» Golf Wagon offers Highest Level of Passive Safety  ^Top

Released only a month ago, visually, the Golf Wagon follows the styling of the current Volkswagen “design DNA”. Clear horizontal lines and bold styling of the headlights define its appearance. The bumper, radiator grille, engine bonnet and fenders and highlights were all transferred from the new Golf.

The design is characterised by a black, horizontally styled grille and body-coloured bumpers. In its lower front section, the Wagon also has an additional large air intake. Starting with the Comfortline version, chrome inserts are integrated in the radiator grille.

The Golf Wagon also preserves the car body’s excellent layout and high level of everyday utility. The development team focused on perfection in the details. Attaining the best possible acoustic properties on the wagon was a top priority for Volkswagen. In this context, the body was equipped with new detailed solutions in a variety of areas. Many secondary noises have been eliminated or reduced right at their source. In particular, this was achieved in all belt drives, the turbocharger and charge air distribution channels as well as in the heating and cooling blower. Noise comfort has been further improved by a new generation of turbo-diesels with common rail injection, as well as integration of TSI petrol engines that are known for their quiet operation.

The vehicle is being offered with a seamless package of safety features as standard equipment. On the passive side, there is a safety body (including optimised pedestrian protection), six airbags and a patented head restraint system for driver and front passenger, front, side and head airbags. The driver and front passenger airbags and safety belt system together form a precisely coordinated front restraint system on the wagon. The side airbags are integrated in the backrests of the front seats. They protect the chest, abdomen and pelvis and have been optimally tuned to the car’s more rigid side structure. Integrating the side airbags in the backrests assures optimal airbag positioning in relation to the driver and front passenger. Furthermore, standard head airbags help to prevent high biomechanical loads to the head. Specifically, these airbags cover an area along the side windows extending from the A pillar to the C pillar, offering maximum protection at all seating positions regardless of body size. Since the head airbags remain inflated for a long time, they even retain much of their effectiveness in secondary collisions such as in the case of a rollover accident.

For the full story about what already seems to be well on its way to becoming one of the most successful Golfs yet, contact Camberwell Volkswagen on 98 111 888.

» Versatile & Awarded Peugeot 3008 Arrives in May  ^Top

The widely acclaimed 3008, a compact SUV designed with a number of features also inherent in family hatchbacks and MPVs, is due to be launched on Australian roads in May.

Manufactured in Eastern France at the Sochaux manufacturing plant, its concept and specification has drawn from 200 years of Peugeot expertise and innovation.

An extremely versatile package, it has won a number of prestigious awards since its European launch and was named Car Of The Year for 2009 by the influential British publication What Car? – also winning its category on the way to the overall title.

» Škoda Yeti - Top Gear's Family Car of the Year   ^Top

Top Gear took a gruelling trip to Pikes Peak in the USA in their 2009 Family Car of the Year - a Škoda Yeti.

As written recently by Bill Thomas in regards to the car they were taking; "It won’t be a car like ...........  we’ll be taking up Pikes Peak, but a Škoda Yeti. All 140bhp of it. A diesel, too. Why? Because, like Everest, ‘it’s there’. And because, though we don’t do camping much here at Top Gear, if we did, we’d do it on Pikes Peak. And we’d strap an inflatable dinghy to the roof even if there wasn’t a river anywhere nearby. And we’d take a Yeti, because it’s our Family Car of the Year.

Congratulations are in order. Built on an Octavia Scout (Golf) platform, Yeti is a tall urban hatch, SUV-like in shape and stance, and is a direct rival for the successful Nissan Qashqai, which won a Top Gear award two years ago. It’s not bad value as a front-wheel-drive model, starting at £......... with the base-spec 1.2 e."

He went on to write; "The car has been superbly designed by Jozef Kaban and his team in Prague and stands out on the road – few have any issues with its cheeky stance. It’s not too heavy, has a range of effective and efficient engines and transmissions and is decently equipped. It is also beautifully made in typical Škoda/Volkswagen style, and is practical and spacious without being too big or unwieldy on the road. It is, in short, a winner."

To find out more about the Skoda Yeti, visit Bayford Škoda in Preston or call on 9471 5500.

» Our People Have Been Very Busy This Quarter...  ^Top

Congratulations are in order for a number of our people in our group this quarter.

