JUNE 2022
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW TO SERVICE YOUR CUSTOMERS’ VEHICLES
COMMUNITY IMPACT CELEBRATED AT AAAA AWARDS
THE LATEST IN ACCESSORIES AND CAR CARE
ABOUT THE COVER A powerhouse in the global automotive industry, ZF continues to go from strength to strength on both a global scale and here in Oceania.
REGULAR DEPARTMENTS Calendar.................................................... 4 New Members........................................... 4 AAAA Report ............................................ 5 News......................................................... 6 Products.................................................. 30
Services................................................... 94 Milestones............................................... 95 Consumer Law......................................... 96 HR Matters.............................................. 97 Performance & Racing............................. 98
9
KEEPING YOU INFORMED Interesting days ahead......................................................................................................... 7 Increase productivity and maximise your tax deductions this EOFY....................................... 9 Changing colours............................................................................................................... 10 Burson Auto Parts managers conference a major success.................................................. 13 Community impact celebrated at AAAA Awards................................................................. 14 Innovative Employment Engagement Programs recognised................................................ 16 Electrification expert panel for VASA Wire & Gas 2022....................................................... 19 Bosch holds successful networking events......................................................................... 22
68
FEATURES Cover Story: ZF: a pacesetter for next generation mobility.................................................. 24 Product R&D: New training allows workshops to reap the rewards of Bilstein’s R&D........... 28 AAAA Most Innovative New Aftermarket Product - Parts................................................... 66 Member Feature: Clutch Industries: innovating for success................................................ 68 Servicing: Everything you need to know to service your customers’ vehicles........................ 70 Accessories & Car Car: The latest in accessories and car care............................................ 80 Trade Talk: Glenn Paine: Racing for perfection................................................................... 92 Members in Motorsport: Motorsport Brakes..................................................................... 100
100
Publisher Cameron McLachlan for The Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association ABN 23 002 271 454
CAB Audited
7 – 8 Bastow Place, Mulgrave VIC 3170, Australia Phone: 03 9545 3333 Fax: 03 9545 3355 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
Official publication of the AAAA
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 2022 Automechanika Ho Chi Minh City Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) 29 June - 1 July 2022 www.automechanika-hcmc.com
Automechanika Frankfurt Frankfurt am Main 13 – 17 September 2022 www.automechanika.messefrankfurt.com
A1 Ceramic Coating 17 Pinetree Crescent LALOR VIC 3075 Ph: 0422 202 151 E: a1ceramiccoating@gmail.com
Richmond Auto Service Centre 56 Elizabeth Street RICHMOND VIC 3121 Ph: 03 9429 0777 E: info@richmondauto.com.au
Bosch Car Service Wallan East 6 Commercial Drive WALLAN EAST VIC 3756 Ph: 03 5783 3790
Salisbury Auto Parts 28 Fisher St SALISBURY SA 5108 Ph: 08 828 1821 E: phil@salisburyautoparts.com.au
Bosch Car Service West End 194 Monague Road WEST END QLD 4101 Ph: 07 3162 8122
Schubert Bros Motor Engineer Fact 11/64 Cavehill Road LILYDALE VIC 3140 Ph: 03 9739 4345 E: schubert.bros@yahoo.com.au
DPF Centre Unit 4/4 Mustang Drive RUTHERFORD NSW 2320 Ph: 0439712286 E: rodney.nunn@gmail.com
Sinclair Service Centre 2/1 Jenkins St WARRNAMBOOL VIC 3280 Ph: 03 5560 5694 E: info@sinclairservicecentre.com.au
FELK Engineering Pty Ltd 54 Medcalf Street WARNERS BAY NSW 2282 Ph: 02 495 6955 E: admin@felks.com.au
SL-Tech Diagnostics 27 Walsh Rd WARRNAMBOOL VIC 3280 Ph: 0408 235 006 E: scott@sltenterprises.com.au
German Auto Haus (Vic) 5/ 68 Green Street CREMORNE VIC 3121 Ph: 03 9427 0766 E: andreas@germanautohaus.com.au
SEMA Show Las Vegas Convention Center Las Vegas, Nevada 1 - 4 November 2022
Spartan Tyre & Service Centre 86 Horne Street SUNBURY VIC 3429 Ph: 03 9744 2718 E: con@spartantyres.com.au
German Technik Factory 9/65-75 Mark Street NORTH MELBOURNE VIC 3051 Ph: 03 9329 9973 E: tim@germantechnik.com.au
www.semashow.com
Sprint Auto Parts Kilkenney 388 Torrens Road ADELAIDE SA 5009 Ph: 0410 131 153 E: dimi@sprintkilkenny.com.au V W Village Pty Ltd 9-11 Anzac Parade KENSINGTON NSW 2033 Ph: 02 9663 3072 E: info@vwvillage.com.au
K & G Automotive Services 1/ 20 Ferguson Street UNDERWOOD QLD 4119 Ph: 07 3341 2008
Automechanika Dubai Dubai World Trade Centre www.automechanika.messefrankfurt.com
MPSR Group Pty Ltd 2/2 Jabez Street MARRICKVILLE NSW 2204 Ph: 0451 392 903 E: sarahk@mpsrgroup.com.au
Volks Affair 104 Thistlethwaite Street SOUTH MELBOURNE VIC 3205 Ph: 03 9682 3377 E: info@volksaffair.com.au
PRI 2022
Ovens Valley Parts Centre 1/34 Churchill Avenue BRIGHT VIC 3741 Ph: 03 5755 5122 E: ovpc2004@bigpond.net.au
Voltas IT UAB Karaliaus Mindaugo prospectas 38 Ph: 370 6992 6692 E: edvardas@voltasit.com
Port Hacking Automotive 3A Kiama St MIRANDA NSW 2228 Ph: 02 9544 9477 E: ben@porthackingauto.com.au
Wellku Power Pty Ltd Unit 1, 60 Machinery Street DARRA QLD 4076 Ph: 0403804338 E: wellkuchao@gmail.com
22 – 24 November 2022
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA 8 – 10 December 2022 www.performanceracing.com/tradeshow
AAAA BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHAIRMAN Mark Pedder (VIC) Pedders Suspension Pty Ltd Ph: 03 9706 3500
DEPUTY CHAIRMAN Wayne Bryant (VIC), Repco Pty Ltd Ph: 03 9566 5444
SECRETARY Janelle Gonzalez (NSW), Blue Toro Pty Ltd Ph: 1300 258 386
TREASURER Don Cormack (SA) ADRAD Pty Ltd Ph: 08 8243 9888
DIRECTORS Craig Baills (QLD), Highfields Mechanical Ph: 07 4696 7116
Mark Pedder Chairman 4
Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
Michael Carnemolla (NSW) 313 Automotive Pty Ltd Ph: 02 9713 9476
Darren Robinson (VIC), HELLA Australia Pty Ltd Ph: 1800 061 729
Craig Magill (VIC), Burson Automotive Pty Ltd Ph: 03 9914 5555
Peter Rogers (VIC) Repco Authorised Service Ph: 0428 896 597
Adam Pay (NSW), mycar Tyre & Auto Service Ph: 02 9680 6500
Graham Scudamore-Smith (QLD) Fulcrum Suspensions Pty Ltd Ph: 07 3892 9000
AAAA NEWS
WORKING TOGETHER FOR SUCCESS
