logo
State's best hill climbers head to Ringwood Park for shot at Aussie titles

State's best hill climbers head to Ringwood Park for shot at Aussie titles

The Advertiser18 hours ago
Some of Australia's best hill climbers will be heading to Ringwood Park Motorsport Complex on August 9 for the final round of the NSW Hillclimb Championships and spots at the upcoming Australian titles.
A quality field is expected for the event at Ringwood Park, on Italia Road, Balickera, 12km north of Raymond Terrace, including former Australian champion Dean Tighe, from Queensland, who will arrive back in Australia with four days to spare after racing in the UK.
Tighe, who is on track to reclaim the NSW and Australian titles this season, holds the fastest lap record at the Ringwood Park track which is rated by many as Australia's most challenging track.
Other drivers who will be pushing for class and overall honours at the final round include Kempsey's Dave Morrow who has shown a liking for the Ringwood Park track with podium finishes there on previous visits.
Morrow is coming off a victory in the Formula Libre 750-1300cc class at round six at Tamworth.
Heddon Greta's Tim Blake in his Subaru Impreza WRX and Peter Akers (Subaru Impreza,) finished first and second respectively in the Sedan type cars at the 2025 Queensland Hillclimb Championship.
Round seven of the NSW Championships at Ringwood Park, follows the first two rounds at Bahurst, round three at Wollongong, round four at Kempsey, round five at Grafton and round six at Tamworth.
The opening two rounds of the NSW Hillclimb Championships on Mt Panorama on March 5-6 were downgraded to Multi Club events due to the floods along the eastern seaboard.
However, Tighe managed to get there and set the fastest times on both days of the Bathurst Light Car Club run event.
He followed that up with wins at Huntley at Wollongong, Grafton and Kempsey.
This weekend's event is hosted by MG Car Club Newcastle, and will finalise overall victory and category wins and subsequent spots at the Australian Hillclimb Championship which will be held at The Bend Motorsport Park in South Australia.
Racing driver and instructor Cody McKay, who used the Ringwood Park track to train drivers said it was one of the most challenging and rewarding tracks in Australia.
McKay, who has had wins and podiums at the Bathurst 6 Hour and also the Aussie Racing Car Championship, said Ringwood Park hosted the Australian Championship in 2023.
While he will not be competing, he said this is an event for all motorsports fans and it will provide plenty of exciting highlights.
"This would have to be Australia's most challenging track. If you can get this track right, you're right to go to Bathurst, and you're right to go to the street circuits.
"We really teach our students to do well here if they can nail it they have success on all sorts of other tracks.
"The intricacies and the technicalities of what's needed to learn how to race here really translates onto the bigger tracks.
"This is really technical. You've got to learn your brakes, your steering. There also a lot of undulations, and it's pretty high speed as well. So if something goes wrong, it can really go wrong
"The spectators love it as well.
"Some of the talented drivers can pretty much do the whole course sideways.
"This is a driver's track. It's a real driver's experience. There of all theses ups and downs at the top, and you're going well over 100 kilometres an hour on some sections. So you've really got to be a talented driver
Practice is on Saturday, racing on Sunday from 9am with Food and Drinks will be available from the canteen. Racing begins at 9am.
Some of Australia's best hill climbers will be heading to Ringwood Park Motorsport Complex on August 9 for the final round of the NSW Hillclimb Championships and spots at the upcoming Australian titles.
A quality field is expected for the event at Ringwood Park, on Italia Road, Balickera, 12km north of Raymond Terrace, including former Australian champion Dean Tighe, from Queensland, who will arrive back in Australia with four days to spare after racing in the UK.
Tighe, who is on track to reclaim the NSW and Australian titles this season, holds the fastest lap record at the Ringwood Park track which is rated by many as Australia's most challenging track.
Other drivers who will be pushing for class and overall honours at the final round include Kempsey's Dave Morrow who has shown a liking for the Ringwood Park track with podium finishes there on previous visits.
Morrow is coming off a victory in the Formula Libre 750-1300cc class at round six at Tamworth.
Heddon Greta's Tim Blake in his Subaru Impreza WRX and Peter Akers (Subaru Impreza,) finished first and second respectively in the Sedan type cars at the 2025 Queensland Hillclimb Championship.
Round seven of the NSW Championships at Ringwood Park, follows the first two rounds at Bahurst, round three at Wollongong, round four at Kempsey, round five at Grafton and round six at Tamworth.
The opening two rounds of the NSW Hillclimb Championships on Mt Panorama on March 5-6 were downgraded to Multi Club events due to the floods along the eastern seaboard.
However, Tighe managed to get there and set the fastest times on both days of the Bathurst Light Car Club run event.
He followed that up with wins at Huntley at Wollongong, Grafton and Kempsey.
