SUZUKI has dropped the price of its Alto to below $12,000, following the 5 per cent reduction in import tariff on January 1.

The entry level GL manual now starts at $11,790 and has a drive-away price of $12,490 - a $700 reduction.

The GLX now starts at $12,490, or $2000 less than when it first went on sale last year.

Peugeot prices cut

PEUGEOT has also cut its prices by between $500 and $2200.

The new prices start at $21,990 for the five-door 207 XR manual and all models now include stability control.

New Forester

SUBARU is partnering sportswear company Colombia in a special edition of the Forester.

The Forester X Colombia adds 16-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, roof cross bars, cargo tray, a rear step panel and a $500 gift voucher.

Prices are $33,990 (auto $35,990) driveaway.

Meanwhile Subaru has announced that a driveaway price of $24,990 on its Impreza R manual sedan and hatch, will continue.

Subaru has applied the recent tariff reduction to drive-away pricing.

The change represents a saving of about $1400.