Holden has launched its first ever dedicated LPG Commodore, an option which can be included on sedan, Sportwagon, ute and long wheelbase models - giving the range 11 new vehicles.

The LPG package attracts a premium of $2500, however $2000 of this can be claimed back thanks to a federal government rebate. The pricing of Holden's base model LPG Omega is $42,490 before rebate.

Holden says the new range gives buyers the choice of large car convenience, but with small car fuel usage and costs.

Suzuki has launched its new and highly anticipated Swift Sport, starting at $23,990 for the 6-speed manual.

Almost every element of the car has been redesigned, with an evolutionary and aggressive new look, an upgraded handling package, dramatic powertrain revisions and five-star safety.

Power and torque figures are up and the retuned 1.6-litre M16A engine will output 100kw@6900rpm and 160Nm@4400rpm, making the new Sport the most powerful Swift ever.

A teen who attempted to steal a car from a dealership has pleaded guilty to burglary, stealing, unlawfully possessing a dangerous article in a public place, and being found prepared for the commission of a crime.

Hobart man Daniel Robert Bradshaw, 19, broke into the Jackson Motor Company with an assortment of tools and stole a used Holden Colorado ute.

Bradshaw planned to buy a wrecked Colorado and use the number plates and VIN plate from the stolen vehicle.

Nissan Australia have confirmed William Peffer as CEO and managing director, effective April 1.

Dan Thompson, the current holder of these roles, is moving to Europe as vice president of finance for Nissan Europe, and will be based at the company's European HQ in Rolle, Switzerland.

Peffer joined Nissan in 2006 and is the current director of marketing communications and media at Nissan North America (NNA). Prior to Nissan, Peffer worked at Ford Motor Company for 13 years, primarily in their North American sales operations.

Holden has released the first details of its new diesel-only Colorado, which is due to launch in mid-2012.

Three body styles will be available - single cab, space cab and crew cab - as well as two all-new four cylinder diesel engines in either 2.5 or 2.8 litres.

Both engines have been tuned for peak torque at low revs - for maximum driveability and cargo carrying ability.

While pricing is yet to be announced, Toyota's small new Prius C hybrid will retail for 'thousands less' than the currently best-priced Honda Insight, which retails for $29,990.

Matthew Callachor, Toyota Australia's executive director of sales and marketing, says the C will bring Toyota's hybrid technology to a new segment of buyers, at a more accessible price when it launches next month.

He also says that while Australia's initial allocation of cars has not been affected by stock shortages, the overwhelming demand for the car in Japan was likely to result in tight supply throughout 2012.

Five Chinese, Malaysian and Indian vehicles have been slammed as 'cars to avoid' by West Australia's RAC.

The Chinese-built Chery J11 SUV is one of the 2-star vehicles high on the list of cars to avoid - according to a review of 2011 ANCAP crash test results published in RAC’s Horizons magazine.

"Shortly before the Chery J11’s 2-star rating was announced last year, the Chinese manufacturer had initiated a safety recall for the car because of issues related to the vehicle’s poor side impact protection" says the RAC article.

Production workers from Holden, Ford, and Toyota - companies which have all recently reviewed their Australian operations - have visited Canberra to urge Tony Abbott and the federal coalition to support auto manufacturing and end their anti-subsidy policy.

A petition of 5000 signatures in support of the Australia car industry was delivered to parliament, and the group also met with the prime minister, Julia Gillard, and the coalition’s industry spokesperson Sophie Mirabella.

“Mirabella wasn’t interested in supporting the automotive industry and manufacturing as a whole, despite our visit,” says Scott Cruz, a Holden maintenance fitter.

Vehicle dependability has reached historically high levels in the United States, with the lowest rate of problems recorded since 1990, when studies first began.

The data comes from US-based consumer information firm JD Powers, which says vehicle dependability has increased 13% in the last year, due to the strong initial quality of 2009 model year vehicles - which were produced during one of the toughest years for the automotive industry.

“Despite facing immense challenges in 2009, automakers placed a keen focus on delivering outstanding levels of quality, which they understood would be essential to their long-term success,” says David Sargent, vice president of global automotive at J.D. Power and Associates.

Honda's sporty CRZ hybrid has been named Wheels magazine's 2011 car of the year, fending off five other finalists, including the Volkswagen Scirocco, Audi A6, Ford Focus, Range Rover Evoque and Skoda Yeti.

Wheels praised the small coupe's handling and steering as inviting driver involvement, and called the package 'eye-openingly agile'.

CRZ's efficiency, refinement and safety credentials round out what has been called a return to form for Honda, and the first truly fun hybrid.