorer Sport 3dr US$23,620 Ford Explorer XL 5dr US$24,590 Ford Explorer XLS 5dr US$25,720 Ford Explorer XLT 5dr US$29,700 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 5dr US$34,255 Ford Explorer Limited 5dr US$34,510 Ford Explorer Sport Trac SUT Delayed Availability GMC Envoy 5dr US$34,820 GMC Envoy FAO Edition 5dr US$38,995 *Available only through FAO Schartz toy stores. Very limited availability. GMC Jimmy SLS 3dr US$22,620 GMC Jimmy ISB 3dr US$25,520 GMC Jimmy SLE 5dr US$29,120 GMC Jimmy SLT 5dr US$30,420 GMC Jimmy Diamond Edition US$33,290 GMC Yukon US$35,280 *Available in SLS, SLE, and SLT trims GMC Yukon Denali US$44,210 GMC Yukon XL Delayed Availability Honda CR-V Delayed Pricing *Available in LX, EX, and Limited models. Honda Passport Delayed Pricing *Available in LX, EX, and EX-L models. Hummer 2-door US$70,260 Hummer 4dr convertible US$79,940 Hummer 4dr hardtop US$86,499 Hummer 5dr wagon US$90,285 Hyundai Santa Fe Delayed Availability Infiniti QX4 US$36,075 Isuzu Amigo Delayed Pricing *Availble in base and Ironman editions, 3dr or convertible Isuzu Rodeo S V6 5dr US$23,935 Isuzu Rodeo LS V6 5dr US$26,615 Isuzu Rodeo LSE V6 5dr US$31,760 Isuzu Rodeo Ironman 5dr Delayed Availability Isuzu Trooper Delayed Pricing *Available in base, Performance, and Luxury models Isuzu VEHICross Delayed Pricing *Available in Ironman, Black, and Silver editions, as well as yet-to-be announced editions, including Yellow Jaguar X400 3,0 4dr Delayed Availability Jaguar X400 3,0 5dr Delayed Availability Jeep Cherokee SE 3dr US$16,890 Jeep Cherokee SE 5dr US$19,530 Jeep Cherokee Sport 3dr US$20,915 Jeep Cherokee Sport 5dr US$21,950 Jeep Cherokee Classic 5dr US$23,420 Jeep Cherokee Limited 5dr US$25,745 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 5dr US$29,075 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 5dr US$34,880 Jeep Wrangler SE 2dr US$14,695 Jeep Wrangler Sport 2dr US$18,950 Jeep Wrangler Sahara 2dr US$20,880 Kia Sportage 2dr US$14,945 Kia Sportage 5dr US$16,745 Kia Sportage EX 5dr US$19,045 Land Rover Discovery Series II US$34,775 Land Rover Discovery Series II Sport US$37,675 Land Rover Range Rover 4.0 SE US$59,625 Land Rover Range Rover 4.6 HSE US$67,925 Land Rover Rge. Rvr. Holland & Holland Delayed Availability

column 2 --> Lexus RX300 US$34,400 Lexus LX470 US$59,500 Lincoln Navigator US$46,525 Mazda Tribute 3dr Delayed Availability Mazda Tribute 5dr Delayed Availability Mercedes-Benz C280 4MATIC 4dr Delayed Availability Mercedes-Benz E320 4MATIC 4dr US$50,495 Mercedes-Benz E320 4MATIC 5dr US$51,345 Mercedes-Benz E430 4MATIC 4dr US$55,845 Mercedes-Benz E430 4MATIC 5dr Delayed Availability Mercedes-Benz S430 4MATIC 4dr Delayed Availability Mercedes-Benz S500 4MATIC 4dr Delayed Availability Mercedes-Benz G500 3dr US$130,000 Mercedes-Benz G500 Cabriolet US$139,000 Mercedes-Benz G500 5dr US$140,000 Mercedes-Benz ML320 5dr US$35,895 Mercedes-Benz ML320 5dr 7-Passenger US$36,995 Mercedes-Benz ML320 5dr w/ Navigation US$37,895 Mercedes-Benz ML430 5dr w/ Navigation US$44,345 Mercedes-Benz ML430 5dr 7-Passenger* US$45,455 Mercedes-Benz ML55 5dr w/ Navigation** US$65,495 ^-Does not include navigation. Extra $2,000 *-Includes Navigation **-Includes gas guzzler tax Mitsubishi Montero US$32,262 Mitsubishi Montero End. Edition US$34,807 Mitsubishi Montero Sport LS US$27,262 Mitsubishi Montero Sport XLS US$29,782 Mitsubishi Montero Sport Limited US$31,812 Nissan Pathfinder XE 5dr US$26,919 Nissan Pathfinder SE 5dr US$29,869 Nissan Pathfinder LE 5dr US$31,819 Nissan Xterra XE 5dr US$21,269 Nissan Xterra SE 5dr US$25,319 Oldsmobile Bravada SmartTrak 5dr US$32,048 Pontiac Aztek 5dr Delayed Availability Porsche 911 Carrera 4 coupe US$71,785 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 cabriolet US$81,165 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Turbo coupe Delayed Availability Subaru Forester L US$20,590 Subaru Forester S US$23,090 Subaru Imperza L 2dr or 4dr US$16,390 Subaru Imperza L 5dr US$16,790 Subaru Imperza 2.5RS 2dr or 4dr US$19,790 Subaru Legacy Brighton 5dr US$18,890 Subaru Legacy L 4dr US$19,690 Subaru Legacy L 5dr US$20,390 Subaru Legacy GT 4dr US$23,290 Subaru Legacy GT 5dr US$24,190 Subaru Legacy GT Limited 4dr US$24,790 Subaru Outback Sport 5dr US$18,590 Subaru Outback 5dr US$23,190 Subaru Outback Limited 4dr US$26,390 Subaru Outback Limited 5dr US$26,590 Suzuki Grand Vitara JLX US$19,749 Suzuki Grand Vitara JLX+ US$20,949 Suzuki Grand Vitara Limited US$22,149 Suzuki Vitara JX 2dr US$15,739 Suzuki Vitara JLX 2dr US$17,239 Suzuki Vitara JX 5dr US$17,549 Suzuki Vitara JLX 5dr US$18,349 Toyota 4Runner 5dr US$24,578 Toyota 4Runner SR5 US$27,588 Toyota 4Runner Limited US$36,948 Toyota Land Cruiser 5dr US$51,308 Toyota RAV4 US$18,588 *Available in base, VP, and L models. Volkswagen Passat 4MOTION 4dr Delayed Availability Volkswagen Passat 4MOTION 5dr US$26,275 Volvo S70 AWD 4dr US$34,175 Volvo V70 AWD 5dr Delayed Pricing Volvo V70 XC AWD Cross Country 5dr US$36,675 Volvo V70R AWD 5dr US$42,075 Volvo V80 AWD 5dr Delayed Availability Volvo V80 XC AWD Cross Counrty 5dr Delayed Availability Volvo V80R 5dr Delayed Availability - carorvan

