Whether it's from the www, the latest motor show or the back doors of a carmaker near you, CarPoint Confidential features the good oil other sources either won't publish, don't care about or don't know. Heard an automotive rumour or new model tip? Then let us know at editor@carpoint.com.au

>> Ute set for September debut? 
Holden's next generation of the VE/WM new model dynasty is now due in September. Mark it in the diary now.
 
Indeed, our sources have revealed that the lure of "substantial" export orders for "the Americas" have accelerated the planned launch date of the new Commodore Ute. It will now be unveiled ahead of a Spring launch and it will be part of Holden's export portfolio.
 
The new Ute will be exported in much larger volumes than the past generation of haulers, our source says. For example, right-hand drive VZ Utes have been exported in small quantities to South Africa (NZ's not really exporting, is it?) but the new Ute will be built in left-drive.
 
Just what badge it will wear is an interesting question to ponder.
 
Holden will verify GM's worst kept secret (that Commodore will go to the USA as a Pontiac) at an announcement in Melbourne next Thursday. This will correspond with a similar 'reveal' at the Chicago Motor Show in the USA. It is unlikely, however, that the Ute will go to the USA or South America wearing the same nameplate.
 
Whatever the badge, the most important US benchmark the Aussie Ute must measure up to can be found in your local hardware already. US market 'truck' beds are rated on their ability to swallow 8 x 4ft sheets of plywood and nothing else...
 
If we were betting types we'd wager that the extra wheelbase and new rear suspension the new generation Ute will boast will make sure the car does exactly that...
 
 
>> 2.5 million and counting...
There's been much written about 2006 being the second-largest new vehicle market ever Down Under. At 960K-odd (including large trucks) the total VFACTS figures are impressive -- particularly given our relatively small population (for more click here).

For the record, we're lineball with Germany in light vehicle registrations per 1000 head of population and well ahead of the UK -- which with three times our population managed only 2.3m new registrations in 2006. All of us lag behind the 'home' of the automobile -- the USA's near 300m residents put slightly less than 16.5m new cars and light trucks on the road last year.
 
Country                                    Australia           UK                  USA                Germany
Population                                20.264m          60.609m          298.444m        82.422m
Car/Light truck Regos             0.931m            2.33m              16.48m            3.66m
Regos/ 1000 person                 45.94               38.44               55.22               44.41
 
But how big can the Aussie new car market grow in the next few years? Plenty big, if you believe the PR machines attached to each of the major manufacturers and importers.
 
The smaller and emerging brands obviously talk large percentage changes when looking forward but when established companies like Honda go on the record saying they are out to significantly increase their Aussie sales (from 54,000 to 80,000 units per annum) by the end of this decade you take notice.
 
At various new model releases and associated functions recently, other companies' targets have also been trotted out -- on and off the record. Some marques are less happy to trumpet their estimates and aims -- the big three (Toyota, Holden and Ford) among them. Some are happy to talk about it for them... See below...
 
Most companies are happier to postulate on share. As an example Mitsubishi is planning on cementing its market share at "between 7 and 8 per cent" in the medium term. With 5.6 per cent in 2006, this translates not to 1.4 per cent growth but rather 25 per cent (in an increasing market)!
 
Perhaps the best way to sum up the potential size of the Aussie market is to leave it to Kia Australia's Director of Sales and Marketing, Bill Gillespie.
 
Commenting on the projections for 2007 at a recent gathering, Gillespie joked: "If you added up all the manufacturers' forecasts for this year, the market would be 2.5m [new vehicles]... So [for 2007] we're looking at between 965,000 and 2.5m units."
 
According to Gillespie, the competitiveness of the Australian market makes projections and estimates difficult, and one would therefore assume, next to useless.
 
"If there 44 or 45 car brands now, there could be 50 [soon]. And no-one's going away and they are all talking more volume. Toyota's talking this year [2007] of 20,000 [units] per month – 240,000 that's their goal. Everyone's super aggressive and, like us, the existing brands are bringing more cars to market."
 
Gillespie would however go on the record on shorter term targets for his brand. He says Kia will top the 30,000 unit market Down Under in 2008 -- even without the arrival of its Euro-centred Cee'd (click here for more).
 
Let's see, from total 2006 sales of just under 21,000, that's over 40 per cent growth. Here we go again...
 
 
>> In-car entertainment?
Looking for the ultimate workshop manual? Ever pulled up next to a MINI and wondered how? Available online, the Carma Sutra explains methods for making love while motoring, including helpful advice on how to avoid gearshifts and even a section dedicated to loving in limos and taxis!
 
Written for North Americans, the book includes instructions for some of the more popular models on sale over there, even listing the best and worst cars to help lovers make purchase decisions. Apparently, the Volvo V70 is handy but the Honda Insight, Ford GT and Mazda Miata (MX-5 here) pose difficulties.
 
As the blurb reads: Perfect for car lovers and lovers in cars alike. Read reviews at amazon.com
 
 
>> Economy not just horsepower
German environmental group Deutsche Umwelthilfe has recently taken Mercedes-Benz to court in Germany in an effort to highlight the fuel usage and carbon outputs of its higher powered models. And it won!
 
According to a Reuters report, Deutsche Umwelthilfe filed a suit against Mercedes-Benz demanding that it publish the fuel consumption figures in its advertising for its higher horsepower models "as a way of indicating the car's carbon emissions".
 
Last month a Stuttgart court upheld the suit. No information was offered as to why Mercedes-Benz was singled out among the German automakers, however, in Germany at least it now must advertise the cars' fuel consumption along with more performance-oriented statistics.