This weekend's event is hosted by MG Car Club Newcastle, and will finalise overall victory and category wins and subsequent spots at the Australian Hillclimb Championship which will be held at The Bend Motorsport Park in South Australia.
Racing driver and instructor Cody McKay, who used the Ringwood Park track to train drivers said it was one of the most challenging and rewarding tracks in Australia.
McKay, who has had wins and podiums at the Bathurst 6 Hour and also the Aussie Racing Car Championship, said Ringwood Park hosted the Australian Championship in 2023.
While he will not be competing, he said this is an event for all motorsports fans and it will provide plenty of exciting highlights.
"This would have to be Australia's most challenging track. If you can get this track right, you're right to go to Bathurst, and you're right to go to the street circuits.
"We really teach our students to do well here if they can nail it they have success on all sorts of other tracks.
"The intricacies and the technicalities of what's needed to learn how to race here really translates onto the bigger tracks.
"This is really technical. You've got to learn your brakes, your steering. There also a lot of undulations, and it's pretty high speed as well. So if something goes wrong, it can really go wrong
"The spectators love it as well.
"Some of the talented drivers can pretty much do the whole course sideways.
"This is a driver's track. It's a real driver's experience. There of all theses ups and downs at the top, and you're going well over 100 kilometres an hour on some sections. So you've really got to be a talented driver
Practice is on Saturday, racing on Sunday from 9am with Food and Drinks will be available from the canteen. Racing begins at 9am.
Some of Australia's best hill climbers will be heading to Ringwood Park Motorsport Complex on August 9 for the final round of the NSW Hillclimb Championships and spots at the upcoming Australian titles.
A quality field is expected for the event at Ringwood Park, on Italia Road, Balickera, 12km north of Raymond Terrace, including former Australian champion Dean Tighe, from Queensland, who will arrive back in Australia with four days to spare after racing in the UK.
Tighe, who is on track to reclaim the NSW and Australian titles this season, holds the fastest lap record at the Ringwood Park track which is rated by many as Australia's most challenging track.
Other drivers who will be pushing for class and overall honours at the final round include Kempsey's Dave Morrow who has shown a liking for the Ringwood Park track with podium finishes there on previous visits.
Morrow is coming off a victory in the Formula Libre 750-1300cc class at round six at Tamworth.
Heddon Greta's Tim Blake in his Subaru Impreza WRX and Peter Akers (Subaru Impreza,) finished first and second respectively in the Sedan type cars at the 2025 Queensland Hillclimb Championship.
Round seven of the NSW Championships at Ringwood Park, follows the first two rounds at Bahurst, round three at Wollongong, round four at Kempsey, round five at Grafton and round six at Tamworth.
The opening two rounds of the NSW Hillclimb Championships on Mt Panorama on March 5-6 were downgraded to Multi Club events due to the floods along the eastern seaboard.
However, Tighe managed to get there and set the fastest times on both days of the Bathurst Light Car Club run event.
He followed that up with wins at Huntley at Wollongong, Grafton and Kempsey.
This weekend's event is hosted by MG Car Club Newcastle, and will finalise overall victory and category wins and subsequent spots at the Australian Hillclimb Championship which will be held at The Bend Motorsport Park in South Australia.
Racing driver and instructor Cody McKay, who used the Ringwood Park track to train drivers said it was one of the most challenging and rewarding tracks in Australia.
McKay, who has had wins and podiums at the Bathurst 6 Hour and also the Aussie Racing Car Championship, said Ringwood Park hosted the Australian Championship in 2023.
While he will not be competing, he said this is an event for all motorsports fans and it will provide plenty of exciting highlights.
"This would have to be Australia's most challenging track. If you can get this track right, you're right to go to Bathurst, and you're right to go to the street circuits.
"We really teach our students to do well here if they can nail it they have success on all sorts of other tracks.
"The intricacies and the technicalities of what's needed to learn how to race here really translates onto the bigger tracks.
"This is really technical. You've got to learn your brakes, your steering. There also a lot of undulations, and it's pretty high speed as well. So if something goes wrong, it can really go wrong
"The spectators love it as well.
"Some of the talented drivers can pretty much do the whole course sideways.
"This is a driver's track. It's a real driver's experience. There of all theses ups and downs at the top, and you're going well over 100 kilometres an hour on some sections. So you've really got to be a talented driver
Practice is on Saturday, racing on Sunday from 9am with Food and Drinks will be available from the canteen. Racing begins at 9am.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Aussie motorcycle world champion Troy Bayliss rushed to hospital with serious internal injuries
Aussie motorcycle world champion Troy Bayliss rushed to hospital with serious internal injuries