November 1999: Audi Australia launched the S3, S4 & S8, the S-versions of the A3, A4 and A8.

29 November 1999: Details of factory 4x4 Sprinter 312 vans by Mercedes Benz (au).

28 November 1999: The Malaysian Rainforest Challenge gets under way [again...].

24 November 1999: Mpeg3, or MP3, the sound part of the video compression standard is turning music delivery on its head, being able to deliver tiny digital audio-files that are of a very high quality when played back. Walkman-sized pocket devices have been hot sellers but the new in-car Xeenon MP Shuttle II is creating lots of interest. The unit is installed in the boot and has a remote control. A removable hard-disc can be loaded with, say, 3000 tracks (!) on your home pc and then transferred to the in-car player. Cost is about au$1200 exc' the hard disc. Contact xeenon.fm : [email] [www] (or koreansource)

19 November 1999: The Australian 4WD & Adventure Show starts in Perth, WA this Friday running to Sunday the 21st: Taylor Reserve, Victoria Park, 9am-6pm.

18 November 1999: News of the Ibex Firefly 66 6x6 fire tender.

14 November 1999: Greg Murphy and Steven Richards driving a GM Holden Commodore won the FAI 1000 race at Bathurst.

November 1999: Kia Australia point out that the first Sportage 4x4s were sold here in December 1996 and are nearing the end of their three year warranty period (corrosion warranty continues for three more years).

10 November 1999: News of a 4x4 bus built on the Mitsubishi Canter 4x4 truck.

10 November 1999: Start of the Middle East International Motor Show, Dubai, 10-14 November 1999. Mercedes Benz has the new SLR sports car (4x2), and a G55 4x4 fitted out with hi-fi sound, TV, video conferencing, computer, fax and internet access. The TVR Chimera sports car is also on show, to be distributed by the SABRE group of Dubai. Audi have the new S3, a hot version of the A3. BMW says it will have the new X5 4x4 (and the Z3 roadster). Land Rover has the Discovery series 2. Ford is promising the huge Excursion (9 seats, 6.8L V10), as well as the big Expedition and the normal-sized Explorer 4x4s.

November 1999: Davies Craig (au) have recently developed an electric water pump (about au$280) for use in car cooling systems and have a conversion kit for current vehicles. The thermostat is removed, and the existing engine-driven water pump is either disconnected (with a shorter belt being used to drive the alternator etc.) or its impeller is removed. The new pump is plumbed into the lower radiator hose. It is claimed that a conventional water pump absorbs up to 6kW at high engine revs whereas the new electric one uses a maximum of 6amps, i.e. about 80W. A "smart" control box (about au$250) varies the current drawn between 4v and 12v to control water flow, thus removing the need for a conventional thermostat. The new pump can deliver maximum cooling independent of engine speed and can be made to run for a time after the engine is stopped. The pump's body is made of plastic, as now used in header tanks. (Total immersion requires sealing the pump motor.) See:[www].

7 November 1999: Rally Australia held near Perth WA was won by Richard Burns in a Subaru Impreza WRC 4x4, 2nd Carlos Sainz in a Toyota Corolla WRC 4x4, 3rd Tommi Makinen in a Mitsubishi Lancer WRC 4x4. His third place provisionally makes Makinen the 1999 world champion - his fourth crown in a row! The final round is held in two weeks in Great Britain. Toyota will withdraw from rallying in 2000 to concentrate on Formula One Grand-Prix racing.

6 November 1999: Australia votes on whether or not to become a republic. [Surely...?!] Voting is compulsory, so you need to arrange an absent / postal vote if going away this weekend.
(e.g. To take part in the Rainbow Beach Environmental 4WD Trek, Queensland.)
The republic was rejected, doubtless because of the alliance between those for a constitutional monarchy and those favouring a republic with direct election of the president. It could be 10 years before the matter is raised at another referendum.

4 November 1999, Jeep, Auburn Hills, Michigan:

At a ceremony held last week at the DaimlerChrysler's Jefferson-North Assembly Plant, the keys to the 2,000,000 and 2,000,001 Jeep(r) Grand Cherokees built at the plant were presented to their proud owner by Robert Eaton, Chairman of DaimlerChrysler. [...]
Production of the first Grand Cherokee [at the plant] began in early 1992 [...]

Note that right-hand drive Grand Cherokees are built at Graz in Austria.

3 November 1999: Daewoo reports that a diesel Musso 4x4 was driven from Melbourne to Brisbane, 1703km, in March using 78 litres, or less than one tank (80L) of fuel. This equates to 4.59 litres/100km or 21.8km/L. The run was certified by the Guiness Book of Records.

2 November 1999: news of the March 2000 polar express event for BMW / Land Rover owners, to the north of Scandinavia and Russia.

1 November 1999: Kia Australia has reintroduced the `FX' limited edition version of the Sportage 4x4 at au$23,990: alloy wheels and 4-speaker CD player over and above the standard - a/c, driver's airbag, front seat-belt clamps,... .