The automotive aftermarket is incredibly diverse and walking the aisles at our recent Australian Auto Aftermarket and Collision Repair Expo clearly illustrated this Our industry covers repair, service and modification, retailers and resellers, importers and distributors, manufacturers and exporters, and service and technology providers. Given this diversity, business needs across our incredible aftermarket industry can be very different, and at the same time there are clear areas of interdependency throughout the sector. A healthy industry needs all areas performing well, so we depend on each other to achieve shared success. There is a clear common need to have the industry able to conduct business fairly and without restriction, and all businesses want someone on their side to fight for the issues that matter to the success of their business. It was the need to take action against government regulation that would have been detrimental to the future of the aftermarket industry that resulted in the formation of the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA). More than 40 years later, as the peak body for the aftermarket nationally, our role of advocacy remains more important than ever. We are a force for positive change in the industry, and our success in campaigning for and supporting the industry has only been possible through the support of our members. Changing law in Australia is no easy feat. It is an incredibly complex process. Thanks to the support of our membership, the AAAA was able to allocate the significant resources needed to champion and win the fight for what was the industry’s most pressing challenge. Meeting that challenge together led to the introduction of a mandatory data sharing law, so that independent workshops can compete in the market on fair and reasonable terms. I am proud to say that the Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Information Sharing Scheme is only weeks
away from ‘going live,’ with the new Australian Automotive Service and Repair Authority active in operationalising the law. On the 1st of July this landmark law will be implemented. All members have played a huge role in making that happen – thank you. But our work does not stop on the 1st of July – the skills shortage is top priority, along with the EV evolution. The next major challenge of our time is skills shortages. Every day we hear from members about the challenges in recruiting and retaining good staff, particularly in the current market of strong demand for car service and repair. The AAAA has already begun advocacy efforts to address this at government level. We are also actively collecting data and insights from workshops and apprentices to support our advocacy work. EVs remain another crucial industry development. We need to ensure our workshops are educated, trained and equipped for the future car parc. At the workshop level, we are providing advice on when and how EVs will impact the industry through education activities and research. This included our panel sessions at the AAAExpo in April, member webinars and articles across our communication channels, including our own publication, the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine. In addition to our industry leading advocacy work, AAAA members directly benefit from having exclusive access to a suite of fantastic business tools and services. If you need quick, relevant and reliable advice on HR and legal matters, the AAAA provides members with a fantastic service via our dedicated, and highly regarded HR and Legal Hotline. This service enables members to access great support and achieve peace of mind, so they can keep running their business and meeting customer needs as effectively as possible. Our Car Parc Data tool has quickly become a highlight of AAAA membership. This unique interactive platform allows businesses to gain insights from their car parc, including demographics of their local area. By exploring the Car Parc Data, businesses can improve their marketing, purchasing and staff training to better suit their customer base. If a business is looking to change locations or expand, the Car Parc Data tool is invaluable for assessing opportunities. For retailers and distributors, the national data view can improve business decision making with stateby-state level reporting. A special feature of membership for workshops is our free Workshop Health Check tool. This easy-to-use checklist is linked to our database
of industry sector market research reports and quarterly industry insights, so workshop owners and managers can benchmark their workshop and access support and tools to improve performance in a targeted way. And of course, AAAA provides members with exclusive webinars and popular member networking evenings. We are proud to see all these offers being utilised heavily by members. With the world opening up, it is exciting to see more international aftermarket exhibitions running. We are resuming our work assisting businesses to find new markets, represent their brand, and Australia at these Expos. For the AAAA it’s not just about the businesses – at the heart of our industry are our people. It was fantastic to catch up with so many people who I hadn’t seen face to face for over two years at our recent Expo and to see the camaraderie and optimism that was on display during that event. As a result, I am inspired and enthusiastic about what the future will bring, and with our loyal and growing membership base, we will continue to be your industry voice. Thank you for your ongoing support. If you would like to explore more information about the benefits of membership, or to join the AAAA, head to www.aaaa.com.au
Stuart Charity Chief Executive Officer Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
5
NEWS
GROWING TOGETHER In business, when we grow, we don’t grow alone, says Capricorn Group CEO David Fraser
We grow, yes, through our hard work and efforts. But we also grow because others have believed in us enough to come along for the journey. They’ve become our customers, and repeat customers, David Fraser and loyal advocates who Group CEO, spread the good word Capricorn Society Ltd about us to others. I’ve been reflecting recently on how growth occurs, because in 2022 Capricorn is reaching a few milestones that paint a gratifying picture of our own growth. I hope you’ll forgive my indulgence in discussing these milestones here, because we literally could not have reached them without you. The first milestone is that 2022 marks 25 years since Capricorn crossed the Tasman into New Zealand. Our first New Zealand Member joined Capricorn in June 1997, and at the time he had only four suppliers to choose from! 25 years later, we expect to make another milestone, welcoming our 5000th New Zealand Member into the Capricorn family. The decision to grow into New Zealand has become an outstanding success story for Capricorn. We’ve achieved Member growth beyond what could have been imagined in those early years. The third milestone I wanted to mention occurred in March, when Capricorn welcomed our 25,000th Member. This hasn’t happened by accident. It goes back to those key inputs I mentioned earlier – hard work and effort – and getting the offering right, so that Members believed in us. For us, growth meant inspiring our Members to choose to use their Capricorn account for every purchase, because they could see the benefits of doing so. Capricorn’s growth is, therefore, directly related to our Member’s success and their belief in the difference we can make to their business. Milestones are wonderful things and should be celebrated — and we’re certainly celebrating ours at the moment. But the hard work, the effort, and the belief continue. Because, after all, we don’t grow alone, we grow together. I think Capricorn can continue to work on how we help our Members with a holistic approach we continue to work on and which I believe is very consistent with the cooperative ethos on which Capricorn has been built. If you’re interested in how Capricorn can help you build a stronger, sustainable business, visit capricorn.coop to arrange a visit from your local Capricorn representative. Yours in cooperation, David Fraser Group CEO – Capricorn Society Ltd For more on Capricorn Society membership, visit www.capricorn.coop 6
Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
ONLINE DEMAND ON THE INCREASE AutoGuru research shows online marketplaces are more important than ever for getting businesses in front of convenience-seeking customers
The rise in demand for online solutions continues to grow on a global scale across all industries, with 70 percent of customers stating that online marketplaces are a convenient way to research and shop*. COVID-19 played a massive part here, with the number of customers now using marketplaces having increased by 36 percent since the end of 2019*. Throughout the peak of COVID, many parts of purchasing, owning and selling a car were taken online. Thanks to the emergence of everything from research to virtual test drives and contact free deliveries, customers became very quickly used to doing everything online, including booking their cars for any services they might need. AutoGuru says that its data is a good indicator of online marketplace adoption in the automotive services sector. The following observations were made by analysing 1.4 million vehicle quotes generated online from 23 March 2019 – 12 months prior to the first national COVID lockdown – to 20 May 2022. The age of drivers as a percentage is getting younger. Comparing 2019 to 2022, 18 to 34 year old drivers increased by 17 percent, representing 42 percent of total visitors whereas drivers 55 years or older saw a decline of 13 percent and 35 to 54 year old drivers dropped seven percent overall. The age of vehicles quoted online is also getting younger, confirming that marketplaces play an active role in helping consumers research dealer alternative servicing. Thirteen percent of vehicles were five years or younger, 35 percent are five to 10 years old, 31 percent are aged 10 to 15 years and 21 percent are older than 15 years. The most common tasks quoted online were Logbook and Basic Servicing (34 percent), Brakes (10 percent), Air-conditioning regas, Tyre replacements, Roadworthies and Pink Slips, Windscreen repairs, Wheel alignments, Batteries and Spark plugs. AutoGuru says this shows that consumers are seeking online quotes for basic tasks that are easily identified, leaving the more complex tasks for qualified technicians to diagnose and repair when they see the vehicle in person.
The percentage of consumers that get an instant price and book online increased from 10 percent in 2019 to 13 percent in 2022, meaning that 87 percent (six in seven people) use online marketplaces to research, but still prefer to book workshops directly offline. AutoGuru says it is clear that online marketplaces play an important role in helping businesses get in front of as many new customers as possible, not just to drive online bookings, but also to increase direct phone enquiries coming from customers researching online. At the same time, it says having the ability to quote and book customers online 24/7 can bring real value to businesses, especially those that are time poor. AutoGuru says instantly priced quotes convert 312 percent higher than estimates and 44 percent of consumers search and book after hours, which shows the importance of being online and bookable 24/7. Also notable, the average booking value increased 14 percent in three years from $305.00 in 2019 ‘pre-COVID’ to $349.00 in 2022. AutoGuru says this is driven by an increase in labour rates since the beginning of 2020. With 113,000 verified workshop reviews published online and 95 percent being four or five stars rated, AutoGuru says 98 percent of AutoGuru members viewed reviews as important to their business both online and offline, as they play a major part in a customer’s research journey. To simplify membership for workshops, AutoGuru recently changed its business model from a commission per booking to fixed cost memberships that start from $99+GST per month, which it says makes it more affordable for businesses to get listed and attract new customers online. For more information or to join AutoGuru, visit www.autoguru.com.au/memberships or call 07 5612 5343. *The State of Online Marketplace Adoption - Mirakl
NEWS
INTERESTING DAYS AHEAD
And so, it begins: a new government with a reform agenda and a promise to put some of our critical issues higher on the list How are we feeling as an industry about life under a new Federal Labor Government? The answer to that question lies in a review of what’s important to us as industry players, business owners, employers and employees. We always have a long list, but we probably have three important and key issues for negotiation with the Federal Government: Mandatory Data Sharing, the Skills Shortage and Future Fuels. Top of our list of course is the choice of repairer campaign, and our Mandatory Data Sharing Law is certainly safe – this new Law passed in June 2021 with bipartisan support. There is no possibility of a change in policy before the start date of 1 July 2022. The Labor Party committed to Your Car, Your Choice in the past election and carried that through to the Policy Platform in 2022. Very high on our list is our critical and debilitating skills shortage and there is possibly some potential for a fresh approach with a new government. Whilst the previous government was actively talking about skills and labour shortages, the election of a new government has injected a new sense of urgency to address what is a national crisis. We had a massive national skills gap before 2022, and the global pandemic shutting our borders to potential employees just added to more urgency and desperation to our predicament. The skills crisis is complex – there is a great
deal to unravel what is a multitude of policy and government regulations that are clearly broken and not working: we have less new starters into our industry, concerns about retention as other industries poach from each other, and the cost of facilitating skilled migration is excessive and not commercially viable. We are almost one technician short for every single workshop in the country. We have 28,000 independent repairers and close to 30,000 vacancies. The reality is that new governments are often more willing to open up to change and less likely to be defensive about the status quo. A new government does represent a chance to raise all of the factors at play that lead to vacancies that are unfilled even after weeks of advertising. I did have several conversations with the Opposition during the campaign period specifically raising the Labor Policy for free TAFE places. These TAFE funded places were based on the Priority Skills List that doesn’t include mechanics. I pointed out that that Skills List is broken – the designers of that policy agree but that’s the best that was available at the time. The way in which the government assesses what is a priority for skills is wrong – it’s been broken for some time. A new government is often more open to a critical review of that system and sometimes this can be better than dealing with one that has governed for over a decade.