7NEWS

time11 minutes ago

  • 7NEWS

Aussie motorcycle world champion Troy Bayliss rushed to hospital with serious internal injuries

Australian motorcycle great Troy Bayliss has been hospitalised with serious internal injuries suffered in a crash. The three-time Superbike world champion shared the update on Instagram alongside a photo of his broke and battered body. He suggested he was found unconscious by passersby, who called an ambulance. 'Went for a spin in the meat wagon yesterday,' the 56-year-old wrote on Instagram. 'Thanks to the people who spotted me having a sleep on the track. 'Seven ribs, punctured lung and collarbone, and just beat up.' Loading Instagram Post Bayliss had only just returned to riding two weeks ago after recovering from a broken left ankle. His latest incident shocked friends and fans, with multiple MotoGP race winners sending their well wishes. Cal Crutchlow said: 'Heal up mate and you be back to still getting after it again soon!!! Legend.' Max Biaggi wrote: 'F***! Can't believe!!!! Be strong my friend.' Marco Melandri said: 'Damn!!!! Take care mate!' Aussie stuntman Robbie Maddison wrote: 'Damn it mate! Sorry it was your turn. Heal fast brother!' Australian Moto3 young gun Joel Kelso said: 'S*** mate! Get well soon!!' Bayliss won three Superbike World Championship titles either side of a stint in MotoGP. He capped off his second Superbike triumph in 2006 with his one and only MotoGP race win, taking the chequered flag as an injury substitute for the season finale. His son Oli has followed in his footsteps and currently races in the British Supersport Championship.

2025 Nissan Ariya prices and details
2025 Nissan Ariya prices and details

Herald Sun

timean hour ago

  • Herald Sun

2025 Nissan Ariya prices and details

Don't miss out on the headlines from Motoring News. Followed categories will be added to My News. Nissan has finally confirmed Australian details for its long-awaited Ariya electric car. Landing in showrooms six years after it was unveiled in concept form and more than three years after going on sale in Europe, the Ariya's debut was delayed by government red tape surrounding Australian Design Rules that require a unique 'top tether' anchor point for child seats. Nissan's Ariya electric car hits showrooms in September. Picture: Supplied Its arrival has been timed to help soften the blow of new emissions laws that punish popular – but thirsty – cars such as the Nissan Patrol. The brand's long-awaited alternative to the Tesla Model Y shapes up as a family-friendly SUV of a similar size to the Volkswagen ID. 4 and BYD Sealion 7. Set to arrive in September, the Ariya has sharp prices that undercut some rivals. Priced from $60,595 drive-away, the entry-level Nissan Ariya Engage undercuts the cheapest Tesla Model Y by about $3500. Nissan's 12.3-inch digital dash and 12.3-inch infotainment screen are great to have, as is the brand's 'ProPilot' suite of driver assistance features that can handle stop-start traffic jams. The Ariya has had a delayed introduction. Picture: Supplied But a closer look at the Nissan's spec sheet shows where the brand has cut corners. Equipped with a front-mounted motor as standard, basic front-wheel-drive versions of the car have 160kW of power and need 8.0 seconds to reach 100km/h, making them significantly slower than a rear-wheel-drive Tesla, which needs 5.9 seconds to reach the same mark. The Ariya's 385km claimed range also lags behind the Tesla's 466km. And the basic Ariya promises to be a cold place on winter mornings. Most electric cars have heated seats as standard – the cheapest Tesla Model Y has them in the front and rear – as EV cabins can take longer to warm up without a hot combustion engine under the bonnet. The electric Ariya follows in the wheel tracks of Nissan's Leaf. Picture: Supplied Nissan customers who want heated seats in the front and rear need to upgrade to the Ariya Advance + for $68,995 drive-away. The model also benefits from a larger battery with 504km of claimed range, plus a 10.8-inch head-up display, panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats and a power sliding centre console. At the top of the range, the all-wheel-drive Nissan Ariya e-4orce adds a rear-mounted electric motor to effectively double its power output, resulting in a 0-100km/h time slashed to 5.6 seconds. It also has Nappa leather, 20-inch wheels and upgraded towing capacity to help justify an asking price of about $77,395 drive-away. The brand has not confirmed an Australian debut for the sportier Ariya Nismo model. Nissan sells Ariya Nismo models overseas. Photo: Supplied Nissan's key advantage over the likes of Tesla is a 10-year warranty that applies to models serviced throughout its considerable dealer network. Customers who service their cars externally get a five-year guarantee. The Nissan Ariya has been on sale in Europe since 2022. Warwick Daly, deputy director of marketing and mobility, Nissan Australia, said it is 'exciting to see Nissan's long history in the Australian electric vehicle space continue in the Ariya, which pairs incredible design, a clever and spacious interior, intelligent driving systems with advanced battery and motor technology to deliver a truly thrilling drive'. 'Understandably, a lot of people have been waiting for the Ariya to arrive in Australia, and I'm so excited that customers can now place orders,' he said. Under the skin of Nissan's Ariya electric car. Picture: Supplied The Ariya is a vital part of the strained Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance. It shares underpinnings with the Renault Megane E-Tech, as well as Renault's upcoming Alpine A390. Originally published as 2025 Nissan Ariya prices and details

