DEC 2011 Q U A R T E R L Y U P D A T E FREE

Welcome to the first edition of Sam Gould’s Cars Direct Auto Update.

For a long time now I have been

wanting to provide previous customers a regular newsletter and update of the goings on both in my business and more importantly in the auto industry.

The goal being to provide those car buyers both for business and pleasure real information that might assist you in

both purchasing and maintaining cars in

general. Well I finally think I've mastered the new computer so here it is!.

Also I am hoping to make it abit of fun

with interesting news from the auto industry and perhaps about some of the people that we have sold cars to and their businesses.

It coincides with an exciting time for me with planning underway to relocate to my new warehouse at 250 Ingles St

Port Melbourne. Not only will his provide customers with vastly

improved facilities (well overdue I think you’ll agree!) but also direct access to 100’s of used cars of my co-tenant

Alliance Motor Wholesale.

So here we go. Please if you have any feedback or can make any suggestions please let me know.

Happy Motoring!

! Sam Gould

Welcome to December Auto Update

MARKET NEWS CAR REVIEW TOYOTA PRIUS CHECK OUT THE NEW PLACE

AUTO UPDATE

Mention the Toyota Prius whether you’re with friends or work colleagues and you’ll always get a response, often

negative. “Don't the batteries die in them?”, “Slower that a wet week those” or “Aren’t they designed for Hollywood stars trying to look Green?”. Well with

anything new you will often get people knocking it but the Toyota Prius, now in production for over 10 Years has

proved itself and is finally starting to get the respect it deserves. I have many happy customers now that love its fuel

efficiency both on the highway and around town, quiet advanced interior and realistic price.

Firstly Myth Number One is battery

life. The Prius uses a Nickel-metal hydride battery no different in many ways to a normal household battery.

Recharging occurs in two ways by being topped up by the normal petrol engine

and by using braking power. The petrol engine will also assist the electric motors to provide vehicle power. The

result is fantastic fuel economy (around 5.0L/100kms) whether city or highway driving and reasonable power when required by both electric and petrol

motors.

Where people get concerned is that at the end of the useful life of the battery,

replacement costs can be expensive rumored at be approx. $8000. As a result of these press reports Toyota

increased the Battery warranty to 8 years retrospectively and hence eased most peoples concerns. It is worth noting that it this day there has been

NO reported replacement of a Prius battery in Australia and they are in use as Taxis around the country traveling

millions of kilometers.

The concerns can work in our favor however together with the high uptake

of the car by both government and rental companies. The Prius commands LESS prices at wholesale and retail levels than say a Toyota Corolla of a

similar vintage (cont. next page)

CAR REVIEW: THE TOYOTA PRIUS FACT FROM FICTION

THE NEW MODEL

PRIUS INTERIOR

SCARY? NOT AT ALL

THE WORKINGS

PRIUS REPRESENTS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO PROMOTE AND ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS

AUTO NEWS

This is despite the fact that at new the Prius was almost double the price, boosts more equipment (standard

features include Side Airbags, Touch screen centre stack, climate control,Cruise Control and better fuel economy of course). On top of that the

Prius boasts interior and boot space similar to a much larger car such as a Commodore or Falcon.

The bottom-line is the much maligned Toyota Prius represents exceptional value. The interesting thing will be over

the next few years the market will be flooded with new vehicles with this and heaps of other technology offering reduce fuel economy. Toyota themselves

have suggested they intend to offer hybrid technology “across the range”. It

is my opinion that for the used car buyer the recently release Camry Hybrid will be the next great

opportunity with the Government guaranteed purchasing and local manufacturing. Examples of these are beginning to hit the market and should

arrive in force towards the middle of next year.

Prius continued...........

DECEMBER QUIZ

1. IN MOTOR JARGON WHAT

IS “POP AND STOP”?

2. IN CAR JARGON IF SOMEONE SAID TO YOU. “THAT CAR NEEDS A NEW SET OF BOOTS?” WHAT WOULD THEY BE REFERRING TO?

3. WHAT DOES L.P.G STAND FOR?

4. NISSAN HAS A LUXURY BRAND IT IS LOOKING TO

BRING TO AUSTRALIA. WHAT IS IT CALLED?

Traditionally the lead up to Christmas is highlighted by stock shortages as Government and fleet buyers exit the market whilst private buyers continue to buy. It is no different this year with the absents of quality stock effected prices.

From a new car point of view, Toyota is to dominate the market with its strong line up in particular Hilux is now challenging for market leadership. This Dual Cab market will continue to grow in importance as more competition arrives and they are seen not just as a workhorse but a passenger car alternative. Holden has had a strong year growing its share with products like the new Cruze and Captiva whilst Ford now battles for third place in the market with Mazda and Hyundai.

The big news at the moment thou is rising interest rates. As the domestic and world economy improve it is likely will continue to see interest rates rise to curb domestic demand and inflation. In terms of car financing its important to know that with most contracts the interest rate is fixed for the term of the loan. The bottom-line is that it make sense to upgrade now and lock in the lower interest rate

We are Moving!. From December 1st our new address will be 250 Ingles St PORT MELBOURNE. Conveniently located just off the Westgate Freeway not only will I be able to stock a larger range of cars, in conjunction with Alliance Motor Wholesale I will have access to over 250 vehicles ranging from price range small cars to commercial and prestige vehicles.

Stay tuned for our Grand Opening sometime in December but until then place don’t hesitate to drop in a check out the new place!

NEW WAREHOUSE...NEW CARS....NEW SHOWROOM

ONES TO WATCH?Next Year will a host of new fuel efficient cars hitting the market. Watch out for these ones....1.HOLDEN VOLT. May see this Hybrid towards the end of the year.2.LPG FALCON AND COMMODORE. Coming first quarter we should see Liquid LPG Injection for both these cars3.DIESEL TERRITORY. Finally early in the new year Ford will throw a Land Rover Diesel in the Territory

QUIZ ANSWERS: 1.AIRBAG AND A.B.S 2. THE CAR NEEDS A NEW SET OF TYRES 3. LIQUIFIED PETROLEUM GAS 4. INFINITI

WE ARE MOVING!

COMMENCING 1ST DECEMBER OUR CONTACT DETAILS WILL BE:

South City Vehicles Pty LtdT/as Sam Gould’s Cars Direct250 Ingles StPORT MELBOURNE VIC 3201

MB:0418 342 925FAX: 03 9421 6872EMAIL: sam@samgould.com.auWEB: www.samgould.com.auABN: 37 097 157 018LMCT: 9717