Rodney & Tania Gulliver are proud parents of their first born girl, Chloe Laura (pictured left). Rodney is Sales Manager at Camberwell Volkswagen.

Also from the Camberwell team, Carlo Di Campli (workshop Manager at Hawthorn) and his wife Maria are the proud parents of a new baby girl, Leona ( pictured right). Leila and Livia are said to be very excited about the arrival of their new baby sister too.

Two Parts employees also had new born children recently. Rob and Fiona Foreman had a daughter Madison. Rob is the Spare Parts Operations Manager. Robert and Danielle Radcliffe had a son Brodie. Robert is Bayford Parts Export Supervisor.

Jason Dahlmann, sales consultant at Camberwell, announced his engagement to the beautiful Bree Clifton. We believe that wedding details are yet to be released.

» 5-Star ANCAP Safety Rating for Ford Territory  ^Top

Ford Australia's award-wining Territory SUV has received the maximum five-star safety rating in the latest round of ANCAP (Australasian New Car Assessment Program) testing.

The five-star ANCAP safety rating applies to the entire Territory range from January 2010 production onwards, following the addition of a front passenger Beltminder™ as standard equipment.

The front passenger Beltminder™, along with the driver Beltminder™, reminds both front seat occupants to fasten their seatbelts once the vehicle begins to move.

"The Territory has maintained a reputation as one of the safest vehicles on Australian roads since it was first introduced in 2004," said Ford Australia President and CEO, Marin Burela.

"It was the first locally-manufactured vehicle to be fitted with an electronic stability control system, as well as side curtain airbags and a reverse camera, while it also boasts an exceptionally strong passenger safety cell".

"This latest safety test result is further validation of the strength of Ford's continual process of design and engineering improvement, which has also delivered Territory compliance with Euro IV emissions regulations in recent months."

The addition of a front passenger Beltminder™ further bolsters Territory's already extensive list of safety equipment, which includes dual-stage driver and front passenger airbags, side curtain airbags, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and Traction Control.

For more information or a test drive visit our Bayford new Ford showrooms at Coburg or Epping.

» Volkswagen BlueSport may be a Real Challenger  ^Top

Whilst the global financial crisis almost put an end to Volkswagen's plan to challenge one of the world's favourite sports cars, it appears that the BlueSport concept is still alive and would certainly be able to challenge the MX-5.

The dream-like design car was rolled out at last year's Detroit motor show to test its potential.

The sportscar weighs less than 1200kg, has a 2.0 litre TDI diesel engine fitted midway, and is capable of zero to 100km/h in 6.6 seconds. Top speed is 226 km/h. We'll be watching this one with much interest.

» Falcon Soars in Anniversary Year  ^Top

The legendary Falcon will soar again during 2010 with the release of a commemorative logo to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Falcon cars in Australia.

Inspired by the original Falcon bird logo from the early 1960s, the new logo will feature prominently across a range of product and celebratory activities during 2010.

"2010 is a very special year for Ford in Australia," said Ford Australia Marketing, Sales & Service Vice President Beth Donovan.

"In addition to celebrating the 50th birthday of Falcon, we are also marking our 85th year as a company in Australia."

While Ford vehicles have been sold in Australia since 1904, the company was officially established on March 31, 1925. Production of the first Model T Ford began at the company's Geelong plant three months later. Falcon, the longest-running nameplate in Australian motoring history, will enter its 51st year on Monday June 28 – 50 years to the day after the first Australian-built XK Falcon rolled off the production line at Ford's manufacturing plant in Broadmeadows.

"There is no doubt that Falcon has been a true icon of the Australian motoring scene since 1960," said Ms Donovan. "Falcon has a history of being first to market with a wide variety of technology and safety advancements. We will continue that tradition in the next 12-18 months with the introduction of an all-new liquid phase injection LPG system and the world's first rear-wheel-drive EcoBoost 4-cylinder engine."

Ford Australia Design Manager Todd Willing looked to the past to create the commemorative new logo. "We wanted to recognise the heritage in the original Falcon motifs of the early sixties, but it was also imperative that we created a new design that reflects the contemporary and dynamic vehicle that Falcon represents today and will tomorrow."