Not every brand in Australia needs a ute, says Honda
Not every brand in Australia needs a ute, says Honda

The Advertiser

timean hour ago

  • The Advertiser

Not every brand in Australia needs a ute, says Honda

Honda Australia says it doesn't need to join the flurry of brands adding dual-cab utes to their Australian lineups – not right now, anyway. The Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux utes have been the best-selling vehicles in Australia for the past decade – the HiLux from 2015 through 2022, the Ranger since. In 2025 alone, they've been joined by new entrants including the Kia Tasman – the South Korean brand's first dual-cab ute – as well as the Chinese BYD Shark 6 and LDV Terron 9."Does every brand need one? No," Honda Australia CEO Jay Joseph told CarExpert. "Do we need one? Not necessarily, but if we have one it needs to be the right one." CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. Above: Honda Ridgeline Among the top 10 best-selling brands in the first half of 2025, Hyundai and MG are the only not offering a dual-cab ute, but MG will introduce the U9 – twinned with the LDV Terron 9 – later this year, leaving Hyundai an outlier. Looking at the top 20 brands' sales to the end of June, only six don't have a dual-cab ute in showrooms. That includes Honda Australia, which finished 19th on the sales chart over the first six months of the year. The Japanese brand does make a dual-cab ute – the second-generation Ridgeline – which it manufactures and sells in the US, but it isn't planned for an Australia berth anytime soon. "Regardless of what a brand needs, it doesn't make sense to bring one to market that doesn't suit consumer needs," Mr Joseph said. "The current Ridgeline – as it's configured in the United States – Australian customers expect more towing capacity than that offers, [and] obviously right-hand drive sort of takes it off the table, and it's not this product that's in its ninth year." The Ridgeline uses unibody construction – like passenger cars – where the most popular dual-cabs in Australia use body-on-frame construction which is preferred for off-roading. At 5339mm length, it's only slightly longer than a HiLux, and is powered by a 209kW/355Nm 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine with a towing capacity of 2286kg – well short of the benchmark 3500kg tow rating of leading dual cabs sold here. "In terms of a ute – and it's been a long question for Honda for many years – in some ways, yeah we'd love it and we'd love to have had it for a number of years, but it's not available," said Honda Australia managing director Rob Thorp. "We've seen growth opportunities in the market without that [a dual-cab ute] in our product portfolio right now." "Even when you look at the markets as they are, there's still a lot in passenger, in SUV, and there's a lot of opportunity in those segments that we are probably more nationally aligned to. "If one's available [a ute], we'd look at it – but it's not something we desperately, desperately need to be successful." Nikkei reported earlier this month that Nissan has commenced discussions with Honda to supply it with a ute out of an under-utilised plant in the US. Should this ute eventuate, it could potentially be related to Nissan's body-on-frame Frontier, however like that model it could be left-hand drive-only. MORE: Explore the Honda Australia showroom MORE: Is Honda planning a proper ladder-frame ute to take on the Ford Ranger? Content originally sourced from: Honda Australia says it doesn't need to join the flurry of brands adding dual-cab utes to their Australian lineups – not right now, anyway. The Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux utes have been the best-selling vehicles in Australia for the past decade – the HiLux from 2015 through 2022, the Ranger since. In 2025 alone, they've been joined by new entrants including the Kia Tasman – the South Korean brand's first dual-cab ute – as well as the Chinese BYD Shark 6 and LDV Terron 9."Does every brand need one? No," Honda Australia CEO Jay Joseph told CarExpert. "Do we need one? Not necessarily, but if we have one it needs to be the right one." CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. Above: Honda Ridgeline Among the top 10 best-selling brands in the first half of 2025, Hyundai and MG are the only not offering a dual-cab ute, but MG will introduce the U9 – twinned with the LDV Terron 9 – later this year, leaving Hyundai an outlier. Looking