Lesley Yates, AAAA Director of Government Relations and Advocacy info@aaaa.com.au Finally, we are looking for some lateral thinking on EVs and future fuels. Rebates for new car owners and building more public charging is an obvious and easy low hanging fruit. We want a dialogue about innovative policy options that embrace the after sales experience; investing in technician training, workshop charging and assisting the aftermarket to become future ready. There has been some commentary about whether we as an industry association need to spend some time rebuilding and introducing ourselves to the new regime. Fortunately, a good strategy for us has been to always engage with all sides of politics and our relationships are sound and robust. But we have a chance, at least during the early days of this new government, to have a fresh dialogue and open up to new solutions to some of embedded problems. Let the games begin.
DEVELOPING VICTORIA’S FUTURE HOME OF MOTORSPORT Funding has been promised towards an important motorsport venue for Victoria The Victorian Government has allocated $1.7million in its 2022/2023 budget to undertake design, master planning and site due diligence for the ‘Home of Victorian Motorsport’. Motorsport Australia Chief Executive Officer, Eugene Arocca, said the funding was a significant step in developing another important motorsport venue for Victoria. “We have been working closely with the Victorian Government around discussions for a new motorsport venue in the state, which we know is sorely needed,” Eugene said. “This funding announcement is a terrific show of support from the Andrews Government who like us, can see the need for more facilities as motorsport’s popularity continues to grow. “The funding will allow the Victorian Government and Motorsport Australia to conduct preliminary work into finding a location for a Victorian Home of Motorsport and allow more people to enjoy more motorsport more often.”
All locations will be considered, as well as the size and scope of the venue. “This is early days in the project, but as many people would know, you need to put in the hard work now for the benefit of the sport into the future,” Eugene said. “This support from the Victorian Government is in addition to the many funding programs they have initiated with us, benefiting Motorsport Australia affiliated clubs and venues, so we are very grateful that they see the benefit motorsport delivers to the state. “Our recent Ernst & Young research highlighted motorsport’s strong contribution to the state’s economy, with motorsport contributing 4,400 direct jobs in Victoria, as well as more than $800million of gross output every year. This new venue will only see that grow in the years ahead.” Victoria’s Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Martin Pakula, said the sport’s growth highlighted the need for more facilities.
“Motorsport participation is growing rapidly across the state and we’re undertaking detailed planning work to help make the Victorian Home of Motorsport a reality,” Mr Pakula said. “I look forward to Motorsport Australia finalising the location of the Victorian Home of Motorsport and seeing the plans for the new precinct.” For more from Motorsport Australia, visit www.motorsport.org.au Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
7
NEWS
PEDDERS RELEASES 2021 EMPLOYMENT SURVEY RESULTS Pedders has scored highly in the bi-annual Pedders People Survey as employee satisfaction trends upward Every second year Pedders Suspension and Brakes encourages all people employed within the Pedders Group to take part in the bi-annual Pedders People Survey. This survey is offered to a vast array of people with different skillsets and specialisations, from franchise owners and franchise staff to senior management and head office employees. The aim of the survey is to assist Pedders to identify strengths and weaknesses within the group, plus overall satisfaction levels of the ‘Pedders People.’ The results help track group improvement and drive business strategy to allow Pedders to attract, develop and retain great quality people.
The survey covered all states and territories of Australia and even members outside of Australia that are part of the Pedders international network. Overall, Pedders reports that the results of the survey were very positive, with most of the 13 categories surveyed trending in the upward direction in terms of satisfaction levels over the last few years. Health and Safety was ranked the highest in terms of satisfaction at 92 percent, followed by Customer Service, Company Image, Management Teams and Well Being, which were all around 90 percent satisfaction levels. In nine out of the thirteen categories, Pedders ranked above 80 percent, suggesting the overall satisfaction levels of Pedders’ people is quite high. In terms of employee engagement, respondents ranked the business at a strong 88 percent. Three quarters of the survey said they would find it difficult to leave Pedders and have high intent to remain in the business, while 81 percent said they are confident they can achieve their career objectives at Pedders. Out of the survey data, 93 percent of people recommend Pedders products to a family member or friend, and almost all considered the customers when making decisions. The Pedders product offering also rated highly
as people within the business noted that they believed the quality of Pedders parts to be of a high standard with a great warranty offer. Overall, while there were some areas of weakness identified, the business has committed to improving in these areas and the bulk of the feedback was extremely positive. Pedders says this data reflects Pedders as a prime location for long-lasting and fulfilling careers in the Australian automotive industry and states the business is proud of the positive culture that exists between Pedders People. For more information, visit www.pedders.com.au
STUDY CONFIRMS SAFETY OF AIR QUALITY IN TRADE FAIR HALLS WITH PROPER VENTILATION The findings may mean that trade fairs can be held safely even during a pandemic With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, events of all kinds were shut down out of safety concerns. It was virtually unheard of for a trade show to be held over the past two years in most regions with health and safety protocols. This was of course due to the belief that when people breathe, they emit aerosols that may include virusinfected particles, which could lead to widespread infections of a crowd in an enclosed space. A study was held in the second half of 2021 to test the air quality during trade shows at the Messe Frankfurt exhibition grounds in Germany, which has sophisticated ventilation systems. The study was conducted by Messe Frankfurt and a team of researchers from the Institute of Building and Indoor Climate Technology, E.ON Energy Research Centre, RWTH Aachen, and Heinz Trox Wissenschaft GmbH. Under the direction of Professor Dirk Müller, contamination levels were measured at three trade fairs, Indoor-Air, Formnext, and Food Ingredients 8
Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
(Fi) Europe. These were held in Halls 3 and 12 at Messe Frankfurt. Measurements were taken in the supply air and exhaust ducts of the ventilation systems, and there were an additional 22 censors in continuous operation during the events positioned at visitor head heights on columns, near aisles and stands, and in adjacent areas. Aerosols are emitted through breathing the same way as CO2, so the concentration of CO2 in the air served as an indicator of contamination of indoor air. The goal is to not exceed a CO2 level of 1,000 ppm or parts per million, as anything above 2,000 ppm is considered hygienically unacceptable. The researchers report that in its study, all CO2 concentrations measured in the study were consistently well under 1,000 ppm, and some were just over 440ppm, which is close to outdoor air quality. They report there was a maximum level of 835 ppm on the day with the highest number of visitors.