October 1999: Audi reveal that "some customers [have objected] to the [Audi TT]'s road behaviour. Although the physical values that the Audi TT exhibits are well within the tolerances considered normal for today's production cars,...". Hence, Audi is making voluntary modifications to the car's suspension and aerodynamics (a rear boot spoiler). This is not a recall. Contact your Audi dealer with queries.

October 1999: Man reveals record deliveries of 55,100 commercial vehicles for the 1998/1999 business year.

October 1999: DBB, a joint venture between Daimler Chrysler, Ballard Power and Ford, has been having talks with oil companies about setting up a methanol supply network for prospective fuel-cell powered cars. Fuel cells consume hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity but hydrogen is difficult to transport and store. Hydrogen can be produced from methanol by a reformer, creating carbon monoxide and dioxide as by-products; the CO can be further converted to CO₂. Methanol is a leading contender to fuel vehicles after petrol (gasoline). Its proponents claim that it can be environmentally "neutral" but it should be noted that it most commonly comes from natural gas, oil and coal at the moment.

29 October 1999: Victorian winter 4WD track closures end on time, courtesy of the fine, dry weather over winter generally and of late.
30 October: Daylight saving begins on Saturday night / Sunday morning - put your clocks forward by one hour.

October 1999: The Toyota Four Wheel Drive Club of Victoria is hosting a photographic competition. This competition shows how four wheel driving enhances our appreciation of the environment. Under the motto "Don't bugger the bush! We appreciate it" the Club invites other four wheel drivers to submit their photographs as we celebrate the beauty of the Australian bush. Entry is open to financial members of a 4WD club that is affiliated with the Victorian Association of Four Wheel Drive Clubs (VAFWDC). There are four categories for best photo, and one "peoples' choice", as determined by the general public. Where: Chadstone Shopping Centre, Melbourne, Australia. When: January 27-30, during shopping hours - [www] - [toyota4x4]
On a related matter, don't forget that the 4WD gallery is not just for photographs of 4X4s having a hard time on rock or in mud, it is very definitely for pictures of all enthusiasts (in standard vehicles) enjoying remote and scenic locations!

28 October 1999: BMW said it will put the first of its X5 4X4 sport utility vehicle [e.g.] up for auction at eBay Friday, the first time a manufacturer has used the Internet to launch an all-new model. [Not sure if "first time" is true actually.]

28 October 1999: The Federal Government and the Governments of South Australia and the Northern Territory have agreed on financial details to enable a standard gauge railway to be built from Alice Springs to Darwin. Construction will start next year and the line should be open in 2003, finally providing a rail link from Darwin to other centres in Australia [-ABC].

October 1999: The latest trip along the Holland Track, Western Australia, run by West Coast 4X4 Inc. was done from the 24th September to the 17th 1999. The report is on the [web].
- Geoff Couper - Club Treasurer, West Coast 4X4 Inc, 4WD Club.

27 October 1999: Fuelstar Australia reports that leaded petrol will disappear from Western Australia from 1 January 2000, from Queensland in 2001, and from all Australia by 2004, apparently to be replaced by a `lead replacement petrol' (LRP) which contains additives other than lead. [Do any WA readers have local [reactions]?]  Ahhh . . . Fuelstar is said to have a "'fit and forget' in-line [catalyst] that introduces tin as a superior lubricant to lead", which reduces reported problems due to LRP, and which they will doutless sell you for a consideration; email [them] if interested.

October 1999: Mazda (and Ford has a large stake in Mazda) showed its `Active Vehicle' Concept 4WD wagon at the Tokyo Motor Show. The 4WD has a "family resemblance" to the Astina 4x4 shown in Melbourne earlier this year.

October 1999: The Australian Army has lots of big vehicles in East Timor as part of its InterFET effort, but Honda reports that the army is also using Honda TRX 400 ATVs, or quad bikes, to get about in rough country and reduce the amount of foot-slogging. The TRX 400 has a 433cc 4-stroke single cylinder engine, 5-speed gearbox and four wheel drive.

October 1999: VFACTS report that sales of passenger vehicles in Australia to the end of September are slowing relative to 1998 and at 407,544 --> are now 6% lower than in 1998. Some commentators believe that there will be a "consumer strike" waiting for anticipated falls in new car prices when the GST starts. In the light truck market, pickup 4x2s are up, and in 4x4s, all terrain wagons are steady-ish (-1.2%) and pickup / cab chassis are down 7% compared to '98.

22 October 1999: Indonesia now has civilian, democratically elected leaders, the new President being Abdurrahman Wahid and the new Vice President being Megawati Sukarnoputri.

21-31 October 1999: The London Motor Show has a prototype Jensen S-V8. Jensen, owned by the `Creative Group', may be making a come-back to compete with the likes of TVR (it'll be 4x2, the S-V8 is no FF). Also at the show, the Vauxhall (GM) Speedster based on the Lotus Elise chassis.

21 October 1999, spotted by Peter Bradley:

Tenneco Automotive announces intent to acquire advanced suspension and roll control engineering company.
Lake Forest, Illinois. March 26, 1999 Tenneco Automotive announced today that it has initiated a tender offer to purchase all of the outstanding shares of Kinetic Ltd., an advanced suspension engineering company based in Dunsborough, Western Australia. [...]
The shareholding directors of Kinetic Ltd. have unanimously stated their intent to accept Tenneco's tender offer....
Spotted at [www]

21 October 1999, email from Europe:
    The provisional dates for EuropaTruckTrial 2000 have been released today:
    Die vorlaeufigen Termine fuers EuropaTruckTrial 2000 sind bekannt:

• 27./28. Mai Tschechien /Czech Rep.
• 03./04. Juni Österreich /Austria
• 08./09. Juli Großbritannien/Great Britain
• 22./23. Juli Schweden evtl. Norwegen / Sweden or Norway
• 05./06. August Deutschland (Osnabrück), Germany
•  6./27. August Spanien/Spain
• 02./03. Sept. Frankreich/France

19 October 1999: Rumours are circulating that Ford Australia has moved a step nearer to producing a "soft" four wheel drive, code-name `Raptor', based on the Ford Falcon station wagon.

