FIRST ROUND OF AUTOMOTIVE INNOVATION LAB ACCESS GRANTS ANNOUNCED
ELECTRIFICATION, THE PEOPLE’S WAY?
MEMBER FEATURE HARROP: ENGINEERING FOR SUCCESS
ABOUT THE COVER Along with providing the industry’s first 5 year warranty, Monroe provides unparalleled support to help you maximise your ride performance business.
REGULAR DEPARTMENTS Calendar................................................ 4 New Members........................................ 4 AAAA Report ......................................... 5 News..................................................... 6 Products.............................................. 22 Inside Business.................................... 88
HR Matters.......................................... 89 Consumer Law...................................... 90 Inside Inventory.................................... 91 PRTC.................................................. 92 4WD.................................................... 94
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KEEPING YOU INFORMED Former AAAA Board Member to become Chair of WD-40 Globally.................................... 6 First round of Automotive Innovation Lab Access Grants announced................................ 7 Xtreme Clutch supports local Time Attack event............................................................ 8 Automechanika Shanghai 2019 embraces the evolving automotive ecosystem................ 11 The state of new car sales in Australia........................................................................ 12 Narva celebrated with two awards............................................................................... 13 2019 Capricorn Rising Stars competition winner announced......................................... 14
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FEATURES Cover Feature: Monroe helps to drive your suspension business...................................... 16 R&D: Adrad: EGR Cooler Repairs on the increase.......................................................... 18 2019 Innovation Awards: Tools and Equipment............................................................. 56 Member Feature: Harrop: Engineering for success......................................................... 58 Steering & Suspension: All the latest on improving ride and handling.............................. 60 Replacement Parts: Everything you need to service your customers’ vehicles.................... 74 Future Auto Innovations: Electrification, the People’s Way?............................................. 84 Trade Talk: Bob Pattison: A lifetime in the automotive industry...................................... 86 Industry Awareness: Are You Covered?.......................................................................... 98
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Publisher Cameron McLachlan for The Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association ABN 23 002 271 454
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Suite 16, Building 3, 195 Wellington Road, Clayton VIC 3168, Australia Phone: 03 9545 3333 Fax: 03 9545 3355
Official publication of the AAAA
Email: info@aaaa.com.au Website: www.aaaa.com.au EDITOR Allan Edwards
EDITORIAL Tel 61 3 9372 9125
PRODUCTION MANAGER Brigid Fraser, Tel 61 3 9505 0121
ADVERTISING Tel 61 3 9545 3333
PUBLISHER Cameron McLachlan
All material appearing in Australian Automotive Aftermarket magazine is copyright. Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly forbidden without prior written consent. Contribution: Freelance contribution and submissions are welcomed by this magazine. No responsibility is accepted for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs and transparencies. The opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the AAAA. All statements made, although based on information believed to be reliable and accurate, cannot be guaranteed and no fault or liability can be accepted for error or omission. The publisher reserves the right to omit or alter any advertisement and the advertiser agrees to indemnify the publisher for all damages or liabilities arising from the published material.
AAAA NEWS
NEW MEMBERS
CALENDAR 2019 AAPEX Sands Expo, Las Vegas, NV 5 - 7 November 2019 www.aapexshow.com
SEMA Las Vegas Convention Center 5 – 8 November 2019 www.semashow.com
Automechanika Shanghai National Exhibition & Convention Center, Puxi, Shanghai 3 – 6 December 2019 www.automechanika.messefrankfurt.com
Acme Impex Pty Ltd Unit 1, 1 Caber Close DURAL NSW 2158 Ph: 02 9007 0407 E: nirav.desai@acmeimpex.co.nz
Lifestyle 4WD 4 Barnett Court MORLEY WA 6062 Ph: 08 9271 7500 E: lifestyle4wd@iinet.net.au
Ashbury Service Centre 22 Charles Street CANTERBURY NSW 2193 Ph: 0414 442 384 E: admin@ashburyservicecentre.com.au
Matson Motors 13 Mcbain Street KEITH SA 5267 Ph: 08 8755 1659 E: matson@m2data.com.au
ATIC Pty Ltd 17 Beresford Road YARRAWONGA NT 0830 Ph: 08 8932 2002 E: accounts@aticrepairs.com.au
MyRep Solutions PO Box 3807 VICTORIA POINT WEST QLD 4165 Ph: 0466 406 200 E: jason@myrep.com.au
Barr Automotive Pty Ltd 14 James Street HORNSBY NSW 2077 Ph: 02 9476 2182 E:lydia@barrieauto.com.au
Nexus Automotive International Chemin du Chateau-Bloch 11 LE LIGNON, GENEVA 1219 Switzerland Ph: 22 306 4950 E: martin.hendriksen@nexusautomotive.eu
Bremar Automotion Australia Pty Ltd Level 1, 13 Malibu Circuit CARRUM DOWNS VIC 3201 Ph: 0425 724 060 E: brett@bremarauto.com CSM Service Bodies 481-483 East Street WARWICK QLD 4370 Ph: 07 3868 8300 E: jon.muller@csmservicebodies.com.au
Performance Racing Industry Trade Show Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, Indiana 12 – 14 December 2019 www.performanceracing.com
Delios Pty Ltd 13 Citrus Street BRAESIDE VIC 3195 Ph: 03 9769 0192 E: kathy@deliosbrakes.com
2020 Taipei AMPA Teipei Nangang Exhibitor Center 15 – 18 April 2020 www.taipeiampa.com.tw/
Automechanika Dubai Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre 7 - 9 June 2020 www.automechanika.messefrankfurt.com
Autocare 2020 Brisbane Exhibition & Conventions Centre 19 – 20 June 2020 www.autocare.org.au
Nightcliff Service Centre 26 Progress Drive NIGHTCLIFF NT 0810 Ph: 08 8948 3252 E: nightcliffservicecentre@gmail.com.au Rapid Tune Airport West 95A Matthews Avenue AIRPORT WEST VIC 3042 Ph: 03 9338 7757 E: airportwest@rapidtune.com.au Rapid Tune Braeside 3/122 Boundary Road BRAESIDE VIC 3195 Ph: 03 9134 0177 E: braeside@rapidtune.com.au
Energizer Australia Level 2, 11 Murray Rose Avenue SYDNEY OLYMPIC PARK NSW 2127 Ph: 02 9763 6111 E:david.pattinson@energizer.com
Rapid Tune Warragul 2/174 Queen Street WARRAGUL VIC 3820 Ph: 03 5623 5164 E: warragul@rapidtune.com.au
Injectors Online Factory 9/15 Howleys Rd NOTTING HILL VIC 3168 Ph: 0413 002 616 E: simon@injectorsonline.com
Rhino Linings Malaga 1/1956 Beach Road MALAGA WA 6090 Ph: 0407 948 263 E: scott@zimbaragroup.com
inurZONE Pty Ltd 210 Pearcedale Rd CRANBOURNE SOUTH VIC 3977 Ph: 0418 583 376 E: terry@inurzone.com
Rhinohide Suite 10/46 Angove Street NORTH PERTH WA 6006 Ph: 08 9468 9655 E: marc.berryman@rhinohide.com.au
Krazykeys 21 Discovery Drive BIBRA LAKE WA 6163 Ph: 1300 57299 E:peter@krazykeys.com.au
Underwood Auto Repairs 2/4 Kenway Drive UNDERWOOD QLD 4119 Ph: 07 3290 1110 E: info@underwoodauto.com
L & L Products 63-79 South Park Dr DANDENONG SOUTH VIC 3175 Ph: 0418 650 528 E:cameron.mcauliffe@llproducts.com
Valhalla Industries 1/22 Taree Street BURLEIGH HEADS QLD 4220 Ph: 07 5593 5858 E: Dan@ValhallaIndustries.com.au
AAAA BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHAIRMAN Graham Scudamore-Smith (QLD) Fulcrum Suspensions Ph: 07 3892 9000
John Benson (VIC), Davies, Craig Pty Ltd Ph: 03 9369 1234
Stuart Charity Chief Executive Officer
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Wayne Bryant (VIC), Repco Ph: 03 9566 5223
DEPUTY CHAIRMAN Mark Pedder (VIC) Pedders Suspension Ph: 03 9706 3500
SECRETARY Guy Nicholls (VIC) Repco Ph: 03 9566 5444
DIRECTOR Adam Pay (NSW) Kmart Tyre & Auto Service Ph: 02 9680 6500
COMMITTEE Nikki Gerling (VIC), Robert Bosch (Australia) Pty Ltd Craig Magill (VIC), Burson Automotive Pty Ltd Ph: 03 9541 3919 Ph: 03 9914 5555 Janelle Gonzalez (NSW), Blue Toro Ph: 1300 258 386
Darren Robinson (VIC), HELLA Australia Ph: 03 9581 9407
Graham Scudamore-Smith Chairman
AAAA NEWS
SETTING THE COURSE FOR THE FUTURE New strategic plan focuses on what really matters for the Aftermarket industry I would like to open up with a confession: I love a refreshed Strategic Plan! You’re probably filled with a sense of dread and I am certainly challenged by the task of how I could possibly make this article as interesting as it should be. I am actually incredibly excited about our new plan because it focuses on what really matters. That’s what a Strategic Plan represents; a shared vision about what’s important and whether we can make a real difference. I think it does matter what we focus on, because it is a window into what is important to our industry here in Australia and globally. This is what we care about:
1. The unity of our industry I was incredibly moved by the speeches at this year’s Expo. So many award winners mentioned they were grateful that the AAAA brings the industry together. I have to confess that’s what we do when we have an issue or a campaign, it’s simply the way we do our job. But I had never really appreciated this as an end in itself and I hadn’t fully appreciated the value that bringing the industry together delivers until I listened to so many industry leaders point this out in their acceptance speeches. I appreciate it now. That’s why a key pillar of our new plan is Industry Unity. We are going to work even harder to bring the industry together to create shared purpose and belonging. And that’s not because I am fond of a group hug – a focus on Industry Unity is about encouraging more collaboration between the
companies in our industry for increased business opportunities. We can’t take full advantage of these incredible opportunities for collaboration until we all come together and our efforts in the next 12 months will be to put more emphasis on this valued work. The Unity pillar is also about our advocacy efforts. When we cooperate and come together as we have done in the past five years, we become a very powerful industry. We will look to continue to create and leverage our cohesiveness for industry advocacy including raising the reputation and standing of our industry amongst our valued customers, our supporters and government.
2. Preparing for the future There is so much noise and conflicting views about the future, we could all be forgiven for simply throwing our hands in the air and just focusing on the business that is in front of us today. There is so much news about electric, connected, autonomous and shared vehicles, so what’s really important here? Which of these is a threat, which is an opportunity and which ones represent both? What is coming first? What things should I pay attention to? These are pretty tough questions aren’t they? That’s why we see a major pillar of our plan taking the role of Future Alert. It is our job to monitor and anticipate future industry trends. It is our job to offer threat warnings and to find growth opportunities and we will do more of that in the coming year. We think it is entirely reasonable that you would expect a leading industry association to know what’s going on, what matters and more
MEMBER VALUE AND AAAA SUSTAINABILITY
UN I TY
FU TU R E A L E RT
Bring the industry together to create shared purpose and belonging
Monitor and anticipate future industry trends
Encourage collaboration for business opportunities Create and leverage cohesiveness for industry advocacy
FOUNDATION ENABLING ATTRIBUTES
Offer threat warnings Find growth opportunities despite/because of the disruptions
M EM B ER ST RENGT H
I N D U STRY VO I C E
Defend and promote our role, reputation and capacity Campaign for positive change React to threats Defend the industry from anti-competitive behaviour Represent industry in regulatory forums
• AAAA Member loyalty and support • National structure • Reputation
• Staff capability • Leadership • Expertise
• Mutual respect • Collaboration
• Board experience & capability • Supply chain membership • Brand profile
TEAM CULTURE
Provide services that support members’ businesses including: Profitability Sustainability Growth Costs reduction Productivity Recruitment Retention Legal & IR support
importantly, to translate that into what it all means for the business decisions of today and tomorrow. It is our job to sound the alarm on the future and provide advice on what you can do now to prepare. Get ready to see more of this in the coming months.
3. A voice for our industry We are often accused by Members of Parliament and bureaucrats of being annoyingly persistent and resilient in our advocacy efforts. We certainly make no apologies for that and we will continue to be the Industry Voice. We will strenuously defend and promote the reputation of our industry and we will continue to campaign against the anti-competitive and misleading behaviour of the multi-national car companies. And it’s a long list of issues: Choice of Repairer, mandatory data sharing, servicing under warranty, ‘capped price’ service programs, so called ‘genuine parts’ and vehicle modification/ vehicle standards regulations. We will be stepping up our efforts in this area to the next level – and yes, that is possible, so watch this space.
4. Contributing to the strength of our members I believe that what we do every day results in business benefits to our members. We know that our industry is more profitable and more sustainable because the AAAA was formed nearly 40 years ago. But despite this, we have adopted Member Strength as our fourth pillar. We will continue to provide services that support businesses, but the point of adopting this pillar is to adopt a mindset. We need to make sure that this question is asked of everything we do: does this result in business growth? Are automotive businesses more profitable and sustainable because we exist and provide advocacy and services? We will be talking more about profitability and growth – we know that you think about it every day and we will too.
Get ready I don’t know if I have succeeded in encouraging a level of interest about our new four pillar strategic plan. You might not be as excited as I am, but I will say that if you thought in the past that we have a great industry association that cares about our industry and really makes a difference; to individuals, to businesses and to the industry – well buckle up people, we have big plans for the future, starting today.
• Board/CEO relationship • Partnerships
• Respect for AAAA • Honesty members • Lean operations • Integrity
STUART CHARITY Chief Executive Officer 5
NEWS
FORMER AAAA BOARD MEMBER TO BECOME CHAIR OF WD-40 GLOBALLY Garry Ridge has been President and CEO of the company since 1997 US-based WD-40 Company intends to appoint Australian Garry Ridge as board Chair at the December 2019 annual meeting following current Chair Linda Lang’s decision to retire from the board of directors. Garry currently serves as the company’s President and Chief Executive Officer and is a member of the board. Linda has praised the company’s decision to appoint Garry. “In considering my expected retirement, our governance and nominating committee has taken a thoughtful approach to naming my successor once I retire,” Linda said. “Because maintaining WD-40 Company’s unique culture is a top priority, I can think of no one more qualified than Garry to take over as Chair. “Garry has been President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of WD-40 Company since 1997 and is intimately familiar with all aspects of the organisation, its governance and its unique and valuable culture.” Garry will continue to serve as the company’s Chief Executive Officer while Steve Brass has been appointed to the role of President and Chief Operating Officer. Garry was born in the Sydney suburb of Five Dock and educated at Five Dock Public School and Drummoyne Boys High School. Industrious from a young age, he embarked on several jobs while still at school including paperboy, working on a milk truck, washing cars and working in the local hardware and sports stores.
“My first job after high school was as a Management Trainee at Waltons Stores Limited, a department store chain in Australia at the time,” remembered Garry. “I didn’t really have a good idea of career direction; I followed the path as opportunities became apparent. “After completing the management program at Waltons, I was appointed Department Manager at Waltons Bankstown, responsible for the Auto, Hardware and Sporting Goods departments. One of the suppliers was Quality Auto Accessories (QAA) and after a time I was asked to join them as a Sales Representative. “QAA manufactured and sold a wide range of automotive products that included WD-40 and Armor All. The Australian licensee for WD-40 and Armor All was Hawker Pacific and I was offered a position with them as Sales Manager. “I was promoted through several roles at Hawker to Division General Manager of their Consumer Products Division that merged with Mermax, the car seat cover manufacturer they acquired. “I travelled to the USA to attend the annual sales meetings at WD-40 Company and in 1987, when the license was coming to an end at Hawker, WD-40 Company asked me to join them and open their Australian subsidiary to develop the Asian market.” An enthusiastic supporter of the local industry, Garry served on the AAAA Board for eight years during the ’80s and ’90s. In 1994 he was asked to relocate to the USA to
head up the global business of WD-40 Company and in 1997 was named President and CEO. Today, WD-40 Company markets its brands across 62 trade channels in 176 countries around the world. The company has significant plans for growth, with an FY 2025 Anticipated Revenue Target of US$700 million, up from Reported Revenue of US$408 million in FY 2018 and US$317 million in FY 2008. To achieve this increase, the company has developed several strategies, including: • Grow WD-40 Multi-Use Product sales to US$530 million in net sales through geographic expansion, increased market penetration and development of new and unique delivery systems – in a nutshell, more places, more people, more uses, more frequently. • Grow the WD-40 Specialist Product Line to US$100 million by creating growth through continued geographic expansion as well as developing new products and product categories within identified platforms. • Broaden the Product and Revenue Base to derive revenue from existing brands as well as from new sources and products. The company will continue to grow, nurture, develop or acquire products that fit well with its unique multi-channel distribution network, with the aim of generating US$70 million in net sales by the end of 2025. For more about WD-40 Company, visit www.wd40company.com
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NEWS
FIRST ROUND OF AUTOMOTIVE INNOVATION LAB ACCESS GRANTS ANNOUNCED The Grants program is part of the AAAA’s work with government around the new Auto Innovation Centres The allocation of almost $2.5 million dollars of funding from the Morrison Government has been announced with the recipients of the first round of Automotive Innovation Lab Access Grants confirmed recently. A second round of funding is expected to be released later this year. “When we were negotiating with the government for funding for the Auto Innovation Centres, we talked with them about providing funds directly to companies for both access to the Innovation Centre but also for other services that are provided for product testing,” AAAA Director - Advocacy, Marketing and Research, Lesley Yates, said. “So these recent grants are actually part of our efforts to encourage our government to be putting funds into the ‘D’ part of R and D. There is a lot of money out there for research, but not a lot for development and development is the practical necessity. We are pleased that these efforts have been greatly supported by Senator Patrick as part of his advocacy activities for our industry.” To assist AAAA members in accessing the funds, the AAAA held seminars to inform members of the Grants while also helping members access assistance in preparing their applications.” AAAA Cheif Executive Officer Stuart Charity said AAAA members should look out for further grants which are expected to open for application later this year. “The Lab Access Grants Fund amounted to a total of $7 million to be distributed over three years,” Stuart said.
“Following the first round in December of 2018, $4.5m has yet to be allocated. It is our understanding there will be a second round later this year following budget allocations.” Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said the array of projects show how Australia’s automotive industry is transitioning. “These grants are part of the Liberal National Government’s ongoing efforts to support the automotive and advanced manufacturing sectors, a vital part of our economy,” Minister Andrews said. “These grants will help the businesses get their products to market sooner, which will grow the economy and create new Australian jobs.” The successful applicants were: • Brown & Watson International (VIC) $200,000 • Disc Brakes Australia (NSW) - $107,100 • TJM Products (QLD) - $187,000 • Fitmycar (VIC) - $200,000 • Lumen Freedom (VIC) - $200,000 • Composite Materials Engineering (VIC) $200,000 • Optalert (VIC) - $168,302 • Impact Import Group (VIC) - $142,610 • Eurospares (VIC) - $200,000 • Maxitrans Industries (VIC) - $200,000 • HRDS Technologies (NSW) - $200,000 • Altair Aviation (VIC) - $199,540
• Battleist (VIC) - $175,000 • Total Ability (NSW) - $74,500 The Automotive Innovation Lab Access Grants program is a key element of the Government’s $100 million Advanced Manufacturing Fund. Each of the grants will be matched by industry funding from the businesses. GUD Holdings General Manager Automotive Acquisition and Strategy, Bob Pattison, said the AAAA played a core role in its accessing of this funding. “The role that the AAAA played was certainly instrumental in firstly bringing the existence of these grants to our attention by convening a seminar and connecting us with consultants to assist us to put together a submission that complied with AusIndustry’s assessment criteria,” Bob said. “With all R&D there is a risk of failure which is what innovation is all about, but these grants will help each of the businesses to put together the business case to make the necessary investment with no guarantee of commercial success.” Disc Brakes Australia Executive General Manager, Gideon Segal, echoed Bob’s sentients. “The AAAA and the Innovation lab provided DBA with the impetus to apply and be granted funds to develop and utilise the lab for the development and testing of a new product,” Gideon said. “The AAAA and its work with governments and the industry has been the key factor in making the lab a reality. “This is a win not only for DBA but the aftermarket as a whole in that the Lab provides companies with the facilities to test and develop innovative new products that they might not otherwise be able to do.” For more from the AAAA, visit www.aaaa.com.au 7
NEWS
BOSCH AUSTRALIA SLEEPING ROUGH The company is seeking to make a difference to those experiencing homelessness On the 25th of July, Bosch Australia hosted its seventh consecutive community sleepout and awareness campaign aimed at encouraging employees to participate, volunteer, donate and raise funds to prevent homelessness.
and are dedicated to restoring a sense of selfworth in women. Two Good Co. also provides the women living in participating refuges with hospitality training that helps them rebuild their lives and re-enter the workforce.
As part of the campaign, more than 40 Bosch employees, including Bosch Australia President Gavin Smith, slept outside at the Clayton headquarters on cardboard to experience a cold night sleeping rough.
Bosch Australia undertook various fundraising efforts throughout the lead-up to the community sleepout. They implemented a clothing donation campaign, and organised raffles and silent auctions.
So far, more than $30,000 has been raised and will go directly to the St Vincent de Paul Society programs that support people at risk of, or experiencing, homelessness.
Homelessness is a key community impact theme for Bosch Australia and its employees have raised over $200,000 for St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria over the past seven years. More than 116,000 people sleep rough in Australia each night.
Gavin Smith has participated in four Bosch Australia sleepouts and in seven past Vinnies CEO sleepouts. This year, as part of the community sleepout, for each meal consumed an identical one was given to a local women’s refuge for domestic violence survivors. The social enterprise Two Good Co. launched the ‘Eat one, treat one’ model in 2015,
Bosch Australia says it offers all employees the opportunity to support organisations in need of help by donating eight hours of their working time each year to a worthy cause. “To learn that approximately 24,000 people in Melbourne sleep on our streets without a roof
over their heads is shocking,” Bosch Australia President, Gavin Smith, said. “By being involved in the sleepout here at Bosch, it gives a real sense of gratitude and understanding that we need to raise awareness of the serious issue of homelessness.” “It’s sobering to hear the individual stories of hardship from those that were homeless not that long ago. It is time to change the openness around this issue. This could happen to me or to my friends and family. Homelessness doesn’t discriminate.” For more from Bosch, visit www.bosch.com
XTREME CLUTCH SUPPORTS LOCAL TIME ATTACK EVENT The team displayed a variety of performance upgrade kits while sponsoring the Club-R class Xtreme Clutch recently supported the MCA Suspension SA Time Attack event, held at The Bend Motorsport Park on July 27th. Xtreme Clutch sponsored the Club-R class for vehicles that have had performance modifications but closely resemble the factory road vehicle. Xtreme Clutch, which is the performance and racing division of South Australian based Australian Clutch Services, also exhibited its performance upgrades at the event.
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“We enjoy supporting local grassroots motorsport events such as the MCA Suspension SA Time Attack competition,” Australian Clutch Services Business Development Manager, Colin Jevons, said. “We have a long history supporting teams and drivers from around the country. This event was an ideal opportunity for local and interstate drivers to get on track and it was great to see so many vehicles already using our performance upgrades.” The Xtreme Clutch team displayed a variety of performance upgrade kits at the event including its new Hyundai i30N 240mm single plate performance upgrade that won a global media award at SEMA show 2018. Xtreme Clutch also included its 2018 Ford Mustang GT research and development vehicle on the stand which was recently supercharged by Herrod Performance. “It was an ideal opportunity to showcase our performance clutch range to the owners of performance street cars and also dedicated track cars at the same event,” Colin said.
“We had a fantastic response to the brand and it was great to showcase our Mustang to illustrate the level of testing we go through for our range of kits.” For more information on the Xtreme Clutch range of products, please visit www.xtremeclutch.com.au or call 1800 CLUTCH.
NEWS
KEEPING SAFETY IN MIND 2019/2020 Automotive Mechanics Guide to Workplace Safety released Pro-Visual Publishing in conjunction with the Institute of Automotive Mechanical Engineers (IAME), the Australian Autoglass Industry Alliance (AAIA) and the Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Australasia (ATRA) has released the latest edition of the Augmented Reality (AR) Automotive Mechanics Guide to Workplace Safety 2019/20, distributed free of charge Australia wide. The wall-mountable printed Guide is recommended to be displayed in a place where mechanics can have easy access on a regular basis.
Implementing safety in the Automotive Industry is critical to the health, safety and wellbeing of mechanics. Incidents in the workshop causing severe injury or even fatality can and do happen, therefore it is important to ensure mechanics are trained and knowledgeable on essential safety procedures, say those behind the guide. Together Pro-Visual Publishing and the partnering Associations have carefully selected topics that address issues pertinent to the industry in regards to health and safety, which include: • The GHS and Chemical Storage • Slips, Trips and Falls • Hoists Safety Service Requirements • Automotive Workshop Inspection Checklist The Guide features AR, a digitised feature aimed at enhancing engagement and offering an aspect of interactivity. By simply downloading the free Pro-Vis AR app and scanning over any AR capable content, workers can access further safety information straight to their smart device, for example, videos and PDF files. “I would like to thank all the sponsors of the Automotive Mechanics Guide to Workplace Safety
2019/20. Their support has made it possible for the Guide to be distributed free of charge,” ProVisual Publishing Chief Executive Officer, John Hutchings, said. Pro-Visual Publishing says it is the leading specialist in wall-mounted workplace health and safety, food safety and hygiene, and wellbeing information resource guides. Each guide is said to be practical and informative, providing a quick reference point for management and staff and are vital resources to ensure workers return home exactly the way they came to work. For further information or to obtain copies of the Guide, please call 02 8272 2611, email marketing@provisual.com.au or visit www.provisual.com.au
AUTOMECHANIKA SHANGHAI 2019 EMBRACES THE EVOLVING AUTOMOTIVE ECOSYSTEM The 15th edition of the show will be held later this year The upcoming edition of Automechanika Shanghai is set to take place at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (NECC) across the 3rd to the 6th of December 2019.
Shanghai has continued to thrive alongside Asia’s automotive industry; China has now become the world’s largest auto market,” Messe Frankfurt (HK) Deputy General Manager, Fiona Chiew, said.
The show is expected to host more than 6,270 exhibitors across the impressive 350,000 sqm of exhibition space, which will occupy the venue’s current exhibition area. A growing number of special sectors, zones and fringe programme events will amplify many of the latest advancements and rising trends throughout numerous areas of the industry.
“When the show first opened its doors back in 2004, it hosted just 235 exhibitors and 9,000 visitors. In 2018, a staggering 150,568 visitors filtered through every corner of the NECC. It has continued to embrace change and nurtured development by way of new themes and elements.
