Articles by Mark Oastler
16 June 2021 by Mark Oastler
In 2021 the sixth-generation HiAce continues Toyota’s long-standing dominance of Australia’s mid-sized (2.5-3.5 tonne GVM) commercial van market, which is not surprising given the breed's hard-earned reputation for build quality and rugged dependability since its inception more than half a century...Read more
9 June 2021 by Mark Oastler
Maintaining correct tyre pressures can optimise tyre life and minimise...Read more
31 May 2021 by Mark Oastler
Crew vans offer alternatives to dual cab utes and heavy-duty wagons for work or play, if you’re prepared to trade rugged looks and off-road prowess for the ability to carry up to five or six occupants in more spacious comfort with unmatched internal load volume. Numerous manufacturers offer a...Read more
17 May 2021 by Mark Oastler
The NP300 Nissan Navara (aka D23) has been on sale in Australia since 2015 and although it has never posed a threat to the dominant Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger in 4x4 ute sales, it has benefitted from gradual styling and engineering refinements. In MY21 guise, the Navara has a bold new look,...Read more
4 May 2021 by Mark Oastler
The VW Transporter has been in production for more than 70 years, as its bloodline can be traced back to the original rear-engine split-window ‘Kombi’ launched in 1950. So, during those seven decades, the German manufacturer has no doubt learned a thing or ten about building light commercial vans...Read more
19 April 2021 by Mark Oastler
Back in the 1960s and ‘70s, Japanese automotive brands started to get a stranglehold on the Australian market because they combined good design with lots of standard features at prices most Aussies could afford. They were followed by the South Koreans in the 1980s and '90s. Ironically, many of...Read more
6 April 2021 by Mark Oastler
There are currently 14 rivals competing for customers in the Light Duty or LD (3501-8000kg GVM) segment of Australia’s heavy commercial vehicle market. Business buyers and fleet operators are thick on the ground here and competition for their business is fierce. Chinese brand LDV , a division of...Read more
17 March 2021 by Mark Oastler
Mazda’s release of its all-new BT-50 dual cab ute in September 2020 was followed in November by single cab and extended cab (aka Freestyle Cab) variants. Like their dual cab siblings, these work-focused commercials share mechanical underpinnings with the latest Isuzu D-Max range from which the BT-...Read more
4 March 2021 by Mark Oastler
The Ducato originated in 1981 through a joint venture between Fiat and PSA Peugeot-Citroen, which are both now part of the recently formed Stellantis conglomerate. The Ducato has evolved through four decades and several generations, with more than 2.6 million sold in a variety of body styles (...Read more
15 February 2021 by Mark Oastler
Although Mitsubishi has increased prices across the board for its Triton fleet in 2021, the popular Japanese ute continues to represent excellent value for money. It also remains firmly entrenched in a solid third place in the local 4x4 ute sales race, behind the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux. The...Read more
1 January 2021 by Mark Oastler
Toyota Australia’s freshly facelifted HiLux range offers not only the usual base-grade Workmate 4x4 dual cab-chassis but also mid-grade SR and high-grade SR5/SR5+ variants for the first time. This is in response to increasing demand for a cab-chassis HiLux that provides the higher equipment levels...Read more
22 December 2020 by Mark Oastler
You'd have to be driving around with your eyes wide shut not to see that 4x4 dual cab utes dominate the Aussie roadscape these days. This surging popularity is largely driven by dual purpose versatility, as their dual cab configuration allows them to serve as a family car and/or work vehicle during...Read more
23 November 2020 by Mark Oastler
Strong demand for premium-grade utes has prompted Toyota to release...Read more
19 November 2020 by Mark Oastler
Isuzu has invested more than four million kilometres and six years of development in creating the all-new third-generation of its D-Max ute. And feedback from the Australian market had significant influence in its design, given that Australia is the D-Max’s largest global export market behind...Read more
30 October 2020 by Mark Oastler
One of the most competitive segments in Australia’s light commercial...Read more
16 October 2020 by Mark Oastler
The growing popularity of mid-sized (2.5-3.5 tonne GVM) commercial vans that can carry up to six people, generically known as crew vans, has seen an increasing number of rivals from mainstream manufacturers with a second row of seats. These include Toyota, Ford, Hyundai, Renault, Volkswagen and...Read more
30 September 2020 by Mark Oastler
Increasing customer demand for vehicle personalisation has for the...Read more
3 September 2020 by Mark Oastler
The top three contenders in the local medium-sized (2.5 to 3.5 tonne GVM) commercial van class are the Toyota HiAce followed by the Hyundai iLoad and Ford’s Transit Custom. Although Toyota has traditionally enjoyed sales dominance of this popular LCV segment and continues to do so with its latest...Read more
31 August 2020 by Mark Oastler
One-tonne 4x4 utes are well suited to the hard-working roles many...Read more