16 October 1999: The Labor Party candidate won the delayed Victorian state election in Frankston East, giving Labor just one seat less than the Liberal / National Party coalition. (Three independent were elected in the main election 18/9/99.)
18/Oct/99: The three independents announced that they would support Labor on "supply" etc., giving Labor "the numbers" in the house of representatives.
19/Oct/99: Jeff Kennett resigned as premier and will resign as leader of the state Liberal party next week.

October 1999, email form the US:

For the 29th year, America's fifth largest city just hosted America's fifth largest auto show. The South Florida Int'l Auto Show which is hosted in Miami at the Miami Beach Convention Centre brought lots of new introductions, especially from Ford. Here's a briefing:
BMW showed off their new X-Series in final production ready form. Nothing has changed since it was shown in Detroit. Chevrolet had the world debut of the new Tahoe and GMC showed off the new Yukon XL for the frst time. Both full-size SUV's go on sale in a few weeks. Hyundai showed off the new Santa Fe, due in the US around March. Ford unvieled three, count them, three(!) all-new 4WD vehicles for the first time. The all-new 2001 Ford Explorer features a more aggressive look and all-new sheet metal. Only the 2-door model was shown. The 4-door model will debut in January. The Ford Explorer Sport Trac was also unveiled, to some extent. The Sport Trac didn't arrive on time, so instead a huge picture was used to replace the Sport Trac. The Sport Trac arrives in Miami on Wednesday. The production model is less aggressive than the concept, but the same overall size. It features a different front-end. Also unveiled was the new F-150 SuperCrew cab. Little has changed from the concept version that debuted last January. Dodge showed off the new Dakota QuadCab, due next month, and Mercedes-Benz has the new ML55, due in December. Toyota also showed off the Tacoma StepSide. There were many new cars unveild as well. All in all, there are over 1,000 cars at this years show. Also, here are some more (see 3 October and 20 September below) 4WD prices:
Audi 1.8T quattro 4dr US$26,115, Audi 1.8T quattro Avant US$27,265, Audi 2.8 quattro 4dr US$30,915, Audi 2.8 quattro Avant US$32,065, Audi A6 2.8 4dr US$36,075, Audi A6 2.8 Avant US$37,425.
- MAH4546

15-24 October 1999: The Sydney Motor Show opens, running until the 24th October.

15-17 October 1999: Australian 4WD and Adventure Show, South West Parlands, South Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia, 9am-6pm.

October 1999: Independent Tyre Distributors (au) tell us that GT Radial is "the fastest growing tyre brand in Australia" and that they now have a 4WD tyre, the Savero MT (Mud Terrain) (tel:13-62-82, email, www). The tyre looks comparable to the BFG All Terrain in terms of "aggression".

October 1999: Spectrum Shade send in a picture of a new sort of sun-shade cum beach umbrella that attaches to the rear bumper / step of your 4WD to provide shade when you stop for a picnic
- P.O.Box 3029, Robina TC4230, Qld., (07)-5525-3745.

14 October 1999: It's a 4x2 but GM Holden has decided to manufacture the rather pretty coupe shown earlier this year which is based on the current VT Commodore sedan. Prices are likely to range from about au$50K to probably $80+K for a Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) 5.7L V8 job, in 2001.

10 October 1999: Good rain in Victoria (up to 44mm in Melbourne and 10mm in the Mallee) made a change from the very dry and mild winter. However major dams are only 2/3 full, or less, and water restrictions are on the cards this summer. But if the weather does continue relatively dry, 4WD tracks closed for winter should open on schedule - 30 October for most of them.

October 1999: Toyota has updated the work-horse 75-series LandCruiser utes and troop-carrier (hard-top) to have coil-spring front suspension (at last) and longer leaf rear-springs. Engines are the 4.5 litre petrol (165kW) or 4.2 litre diesel (96kW) units as in the 100. The revised 'cruiser is known as the 78-series (not leaving much room for the future between 78- and 80- as in the 80-series). Prices from au$45K for the petrol cab-chassis.

7-10 October 1999: National 4x4 Show, the Melbourne Exhibition Building, Victoria (au).

October 1999: The collaboration between VW and Porsche to develop a common four wheel drive "platform" for their own separate forthcoming SUV's (see Tom Niksch 20 October 1998) continues, with Porsche reportedly planning to put theirs into production in Leipzig (de). The SUVs should go on sale in Europe ~2002+/-.

6 October 1999: Four wheel drive of the century?

October 1999: The NSW town of Deniliquin recently set a world record by "mustering" 2839 utes. Good on 'em!
Isn't it about time that some seaside town set a record for mustering that other aussie icon, the panel van?

October 1999: Audi (au) has released the TT coupe quattro in Australia from $86,000 ($au).

3 October 1999, more US prices by email (see also 20/9/'99 below):

Chevrolet Astro cargo MPV	US$23,035
Chevrolet Astro pass. MPV	US$24,282
Chevrolet Blazer 3dr	US$22,495
*2dr Blazer also available in LS and ZR2 models
Chevrolet Blazer LS 5dr	US$26,995
Chevrolet Blazer LT 5dr	US$28,995
Chevrolet Tahoe Limited 4dr	US$39,544
*Other Tahoe models not yet priced
Chevrolet Tracker 2dr	US$15,425
Chevrolet Tracker 5dr	US$16,650
Chevrolet Trailblazer	US$31,995
GMC Envoy 5dr	US$34,695
GMC Envoy FAO Sch. Ed. 5dr	US$TBA
*FAO Schwartz Edition offers video entertainment system with Nintendo 64, LCD television and VCR with plugs for DVD. Also comes with $1,000 gift certificate to FAO Schwartz, America's most exclusive toy retailer. Very limited availability.
GMC Jimmy SLS 3dr	US$22,595
GMC Jimmy SLS 5dr	US$25,494
GMC Jimmy SLE 5dr	US$28,995
GMC Jimmy SLT 5dr	US$30,295
GMC Jimmy Diamond Ed. 5dr	US$33,795
Mitsubishi Montero 5dr	US$31,807
Mitsubishi Montero Endeavor 5dr	US$35,427
Mitsubishi Montero Sport LS 5dr	US$26,807
Mitsubishi Montero Sport XLS 5dr	US$29,307
Mitsubishi Montero Sport Ltd. 5dr	US$31,357
- CarorVan -

October 1999: The Variety Club of Victoria continues to give away money raised on its "bashes" to sick, disabled and disadvantaged kids. In September, $82,000 worth of equipment was approved including computers, specialised seating, a walking frame, a Braille master, a multimedia system (to St. Mary's School for Children with Impaired Hearing), therapeutic equipment and crutches. The bashes can only be described as eccentric motoring competitions. Variety Club, 9697-7145, or P.O. Box 120, Richmond 3121.