Show organisers say Automechanika Shanghai stands as a dedicated platform for worldrenowned industry leaders to connect at one of Asia’s most influential automotive trade fairs. This year, the show reportedly expands on the automotive ecosystem concept by not only covering the entire supply chain but also exposing more opportunities for research and development, insurance, investment, future technologies and more. “Over the past 14 editions, Automechanika
“Looking to the future, we plan to collaborate further with research institutes, universities, industry organisations, finance and insurance firms, and the wider automotive community, so that we can work together and advance the fair’s automotive ecosystem.” Automechanika Shanghai says it will echo the progressing concept of the automotive ecosystem while the Tomorrow’s Service and Mobility sector will, once again, become a central area of the fair to demonstrate the show’s strengthened ability for emphasising digital trends and connectivity.
The Supply Chain and Chain Store zone will also return to address many of the changing needs in the transforming local auto market while Customising will span across Hall 6.2 and 7.2, to cover an expansive total of 44,000 sqm of space. The exhibition will also host thousands of exhibitors across five other product categories. Parts and Components, Electronics and Systems, Accessories, Repair and Maintenance and REIFEN (Tyres and Wheels) will offer comprehensive coverage of the entire supply chain. For more information about the 15th edition of Automechanika Shanghai, please contact Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd on + 852 2802 7728 or auto@hongkong.messefrankfurt.com 11
NEWS
THE STATE OF NEW CAR SALES IN AUSTRALIA In this article, ACA Research takes a look at the new car sales market in Australia and what it means for the aftermarket When writing about the Australian automotive aftermarket, there is often a focus on older or out-of-warranty vehicles, given these are the ones most likely to be taken to an independent workshop as opposed to a dealership. With that said, changes to automotive finance and a challenging new vehicle sales environment does mean that we need to be conscious of trends in newer vehicles, as this will lead to marketplace changes that carry through to and impact the aftermarket. Given this, it’s worth reflecting on the state of new car sales in the first half of 2019. At an overall level, the market has contracted year on year, with 50,000 less vehicles sold compared to the first half of 2018. Lining this up with the changes to dealer financing that came into place in November 2018, it does mean that dealerships will increasingly be looking to build up their other revenue streams. For an independent workshop operator, this becomes particularly relevant when dealers start placing a greater focus on the used vehicle part of the business, as well as their after-sales engagement with customers.
Figure 1: Total Sales Breaking these numbers out by vehicle type, we can see that while sales are down across the market, the numbers are again worst for passenger vehicles, with SUVs, light and heavy commercial vehicles remaining more in line with 2018. This again reflects the changing nature of the Australian car parc, with even more SUVs (such as the Citroen C5 AirCross) coming into the market
Figure 2: Sales By Vehicle Type 12
through 2019. For a workshop this does however cut both ways, with the increasing number of brands in the SUV and light commercial space meaning that mechanics need to be trained on, and have the right diagnostic and servicing equipment to deal with this wider range of makes and models. Another clear trend in the marketplace is around fuel type. While it will take time for this to have a significant impact on vehicle servicing , the growth in hybrid and electric vehicles continues. Sales of both almost doubled year on year (although we are still talking about a low base, with total sales making up just 2.5 percent of the Australian market), against dropping petrol and diesel sales. The key here is for workshop operators to have a clear understanding of their local car parc, and to be aware if they are in an area with higher rates of early adoption (typically urban centres). While this won’t impact the business today, it will be a factor in the tools, equipment and training that need to be considered as we look to the future.
Figure 3: Sales By Fuel Type Looking at the most successful brands through the first half of this year, Toyota still reigns supreme. Despite also declining year on year, it continues to sell almost twice as many vehicles as Mazda in second place, and well over double any other single brand. When we look further down the list however, some clear winners emerge. Mitsubishi and Kia are the only two brands in the top 10 to outperform 2018 results, with their range well aligned to current tastes in the market. Looking to the longer term, this again helps us understand the type of vehicles that will be turning up in independent workshops in three to five years, with these two brands pushing to join Toyota, Mazda, Hyundai and Ford at the top of the list. On the other side, while workshops will continue to see the many older Commodores on Australian roads, Holden’s struggles are again reflected in the sales data, with newer vehicles still struggling to cut through.
Figure 4: Sales By Marque Finally, we looked at the source of the vehicles sold in the first half of 2019. Reflecting the changes in the top 10, and given the continued strength of Toyota (alongside Mitsubishi’s strong year) Japan’s ongoing leadership in this space is unsurprising. The stat we’re focussing on though is that we have now hit the absolute end of locally manufactured product, with just 43 Australianmade cars sold in the past six months as dealers clear the remains of the late-2017 Holdens in their yards.
Figure 5: Sales By Country Of Origin In summary, workshop operators need to be conscious of the broader trends and changes in the market that will impact their business. Key to this is understanding their local car parc, how it has changed up until today, and what it might look like in the future. To support this process, ACA Research will soon be adding historical data to the AAAA local car parc tool, allowing members to see how the profile of their area has shifted over the past five years, and helping them make informed decisions about the changes that are needed in their workshop to cater to the needs of today’s (and tomorrow’s) customers. This column was prepared for AAA Magazine by ACA Research, our partners in the AAAA Aftermarket Dashboard which is delivered to your inbox each quarter. For more information, visit www.acaresearch.com.au or contact Ben Selwyn on bselwyn@acaresearch.com.au
NEWS
NARVA CELEBRATED WITH TWO AWARDS Narva has been recognised for design and innovation at the 2019 Good Design Awards Brown & Watson International has been recognised with two Narva products attaining the highest awards for design and innovation at the 61st annual Good Design Awards recently. The Awards were announced in Sydney in July. The Narva Ultima 175 and 225 Enhanced Optic LED Driving Lights received a prestigious Good Design Award in the Product Design category in recognition for outstanding design and innovation. The Good Design Award Judging panel reportedly praised the Narva Ultima 175 and 225 Enhanced Optic Driving Lights, commenting: “with LED technology growing in popularity in the driving light market coupled with the challenges around keeping costs down and performance up, the Narva design team have created an innovative product that ticks all the boxes and surpassed the brief. These lights have outstanding performance and their visual language allows them to complement any modern vehicle or bull bars. The real innovation is how the lights were designed
for manufacture to keep production costs down making the product affordable and competitive. Overall, a robust piece of design and engineering that has been perfectly executed – well done.” The second award in a similar category covering outstanding design and innovation was awarded to the Narva ALS Rechargeable Hand Held Audio Light. The judges praised the Narva ALS Rechargeable Handheld LED Audio Light, commenting: “a powerful compact, portable product with a new design that has many practical applications for outdoor and working scenarios. Its robust, intuitive functionality with adjustable stand magnetised to attach to steel frames makes it possible to see applications in many trades.” Dating back to 1958, the annual Good Design Awards are said to be Australia’s most prestigious international awards program for design and innovation with the awards celebrating the best new products and services on the Australian
market. The strict design criteria applied by the judges to each entry covers good design, design innovation and design impact demonstrating excellence in all areas. “Receiving a Good Design Award at this level is a significant achievement given the very high calibre of entries received this year,” Good Design Australia Chief Executive Officer, Dr Brandon Gien, said. “With a record number of submissions being close to 700 design projects evaluated in this year’s international design awards it is remarkable achievement for Narva.” For more from Narva, visit www.narva.com.au
NTC LOOKING FOR SOLUTIONS TO DRIVER DISTRACTION The NTC is seeking feedback as it searches for the best solutions to tackle driver distraction The National Transport Commission (NTC) has released a consultation regulation impact statement (RIS) seeking feedback on technologyneutral options to regulate driver distraction. Distraction is seen as a significant road safety risk that is not as well understood as other risk factors such as drink-driving and speeding. Studies have found that a task which takes a driver’s ‘eyes off the road’ for as little as two seconds can be particularly hazardous. NTC Chief Executive Officer, Gillian Miles, said that new technology-related distractions, outdated
rules and a general lack of understanding from road users present significant challenges. “Drivers engage in non-driving activities every 96 seconds while behind the wheel. Distractions take our concentration off the road which means we may not have time to react to hazards,” Dr Miles said. “We are proposing four options for consideration. The views of a broad range of stakeholders are crucial to guide any policy reform to deal with driver distraction.” Consultation on the NTC’s paper closes on 21
August 2019. NTC will then deliver a decision RIS for the Transport Ministers’ consideration in May 2020. For more information, visit www.ntc.gov.au
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NEWS
MECHANIC.COM.AU 2019 CAPRICORN RISING STARS DELIVERS AGAIN COMPETITION WINNER ANNOUNCED Popular internationally recognised training courses now available in Australia Mechanic.com.au has announced it has partnered with highly respected US-based Automotive Training Organisation ‘Automotive Training Group’ (ATG) to bring its technical training courses and manuals to Australia. “After much anticipation and thousands of expressions of interest at this year’s Australian Automotive Aftermarket Expo, we are pleased to be able to bring these popular courses to Australia,” Mechanic.com.au General Manager, Ryan Davis, said. The first of the courses, ‘Advanced Driveability Diagnostic Strategies,’ is about learning a new way of thinking that beats conventional testing sequences and manufacturer flow charts “each and every time.”
More than 500 nominees were evaluated on their ability to show initiative, eagerness to learn and commitment to the auto industry Queensland based apprentice from Titan Automotive, Jeremy Drabsch, has been selected as the 2019 Capricorn Rising Star. “I always strive to be an excellent representative of my workshop, not just when I’m wearing my uniform, but outside of work too,” Jeremy said. “I recognise I’m being paid to learn, so I always make sure I’m prepared to do my very best at all times including studying up on topics every day before class. “Even little things like sitting at the front in class and not going out for lunch. I know that if I was paying someone to study, I’d want them to take it very seriously too.” Jeremy credits his employers at Titan Automotive with his early successes. “From day one at Titan, my boss was clear in letting me know that I’d get the training needed to work on today’s cars, older vehicles and whatever future technology is coming through. I feel really privileged to be in a workshop that’s working hard to stay ahead of the curve,” Jeremy said.
“In this course, you’ll gain the ability to harness all of the data that is available to you in order to enhance and refine your diagnostic capabilities and decision-making processes to reach an accurate diagnosis in the shortest possible time frame!” Ryan explained. Delivering this course will be highly experienced trainer and workshop owner in his own right; Jeff Digance. Jeff will be touring the country over the coming months delivering the first of what Mechanic. com.au says is set to be many engaging and enlightening courses. Attendees will also take home the 270-page technical ‘bible’ that accompanies this course. Ryan suggests that anyone interested in the courses should look to secure their positions quickly as class sizes are strictly limited. To find out when these “not-to-be-missed” training courses will be held near you, visit www.mechanic.com.au 14
“When it comes to repair work, my workshop’s values are aligned with my own, which I think is important. At Titan there is a strong focus on producing high quality work as opposed to just getting cars out. I really respect and appreciate the opportunity to be part of this. It is a relationship where we are both fully committed to the end goal.” As the Capricorn Rising Stars competition winner, Jeremy will take his workshop boss and two friends on an all-expenses paid trip to the 2019 Vodafone Gold Coast 600 Supercar race event thanks to major sponsor, Castrol. Titan Automotive has won 150,000 Bonus Capricorn Reward Points, also courtesy of Castrol, and Jeremy will also receive industry renowned leadership academy training from The Workshop Whisperer. Of special additional note are the four highly talented finalists who made it to the last round of judging: Stephanie McKenzie - Ultra Tune Bundaberg (QLD; Micah Connolly - Paramount Automotive (QLD); Sarah Spriopoulos - Kilmore Collision Centre (VIC) and Wesley Rietveld Westernport Automotive (VIC). Encouragingly, there were substantially more
women nominated for the Rising Stars award in 2019, reflecting the increased diversity within our workshops. This was highlighted by the top five placings from Stephanie McKenzie and Sarah Spiropoulos. Sarah also gained the distinction of being the top-rated repairer from a paint and panel workshop. These finalists all received Capricorn Rising Star prize packs that included a Repco tool kit valued at $1,000; a 12 month subscription to Repco’s Autopedia technical support service; tickets to two Repco Masterclass Clinics; access to the AutoMate online training program and two tickets to their local Capricorn Gala Dinner and Tradeshow. “Once again we have revealed a number of outstanding young individuals who are making their mark in the automotive service and repair industry. I congratulate the winner, Jeremy Drabsch and all of the finalists, along with all of the apprentices who were nominated for this competition by our Members,” Capricorn Automotive Chief Executive Officer, Bradley Gannon, said. “We believe it is highly important to support the introduction of new and enthusiastic talent to the industry while encouraging more young people to enter this industry. These are the main reasons why we established the Capricorn Rising Stars competition. “I would like to thank the highly experienced judging panel for donating their time along with all of our generous program partners for their outstanding prizes. Above all, thanks to the many Capricorn Members who are helping sustain our industry by recognising their apprentices with a nomination.” Capricorn Rising Stars is proudly supported by major sponsor Castrol, Repco, AutoMate, The Workshop Whisperer and The Automotive Technician (TaT). For more from Capricorn, visit www.capricorn.coop
COVER FEATURE
MONROE HELPS TO DRIVE YOUR SUSPENSION BUSINESS As part of the world’s largest automotive aftermarket company, DRiV, Australian automotive repairers and parts re-sellers gain unique advantages from using and recommending the Monroe ride performance product range While there are several options for product brands competing in the Australian ride performance replacement product space, Monroe Australia says none of them offer the same commitment to increasing your suspension replacement business than DRiV does with “Australia’s most trusted shock absorber brand,” Monroe.
Five-year Monroe OESpectrum Shock Absorber Warranty Monroe Australia says it is only brand that provides total product reliability and peace of mind to Australian automotive repairers, resellers and their customers, stating that no other ride performance or shock absorber product brand in Australia backs its quality engineering and manufacturing with a five-year warranty. Monroe was the first in the industry to deliver a five-year warranty and says it remains the only brand to offer this for every part number across the vast Monroe OESpectrum replacement shock absorber and strut range. Monroe states this provides unparalleled support to Australian automotive aftermarket repairers, suspension specialists and re-sellers.
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New Monroe Shock Absorber Tester DRiV also assists Monroe shock absorber stockists and re-sellers with yet another industry first – a new cordless, hand-held electronic shock absorber tester. Monroe says this ingenious workshop tool enables the fast and easy testing of vehicle shock absorbers using the rebound and damping ratio methods to determine shock absorber performance. The unit even provides an easy to understand print-out of the test results. This is another exclusive Monroe game changer that enables your automotive repair business to professionally and highly accurately test the shock absorbers of every vehicle that enters your workshop, says Monroe, stating that this of course leads to increased shock absorber replacement business.
New Monroe Training Video Another important part of the Monroe commitment to the Australian automotive repair and parts sales sectors is updated product training, says the company.
To ensure that Monroe trade customers are provided with Monroe ride performance product training, fitting tips and other important information, DRiV has produced a new training video that can be easily viewed by technicians online at any time. Produced by Monroe Australia’s product development team, this commitment to important trade customer training works hand in hand with Monroe’s Australian technical helpline and customer service team who can be reached by calling 1800 088 205. You can view the latest Monroe training video anytime at www.monroe.com.au/workshop
COVER FEATURE
The Monroe Safety Specialist Program Monroe explains that it also provides the trade with the industry’s “longest standing and most successful” suspension product sales generating program, the Monroe Safety Specialist Program. This program enables your business to benefit from Monroe’s extensive nationwide marketing, providing sales leads by delivering customers who are actively seeking shock absorber replacement or checking within your geographic area. Sales tools are also included and your business is directly linked to the Monroe Australia website, which is constantly promoting the benefits of enhanced vehicle safety through shock absorber replacement. All Monroe Safety Specialists are also linked to a Freecall hotline phone number as well. Monroe Australia says this proven sales generating program is without any doubt “the most unique and effective for general automotive repairers and suspension specialists alike” and another part of the DRiV commitment to increasing Monroe Australia’s trade customers’ sales.
Monroe Passenger Vehicle and Heavy Duty Catalogues DRiV’s commitment to provide the most up to date Monroe ride performance products for the Australian automotive aftermarket is also reflected through the brand’s constantly updated passenger vehicle and heavy duty / commercial vehicle catalogues. Featuring hundreds of new applications with each edition, the coverage offered by Monroe across both road car, 4WD and commercial/truck applications remains unrivalled, says Monroe Australia. All catalogued products are also updated online at www.monroe.com.au including 360 degree photography and important fitment tips. As a major Original Equipment supplier to many of the world’s leading vehicle manufacturers, Monroe Australia says the Australian automotive aftermarket is assured of fast replacement product availability with all Monroe ride performance products manufactured to exact or to exceed Original Equipment specifications,
particularly across Monroe’s vast European, Asian and Australian vehicle application range. Monroe Australia says that when you select its products, you “are selecting so much more than the world’s leading ride performance product brand, you are enhancing the future development and growth of your automotive repair or parts reselling business.” Another unique point in selecting Monroe ride performance products is the company’s Australian research and development, providing localised product engineering and manufacturing, says Monroe Australia. Whether it is the five-year Monroe OESpectrum range warranty, the specially produced product and fitment training videos, the sales generating Monroe Safety Specialist marketing support and the commitment to the broadest aftermarket application range, Monroe says it supplies it all, backed by the world’s largest automotive aftermarket company, DRiV. For more information, contact the Monroe Australia customer service team on 1800 088 205 or visit Monroe online at www.monroe.com.au
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PRODUCT R&D
EGR COOLER REPAIRS ON THE INCREASE A growing number of vehicles in Australia are reaching the age where the EGR cooler is causing problems Adrad explains that these issues can develop either from simple wear and tear or may be a result of other factors such as corrosion, thermal stress or blockages. The EGR cooler is essential to maintain correct operation of the emission control system and fuel efficiency on modern diesel engines. Recirculating the hot exhaust gas back through the engine intake helps to reduce the creation of nitrogen oxide gases (NOx). However, the high temperature gas requires cooling to avoid compromising the combustion process. The temperature of the exhaust gas can reach 800°C at the entry point to the EGR cooler which reduces it down to around 200°C. Such a large temperature variance across the part can place significant thermal stress on components inside the EGR cooler and also on the body of the unit. Problems with EGR coolers can include splitting or corrosion around fitting flanges or damage to internal tubes. Leaks that occur inside the EGR cooler may not be visible externally but if coolant is being introduced to the exhaust it will usually escape as steam. A simple test is to observe the exhaust gases when the engine reaches normal temperature and the EGR cooler is operating. If the EGR cooler becomes restricted or does not function properly, the engine’s control management system may alter settings which cause the environmental and engine efficiency performance to be compromised. Usually the ‘check engine’ warning light will appear.
Warning signs of EGR cooler failure can be a gradual loss of coolant with no apparent leaks. To check for this, look for white smoke or steam at the exhaust. A sign of extreme high temperatures in the EGR cooler can be “puking” from the overflow reservoir. This is because coolant entering a very hot EGR cooler can boil inside the unit. The sudden expansion of gas creates pressure which will force liquid coolant into the overflow reservoir and leave air pockets in the engine block cooling channels which will prevent effective engine cooling. Whenever a cooling issue is detected, it is important to examine the entire cooling system for failures or restrictions. A problem component can produce issues with downstream parts, especially when coolant flow is restricted. External leaks are relatively easy to identify due to drips under the vehicle or dried coolant residue build up on the EGR Cooler where the leak occurs. All these leaks will contribute to loss of coolant and increased engine operating temperatures. If left unchecked, overheating will worsen and can cause serious engine damage.
Clean-outs: Depending on the problem identified, it may be possible to clean out the EGR cooler and refit it to the vehicle. This can only be determined after the part has been removed and inspected and cost savings from cleaning rather than replacing the part are debateable as the same labour cost is involved to remove and refit in both cases, says Adrad.
Cleaning involves extra labour and treatment costs which will reduce the price benefit for the customer and with no guarantee as to the quality or service life of a cleaned part, Adrad says replacing the EGR cooler with a new unit often provides the better outcome both as a repair solution and delivering value-for-money to the vehicle owner.
Blanking: Some vehicle owners may contemplate removing the EGR cooler and applying a blanking plate or similar device to bypass the EGR system. However, Adrad says this is not recommended as it will prevent the engine from processing pollutants as it was designed to and importantly will impact the vehicle’s ability to pass a roadworthiness inspection. Adrad says that instead a much better solution is to fit the appropriate parts required and restore the engine to correct operating condition. The company states that fortunately, you don’t have to go far to find quality replacement parts with the largest aftermarket range of EGR Coolers in Australia and New Zealand available from Adrad.
Blockages and leaks are common problems in both passenger vehicle and heavy vehicle EGR coolers. 18
Traditionally, Adrad is a radiator manufacturer and supplier, so it says it has a wealth of experience when it comes to quality parts for cooling system repairs. Like many replacement parts, the quality of aftermarket EGR coolers can vary depending
PRODUCT R&D
Adrad aftermarket EGR Coolers are available for over 600 applications including passenger, 4x4 and heavy vehicles. on the supplier. Part of the process when introducing Adrad EGR coolers to Australia back in 2017 involved back-to-back testing to compare the performance of the aftermarket and OE parts. Through its group of businesses in Australia, Adrad has access to testing facilities that were able to confirm the new aftermarket products met and surpassed the OE product on test simulations. Adrad aftermarket EGR coolers are manufactured to meet or exceed original equipment specifications and are supported by a nationwide warranty. More than 600 vehicle applications are covered including popular models such as Amarok, Ranger, BT-50, Hiace, Pathfinder and Navara. Large vehicles are also catered for with Adrad aftermarket EGR Coolers to suit Iveco, Scania, Cummins, Detroit and Volvo applications. You’ll find quality aftermarket EGR coolers available from stockists of Adrad parts across the country including Natrad, Adrad Radiator Experts and many other workshops and auto parts stores. For assistance, call Adrad customer service on 1800 882 043.
Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine Publisher, Cameron McLachlan, takes a look at the products driving the automotive aftermarket. Some of the signs indicating the EGR cooler needs attention
cameron@aaaa.com.au 19
PRODUCTS
AMPHENOL’S ARMOR IPX The clear choice for sealed enclosures The Amphenol Armor IPX Clear Sealed Enclosure provides superior protection for printed circuit boards and electronic control modules in harsh environments and off-road applications, all in a clear, see-through housing. It is also available in two additional enclosure material types: black Thermoplastic or Ultem (Transparent Amber) and is IP67/69K rated in mated condition with the ATM Header System. Amphenol explains that simplified installation is accomplished via a rugged tandem throughhole design for ease of mounting and includes optional environmental venting. The Armor IPX electrical interface is established with the compact ATM Header System featuring optional single/double/custom/blank headers, keying, and standard sealed 90° moulded pins. The snap-in headers quickly and securely attach to the Armor IPX enclosure and mate with standard ATM Series plugs. Armor IPX Sealed Enclosures and ATM Header Systems are compatible with industry standard EEC enclosures. Key features: • Intermatable with industry standard connectors • Optional header configurations - ATM Series 24 I/O (A, B, C and D Keying) • Rugged tandem throughhole design for ease of mounting • Snap-in headers establish ease of interface with PCB • Cross hatch design increases venting protection • Resistant to most fluids used in industrial applications Available Options • Custom/Blank Headers available to assist in establishing additional connector interface flexibility • Vented enclosures (environmental venting) • Enclosures available in Thermoplastic Black or Ultem (Transparent Amber) material • ATM Headers with optional tin-or goldplated pins For more information, visit www.amphenol.com.au 22
303 TOUCHLESS SEALANT The easier and less time-consuming way to take care of your car One of the most important and lengthy processes in car detailing is the application of a protective wax or sealant. This process can take an entire day to do properly and needs to be done frequently. Trico Products says 303 Touchless Sealant can make your life a whole lot easier. It says 303 Touchless Sealant is an easy-to-use protection product which will allow you to receive the same protection you would expect from a wax in a fraction of the time. It states that the most attractive feature of 303 Touchless Sealant is its fast and simple spray-on-rinse-off application process. Trico Products says the fact that you don’t have to touch your car’s paint with anything in order to apply 303 Touchless Sealant greatly cuts down on the risk of ruining your paint’s impeccable finish and further, that 303 Touchless Sealant will give you durable protection that not only rivals, but also exceeds what you can expect from a traditional wax. 303 Touchless Sealant was formulated using a special blend of SiO2 that reportedly allows it to bond much quicker and easier than most SiO2 products you see on the market. It is water-activated and does not require any buffing in, buffing off, or curing to work properly. Trico Products says that even though 303 Touchless Sealant boasts easy application, the product does not slack on quality of protection as an outstandingly long-lasting sealant which can last up to twice as long as a traditional wax while the level of hydrophobicity that it provides to your paint will ensure that you never have to worry about water spots, dirt, or loose contamination again. For more information, visit www.tricoproducts.com.au
NEW PERTRONIX DIGITAL HP MOBILE RELEASED With Bluetooth Wireless Technology Pro Quip says the new Digital HP Mobile from Pertronix represents yet another innovation in ignition technology. Those behind the Digital HP Mobile says it has maintained its ultra-small form factor while being packed with more power and features than the competition. The easy to use app sets three rev limits, shift light, start retard, spark settings and tachometer preferences. You can save and load multiple settings for quick changes between Street and Strip modes. The Digital HP Mobile app’s easy to read dashboard displays engine tachometer, an active shift light, and system voltage in real time. It is also pre-loaded with user selectable themes, allowing you to select the look and feel you want. Also featured are robust one touch security modes, allowing the user to set the ignition system into a valet mode with reduced rev limit or completely secure the vehicle by disabling start.
Key Features include: • • • • • • •
Control all existing ignition features via Bluetooth enabled phone or tablet Easy to read dashboard One Touch Kill Switch Security mode One Touch Valet mode User selectable themes Load/Save settings for quick change between Street/Strip or other settings Updateable firmware
For more information, visit www.proquip.com.au
PRODUCTS
HEADLIGHT TESTING TECHNOLOGY MAHA offers the MAHA MLT3000 Digital Headlight Testing System to the market New LED headlights work together with adaptive cruise control to allow drivers to leave the high beam on and let the vehicle ECU take care of dipping the lights on the sectors where other vehicles are detected. MAHA explains that because these new LED headlights are much brighter than incandescent globes, you can only use a specific digital headlight tester on these new lights. Further, because they are so bright, if these headlights are not adjusted correctly the blinding time is much longer than incandescent globes on high beam, which can be a major safety hazard. To test these headlight systems and ensure they are working correctly, MAHA explains that a modern digital headlight testing system is required and that the VW Touareg, Audi Matrix and Bentley headlights can in fact only be tested on the MAHA MLT3000 System. The MAHA MLT3000 conducts its assessment by using a camera-based measurement system and can supply a headline angle result assessment via electronic analysis, with a graphical output of
the measurement results displayed on the tester display. Measurement results can be transferred to the MAHA test lane and stored to a PC via cable, Bluetooth or WLAN. MAHA says the MLT3000 system is the only VAG Approved headlight tester and is used by almost every Audi, Bentley and Volkswagen Dealership around Australia and New Zealand with the benefits of local support directly from factory trained technicians in MAHA Australia and New Zealand. It can test not only these modern headlight systems but also a wide array of new lighting systems such as dynamic light assist, motorway lights and so on.
