Australia: The Pricey World of Right-Hand Drive Conversions

<a href="http://trends-automotive.blogspot.com/2010/09/australia-pricey-world-of-right-hand.html"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518057785079068098" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TJQUUdG3dcI/AAAAAAADToA/H0OhQABC0vU/s800/1.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 645px; height: 349px;" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Car buyers in <a href="http://trends-automotive.blogspot.com/search/label/Australia">Australia</a> and other RHD countries have long got the short end of the stick in terms of American muscle cars. The reason is quite simple: they drive on the "wrong" side of the road.<br /></span><p></p><p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TJQUz1PIh_I/AAAAAAADToQ/7oRN4JE8oeA/s1600/4.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518058324132136946" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TJQUz1PIh_I/AAAAAAADToQ/7oRN4JE8oeA/s200/4.JPG" style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 139px; height: 94px;" /></a><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Most manufacturers are unwilling to do right-hand-drive conversions on what are essentially specialist models: cars like the <a href="http://trends-automotive.blogspot.com/2009/10/right-hand-drive-2010-chevy-camaro-on.html">Chevrolet Camaro</a>, Dodge Viper, Ford Mustang and the like. There just aren't enough buyers to rationalize the cost.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Fortunately, a cottage industry (or rather a man-in-a-shed industry) has popped up offering RHD conversions of American muscle cars for eager buyers in countries like Australia, the UK and Japan.<br /></span></p><p><a name="more"></a><span style="font-family:Verdana;">In Australia, for instance, you can get just about anything from a AU$359,990 Corvette ZR-1 (or around three times as much as it does in the U.S.) to a AU$139,000 Chevrolet Camaro (or the same as an Audi S5 Cabrio in Australia).<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Want a 2011 Mustang GT convertible? Be prepared to pony up AU$142,500 (the same as brand new Porsche Boxster Spyder) for <em>that</em> Pony. And it becomes even more laughable when you look at the U.S. prices for these same cars:</span></p><p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TJQUWYpgx5I/AAAAAAADToI/xuptWI7zUU4/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518057818241943442" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TJQUWYpgx5I/AAAAAAADToI/xuptWI7zUU4/s800/Untitled-1.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 644px; height: 125px;" /></a></p><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;">We do not claim to know the full details involved with importing a car and converting it to RHD, but it can't be so difficult as to demand the of a new entry-level Porsche 911...<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;">So the next time you harrumph at some foreign nobody, whining about, "How good you bleedin' Yanks have got it" – spare a thought for the poor, cash-strapped Aussie... selling his 911 to buy a RHD Corvette ZR-1.</span></p><p style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" >By Tristan Hankins</span></p><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Here's where we found pricing information for the RHD conversions:</span><br /></span></p><p style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.corvetteclinic.com.au/corvette/2009_zr1.php" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Corvette Clinic</span></a><span style="font-family:Verdana;"> - makers of the RHD ZR-1<br /><a href="http://www.mustangaustralia.com.au/cars_for_sale_detail.asp?id=87" target="_blank">Mustang Australia</a> - builders of RHD Mustangs<br /><a href="http://www.corvette.com.au/performax/default.asp" target="_blank">Performax</a> - makers of the RHD Camaro and other cars<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-style: italic;">And Top Gear Australia magazine's August 2010 issue.</span><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TJQUDswrnqI/AAAAAAADTn4/o-_2l3Y_I9s/s1600/7.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518057497223208610" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TJQUDswrnqI/AAAAAAADTn4/o-_2l3Y_I9s/s200/7.JPG" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 151px; height: 101px;" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TJQUDoBMGCI/AAAAAAADTnw/sLq2TI6Q7l4/s1600/6.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518057495950268450" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TJQUDoBMGCI/AAAAAAADTnw/sLq2TI6Q7l4/s200/6.JPG" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 151px; height: 101px;" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TJQUDXiXTwI/AAAAAAADTno/24jBxDTXy6Y/s1600/5.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518057491526012674" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TJQUDXiXTwI/AAAAAAADTno/24jBxDTXy6Y/s200/5.JPG" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 151px; height: 101px;" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TJQUCy3ZkvI/AAAAAAADTng/3_4ciP-NsMw/s1600/4.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518057481682129650" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TJQUCy3ZkvI/AAAAAAADTng/3_4ciP-NsMw/s200/4.JPG" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 151px; height: 101px;" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TJQUC7-MxBI/AAAAAAADTnY/ScV6vPtHMuU/s1600/3.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518057484126569490" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TJQUC7-MxBI/AAAAAAADTnY/ScV6vPtHMuU/s200/3.JPG" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 151px; height: 101px;" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TJQUCd_rEvI/AAAAAAADTnQ/T2oADJjAPk4/s1600/2.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518057476079686386" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TJQUCd_rEvI/AAAAAAADTnQ/T2oADJjAPk4/s200/2.JPG" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 151px; height: 101px;" /></a>

Australia: The Pricey World of Right-Hand Drive Conversions

Car buyers in Australia and other RHD countries have long got the short end of the stick in terms of American muscle cars. The reason is qu...