2 October 1999: As Victoria (au) waits on the crucial delayed election in Frankston East (16/10/99), Jeff Kennett and the Lib's may agree to restore more of the original flow to the Snowy River as part of the price for gaining support from Craig Ingram, the independent member for East Gippsland. Mind you Labor leader, Steve Bracks, will probably match the offer. (The prospects for restoration of the Auditor General's powers are also looking good.) There has been increasing concern in recent years that lack of flow has greatly degraded the Snowy River.

September 1999: The Rover Group name is to disapper, except for legal and accounting purposes. All major decision making for Rover now takes place at BMW's headquarters and Rover is just another marque owned by BMW, without any of its own corporate structure.

September 1999: BFGoodrich (au) will select three buyers, who purchase two or more of their tyres during September and October, to receive $10,000 worth of ARB 4WD accessory kits. Check with BFG or Bob Jane T-Mart.

September 1999, from the RFDS:
"[...] from 1 January 2000, The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) radio networks Alice Springs (VJD) and Port Augusta (VNZ) will no longer accept radphone calls except those of a medical, emergency or urgent compassionate nature. For as long as we maintain a HF radio network for own use we will continue to accept these types of calls."
Apparently this decision has been brought about by a fall in medical calls via HF radio (<1%), the cost of handling radphone calls, removal of Telstra's cost-sharing arrangement, and the y2k bug hitting the radphone accounting system!
Telstra and AN4WDRN continue to provide radio telephone services for travellers.

20 September 1999, US email (also see 3/10/'99 above):

Here are some recently announced prices for 4wd vehicles in the US; all prices include AWD/4WD option:

Audi S4 4dr US$37,900 Audi S4 Avant Delayed Availability BMW X5 3,0i Delayed Availability BMW X5 4,4i US$49,970 Cadillac Escalade US$46,875 Chrysler Town & Country LX US$29,525 Chry. Town & Country LXi US$31,590 Chry. Town & Country Ltd. US$36,640 Dodge Dakota Reg. US$17,030 Dodge Dakota Club Cab US$19,955 *All Dakota models available as base, Sport, and SLT. Dodge Durango 5dr US$27,975 *All Durango models available as Sport, SLT, and SLT Plus Dodge Grand Caravan LE US$30,370 Dodge Grand Caravan ES US$32,010 Dodge Gr. Caravan Sport US$28,080 Dodge Ram 1500 119" US$20,435 Dodge Ram 1500 135" US$20,775 Dodge Ram 2500 HD 135" US$23,245 Dodge Ram 3500 135" US$25,025 *All Ram models available in Regular, Club, and Quad Cab models. All Ram models available in WT, ST, SLT, and Laramie. Ram 1500 available also as Off-Road and Sport model. Excel Island Cruzer US$9,500 Jeep Cherokee SE 5dr US$18,995 Jeep Cherokee SE 3dr US$17,960 Jeep Cherokee Sport 5dr US$21,415 Jeep Cherokee Sport 3dr US$20,380 Jeep Cherokee Classic 5dr US$22,885 Jeep Cherokee Limited 5dr US$25,210 Jeep Cherokee RHD 5dr US$23,050 (Feature steering wheel on the right side) Jeep Gr. Cher. Laredo 5dr US$28,540 Jeep Gr. Cher. Limited 5dr US$34,345 Jeep Wrangler SE US$14,430 Jeep Wrangler Sport US$18,415 Jeep Wrangler Sahara US$20,345 Kia Sportage 2dr US$14,495 Kia Sportage 5dr US$16,295 Kia Sportage EX 5dr US$18,595 Lexus LX470 5dr US$59,005 Lexus RX300 Wag. US$33,905 - CarorVan

column 2 --> Mercedes-Benz E320 4dr US$50,395 Mercedes-Benz E320 Wag US$51,245 Mercedes-Benz E430 4dr US$55,745 Mercedes-Benz E430 Wag Delayed Availability Mercedes-Benz G500 3dr US$129,000 Mercedes-Benz G500 5dr US$135,000 Mercedes-Benz G500 Conv. US$135,000 Mercedes-Benz ML320 US$35,895 Mercedes-Benz ML430 US$44,345 Mercedes-Benz ML55 AMG US$65,494 Subaru Forester L 5dr US$20,095 Subaru Forester S 5dr US$22,595 Subaru Impreza L 2dr US$15,895 Subaru Impreza L 4dr US$15,895 Subaru Impreza L Wag. US$16,295 Subaru Impreza 2.5RS 2dr US$19,295 Subaru Impreza 2.5RS 4dr US$19,295 Subaru Leg. Brighton Wag. US$18,395 Subaru Legacy L 4dr US419,195 Subaru Legacy L Wag. US$19,195 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT 4dr US$22,795 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT Wag. US$23,695 Subaru Legacy Limited 4dr US$24,295 Subaru Outback Wagon US$22,695 Subaru Outback Ltd. 4dr US$25,895 Subaru Outback Ltd. Wag. US$26,095 Subaru Outback Sport US$18,895 Toyota RAV4 2-door US$16,148 Toyota RAV4 4-door US$18,558 Toyota 4Runner base US$24,578 Toyota 4Runner SR5 US$27,588 Toyota 4Runner Ltd. US$36,948 Toyota Land Cruiser US$51,308 Toyota Tacoma 2wd US$11,908 (for comparison purposes) Toyota Tacoma SR5 Reg. US$16,348 Toyota Tacoma Xtra Cab US$18,228 Toyota Tacoma Xtra V-6 US$19,318 Toyota Tacoma Ltd. US$24,758 Toyota Tundra SR5 Reg. US$20,675 Toyota Tundra SR5 V-8 US$23,190 Toyota Tundra SR5 V-6 4dr US$23,855 Toyota Tundra SR5 V-8 4dr US$26,065 Toyota Tundra Ltd. V-8 4dr US$28,310

September 1999: Results of the recent Baskerville Challenge from the Wye and Welsh Rover Owners Club.