Key features: • Quick and accurate testing of the headlight adjustment • Digital device for quick and objective testing and adjustment of vehicle headlights, taking into account statutory limits and OEM guidelines • User-friendly menu operation via graphical LCD display
• ‘Standalone’ version with PC connectivity • Electronic levelling system to compensate for unevenness in the floor • High dynamic range CMOS camera for capturing and digitising the headlight projection • Powerful battery for cable-free long-term use • Automatic latching of the light collecting box to the precision aluminium guide column • Extremely thin Fresnel lens increases measurement accuracy significantly • Anodised heat deflection sheet to prevent overheating even without use of the device covering hood For more from MAHA, visit www.maha.com.au
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PRODUCTS
CASTROL AT COOLDRIVE ‘JUST IN TIME’ Castrol lubricants are now available from CoolDrive Auto Parts The partnership between CoolDrive and Castrol includes a ‘Just in Time’ delivery service. CoolDrive will be offering its customers the premium Castrol Professional Series range, all of which can be delivered within hours of ordering. “Castrol is a legendary name in the Australian aftermarket lubricants sector, so we’re delighted to be able to formalise this new partnership,” CoolDrive Product Manager - Underbody and Lubricants, Graeme Dyall, said. “The Professional Series range has been specifically engineered for the automotive trade market, and CoolDrive is proud to stock three leading products initially - Castrol EDGE Professional, Castrol MAGNATEC Professional and Castrol GTX Professional.” Headlining the new range is Castrol EDGE Professional with Fluid Titanium, which transforms to be stronger under pressure and reduces friction to unlock engine performance. Every litre of Castrol EDGE Professional is certified CO2 neutral according to the highest
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global standards as part of Castrol’s plan to reduce CO2 generated across its entire product’s life cycles, from raw materials through to end of life disposal. Also certified CO2 neutral, is Castrol MAGNATEC Professional which gives instant protection, as a result of its intelligent molecules adhering to the engine to provide an extra layer of protection when it’s needed most as well as increase the resistance of engine parts to wear. Capping off the new range at CoolDrive is the trusted Castrol GTX Professional, which provides superior sludge, viscosity and thermal breakdown protection, while its anti-wear additives work to extend engine life. All three products will be available from CoolDrive in a variety of sizes, including 20L drums which are ideal for workshops.
in the lubricants sector and today, under BP ownership, is a committed carbon neutral CO2 offset company. Castrol’s lubricant technology has been coengineered in partnerships with some of the world’s major automotive manufacturers, to meet the specific needs of numerous passenger car, light truck and trucks around the globe.
Castrol is celebrating 100 years in 2019, having been established in Sydney in 1919.
CoolDrive is also carrying a range of commercial vehicle engine oils from Castrol’s Vecton and RX brands, with additional Specialist oils supporting the passenger car and light commercial vehicle markets available for special order.
From humble beginnings, Castrol says it has grown to be a dominant and innovative brand
For further information, please visit www.cooldrive.com.au
PRODUCTS
GET DIAGNOSING WITH COOLDRIVE CoolDrive says it is the home of scan tools and diagnostic equipment CoolDrive Auto Parts says it is enhancing its reputation as the one stop shop for the automotive trade with a wide range of scan tools and diagnostic equipment now available nationwide. It says that expert diagnosis is simplified with complete solutions from Autologic including cutting edge Pass-Thru VCIs and Pico Automotive Scopes which are coupled with expert guidance and live support. CoolDrive says the full suite of products enables workshops to tackle issues with even the most advanced modern cars with greater confidence, efficiency and profitability. Leading the charge for Autologic is DrivePRO. Said to be the latest innovation in workshop diagnostics, it combines up-to-the-minute software with real-time expert diagnostic support from OEM-trained master technicians. Providing fast and reliable analysis, the system provides a full range of functions for modern cars, from flash programming and coding to electronic brake pad replacement setting, to DPF and SCR resets, steering angle and ride height calibrations,
as well as engine adaption resets, key coding and remote adaptation, plus more. The system features Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, as well as built in microphones, speakers and dual cameras for live remote support via AutologicLive Technical Support, giving users access to expert advice at the push of a button. Also available is the Autologic PicoScopes range, the “perfect” PC Oscilloscope for measuring and testing virtually all the electronic components and circuits in any modern vehicle. A PicoScope turns a workshop’s PC into a powerful diagnostic tool, allowing users a view of the changing signals inside wires, directly on screen. CoolDrive also offers the CarDAQ-Plus3 - J2534 Programming tool from Drew Technologies, which it says has been strenuously tested, validated, and accepted by technicians, dealerships and OEMs worldwide. Outside of supplying a wide range of diagnostic equipment, CoolDrive also supports the automotive trade with three electronic repair
centres, which service all of Australia from Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. CoolDrive says the state-of-the-art centres provide a unique testing and repair service for the industry, covering everything from obsolete early model systems, to the latest in high technology. Highly trained staff have the expertise to test, diagnose and repair a wide range of systems, from ABS modules, ECU units, ignition and climate control modules, as well as security systems and complicated security integrated engine control systems. More information is available at www.ishop.cooldrive.com.au or through CoolDrive Auto Parts branches nationwide.
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PRODUCTS
PENRITE SQUARES POWER-UP TO THE MAX WITH NOCO OUT ITS OFFERING TheJumpNocoStarterBoost GB500 Max Ultrasafe A new 20L square pack has been unveiled Innovation comes in all shapes and sizes, and Australian lubricants manufacturer Penrite Oil is showcasing its new ‘cube’ packaging family with the latest introduction of a 20 litre square pack size. Unveiled in early July, the 20L pack is available across more than 30 of Penrite’s top-selling products, including engine, gear and hydraulic oils. The range is expected to grow over the coming months.
Engineered from the ground up, Noco says Boost Max is the next generation of portable lithium jump starters and one of the most powerful and innovative jump starters on the market. It explains that the Noco Boost GB500 Max UltraSafe Jump Starter is designed for 12-volt and 24-volt gas and diesel engines in Class 8+/CE highdisplacement vehicles and equipment for trucks, semis, buses, HGV, Fleet, commercial vehicles, trolleys, construction equipment and more. The compact yet ultra-portable GB500 is said to be 400 percent smaller and lighter than its closest lead-acid equivalent. Noco explains that it features patented safety protection for spark-proof technology and reverse polarity protection, as well as the confidence to power tyre pumps, inverters, lights, appliances and more.
The 20L cube joins the existing 10L variant, and the recently launched 7L cube. Penrite states the 7 litre pack is designed to accommodate ever-growing vehicle sump capacities, with this volume being suitable for close to five million vehicles on Australian roads. The cube replaces the outgoing 20L drum, which Penrite states offers increased strength and greater stability over the circular design. The cube is also more stackable than before, allowing less wasted floorspace in workshops. Additionally, all products in the cube family range are supplied with Penrite’s free FlexiNozzle, which extends up to 300mm in length. An integrated breather tube ensures anti-glug pouring whilst increasing the flow rate greatly. For convenience, a bung for inserting a tap is also featured. “We’ve been able to address a number of issues with the old design and correct them with the new pack,” Penrite Oil Marketing Manager, David Kirby, said. “The cube offers greater structural integrity, combined with a smaller footprint; all while being easier to transport and handle.” Penrite’s 7, 10 and 20 litre cube range is now available at all leading auto and lubricant retailers. To check out the full Penrite range go to www.penriteoil.com.au or speak with your Penrite rep. 28
Key features: • Patented safety protection, spark-proof technology and reverse polarity protection. • Portable 12v power bank: pump tyres, inverters, lights, appliances and more. • High-intensity 2,200 lumen LED seven-mode work light, SOS and Emergency Strobes. • USB ports recharge devices on-the-go including smartphones (over 20 recharges), tablets and more. • 400 percent smaller and lighter than leadacid equivalents. Established in 1914, Noco says it is an industry leader, designer, marketer and manufacturer of innovative consumer battery brands and jump starters as well as a wide range of portable power devices. To learn more about the Noco Boost GB500 Max UltraSafe Jump Starter, visit https://no.co/gb500
NEW HPD CATCH CAN KIT For the new twin-turbo Ford Raptor High Performance Diesel manufactures a “huge” range of products to enhance the performance and protection of turbo-diesel engines. The latest release from HPD is a catch can kit to suit the new twin-turbo Ford Raptor, the flagship of the popular Ranger line-up. The HPD catch can is designed to capture oil vapour from the rocker breather hose before it reaches the intake. This vapour coats the inside of the intercooler, reducing efficiency, and combines with soot from the Exhaust Gas Recirculation valve to form a sticky coating that builds up in the inlet manifold, reducing efficiency, dulling performance and even causing engine failure. The HPD catch can is available to suit most popular four-wheel-drives, with more than 50 model-specific kits available. The kits contain everything required for a neat, factory-look installation that can be carried out with basic tools and DIY skills. Like all HPD products, the catch cans are made in Australia. The can itself is CNC machined from
billet aluminium, and the kit includes laser cut stainless steel brackets, quality hoses and clamps, and all fasteners needed for a bolt-in fitment. Installation requires no modifications to the vehicle and it can be returned to stock configuration at any time. Once fitted, it is simple to check the contents using the dipstick, and the base screws off to empty the captured oil. Its four stainless steel mesh filters never need replacing. The HPD catch can to suit the new Ford Raptor is available to purchase from the HPD online store for $385. For more information, visit www.hpdiesel.com.au
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IKA GERMANY EXPANDING ITS HORIZONS Through its attendance at the AAA Expo, IKA Germany has started entering the Oceania market After taking over the German OEM Carbon Brush manufacturer ‘Gotthilf Breining’ and its well-known brand GEBE in 1983, IKA Germany says it has established itself as one of the leading suppliers for rotating electric components in Europe and Africa. It says that as a trusted partner of the European remanufacturing industry, the electric portfolio covers all parts to refurbished and repaired starters and alternators and for more than 35 years, IKA Germany has been working hand in hand with the leading OEMs in successful partnerships. Through further acquisitions of German-based specialists in the electronics sector, IKA Germany has expanded the range for more than 750 customers in 70+ countries rapidly. Nowadays the GEBE range offers 10,000+ part numbers of relays, sensors and various engine management components. With a highly qualified team in R&D and customer services, IKA Germany says it provides all needed technical and product management support, including tailored solutions and product variations according to customers’ requirements and specifications. By attending the Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo in Melbourne in April, IKA Germany says it has now started entering the Oceania market. “With highly skilled product management, focusing on the individual market demands, we are offering a comprehensive portfolio of high-quality products for Australia and the Pacific region”, IKA Germany Managing Director, Harald Benninger, said.
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IKA Germany says its “traditionally strong line of products for the heavy-duty and transportation sector” is to become the company’s focus to continue establishing the GEBE brand in the Australian market. In fact, the company reports that in close consultation with its partners on the demand and supply side, the focus of IKA Germany’s R&D in 2018/2019 was the development of heavy-duty aftermarket solutions. It reports the result was a full range of 24V-flashers and a comprehensive portfolio of NOx-Sensors, covering all European truck applications. Additionally, IKA Germany also offers 24V Starter motors for European applications and as with the whole GEBE-range, it says all new items meet OEM-standards. “Due to our partnership with the leading OEMs in the electric and electronics sector, IKA Germany is frequently able to be first with the demanded products. We are happy to prove this performance now in Australia. Adding to this commitment we now have appointed a representative based in Australia,” Harald said. For more information, contact Richard Brunger on 0408 613969 or email r.brunger@ika-germany.de
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INTRODUCING BOOST+ Betta Technologies has introduced its new Bio Fuel Additive to the market Betta Technologies explains Boost+ is a 100 percent natural, organic Multi-Functional Fuel Bio Additive made from Palm Oil; suitable for Petrol and Diesel Engines as well as Fuel Oil and Furnace Oil for Boilers and Furnaces. When mixed with Diesel Fuel in a 1.25 ml to 1 litre or Petrol Fuel in a 1ml to 1liter proportion, Betta Technologies says Boost+ improves the combustion process by re-engineering the molecular structure of the fuel at the injection point. As the combustion efficiency is improved, it says there is very little or practically no carbon deposits on the diesel injectors in diesel engines, piston and the engine cylinder and no smoke emitted in the process, plus the engine is cleaned and the old carbon deposits are removed, Boost+ can be directly added to Petrol or Diesel or ULSD or any fossil fuel whether in the vehicle tank or the fuel Storage tank. “The effects and results of BOOST+ have been phenomenal. Its use will considerably reduce emission of all gases and this is a major contributor in our effort to protect the
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environment,” Betta Technologies Technical Sales Support Manager, Chris Spealing, said. “Boost+ works on Molecular Nano Technology and has been tested at the SGS Drive Technology Center (Report number 200459, dated 31st August 2012). Tests were conducted as per the New European Driving Cycle, NEDC Type 1, According to European Regulation ECE-R83.05 (70/220/EWC) and ECE-R101(80/1268/EWG). “Boost+ acts by re-engineering the methane molecular chain at the point of injection into the combustion chamber, allowing it to burn more completely, and lowers the combustion temperature allowing a more complete combustion without any soot production in the process. “Without Boost+ in fuel hydrocarbons, the structural chain is bent and due to this not all carbon molecules will combust – generally about 60 percent + will release their energy. Unburned molecules are emitted that cause pollution. Carbon deposits and noxious gasses form due to higher operating temperatures in the engine and
causes the engine to become less efficient over time. “Boost+ is different from other additives as the same additive is common to petrol, diesel, fuel oil and any and every other fossil fuel except crude oil, which requires a different product. It is 100 percent natural, does not contain any synthetic chemicals and is non-flammable. It is accepted by DHL as a courier package and can also be airfreighted. “Further, Boost+ complies with EN590 standards and can produce better results than B10 or B20 biodiesel at a lower cost, with a lower production carbon footprint and lower impact on deforestation. This means it can be added to the fuel in all engines and generators in the market.” For more information, visit www.bettatechnologies.com
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SPRAY TO PROTECT BOSCH EXTENDS ELECTRIC-VEHICLE Rhino Linings can help you protect your BATTERY SERVICE LIFE ute tray beds and what you keep in them from damage
Since 1988 Rhino Linings USA Inc has been protecting ute tray beds with a unique sprayapplied polyurethane liner. With utes and 4WDs being used as workhorses and weekend runabouts, it is important for them to look good and also be practical. A common problem for tradespeople has been having to endure toolboxes and tools sliding around in the back. Rhino Lining says its spray-applied polyurethane’s slip-resistant, non-abrasive finish is an attractive feature for tradespeople, keeping equipment in place, reducing slippage and as an added benefit, reducing noise and vibration. At the same time, the tough, flexible-lining resists dings and dents and is resistant to fuels, oils, fertilisers and most corrosive chemicals; protecting the extended body parts on 4WDs and protecting your investment on off-road vehicles.
Rhino Linings says its product has been so successful that it is now applied by nearly 1500 dealers in more than 65 countries around the world, for superior protection for utes, trailers, horse floats, 4WDs, boats and many other applications. The company explains that sprayed-on ute liners (unlike ‘drop in’ plastic liners) are said to form a watertight, permanent bond to the surface to eliminate surface abrasion, corrosion and rust. It states that this unique, flexible, tough and textured lining reportedly sets in minutes but provides a lifetime of superior protection. It can be applied to virtually any thickness without accessory modifications and its attractive nonskid finish reduces cargo slippage. Rhino Linings’ spray-applied lining comes with a lifetime warranty, guaranteed to protect against peeling, cracking and warping. It is said to be easy to clean and is available in a variety of colours. For more information visit www.rhinoliningsmalaga.com.au or www.facebook.com/rhinoliningsmalaga or call Rhino Linings Malaga 08 9468 7599
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Bosch says cloud-based swarm intelligence helps batteries maintain performance for longer Stress makes cells age faster and this fact that geneticists have long since demonstrated for the human body is also true for electric-vehicle battery cells. The older the batteries get, the lower their performance and capacity, and the shorter the range of the vehicle. To help batteries last longer, Bosch says it is developing new cloud services that supplement the individual vehicles’ battery-management systems. Smart software functions in the cloud continually analyse the battery status and take appropriate action to prevent or slow down cell aging. Bosch says these measures can reduce the wear and tear on the battery, the most expensive component of an electric vehicle, by as much as 20 percent. Real-time data gathered from the vehicle and its surroundings plays a key role here. The cloud services utilise this data to optimise every single recharging process and to provide drivers with tailored driving tips on how to conserve battery power via the dash display. Bosch calls the new service Battery in the Cloud, and its first customer is DiDi, a leading provider of mobility services in China. The company is equipping a pilot vehicle fleet with Bosch battery services in the city of Xiamen.
Precise real-time analysis According to experts, the average service life of today’s lithium-ion batteries is eight to 10 years or between 500 and 1,000 charge cycles. Battery makers usually guarantee mileage of between 100,000 and 160,000 kilometres. But rapid battery charging, high numbers of charge cycles, an overly sporty driving style, and extremely high or low ambient temperatures are all sources of stress for batteries, which makes them age faster. Bosch’s cloud-based services are designed to recognise – and counter – these stress triggers. All battery-relevant data – for example, current ambient temperature and charging habits – is first transmitted in real time to the cloud, where machine-learning algorithms evaluate the data. With these services, Bosch says it is not only offering a window into the battery’s current status at all times, but enabling a reliable forecast of a battery’s remaining service life and performance to be made for the first time.
Another feature of the smart software functions is their use of the swarm principle: the algorithms used for analysis evaluate data gathered from an entire fleet, not just from individual vehicles. Bosch says swarm intelligence is the key to identifying more of the stress factors for vehicle batteries, and to identifying them more quickly. The new insights gained into a battery’s current status enables Bosch to also actively protect it against aging, it says. For example, fully-charged batteries age more quickly at particularly high or low ambient temperatures. Bosch’s cloud services thus ensures batteries are not charged to 100 percent when conditions are too hot or too cold. By reducing the battery charge by only a few percentage points, the battery is protected against inadvertent wear and tear. Data in the cloud will also help improve battery maintenance and repair. As soon as a battery fault or defect is identified, for example, the driver or fleet operator can be notified. Finally, the cloud services also optimise the recharging process itself. The recharging process – one of the biggest obstacles to creating a mass market for electromobility – harbors the danger that battery cells permanently lose some of their performance and capacity. Smart software in the cloud can calculate an individual charge curve for each recharging process, regardless of whether it takes place at home or elsewhere. This means the battery is recharged to the optimum level. Whereas existing apps with charge timers merely allow drivers to time the recharging process so that it is carried out when demand for electricity is low, Bosch says its solution goes much further, offering a specially developed recharging process as part of the company’s new battery services which optimises both fast and slow charging and controls electricity and voltage levels during the recharging process, thus prolonging battery life. For more from Bosch, visit www.bosch.com.au
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CASTROL ADBLUE LAUNCHED Castrol says the new addition cements its position as a full fluid solution As governments and regulators across the world look to tighten emissions requirements on automotive manufacturers, the presence of exhaust treatments – including Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems – have become increasingly commonplace. With SCR systems now a common feature on both heavy-duty and passenger car diesel vehicles, one of the world’s leading lubricant providers, Castrol, has officially launched Castrol AdBlue which it says cements its position as a full-fluid solution for the Australian automotive market. Castrol AdBlue is a high quality diesel exhaust fluid for use with diesel vehicles that have a SCR system. An SCR system controls emissions to ensure they remain within permissible levels, reducing the level of Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) emitted in the exhaust gases. Castrol says AdBlue plays an essential role in ensuring that the SCR system operates correctly. Conforming to ISO 22241, Castrol AdBlue is made under license from Verband der Automobilindustrie e.V. (VDA) – the international
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standards that regulate manufacturers to ensure the quality of AdBlue. To obtain a license from the VDA, manufacturers of urea must pass a quality audit that is performed by VDA-QMC at their production site. With highend European manufacturers most commonly utilising SCR systems in their vehicles, using low-quality products that do not conform to this standard means rolling the dice on costly repairs. Castrol says that while AdBlue may be a fixture of the modern diesel vehicle, the product itself can cause damage to paintwork if spilled which creates a challenge for refilling/topping-up passenger cars. To solve this problem, Castrol has implemented innovative packaging solutions for Castrol AdBlue to reduce the risk of spills. This includes the fitting of a pop-top style cap on all 1L packs, whilst the 10L and 20L packs each come with a bonus easy pour nozzle. Vehicles that require AdBlue are generally Euro 6-compliant diesel vehicles. When selecting fluids for your vehicle, please refer to the
Owner’s Handbook and the required product specifications. For further information about the VDA please visit www.vda.de/en/topics/innovation-and-technology/ ad-blue/adBlue.html For further information about Castrol AdBlue, please contact your Castrol Sales Representative or the Castrol customer service team on 1300 554 890.
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NEW REDARC TOW-PRO ACCESSORIES AVAILABLE New switch inserts, remote head wiring kits and a encapsulated power diode have been released Redarc has released several accessories aimed at improving and aiding the installation of its awardwinning Tow-Pro Elite electric trailer brake controller. This includes the addition of two additional Switch Inserts to its existing range of seven. The Redarc Tow-Pro Switch Insert aids the installation of the Tow-Pro remote head into vehicles. Tow-Pro Switch Inserts allow the installer to create an OE looking remote head mount whilst simultaneously aiding installation. The Switch Insert range is as follows: PART NUMBER
VEHICLE
TPSI-001 Universal TPSI-002
Suitable for Toyota, Mitsubishi Triton
TPSI-003
Suitable for Holden Colorado
TPSI-005
Suitable for Isuzu D-MAX SX
TPSI-006
Suitable for Isuzu D-MAX LS/MU-X
*NEW* TPSI-007
Suitable for 70 Series Toyota
*NEW* TPSI-009
Suitable for Mazda BT50
Redarc also offers Tow-Pro Inserts in bulk packs of ten. Bulk packs can be ordered via part number TPSI-00*-B through your local distributor. The Redarc Remote Head Wiring Kits (RHWK-00*) are a range of 1-6m cables that interconnect the Remote Head to the Main Unit. All cables have automotive style connectors and increase the flexibility of the installation for Tow-Pro Elite. Redarc has also released an Encapsulated Power Diode (EPDK-001), a general purpose 7A diode suitable for both 12 and 24V applications. It is totally encapsulated with sealed connections. It is suitable for loads up to 100W on 12V systems, or 200W on 24V systems. The EPDK-001 has been designed to fit in the Trailer Stop Lamp feed to support the installation of the Tow-Pro Electric Brake Controller on vehicles where ‘back-feed’ of 12V (during Tow-Pro Manual Override) may interfere with the vehicle systems. When installed correctly, Redarc says the EPDK-001 ensures correct Trailer braking and Stop Lamp operation when the vehicle brakes or the Tow-Pro Manual Override is used. “Since its release, the Tow-Pro Elite has gone on to become the most popular brake controller in the market. The release of a range accessories are designed to aid and simplify its installation process, ultimately improving efficiency for the installer,” Redarc Business Development Manager – Light Vehicles, Robert Chadwick said. The Tow-Pro Elite V3 was released in January 2019 and features improvements to the remote head and is compatible with new vehicle technology. Redarc says it also maintains the simple operation it is renowned for and industry-leading selectable modes of braking, ‘Proportional’ for highways and sealed roads and ‘User-controlled’ for off-road driving. For more information, visit www.redarc.com.au/trailer-brakes 39
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THINK GREEN, THINK NTK NTK says its expanded EGTS range helps reduce harmful emissions NTK says it is excited to announce the launch of 27 new part numbers; seriously bolstering its range of Exhaust Gas Temperature Sensors (EGTS). High quality, accurate and hardwearing Exhaust Gas Temperature Sensors play a critical role in the performance of late model vehicles. They monitor the temperature of the exhaust gas, sending vital information back to the ECU to ensure that the exhaust gas cleaning components achieve optimal conversion rates. “Modern exhaust after treatment systems require strict control in regard to efficiency and component protection,” NGK Spark Plugs Australia Senior Product Manager, James Filshie, said. “EGTS monitor temperatures in a wide variety of components including turbochargers, catalytic converters, diesel particle filters and nitrogen oxide reduction systems. “The information they capture is used to maintain the optimal operating exhaust temperature and to protect against potential temperature overload.” As the world’s largest Oxygen Sensor manufacturer, NTK says it has applied both its technical prowess and innovative manufacturing techniques to quickly expand its Exhaust Gas Temperature Sensors range. “We are proud to lead the way when it comes to manufacturing a variety of automotive sensors,” James said. “Our range of Exhaust Gas Temperature Sensors are designed to perform in the most extreme conditions, making them the only choice for fitment before
turbochargers, the hottest and most demanding location for any EGTS.” In addition to protecting engine components, Exhaust Gas Temperature Sensors are responsible for maintaining optimal engine performance. A faulty EGTS will not only compromise engine performance, but can also increase the volume of harmful gasses a vehicle releases into the atmosphere. “All NTK Exhaust Gas Temperature Sensors are manufactured as OE parts,” James said. “Our Sensors use temperature resistant elements that cover a range from -40°C up to 900°C to deliver optimum performance across an extreme range of conditions.” NTK says a close investigation of its Exhaust Gas Temperature Sensor range reveals that they also offer exceptional resistance to vibrations and fast activation, which when combined assists in lowering toxic emissions. For technical inquiries, or to find out more about the importance of installing quality Exhaust Gas Temperature Sensors, call NGK on 1300 554 059 or visit www.ngk.com.au to review the entire range.
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PRODUCTS
NEW SCAN TOOL INTRODUCED Launch Tech Telematics now carries new diagnostic tools for the aftermarket Launch Tech Telematics Australia is one of only two primary Launch Tech Co Distributors in Australia. Launch Tech Telematics Director, Bill Mahony, says that due to advancing technologies, there are noticeable challenges being faced by the aftermarket and it is becoming increasingly difficult to understand or repair vehicles unless specific manufacturer information is accessible. With Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and self-driving technologies now being delivered on most cars and expected to be delivered on all vehicles in the future, specific information is critical not only for service procedures but also more importantly for ADAS safety systems, says Bill. “Service Bulletins for the latest updates on these active safely systems is crucial. My personal experience with ADAS systems on new cars have shown me that some dealers are not equipped or trained to fully understand ADAS. “In the near future, these cars will enter the aftermarket and further complicate what hope we have to repair them. OEM J2534 programming
and information should be shared and the industry should be trained to maintain these vehicles. “While some manufactures are opening up their websites with information and programming to the aftermarket at dealer level, it is very hard to find how to access sites and they can be expensive to use. “The aftermarket requires easy access to OEM information to service and maintain vehicles, otherwise we won’t have an aftermarket and car manufacturers are in no position to service all of the vehicles they make.”