“These new study results show that there was good air circulation in all of the halls under examination and at all three events, without any recognisable pockets of uncirculated air,” Messe Frankfurt Member of the Executive Board, Uwe Behm, said. “The concentrations of CO2 at the individual measurement points varied only very marginally from those in the exhaust ducts, meaning that the mix of air is virtually ideal.” Messe Frankfurt says these results are encouraging, indicating that it may well be possible to hold trade fairs safely with additional safety and hygiene measures in place even during a pandemic. For more information and to access a link to the study, see the press section of www.messefrankfurt.com
NEWS
INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY AND MAXIMISE YOUR TAX DEDUCTIONS THIS EOFY Capricorn Finance says it can help
Now is the time to take action on those workshop equipment and tool updates you have needed to modernise your business. Capricorn Members nationwide are encouraged to use the End of Financial Year tax incentive opportunity to ensure that their workshops are up to date with the latest equipment and tool technology. Many Capricorn Members were assisted with End of Financial Year equipment loans in 2021 with the most popular items purchased being hoists, diagnostic scan tools, wheel and tyre service equipment, air compressors and brake lathes. Just as automotive mobility technology has advanced in leaps and bounds across recent years, so has the technology behind automotive workshop equipment, diagnostic scan tools, wheel service equipment, hand tools, powered tools and many more productivity increasing products. The updating of these essential workshop equipment products ensures increased customer capacity to work on more modern vehicles, while state of the art diagnostic equipment also ensures correct and timely parts replacements.
Capricorn Finance says it can ensure that your workshop is equipped for a successful future through increased productivity, revenue and profitability, while also benefitting from the ATO’s Temporary Full Expensing initiative. The end of the financial year is your deadline to maximise the Federal Government’s Temporary Full Expensing taxation incentive for business plant, tool and equipment purchases. Qualifying businesses can immediately claim the business portion of the cost of purchasing or upgrading an eligible asset on their next tax return. Any eligible asset that is first used, held or installed and is ready for use for a taxable purpose before June 30, 2022 can be claimed (for full details, visit the Australian Taxation Office website at www.ato.gov.au). Capricorn Finance says it offers all Members outstanding value with equipment purchase loans, with some Members already advised of their preapproval for loan amounts up to $30,000. Capricorn says any Members who have not received this advice are more than welcome to discuss their options with the friendly Capricorn
Finance team by calling 1800 327 437 or by sending an email to lending@capricorn.coop. “Capricorn understands that upgrading existing equipment or purchasing new equipment can significantly increase a workshop’s capacity and capabilities. Capricorn Finance is available to Members to help them achieve this,” Capricorn Chief Executive Officer Automotive, Bradley Gannon, said. “Capricorn Finance is here to help our Members finance the equipment that they need to build a stronger business.” Capricorn is Australasia’s largest automotive parts and business essentials buying group with more than 23,000 Members located across Australia and New Zealand. For more information, visit www.capricorn.coop
AUSTRALIAN EV DRIVERS PARTICIPATE IN ‘SMART CHARGER’ TRIAL Fast-charging technology could potentially lower energy costs As the demand for electric vehicles (EVs) increases in Australia and across the world, electricity networks are looking to address possible concerns with electric grid capacity.
Part of the trial involves EV car owners plugging in their car during ‘solar soak’ events (sunny days) to help the network operators see how much surplus electricity this requires on this scale.
In this effort, five electricity network businesses – Jemena, AusNet, United Energy, EVOEnergy, and TasNetworks – have launched a 12-month trial of ‘smart chargers.’ These chargers were installed in the homes of more than 160 EV owners in Tasmania, Victoria, and the ACT.
The trial is led by Jemena in partnership with the other four electricity network businesses. It has been co-funded by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) under its Advancing Renewables Program.
The smart chargers on trial charge EVs up to three times faster than standard chargers. They also enable the electricity network operators to dynamically adjust when the vehicle charges. This might be in off-peak times like after midnight or during the day when excess solar energy is available. This should result in lower electricity bills for all consumers while protecting the grid from overload. Through the trial, the consumers will have a chance to try out the smart chargers while the network operators gain a better understanding of how to manage increased demand on the grid.
“It’s clear that energy network businesses need to be ready for an influx of EVs. Through this trial, we are looking at how we can best work with customers to coordinate charging their vehicles at times when there is more capacity in the grid,” Jemena Networks Executive General Manager, Shaun Reardon, said. “As we see the uptake of electric vehicles increase, it’s vital that we better understand the impacts of EV charging from a network perspective and manage the optimum time for consumers to charge their vehicles,” ARENA Chief Executive Officer, Dan Miller, said. “We’re excited to be seeing Jemena’s project
officially begin, and with over 160 customers participating across the ACT, Victoria and Tasmania, we’re looking to gain valuable insights into how network managed EV charging can be positive for both the network providers and the vehicle owner.” For more information about the trial, visit www.evgrid.com.au or arena.gov.au/projects/jemenadynamic-electric-vehicle-charging-trial/ Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
9
NEWS
VIC STATE GOVERNMENT REBATES AVAILABLE
For small businesses for digital systems upgrades and purchases A new round of the Victorian Government’s Small Business Adaption Program is now open. The Small Business Digital Adaptation Program provides $1200 rebates so small businesses can access a range of digital business tools from selected suppliers.
