News Room

Maximum European safety ratings for three Mercedes-Benz

Stuttgart, Germany - December 2009
No less than three Mercedes model series - the E-Class, GLK-Class SUV and C-Class - have achieved the highest rating of five stars in stringent EuroNCAP (European New Car Assessment Programme) testing.

"We are very pleased about this good result. It confirms the correctness of our real-life safety concept, even in standardised rating crash tests," says Professor Rodolfo Schöneburg, Head of Passive Safety at Mercedes-Benz Cars.

During the course of its development to-date, the new E-Class has successfully come through over 150 high-speed crash tests and more than 5000 realistic crash simulations. These not only included the various impact configurations prescribed for rating tests and worldwide operating approvals, but also the in-house Mercedes crash tests derived from accident research findings. 

Click here to read more about the Mercedes-Benz safety ratings

Mitsubishi Motors’ All-New Compact Crossover RVR

Tokyo, Japan - 3 December 2009
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) has decided to name its all-new compact crossover the RVR. This all-new compact crossover is planned for sequential release globally, and will be first released in Japan next spring.

The all-new RVR is a compact crossover that provides high environmental efficiency and has a compact body while providing ample utility space and high performance.

The RVR will be fitted with an all-new 1.8L MIVEC petrol engine, and will be approximately 4.3 meters in length, featuring high fuel efficiency via its lightweight compact body. With the RVR, MMC expands its crossover lineup, which already includes the full-size Pajero, and the mid-size Outlander.

This new compact crossover will be released globally, including North America, Europe, and Asian regions including China.

Mazda6 Crowned Best Medium Car 2009

27 November 2009
Australia’s best selling fully imported medium car, Mazda6, has taken out the title of Best Medium Car at the 2009 Drive Car of the Year awards, beating the Ford Mondeo, Subaru Liberty 2.5i Sports and Toyota Prius.

Judges agreed that the Mazda6 was deserved of the crown due to its consistent performance across all of the key judging criteria including value-for-money, economy, driving performance and dynamics, safety and practicality.

Drive experts were also impressed by Mazda6’s styling, interior user-friendliness, quality feel and competitive space.

Click here to read the full story

Nissan Maxima Named Best Large Car 2009

27 November 2009
The new Nissan Maxima has beaten the Falcon and Commodore to be named Best Large Car in the Drive Car of the 2009 Awards. Judges described the 250 ST- as “boasting the sort of features that could cost extra on cars costing twice as much”.

With safety features including a stability control system, side curtain airbags and whiplash-reducing headrests, the Maxima was described as a good value vehicle – for features and pricing.

WPA Wins Finance Dealer Award

November 2009
Western Plains is proud to have been named the Capital Finance 2009 Regional Dealer of the Year. This award recognises our efforts to provide finance to buyers at our dealership.

Winners in 2009 Rhino Awards

17 October 2009
Winners in the Western Plains Nissan Excellence in Products and Services award in the Dubbo Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s 2009 Rhino Outstanding Business Awards are:

            Less than 10 employees: Vanguard Business Services
            More than 10 employees: Orana Mall Pharmacy

Western Plains Automotive congratulates these winners and wishes them another successful year of business.