Running Costs

The recently launched Suzuki Celerio replaced the Alto in showrooms earlier this year, and now has replaced it as Australia’s cheapest new car to own and run, according to the RACV. The motoring group’s annual running costs survey found the ($12,990 drive-away) Celerio manual costs $97.65 in average weekly running costs in Victoria, or about 34 cents per kilometre using average weekly travel distances as a baseline.

Research by the Commonwealth Bank has revealed Australian motorists pay more than $3800 every year to keep their cars on the road. According to an AAP report, the bank's data reveals fuel is the greatest expense for car owners – over 40 per cent of an owner's total costs – while other factors such as car washing and parking can cost drivers more than $100 each year. Insurance costs an average of $407 each year, another major expense for drivers.

The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) has launched a formal investigation into whether petrol stations could be ripping off consumers by sharing information on fuel prices. The ACCC is concerned the current petrol price sharing arrangements, which “allow for the private and very frequent exchange of comprehensive price information between the major petrol retailers” may breach the Competition and Consumer Act 2010.

Ford's luxury car brand in the US, Lincoln, has topped recent survey for original buyer vehicle dependability. The J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Survey took into account more than 43,700 original car owners of vehicles that were three years old (2008 model year), and recorded any problems that arose in the past 12 months.

The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) is calling on the Federal Government to tighten the requirements and increase the rebate on the Cleaner Car Rebate. The Cleaner Car Rebate - or cash-for-clunkers scheme as it's more affectionately known - would see individuals rewarded with $2000 if they trade in their pre-1995 vehicle for a new, greener vehicle.