The Victorian Government has partnered with 14 suppliers for website development, online marketing, project management and stocktake tools. Selected suppliers include MYOB, Shopify, Square and Squarespace. To be eligible, businesses must be based in Victoria, have operated since or before 28 March 2021, hold an ABN and be classified as small businesses, micro businesses or sole traders. The program works as follows: • take free product trials and workshops • choose one or more of the digital products • purchase your product and start using it • apply for the rebate to cover up to 12 months of access • if eligible, you will be able to claim $1200. There are only a limited number of rebates, and you will need to pay ongoing costs for the product after the rebate runs out. The product must be purchased from the supplier by 11:59pm on 18 July 2022, or before the program’s funds are exhausted, whichever comes first. For more information, visit www.business.vic.gov.au/grants-and-programs 10
Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
CHANGING COLOURS
In this article, ACA Research says: when it comes to choosing cars, the only constant is change We’ve written over the past few years about the shift from full size sedans to smaller cars, the shift from passenger vehicles to SUVs, the shift from anything to utes, and the coming shift to electric vehicles. These trends reflect the changing nature of the community, with certain styles going in and out of fashion. Another aspect where we see this is in vehicle colours. Looking at NSW government vehicle registration data over time, we can see vehicle purchasers have become more conservative over the past 20 years. Going back to 2001, less than half the vehicles sold were in a neutral colour (white, grey, black and silver), with blue the second most popular colour, and red the third. In fact, at that point in time, black was less popular than gold and maroon (and just ahead of beige). Fast forward to 2021, and almost three in four registered vehicles are neutral, with blue and red making up the bulk of the remainder.
However, this is a case where the percentages don’t necessarily tell the full story. The NSW car parc has increased by around 1.5 million vehicles over this 20-year period, so looking at the absolute number of vehicles is also quite revealing. From this, we can see that some colours (silver and black) grew more strongly between 2001 and 2011, while others (white and grey) have become more popular over the past decade. Interestingly, we can also see that while the proportions have declined, there are similar numbers of both blue and red vehicles registered in NSW today as there were in 2001.
This also highlights the decline in ‘other’ options, with less than half as many registered vehicles in colours outside the top six as in 2001. Looking at the growth in white vehicles (~500k more in 10 years), we can tell there must be factors driving this change beyond just consumer preference. This is where we’d suggest the growing popularity of utes has had the most impact, with around two in five of these vehicles being white (against one in four passenger vehicles).
Over this same period, off-road vehicles have gone from a quarter to a third of the NSW car parc, meaning this equates to almost 300,000 additional white utes coming onto roads within the state. Understanding market trends, and how they might impact the car parc at a more localised level is important for any automotive business. In this case, while the data is from NSW, it can provide an understanding of what might be going on more broadly across the country, helping businesses that are involved in or supply the smash repair sector (as well as general workshops that might be asked to deal with day-to-day dings or scratches) plan their product ranging and volume requirements. This column was prepared for AAA Magazine by ACA Research, the AAAA’s partners in the AAAA Aftermarket Dashboard which is delivered to AAAA members each quarter. For more information, visit www.acaresearch.com.au or contact Ben Selwyn on bselwyn@acaresearch.com.au
NEWS
BURSON AUTO PARTS MANAGERS CONFERENCE A MAJOR SUCCESS The company’s largest ever Store Managers Conference was held across May 2-6 in Melbourne The 2022 Burson Auto Parts Managers Conference marked a triumphant return to major team building events for the company, proving to be an outstanding success across its activity packed fiveday schedule. Conducted under the inspiring theme of “Today’s Actions are Tomorrow’s Legacy,” the 2022 Burson Auto Parts Managers Conference enabled each of the 180 store managers taking part to learn from guest keynote speakers, senior BAPCOR management identities and each other in a completely open and friendly environment. In total, more than 600 people connected, discovered and learned throughout the Burson Store Managers Conference week. Inspiration was found with the conference’s key note speaker, Australian tennis star Jelena Dokic, who addressed the store managers on Monday May 2. Her story outlined the sheer strength that
can be found against repeated adversity, going from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows and emerging stronger as a result. A strongly attended store manager exclusive trade show held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre was held on Wednesday May 4, with a total of 70 valued Burson Auto Parts suppliers enthusiastically taking part in this expo. All of the store managers were also taken on a guided tour of the new BAPCOR Distribution Centre on Thursday May 5, seeing for themselves what 50,000 square metres of state-of-the-art Goods to Person product distribution automation for more than 160,000 SKUs handled on a daily basis looks like. The evening of Thursday May 5 saw the conference venture to Melbourne’s magnificent Crown Palladium Ballroom to celebrate the Australian company’s 50th Anniversary together with the company’s suppliers and their guests. A total of almost 400 guests took part in what was a highly entertaining and enjoyable event, with a highlight being the Burson Auto Parts Store of the Year awards and the introduction of the Burson Auto Parts Hall of Fame Award. The inaugural inductees included the company’s longest serving store manager, Rhonda Kelly, along with outstanding staff mentor and dedicated manager, David Lawrence. An almost four-decade
Burson Auto Parts career saw David Jeffrey honoured, completing the maiden Hall of Fame award recipients. The final day of the conference saw more inspiration from a number of AFL star guest speakers, including Max Gawn, Captain of the Melbourne Football Club; Alex Neal-Bullen, Midfielder, Melbourne Football Club and the Essendon Football Club General Manager, Josh Mahoney. “Everyone really embraced the conference theme of Today’s actions leading to tomorrow’s Legacy, which was very pleasing to see during each of the presentations and keynote addresses of the event,” BAPCOR Trade Executive General Manager, Steve Drummy, said. “I am also delighted to have had so many of our valued supply partners assist with this conference. They are key contributors to the success of Burson Auto Parts and our customers’ businesses.” For more information, visit www.burson.com.au
DAYCO PARTNERS WITH NUVERA To offer comprehensive fuel cell vehicle solutions Dayco, a leading engine products and drive systems manufacturer for the automotive, heavyduty, and industrial market segments, has entered a strategic partnership with Nuvera Fuel Cells, LLC, a manufacturer of heavy-duty, zero-emission fuel cell engines for on and off-road mobility and other applications. This association brings together the best of both companies’ capabilities to design and develop advanced fully integrated fuel cell solutions for a wide range of commercial vehicles, stationary, industrial, and mobile applications. Together, Dayco and Nuvera are developing integrated fuel cell electric power solutions for a sustainable and clean future. Nuvera’s patented controls and flexible applications architecture for fuel cells along with Dayco’s long standing capabilities in propulsion system technologies will improve system performance, robustness, and reliability with highquality assurance and scalability. “Dayco’s energy control management and integration competencies coupled with Nuvera’s
