Latest news with #G-Class
The Age
20 hours ago
- General
- The Age
Fares aside, Hailey pays a ‘physical cost' for each trip on Melbourne's old trams
Disability Resources Centre advocate Andrew Bretherton said it was 'ridiculous' such little progress had been made in making the network accessible, more than 20 years after the Disability Discrimination Act was passed. Victoria missed a deadline imposed by that law to make all tram stops accessible by 2022, and now faces an uphill battle to make the entire tram fleet accessible by 2032. Six routes now operate entirely with accessible trams, but 11 routes still exclusively use high-floor rolling stock. 'What they're doing is segregating a whole community from society by not letting them have access to an everyday need, which is transport,' Bretherton said. 'Almost everyone's going to be affected by disability at some point. You're secluding disabled, injured people, elderly people from the community.' Bretherton said that while public transport could be especially inaccessible for wheelchair users, there should also be more awareness of people whose disability might not be obvious to others but who still needed ramps, level-access stops, and use of priority seating. People with these 'hidden disabilities' sometimes wear sunflower lanyards or badges when they travel. Victoria's new G-Class trams will start testing on the network later this year, with 100 due to be delivered through a $1.4 billion order. Operating out of a new depot in Maidstone and designed with extensive input from accessibility advocates, the G-Class will first be deployed on the routes 57, 82 and 59, which currently have no accessible trams and few accessible stops. A spokesman for Public Transport Minister Gabrielle Williams said two new level-access stops would be built in the 2025/26 financial year, at the Moonee Ponds Junction, which serves routes 82 and 59. Fourteen more have funding in the pipeline, including eight along Droop Street, Footscray, announced in last month's budget. Public Transport Users Association spokesperson Daniel Bowen said the 100 G-Class trams were a 'good start', but 130 high-floor B-Class trams would be left on the network which also needed replacing. 'We've got some areas which are very reliant on tram services, and if you're able-bodied, that's great. [But] if you're a parent with a pram, it can be very difficult to use the high-floor trams. If you're using luggage, it can be difficult. And if you've got a wheelchair or some other sort of mobility aid, it's basically impossible.' An Allan government spokesperson said the Labor government had upgraded 98 tram stops since coming to power a decade ago, and delivered 50 accessible E-Class trams. 'We know there is more to do, and we're working with accessibility groups to ensure we are prioritising the upgrades that will make the most difference to them,' the spokesperson said. The Transport Department has shifted to an approach of upgrading a group of stops along an entire 'corridor' of the tram network rather than on a stop-by-stop basis. Design work and consultation was undertaken to upgrade stops on route 86 along Gertrude and Smith streets in Fitzroy and Collingwood, and on High Street in Thornbury and Northcote last year, but the state government has not committed to implementing those upgrades. A 2020 Victorian Auditor-General's Office report found the Transport Department had estimated the cost of upgrading all tram stops in the network to level-access would cost at least $2 billion. A spokesperson for the City of Stonnington said it was working with the department on long-term planning for accessible tram stops on Chapel Street as part of 'broader discussions about the future transformation of the precinct'. Loading 'This planning work will consider how best to integrate tram accessibility upgrades with streetscape improvements and the needs of other road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and local traders,' they said. Yarra Trams recorded almost 16 million passenger trips last year on Melbourne tram network, which is the world's largest.