New to the market Bill explains that the new ‘Superior Five Scan Tool’ with Linux PC VCI OBD Interface is now available. “Using advanced technologies in its new wireless VCI Connector – which is a full computer operating on Linux software – this system allows Superior’s VCI to offer new and future vehicle protocols including current OEM J2534 programming,” Bill said.
“These protocols enable software to emulate new systems being developed by the manufacturers. The physical hardware is 12-36 volts which enables some manufacturers of 24 volt systems, such as the IVECO light truck, to operate without purchasing our full truck kit. “The new extraordinary state-of-the-art Android Tablet has not only dual band Wi-Fi but also unique dual Wi-Fi channels to operate the new VCI and provide further options in the future and Launch’s advanced operating system is installed to allow fast and easy operation.” For more information, contact Bill Mahony on 0408 558 266 or admin@launchvic.com.au
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PRODUCTS
TWO AUTOMATIC SELECTIONS TITAN ATF 6006 and TITAN ATF 6008 With a development history that spans more than 70 years, automatic automotive transmission systems have developed significantly since their introduction. Despite many of the fundamental principles being a constant feature of planetary transmissions, the design has been refined, enhanced, modified and redesigned to help provide the consumers with more gear ratios, smoother changes and all the benefits associated with modern automotive design. Fuchs says it has continued to develop transmission fluids to match those improvements to achieve the very best performance and operational results with its expansive range of ATF products. In the pioneering days of automatic driveline development, transmission and fluid design was the domain of the vehicle manufacturers. However, the huge investment of time and money required for research and development has led to the emergence of specialist transmission manufacturers which design and develop
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transmissions for use across multiple vehicle manufacturers. One such supplier is ZF, whose automatic transmissions are used in a huge variety of vehicles across the world and are a significant part of the Australasian service requirement. Driven by the individual design and technical requirements of each transmission, Fuchs is a major supplier of transmission fluids and has expanded its specialist transmission fluid range with two products especially designed to assist customers servicing these vehicles. TITAN ATF 6006 is a specialty transmission fluid developed with reduced viscosity and performance additive technology to optimise the performance of specified six-speed ZF automatic transmissions used in Bentley, BMW, Hyundai, Jaguar, Land Rover, Maserati and VW Group vehicles, etc.* TITAN ATF 6008 is a specialty transmission fluid developed with reduced viscosity and performance additive technology to optimise the performance of specified eight-speed and
six-speed ZF automatic transmissions used in Bentley, BMW, Jaguar, Land Rover, Chrysler and VW Group vehicles, etc.* Fuchs says both TITAN ATF 6006 and TITAN ATF 6008 deliver improved friction control, strong anti-shudder performance along with excellent oxidation control and wear protection providing excellent durability and long oil life with proven performance matched to the OEM’s requirements. For more from Fuchs, visit www.fuchs.com.au *Please refer to Fuchs’ published application recommendations.
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ADRAD’S RANGE GROWING AND GLOWING Denso Glow Plugs introduced to Adrad offering Most famous for its radiators and auto air conditioning parts, Adrad says its product range continues to expand with more high quality parts to satisfy the needs of vehicle service workshops. One of the latest additions to its ever-expanding parts range is an extensive selection of Denso Glow Plugs to suit diesel engines for passenger, 4x4 and light commercial vehicles. Adrad says the Denso brand represents advanced technology and a wealth of experience as an original equipment manufacturer to leading automotive suppliers around the world. The Denso glow plug program reportedly meets or exceeds OE specifications and encompasses all
current glow plug technologies including single coil, double coil, extended post-heating, ceramic glow plugs and instant heating. They meet ISO TS16949, ISO14001 and OHSAS 18001 standards. More than 130 Denso superior quality glow plug part numbers are now available from Adrad. Adrad says coverage is excellent with more applications covered by fewer part references which is a huge benefit to repairers who need to maintain flexible parts inventory. Further, Adrad says Denso’s spark plug range provides similar advantages regarding wider coverage with fewer part numbers (also available from Adrad).
This glow plug range suits almost every European diesel engine and covers more than 80 percent of the Australian Car Parc (diesel), says Adrad, which states you can find these products available from stockists of Adrad parts across the country including Natrad, Adrad Radiator Experts and many other workshops and auto parts stores. For more information, contact your local Adrad distributor or sales representative, or call Adrad customer service on 1800 882 043.
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WANT EXTRA WORKSHOP PROFIT? Wipertech says it is easier than you think Wipertech says workshops around Australia are missing out on thousands in potential profits by failing to replace worn out wiper blades. According to Wipertech, by failing to replace worn-out wipers you’re missing out on improving the safety of your customers; giving your customers something they’ll see and appreciate right away; and one of the fastest and easiest ways to generate extra revenue. In fact, Wipertech suggests that if you change a full wiper assembly you can generate $31.50 in profit per car – stating that means that if you change blades on 10 vehicles per week for 48 weeks of the year, that’s $15,120 per year. So why aren’t workshops changing wiper blades, you ask. Wipertech suggests that mechanics and workshop owners have explained to it that their main reasons behind not changing blades are the difficulty and inconvenience of stocking and sourcing blades for many modern cars (such as the VE/VF Commodore, Mk6 and Mk7 Golf and LW Focus), the time it takes to muck around with refills, and that they’re only replacing wipers
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when it’s raining or when customers request it. According to Wipertech, wipers should be changed during a standard service, regardless of the weather. With most services being at least every 12 months, blades are going to be exposed to a variety of testing conditions in this time (including the harsh Australian sun which causes natural rubber to deteriorate). Wipertech suggests that this is backed up by the RACV, stating that the RACV recommends wipers should be replaced at least once a year to ensure safety and visibility for drivers. So how can workshops have wipers ready for any car? Wipertech claims that with its industryleading Multi-Fit Aeroflex range it is easy. Each aero blade (12 - 28”) comes with 10 easy to fit connectors and will fit 98 percent of vehicles on Australian roads, it says. With Wipertech’s starter packs, it is reportedly also easy to have a range of the most common sizes sitting ready on your workshop rack (included free with first order) so instead of stuffing around with refills, changing wipers takes
seconds: simply remove the originals, grab the length and connector you need and fit the new wipers. Wipertech notes that you may be wondering how you can make $31.50 in profit for every pair you fit? It says that for orders between 20 and 49 units, pricing is $12.50 (excluding GST) per blade. It recommends selling pairs of wipers for the RRP of $59, which will generate $31.50 in profit per sale. Further, it says you can order high quantities for a lower purchase price and a higher profit per sale. Wipertech says it is Australia’s leading online wiper blade supplier and it is offering all AAAA readers a free sample pack of refills, wiper blades and accessories, including Multi-Fit Aeroflex wiper blades, 10 pack of windscreen washer tablets, and 6mm and 8mm metal backed refills. For your free sample, contact Wipertech on 1300 778 502 or sales@wipertech.com.au
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REDARC RELEASES SHOWROOM AC BATTERY CHARGER This is the latest co-branded product from Norwegian innovator DEFA to be released by Redarc Redarc has released the latest addition to its cobranded DEFA AC Battery Charger range to the Australian and New Zealand market, a 12V 30A Showroom Charger. The Showroom Charger (Part number SBC1230-S) is designed for long-term battery maintenance charging, providing fast battery charge when you need. It is ideal for use in vehicle showrooms; or at home connected to infrequently used vehicles, RVs, caravans or boats. When in use, it can be placed under a vehicle out of sight; the clamping cable is detachable and easily passed through the engine bay; and the charger has no fan, meaning it is noise free – all of which allows the unit to remain incognito in a vehicle showroom or garage. The Redarc Showroom Charger by DEFA is based on modern switch-mode technology and galvanic isolation. Redarc says the charger represents the latest in long-term battery maintenance charging and will maximise the lifespan of a battery. It uses a seven-step charging process to optimise battery performance and longevity.
Designed for use with 12V Lead Acid, AGM, EFB and GEL battery compositions, the Showroom Charger will initially deliver 14.4V to achieve maximum charge, prior to dropping to 13.6V at a maximum of 30A during the long-term charging phase. It can also withstand parallel loads up to 30A while charging the battery, is spark-proof and fully secured against reverse polarity and short-circuiting. The Showroom Charger is covered by a two-year warranty; is simple and easy to operate; has only one button; and features a user-friendly display. Compact in size and cased in a black anodised aluminium finish, it provides an attractive exterior that complements any modern showroom. “As vehicle technology continues to improve, there is an increased demand for battery support and maintenance,” Redarc Managing Director, Anthony Kittel, said. “The benefits are clear for not only vehicle showrooms but also home garages, with a safe and versatile battery charger that is able to
deliver a quick charge to batteries that may be used infrequently. “The Showroom Charger is an exceptional combination of state-of-the-art technology, advanced features and an innovative design. It ensures fast charging and reliable battery performance for dealers, manufacturers and endusers.” This is the latest co-branded product from Norwegian innovator DEFA to be released by Redarc, following the release of the SmartCharge range of AC Battery Chargers in December of 2018. To learn more, visit www.redarc.com.au/30ampshowroom-battery-charger
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PRODUCTS
GROWTH CONTINUES FOR APW A new partnership has seen Automotive Parts Wholesaler expand its offering Automotive Parts Wholesaler (APW) has started the new financial year with a bang after partnering with IM Group. APW says this has given it access to market leading brands including Goss Vehicle Management, Injectronics and MAP Keys and remotes.
BEST PRACTICE LEAD-ACID BATTERY STORAGE CTEK provides the following tips for storage While regular battery maintenance is becoming more commonplace as part of basic vehicle upkeep, proper battery storage steps are often forgotten, says CTEK. Unmaintained batteries when left in storage can badly impact on their performance and lifespan, so by making sure batteries in storage are optimally charged, workshops can considerably reduce warranty returns. In Australia, a high percentage of batteries returned during warranty are returned due to battery discharge rather than fault. This means the workshop will not get any sort of refund from the manufacturer as it is not a poor quality battery so there is not a fault; it simply hasn’t been maintained properly.
Further, APW states that this partnership sees it able to add a significant range of stock into its Sydney warehouse including fuel pumps, coils and an extensive sensor range. APW says it is especially excited about the Goss fuel pump range – with more than 500 part numbers available, it says all products match OE for performance and fitment with a two-year and 40,000km guarantee. APW reports it saw this partnership as a great opportunity to work with a leading supplier which has built its business around quality products, knowledgeable customer service and technical staff and purpose-built premises. These additions to the APW range sees it continue its diversification away from being just a brake and clutch supplier. In fact, the business reports that the last 24 months has seen APW increase its product offering by more than 30 percent with the addition of the following to its range: • Narva • Projecta • Meguiars • Top Performance Pads (made by Bendix) To help launch the new IM product, APW will be running a number of promotions in the coming months. For more information on the IM Group product range or on Automotive Parts Wholesaler, please call 02 9737 0444 or 0426 207 285. 52
To avoid the workshop being out-of-pocket for this return, Robert Briggs from CTEK, a leading global brand for the care and maintenance of vehicle batteries, offers the following battery storage tips for workshops to apply in their own product storage areas. 1. Temperature – the recommended storage temperature for most batteries is 15°C, while the extreme allowable temperature is –40°C to +50°C for most chemistries. This means that over the hot Australian summer months, water can evaporate out of the battery’s liquid electrolyte and it is imperative that batteries are stored at their optimal temperature. 2. Voltage – since all batteries gradually selfdischarge over time, it is important to regularly check the voltage, and apply a charge when the battery falls below 95 percent charge. Failure to do this will lead to sulphation, reducing the battery’s ability to accept and hold a charge, and ultimately its lifespan. 3. Storage - best practice storage is on wooden pallets, which allows for optimum circulation of air at ambient temperature (if a battery is stored on a cold concrete floor this can create a heat sink). Also, avoid the stacking of batteries as stacking can cause damage to casings and handles, and in extreme cases can cause the battery to short circuit. 4. Keep it clean – a battery with dirt on the outside can discharge quicker than a clean battery, as small amounts of voltage can track across the moist dirt to earth, speeding up the discharge process. Always clean off dirt and moisture before storing.
CTEK says it has a quick and easy solution that will enable workshops to regularly check and charge batteries while they are in storage: the CTEK Comfort Indicator. The CTEK Comfort Indicator uses a simple traffic light system to enable users to identify the state of any 12V lead-acid battery. Connect the Comfort Indicator to the battery and one of three flashing LEDs will light to advise if the battery is fully charged (green) or if it needs a charge (red), offering piece of mind that batteries have been safely charged and are ready for use. CTEK says its Smart Chargers range of powerful, fully automatic battery chargers are designed to offer outstanding levels of reliability, safety and efficiency for workshops operating with 12V and 24V systems. The fully automatic charging cycle includes patented features to ensure that batteries are not only charged correctly but are maintained in peak condition – extending battery life and reducing the risk of returns under warranty. All types of lead-acid batteries can be charged, cared for and maintained using CTEK professional workshop chargers and with high output, CTEK says its chargers will rapidly and safely charge batteries. For more from CTEK, visit www.ctek.com.au
PRODUCTS
HSP TAIL LOCK UPDATES HSP 4x4 Accessories has made two updates to its award-wining product HSP 4x4 Accessories says it has recently had two major developments added to its tailgate central locking range. The HSP Tail Lock allows you to sync your tailgate with your existing vehicle remote. The unit works by engaging and disengaging your existing handle when your vehicle locks and unlocks.
ALEMLUBE WASTE OIL HANDLING EQUIPMENT Correct waste oil handling is critically important Alemlube says it is a leading supplier of lubrication and workshop equipment and that for more than 20 years it has also been providing turnkey workshop solutions to the automotive and transport industries in Australia, and more recently, in New Zealand. Naturally there are many facets of a well-run and well-equipped workshop environment and Alemlube says there is none more important than the practice of waste oil handling. It is common knowledge that governments and industry regulate and mandate the control of waste oil and this goes hand in hand with occupational workshop safety. Alemlube says it offers a comprehensive line up of waste oil handling equipment to suit your specific applications and needs, ranging from manual drainers to fully equipped extraction systems. Mobile units designed for the collection of used fluids such as motor oil, gear oil, antifreeze and coolant fluids as well as other non-aggressive automotive fluids are in use right across the industry every day and the quality of such units is of vital importance.
HSP 4x4 Accessories says the two new updates will make the units a lot easier to fit as well as providing a higher rated actuator for the ultimate consistency. In releasing these updates, the company has also noted its thanks to the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association for recently honouring the product with the Most Innovative New Accessory Award at the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Expo earlier this year.
Update one: HSP has upgraded all of the wiring of the HSP Tail Lock to Plug And Play, which it says makes it the first in the industry to offer not only a nondrill system for the whole range but also plug and play wiring. HSP 4x4 Accessories says this update will dramatically reduce the fitment time as well as reduce any fitment errors arising from the wiring.
Update Two: HSP 4x4 Accessories has announced it has teamed up with German automotive part supplier Hella to introduce a new actuator across all models.
Because of this, Alemlube states it distributes only the best equipment, much of which is manufactured by Samoa in Spain and enjoys a reputation for reliability and longevity. Models for gravity collection are fitted with a telescopic bowl and can be used under vehicle hoists or inside lubrication pits. Models fitted with a pneumatic vacuum pump can be used for extracting waste oil through the vehicle motor oil dipstick using an adequate adaptor or suction cane. The pneumatic suction pump has no moving parts and can achieve up to 80 percent vacuum, says Alemlube, which states these units are supplied with a complete set of suction canes and adaptors. Once full, the reservoir can be discharged either by using a remote pump through a hydraulic type connector fitted to the bottom of the unit, with a piston pump attached to the unit or by pressurising the unit reservoir at 3.5psi (0.5 bar) maximum with a tyre inflator. Waste oil evacuation kits are also available for transferring waste oil from mobile unit reservoirs or waste oil drainers to bulk waste oil storage tanks utilising a compressed air pump connected to a distribution line network. Whether your requirement is a mobile oil drainer, a manual waste oil extractor that is light and easily carried around the workshop or in the field, a gravity fed waste oil drain, an air operated waste oil extractor, a larger integrated system or new and waste oil storage tanks, Alemlube says it can satisfy your needs and that its pricing is “always competitive.”
It says this is a crucial update which now gives the unit optimum performance and reliability.
Alemlube says complete supply and installation is always a feature of its service and technical advice along with servicing capabilities are simply a phone call away.
For more information on the HSP Tail Lock product, visit www.hsputelids.com
For further information on all Alemlube waste oil handling products and general workshop equipment, visit www.alemlube.com.au
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INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS
2019 AUSTRALIAN AUTO AFTERMARKET INNOVATION AWARDS AAAA Most Innovative New Aftermarket Product – Tools and Equipment The competition for AAAA Most Innovative New Aftermarket Product – Tools and Equipment award was exceptionally close. In this issue, we take a look at the entrants who vied for this award including the winning Hella Gutmann Solutions CSC Tool from Hella Australia. For more information about the Australian Auto Aftermarket Awards, please visit www.aftermarketawards.com.au
HELLA Australia, HELLA GUTMANN SOLUTIONS CSC Tool – WINNER With the CSC-Tool, HELLA GUTMANN SOLUTIONS provides workshops with a professional multibrand system for calibrating various Advanced Driver Assistance Systems. The CSC-Tool is available in a modular format, meaning it can be customised and expanded to the various needs of automotive repairers. The exacting tolerances the CSC-Tool is capable of working to ensure accurate results which offer great benefits to both the workshop and vehicle owner. HELLA GUTMANN SOLUTIONS provides comprehensive user training to CSC-Tool customers and hotline support to ensure workshops maximise the scope of their investment. For more information, visit www.hella.com.au
Diesel Help Australia, Optimus Primer Diesel Help Australia’s Optimus Primer was initially innovated to assist with priming the air from the fuel system during replacement of a diesel fuel filter. It provides access to over 30 individual diameters and angles of quick release fittings with a barbed sealable end, ensuring the user will have success connecting a hand primer to the vehicle’s supply without unwanted air entering the system during bleeding of the air. The kit can be seen demonstrated and purchased for a special training course price at Diesel Help Australia’s Ultimate CRD course. For more information, visit www.dieselhelp.com.au
Gearwrench, 1/2” electronic torque wrench with angle The new GearWrench electronic torque wrench allows mechanics to precisely tighten fasteners to the correct torque and angle as specified by the manufacturer. It also beeps, blinks and vibrates to alert the user that the torque setting has been met or is getting close to being met. Setting units of measure is easy and the closer you get to the set torque setting, the more frequent the LED will blink and the audible beep will get faster. Ten torque setting presets are available for frequently repeated applications. For more information visit www.gearwrench.com.au
HELLA Australia, mega macs 77 Thanks to a new high-performance processor, VIN identification and guided measurement technology, the HELLA GUTMANN SOLUTIONS mega macs 77 delivers accurate, fast and comprehensive fault codebased, vehicle-specific repair aids for global vehicle brands. Vehicle specific repair tips are indicated in real time and symptom based solutions are proposed. It makes short work of current, voltage, and resistance measurements and excels due to its entirely new level of quality in guided measurement technology. The product enables more efficient diagnostics and ensures only the correct parts are ordered and fitted first time. For more information, visit www.hella.com.au
Hot Wire Pty Ltd, DSS-5000 Battery Diagnostic Service System The DSS-5000 Battery Diagnostic Service System’s Conductance Profiling delivers enhanced diagnostics for significantly fewer ‘Charge & Retest’ decisions, as well as Battery Reserve Capacity warnings. A detachable controller enables easier scanning and system tests along with a five-inch colour touchscreen which offers a convenient option for sharing battery diagnostic results. VIN capture via the integrated camera establishes vehicle records and tracks process compliance while Vehicle data-base driven testing automatically sets correct battery parameters, increasing user confidence and customer satisfaction. For more information, visit www.hotwire.com.au 56
INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS ITW AAMTech, Wynn’s Multiserve Wynn’s MultiSERVE is an independently 12V multifunctional operating apparatus which effectively cleans the fuel system, air intake, turbo and DPF of a vehicle. The machine can be used for diesel and petrol engines without disassembly of parts and during engine running. It contains four cleaning programs: fuel system treatment; air intake treatment; turbo treatment and DPF treatment. The machine can be switched off at any time during the treatment and has a completely closed tank to avoid cleaning liquid vapours escaping. For more information, visit www.aamtech.com.au
Macnaught, Retracta Adjustable Control Return Macnaught says its ‘Retracta Adjustable Control Return’ (or RACR) system is the first truly controllable and therefore safe and versatile hose retraction system for the workshop and most hose applications. The patented RACR system provides true control by allowing the user to set the speed of return to suit their individual requirements. The RACR system mounts directly to the hose drum, negating the need for spur and ring gear interaction – again reducing noise, wear and replacement cost. It is fully serviceable and carries a 10-year warranty. For more information, visit www.macnaught.com.au
Macnaught, Battery Operated Pump (BOP20) Macnaught’s BOP20 Battery Operated Pump for 20L drums enables automotive workshops to work more efficiently. The clever use of patent pending technology, combined with innovative design and intuitive operation, provides a product that not only solves the problem of fatiguing manual pumps, but also reduces the likelihood of spills and provides an expandable platform of oil handling efficiencies for the business. The BOP20 achieves this by employing powerful 18V Lithium Ion battery technology and a portable, selfpriming pump capable of single handedly dispensing oils from 20 litre containers, on-demand. For more information, visit www.macnaught.com.au
Shinn Fu Australia, three in one low profile Z creeper Shinn Fu Australia’s low profile Omega Z creeper is a versatile creeper/seat combination. By pulling two pins, it can change from a low-profile creeper to a low height ‘L Shape’ seat or regular height ‘Z Shape’ seat; allowing three different height levels to comfortably work at with its fully upholstered pad. It features six 76mm oil resistant Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) casters, a powder coat finish and a sturdy steel frame, for a heavy duty design with 200 kg capacity. For more information, visit www.shinnfu.com.au
Shinn Fu Australa, Bullbar Assist The JS & B’s Bullbar Assist (partnered with Shinn Fu Australia) is a mobile hydraulic lift that allows you to easily maneuver bull bars to the right height and into position for fitting and removing. The task normally requires three people, but the Bullbar Assist allows only one person to work on it safely and securely. Fitted with adjustable straps and rubber-padded stoppers on a platform, it is compatible with bull bars of all different shapes, sizes, heights and weights. There is even an optional tow bar assist. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/bullbarassist
Supercheap Auto, Tool PRO Suitcase Inverter Generator Range ToolPRO Suitcase Inverter Generators are an ideal portable power source featuring a modern, slick, lightweight design. The four stroke petrol motor delivers performance while keeping the environment top of mind. 240v sockets, 12v sockets and duel USB ports are featured and its pure sine wave technology replicates the same power source that comes from your wall socket at home and unlike traditional generators that have an interrupted modified sine wave, the ToolPRO 1100W and 2200W suitcase generators are safe for all digital and sensitive equipment. For more information, visit www.supercheapauto.com.au
SuperPro, Wheel Stud Tool Kit Fitting wheels onto a vehicle without wheel studs can be difficult and sometimes dangerous. SuperPro’s Wheel Stud Tool Kit recreates a wheel stud to support the wheel and tyre while the other wheel bolts are started – a simple solution, but one which is proving popular. The Wheel Stud Tool Kit comes with two different sizes; 12 x 1.5 pitch and 14 x 1.5 pitch and was designed to include both wheel lug thread sizes so it can fit just about anything. For more information, visit www.superpro.com.au 57
MEMBER FEATURE
ENGINEERING FOR SUCCESS
With its proven philosophy of delivering solutions based on excellence in design and manufacturing, Harrop Engineering is a true Australian success story with a rich history dating back more than 60 years When it was founded by Len Harrop in the inner Melbourne suburb of Brunswick in 1955, Harrop Engineering was a small family business providing general engineering services for the textile and trucking/haulage industries. As the business grew, Len and Elsa Harrop’s son, Ron, joined after completing his boilermaker apprenticeship. Ron had a strong interest in modifying cars born out of his passion for motorsport. The combination of Len’s technical knowledge and Ron’s motorsport expertise saw Harrop Engineering grow quickly into a respected automotive engineering and performance parts manufacturer. Ron’s enthusiasm for ‘making things’ began at an early age. At the tender age of 10, Ron was welding together go-karts in the back shed. In his teenage years, he fuelled his need for speed by building and racing a variety of cars including a MGTC powered Morris Minor, his much-loved Holden EH and his famous FJ Holden. Originally bought for $29 from racing identity Norm Beechey, Ron’s FJ, known as “Harrop’s Howler” has become one of Australia’s most loved and recognised racing cars. Innovative design combined with on-track success have been the foundations on which Harrop Engineering has built a company philosophy and reputation for engineering excellence. Over the past 30 years, Harrop has played a part in the success of a variety of top tier Motorsport teams, from Formula One to V8 Supercars and
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this is a tribute to the precision and design of the performance products the company manufactures. As capabilities diversified and demand grew, Harrop moved to its current purpose built facility in 2000. Five years later Harrop Casting Technologies was born to supply the necessary quality for the growing portfolio of performance products. This signaled the expansion of the facility located in the inner Melbourne suburb of Preston. In 2008, the Harrop family sold the business to Adrad – a family owned business based in Adelaide which recognised the value Harrop would add to its already diverse group of companies. General Manager Heath Moore along with Operations Manager Tim Harrop, Len and Elsa’s Grandson, today head up a young and dynamic management team who are driving Harrop into the future. At the time of the acquisition, Adrad was already a large player in Australia’s Automotive Aftermarket with a reputation for manufacturing, importing and distributing high quality automotive cooling components. In addition to the performance components that Harrop added to its portfolio, Adrad designs and manufactures radiator cores in copper, brass and aluminium for both automotive and industrial applications. Today Harrop operates across several market segments, producing an array of products,
intricate components and engineering solutions for both the automotive and industrial sectors. “Harrop Engineering is a modern, world-class operation committed to technical excellence in total component manufacturing,” Harrop Engineering Australia General Manager, Heath Moore, said. “Our core range of proprietary products for the Automotive aftermarket industry include Superchargers, Manifolds, Brakes, Differentials and Cooling for both Australian delivered and global vehicle platforms including the Toyota 86, Toyota Tundra, Nissan Patrol/Titan range and the Dodge Ram. “Driven by a commitment to quality and performance, our team’s primary focus is to improve the safety, reliability and durability of our engineering products.” Using ‘state-of-the-art’ computerised CNC equipment driven by a commitment to quality, Harrop is continually striving to improve the
MEMBER FEATURE
accuracy and consistency of its manufacturing processes. Modern simulation tools produce virtual products prior to prototype validation and production builds, enhancing the integrity of the final product. “Harrop’s quality-assurance system is accredited by world standards. This, combined with our advanced product quality planning system, allow Harrop to deliver an outstanding level of service to a broad customer base ranging from global OE vehicle manufacturers to performance enthusiasts,” Heath explained.
Harrop and Eaton – a positive partnership Sharing a synergy for Research and Development, Harrop has achieved the enviable status of licensed Master Distributor for Eaton Corporation. This allows Harrop to work closely with the US Company and utilise its technology in the manufacture of Positive Displacement Superchargers and Traction Control Products for low volume applications and OEM customer programs like Ford, Holden, Toyota and Lotus.