decades of experience in fuel cell technologies will allow us to provide a highly optimised and efficient full zero-emission integrated fuel cell power system for commercial vehicles, industrial, material handling, and off-highway applications with best-in-class performance and durability,” Dayco Executive Vice President of OE Sales and Business Development, Wouter Nijenhuis, said. Compliant with global emission reduction regulations and trends, Dayco acts as a Tier 1 supplier and vehicle integrator to provide optimal vehicle performance and energy management. Dayco says its unique offerings provide advanced zero emission propulsion solutions built around Nuvera’s eighth-generation fuel cell stack technology, integrated into a power system with balance of plant components and embedded controls. “With ever-tightening regulations in the US, Europe, and Asia, there is a critical need for zero emissions power solutions for commercial vehicles in trucking, public transit, and many off-road sectors that meet highly demanding performance
Wouter Nijenhuis
requirements,” Nuvera Chief Executive Officer, Lucien Robroek, said. “Nuvera’s commercially available fuel cell packages deliver high efficiency, reliability, and durability. Coupled with Dayco’s engineering services and automotive componentry, we are providing our customers a direct path to adoption of fuel cell powered vehicles and machinery.” For more from Dayco, visit www.dayco.com Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
13
NEWS
COMMUNITY IMPACT CELEBRATED AT AAAA AWARDS BAPCOR New Zealand was awarded for its innovative community impact program at the recent Australian Auto Aftermarket Excellence Awards The Most Innovative Community Impact Program recognises those in our industry who have made a positive contribution to the community.
to Life Charitable Trust for 12 months by collecting scrap batteries from both the trade as well as the general public to be on sold at scrap value.
Judging focused on the submitted project’s ability to have made a positive difference to the lives of individuals and communities through provision of access to resources or opportunities; improved awareness or education of the community about important issues/encouragement of action on these issues; or improved health or quality of life for both individuals and/or specific communities.
What followed was an overwhelming display of community engagement and support from all corners of the country – key trade partners, nationwide fleet operators and some of New Zealand’s most known brands such as Fonterra, Auto Super Shoppes, Midas, Hirepool and Burnsco Marine all pledged their support to either donate scrap batteries, or to become battery drop off locations for members of the public.
A number of entries were considered by the judging panel, who made the decision to reward BAPCOR New Zealand for its Gumboot Friday Scrap Battery Collection Campaign. The Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association sends its congratulations to BAPCOR New Zealand on its award win, and to entrants GPC Asia Pacific, REDARC Electronics and Safe Drive Training (Australia) for their quality submissions.
BAPCOR New Zealand, Gumboot Friday Scrap Battery Collection Campaign In November 2021, Bapcor New Zealand launched a nationwide campaign to raise well needed funds for “Gumboot Friday,” an initiative by The Key to Life Charitable Trust, a fundraising and advocacy organisation, which supports young people who are struggling with their mental health, connecting young people with counsellors or therapists and provide funding, so that kids get help as soon as they need it. Led by Craig Fowler (National Business Manager, HCB Technologies) and supported by all BAPCOR New Zealand’s business units; BNT, HCB Technologies, Autolign, Battery Town, The Shock Shop and Precision Equipment – an ambitious goal was set to raise enough money to fund the equivalent of one full time counsellor for The Key
Backed by a well-crafted radio and social media strategy, it quickly became apparent that momentum would only be limited by the physical capacity to handle the large volumes of batteries flooding in. While Craig Fowler was certainly the creative driving force of what became a viral campaign, his nationwide sales team at HCB Technologies was tasked with the rollout and mammoth logistical task of collecting and centralising the scrap collected; an all-consuming project that ran over a three-week period. The conclusion of the campaign saw the BAPCOR’s Auckland Airport DC nearly filled to the brim with over 200,000kg of scrap batteries, ultimately worth $210,000, and to be donated to The Key to Life Charitable Trust to provide the equivalent of three full time counsellors for 12 months, specifically supporting young people from five to 24 years of age. Importantly, 100 percent of all funds raised have gone into counselling sessions, so everything raised will end up directly helping the people who reach out and need it most. The willingness of BAPCOR team members, as well as its customers, to be involved and back
the success of the Gumboot Friday effort is to be commended, with many making generous personal donations to the cause and coming up with their own innovative ways to engender support from within their own communities. As well as being able to directly benefit the lives of young people in need, this campaign has had an unintended environmental impact, by ensuring 200 tonnes of batteries have been responsibly recycled and have not ended up in land fill. “This is an awesome initiative, particularly with Covid forcing event cancellations in Auckland, Northland and the Waikato,” The Key to Life Charitable Trust’s Mike King said. “BAPCOR are not only helping reduce environmental waste by encouraging people to bring in their used batteries, but they are also helping our kids when they most need it, by generously contributing 100 percent of the proceedings to Gumboot Friday.” With over 6000 hours of counselling provided and 15,000 batteries disposed of responsibly, the measure of success could be left there – it would be hard to disagree, but BAPCOR New Zealand says the fact that an industry was united to help a cause greater than itself must be mentioned and should have people asking, “what can we do next?” For more from BAPCOR New Zealand, visit www.bapcor.co.nz
14
Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
NEWS
INNOVATIVE EMPLOYMENT ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS RECOGNISED As part of the Australian Auto Aftermarket Excellence Awards, mycar was awarded with the Excellence in Employee Engagement and Wellbeing Award The Excellence in Employee Engagement and Wellbeing Award recognises excellence in engaging with employees, demonstrating new approaches to finding good employees or supporting the recruitment of new employees into our industry by embracing diversity in recruitment, or initiating innovative worker wellness or safety programs A number of entries were received for consideration by the judging panel, but ultimately it was mycar which took out the prize for its School Based Apprenticeships and National Work Experience Program. The Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association sends its congratulations to mycar and to entrants Pedders Suspension and Brakes, AutoKeepers, CoolDrive Auto Parts, REDARC Electronics and Ryco Group Ltd for their submissions.