18 September 1999, Victorian state election: In a surprise, the election turned out to be very close, the most likely outcome being the return of the Liberal & National coalition government led by Jeff Kennett, but with a very much reduced majority of perhaps 2+/-, although a "hung parliament" is possible. Labour recorded over 50% of the vote. It also picked up nine country seats. An added complication is that, McLellan, the sitting Liberal member for Frankston East died overnight and the election for that, now crucial, seat will be delayed.

16 September 1999, by email:

Foers Engineering Announces radical new Ibex 250S model, Rotherham, UK.
Foers Engineering announced today that it plans to produce a new variant of the highly successful Ibex 4x4 all terrain vehicle. The new model, designated the 250S, will be a body-shortened version of the popular 100-inch wheelbase Ibex 250 model. The modified design will reduce the rear overhang to that of the 240 model, thus increasing the departure angle from 58° to an uncompromising 85°. The vehicle, in common with all other Ibex variants, already boasts an impressive 85° approach angle.
The new model is the result of several enquiries received by the company from customers looking for a vehicle with the high speed straight line stability of a 100-inch wheelbase, whilst still retaining outstanding off-road entry and exit angles. The 250S will be 165mm shorter than a standard 250 at an overall length of 3475mm - Foers Engineering

September 1999: Audi sends details of the A8 long wheel-base, RS4 fast station wagon, and A2 small car.

15 September 1999: No you weren't imagining it, there is funny business going on with oz LPG prices: 1. Here in Canberra [LPG has] gone up 10c a litre to 43.9c/litre - which is nearly a 30% increase. 2. Yesterday in Melbourne 28.9, today in Melbourne 39.9. 15/9/'99 --> - from the LRO mailing list.

13 September 1999, from email:

Peter Boethgen passes organisation of Europa Truck-Trial to Charly Alfers. Charly is known as promoter of Osnabrueck heat and as competitor (1998 Unimog, 1999 MAN KAT). He invites everybody to make suggestions on improving this event: email
Nach 10 Jahren Organisation übergibt Peter Böthgen die Organisation des EuropaTruckTrial an Charly Alfers . Charly ist in der Szene als Veranstalter in Osnabrück und als aktiver Teilnehmer (1998 im Unimog, 1999 auf MAN) bekannt. Charly verspricht intensive Zusammenarbeit zwischen Teilnehmern, Veranstaltern und Sportkommissaren. Jeder ist herzlich eingeladen seine Wünsche und Vorstellungen zu äußern. email. Vor Beginn der nächsten Saison sind mehrere Treffen aller Beteiligten zum Gedankenaustausch geplant. In Osnabrück haben Charly und sein Team bewiesen, daß ihnen das Wohl der Zuschauer ebenfalls am Herzen liegt: Rahmenprogramm, Zuschauertransfer zwischen den Sektionen, umfangreiches Programmheft und Live- Kommentar in den Sektionen ergaben ein rundes Bild. An den stets etwas dürftigen Eurosport Kommentaren wird ebenfalls gearbeitet: Die Berichterstattung aus Osnabrück hat durch den Ko- Kommentator Klaus- Peter Kessler vom Truckmagazin jedenfalls schon einmal gewonnen, - dirk

11 September 1999, from email:

We are world leaders in the design and manufacture of runflat tyre inserts for military and police vehicles. We have supplied the British Army, Rolls Royce, NAT [?NATO?] and the United Nations, as well as armoured vehicle builders and vehicle converters throughout the world with runflat inserts. Public recognition of runflat benefits has been heightened by the introduction - and not before time - of "runflat tyres" by major tyre manufacturers. These, however, are only available for low profile tyres and would not be suitable for off-road operations. The same runflat benefits can be gained by fitting our runflat inserts to standard tubeless tyres. Our systems can be made for most tyre sizes and can be fitted by any competent tyre fitter. We already have systems for the Land Rover range of vehicles,
- email: John Savage, www

2 September 1999: Mitsubishi bring out an all new Pajero in Tokyo.

30 August 1999: Quad Drive 4WD Club send some 4WD pictures from Western Australia.

28 August 1999: The 1999 Australian Safari ended in Darwin. Stephen Greenfield was first overall in a Honda XR600 (2x1). Bruce Garland & Harry Suzuki (right) were second in a GM / Isuzu Jackaroo 4x4. John Hedrics & Kees Weel were 3rd, just 12 minutes behind, in a 1996 Nissan Patrol 4x4. The Dutch team of Francois Westenberg & Maarten Van Eyk finished 8th overall and won the FIA International Cross Country Auto Division. Penny & Val Swan took first place in Formula Four division (production class under 2 litres) - [web].

August 1999: Land Rover are selling a commercial version (i.e. van) of the Freelander 4x4 in the United Kingdom. It is based on the Freelander `Softback', with a special roof covering the rear load space.

23 August 1999: Audi (au) announce their "own branded insurance product available through the Audi Dealer Network", for new and second-hand Audis. In particular, it claims "none of the traditional penalties associated with turbo loading".

21 August 1999, Saturday: Some older GPS systems may not function correctly after midnight as a small binary counter overflows. Restarting may cure the problem. More modern equipment should not be affected, but do not put yourself in a critical situation depending totally and only on GPS.

