FuelWatcher

August 2002 Issue No.9

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Welcome to the 9th edition of FuelWatcher, the newsletter that saves Australian motorists money with fuel saving tips and information.

RACV launches FuelWatch

Exciting news this month is the launch of FuelWatch by the RACV. For a long time RACV have been advocating fairer fuel prices for motorists and have now launched their own FuelWatch service on the RACV website. Victorian motorists can now visit the RACV website and search for the best fuel prices
in their area as well as access statistics and historical pricing information. FuelWatch is delighted to be involved and applaud the RACV for being the 1st motoring club in Australia to take this initiative. To check it out visit www.racv.com.au.

SMS campaign recognized
In last months FuelWatcher we told you about another 1st for FuelWatch with our transit SMS voting campaign. In late July this campaign was recognized for its innovation and creative use of SMS technology at the inaugural Mobile Marketing & Advertising Awards. With our partner, Rent This Space, FuelWatch was the only finalist in the “Best use SMS and Outdoor Advertising” category. We are extremely proud to have been named as a finalist, and congratulate other category winners including Big Brother, Channel V, Virgin Mobile, Intel and Coke. To read more about the awards visit www.mmaawards.com.

A New FuelWatch
When FuelWatch was launched back in July 2000, who would have known it was going to be the success it is today. With over 600,000 email alerts being sent each month and millions of motorists accessing our information through our media partners each day, FuelWatch collectively saves Australian motorists hundreds of thousands of dollars each month. We continually strive to develop new features and services that our FuelWatcher’s find valuable. We are presently designing a number of new services for the future version of FuelWatch, if you have any suggestions that you feel will make FuelWatch more valuable please drop us a line with your ideas to feedback@fuelwatch.com.au.

Alternate fuels
And finally, this month’s feature articles see the first installment in a series of stories on alternate fuels. Our motoring editor, Damien Reid, reviews what moves Toyota and Ford are making with hydrogen fuels. All of Damien's articles along with our new car reviews can be found in What's News?

Until next month, continue to enjoy the savings!

Matt Forman
National Manager
mforman@fuelwatch.com.au

Damien Reid, our guest editor, with more fascinating news on the Fuel and Auto front.

Toyota Starts Marketing of Hydrogen Cars
The development of Toyota’s hydrogen technology has moved beyond the laboratory and out onto the streets with the Japanese manufacturer leasing 20 road-registered Kluger four-wheel drives to interested technology related companies, institutional organisations and research facilities. [Read more]

Ford Focuses on Hydrogen Technology
Ford is the latest manufacturer to join the hybrid wagon with the development of a prototype electric-hydrogen car based on the top-selling Focus hatch. [Read more]

New car reviews proudly supplied by AutoSpeed.

Holden Astra Convertible
One AutoSpeed staffer had his mind made up well before he'd even set eyes on the car. "How can you justify paying forty-five grand for the Astra convertible when the base model costs nineteen?" he said. "I mean, that's like a 135 per cent increase in price to take the roof off...." [Read more]

Holden Commodore VX Series II Wagon
It's an easy trap to fall into - to think that the evolution of a well-known model contains no real advancements. However, while they are subtle, the Series II version of the VX Commodore does have some important and significant advantages over previous models. And, just as has been the case since the VT was released, the wagon version of the current Commodore remains a package with enormous interior space and practicality. [Read more]

Daihatsu Cuore 5-Speed
At $11,250 (plus delivery and statutory charges), the Daihatsu Cuore 5-speed is Australia's cheapest new car. Despite its rock-bottom price tag, however, the Cuore is a very capable vehicle equipped with a few generous features. [Read more]

Each month we will have a fuel saving tip that has been sent in from one of our FuelWatcher's. If you know of a way that can help other FuelWatcher's save money on their fuel bill please send it in. If your tip is published we will send you a $25 FREE fuel voucher.

This month's winner is Cheryl Lim from New South Wales.

"I was very skeptical when I first heard that it was more fuel efficient to use the airconditioner than to drive with your windows down, so I tested it out on a drive from Sydney to Melbourne one summer. The forecast temperature was around 40 degrees. In the morning I drove with the windows down, and in the afternoon I used the airconditioner. The surprise result was that, even with the higher afternoon temperatures, my fuel usage was 10% LESS with the airconditioner on, and it was far more comfortable!"

Congratulations, your $25 free fuel voucher is on the way!

The average, lowest and the highest prices for last month in each city were:

City	Average	Lowest	Highest
Adelaide	87.0	80.1	94.9
Brisbane	78.1	68.5	87.9
Melbourne	85.7	79.3	95.7
Perth	89.2	81.5	96.9
Sydney	85.5	75.9	101.9

The price leading service stations for each city last month were:

Brisbane

Service Station	Liberty
Address	Corner Logan Road & Underwood Road
Suburb	Underwood
Average Price for month	72.5

Sydney

Service Station	Metro Fuel
Address	Corner Bexley Road & New Illawarra Road
Suburb	Bexley North
Average Price for month	81.5

Melbourne

Service Station	United
Address	Somerton Road
Suburb	Somerton
Average Price for month	81.8

Adelaide

Service Station	Liberty
Address	Main North Road
Suburb	Pooraka
Average Price for month	83.3

Perth

Service Station	BPl
Address	Corner Brixton Road & Bickley Road
Suburb	Beckenham
Average Price for month	84.9

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FuelWatch is committed to helping Australian motorists get a better deal on fuel by providing them with free and easily accessible information on fuel prices.

Reproduction of the whole or part of this email constitutes an infringement of copyright. All information published in this email is intended to be used for your personal use only and can not be used for commercial use without the prior written consent of FuelWatch Pty Ltd. For data sales enquiries please contact sales@fuelwatch.com.au