at the top 20 brands' sales to the end of June, only six don't have a dual-cab ute in showrooms. That includes Honda Australia, which finished 19th on the sales chart over the first six months of the year. The Japanese brand does make a dual-cab ute – the second-generation Ridgeline – which it manufactures and sells in the US, but it isn't planned for an Australia berth anytime soon. "Regardless of what a brand needs, it doesn't make sense to bring one to market that doesn't suit consumer needs," Mr Joseph said. "The current Ridgeline – as it's configured in the United States – Australian customers expect more towing capacity than that offers, [and] obviously right-hand drive sort of takes it off the table, and it's not this product that's in its ninth year." The Ridgeline uses unibody construction – like passenger cars – where the most popular dual-cabs in Australia use body-on-frame construction which is preferred for off-roading. At 5339mm length, it's only slightly longer than a HiLux, and is powered by a 209kW/355Nm 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine with a towing capacity of 2286kg – well short of the benchmark 3500kg tow rating of leading dual cabs sold here. "In terms of a ute – and it's been a long question for Honda for many years – in some ways, yeah we'd love it and we'd love to have had it for a number of years, but it's not available," said Honda Australia managing director Rob Thorp. "We've seen growth opportunities in the market without that [a dual-cab ute] in our product portfolio right now." "Even when you look at the markets as they are, there's still a lot in passenger, in SUV, and there's a lot of opportunity in those segments that we are probably more nationally aligned to. "If one's available [a ute], we'd look at it – but it's not something we desperately, desperately need to be successful." Nikkei reported earlier this month that Nissan has commenced discussions with Honda to supply it with a ute out of an under-utilised plant in the US. Should this ute eventuate, it could potentially be related to Nissan's body-on-frame Frontier, however like that model it could be left-hand drive-only. MORE: Explore the Honda Australia showroom MORE: Is Honda planning a proper ladder-frame ute to take on the Ford Ranger? Content originally sourced from: Honda Australia says it doesn't need to join the flurry of brands adding dual-cab utes to their Australian lineups – not right now, anyway. The Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux utes have been the best-selling vehicles in Australia for the past decade – the HiLux from 2015 through 2022, the Ranger since. In 2025 alone, they've been joined by new entrants including the Kia Tasman – the South Korean brand's first dual-cab ute – as well as the Chinese BYD Shark 6 and LDV Terron 9."Does every brand need one? No," Honda Australia CEO Jay Joseph told CarExpert. "Do we need one? Not necessarily, but if we have one it needs to be the right one." CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. Above: Honda Ridgeline Among the top 10 best-selling brands in the first half of 2025, Hyundai and MG are the only not offering a dual-cab ute, but MG will introduce the U9 – twinned with the LDV Terron 9 – later this year, leaving Hyundai an outlier. Looking at the top 20 brands' sales to the end of June, only six don't have a dual-cab ute in showrooms. That includes Honda Australia, which finished 19th on the sales chart over the first six months of the year. The Japanese brand does make a dual-cab ute – the second-generation Ridgeline – which it manufactures and sells in the US, but it isn't planned for an Australia berth anytime soon. "Regardless of what a brand needs, it doesn't make sense to bring one to market that doesn't suit consumer needs," Mr Joseph said. "The current Ridgeline – as it's configured in the United States – Australian customers expect more towing capacity than that offers, [and] obviously right-hand drive sort of takes it off the table, and it's not this product that's in its ninth year." The Ridgeline uses unibody construction – like passenger cars – where the most popular dual-cabs in Australia use body-on-frame construction which is preferred for off-roading. At 5339mm length, it's only slightly longer than a HiLux, and is powered by a 209kW/355Nm 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine with a towing capacity of 2286kg – well short of the benchmark 3500kg tow rating of leading dual