Key anniversary dates:-
Ford Motor Company of Australia officially established – March 31, 1925
First local production of a Model T Ford – July 04, 1925
First I6 (in-line 6) engine produced at Geelong engine plant – April 29, 1960
First Falcon (XK) produced at Campbellfield manufacturing plant – June 28, 1960
First Falcon (XK) on sale – September 14, 1960

»12 Hours of Sebring Race Win for Peugeot HDi   ^Top

Last month's 12 Hours of Sebring race provided a promising one-two finish for Peugeot.

After starting the 12 Hours of Sebring from the front row of the grid, the two Peugeot 908 HDi FAP vehicles were never separated by more than a handful of seconds, despite the searing heat, all-pervading traffic, safety car appearances and race incidents. After 12 hours of racing, it was finally the N°07 Peugeot of Marc Gené, Alexander Wurz and Anthony Davidson which took the chequered flag in first place after 367 laps, closely tailed by the sister car in the hands of Sébastien Bourdais, Nicolas Minassian and Pedro Lamy.

After the 2009 Le Mans and last autumn's Petit Le Mans, Sebring is Peugeot's third straight one-two finish. It is also the first win for a French car in the American classic and puts an end to 11 years of German domination of the race! Also a remarkable achievement for the diesel powered Peugeot vehicles.

Final positions were:
     1, Peugeot 908 HDi FAP 07 (Davidson/Gené/Wurz), 367 laps in 12h 0m 54.362s
     2, Peugeot 908 HDi FAP 08 (Bourdais/Lamy/Minassian), +13.817s
     3, Lola-Judd (Mucke/Primat/Fernandez), +3 laps
     4, Porsche RS Spyder (Pickett/Graf/Maassen), +14 laps
     5, Honda (Pagenaud/Brabham/Franchitti), +18 laps

» New Volkswagen Caravelle, Transporter & Multivan     ^Top

The new range of Caravelle, Transporter and Multivan has just arrived in our showroom at Bayford Volkswagen Commercial Centre in Preston and they certainly are impressive, particularly the popular Transporter. .

For more than half a century, Volkswagen Transporter has been the van of choice for businesses all around the world, and it has arrived with a vast range of improvements.

Nothing beats the original for performance, reliability, build quality and value.

ESP is now standard not just on Transporter, but across the entire Volkswagen Commercial and People Movers range.
Highlights at a glance:
    - New common rail TDI engines significantly reduce consumption, emissions and costs
    - The new front section follows the stylistically sharpened Volkswagen design
    - DNA New infotainment and assistance systems optimise comfort and safety
    - New ESP generation incorporates hill start as standard
There is much to spruik about the new range and certainly not enough space here to do it any measurable justice.

Call into Preston soon to inspect the new Caravelle, Transporter and Multivan range or call on 9471 5500. You'll be pleased to know that they won Volkswagen's Dealer of the Year for Commercial Sales. Congratulations to all at Preston.

» New Mondeo Diesel Wagon Headlines Revised Range  ^Top

The introduction of a new, fuel efficient diesel powertrain for the Mondeo wagon range headlines a number of upcoming changes to Ford Australia's vehicle line-up.

A diesel Mondeo wagon will join the current MB Mondeo range in the third quarter, bringing with it a new generation diesel powertrain that delivers significantly better fuel economy and improved performance.

"The Mondeo wagon has presented a compelling proposition for wagon customers since it was introduced in July last year," said Ford Australia Vice President Marketing, Sales & Service, Beth Donovan.

"Packed full of equipment and features, and sporting a spacious cargo area with generous payload capability, Mondeo wagon delivers an ideal package to serve the needs of both private and fleet customers."

The addition of a diesel powertrain will bolster the existing range of petrol Mondeo wagon models.

"Over the past 12 months there has been an increasing shift in consumer preferences for this sector of the market, with growing customer expectations for improved safety features, new technologies, contemporary styling and the option for alternative fuels," Ms Donovan said.

"In order to meet these changing customer expectations in the long term, the Falcon wagon will cease production, while the introduction of a new diesel Mondeo wagon will present a modern alternative to fulfil the needs of both private and fleet customers." Sales of the Falcon wagon will be phased out throughout the second half of 2010.

The Falcon wagon has fulfilled a unique and important role in the Ford line-up for almost 50 years, serving generations of Australian customers as a reliable family car, as well as meeting the needs of local businesses as a valued fleet vehicle.