A strong future ahead
“Vertical integration provides Harrop with a strong competitive advantage, starting with the company owned foundry, Harrop Casting Technologies, coupled with Harrop’s engineering design capabilities and quality certified manufacturing.
customers that provides them with a competitive edge through our unique mix of competencies, which include 3D CAD Modelling and analysis, tooling design and production, prototyping, CNC machining, aluminium casting, assembly and quality assurance systems.” Heath states that Harrop is solution focused, whether in regard to its own proprietary performance products or customer programs. As long-term AAAA Members, Harrop values the opportunity to collaborate with industry partners and peers. In addition, its membership provides it with insights to help it stay abreast of industry developments, flag challenges and identify new opportunities. There is no doubt that the team at Harrop are true innovators. Having recently incorporated in the USA and established a facility in Dayton Ohio, the next chapter of the Harrop story is about to be written as they begin to capitalise on opportunities for export market growth.
“As a result, we offer an all-inclusive solution to
For more information, visit www.harrop.com.au
Heath says Harrop’s robust development pipeline for Supercharger, Differential, Brake and Cooling product is securing future growth and attracting new customers. “A key challenge for contemporary manufacturing companies with a diverse portfolio such as Harrop is the ability to remain dynamic and agile. This is the cornerstone when projecting beyond 2019 and fundamental to our sustainability and growth,” he said. “Remaining agile transcends machining equipment for the business and includes product development as our alertness to opportunities within the automotive industry remains high.
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STEERING & SUSPENSION
SUSPENSION OF (DIS)BELIEF
With the launch of an all-new active suspension concept by Mercedes-Benz, in this article AutoMate’s Harrison Boudakin takes a look at the history of this innovation and explores just how capable the technology can be With its squared off, ruggedly conservative styling, Mercedes’ new GLE is nothing if not easy to pass by at first glance. Priced to compete with BMW’s X5 and Audi’s Q7, it appears entirely unexceptional, and in that sense perfectly tailored for the loyal buyers who have kept the GLE, and its forebear, the M-Class, very popular for more than 20 years now. But beneath the “new boss, same as the old boss” exterior, the GLE sports a bevy of electromechanical innovations that not only belie its straight-laced appearance, but also mark it out as something of a standard bearer in the current automotive cohort. From bonnet to bootlid, this car is a showcase of mainstream SUV engineering taken to a new level. Using a 48-volt electrical system that’s
increasingly finding its way into all sorts of Benz products, Mercedes has unlocked an array of technological marvels designed to bend the laws of physics and consume a little bit less of the world’s resources in the process. Quite apart from the brand-new inline six cylinder engine, with its entirely beltless ancillaries and mild-hybrid electric starter-generator, the most remarkable feature of the new GLE is surely its E-Active Body Control ‘active’ suspension system. Now, the concept of an ‘active’ suspension set-up is nothing new - various companies have been experimenting with the technology since the early 1980s. But as you’ll see, Mercedes has done more than any other manufacturer to actually bring the tech into use in production vehicles. The premise for active suspension is a simple
one: by moving to control wheel motion, damping and spring rates individually and relative to the chassis, rather than simply being determined entirely by the road surface itself, engineers are able to deliver a level of vehicle stability significantly beyond that of a regular ‘passive’ suspension set-up. Before it found its way into road cars, active suspension was pioneered by the Lotus F1 team over 35 years ago. Using a 2200-psi hydraulic pump and a set of powerful rams to control all four wheels independently, the systems allowed the car to actively resist roll forces during fast cornering. Yet despite the obvious potential of such a remarkable concept, it wasn’t until rival team Williams got hold of it in the early 90s that its true genius became apparent. In fact, Williams’ version was developed to such perfection that their all-conquering FW15C car – driven by the late, great Ayrton Senna - was actually outlawed in F1, and had to be stripped of its Active Ride because it was just too good compared to the competition. There were major deficiencies, however, with these original hydraulic systems. The total weight of the active ride components was close to 150kg, and it required around five horsepower just to run the hydraulic pump. What’s more, when engineers tried to apply the tech to a road car, they discovered the rams simply couldn’t respond quickly enough to small, sharp bumps, meaning any increase in everyday ride comfort was negligible. So it wasn’t until 1999 that Mercedes-Benz managed to bring its version of hydraulic, computer-controlled active suspension onto the public highway (though Citroen and Infiniti beat the Germans to market with their own versions). Launched in the ground-breaking CL Coupe, Mercedes’ Active Body Control (ABC) was fiendishly complex, still very heavy and a magnet for heart-stopping repair bills. Yet thanks to a 3000psi hydraulic pump, 13 body movement sensors, four hydraulic servos and a high-powered central computer, it offered Mercedes’ most prestigious customers a level of body control and ride comfort well beyond even the best air suspension set-ups. It was so advanced that
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even in its first iteration, ABC was able to almost completely eliminate body roll – and that was just the beginning. By 2010, ABC had gained a cross-wind stabilisation function, which would actively vary the wheel load distribution to compensate for wind effects at higher speeds. Then, in 2013, there was one more giant leap for suspensionkind: Magic Body Control. This used a stereo camera to scan the road ahead for surface imperfections and bumps, and could then adjust the shock damping at each individual wheel. This version of ABC required double the processing power of the first version – but achieved spectacular results in the W222 S-Class. Even more innovation came one year later with the Active Curve Tilting system. This used ABC to not only eliminate body roll, but to actually tilt the car into corners up to 2.5 degrees - much like the Italian Pendolino trains, which lean into turns to counter the effect of centrifugal force on the occupants.
Which brings us to today – and back to the GLE’s new E-Active Body Control suspension. Thanks to the addition of the 48-volt sub-architecture, E-Active is a hydro-pneumatic system quite unlike anything else offered on the market today. E-Active ditches anti-roll bars altogether to allow for truly independent control of each wheel. It then deploys electronically-adjustable dampers and air springs to control body motion, allowing spring rate, damper stiffness and ride height to be adjusted independently at each corner of the car in real time. On-road, this allows for active curve tilting and pre-surface scanning – as per previous iterations of ABC. Unlike those versions, however, the 48volt electrical system allows the GLE to harvest energy from vertical suspension movement to recharge the battery – a major breakthrough for passenger vehicles. E-Active doesn’t disappoint off-road either, with the driver able to individually control the height of each wheel in the event that it loses traction.
And best of all, if you’re stuck in sand, the aptlynamed ‘Freischaukelfunktion’ will rock or bounce the GLE on its air springs, to help the car find grip on the soft surface. This, then, is just another example of how 48V mild-electrification is helping manufacturers make some serious technological strides, and in the case of active suspension, it’s adding a new dimension of capability and innovation that we can expect to see cascading through the car parc very soon. Written by AutoMate Training, a world leading provider of online, video-based technical training, with more than 400 modules featuring high quality graphics, the latest vehicles and real presenters. The AutoMate Training library covers everything from system fundamentals to advanced diagnostics and technology, including training on steering and suspension technology. Subscribe today for only $33 per month for professional techs and just $9.90 for trainees. For a free trial, visit www.automatetraining.com
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NEW FROM WHITELINE Whiteline says it is best known for improving a vehicle’s handling and performance The company has recently released two new offerings to the market.
2018+ Mustang S550 Grip Series Kit Whiteline says it is pleased to announce the release of the Whiteline GS1 Kit, Whiteline Performance Lowering Springs and Whiteline Anti-Roll Bar Package for the 2018+ S550 Mustang that is fitted with the Ford MagneRide Suspension System. It says this new release represents the ultimate entry level suspension upgrade, stating that performance, handling and comfort make up the Grip Series Stage One kit featuring Whiteline signature front and rear adjustable swaybars, drop links and performance lowering springs. Whiteline explains that its latest spring kit provides a lowering drop of 25mm front and rear and will ensure your Mustang’s factory MagneRide shock absorbers will continue to function as OE spec while providing “the best bang for buck handling package to enhance your 2018+ Mustang.”
Extended sway bar links for 4x4 Whiteline also now offers a range of extended sway bar links to suit popular 4X4 models that have undergone a two-inch lift. By eliminating flex and compliance associated with original equipment, these high strength links are engineered to increase sway bar effectiveness and improve overall performance, increased rigidity and responsiveness which can be felt especially during lane changes and initial turn. The links are manufactured from high quality alloy and include heavy duty steel ball joint ends to ensure maximum strength and durability, says Whiteline, which suggests you eliminate sway bar preload during installation and allow for an on-car length adjustment of up to 25mm centre to centre. For more information, visit www.whiteline.com.au or contact the Whiteline team toll free on 1300 882 355. 62
REPAIRING ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING PSPA discusses common questions when it comes to Electronic Power Steering Power Steering Parts of Australia (PSPA) says that with the ever-increasing volume of Electronic Power Steering (EPS) in new vehicles from nearly all OE manufacturers, the specialist power steering repair industry has a whole new field they will have to learn. As when Hydraulic Power Steering took over from Manual Steering, now EPS systems are starting to make Hydraulic Power Steering redundant. PSPA says that generally, if a vehicle owner has a steering problem and takes it back to the dealer, they will recommend a completely new steering assembly. In some cases, this will be correct but in other cases, they can be repaired. So why can’t technicians simply dismantle the unit and put it back together if parts are available? PSPA explains there are more than ten key manufacturing companies making EPS for OE car companies and their products all differ. It states the three most popular types are Pinion, Column and Rack assist units. Sensors detect the motion and torque of the steering column and a computer module applies assistive power through an electric motor coupled directly with either the steering column or steering gear. This is just one of many types of electrical units in some of the above steering systems. So how do technicians repair the EPS in that case? PSPA says that in some cases it will be fairly simple and a scan tool will work, but with the majority you will need specialist computer diagnostic units on-hand. PSPA says it has an ongoing programme of increasing the range of parts available to replace worn or damaged components within these EPS units. Some items are circuit boards, brushes, bushings and sensors. When undertaking this kind of work, PSPA cautions you to remember that a lot of time will be spent undertaking diagnosis and you need to charge for that service or agree to a partial rebate if they give you the full job to do. As such, PSPA suggests you update a written job card with details of work to be done including estimated diagnostic time showing the hourly rate that the
customer will be liable to pay and make sure they sign it.
Available testing equipment PSPA notes that various testing equipment is becoming available and some units require the vehicle computer to again match with the EPS electronics or the EPS system will not work. It says it is now distributing a range of European manufactured Virtual Car System units (VcarSys) with a full support network to back them up through the subscription programme. The range of VcarSys units start with: - The ‘Easy’ model which can do an in-car test and reset if required. This will be released when more functions are completed during manufacture. - The ‘Mini’ model is used with a windows laptop and can recalibrate the computer system. Cable sets are required to attach to the EPS unit and in this model it is a lightweight cable. - The top of the range ‘Model 11’ has a built-in scan tool and is mounted into a hard-plastic small suitcase. Cable sets are required to attach to the EPS unit and in this model, the cable sets are heavy duty. Annual contracts are required for the Mini and MK11 so you can receive all the latest software updates. Cable sets are sold as required and generally ten sets are included in the price of these two units. Ongoing cable sets for newer vehicles will also be available as required at a cost. PSPA says its new range of computers will allow the steering units module to be paired ready for installation back into the vehicle and it will then work with the vehicle’s computer. For more information, please contact Power Steering Parts of Australia on pspa@pspa.com.au or by calling 08 9295 6666.
STEERING & SUSPENSION
WCS SUSPENSION SOLUTIONS West Coast Suspensions has been providing suspension solutions since 1924 Established as Jenkins Springs and now trading as West Coast Suspensions, the company provides springs, shock absorbers and associated suspension components to Australian and International 4X4 suspension markets. West Coast Suspensions says all suspensions are designed in-house and field tested prior to release, ensuring a integrated and tailored aftermarket suspension package that rivals OEM standards for fit, ride, load capacity and serviceability. The company’s suspension products are available through a network of dealers or it can fit in house at its own facility with a same day turnaround. West Coast Suspensions says its GVM suspension upgrades all comply with ADR rules and have undergone sine and dwell testing for full volume compliance with Bosch Australia for ESC and ABS stability and response ensuring OEM on board systems are not compromised and operate up to expected standards with its aftermarket suspension. The company services customers across several
industries from recreational four wheel drivers, to the mining and resource industry, agricultural sector, road transport and heavy haulage. Those behind the business state that “suspension is what we know and what we do, so our clients can rest assured of a product and service that will meet and hopefully exceed their expectations. If it’s on road, off road, towing a load, or in a mine pit or on a farm, then we have a suspension that will meet your requirements.” With almost a century’s worth of experience, West Coast Suspensions says it prides itself on its ability to provide clients with the highest quality services and products in the industry. Privately owned, it says it is committed to ensuring that each client receives the kind of personalised service they can rely on. All West Coast Suspensions 4×4 suspension components are designed, tested and modified in-house, which the company says is a rarity throughout the rest of Australia. It also offers in-house fabrication to customise suspension so if you require more height or extra load carrying
capacity, West Coast Suspensions says it has you covered. Further, West Coast Suspensions says its sameday service sets it apart from its competitors and that it manufactures its own branded 4×4 suspensions and 4wd accessories products, cutting overhead costs and passing on these savings to customers. West Coast Suspensions also offers light and heavy commercial and truck and semi-trailer suspension products. For more information, visit www.westcoastsuspensions.com.au
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STEERING & SUSPENSION
TECH TIPS: REPLACING STRUTS AND SHOCKS In this article, Arnott answers the question: when do you know it is time to replace the struts and shocks on your customer’s vehicle? Arnott says air struts can last eight to ten years but, like other rubber components (like hoses, wipers and tyres), the rubber air bladder may get punctured or could begin to dry rot and develop tiny holes where the rubber air spring folds upon itself. At first the air suspension compressor may continue to pump up the springs, but in time the holes will become too numerous or too large for the compressor to keep up and it will burn out and stop working from overuse. It is here that Arnott says a coil spring conversion kit can be advantageous in a vehicle with air suspension. The leading aftermarket suspension company says coil spring conversion kits can provide an aging vehicle with additional years of trouble-free suspension use because it replaces the aging air suspension’s air springs with coil steel springs and the older worn shocks with new customvalved shocks designed to work with the steel springs. It reports advantages include reduced maintenance and repair bills while being ideal for repairing a vehicle with multiple air suspension problems. It further states that a complete fourcorner coil spring conversion may cost about the same as replacing one air strut at the dealership, but also notes that customers should not make the conversion if they tow trailers or heavy loads that could take advantage of the vehicle’s auto leveling functionality. When it comes to deciding between recommending a remanufactured air strut or a new aftermarket one to a customer, Arnott says remanufactured OE struts support the active, adaptive or semi-active damping functionality of the vehicle, but have an unknown number of miles on the internal shock. On the other hand, new passive aftermarket struts have a brand new, zero-mile, custom-tuned damper without assistive damping, but they do adapt to the driver’s style. While a remanufactured strut requires a core
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deposit and handling, the new shock does not and your customer may be eligible for a rebate if the used core part is returned. Both remanufactured and aftermarket new struts offer the luxury of air suspension that can auto level, smooth out bumps and provide a luxurious ride. Arnott explains that you would recommend one versus the other based on the following factors: a. Budget – it all comes down to budget and the age and miles on the vehicle, which could be over 15 years old. b. Some older vehicle struts cannot be remanufactured because of the age of, and damage to, the strut. c. If the customer talks about, and actually uses, the ability to adjust between comfort and sport damper modes – they may want a remanufactured semi-active strut. d. Most drivers don’t ever touch or adjust their semi-active dampers. If the customer doesn’t use these modes or says they don’t find a difference – they may want the aftermarket passive new strut. e. If the car has excessive miles on it the adaptive damping may not even be functional, so the new strut may be a better solution. f. If the customer has true active damping such as that found on the Mercedes-Benz ABC suspensions, remanufactured or OE new struts are the only option. Coil conversion kits shouldn’t be recommended since they won’t have a control arm to stabilise lateral vehicle movement.
What are the main signs of air suspension problems? Arnott says many consumers miss the early warning signs of an air suspension problem. Unfortunately for the customer, these symptoms only get worse – and more expensive – over time. Typical warning signs include: • The Dashboard Warning Light – one of the obvious signs of an air suspension problem. Even if the light doesn’t stay on, the vehicle should be checked. • Suspension Sagging – one of the first signs is when a car sags in one or more corners. Typically, this is due to the rubber air spring developing tiny cracks or holes because of dry rot or road debris. If a customer notes that their vehicle drops in height overnight or after they park, they most likely have leaks in their air spring or strut. • Air Suspension Compressor constantly working - if there is damage to the air springs,
the compressor will constantly be pumping air to keep the air bladders inflated. If the compressor is constantly running the system should be examined as soon as possible. • Compressor not working at all – the air suspension system cannot function without the compressor. If the compressor does not come on at all that may be a sign that it was overworked and has burned out or it could be as simple as a fuse or relay problem. • Compressor making noises – the owner may also notice abnormal noises during compressor operation such as loud clicking, whining or grinding. This could be a sign that the compressor has been overworked or could indicate that there is excess moisture in the system because the compressor’s dryer is saturated. Once the compressor has been replaced, the rest of the system including the air springs and struts should be tested, says Arnott. Other signs of suspension issues include: • The vehicle bottoms out over bumps or rides roughly • The vehicle nose dives when stopping (front end pitches forward) • The vehicle pulls to one side or steering is difficult • The vehicle continues to bounce after hitting a bump • Uneven tyre tread wear • The shock portion of the strut appears to be oily or damaged If the customer complains about any of these symptoms, or if the vehicle is over five years old or has more than 50,000 miles, Arnott says you should inspect it for signs of air suspension damage. Replacing a leaking air spring with a quality aftermarket part may save the customer hundreds now, and thousands later, in additional repair bills. Arnott says it offers an extensive line of affordable, high-quality air suspension products for more than 150 automotive and motorcycle applications. For more information, visit www.arnottindustries.com
STEERING & SUSPENSION
MODIFYING VEHICLES WITH EPS PSPA has issued a technical alert regarding Hi-Ride lift kit modifications vs OE Specifications Power Steering Parts of Australia (PSPA) says that when modifying vehicles with Hi-Ride lift kits, problems are eventuating with how the Steering Rack Ends (Tie Rods/Inner Joints) are impacted by these modifications. PSPA says the Rack End in most cases comes out of the Steering Rack Assembly on a horizontal plane to the Tie Rod End and then the Wheel Hub. During normal driving of the vehicle, the wheels move up and down on the suspension and the Rack Ends, being a rod and ball assembly on a shaft fitted into a ball socket, allow the shaft to move off the horizontal plane. However, says PSPA, they are manufactured to only be able to move to a set angle that has been designed by the manufacturer as “standard suspension travel.” With large changes in Hi-Ride lift kit applications as soon as the lift kit is fitted, PSPA says the Rack and Pinion assembly is raised and the Rack Ends (Inner Joints) are then operating downward at an angle close to maximum acceptable OE specifications. As the vehicle suspension moves upwards, the
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downward angle of the Tie Rod becomes greater and in some cases exceeds the maximum OE spec, warns PSPA, which states that continuous moving up and down can then cause the tie rod shaft to come into contact with the ball socket which starts bruising the rod – over time, this becomes a weak point and can result in the shaft breaking. PSPA reports evidence of this problem has been seen in some cases by the bruising on the metal shaft where it has been forced against the ball socket as well as being evident in broken shafts, with both OE and Aftermarket rods reported to have been susceptible to this damage. This issue when reducing correct rack end ball articulation can also be made worse when the vehicle is fitted with long travel shockabsorbers that are commonly used by some 4WD enthusiasts, says PSPA, which states that Tail shafts and Constant Velocity units may also suffer from these modifications with some CV manufacturers now advertising units for Hi-Ride applications.
Figure One
PSPA warns this has the potential to cause a very serious accident if it happens at speed, and advises mechanical workshops need to be aware when fitting these products and ask questions of their suppliers. Figure one shows two sets of rack ends, demonstrating that one had broken on each set a short time after they were fitted to vehicles with Hi-Ride suspensions. PSPA notes these rack ends were manufactured by a very reputable company which has OE contracts and has been manufacturing rack ends for more than 30 years while complying to specific drawings, specifications and testing. For more information from Power Steering Parts of Australia, visit www.pspa.com.au
STEERING & SUSPENSION
SUPERPRO REPAIR BUSHINGS SuperPro is an Australian manufacturer of polyurethane suspension bushings With more than 40 years of experience within the suspension industry, SuperPro says it has a dedicated Research and Development Team and the largest range of aftermarket repair bushings. SuperPro stocks more than 7000 parts, fitting well over 175,000 applications within its range with this number said to be continually expanding. The bushing components of your suspension system are integral for the functionality and safety of the whole vehicle’s systems. But just like most other parts on a vehicle, bushes wear, particularly the OE rubber bushes. Just as your tyres wear out over time and kilometres,
the bushes in your vehicle wear out. This can be because of the kilometres the vehicle has travelled or the roads it has travelled on and potholes, curbs/gutters and minor accidents have also been indicated to wear out suspension bushes quickly. Therefore, SuperPro says it offers the largest range of repair bushings that are a straight replacement option for your vehicle. Repair bushings make up the majority of the SuperPro range as an alternative to the factory fitted original rubber bushings. Covering almost all makes and models of vehicles, SuperPro says you can be sure you are getting a quality product. SuperPro says its bushings are known for their blue durable material. All bushings are made from a specifically designed polyurethane blend which reportedly allows the SuperPro product to provide customers with the top features of rubber and plastic for “the perfect repair option.” SuperPro manufactures bushes for both front and rear suspension systems which achieve several
benefits including corrected or maintained steering geometry, better handling, increased safety, a long-lasting solution, improved tyre wear, improved fuel efficiency and enhanced performance. SuperPro states that all of its products are engineered in Australia and are “built to last.” These products are backed by a lifetime warranty offered by SuperPro for all the bushings in their range. For more information, visit www.superpro.com.au
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INSTALLING THE BILSTEIN B4 AIR SUSPENSION MODULE Bilstein offers the following tips and tricks to make installation easy A lot of cars in the premium segment have been delivered with active air suspension for years. In the meantime, defective and worn-out air suspension modules are therefore occurring in appreciable numbers. While motor vehicle workshops have adjusted to the modern technology, there is still occasionally a fear of contact involved in the upkeep of air suspension modules. Bilstein says that these fears are unfounded when the following tips and tricks are heeded when fitting Bilstein B4 air suspension modules. • Storage: Bilstein says its B4 air suspension module is the only air suspension in the OE-replacement segment produced in uncompromising original equipment quality. So that this remains the case, the Bilstein B4 air suspension modules should be stored properly. Important: Do not store the air suspension modules at temperatures below -15°C or above +50°C. • Preliminary check: before beginning any work, check for the trouble-free status of the air suspension modules, their compatibility with the vehicle, the minimum storage date and, provided that it exists, the minimum dimension indicated in the assembly instruction. • Left-right parts: in the case of air suspension modules, it involves left-right parts.
Corresponding compatibility must therefore be checked before installation. • Renewal in pairs: ensure the air suspension modules are always renewed in pairs per axle only. • Material: pay attention to correct working material. For the installation, tools and equipment of the vehicle manufacturer are required as mandatory, as well as often another person to provide support. Power tools, such as compressed-air screwdrivers, may not be used for the installation of air suspension modules. • Assembly instructions: keep to assembly instructions step by step. In these instructions, every assembly step is described completely and is easily understandable, says Bilstein, which states incorrect installation can lead to irreparable damage to the new part or to the vehicle. • Sealing test: after successful installation, carry out a sealing test. The sealing of the entire system must be absolutely guaranteed. • Lowering the vehicle: Bilstein explains there is an assembly error which happens again and again just when the installation is almost finished. “The vehicle must never be lowered completely to the ground by the lifting equipment with the pressure-free air suspension, otherwise the modules will be immediately destroyed,” warns Bilstein
Workshop Manager Marco Kunert. Before lowering, if available, the lifting function of the vehicle must be activated according to availability and the pressure must have built up. “Only when the vehicle lifts itself off the lifting equipment independently can the lifting equipment be removed,” Marco said. Bilstein says its air suspension modules come with all required product information plus detailed installation instructions as well and workshop professionals can find helpful videos with all of its installation tips online at its YouTube channel. For more information, visit www.bilstein.com.au
KYB LAUNCHES INNOVATIVE SHOCK SELECTOR Choosing the right shock absorber is easy, says KYB KYB says it is one of the world’s largest suppliers of shock absorbers, with one in every five vehicles built fitted with KYB shocks and struts. Combined, there are a total of nine KYB Sub Brands, each specifically designed to meet the needs of different driving styles and applications. “In the last 12 months we have added three new KYB brands to what was already an extensive range,” KYB Australia Product Marketing Manager, Larry Coulthard, said. With such an extensive range on offer, KYB says there is a shock absorber to suit every driving style and application, but the complexity of the range can make it a little difficult to choose the exact shock absorber. To address this, KYB has launched its innovative Shock Selector. Featuring important technical
and application information for each of the nine brands, the Shock Selector allows users to quickly and easily identify the KYB Brand that best suits their requirements. Once the brand has been selected, finding the specific shock absorber for their vehicle is easy using the KYB Part Finder, says KYB. “As the market leader we need to stay ahead of the curve and our new Shock Selector certainly delivers on our promise of innovation, by taking the complexity out of choosing the right shock absorber for each individual application,” Larry said. The most recent additions to the KYB range includes the following brands: Tena Force for Standard Height Heavy Duty applications, New SR Special for performance upgrades to Japanese imports and the Ultra SR range designed
specifically for performance upgrades to imported European models. These three brands join KYB’s Excel-G, Gas-ajust, Premium, Skorched 4’s, Extage and AGX brands in supplying an extensive array of products to suit a wide array of requirements. To check out KYB’s Shock Selector and to review the extensive range of products, visit www.kyb.com.au or call a member of the KYB customer service team on 1300 554 059. 69
STEERING & SUSPENSION
PEDDERS RELEASES ‘EFFECTS OF WEIGHT’ TECHSTOP VIDEOS These videos aim to demystify the terms relating to the effects of adding weight to a vehicle Pedders Suspension and Brakes has recently released a series of educational videos detailing the definitions on the effects of weight on a vehicle. The high level summary videos are ideal for aftermarket industry members to use when dealing with consumers who tow or carry weight in their vehicles. The six videos are part of an ongoing range of video Techstops produced by the brand and can be found by visiting www.youtube.com/user/ PeddersSuspension/videos The topics covered in the latest series are:
Episode One • Tare Weight • Kerb Weight
Episode Two • Gross Axle Load Rating • Weight Balance
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Episode Three • Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) • Payload
Episode Four • Towball Down Weight • Towing Capacity
Episode Five • Aggregate Trailer Mass • Gross Trailer Mass • Gross Combined Mass
Episode Six • Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) • Gross Caravan Mass (GCM) “These latest videos cover off so many topical vehicle weight definitions that are commonly talked about these days,” Pedders Senior Executive, Brand and Marketing, Adam Gillick, said.