20 August 1999: Kia (au) has been running a TV ad' where two (women) drivers "compete" for the last spot in the car-park, the driver of the Sportage 4x4 winning by virtue of a little bit of offroad driving. The RACQ complained to the Advertising Standards Board that the ad' "implicitly glamorised road rage", but the complaint was dismissed [-Kia]. I can see the RACQ's point and must say that the ad' raised eyebrows here too, but it does have the great virtue of being funny! The same cannot be said of the Ford Explorer ad' where the (male) driver ignores road-works signs and hurtles past startled workers. The recent Cherokee ad' (woman Jeep driver surprises female sports-car driver) is quite amusing. The Toyota Landcruiser ad' (... new species ... and retires to mate) is just tacky. But that Toyota Hilux (bugger) ad' is really funny, even if it was made in N.Z.
And from email::
There has been a similar problem in the US with the Kia ad' of people fighting for the parking space. The ad' was made by Kia Motors America and has been critized in the US for "encouraging road rage." Another Kia ad' that has been criticized is one where people are lining up outside of a bank to get their money out before Y2K. In the US, Kia's slogan is "Yes2Kia," impling that's what Y2K means. Bankers have been complaining that people will actually rush to banks and take out their money. - CarorVan
Heck, I've already got my money out of the bank! Haven't you? - L' !-)

August 1999: Toyota Prado has had some incremental improvements: 60/40 split second-row seats with three head-rests, 3 child restraint anchor points in the rear, improved 4WD controls & centre diff' lock control moved to right hand side of dash', new front grille and bumper, fog-lamps standard on GXL & VX, ... [-Toyota]

August 1999: Subaru has face-lifted the Outback, Liberty and Impreza AWDs for the year 2000 and they went on sale (au) 8/8/1999. All Imprezas now get dual airbags. The RX gets keyless entry, but stays at $26,990 for the 5-speed RX sedan. The WRX gets keyless entry and new trim, up by $500 to $40,490. The Liberty GX gains some extra equipment but remains at $29,990(au), and an interesting snippet: "the standard fitting of a pollen filter". The 5-speed Liberty RX stays at $35,990. The Heritage gets side airbags, up by $800 to $40,990. [-Subaru]

August 1999: Ford Explorer 4x4 will be the official vehicle at Rescue 2000, the World Life-Saving Championships, to be held in Sydney between March and April 2000. [-Ford]

We received this news by email:

ORVs owners in S. Florida need your help. The National Parks Service backed by the powerful National Parks and Conservation Association is trying to remove the use of all ORVs from the Big Cypress National Preserve. This 729,000 acres in S. W. Florida. You can help by send a US mail letter or email to those indicated on this letter. We have 90 days to contact them with letters and email. If you want to collect your letters and send them to me in a box please do so. I will hand deliver the before the deadline. If you have questions or concerns please contact by email. If the ORV community sits on the sideline on this issue we will all lose. Who knows you may want to go ORVing in the Preserve or you may live in S. Florida one day.
- Jack Moller, 610 NW 93 Ave., Pembroke Pines, FL 33024

Voice your opinions to:

Superintendent, Big Cypress National Preserve, HCR 110, Box 11, Ochopee, Florida
or by email: DOI E-Mail Search:
Robert Stanton Director's Secretary, Bruce Babbitt Secretary of the Interior, Wally Hibbard BICY Superintendant.

August 1999: Suzuki short wheel base Grand Vitaras are on sale in NSW, and will be in Victoria soon.

August 1999: Nissan (au) reports sales of 4220 vehicles in July, including 828 Patrol wagons & 335 cab-chassis.

7 August 1999: News from France of a big, coming 4x4 Show (14/8/99) and a past event, the 20th G anniversary, in Graz, Austria.

3 August 1999: Southern Right Whales are again at play in the waters at the head of the Great Australian Bight in the west of South Australia. Members of the Yalata community look after the area [-ABC]. It could be well worth stopping for a look if you are on the long trek across the Eyre Highway.

2 August 1999: Prices around town ($au exc' orc): Daewoo Musso from $40K (manual), Ford Explorer from $37K (new model), GM-Holden Jackaroo from $40K, Jeep Grand Cherokee V8 from $66.8K & 6-cyl from $52.5K, Cherokee from $40K, Kia Sportage from $24K+orc (new model), Land Rover Disco-II from $46.9K (base, V8 manual) and Disco-I from $40K, Mitsubishi Pajero Escape from $41K, Challenger from $40K and iO SWB from $22.5K, Nissan Pathfinder from $40K and Patrol 2.8 diesel from $44.7K, Subaru Forester from $27K, Suzuki Grand Vitara V6 from $31K.

July 1999: Audi release details of the S6 (hotter version of the A6).

July 1999: M.B. reports that its M-class 4x4 came out top of the 4x4-class in crash tests carried out by U.S. Insurance Inst. for Highway Safety.

28 July - 1 August: Eurotrial '99 is happening this weekend.

26 July 1999: Daewoo the South Korean manufacturer of almost everything, is in a financial crisis and announced an emergency rescue by other local groups. This sent a shiver through the Korean stock market; maybe the Asian crisis is not over yet [-ABC]. Daewoo took over the broke Ssangyong group, makers of the Korando and Musso 4x4s last year.

July 1999: The Leyland Badger Restoration group has announced plans to take Tom Kruse's Leyland Badger truck on a final run from Birdsville to Adelaide to celebrate its restoration [more.....].

23-25 July 1998: Australian 4WD & Adventure Show - Brisbane, Victoria Park, Gilchrist Ave, Herston July 23/24/25 8am-5pm. [more...]

16 July 1999: AN4WDRN reports that the Canning Stock Route is currently open from end to end for the first time in "a while". NB. The Stock Route is not to be taken lightly.

July 1999: It's the end of the financial year, the middle of the calendar year, and manufacturers are selectively quoting sales figures:
Toyota claims the overall lead when all vehicle types are included, also claiming 35% of the all-terrain wagon market when Landcruiser, Prado & RAV4 are pooled.
Nissan (which does not manufacture in Australia) claims 6.9% of all vehicle sales in June, and best ever sales for the GU Patrol in wagon (1272) and ute (739) forms, for Pathfinder-II (473), and 2nd-best monthly figure for Navara (787). (Don't mention Terrano II.)

