AIC continues to grow

The centre has expanded its fleet and service capabilities

The Auto Innovation Centre (AIC) continues to expand its ability to support the aftermarket industry, with new vibration testing equipment, vehicles and scan data services recently introduced. The AIC’s vehicle fleet now includes one of the first Nissan Navara D23 MY21 STXs. “The new AIC D23 will allow companies to get a head start on their own product development and is available for measurement, teardown and scanning, with data available soon for purchase,” AIC Managing Director, Luke Truskinger, said. 3D scan data is a core service offering from the AIC, and the list of scanned vehicles with data available for purchase continues to expand. “The latest two scanned vehicles are the MY20 Land Rover Defender and the MY20 Toyota Fortuner, with the MY20 Toyota GR Yaris scan data coming shortly,” Luke explained. “A GVM Upgrade Comparison Report of the MY20 D-Max / Mazda BT-50 is another information resource available to the aftermarket.” The AIC’s testing capabilities have also gone up a notch, with the commissioning of a new Sentek Electro-Dynamic Vibration Shaker. “The shaker is an efficient way to validate the strength of development products without having to do a full drive-cycle of the vehicle,” Luke said. “With this new shaker, the AIC can run sweptsine and random vibration tests. “It has a huge payload of 300kg or 156kg on top of its magnesium expander head and we can run up to 2,000Hz while testing to your own standard or an ISO or MIL standard. “It is great for validating the durability of products that are going to see vibration, from everything as small as a catch can all the way up to bull bars, spotlights and more.” To view a video of the AIC’s new Sentek ElectroDynamic Vibration Shaker, visit the AIC’s YouTube channel.

To learn more about how the AIC could help with your product development, contact the AIC team on 03 9545 3333 or luke@autoic.com.au

GRANTS AND INCENTIVES

Applications are open for a number of opportunities relevant to aftermarket businesses

Several State-based and national opportunities are available for businesses currently.

NSW Regional Job Creation Fund – interstate applications encouraged

The New South Wales Government recently announced a new program designed to drive more businesses and manufacturing to regional New South Wales. The program will provide grants between $100,000 and $10 million, with no more than $20,000 in funding for each new job created. The aim of the program is to: • replace, upgrade, or adapt existing plant or equipment, including technology or energy efficiency upgrades; • allow existing businesses in regional NSW to establish an additional production line; • relocate a business from interstate or internationally to regional NSW; or • onshore an activity currently being undertaken overseas to regional NSW. To be eligible for funding, applicants must be a registered business or cooperative with an ABN, and have at least $20 million public liability insurance. Applicants can be based internationally, interstate, or in metropolitan or regional New South Wales. The Regional Job Creation Fund’s focus is to co-fund projects creating at least five sustainable regional jobs. Applicants must provide a minimum 50 percent cash co-contribution to the project. Applications close on Friday 14 May or when funding is exhausted, whichever occurs first. For more information, go to www.investregional.nsw.gov. au/assets/Uploads/Regional-Job-Creation-Fund-ProgramGuidelines..pdf

R&D Tax Incentive

The Research and Development Tax Incentive (R&D Tax Incentive or R&DTI) helps to offset some of the costs you put into eligible R&D. To claim the R&D tax offset in your annual income tax return, you must first register your R&D activities under the R&D Tax Incentive. You must register separately for each income year you wish to claim. There is now a pre-registration checklist available to make sure your application is eligible. For more information, go to www.business.gov.au/grants-andprograms

AMGC Commercialisation Fund now open

(AMGC) will co-fund industry projects to commercialise innovation through the AMGC Commercialisation Fund. The Fund will support project collaborations between industry and research partners to commercialise new manufacturing products and processes. Grants will be between $100,000 and $1 million and must be matched by industry – with a minimum of $200,000 required in eligible project expenditure. Projects will be supported within the Government’s Six National Manufacturing Priorities, including Defence. This is a grant program that is focused towards small and medium businesses. Applicants must have a minimum three project collaborators, and are required to join AMGC (at no cost). For more information, go to www.amgc.org.au/projects

If you require assistance regarding any of the above, contact info@aaaa.com.au