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Chrysler / Fiat US Plans Laid Out, New Dodge Viper on the way in 2012

<a href="http://trends-automotive.blogspot.com/2010/09/chrysler-fiat-us-plans-laid-out-new.html"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517919675278740930" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TJOWtaAgzcI/AAAAAAADTjw/whiDYieiMy0/s800/Dodge-Viper-1+copy.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 645px; height: 349px;" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">It turns out Sergio Marchionne brought a gift when he spoke with Chrysler dealers down in Florida earlier this week. Can we guess what it was? No, the rumored Jeep truck was a bonus (and a no-brainer). High fives all around if you said 2012 Dodge Viper. The company showed dealers an early prototype of the next Viper finished in a candy-apple red color. According to one dealer present at the meeting, the Viper concept "resembled the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione with a Viper face." We shall see. </span><p><a name="more"></a><span style="font-family:Verdana;">According to sources, the next Viper will play the role of a proper halo car, not just a high-end racer. That means a more luxurious performance car to be the icing on Dodge's cake instead of the visceral attack on the senses that was the previous Viper.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Dodge's lineup is also going to get a "sportier" Caravan in yet another attempt to convince dads that mom didn't just talk them into a minivan. Ralph Gilles also confirmed a "Man Van" with an all black interior. Love the guy's work, but "Man Van"? Grow up. Also, the Wall Street Journal reports that the Dakota will be replaced with a "lifestyle" truck, whatever that means.<br /></span></p><p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TJOWGnbhjcI/AAAAAAADTjo/cWjRmpW5eEQ/s1600/2011-Chrysler-200-3.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517919008866799042" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TJOWGnbhjcI/AAAAAAADTjo/cWjRmpW5eEQ/s200/2011-Chrysler-200-3.jpg" style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 179px; height: 120px;" /></a><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Chrysler, as we've recently shown you, will get the <a href="http://trends-automotive.blogspot.com/2010/09/2011-chrysler-200-begins-its-striptease.html">refreshed Sebring / 200</a> in order to fill the gap before a proper 200 is developed. Internet rumors indicate that the next mid-size Chrysler could be underpinned by a shortened RWD platform, so huzzah! Other than that, there's the <a href="http://trends-automotive.blogspot.com/2010/09/2011-chrysler-town-country-minivan.html">revamped Town & Country</a> that we told you about, as well as the redesigned 300.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;">As for Ram, there's not much going on right now. We could see a smaller pickup to fill the entry level gap once the Dakota disappears, but that's about it.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Jeep is about as lively as Ram. Other than the new Grand Cherokee, the rest of the lineup gets some updates before the new vehicles are revealed. Once all is said and done, we're probably going to see a Fiat-based small model (and say goodbye to the Patriot/Compass), the Wrangler, the Liberty, and the Grand Cherokee. Also, if dealers push for it, there could be a Gladiator-like Jeep truck coming; apparently Marchionne teased one at the dealer meeting.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Lastly, Fiat will drop the 500 Stateside in January after its US debut in L.A. We'll get Sport and Lounge versions of the little accessory car, as well as a ton of interior/exterior color combos. Bottom line on this one is that it's just too damn cute to pass up hopefully, Chrysler won't fumble it.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Chrysler and Fiat, both under the cost-cutting grandfatherly wing of Sergio Marchionne, working together to try to build world-class cars...who would have thought this would ever happen?<br /></span></p><p style="font-style: italic;"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">By Phil Alex</span><br /></span></p><p style="font-style: italic;"><span style=";font-family:Verdana;font-size:85%;" >Source: <a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/2010/09/15/chrysler-a-preview-of-the-automakers-new-lineup/" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">WSJ</a> and <a href="http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100916/RETAIL/100919884/1252" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">Autonews</a><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"> (sub. Req)</span><a href="http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100916/RETAIL/100919884/1252" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><br /></a></span></p><p><br /></p><p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TJOVzbjLU3I/AAAAAAADTjg/pjS56k65ycE/s1600/DG011_004DU.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517918679260156786" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnVk/TJOVzbjLU3I/AAAAAAADTjg/pjS56k65ycE/s400/DG011_004DU.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" /></a></p>

Chrysler / Fiat US Plans Laid Out, New Dodge Viper on the way in 2012

It turns out Sergio Marchionne brought a gift when he spoke with Chrysler dealers down in Florida earlier this week. Can we guess what it wa...

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