July 1999: Mother and daughter, Valerie and Penny Swan (right), will be driving a Suzuki Grand Vitara 4x4 in the Formula Four (4x4) production category of the 5000km Australian Safari, starting August 21 in Alice Springs (check the 4wdcalendar). It's nice to see a parent taking such an interest in the driving skills of its child. [The ladies won their class ... see 28 August 1999 above.] Valerie's father, Ian Swan, is also competing in a modified 2.5L V6 Grand Vitara.

14 July 1999: News of the 5^th Middle East International Motor Show to be held in November '99 [more...].

July 1999: Audi Australia is running ``quattro drive experience'' events for customers through the Audi dealer network. They are run by "four German-trained instructors, led by Cameron McConville, who won the silver medal in an Audi A4 quattro in [the 1998] Australian Super Touring Championship". Incidentally it appears that 4x4 was banned in Super-Touring racing in Australia in 1999, and prior to that in other countries (too much grip). [-Audi]   4x4 was banned in F1 and Indy racing long ago.

8 July 1999: AN4WDRN Extended Base Station Operating Times: As you are all aware the VKS-737 Radio Network is expanding at an incredible rate (just under 650 new members have joined in the past six months alone) and with this there has been a very large increase in traffic through the base stations, Alice Springs alone is averaging over 90 contacts some days, other bases have also seen very large increases.
   As you are aware to reduce the bottlenecks that are occuring at the afternoon Alice Springs schedule time we have been encouraging members to call in earlier to reduce the load on the existing time slot. Trials since the early part of June have proven to be great success and therefore Alice Springs will now be commencing the afternoon sched on 8022kHz at 16:00 CST instead of the previous 17:00. Adelaide will still commence the 8022kHz sched and 17:30 CST and be followed by Alice Springs at around 18:00 - 18:15 depending upon traffic volume.
   The morning and midday Alice Springs schedules have been shortened by 30 minutes and the Sandstone scheds extended to suit the increased traffic through Sandstone Base at these times.
   The new schedules have been posted on the website and copies circulated to various 4WD and Communications magazines etc. New and prospective members to the Network are receiving the updated schedule with their information packs and the schedule will form part of the next issue of Network News.
   Please [help to] promulgate the changes as quickly as possible to members and potential new members.
Stop Press: With immediate effect we will be providing backup communications support for the Mission Aviation Fellowship. Initially 8 aircraft based in Alice Springs have been fitted with 5455 & 8022kHz for communications with our bases, direct radphone facilities have been allocated at Alice Springs, Adelaide and Perth to allow them direct access to their engineering and operational facilities at Alice Springs. Further aircraft will be equipped with our frequencies at a later date.
- Steve Johnston

5 July 1999: Audi Australia "will introduce `Audi Guaranteed Buyback'" - to counteract customer concerns about losses in resale values that may come about when the Goods and Services Tax (GST) is introduced. New car prices should (!) fall under the GST, consequently many buyers are holding off. But when new car prices fall, so will 2nd-hand prices, increasing the loss on the trade-in and, if many purchases are delayed until the GST, there will be a sudden glut of used cars, depressing prices further. Audi's buyback scheme is intended to "reassure [...] customers that they will not be disadvantaged by purchasing today, rather than in 12 month's time". The scheme applies to all of the range.

5 July 1999: Daewoo Australia has dropped prices on the Musso 4x4 and on the Korando 4x4 by between $1.5K and $4.5K.

3 July 1999, US email re Subaru:

The all-new 2000 Subaru Legacy and Subaru Outbacks are rolling down the Indiana assembly line as we [type]. The Legacy wagon is available in the value-priced Brighton, mid-level L, and loaded 2.5GT. New features include dual moonroofs, standard on the GT. Prior to 2000, dual moonroofs were available only on Outback Limited wagons. The sedan is available in L and 2.5GT models. The best-selling Outback wagon is available in base and Limited models, with standard dual moonroofs on each, and the Outback sedan is available in Limited model only.
- CarorVan

July 1999 from the email, re LPG:

Vitalgas: We have a product called Conversion Finance for LPG. Put simply we offer finance for people who want to convert their vehicles to LPG; they repay the loan via a levy on each litre of LPG they purchase using a Vitalgas fuel card, which incidentally can be used at over 700 sites Australia wide to purchase all your fuel and products from service stations. The loan is interest free and operates over 12 months and when your contract is paid out, depending on your fuel purchase levels we can offer a discount on your LPG. [...] We finance many 4wds as people realise that they are not always the most economical vehicle to run and conversion is relatively straightforward. Should the customer already be converted to LPG we can offer a Vitalgas fuel card with a discount depending on the area and purchase volumes. If any [readers] would like to know more [call] 02-9250-5436 or 1800-023409
- Kelvin Wallace, Vitalgas Card Development Manager

2-10 July 1999: The Variety Club of Queensland is conducting the Ford Variety Kimberley Explorer, departing Kununurra on July 2nd and arriving in Broome WA on July 10th. Participation in this 4WD event is limited exclusively to Ford Australia dealers. [Ed: now you know what happens to the factory "demonstrators":-] Further information can be obtained from Jon Mossop by [email] or the [web]
- Mark Tell, Communications Director, Variety Club of Queensland

July 1999: Subaru Australia have released 150 limited edition Impreza WRX Club Spec' Evo 3's at $41.7K.

July 1999: Vfacts figures for June 1999 show Australian vehicle sales of 12,785 all-terrain wagons for the month, 53,668 for the year to June, and 6,138 pickup/ crew-cab 4x4 for June, 21,801 to June, out of total vehicle sales of 84,470 and 397,744 respectively. Toyota Landcruiser wagon is out in front of the 4x4s selling 1885 (June) / 7346 (Jan-June), followed by Toyota Prado, and a spirited effort from Nissan Patrol, 1272 (June) / 5650 (Jan-June).

[Earlier 1999]

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