cabs sold here. "In terms of a ute – and it's been a long question for Honda for many years – in some ways, yeah we'd love it and we'd love to have had it for a number of years, but it's not available," said Honda Australia managing director Rob Thorp. "We've seen growth opportunities in the market without that [a dual-cab ute] in our product portfolio right now." "Even when you look at the markets as they are, there's still a lot in passenger, in SUV, and there's a lot of opportunity in those segments that we are probably more nationally aligned to. "If one's available [a ute], we'd look at it – but it's not something we desperately, desperately need to be successful." Nikkei reported earlier this month that Nissan has commenced discussions with Honda to supply it with a ute out of an under-utilised plant in the US. Should this ute eventuate, it could potentially be related to Nissan's body-on-frame Frontier, however like that model it could be left-hand drive-only. MORE: Explore the Honda Australia showroom MORE: Is Honda planning a proper ladder-frame ute to take on the Ford Ranger? Content originally sourced from: Honda Australia says it doesn't need to join the flurry of brands adding dual-cab utes to their Australian lineups – not right now, anyway. The Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux utes have been the best-selling vehicles in Australia for the past decade – the HiLux from 2015 through 2022, the Ranger since. In 2025 alone, they've been joined by new entrants including the Kia Tasman – the South Korean brand's first dual-cab ute – as well as the Chinese BYD Shark 6 and LDV Terron 9."Does every brand need one? No," Honda Australia CEO Jay Joseph told CarExpert. "Do we need one? Not necessarily, but if we have one it needs to be the right one." CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. Above: Honda Ridgeline Among the top 10 best-selling brands in the first half of 2025, Hyundai and MG are the only not offering a dual-cab ute, but MG will introduce the U9 – twinned with the LDV Terron 9 – later this year, leaving Hyundai an outlier. Looking at the top 20 brands' sales to the end of June, only six don't have a dual-cab ute in showrooms. That includes Honda Australia, which finished 19th on the sales chart over the first six months of the year. The Japanese brand does make a dual-cab ute – the second-generation Ridgeline – which it manufactures and sells in the US, but it isn't planned for an Australia berth anytime soon. "Regardless of what a brand needs, it doesn't make sense to bring one to market that doesn't suit consumer needs," Mr Joseph said. "The current Ridgeline – as it's configured in the United States – Australian customers expect more towing capacity than that offers, [and] obviously right-hand drive sort of takes it off the table, and it's not this product that's in its ninth year." The Ridgeline uses unibody construction – like passenger cars – where the most popular dual-cabs in Australia use body-on-frame construction which is preferred for off-roading. At 5339mm length, it's only slightly longer than a HiLux, and is powered by a 209kW/355Nm 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine with a towing capacity of 2286kg – well short of the benchmark 3500kg tow rating of leading dual cabs sold here. "In terms of a ute – and it's been a long question for Honda for many years – in some ways, yeah we'd love it and we'd love to have had it for a number of years, but it's not available," said Honda Australia managing director Rob Thorp. "We've seen growth opportunities in the market without that [a dual-cab ute] in our product portfolio right now." "Even when you look at the markets as they are, there's still a lot in passenger, in SUV, and there's a lot of opportunity in those segments that we are probably more nationally aligned to. "If one's available [a ute], we'd look at it – but it's not something we desperately, desperately need to be successful." Nikkei reported earlier this month that Nissan has commenced discussions with Honda to supply it with a ute out of an under-utilised plant in the US. Should this ute eventuate, it could potentially be related to Nissan's body-on-frame Frontier, however like that model it could be left-hand drive-only. MORE: Explore the Honda Australia showroom MORE: Is Honda planning a proper ladder-frame ute to take on the Ford Ranger? Content originally sourced from:

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store