“We are seeing more and more 4WDs, SUVs and Utility vehicles on our roads and in our workshops today than ever before and these videos aim to demystify the terms relating to the effects of adding weight to a vehicle.” For more information, visit www.pedders.com.au or www.youtube.com/user/PeddersSuspension/videos
STEERING & SUSPENSION
GABRIEL: RIDING FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS For the last 33 years, Gabriel has been represented in Australia by Brandlines
Gabriel says they continued to be a leader in the industry over the years developing the first hydraulic shock absorber in the USA; the first adjustable shock absorber and the first air adjustable shock absorber; and as transportation expanded throughout the 20th century, so did Gabriel.
Mandrel) for smoother finish to reduce friction and provide longer product life. • The rod surface is chromed and super-finished which helps prevent corrosion. • Gabriel’s piston valve assembly is extremely durable. The O-Ring piston seal adjusts as it wears to maintain a tight seal between the piston and the inner tube. • Gabriel’s integrated dirt wiper raises above the oil seal to keep road dirt and grit from getting inside the deal and the shock.
Rugged and reliable solutions throughout the years
Gabriel in Australia
Gabriel UA says not many companies know ride and motion control like it does, as after all, in 1907 Gabriel invented the original shock absorber – the Snubber.
Gabriel says that years of experience and breakthrough advances in technology have made it a leader in the automotive ride control business. The company states that those same high standards have helped make it the provider for all kind of vehicles including HD trucks and other sectors of the manufacturing industry.
Providing quality, comfort, control, safety, performance and durability Key features of Gabriel products include: • Gabriel’s metal forged DOM (Drawn Over
For the last 33 years, Gabriel has been represented in Australia by Brandlines. This company keeps ensuring that the Gabriel product range keeps up with the expanding variety of vehicle applications in the Australia market. The variety of options in the type of product covers all types of vehicles, from Sedans to SUVs, 4WDs, Light and HD trucks. All products are covered by a comprehensive Warranty and a Technical Service is available on a free call Helpline 1800 645 609.
Additionally, the Gabriel Australia website – www.gabrielshocks.com.au – provides product information and an updated catalogue listing for its wide range of vehicle applications. Gabriel shock absorbers and struts are nationally distributed by AAD, Austral Distributing and Cooldrive. For more information, visit www.gabrielshocks.com.au
UNIQUE STEERING AND SUSPENSION SOLUTIONS Unique Auto Parts carries a large array of products to meet your requirements For more than 20 years, Unique Auto Parts has worked hard to make a name for itself in the industry for supplying top quality parts for European makes including Mercedes Benz, BMW, Volkswagen, Audi, Seat, Skoda, Mini, Peugeot, Renault, Volvo, Citroen and Porsche. This includes an extensive range of parts for all of your suspension and steering needs for both passenger and commercial vehicles. Unique Auto Parts carries a large range of struts, shock absorbers, suspension arms, bushes, steering rack ends, tie rod ends, power steering pumps and power steering fluid. To ensure Unique Auto Parts upholds a certain level of quality, all parts are reportedly sourced from well-known European manufacturers that help supply a full range of suspension parts that include air suspension struts, air suspension pumps and air suspension airbags and “all at affordable prices and available on-shelf and ready-to-go.” JP Group in Denmark also helps Unique Auto Parts to supply shock absorbers, control arms, 72
bushes and so much more to the Australian automotive industry. In addition to steering and suspension parts, Unique Auto parts also has an “unbeatable” range of parts on its shelves including brake systems, filters, clutches, alternators and starter motors, engine and transmission mounts, cooling systems and electrical and ignition components. Unique Auto Parts has five convenient locations located in Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. Each of these warehouses are fully stocked with an impressive list of parts from suppliers including the prominent aftermarket manufacturers JP Group, Quinton Hazell and Carlube who are all exclusively imported and distributed by Unique Auto Parts, as well as Meyle, Trucktec, Victor Reinz, Hella, Bosch and SKF. Unique Auto Parts says ordering parts is quick and easy, using VIN numbers to ensure the right parts are received every time. Unique Auto Parts are also Capricorn preferred suppliers. Delivery is available from all locations and freight
is dispatched throughout Australia on a daily basis using a network of the fastest and most reliable couriers. Call 1300 864 864 to be connected to your nearest store or visit www.uniqueautoparts.com.au for more information.
REPLACEMENT PARTS
NEED PREMIUM PARTS QUICKLY? There’s an app for that! Time is money and today’s workshops can be short on both, which is why being able to find the right premium quality parts quickly is crucial. ZF says this is where it comes in, with its free Parts Finder app. Compatible with iOS or Android systems, the app enables users to rapidly and easily search for specific parts from ZF and its portfolio of premium brands LEMFÖRDER, SACHS and TRW.
Content in the app is structured for fast and intuitive navigation, with customers able to search for replacement parts by various means, including entering a specific reference code, OEM part number, or the vehicle’s identification number (VIN), or by utilising the vehicle manufacturer database. Specifications of the individual parts are included in the app to enable quick identification of the correct item through product dimensions, photos and service bulletins to further support the workshop. “The ZF Parts Finder app is a helpful tool for today’s workshops,” ZF Head of the Independent Aftermarket in Oceania, Darren Leyshon, said. “In this often time poor world, where profitability depends on an efficient turnover of jobs in the workshop, being able to find and order the correct market-specific parts quickly is incredibly important. “There is a plethora of parts out there, so offering a one-stop solution like the ZF Part Finder app makes sense because it saves so much time. “And as the quality of original equipment specification ZF, LEMFÖRDER, SACHS and TRW replacement parts are world-renowned, why would you look anywhere else.” The ZF Parts Finder app is free to download from the App Store or Google Play. Upon downloading, local users should ensure Australia is set as the country in the default settings. For more information visit www.aftermarket.zf.com/go/ zf-partfinder 74
NARVA SHOWCASES NEW PRODUCTS Narva has released a bumper new 2019-20 Catalogue The 2019-20 edition of Narva’s hotly anticipated product catalogue is now available, introducing an amazing 720 new products to the Narva line-up and pushing out the page count to almost 600 pages – more than 10 percent larger than its predecessor. Along with the additional product lines, the catalogue also showcases a broad range of Narva products that has been significantly enhanced since the previous edition, in keeping with Narva’s philosophy of continuous product improvement and innovation. Narva reports that following extremely positive feedback from the last catalogue, this latest edition features a larger selection of interactive videos developed with both retail stockists and end users in mind. These include product feature and instructional videos, as well as beacon and strobe flash pattern clips, product comparisons and other demonstrations that are easily accessed by scanning QR codes on the relevant pages with a mobile device and QR reading app. Included in the new catalogue is detailed information covering Narva’s wide range of products, such as the compact yet powerful new ‘Explora’ LED light bars and driving lamps, ‘Ultima’ Free Form and High Powered LED Driving lights, and LED Headlamp assemblies in 90mm and larger inserts of 5¾” and 7”. Across Narva’s Work Light and Emergency Lighting ranges, the latest catalogue sees the introduction of several new LED Work/Reverse lamps, scene lights and safety lights, advanced mining lights and a broadening of the trusted ‘See Ezy’ inspection lamp model line-up. Also on offer are the innovative new ALS (Advanced Lighting Systems) inspection lamps and premium workshop lighting, along with a range of warning and emergency lights including ‘Geomax’ LED mining beacons, ‘Sentry Pro’ rechargeable/portable strobe, ‘Aeromax’ dual colour LED lightboxes and a new range of multi-function auxiliary light bars. Within its extensive Globe range, Narva has introduced several new lines including European-made ‘Premium’ and ‘Heavy Duty’ globes, plus all new performance globes including the long lasting ‘Everlife’, extreme light output ‘Plus 150’ and white light ‘Sapphire Plus 50’. The LED globe line-up has also been bolstered with the addition of new LED Signaling lines plus upgraded Gen II LED Performance Headlight globes offering 20 percent more light over the previous generation with more than 50,000 hours of life. There’s also now a greater selection of Narva fuses on offer along with more terminals, connectors, cable and associated hand tools, allowing for easier and more efficient installation of lighting and electrical products. Narva says it has always produced a wide array of quality switches, flashers, replays and horns and the latest catalogue showcases some exciting new options including OE Style Switches for factory fitment, Stainless Steel Switches, Sealed Switch Panels, Battery Master Switches, Horns, HDRV and a host of other Power Accessories including Wireless QI Phone Chargers. Across the RV and Interior Lighting product categories, the latest catalogue sees new Dual Colour LED Strip Lamps, Saturn Ultra Slim LED Interior Lamps, Dimmable LED Interior Lamps, LED Pendant Lights and Dual Colour Awning Lights. Narva’s LED Truck and Trailer Lighting offering has also grown with the release of new Plug and Play Patch Leads, Model 21 Marker Lamps, Plug and Play Trailer Lamp kits (Model 35 and 37), along with Model 39 and Model 55 lamps. For the first time, this Narva catalogue also includes a standalone ‘Marine’ section, reflecting the growth of Narva lighting products designed specifically for boating applications. Copies of the new 2019/20 product catalogue can be ordered through your local Narva distributor or you can view the catalogue online at www.narva.com.au/catalogue
REPLACEMENT PARTS
INNOVATIVE REPLACEMENT PARTS SOLUTIONS For the Australian Aftermarket from ZF’s TRW Part of ZF’s global portfolio of premium brands, ZF says TRW is well-known for being a supplier of premium quality brake discs and pads as well as steering components to some of the world’s leading automotive manufacturers. But it’s also a major player in the global aftermarket, offering original equipment quality components to fit most passenger cars and light trucks in the Australian market. With an enviable local supply and manufacturing history dating back over 50 years, ZF considers TRW to be one of the most experienced and reliable providers of braking and steering components in Australia. ZF says its reputation for innovation and quality continues to be substantiated by TRW, with the brand recently welcoming the world’s first aftermarket brake pad for electric vehicles, known as ‘Electric Blue’. While for more traditional petrol and dieselpowered vehicles, COTEC is an advanced silicon coating that TRW applies to the majority of its brake pads. It reportedly results in improved contact between the brake disc and pad, promoting shortened
stopping distances of up to seven metres during the first few stops after fitment. ZF says this innovative coating means that TRW brake pads consistently outperform other premium brands during the bedding-in period when the friction co-efficient and therefore brake performance is at its lowest. TRW has also developed DTEC, a premium quality ceramic brake pad which is said to reduce brake dust exfoliation onto the surface of the wheel rim by up to 45 percent. TRW produces more than 12 million brake discs worldwide every year for both original equipment and the aftermarket. Its High Carbon Discs were developed as a means of reducing weight, while also improving braking performance and NVH (Noise, Vibration Harshness) properties via optimal thermal conductivity. This technology allows the discs to run cooler, for more consistent brake performance, better stability, plus increased resistance to distortion and thermal cracking. Another signature TRW product is its Black Painted brake discs, where the disc is coated in
special gloss black paint to provide a protective barrier against corrosion. Packed in moisture-inhibiting VCI paper, the discs do not have to be cleaned of oil or rust preventative prior to fitting, enabling them to be taken straight out of the box and fitted, a valuable time-saver. There is also a range of TRW cast iron discs made from GG20 grey cast iron material, and then a further range of discs with integrated bearings, ABS ring sensors and fixing accessories, all to suit a myriad of replacement and aftermarket applications. TRW Steering linkage components are built to the highest original equipment standards, are corrosion resistant and lightweight. The wide and varied product range consists of over 4,800 steering and suspension parts, from stabiliser links and tie-rod ends to front and rear toe links, idler arms, pitman arms and bellows. For more information, visit www.trwaftermarket.com
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REPLACEMENT PARTS
NEW FROM BENDIX Bendix has announced the release of highly engineered commercial vehicle Brake S-Camshafts The FMP Group (Australia) has launched the Bendix range of highly engineered commercial vehicle Brake S- Camshafts for bus, truck and trailer axles. Forged in high quality carbon steel to meet SAE 1045 standard and heat treat hardened at all critical contact points to increase reliability, wear life and corrosion resistance, Bendix says the new S-Camshafts are precision machined for an exact fit, easy replacement and improved wear life.
LOSE THE GUESSWORK Wiperworx says it has you covered when it comes to wiper arms Wiperworx states that it takes the guess work out of fitting wiper arms to today’s modern cars. It offers eleven click and fit adaptors with every size wiper arm supplied to all customers. Wiperworx explains that this range is backed up by a comprehensive website which has all cars listed with the details of the respective wiper sizes and adaptors to fit. Also on offer on the website is a complete wiper system guide that is said to be easy to use for quick reference and is suitable for all cars. “We are the only business that supplies eleven click and fit adaptors to suit European and local models,” Wiperworx Owner, Peter Ball, said. “Click onto our Trade login to order your sizes and quantity or choose one of our trade packs of 25, 50, 75 or 100 wipers in the most popular sizes. “Did you know 80 percent of wiper blades use a standard common hook system to replace the arm, whilst others are quite unique in their fitting?
The range is extensive covering 10, 28 and 37 spline, camshaft lengths and head sizes and to assist in identifying the correct brake S-Camshaft, a special Bendix application guide has been produced. This covers a comprehensive listing covering the head end, journal length, application, axle manufacturer, brake type and a cross reference guide to OE part numbers as well as an identification guide with measurements to select the perfect replacement. The Bendix ‘Protrans Commercial Vehicle Brake S-Camshaft catalogue’ also provides a guide to installation when replacing the camshaft on a truck, tractor or trailer with advice on other components that may require replacement to eliminate excessive camshaft deflection which can cause early failure or cause the brakes to perform incorrectly. There is also a guide on what to look for when replacing a camshaft such as radial play, worn bushings and camshaft journal, broken or twisted splines, wear such a flat spots, burnelling and worn or undersized roller pins. To request a copy of the Protrans Commercial Brake S-Camshaft Catalogue, contact the Bendix Advice Centre on 1800 819 666 or +61 3 5327 0211. The new Bendix Commercial Vehicle Brake S-Camshafts are available from leading Bendix stockists nationwide and more information is available at www.bendix.com.au 76
“At Wiperworx we offer a ‘one price fits all’ solution which means that no matter what size you need, it is the same price to buy our wiper arm replacement system which includes all sizes from 12 inch to 28 inch for front windscreens, making it easier for workshops to stock and fit to customer cars. “We also offer a door to door delivery system Australia-wide with a tracking system, so you know where your order is and when it’s arriving. “You can also join us as a trade partner, simply login on our website for an unbeatable price and a great product along with Australia wide delivery.” For more information, visit www.wiperworx.com.au
POWERDOWN SHOCK ABSORBERS A genuine alternative Powerdown says shock absorbers are one component regularly overlooked in commercial vehicles when it comes to regular inspection and replacement. Powerdown says it is the leading supplier of commercial shock absorbers designed for Australian conditions to suit light to heavy commercial vehicles and that its Australianbased engineering team has been busy working on its LTS range, expanding it to service all current vehicle makes and customer markets within the commercial transport industry. Commercial vehicles take a beating from constant load changes, varying speed zones, traffic hazards and bad roads; making for a rough ride. Powerdown explains that contrary to their name, shock absorbers do not “absorb shock,” rather, they control the movement of a vehicle’s springs and suspension and they also keep the tyres on the ground. It says it is so important to change shock absorbers regularly to help reduce tyre wear – worn out shock absorbers or units which are not designed for Australian roads will allow the tyre to bounce on the road surface in an uncontrolled manner, which will result in flat patches or “scalloping” on the tread surface of the tyre.
This type of wear is inconsistent due to the tyre scuffing the road surface, where a consistent wear pattern could be the result of an alignment problem or a worn suspension bush. Powerdown says light commercial vans and Japanese light trucks are the fastest growing categories in the commercial vehicle market and the Powerdown LTS shock absorber range is specially designed and manufactured to improve vehicle control, ride and comfort. With more than 35 years’ experience, Powerdown says its shock absorbers are specifically designed to perform in Australian conditions and its LTS range is “the perfect choice for your light commercial shock absorber requirements.” For more information, visit www.powerdown.com.au or call 02 4949 0000 to speak its suspension specialist team.
REPLACEMENT PARTS
CLUTCH SOLUTIONS FOR THE RAREST CLASSICS Classic car clutch systems are an often-overlooked aspect of a restoration, but one that is critical to the driving experience of the vehicle Classic Clutch, the classic and prestige car division of Australian Clutch Services, are specialists in rare clutch components for a wide variety of vintage vehicles. The Classic Clutch brand was developed to support the growing car restoration market in Australia and around the world. With over 30 years of experience, Australian Clutch Services says it is able to supply brand new components for many rare vehicles and are also able to offer a rebuild service at its state-of-the-art facility in Adelaide. “As specialists in all aspects of the clutch system, we have been able to supply a number of high-end restoration businesses and enthusiasts around Australia with the components they require to get these amazing vehicles back on the road,” Australian Clutch Services Business Development Manager, Colin Jevons, said. “We have a long history supplying the classic car market and we are able to support our distribution network around Australia with the components and technical expertise necessary to restore or improve the driving experience in these nostalgic vehicles.” Classic Clutch says its technicians often work on exciting project vehicle clutch kits including early supercars such as the Lamborghini Miura or Mercedes-Benz 300SL as well as highly specialised performance applications, such as rebuilding historic Formula One clutch kits.
“There are very few clutch applications that we have not had experience with over the past 30 years,” Colin said. “Our technicians are highly skilled and trained to cover all aspects of the clutch system, rather than just the clutch assembly itself.” Australian Clutch Services also offers clutch solutions for other interesting historic machinery such as tractor restorations and even military vehicles, such as tanks. “We can offer clutch solutions for most types of machinery or vehicles including agricultural equipment, forklifts, marine, wood chippers as well as light and heavy commercial vehicles,” Colin said. For more information on the Australian Clutch Services range of products, please visit www.australianclutch.com.au or email sales@australianclutch.com.au
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REPLACEMENT PARTS
AAA RADIATORS SERVICING THE AFTERMARKET From headlights to radiators to intercoolers, AAA Radiators has 40,000 items in stock Contrary to what its name suggests, AAA Radiators says it is a specialist in all things ‘front of car’ including radiators, condensers, intercoolers, oil coolers, fans and headlights. “After being in business for more than 30 years, you get to know the ins and outs of the products you are supplying to the automotive industry,” AAA Radiators Client Manager, Lorry Olivieri, said. “AAA Radiators strives to deliver the highest excellence to the industry – we know how time poor our customers can be, so our products are guaranteed to fit first time, every time. “Not only will they fit, but they will comply and be compatible with Australian design rules. Our
products are sourced locally and abroad through numerous suppliers and are thoroughly vetted for suitability as while some items – especially those originally created for left hand drive cars – may look the same and technically may fit, they may not comply to local rules, and they may not be adjustable or programmable either. “As we source our parts from local and abroad suppliers and manufacturers we can supply 95 percent of the automotive and smash repair market.” Amongst the range available from AAA Radiators are headlights, radiators and intercoolers. “Our Headlight range consists of Genuine and OEM with brand names like Valeo, Hella, Magneti Marelli just to name a few. With names like these behind you, you know you can’t go wrong,” Andre said. “When it comes to our Radiators, in our opinion they are of the highest quality with names like Koyo, Cryomax and Denso featuring amongst our Genuine, OEM and Alternate ranges. “In particular we believe our Alternate range is
second to none – the grade of material is superior, the internal oil coolers in the tanks are made to manufacturers’ specifications and even the tube spaces are as per manufacturer specifications. “Our Intercooler range is another area where we excel, with our intercoolers sourced the same as our other products, both Genuine and OEM. “Customers can rest easy too, as not only do we guarantee our products to fit the first time, our warranties are the same as that offered by the manufacturers.” AAA Radiators has 40,000 items in stock available for supply Australia-wide via free freight. For more information, visit www.aaaradiator.com.au or contact the team via 1300 725 683 or aaarads@bigpond.net.au
FUEL INJECTOR CLEANERS A fuel injector bench cleaning machine could be a useful addition to the workshop Profit dollars are as elusive as the rainbow pot of gold. It is difficult to earn and easy to lose – returns on investments are as important now as they have ever been and that’s where thinking outside of the square can really help, says Interequip. Everybody is aware that vehicles and even some service items like cam belts need to be replaced at set intervals. However, few customers consider cleaning injectors as one of these items, but it is obviously very important, says Interequip. Fuel additives are certainly an option and there
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is no shortage of products available. However Interequip notes that sometimes it is nice to be able to quantify how well something is cleaned and that’s where a fuel injector bench cleaning machine could be a useful addition to the workshop. A bench cleaner could be used as the sole cleaner, or in addition to additives. There’s no better way of knowing whether the additives you’ve been selling are actually doing the job than testing them on the bench after being in use for a period of time. A fuel injector clean at every cam belt replacement or cylinder head repair job couldn’t be considered as over selling. “Let’s face it, if the fuel companies themselves sell fuel that cleans your engine then they clearly admit there are pollutants in Australian fuels which need to be cleaned out,” says Interquip. A bench clean of injectors every 100,000 kms could be considered a minimum service period, says Interequip, which states that a bench injector cleaning machine is a quantifiable cleaner. Inspecting the injector spray pattern before and after as well as volume can produce some interesting results, it says, stating that the result can be measured and proven and the cleaning
process is pretty much “set and forget” – simply fit the injectors to the machine and set the program of your choice and come back when its finished. Interequip offers several cleaning machine options which offer automatic programs with varying revs and pulse widths along with LED back lit measuring vials, a touch screen and an ultra-sonic bath. For more information, visit www.interequip.com.au
REPLACEMENT PARTS
YOUR EURO REPLACEMENT PART NEEDS COVERED Back in the mid-90s Unique Auto Parts first began trading in a three bay mechanical workshop which specialised in European makes By the end of the 90s, Unique Auto Parts says parts for European vehicles were difficult to find while the demand was greater than ever. After identifying the need for replacement parts in Australia, Unique Auto Parts shifted focus and began to search the world in order to find the highest quality products. Fast forward to the present day and Unique Auto Parts is reportedly well known in the industry for supplying top quality replacement parts for Mercedes Benz, BMW, Volkswagen, Seat, Skoda, Audi, Volvo, Peugeot, Renault, Porsche, Citroen and Mini. This includes a full range of parts for light commercial and passenger vehicles. Over the years, Unique Auto Parts has formed relationships with some of the world’s most prominent aftermarket manufacturers and have the exclusive import and distribution rights to JP Group, Quinton Hazell and Carlube products. Brands including Meyle, Trucktec, Magnetti Marelli, Victor Reinz, Bosch, Hella and SKF make up the rest of Unique Auto Parts’ list of suppliers.
Unique Auto Parts boasts that the company has an unbeatable range of parts on the shelf and ready-to-go – from brake components including zinc coated brake discs, brake pads and reliable brake sensors to high quality electrical parts including a full range of alternators, starter motors, ignition coils and spark plugs for all European makes. Further, Unique Auto Parts reports its team makes servicing simple, with everything needed for reoccurring services also available such as filters and engine oils and a full range of steering and suspension parts. The sales team is available Monday to Saturday and ordering is said to be easy; simply supply a rego or VIN number and the team can help find the right part. All of Unique Auto Parts’ sales team members are experienced mechanics and will be able to help with all enquiries. Replacing any part is easier using the right tool and Unique Auto Parts also has that covered with a range of tools designed especially for European makes. This range includes engine tools, oil filter
removal tools, suspension tools, transmission tools, timing tools and more. Unique Auto Parts recently opened a new warehouse in the Western Australian suburb of Beckenham. The latest branch joins three Melbourne stores servicing Dandenong, Mornington, Heidelberg and their surrounding areas. Brisbane is also covered with the conveniently located Slacks Creek store. Delivery is available from all locations and freight is dispatched nationwide on a daily basis using the fastest and most efficient couriers. For more information, visit www.uniqueautoparts.com.au or call 1300 864 864 to be connected with your closest branch.
ALL THAT GLITTERS IS NOT GOLD Radiator Direct warns about sub-par radiators Radiator Direct says the word performance gets thrown around a lot these days when it comes to automotive radiators but that buyers should beware: all that glitters is not gold. Some claims of performance and heavy duty are unfortunately nothing more than a marketing spiel, it says, noting that there are all alloy radiators being sold on the common mass online sites that are peddled by sellers who don’t know much about the products they are selling, let alone if their radiators are heavy duty upgrades. A radiator may have shiny polished aluminium tanks, but with a core containing less tubes and a lower fin count than the original radiator, is not at all heavy duty, warns Radiator Direct while stating that some reportedly heavy duty radiators
may in fact provide less performance than the OE part and could potentially cause overheating issues and engine damage. There are some key design areas of a radiator that impact the cooling performance, or lack of it. Radiator Direct advises that some things to look out for are: • Tube pitch – the distance between adjacent tubes. • Fins per inch (FPI) – a measurement terminology from an early era, indicating the number of cooling fins in the radiator core. • Core type – including the type of fins and cooling tube. Apart from performance issues, durability should
also be considered it says, noting that its staff see a lot of customers who have purchased an online “high performance” radiator only for it to fail within the first 12 months of operation. Radiator Direct is a spare parts importer and wholesale distributor with the ability to service and repair thermal control parts. It explains it offers an extensive range of quality radiators, A/C condensers and associated components from leading OEM and aftermarket manufacturers including Nissens, Denso, Behr-Hella, Rapid Cool Radiators and Alliance Thermal Products; carrying more than 5,000 thermal control components in stock at its warehouse in Bayswater VIC. In addition, it also offers a fully-equipped Custom Shop, RD’s Custom Shop, which offers service, repair, redesign, and performance upgrades. For more information contact the Radiator Direct team on 1300 903 715 or visit www.radiatordirect.com.au 81
REPLACEMENT PARTS
NEW PAT IGNITION NEW REAR REPLACEMENT SHOCKS From Arnott for Range Rover and Mercedes-Benz E-Class and CLS-Class COIL RANGE
Premier Auto Trade has launched the new Icon Series range of aftermarket replacement ignition coils Premier Auto Trade says the Icon Series Ignition Coil Range includes ignition coils, coil on plug and coil packs for millions of vehicle applications in Australia and New Zealand. The Icon Series is an extensive offering of over 200 Ignition Coils, with more parts being added regularly, it explains. Developed by Premier Auto Trade’s leading product development team, with more than 120 years’ industry experience, the Icon Ignition Coil range reportedly features precise engineering for correct fit and seating, excellent durability, moisture resistance, temperature stability and vibration resistance.