» Peugeot 308 CC Australian Design Award Finalist   ^Top

European leader in the coupé-cabriolet sector, Peugeot has already sold over 650,000 units worldwide since the 206 CC was launched in 2001. 2009 marked 75 years since Peugeot introduced the 401 Eclipse in 1934 – the world’s first electronically retractable steel roof.

Launched in Australia in the latter half of 2009, the 308 CC has become synonymous as a benchmark for coupé-cabriolet sports vehicles, with sales outstripping those of the 307 CC when compared to the same post-launch period by 2:1.

Richard Grant, National Marketing Manager, Peugeot Automobiles Australia says the inclusion of advanced technology in this model demonstrates how important innovation is to Peugeot. Speaking of the announcement regarding the Australian International Design Award…“this nomination as finalist is recognition of the long history of being at the forefront of technology,” he said. “This history of innovation stretches back 200 years, to when Peugeot began”.

This is the same award as won by the 308 Touring in the 2009 Awards. The assessment criteria for the awards includes: innovation, emotional appeal, functionality, quality of manufacturing, human factors such as ergonomics and safety and finally environmental sustainability. For details or to test drive a 308 CC, visit one of our Peugeot dealerships.

» 2012 Ford Focus Wagon Makes its Debut at Geneva   ^Top

When the 2012 Focus wagon was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show recently, there was also a revelation that a hot performance Focus will also hit the roads some time this year.

That is part of the global approach master plan that Ford has for its performance range, however, it is not yet clear whether the model will make it down under.

It is believed that the vehicle will be made in both left and right hand drive versions. Watch this space.

» Škoda Estate - Top Gear's Luxury Car of the Year  ^Top

In 2008, Top Gear’s luxury car of the year was the Rolls-Royce Phantom coupe. In 2009, it’s this: the Škoda Superb estate.

In another story from the iconic motoring reviewers, Jason Barlow explained; "Now you might think we’re being mischievous here, gunning for a bit of easy controversy in an era when the word ‘bonus’ has become as socially acceptable as the crudest example of old Anglo Saxon, and banker has transcended rhyming slang as a term of abuse. Škoda? Luxury car? Seriously? Seriously. Our awards tend to be rather instinctively assembled, which is a polite way of saying that we go to the pub and argue.

But the Škoda won this fair and square. Not saloon or Estate car of the year, no debate or dispute – Luxury Car. Our plan is devastatingly simple but brilliant. Fly to Czech capital Prague, pick up a Superb estate, fill it with the country’s other most famous export, beer, and drive back to London. Not any old beer though, premium Czech beer, the best in the world, in fact, and brewed to a 167-year-old recipe in Plzen, the town that gave the world the word Pilsner.

We thought about adding guns and girls to the mix – let’s face it, there would have been enough room and the country’s good at those too – but there was a rare outbreak of common sense. ..............................   But isn’t that the point? ...............  2009 is clearly Škoda’s year. Though its success might chime with the times, believe us when we say it has nothing to do with any enforced austerity. The Yeti is that rare thing: a car that puts a smile on your face; the Superb Estate is a thoroughly well-executed and uncommonly refined car, which also has more rear legroom than any other VW product, with the exception of the long wheelbase Audi A8. But though the Škoda project is hitting paydirt in 2009, there’s more to it than just good cars or astute marketing. Unlike GM’s stewardship of Saab, Volkswagen seems to have successfully blended the group’s best bits into an overall package that could only originate from Škoda’s Czech Republic homeland".

Well we must agree with Jason - and we're sure you will too when you test drive the new Skoda Superb Estate (we call it a wagon) which is due in our showroom right now, so visit Bayford Škoda in Preston or call on 9471 5500 for more details.

» Moffat Appointed Official FPV Ambassador  ^Top

Ford Performance Vehicles announced that racing legend Allan Moffat will represent FPV at major events and in certain new programs throughout 2010.

Four-time Bathurst winner, Moffat has a long history with the Ford brand which started in the late '60s as a factory team driver, and culminated with the famous 1-2 Falcon hardtop team victory with Colin Bond at Mt Panorama in 1977.

"I am delighted to welcome Allan Moffat to our team," FPV General Manager Rod Barrett said.