Sydney Morning Herald
20 hours ago
- General
- Sydney Morning Herald
Fares aside, Hailey pays a ‘physical cost' for each trip on Melbourne's old trams
Disability Resources Centre advocate Andrew Bretherton said it was 'ridiculous' such little progress had been made in making the network accessible, more than 20 years after the Disability Discrimination Act was passed. Victoria missed a deadline imposed by that law to make all tram stops accessible by 2022, and now faces an uphill battle to make the entire tram fleet accessible by 2032. Six routes now operate entirely with accessible trams, but 11 routes still exclusively use high-floor rolling stock. 'What they're doing is segregating a whole community from society by not letting them have access to an everyday need, which is transport,' Bretherton said. 'Almost everyone's going to be affected by disability at some point. You're secluding disabled, injured people, elderly people from the community.' Bretherton said that while public transport could be especially inaccessible for wheelchair users, there should also be more awareness of people whose disability might not be obvious to others but who still needed ramps, level-access stops, and use of priority seating. People with these 'hidden disabilities' sometimes wear sunflower lanyards or badges when they travel. Victoria's new G-Class trams will start testing on the network later this year, with 100 due to be delivered through a $1.4 billion order. Operating out of a new depot in Maidstone and designed with extensive input from accessibility advocates, the G-Class will first be deployed on the routes 57, 82 and 59, which currently have no accessible trams and few accessible stops. A spokesman for Public Transport Minister Gabrielle Williams said two new level-access stops would be built in the 2025/26 financial year, at the Moonee Ponds Junction, which serves routes 82 and 59. Fourteen more have funding in the pipeline, including eight along Droop Street, Footscray, announced in last month's budget. Public Transport Users Association spokesperson Daniel Bowen said the 100 G-Class trams were a 'good start', but 130 high-floor B-Class trams would be left on the network which also needed replacing. 'We've got some areas which are very reliant on tram services, and if you're able-bodied, that's great. [But] if you're a parent with a pram, it can be very difficult to use the high-floor trams. If you're using luggage, it can be difficult. And if you've got a wheelchair or some other sort of mobility aid, it's basically impossible.' An Allan government spokesperson said the Labor government had upgraded 98 tram stops since coming to power a decade ago, and delivered 50 accessible E-Class trams. 'We know there is more to do, and we're working with accessibility groups to ensure we are prioritising the upgrades that will make the most difference to them,' the spokesperson said. The Transport Department has shifted to an approach of upgrading a group of stops along an entire 'corridor' of the tram network rather than on a stop-by-stop basis. Design work and consultation was undertaken to upgrade stops on route 86 along Gertrude and Smith streets in Fitzroy and Collingwood, and on High Street in Thornbury and Northcote last year, but the state government has not committed to implementing those upgrades. A 2020 Victorian Auditor-General's Office report found the Transport Department had estimated the cost of upgrading all tram stops in the network to level-access would cost at least $2 billion. A spokesperson for the City of Stonnington said it was working with the department on long-term planning for accessible tram stops on Chapel Street as part of 'broader discussions about the future transformation of the precinct'. Loading 'This planning work will consider how best to integrate tram accessibility upgrades with streetscape improvements and the needs of other road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and local traders,' they said. Yarra Trams recorded almost 16 million passenger trips last year on Melbourne tram network, which is the world's largest.
Time of India
14-06-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
RBI rate relief to luxury car buyers but exchange rate concerns remain, says Mercedes-Benz India
KOLKATA: The recent RBI interest rate reduction provided much-needed relief to luxury car buyers. Some of the price hikes that carmakers were forced to implement in recent years were offset by the rate cut, which helped maintain relatively stable EMIs. Speaking to TOI on the occasion of the introduction of the brand's first hyper-personalisation in India on Thursday, Mercedes Benz India (MBI) Managing Director and CEO Santosh Iyer said Mercedes Benz Financial, the company's non-banking financial arm, passed on the benefits from the RBI repo rate cut to customers. This offered relief and helped maintain relatively stable EMIs despite rising vehicle prices. However, luxury carmakers, including MBI, continue to be concerned over the exchange rate. It is this adverse forex situation that forced Mercedes Benz to implement three price hikes this year. "The euro-rupee equation was particularly challenging, moving from Rs 85-88 to nearly Rs 98 to the euro," explained Iyer. The adverse exchange rate impacts both CKD parts, which comprise 91% of the vehicles sold, and CBUs that make up the rest. "Market sentiment remains mixed, with positive indicators including strong capital markets and healthy GDP growth. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trading CFD dengan Teknologi dan Kecepatan Lebih Baik IC Markets Pelajari Undo Tax collections are high, and spending continues, but currency valuation impacts make vehicles more expensive," Iyer explained. The luxury car market has shown resilience, growing by 7-8% in certain segments. Electric vehicles have been a bright spot, with luxury EV penetration increasing from 7% to 11%. "Mercedes Benz has outpaced the luxury electric segment growth, recording a 73% increase compared to the industry's 66%," Iyer noted. The company's top-end segment continued to show strength, particularly with models like the G-Class, EQS SUV, and Maybach EQS SUV. Mercedes-Benz Research & Development India (MBRDI) Managing Director & CEO Manu Saale highlighted the facility's contribution to the company's evolution. "As the largest R&D centre for Mercedes outside Germany, we're integrating Indian expertise into global operations," says Saale. MBRDI played a key role in shaping the India-inspired Collector's Edition of the AMG G 63, which includes etching the owner's name on the grab handle. "MBRDI's current focus centres on two primary areas. The first is digital twin technology, where physical processes are digitised throughout the automotive development chain. This advancement accelerates development timelines whilst reducing costs. The second area involves customer-facing digital features, including infotainment systems, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), and electric vehicle charging solutions," added Saale. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Mint
12-06-2025
- Automotive
- Mint
₹4.3 Crore G-Wagon: Mercedes unveils ultra-limited G 63 Collector's Edition in India
Mercedes-Benz has introduced a highly exclusive edition of its performance SUV in India — the Mercedes-AMG G 63 'Collector's Edition'. Priced at ₹ 4.3 crore (ex-showroom), this special version of the G-Class is limited to just 30 units, with bookings now open and deliveries expected to begin by the end of 2025. The Collector's Edition is a tribute to the spirit of India, with the monsoon season serving as its central theme. Designed specifically for the Indian market, this bespoke model is available in two unique Manufaktur paint finishes — Mid Green Magno, inspired by the lush greenery of the Indian monsoon, and Red Magno, evoking the reddish, mineral-rich soil found across many parts of the country. These colours are exclusive to this edition and have been developed to resonate with Indian natural landscapes. Mechanically, the special edition remains identical to the standard AMG G 63. Under the bonnet lies a 4.0-litre biturbo V8 petrol engine paired with 48V mild-hybrid assistance, delivering a formidable 585 bhp and 850 Nm of peak torque. An Integrated Starter Generator (ISG) contributes an additional 20 bhp and 200 Nm, providing seamless performance and improved efficiency. Power is transmitted to all four wheels via a 9-speed automatic gearbox, retaining the G 63's renowned off-road prowess and dynamic capabilities. The exterior is further enhanced by 22-inch AMG alloy wheels finished in gold, adding to its visual exclusivity. A custom 'Collector's Edition' badge on the side protection strips and a 'One of Thirty' emblem on the rear spare wheel cover reinforce its limited-edition status. Inside, the cabin exemplifies bespoke craftsmanship. The SUV is trimmed in two-tone Manufaktur Catalana Beige and Black Nappa leather, contrasted with an open-pore walnut wood dashboard, blending modern luxury with classic refinement. Perhaps the most personalised touch is the option for buyers to have their name engraved on the front passenger grab handle, ensuring each unit is truly one of a kind.
Hindustan Times
10-06-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Weak demand for Mercedes G580 EV spurs plans for smaller G-Class with hybrid powertrain
The Mercedes G580 with EQ Technology is equipped with a substantial 116 kWh battery pack, providing an estimated range of 400 kilometers on a single charge. Check Offers Mercedes-Benz's ambitious entrance into the all-electric luxury SUV market with the G580 EQ evidently seems to be off to a rocky start. Since its April 2024 introduction, the all-electric G-Class has raised questions internally in the brand for sub par sales that have forced it to re-consider the futures of its electric off-roaders. Sales disappointment across regions As per a recent Handelsblatt report, top Mercedes officials have lashed out at the sales of the G580 as a "complete flop" and said that the model "sits like lead in dealers' showrooms." Since its launch, the G580 has sold just 1,450 units in Europe and a paltry 58 units in China, one of the most important EV markets for Mercedes. The situation isn't much better in Australia either, where just 156 G-Class units—including internal combustion versions—were sold until the end of May 2025. That's less than 2 per cent of Mercedes-Benz's total Australian sales and a 20.8 per cent drop compared to 2024. Also Read : India-exclusive Mercedes-AMG G 63 'Collector's Edition' set to launch on June 12 Mercedes rethinks its EV SUV strategy In response to this slow traction, Mercedes-Benz is now exploring the development of a smaller, more versatile G-Class model, internally referred to as the 'Little G'. Originally conceived as an EV-only vehicle, the new model will feature both electric and petrol-hybrid options for maximum flexibility across markets. This possible change is aided by the Mercedes Modular Architecture (MMA), which forms the basis for the next-generation CLA lineup. This platform enables smoother integration of multiple powertrain configurations, in contrast to the tailored EV platforms of the EQE and EQS—both of which have also been poorly selling. Also watch: Mercedes G 580 EQ launched in India at ₹ 3 crore. Claimed range of around 420 kms. #shorts The lukewarm reception to the G580 reminds us of the challenges that luxury players face while they transition towards electric mobility. For Mercedes-Benz, it's a blunt reminder that customer preference is hankering for diversity and versatility, but not full EV commitment as of yet. With the 'Little G' likely to have hybrid and electric versions, the company appears to be returning to reality checks—where performance, price, and utility are all relevant. Check out Upcoming Cars in India 2024, Best SUVs in India. First Published Date: 10 Jun 2025, 11:47 AM IST