Arnott, an industry leader in aftermarket air suspension products, has introduced new replacement rear shocks for the 2003-2012 Range Rover without VDS and 2003-2009 Mercedes-Benz E-Class and the 2005-2011 CLS-Class models without ADS. Arnott says its premium rear shocks SK-3122 for the 2003-2012 Range Rover (L322 Chassis), without VDS, and SK-3311 for the 2003-2009 Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W211) and the 20052011 CLS-Class (W219), without ADS, feature a thoroughly road-tested damper that is customtuned by Arnott to provide a smooth ride and excellent performance. Both rear shocks are designed to fit the left or right side of the vehicle. The Arnott-designed rear shocks feature new top and bottom mounts, a polyurethane bump stop and a protective dust cover.
The Arnott aftermarket rear shocks are designed, tested and assembled in the US and are backed by Arnott’s “industry-leading” warranty. Arnott says it offers an extensive line of affordable, high-quality air suspension products for more than 150 automotive and motorcycle applications. For more information, visit www.arnottindustries.com
MODULAR COOLANT HOSES Today’s car and trucks are more complicated than ever and continue to evolve
As the ignition coil plays such a vital role in the operation of the engine, providing efficient ignition is critical to the reliable operation of the vehicle. The Icon Series Ignition Coil range has been adapted to meet Aftermarket Industry requirements, developed as direct fit replacements with OE form fit and function. In addition to the new Icon Series, Premier Auto Trade also offers almost 450 Premium Range ignition coils, offering a total of almost 600 ignition coils in its aftermarket program. The Icon Series Ignition Coils are listed in the OSCAR electronic aftermarket parts catalogue system from AutoInfo, including reference images for easy identification. The Icon Series also includes a range of Fuel Pumps and Hoses and represents Premier Auto Trade’s heritage in quality automotive products, and is all covered by a two-year 40,000km warranty. Premier Auto Trade distributes products throughout Australia via a network of specialised resellers and leading automotive groups. For more information, visit www.premierautotrade.com.au 82
Nonetheless, all types of vehicles have a cooling system and these systems no longer just keep the engine/motors cool; they cool and warm various components under the hood as well as other areas of the vehicle. In order to convey coolant to these components, the “radiator hoses” as they were once called, have become much more complicated and even contain assorted elements built into the hose to perform a wide variety of tasks. These hose assemblies are called “modular” coolant hoses, because they employ a variety of modules in their construction. A modular hose is defined as a coolant hose assembly, with one or more modules (which are built into the hose) and has coolant flowing through the modules(s). These modules can be a branching tee in the hose, quickconnect, valve, drain, air-bleeder or sensors. Gates explains that a modular hose simplifies the plumbing of the vehicle at assembly – one hose assembly will connect to multiple components. These modules within the hoses are critical to
the proper operation of the cooling system. For example, some hoses include flow-restrictors within the hose. These restrictors reduce the flow and pressure within the hose to certain components such as the heater core; and are required to maintain core integrity. Last year Gates reports a customer was dealing with the repeated failure of a heater core in a limousine. It turned out the limo had a leaking modular hose and a workshop replaced it with a new, (standard) hose. Soon after, the heater core started leaking. The heater core was replaced, and after just a few months, it started leaking again. Because the replacement hose did not include a flow-restrictor, the system pressure was too high for the core and when replaced with a Gates modular hose, Gates says the issue went away. Modular hoses can be significantly more costly than standard, moulded coolant hoses. In general, a modular hose is likely to be three times the cost of a standard hose. Gates says however that modular hoses are not a dealer only item, stating you can find the same Gates aftermarket hose from a reseller for significantly less; saving your customer substantially and making it more profitable for you. For more from Gates Australia, visit www.gates.com
FUTURE AUTO INNOVATIONS
ELECTRIFICATION, THE PEOPLE’S WAY? If ever we needed reminding that the arc of history turns on the fulcrum of ‘events’, the Volkswagen diesel saga of 2015 was surely as good a reminder as any, as AutoMate’s Harrison Boudakin reports Almost overnight four years ago this September, the reputation of a global automotive stalwart dissolved in a fizzle of legal and moral controversy as Germany’s biggest car maker admitted to “fixing” diesel emissions in millions of its vehicles across the world. On this entirely unexpected ‘event’ turned the fortunes of Europe’s 25-year-long ‘Clean Diesel’ project, as a Continent of true believers quickly soured in the face of some hard truths about diesel’s eco-credentials. Legislators, who once shepherded the fuel to almighty status in Europe, reacted without a hint of repentance or irony, savagely pulling tight the drawstrings of new CO2 and NOx regulations, and designing “real-world” testing regimes that have made it much, much harder for automakers to build diesel cars profitably. Equally seismic, however, was the psychological impact of diesel’s tarred reputation. Along with China’s weighty embrace of electric vehicles and the very visible success of Tesla as an early electric pioneer, Dieselgate seemed to round out a triad of powerful influences that have done much to elevate public interest and industry chatter about a genuine electric future – and prompt many to wonder why the automotive establishment has apparently dragged their feet on it for so long. Indeed, it’s now likely that September 2015 will be seen as an exclamation point in the history of mobility, a defining moment when the charge towards making electrified vehicles a viable
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proposition was injected with a new course of powerful stimulants. So in the last four years we’ve seen the eternallycautious automotive industry embrace the prospect of an electric revolution. Top-tier players like Mercedes, Jaguar and Audi have waded into battle against Tesla’s benchmark-setting, if expensive, products while plug-in hybrids have become the de facto solution for all those brands seeking a strong foothold in the Chinese market. And closer to the grassroots, 48-volt mild hybridisation has become the go-to for automakers looking to meet new CO2 targets in a world where tighter NOx regulations have taken the shine off diesel’s old silver bullet. The gaping hole in this electric offensive, however, is plain to see. No establishment manufacturer has succeeded in that most difficult task of all: building a full electric vehicle that can truly muck-in at the mass market level – one that isn’t burdened by a high cost of entry, too short a driving range or too radical a design approach. Tesla has come perhaps closer than anyone with its Model 3, but given the ongoing production bottlenecks, lack of supply in many core markets (including Australia) and a higher-than-expected entry price, the truly mainstream EV remains still an elusive prospect. It seems appropriate, then, that Volkswagen – whose diesel malpractice jolted an entire industry into action on electric vehicles – has in the background of Tesla’s noisy trend-setting, quietly
emerged as another potential front-runner in the race to build an EV for the “aspirational, middle masses.” Conceived in the immediate aftermath of Dieselgate, Volkswagen’s new ID.3 hatchback is the brainchild of the company’s current Chairman, Herbert Diess, who started in the top job just before the scandal became public. His reputation for decisiveness is well earned – at a meeting of Volkswagen’s most senior officials barely two weeks after Dieselgate, Herbert raised, discussed, formulated and agreed on a plan to develop an all-new, electric-specific VW Group platform called MEB. For the conservative company, gripped by crisis, it now looks like an inspired move.
FUTURE AUTO INNOVATIONS “We were in a very specific situation,” Herbert said. “We were strong in China and China is huge in electric cars. It seemed possible for us to be the first major company to create a specific electric architecture and use it across all our marques. Most people were using existing platforms for their electric cars because that needed less investment. It was a chance to overtake others.” And overtake they have. With European preorders already underway, the ID.3 seems in many ways to herald the beginning of a new automotive reality. Priced and sized like a Golf GTI, offering Passat-like interior space and a fresh – albeit uncontroversial – exterior design, the ID.3 speaks a language that many car buyers would be happy to learn and one other automakers are likely to quickly replicate. Herbert is the first to admit that the bulk of the ID.3’s initial success will come in markets like Norway, Sweden and Germany, where subsidies have already sparked a trend towards EVs. These early-adopter markets will help justify the heavy, continuing investment required to achieve fullelectric success on a global scale, while more conservative markets like America and indeed, Australia, take their time coming around to the e-mobility model. Crucially, however, this staged uptake also gives the company the chance to launch a host of complementary models that all use the MEB platform, reducing development costs dramatically while pushing VW’s EV tech into profitable market sectors like SUVs. Given that VW rose to the status of World Number One car maker on the back of a similar platform sharing strategy in the mid-2000s, there’s every reason to expect them to succeed again. The challenges will be significant, though. Over the next 10 years, battery production will be a
massive constraint for everyone attempting to launch mass-market EVs, including VW. Investing in charging infrastructure in key markets will also be vital if manufacturers want their electric vehicles to succeed, and it will remain difficult to sell EVs in those markets where government support for the electric switch is low. But with the ID.3, one gets the sense that VW’s effort carries a certain gravity that previous attempts at a mass-market EV have lacked. Volkswagen certainly believes so, describing the ID.3 as the third chapter in a remarkable corporate journey that also includes two of the most significant mass-market vehicles ever made: the Beetle and the Golf.
Will the ID.3 complete an historic hat-trick for Volkswagen, allowing it to rise Lazarus-like from the ashes of its own diesel deception, to lead the market towards a new era in auto-manufacturing? Only time will tell. What we do know is this: the arc of automotivity has been long, but if Volkswagen has anything to do with it, it seems it will, in the end, bend towards electrification. Written by Harrison Boudakin for AutoMate Training, an industry leading provider of online, on-demand digital training. Visit www.automatetraining.com for a free 14-day trial.
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TRADE TALK
A LIFETIME IN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY
Bob Pattison started his career with OEMs but it was when he moved to the aftermarket that he began to realise just how dynamic and leading edge the industry could be – now five decades later, he says his love for the industry is yet to wane Former AAAA President Bob Pattison has spent the majority of his working life in the automotive industry after beginning his career with Ford Australia soon after graduating from high school. Bob was born in Melbourne and grew up in the northern suburb of Thornbury. He attended Thornbury State School and then Northcote High School, which in those days was an all-boys school. “In those days it was a simple decision,” Bob explains. “If you wanted to be a tradie you went to a Tech school and if you wanted a white-collar job you went to a High School. I chose to go to Northcote High. “During my final year of High school (year 12) I applied for a couple of jobs, one with the public service and one with Ford Australia as part of their Junior Trainee Program. I was offered both but I jumped at the opportunity to join Ford. They had over 500 applications for 20 positions and I was fortunate enough to be offered a position.” Bob wasn’t much of a petrol head at the time, but he soon learnt to love the industry. “I was not really (into cars) but in many ways the 1970s were the golden years of the Australian Automotive Industry,” he says. “The Australian automotive manufacturing industry was in fact much bigger than the Japanese auto industry in those days, which is hard to believe. “Holden was exporting to many countries and the component industry was booming under the then Government’s car plan. The car industry was an exciting industry to be a part of and from
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the moment I joined Ford I knew the automotive industry was the career for me. “My first job at Ford was in the Supply Department and I was the vendor-tooling analyst. In 1971 the XY Falcon was the current model and Ford were preparing to launch the XA Falcon, which was an all-new model in 1972, so it was a hectic time to source the thousands of new parts that needed to be tooled.” While he loved his job with the Blue Oval, like many Australians at the time, Bob decided to check out what the world had to offer. “I really enjoyed my time at Ford and was promoted to Original Equipment Buyer but after three years I got the travel bug and went to Europe and the USA for 12 months, which was popular in those days for Australians to do,” Bob says. Once the travel bug was tamed, Bob quickly headed back to the automotive sector, this time to his first foray into the aftermarket side of the industry. “Upon my return I joined Flexdrive Industries, which was an automotive component manufacturer of instrument clusters and cable products and I switched from purchasing to sales which I really enjoyed,” he says. “I then joined International Harvester which in the 1978 was a juggernaut of a business manufacturing trucks, tractors and construction equipment. “In 1987 I joined Nissan Motor Company during what was a very transformative time for the Australian industry with the introduction of the Button plan (Senator John Button, Minister for Industry) which started to strip away the industry
Bob Pattison protection in order to improve quality and value for money for the consumer. I headed up the Nissan Service Parts Division and then was given the opportunity to head up vehicle marketing after the closure of the assembly plant in Clayton. “In 1996 an opportunity to join Calsonic Australia (a Nissan Keiretsu company) as General Manager presented itself. Calsonic was a manufacturer of aluminum heat exchangers such as radiators and condensers. “The opportunity to run a manufacturing business was indeed character building especially at the time when the major customer Holden expanded production of the VZ Commodore model up to 800 cars per day which necessitated running the plant three shifts per day and deliver just-in-time to the Elizabeth plant some 500 kilometers away.” By the early 2000s, Bob had gained incredible experience and knowledge of the automotive parts industry and he didn’t hesitate when he was offered the chance to join GUD, makers of Ryco automotive filters. However, he would soon face a tough decision. “In 2004 the opportunity to join GUD Manufacturing as CEO came my way. It was a challenging time as it was obvious that with no import protection there was no longer sufficient scale to manufacture filters competitively in Australia,” he says.
TRADE TALK
WHAT IS GUD AND HOW DID IT START? From a trio of entrepreneurs to an Australian icon
“This wasn’t an easy decision as Ryco had been manufacturing filters in Australia since the 1940s. The decision to continue to design and develop filters in Australia to meet Australian conditions but to outsource manufacturing off-shore proved to be the right decision as Ryco has continued to be the leading filter brand in the Australian and New Zealand markets.” The automotive group continued to go from strength to strength under Bob’s leadership. “In 2015 the opportunity for GUD to acquire Brown & Watson International presented itself and I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to become CEO of BWI, which was a great honour to step into the shoes of the legendary Steve Waterham, who had built this great company,” Bob explains. Once at the helm of BWI, Bob was not prepared to rest on his laurels and continued to strive to make BWI an even bigger and stronger player in the automotive aftermarket. “GUD’s strategy was to grow its Automotive Division from a combination of organic growth and further acquisitions,” Bob says. “In 2017 I was appointed CEO of the GUD Automotive Group and the Group expanded by acquiring Griffiths Equipment in New Zealand, Innovative Mechatronics Group, AA Gaskets and more recently Disc Brakes Australia. “After 48 years in the automotive industry I was looking to enhance my work-life balance to enable me to spend more time with our grandchildren. Fortunately, my boss Graeme Whickman, Managing Director of GUD Holdings, agreed for me to move to a new part time role and in April 2019 I was appointed as General Manager Automotive Acquisition and Strategy. This is an exciting new challenge and provides a heightened focus on acquisitions and growth opportunities for the GUD Automotive Division.” Bob explains. So what advice would he give to someone starting out in the industry today? “As the industry is constantly changing make
sure you embrace the changes and disruption that is increasing exponentially. If you put in the hard yards and treat people the way you would like to be treated then opportunities for career advancement will come your way,” Bob says. He believes the best decision he made in life was marrying his wife Margaret. “This has given me a great stable base to build my career on,” he says. “I am fortunate to have three fantastic grown up children in Andrew, Jessica and Adam who I am very proud of and now four special grandchildren in Henry, Gemma, Oliver and Chloe. Family is what you live and work for and to see them develop and reach their potential as good people is what it is all about. “As for my best business decision, the move from working for global multi-national original equipment companies to GUD being an Australian-owned aftermarket focused business was a very good choice due to the attractive industry dynamics and the caliber of the people who make this a great industry to work in.” His only career regret is, “not joining the aftermarket industry earlier”. “The beauty of the aftermarket is that unlike the OEM parts business you have total control of the four ‘P’s (Product, Price, Place and Promotion) allowing you to develop market winning strategies if you are good enough,” he explains. “I think that having the right attitude is more important than skill or natural ability because with the right attitude you can always improve and overcome roadblocks that invariably present themselves.” Bob lists his hobbies as keeping fit by going to the gym and walking his dog, Archie, while he also loves Aussie rules as a long-suffering Saints supporter and the travel bug has reared its head again.
The origins of GUD can be traced back to three entrepreneurial men – Harry Sharples, Arthur Harford and Bill Ryan – who knew each other through the Melbourne based automotive industry. Bill Ryan set up his own company, W L Ryan, importing filters in 1936 and Harry and Arthur established GUD Manufacturing in 1940 and their first products were chemicals, one of which was Dri-Lube which is still sold today. As a result of the second world war it became impractical to import filters so GUD commenced manufacturing filters in 1940. The GUD Group has been a real success story and now generates sales revenue of more than $400 million. It was listed on the Australian Stock Exchange in 1958 and is included in the S&P ASX 200 index. Today it has two divisions, being automotive and water (Davey Water Products), and of recent times has returned to its roots by re-focusing on automotive. The GUD Automotive group has a very strong brand portfolio comprising of Ryco, Wesfil and Cooper in filtration, Narva in lighting and electrical accessories, Projecta in battery power and maintenance, Wildcat in auto accessories, Injectronics in electronic remanufacturing and repair parts, Goss fuel pumps and engine management parts, Permaseal gaskets and DBA brake rotors and pads. GUD says it continues to actively look to add to its portfolio of market leading automotive brands. With the breadth of GUD’s automotive portfolio, the company plays in many channels including OEM, trade, retail, RV, industrial and export and that it has many customers spanning both large and small, generalists and specialists. By focusing on its customers and its own employees, encouraging innovation, speed to market and building strong brands, GUD says it has been able to differentiate itself from its competitors. The acquisition of Brown & Watson International was a definite game changer for GUD as it doubled its revenue and diversified its product portfolio. In the past, the removal of tariffs forced GUD to outsource its filter manufacturing, but the company successfully navigated its way by creating a new business model for its filter business. It has also faced the push of home brands, which has forced it to be more innovative and to better differentiate its product and service offering; and is currently grappling with how to thrive in a digital world where online has become another channel option for its end users. Future automotive technology is changing fast with the onset of Autonomous, Connected, Electric and Shared vehicle technology and these disruptors are challenges for the entire automotive aftermarket which will require GUD, like most of today’s players in the industry, to modify its business models if it is to not only survive but thrive. GUD says its Leadership Team wants to ensure that the GUD group of companies continues to solve its customers challenges, frustrations and peeve points better than its competitors and if it can achieve this, it says it will continue to build on its proud history. For more information, visit www.gud.com.au/businesses/automotive 87
BUSINESS SERVICES
FIN-TECH PAYMENT PLANS Providing customers with flexibility for their aftermarket costs The demand from customers for flexibility and choice when managing their money has increased significantly in recent years. Fin-tech payment solution provider Openpay says it has seen this increase first-hand, especially within the auto industry, centred around aftermarket purchases. From new tyres and tinted windows to protection products and exhausts, customers typically put off aftermarket purchases due to associated costs. However, with the introduction of new payment technologies, such as ‘buy now, pay later’ plans within the industry, customers are increasingly utilising non-traditional ways to manage the costs of their aftermarket purchases. Available at merchants throughout Australia, Openpay offers interest free plans for customers looking for a payment option that gives them more time to pay, in a way that works for them. Openpay customers have the ability to spread their auto related costs from $100 - $5,000 (limit of $3,000 for some independent workshops) over two to 12 month plans – giving them a flexible way to manage their cashflow.
Openpay says not only does its service have direct benefits for customers, it also provides valuable outcomes for merchants who offer the payment technology. “We’re unique in that we provide advantages for both our customers and merchants,” Openpay Chief Commercial Officer, Dion Appel, said. “We’ve found from our internal data, reports and case studies that our merchants who’re committed to communicating the ease and convenience of our product to their customers experience an overall increase in their Average Transaction Value to $1450.” With a number of customers accessing Openpay plans via the app, merchants are able to sell aftermarket services and products without customers being physically present. “We’ve seen a rise in the number of customers applying for plans via our app outside of the actual store which we find extremely beneficial - especially with aftermarket purchases - for our merchants,” Dion said. “Customers not only want to dictate how they’re buying but also where and when they make their
purchase decisions. Our app gives them the chance to make a choice after they’ve stepped away from the store or service centre, which they traditionally didn’t have the ability to do.” Openpay says being able to adapt and keep up with current consumer trends is a vital component of a successful business, especially within the ever-changing automotive industry. The increasing popularity and success of ‘buy now, pay later’ technology is showing no signs of slowing down and providing customers with this option has proven to be a vital tool in business progression, it says. For more information, visit www.openpay.com.au
NEXUS INNOVATING FOR THE FUTURE NEXUS Automotive International says it is the world’s largest automotive alliance NEXUS Automotive International, otherwise known as N!, says it is leading the way in the aftermarket thanks to its progressive community of global manufacturers and local distributors. Those behind N! say it drives the success of passenger car and truck parts distributors and suppliers in markets around the world by providing local support and innovative global services. Its approach is based on entrepreneurship, community and innovation and is said to act as a positive disruptor in the automotive aftermarket, from the United States to Latin America, Europe to the Middle East, and Africa to the Asia Pacific. NEXUS says it is constantly attracting new members and is currently composed of more than 70 original equipment global manufacturers and close to 150 N! Members. By harnessing “the dynamic power of innovation,” NEXUS says it is continually developing new, cutting-edge initiatives and solutions, such as: • The fast growing N! Academy, providing education and skills training around the 88
world in support of NEXUS’ prime objective of bridging the industry’s knowledge gap and delivering a workforce primed to meet future challenges • NEXUSAUTO and NEXUSTRUCK: international workshop concepts that offer a wide range of solutions for vehicle repair and maintenance • Bespoke initiatives targeting building business in the Heavy Duty sector, a key objective for NEXUS in 2019 • A portfolio of highly competitive product options, including premium parts from leading suppliers and various private label solutions • Marketparts.com, the online parts marketplace that connects buyers and sellers globally, providing global opportunity NEXUS says it also connects people from all over the world through its many N! Connecting Days in different countries and events hosted at major automotive shows. In Australia, NEXUS is represented by its member, Bapcor, and supported by Global Business Developer Manager, Martin Hendriksen.
“NEXUS is physically present in all local markets with a dedicated team of Business Developers who eliminate obstacles, overcome challenges and negotiate solutions with its members and suppliers,” Martin said. “The Business Developers organisation is today composed of 11 local/regional experts, who are always ready to assist the NEXUS community wherever they run their aftermarket business in the world.” For further information about NEXUS Automotive International, visit www.NEXUSautomotiveinternational.eu or email info@NEXUSautomotive.eu
HR
CASE REVIEW: MISCONDUCT NOT SERIOUS MISCONDUCT Before summarily dismissing an employee for misconduct, employers should first satisfy themselves that the conduct amounts to serious misconduct, otherwise disciplinary action may be more appropriate Whether misconduct justifies summary dismissal was recently considered in Trudi Puszka v Ryan Wilks Pty Ltd T/A Ryan Wilks Proprietary Limited [2019] FWC 1132.
Background Trudi Puszka (Applicant) lodged an unfair dismissal application against her previous employer, Ryan Wilks Property Limited (Respondent). The background to the dispute is as follows: 1. The Applicant had worked for the Respondent for about a year as a Project Administrator and had a good work history with no performance or conduct issues. 2. On 20 July 2018, the Applicant attended an afterhours farewell drinks function and had become intoxicated. 3. News of these events eventually filtered back to a Manager for the Respondent who commenced an investigation into the Applicant’s conduct on 20 July. 4. The Applicant was sent a letter by email which confirmed that the Respondent had been made aware of her conduct including that she was overheard insulting a colleague and a client’s employee; that she had made propositions of a sexual nature to a client’s employee; that she had vomited on the forecourt area; and that she was escorted by event members to a taxi because of her intoxication. The Applicant was also sent an electronic meeting request to discuss the matters included in the letter on the next day. 5. During the meeting, the Applicant admitted to and apologies for being intoxicated, vomiting, and being escorted out of the building but
denied allegations about making disparaging remarks and propositioning anyone. 6. The Manager for the Respondent conducted further interviews with other relevant parties before arranging a final meeting with the Applicant. 7. The Applicant attended the final meeting where she was asked if she had anything further to add. The Applicant indicated that she wanted to know the identity of the complainants and that she had witnesses that would support her version of events. 8. The Manager rejected this proposition and proceeded to inform the Applicant that she had been terminated on the grounds of serious misconduct and provided a pre-prepared termination letter.
Decision Commissioner Cambridge rejected the Respondent’s evidence in relation to the disparaging remarks and propositions stating that the allegations had no basis in fact. However, the fact that the Applicant was intoxicated was not denied. When evaluating whether this was serious misconduct justifying summary dismissal, Commissioner Cambridge stated: ‘… there would seem to be sound basis for the employer to have implemented some form of disciplinary action in respect to the misconduct of the applicant associated with her drunkenness. …However… a single act of drunkenness at an after work function which did not involve any abusive or aggressive behaviour, and for which no serious risk to the reputation or
viability of the employer’s business could be established, would not represent misconduct that provided a sound, defensible and wellfounded reason for dismissal. Frankly, if one act of inoffensive drunkenness at an after work function provided valid reason for dismissal, I suspect that the majority of Australian workers may have potentially lost their jobs.’ The following extract from the Judgement of Mr Justice Hungerford in the case of Pastrycooks Employees, Biscuit Makers Employee & Flour and Sugar Goods Workers Union (NSW) v. Gartrell White (No 3) Industrial Commission of NSW, [Hungerford J], 35IR was also relied on: ...the test comes down to the question whether the employee’s conduct has been so inconsistent with his duties under the employment contract that it strikes down any reasonable suggestion that the employeremployee relationship can be continued in the future. Commissioner Cambridge found that reinstatement would be appropriate in the circumstances and an order was made for the Respondent to restore the Applicant’s lost wages. On appeal the Full Bench upheld the finding that serious misconduct was not established. This article is intended for information purposes only and should not be regarded as legal advice. Please contact us for specific legal advice before taking any action.
Contact Employer Assist Employer Assist can provide advice and assistance with all employment matters including termination and other disciplinary processes. Please contact Employer Assist on 1300 735 306 or aaaa@employerassist.com.au 89
CONSUMER LAW
THE BAN ON EXCESSIVE SURCHARGE PAYMENTS When processing payment types a business may incur costs from their bank or payment facilitator If the business seeks to recover these fees from its customers by charging a surcharge payment, then the business must be careful to do so correctly because if the surcharge amount charged to the customer is excessive, as defined in the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) (CCA), the business will be in contravention of the CCA and may incur penalties.
surcharge, or in other words, that the business is not charging more than the ‘cost of acceptance.’ It is important to check your bank or payment facilitator statement and consider if the amount charged by the business exceeds the ‘cost of acceptance’. If the amount charged by the bank or payment facilitator changes, then the amount the business charges should change also.
What is a surcharge payment?
Do I have to charge a surcharge payment?
A surcharge payment is an amount charged for using a type of payment method (for example a type of debit card or credit card), or is an amount charged for processing a payment in addition to the price of the goods or service.
A business is not required to charge customers a surcharge to use a payment type, but may choose to do so. As an alternative the business may take into account the cost of using payment methods, together with other business costs such as labour, rent and utilities, when setting the price of the products sold by the business.
