Articles by Mark Oastler
25 September 2023 by Mark Oastler
At the tradesmen’s entrance to Australia’s booming light commercial vehicle market, you’ll find utes that are primarily designed for work. With minimal standard equipment to keep a lid on costs, they are characterised by steel wheels, vinyl floors, hardy interiors and fridge white paint. Cab-...Read more
11 September 2023 by Mark Oastler
Iveco has recently refreshed its popular Daily E6 range of van and cab-chassis commercials, heralding numerous upgrades in styling, driver comfort, steering, active safety and ownership costs. We recently spent a week aboard one of the Italian manufacturer’s latest van offerings, which competes in...Read more
24 August 2023 by Mark Oastler
The local Chevrolet Silverado range offered by GM Specialty Vehicles is contributing to the steady rise in popularity of full-size US pick-ups in Australia. The 2023 Light Duty 1500 range consists of the luxurious and richly-chromed LTZ plus the new premium-priced ZR2 which serves as GMSV’s...Read more
9 August 2023 by Mark Oastler
The current generation Mahindra PikUp has been with us since 2007, which is a long time given major players in this market tend to introduce a new generation every decade, or close to it. However, with Mahindra reportedly developing an all-new ute , based on the underpinnings of its latest Scorpio...Read more
25 July 2023 by Mark Oastler
Ford recently entered its second-generation Ranger Raptor in some of the world’s toughest off-road racing events including the famous Baja 1000. That said a lot about its confidence in the product, given it competed in a class for vehicles in predominantly showroom specification. The fact that it...Read more
21 July 2023 by Mark Oastler
Ford has ventured into the pioneering world of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) for commercial use with the launch of its E-Transit, which will compete for buyers in the Light Duty (3501-8000kg) segment of Australia’s Heavy Commercial market. According to the company’s research, the new electrified...Read more
29 June 2023 by Mark Oastler
The Mercedes-Benz Vito van competes with 10 rivals in Australia’s mid-size (2.5-3.5-tonne GVM) commercial van market. Compared to Toyota’s dominant HiAce , which commands around 35 per cent of sales in this segment, the significantly more expensive Vito’s 4.0 per cent market share pales by...Read more
14 June 2023 by Mark Oastler
During our third and final month with the Ranger XLS we wanted to test its towing performance. Given that many dual cab ute owners want their vehicles to perform the dual roles of weekday worker and weekend escape machine , the ability to efficiently and safely tow is important. That could require...Read more
31 May 2023 by Mark Oastler
The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter competes for market share with more than a dozen rivals in the highly competitive Light Duty (3501-8000kg GVM) division of Australia's Heavy Commercial segment. Launched in 1995, the Sprinter is approaching three decades of service and during that time has evolved through...Read more
18 May 2023 by Mark Oastler
The eighth-generation HiLux, launched locally in 2015, reigns as not only Australia’s top-selling ute but also the nation’s top-selling motor vehicle for the past seven years. Although now in its eighth year in local showrooms, Toyota has been unrelenting in keeping its maturing but still capable...Read more
9 May 2023 by Mark Oastler
A worksite on wheels When Ford launched the latest ‘Next Gen’ Ranger it claimed some new design features, particularly in the load tub , were the direct result of feedback from existing owners to improve ease-of-use and versatility for tradies and adventurers alike. These start with the side-steps...Read more
4 May 2023 by Mark Oastler
Australia’s small van class (under-2.5 tonne GVM) is a three-way fight between the Peugeot Partner, Renault Kangoo and Volkswagen Caddy Cargo. All are well designed for light delivery work but in 2023 Germany’s sole contender enjoys a dominant lead over its French rivals. Recent industry sales...Read more
19 April 2023 by Mark Oastler
RAM Trucks Australia claims the RAM 1500 TRX is the quickest, fastest (those are drag racing terms) and most powerful pick-up truck in the world. Built to rule the road and dominate the desert. The ultimate on-road/off-road big boy’s toy. With launch control and more than 700 supercharged V8 horses...Read more
12 April 2023 by Mark Oastler
Evolution, not Revolution The latest Ford Ranger, identified as either Next Gen or T6.2, has won plenty of friends since its launch in 2022. Latest year-to-date sales figures for 2023 show that the Ranger, which is proudly designed and developed in Australia, holds a healthy lead over Toyota's...Read more
3 April 2023 by Mark Oastler
Since the launch of the current generation BT-50 in 2020, Mazda has consolidated its foothold in Australia's highly competitive 4x4 ute market. Latest industry sales figures show the Isuzu-based ute is locked in a close battle with Mitsubishi’s venerable Triton for fourth place in the sales race...Read more
20 March 2023 by Mark Oastler
Following the D23 Navara’s launch in 2014, it took about six years of continual refinement for Nissan to turn it into the competent all-rounder it now represents. The premium offering in the Australian Navara 4x4 line-up is the PRO-4X Warrior, which is designed, developed and assembled by Nissan's...Read more
15 March 2023 by Mark Oastler
Accessories: good things come to those who ‘weight’ We’re really pleased with the way the BT-50 XTR build has come together over the past six months, involving installation of 12 items we selected from the Mazda Genuine Accessories (MGA) range. Each has met our expectations in enhancing the vehicle...Read more
7 March 2023 by Mark Oastler
Most buyers of mid-sized (2.5- to 3.5-tonne GVM) vans want them purely as workhorses and often as part of hard-working fleets. Although these cuboid-shaped commercials are usually available in a limited choice of colours (take your pick from fridge white or freezer white) they are well designed for...Read more
21 February 2023 by Mark Oastler
Toyota doesn't make hasty decisions and with good reason. As one of the world’s largest and longest-running automotive manufacturers (founded 1937), it applies the same rigorous assessment of each new model proposal or running change. That ensures each green light stacks up as a viable business...Read more