"Allan brings with him an unrivalled Ford heritage and enormous credibility with the history of performance Fords in Australia, and that has an obvious connect with our brand and our customers. But more than that, Allan has a real feel for 'performance cars' and what performance enthusiasts value, and that adds further to his role as FPV's roving Ambassador."

Allan Moffat's record has made him a motor racing icon in Australia. Along with four Bathurst victories, he won the Sandown endurance race six times, was Australian Touring Car Champion four times, and won both the Australian Sports Sedan and Sports Car Championship titles. Overseas Moffat won the Sebring 12 Hours in Florida, was Sports Car Club of America Central Division Champion, and was victorious in 500 kilometre races at Fuji (Japan), Monza (Italy) and Wellington (New Zealand). He also took class honours in each of the international 24 hour races at Le Mans (France), Daytona (America) and Spa (Belgium).

"FPV's products are fabulous … our racing cars didn't perform or handle as well as these cars do … so I am proud to represent FPV in Australia, and look forward to working with Rod and his team."

» Peugeot 408 World Premiere in Beijing   ^Top

The world premiere of the new Peugeot 408 recently took place in front of around 300 journalists and more than 700 network representatives in Beijing.

The new Peugeot 408 marks a further step in the marque's offensive on the world's foremost automobile market.

Despite being present in the Chinese market for only five years, Peugeot sold over 410,000 vehicles in 2009 – a 44% sales increase compared with its 2008 performance.

The new Peugeot DF 408 should enable Peugeot to increase its sales volumes in China by over 30% in 2010, compared with 2009, and thereby to grow at twice the forecast pace of the market.

This half-height architecture sedan has been designed and developed jointly by Peugeot's Styling teams in Europe and China and meets three objectives: to embody the marque's modernity, guarantee maximum safety and offer unrivalled interior space.

Peugeot Automobiles Australia general manager / director Ken Thomas says the 408 is an exciting proposition. “Whilst the car has not been officially confirmed for right-hand drive production at this stage, we are quietly confident that it will be in Australia in the not-too-distant future,” he said. Watch this space for more news as it comes to hand.

» Customer Rewards Are There for the Taking                 ^Top

Something that may be easily overlooked, yet can provide you with enormous value, is the Bayford Group's Members Only myRewards program.

Every customer who buys a car from any of our dealerships gets their own personal Customer Rewards pack, and that means that you can take advantage of literally thousands of discounts, coupons and savings at a multitude of businesses in many parts of Australia, not just Victoria.

There are offers for Travel, Leisure, Box Office, Shopping, Dining and even Insurance just to name a few. It's our own little way of saying "thank you" for your patronage.

To log into your myRewards members area, just click to http://ezine.bayford.com.au/rewards/bayfordgroup_rewards.htm and then go to the "Members Login" section.

» Online Used Vehicle Inventory Search                             ^Top

Some of our readers are unaware that you can search all of our Group's used and demonstrator inventory from our easy to use online search facility.

Simply point your browser to bayford.com.au and then click the "Demo / Used" menu text on the top right hand side which will take you to the search facility.

You can search by brand, vehicle type, price range, transmission, body style, keyword and also make online enquiries there too.

With well over 300 vehicles in stock we're sure you'll find the perfect car that you've been looking for.

» Reasons to Buy from The Bayford Group                       ^Top

Often we forget that there are many reasons besides just price that determine why you'll buy a vehicle from a particular dealer group.

Of course it is imperative that you get the best value for money - that's a given. However, there are also other significant "value-added" benefits that our Group offers which we feel sets us apart from the others.

We endeavour to provide customers and our local communities with real tangible value. Here are just a few of the reasons why we feel we make a difference:-

Great Deals and Fantastic Trade-ins
Free Travel and Shopping Discounts
7.5% VIP Discounts on Service and on the
     purchase of Parts and Accessories
Great Finance and Insurance Options
Sponsor and Support Many Local Schools,
     Charities and Clubs

Family Owned Business for Over 90 Years
Multi-awarded dealerships
12 Extra Months Unlimited Kms Warranty on
      All Used Vehicles (conditions apply)
WALKAWAY 12 months Complimentary vehicle
     return policy (conditions apply)
Employing over 380 Local Staff