What is an excessive surcharge payment? An excessive surcharge payment is a surcharge payment that is in excess of the surcharge permitted under the Reserve Bank of Australia Standard relating to fees on types of credit card and debit cards. To put is simply a surcharge payment will be excessive if it is more than the ‘cost of acceptance.’ This means that if the business charges customers more than the business pays to process the payment, then the charge will be an excessive surcharge. For example, if a business pays 0.5 percent to process a debit card payment but charges customers a one percent surcharge for using a debit card, then the surcharge is excessive. The excessive surcharge regime applies to Mastercard (debit, credit and prepaid), Visa (debit, credit and prepaid), American Express companion cards, the EFTPOS system and EFTPOS pre-paid. The ‘cost of acceptance’ for a payment type is set out on the bank statement received by your business and may include merchant service fees; fees paid for the rental and maintenance of payment card terminals; and any other fees incurred in processing card transactions, including cross-border transactions. If it can be verified by contract, other costs may also be passed on to the customer but these must be calculated by the business. These may include fees paid to a payment service provider other than your bank or payment facilitator. However, if a business wishes to charge these costs to the customer it is prudent to be certain these costs can be passed on. It should be noted that a business cannot include any of its internal charges, such as the cost of labour or electricity. If the business is charging a payment surcharge to use payment types it is the responsibility of the business to ensure the charge is not an excessive 90
A surcharge by another name If an amount is charged to process a payment type, the excessive surcharge regime is applicable regardless of the name given to the charge. In other words, the excessive surcharge regime will apply where an amount is charged to process a payment type, even where the surcharge is called a ‘handling fee’ or a ‘service fee’.
Can I charge a single charge fee for all types of payment? A business should only charge a single fee for all payment types if the fee does not exceed the lowest cost payment type. This means that a business is likely to be charging an excessive surcharge if the business charges customers the average ‘cost of acceptance’ across all payment types. For example, if a business accepts only three types of payment, being card A, which carries a one percent ‘cost of acceptance’, card B, which carries a two percent ‘cost of acceptance’, and card C, which carries a three percent ‘cost of acceptance’, then the business may charge customers the single fee of one percent to process the payment for card A, card B and card C. However, if the business charges customers the average ‘cost of acceptance’ for all three cards, being two percent, then the business is likely to be charging an excessive surcharge (for example, users of card A will be paying more than the ‘cost of acceptance’ for card A). A business may choose a flat fee to process payment types, however, it is prudent to do so cautiously. Using a flat fee may result in customers paying too much, especially when processing payment for products with a low cost. For example, Fitness First used a flat fee of 50 cents to process periodic membership payments across all payment types. It was found that for some payment types
the flat fee of 50 cents exceeded the ‘cost of acceptance’.
Non-Compliance For a corporation, non-compliance with the requirement not to impose an excessive surcharge under the CCA may result in: • The ACCC issuing an infringement notice, which carries a financial penalty of 600 penalty units for a listed corporation (currently totaling $126,000), 60 penalty units for a corporation (currently totaling $12,600), and 12 penalty units for an individual (currently totaling $2,250); or • A court imposing a financial penalty for each act or omission not exceeding 6,471 penalty units for a corporation (currently being $1,358,910) or 1,295 penalty units for an individual (currently being $271,950).
Takeaways The key takeaways are: • A business may charge customers for the cost of processing payment types provided it is not an excessive surcharge payment. • The business may charge the customer the ‘cost of acceptance’. • A business can choose not to charge customers a payment surcharge. • If charging one amount across all payment types a business must be careful that the charge does not exceed the lowest payment type charge for the business. • Check the bank or payment facilitator statement for information regarding payment charges.
AAAA Member Benefits Industry Legal Group provides advice to members on commercial law matters. If you have any questions relating to the above case, please contact Industry Legal Group on 1300 369 703 or aaaa@industrylegalgroup.com.au
INSIDE INVENTORY
ANY INTEREST IN INVENTORY? Interest rates are already at record lows and are heading lower Interest rates are of course one component of carrying costs, so cheaper funding costs ought to be helpful. However, you still have to pay for warehousing, security, stocktakes and obsolescence so your annual carrying costs will still be north of 15 percent and possibly more like 30-35 percent for less popular items. More importantly however, lower interest rates are harbingers of problems ahead. We are likely to see another couple of rate cuts by year end and some have even spoken of getting down to zero: that does not engender confidence. We are certainly not in GFC territory but the indices like CommSec’s Luxury Car Index have been down for a couple of years and so far are not recovering. You will have also seen from the first quarter AAAA Dashboard report that new car sales are down eight percent relative to the same time last year. Although some commentators are speaking of a turnaround in house prices in 2020/21 as people re-enter the market, right now it appears that people are being very careful with their dollars – they are more likely to spend a little to repair something, than a lot to replace it. Now for the auto-aftermarket, that counter cyclical behaviour ought to be good news and an opportunity, but of course that all depends how you react to the shifting demand.
Lessons from the GFC When the GFC hit several things happened. First there was a big fall off in demand. This lower demand meant that those industries which had been running at capacity and high utilisations shifted from doing preventive maintenance to more break down maintenance: if you were short of cash, why would you spend money on maintenance unless you absolutely had to?
This however had the effect that customers often wanted a wider range of parts. They held on to vehicles and other assets for longer and more different types of parts had to be replaced; in effect a greater range of replacement parts was needed and for some this could have presented a funding challenge.
ROA Ride Adjustment
However suppliers were experiencing the same downturn in demand and this freed up capacity, leading to a reduction in lead times for at least some product ranges. This certainly helped people react to the downturn by helping them service the demand with less safety stock.
Setting up your business to handle the inevitable ups and downs for each product, and the different reactions needed for different market segments, can be a real challenge. In simple terms you need three things to tackle this challenge most effectively:
We have not heard anyone suggest that the current downturn is anywhere near as bad as the GFC but certainly it pays to be on the lookout for changes in customer and supplier behaviour, and to ask the right questions to better understand the subtleties.
1. You need good market and product intelligence. Things will not always behave exactly as they did in the past. You may need to position yourself to be more opportunistic at times and more pessimistic at others (see last month’s article on losing your inventory inhibitions). You may need to adjust your sensitivity to different signals. Some of that can be helped through tweaking your planning system but you may also need to put more effort into working with your customers to understand how you can best support them. You may need to understand how your suppliers are being affected by a downturn and how, together, you can stay on the right line.
For example, are certain sectors affected more than others? Are your customers exposed to a still burgeoning iron ore industry? If you sell parts, like suspension components which typically only need to be replaced much later in the life of the vehicle, then as people hold on longer, you might expect to see a significant increase in demand. The question is, how do you handle these different demand signals and how do you deploy your inventory so it is in the right place at the right time and in the right quantity?
ROA even more important When interest rates are down, investing in asset classes that return a lot more than bank interest becomes even more important. There is a clear imperative to maximise the return you get from every dollar invested in your business and in particular, your inventory. It is important to ask questions like: • If people need the parts more for break down repairs, what gross margin premium can we reasonably capture? • If the range is broader how much depth should be carried? • If the part is low in volume but very costly, how much capital do you want to tie up in that one part? Might it be better to locate it in only one or two places and transport it at some cost to where it is needed? Hopefully the transport cost can be paid for by the person or business needing the part. In a typical aftermarket parts business, you could easily have tens of thousands of parts where you might need to ask such questions.
2. You have to be able to consider all the relevant variables when you are planning the right inventory locations and levels. At times that will include up to twenty different inputs, so you land somewhere close to the optimum result. What is the gross margin, unit cost, demand supply variability, common quantities, matched items, popularity and position in the life cycle? There is a lot to consider. And then because you have to do this for thousands of items, you need to be able to easily tune the service levels and the planned profitability and Return on Assets for your whole portfolio and its various parts. 3. Then you need to be able to put everything in cruise control – it needs to go into auto pilot for most of the time. After all, you cannot be absorbed by system admin and transactional trivia when your focus needs to be on navigating the road ahead. With the right sort of interest, you can certainly improve your returns.
For further information, consult www.horizoninventory.com.au or email info@horizoninventory.com.au 91
PRTC
MOTORCLASSICA TO CELEBRATE DOUBLE DAYCO POLE AND PODIUM CITROEN CENTENARY Motorclassica 2019 will be held across October 11-13 WEEKEND The Watpac Townsville 400 was a happy hunting ground for Dayco drivers Held at the Reid Park Street Circuit in July, the Watpac Townsville 400 proved to be a history making event for Dayco Porsche Carrera Cup driver Roger Lago, while also being a very speedy weekend for Dayco sponsored Tickford Racing Mustang Supercar driver, Cam Waters.
Returning to the concrete-walled street circuit where he suffered multiple injuries in a major Porsche Carrera Cup accident back in 2015, Roger made Porsche Carrera Cup Australia history by becoming the first ever Pro-Am category driver to set the outright pole position. This extraordinary feat saw the Dayco driver outpace all of the professional racers in the field, creating extraordinary television, print media and online coverage. Roger went on to score a win and two third places in the Porsche Carrera Cup Pro-Am category for the weekend, marking an exciting and successful 5th round of the 2019 Championship that also elevated him to the lead of the Pro-Am points standings. Overseeing Roger’s race engineering for the weekend was fellow Dayco ambassador Dave Russell, whose detailed Porsche GT3 Cup Car set-up knowledge no doubt assisted Roger in this highly competitive fifth round of the national championship. Monster Energy Mustang Supercar racer Cam Waters made it a double Dayco pole weekend in Townsville by winning the top ten shoot out to claim the top starting spot for Sunday’s race. Cam was in strong form throughout the weatherchallenged 64 lap race, finishing third. This was the Mustang Supercar driver’s fifth podium result for the 2019 season. For more from Dayco, visit www.dayco.com.au 92
One hundred years of Citroen will be celebrated at this year’s Motorclassica, the Australian International Concours d’Elegance and classic motor show which also marks its 10th anniversary in 2019. Set to be staged at Melbourne’s World Heritagelisted Royal Exhibition Building, Motorclassica is Australasia’s premier annual exhibition of rare, classic, collectible and significant cars and motorcycles. Motorclassica 2019 will pay tribute to Citroen with a specially selected centenary display of 17 iconic cars ranging from the very first Type A two-door cabriolet model of 1920 through to the seminal Maserati-engined SM in a display that will also include a few surprises. Citroen Australia Managing Director, Ben Farlow, said Motorclassica provides the ideal platform to celebrate Citroen’s 100th anniversary. “During 2019 Citroen is celebrating its 100th year via a number of events. Motorclassica is the ideal opportunity for us to celebrate a centenary of innovation while providing us with the opportunity to connect with enthusiasts via our latest vehicles,” Ben said. “While not all can be revealed yet, there will be a few surprises in store for Citroen fans and car enthusiasts attending Motorclassica.” The display will also include an example of the first vehicle to circumnavigate mainland Australia, a 1923 Citroen 5CV – the original of which resides in Canberra’s National Museum of Australia. “In the history of the automobile it’s arguable, indeed probable, that Citroen has been the most innovative of all car manufacturers,” Motorclassica Event Director, Paul Mathers, said. “It has been responsible for so many innovative and now-iconic models, like the Traction Avant,
the 2CV, DS, CX, Mehari, the SM, the C6 and so many more. “Alongside our tribute to its centenary it is fantastic to be able to welcome Citroen Australia to Motorclassica this year as an official partner and participant in the many activities we have planned.” This year Citroen will host a display inside Motorclassica’s main hall showcasing its current models while visitors will be able to test drive the marque’s latest models at a pop-up activation in the Royal Exhibition Building’s eastern forecourt. Motorclassica 2019 will be held at the Royal Exhibition Building from 11-13 October. For further information and to purchase tickets, visit www.motorclassica.com.au
PRTC
NEW BOOSTED TURBOCHARGERS From Aeroflow Performance Aeroflow Performance says it is proud to introduce its new range of Boosted turbochargers, designed specifically for the enthusiast who wants optimal performance, at a competitive price. With a large option of inducer and exducer wheel sizes, Aeroflow Performance says it will allow the customer to meet their specific power goals and driving style with a choice of several different turbine inlet and outlet flanges to suit each individual custom vehicle. The range of Boosted turbochargers utilise billet compressor wheels and reportedly feature the latest aerodynamic design that maximises horsepower and boost response throughout the rev range. The turbine wheel is constructed from Inconel, a Super Alloy that maintains strength during prolonged exposure to extremely high exhaust gas temperatures. For the budget conscious, 360° journal bearing oil cooled turbochargers are available, along with the popular dual ceramic ball bearing cartridges that are water cooled to prolong the turbo lifespan and improve shaft balance. All turbochargers are available with a ported
shroud compressor cover housing in either a natural cast finish or a hi-temp black finish. Aeroflow Performance explains this cover increases surge resistance and provides reliable, continuous power throughout the engine’s RPM. To complement this new range of turbochargers, Aeroflow Performance says it also stocks several products to improve the performance and styling of your turbocharged vehicles. Aeroflow Performance external water cooled wastegates are especially designed to maintain set boost levels to protect your turbo from over boosting. Aeroflow Performance wastegate features include a high temperature silicone nomex reinforced actuator diaphragm and stainless steel actuator spring that delivers consistent boost pressure at high temperatures, Nitronic stainless steel is used for the valve seat which all offer longer product life at extreme temperatures. The Aeroflow Performance blow off valve is a 50mm high flowing universal blow off valve for use on turbocharged and supercharged applications. The body and all internal components are CNCmachined from 6061 aircraft grade aluminium.
This blow off valve is also available in a plumb back option with many different plumb back barb options and block off plug sizes. To help control the boost levels on your new boosted turbocharger, Aeroflow Performance offers a digital boost controller. The three stages of boost pressure allow you to create your own personal settings and save them while over boost alert is a feature included to help prevent turbo and engine damage. To stylise your engine bay along with your new Boosted turbocharger, Aeroflow Performance says it has various products from Carbon fibre/ Alloy bell mouths, turbo protector screens, turbo blankets and a range of pod filters with carbon fibre tops. For a free Aeroflow catalogue, to shop online or to see a full listing of your closest distributors and installers, visit www.aeroflowperformance.com
STREETFIGHTER VE-VF COMMODORE 1000HP IN-TANK FUEL MODULES KPM Motorsport has a history of developing high horsepower vehicles for both the track and street Critical to the vehicles it builds is the fuel system to support such big numbers. Over the years it has developed upgraded fuel systems and components to support high horsepower applications for the Falcon, Mustang GT and Camaro 2SS. KPM Motorsport’s StreetFighter brand says it is proud to release the next level of direct fit, in-tank fuel modules for the VE-VF Commodore and HSV range of vehicles, available in 800hp or 1000hp options. With the modern Commodores being tuned to amazing power levels, comes the need for a high performance fuel system, says StreetFighter. It says the StreetFighter 800hp and 1000hp fuel modules are engineered utilising the highest flowing, highest performance fuel pumps available; all housed in an OEM style high flow fuel canister and distribution manifold. The StreetFighter fuel module is mounted and immersed in the vehicle’s fuel tank as per OEM
design and for ease of fitment. This design incorporates a dual acting venturi pump and refill valve system to permanently keep the fuel canister full. KPM Motorsport says this means that the StreetFighter fuel module can run at any fuel level safely in all conditions, without the risk of surge or fuel starvation, including spirited driving, circuit days or drag racing. The fuel pumps are both 100 percent petrol and ethanol compatible and able to deliver massive amounts of cool dense fuel at standard vehicle voltages, it says, stating that this equates to optimum tuning and power levels up to 1000hp. StreetFighter says it takes the guess work out of upgrading the fuel system by developing kits that include all necessary components to fit the specific vehicles. It states it has developed a range of no-fuss kits to suit specific model years for VE-VF in both the 800hp or 1000hp options; while for vehicles built
2010-2017 they will only require the drop-in module and for vehicles built 2006-2009 they require a StreetFighter retrofit kit which includes plug and play wiring adaptor as well as crossover and supply fuel line adaptors. KPM says it is also a leader in fuel injector manufacture with injectors to suit nearly all applications. Offering total fuel system solutions for a range of high horsepower applications, KPM says it is the go-to solution for those looking to build a high performance street or track car. For more details on the StreetFighter/KPM range of fuel system products, please email enquiries@kpmmotorsport.com.au or call KPM Motorsport on 08 8299 9998. 93
4WD
ARB PRODUCT UPDATE FRUSTRATED LED fog lights, Summit bull bar, ARB Ascent BY HEAVY Canopy, Outback Solutions roller drawers and Sportslid CUMBERSOME STORAGE BOXES? Open Sky Touring says it has the solution for your next 4WDing adventure Open Sky Touring says it is a small team of likeminded people with a keen interest in remote 4WD touring, camping and fishing who had an idea that is now an amazing reality. Open Sky Touring says if you have used big heavy types of boxes, then you might already know they are a great strong product but that they have some disadvantages too – one of them is their bulk and weight. These types of storage cases are what is called a roto-moulded product and for those us becoming more aware of the amount of weight we carry in our vehicles, we understand that it all counts towards our overall vehicle and trailer weight calculations. Beyond that, they can be a pain to lift up into ute trays and onto roof racks. In response to these concerns, the Open Sky Touring team developed the Expedition134 Multi-Function Box and say they are also about to get into “a whole range of other amazing products.”
ARB has provided updates on the following products from its extensive range for 4WD enthusiasts.
LED Fog Lights LED fog lights are now available to suit all ARB bull bars. Fully compliant with all international and domestic market requirements, these lights are built with a polycarbonate lens and an IP67 rating. Fine adjustments are controlled by a fine thread screw adjuster to aim fog lights correctly and legally on your ARB bar. Boasting a lifespan of 50,000 hours per LED fog light, this equates to 6,250 days at eight hours of driving per day.
Summit bull bar ARB explains the eagerly awaited Summit bull bar for the series 4 Y62 Patrol is now in production. It is compatible with both winch fitting and the Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) system and suits both Ti and Ti-L models. Recent updates to the Ford Everest have required redevelopment of the ARB Summit bull bar and excitingly, production begins on the updated bar in July 2019. It is suitable for Ambiente, Trend and Titanium specifications.
ARB Ascent canopy and Outback Solutions roller drawers
Designed for people who need a versatile box that is easy to keep clean but can still take ‘a pounding’, the Expedition134 Multi-Function Box can be used in the saltwater environment all year and will reportedly never go rusty. You can not only tie it down and still get access inside, but you can also take it anywhere without fear of some someone else getting into it. When not out on trips, it can save space by nesting inside other Expedition134 boxes. Open Sky Touring says the precision injected moulded expedition boxes are made to last and last and are backed with a 30 day money back guarantee and a two-year warranty. For more information, visit www.a247.com.au/open-sky-expedition-134 94
ARB says you can bring the X-factor to your X-Class by adding the ARB Ascent canopy and Outback Solutions roller drawers. Designed to fit seamlessly with the lines of the vehicle, the Ascent canopy is a modern and stylish way to set your dual-cab up for your needs. Not only does it protect all of your items from the weather, ARB says it also keeps out wandering hands with vehicle integrated central locking giving you peace of mind whenever you are away from your vehicle. Having a drawer configuration also creates
sensible storage for the tourer, tradie or urban driver by keeping your items organised and easy to reach.
Sportslid for Amarok and Colorado ARB says you can now make your dual cab even more stylish without losing the practicality of the tub with the recently released ARB Sportslid for the Amarok and the Colorado. With a focus on vehicle integration, this is an accessory you can’t do without, says ARB. The Sportslid integrates with the vehicle’s central locking mechanism, maintaining full security to the cargo inside via the vehicle key fob. In the instance of an emergency situation, such as a flat battery, access can still be gained by a manual key override. In order to keep you safe, the Sportslid also features an emergency exit latch on the inside to avoid entrapment. One of the important differences with the ARB range of Sportslids is a carrying capacity of 75kg when closed and 20kg when open, increasing your storage options when carrying large loads. Before installing the Sportslid, the ARB Tango Mount system must be attached to the tub via a non-drill clamp arrangement. The Sportslid simply guides into the locating rails and clamps into position. This system allows the Sportslid to be removed and refitted quickly when required. The Tango Mount system also features a unique front weather seal to prevent water entering the cargo area both when the lid is closed and during opening. ARB says the ARB Sportslid helps give your vehicle a finished, polished look. Colour-coded and compatible with the manufacturer’s Sports Bar in a seamless one-piece design, the smooth lines and sculptured shape aligns with the sporty appearance of both of these vehicles, it says. The ARB Sportslid Tango is $2,707.00 RRP (Australian East Coast Metro pricing). ARB asks you to please speak to your local store or stockist for a quote and availability information. For more information, visit www.arb.com.au
4WD
WIN THE OPPOSITE LOCK MKIII FORD RANGER Be in the chance to win a fully kitted-out MKIII Ford Ranger valued at more than $75,000 Since launching in Australia in the 1970s, 4WD and vehicle accessory superstore Opposite Lock says it has shaken up the 4WD vehicle accessory shopping experience. Opposite Lock says that unhampered by the constraints of pushing its own house brands, the teams at Opposite Lock stores have the ability to offer independent and knowledgeable advice and product ranges, backed by a nationwide guarantee. Opposite Lock has now embraced this partnership with its industry partners even further, by giving customers a chance to win a fully kitted-out MKIII Ford Ranger valued at more than $75,000, plus a share in over $5,000 in monthly prizes. To be in the running to win the Ranger, or a monthly prize, customers can head to the website and sign up for the Opposite Lock newsletter for one entry. Customers that visit their local Opposite Lock store and purchase a participating product and register their details will get a “massive” ten entries into the draw.
“Having worked closely with our partners over the last few months, we have had the chance to build and spec the Ranger to represent some of the best of the best in the industry,” Opposite Lock General Manager, Adam O’Sullivan, said. “We know from hands on experience with our customers, through our store networks, shows and social media, that people can be overwhelmed by the build process and the brands in market. “What better way to showcase the range of brands we have in-store than giving customers a chance to win our own ute.” The Ranger is packed with gear including the innovative Comtruk Sport Utility Bed (SUB) valued at more than seven thousand dollars as well as a Safari ARMAX ECU and ARMAX Snorkel package valued at more than three grand and Clearview Powerfold Mirrors and Easy Slide ES100 Plus package valued at over two thousand dollars. Other upgrades include Opposite Lock Urban Adventure bullbar, steel side steps, 40L fridge or freezer and work lights, Tough Dog suspension,
Rhino Rack Backbone cabin rack, Roadsafe front recovery points, Blackhawk upper control arms, Lightforce HTX driving lights, Hayman Reese X-bar tow bar, VRS 9,500lb synthetic winch, Airbag Man rear airbags, Uniden communication pack, Direction Plus Prefilter and Catch Can and a DBA front brake upgrade. Entry for the major prize draw closes on the 31st of December, 2019 while the monthly prize draws close on the last day of each month, from March to November. For additional information and full T&Cs please visit www.oppositelock.com.au
COMMERCIAL DELUXE BULL BAR New from Ironman 4x4 Ironman 4x4 has released a new Commercial Deluxe Bull Bar to suit the LDV T60 (2017+) 2.8L Turbo Diesel. Ironman 4x4 says the Commercial Deluxe Bull Bar has been scanned using 3D technology to ensure a correct fit that is both accurate and stylish, enhancing the body shape. The product is manufactured from premium grade materials, SPHC oil and pickled steel (not mild steel) for maximum strength and highest resistance to rust with 360º robotic welds. It is designed and engineered to ensure airbag compatibility and ADR compliance as well as winch compatibility using a unique mounting cradle, removing excess weight from the bull bar. The Commercial Deluxe Bull Bar has black powdercoating using AKZO NOBEL powder to allow a thicker, smooth and more durable coating. Integrated spot light or light bar mounts are compatible for a range of driving lights while the slotted designed aerial mount allows for quick installation and removal of an aerial, mobile signal booster and/or high vis sand flag. The integrated high lift jacking point eliminates the need for bolt on high lift jack mounting kits and LED Parker/Indicators includes LED parker and indicator lights, recessed to prevent accidental breakage from on and off road hazards. For more information, visit www.ironman4x4.com 95
INDUSTRY AWARENESS
ARE YOU COVERED? In this article, Craig Baills of Highfields Mechanical explains that in a world of “what ifs,” making sure businesses are covered in the event of the unforeseen is imperative Yes, I am talking insurance, and if there are two things in business that really annoy me, it is Insurance and Tax: money that we give away with no control over how it may or may not be used.
If you do have insurance policies in place, make sure they cover you and if there are areas of vulnerability in your policy, address these with your Insurance Professional.
Let’s talk specifics – the majority of workshops are small businesses, owned by a husband and wife, father and son or completely solo, and we happened into business because we had a passion for the industry and an exceptional professional ability in our trade.
You should consider the following: 1. Contents Insurance 2. Vehicle damage whilst at your shop including accidental, storm, hail 3. Business Interruption 4. Faulty Workmanship 5. Mechanical Breakdown of equipment 6. Theft and Break-In 7. Building Damage 8. Loan Cars 9. Towing of Customer Cars 10. Income Protection
We grew and established businesses based on our abilities and developed a whole new book of skills along the way; bookkeeping, accounting, HR, WHS, marketing, customer service, skills development and the list goes on. With some of the more complex areas of business, we leave that up to external “professionals” or “salespeople” to address for us; after all we cannot do everything, and this is where insurance comes in. What are the right policies? What is the correct amount of cover? What if this or that happens? Why do I need WorkCover? And so the intricacies of insurance can begin to give business owners a monumental headache while also taking a fair chunk from the cash flow. Now I know there are some businesses that choose to operate with little or no cover and even avoid WorkCover – if this is you, you are playing Russian Roullette with your business, your staff and your bank account. I strongly recommend you change your ways, factor the costs into your business operating expenses and adjust your pricing accordingly.
The list goes on, and each individual business will have its own specific needs. Look very carefully at your policy; make sure everything that you need covered, is covered; and make sure your insurance provider is diligent to your needs and not just wanting to sign you up. It is good advice to document what is discussed, whether the conversation is by phone, face to face or email, as you will only find out how good your insurance company is when it comes time to claim for the unexpected. This leads me into Workcover, which is a compulsory insurance policy to cover your staff in the event of a workplace injury. I won’t get started on WorkCover itself, but rest assured, if you have staff, you need a WorkCover policy: no ifs, no buts.
Craig Baills, Highfields Mechanical
Workcover does a few things, including: 1. Protecting your employees in the event of a workplace injury 2. Covering medical expenses and ongoing medical costs as a result of workplace injuries 3. Covering the staff member’s income whilst on a WorkCover claim 4. Offering insurance and protection for the employer should a WorkCover claim be escalated to a common law claim. Again, WorkCover is necessary based on what ifs, and is there to protect your staff and employees. It is a must have, but along with it comes some responsibilities for the business: 1. Having proper incident reporting processes in place 2. Providing induction training and operational processes 3. Ensuring best practises and safe procedures are implemented in the workplace 4. Providing PPE 5. Also while it is not compulsory, you should feel free to conduct medical assessments prior to employment. As employers, we have a responsibility to our staff to provide safe workplaces and give them the confidence that if something goes wrong, they will be taken care of. Should a claim ever get to the level of common law with a No Win, No Fee law firm, trust me, you will need every ounce of documentation and coverage you can find. Treat insurance as another tool in your business. It is there to serve a purpose when specific problems arise and to cover your backside when things hit the fan. Be diligent, and make sure your insurance company knows your business. Here’s to the future, Craig Baills, Highfields Mechanical Member of Automotive Repairer Council of Australia (ARCA) Committee
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