mycar, School Based Apprenticeships and National Work Experience Program With over 1,400 employees nationally, mycar is one of the largest employers in the automotive service and repair industry and it says it is also the largest single employer of Apprentice Automotive Technicians in Australia. mycar says as the industry continues to grow and with the COVID restraints of the past two years, it found itself in a greater skills shortage and forced to look outside the box in order to keep its talent pipeline growing. Its first initiative was the launch of School Based Apprenticeships (SBA) in conjunction with education providers including CathWest Innovation College. SBA allow senior high school students to commence an apprenticeship while at school. School based apprentices work part-time and undertake the first stage of their apprenticeship training before the end of the HSC year.
Both the on-the-job and off-the-job training undertaken by school based apprentices can contribute to their HSC. School based apprentices will commence full-time employment as a second year apprentice from January after their HSC, providing that they have successfully completed both their on-the-job and off-the-job training program during their senior high school years. A school-based apprenticeship combines paid work, training, school as well as an industry recognised national qualification credit towards the HSC. They are a great way to establish the career whilst you are completing your HSC. mycar launched its SBA program in New South Wales and has since expanded it to include Victoria and Queensland. Since launching it has received enquiries from more than 50 schools. mycar says it has been so pleased by the success of this program and how well it has been received by participants, that it plans to open the initiative to other states in the coming year. Since implementing the program in 2020, one School Based Apprentice has successfully commenced his apprenticeship with mycar and the company has significantly expanded the program, with 22 SBAs currently supported – a number which equates to six percent of all apprentices working nationally with mycar, and which mycar expects to grow year on year. mycar’s second initiative is a national work experience program. The purpose of work experience is to provide students with a high-level understanding of what an Apprentice Technician at mycar is all about. During work experience a variety of activities will be completed, which will enable the work experience participant to understand what is involved in being a team member at mycar. It is designed to cover key tasks that will make them feel welcomed, comfortable and safe in their new environment. The work experience will consist of workshop and office-based experiences and will be always supervised by a qualified Technician. The work experience initiative benefits candidates by encouraging students to get a taste of their career, allowing them an inside look at what a career with mycar involves. They can determine whether their love of tinkering with cars, solving problems and taking pride in quality work can progress to the next level. This helps them to make an informed decision about an automotive career. To support these initiatives, mycar conducted an internal review of its team member roles to
16
Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
determine which aspects of the recruitment process and the apprentice role they found interesting and identified different ways of attracting potential mycar team members. This identified both short- and long-term strategies to improve mycar’s employer brand and become an employer of choice in the automotive industry. Short term, it updated its recruitment collateral including Seek ads, imagery and the mycar career pathway. Long term, mycar has developed career videos for each position featuring mycar team members, which are now live on its Seek ads to show candidates what mycar is all about and why they should join. mycar has also updated its careers page on its website, to improve candidate traffic and attract more potential team members to the business. To appeal to students who are a younger demographic, mycar also launched a social media campaign aimed at recruiting new mycar team members and previous mycar team members. To enable mycar to engage directly with students and schools, mycar also partnered with Explore Careers to gain exposure to over 2800 schools and 1.8 million students. This provided mycar with the ability to communicate our recruitment message directly to students. To learn more about mycar, visit www.mycar.com.au
NEWS
MESSE FRANKFURT RESCHEDULES SHOWS CAPAS 2022 and Auto Maintenance & Repair Expo 2022 have been postponed In view of the evolving pandemic situation in China, the Government has escalated a number of COVID-19 prevention and control measures. To align with these efforts, Messe Frankfurt has rescheduled two of its Mobility and Logistics fairs in the country. CAPAS Chengdu, which was scheduled to be held in May, has now been moved to 18 – 20 August 2022. In addition, the Auto Maintenance and Repair Expo (AMR) will be held in Tianjin from 23 – 26 March 2023 (instead of its original May date). “CAPAS and AMR are both benchmark business platforms for the automotive industry across Southwest China and the Jing-jin-ji region, respectively,” Messe Frankfurt Group Member of the Board of Management, Stephan Buurma, said. “Therefore, it is important that we continue to support the Government’s direction in stemming the spread of COVID-19. “Furthermore, the health and safety of our exhibitors, visitors and other participants are always our top priorities. And so, as a result of careful discussions with stakeholders, we have
decided to reschedule both exhibitions to help maximise onsite experiences for all.” In the upcoming months, the two fairs will carry on planning and preparing pre-show events and activities that maintain market momentum ahead of the physical fairs. CAPAS will deliver a wide range of extended services like online seminars, online business matching, industry research, repair workshop visits and roadshows that offer more far-reaching and effective trading resources for players in the region. Meanwhile, leading up to the 2023 show dates, AMR will continue to offer AMR Online business matching services and organise a range of industry activities to maintain market momentum in the auto aftermarket. Mindful of the COVID-19 outbreak, the organisers will establish appropriate safety parameters to support the wellbeing of all those at the shows. The implementation of these measures is to ensure the exhibition remains a secure platform for business. Exhibitors or visitors with enquiries about CAPAS
should contact the organisers by email on auto@hongkong.messefrankfurt.com Updates can also be found on the show’s website: www.capas-chengdu.com For questions related to AMR, please contact Messe Frankfurt Traders-Link (Beijing) Co Ltd, +86 10 8471 9815 / amr@china.messefrankfurt.com or visit the show’s website at www.amr-china.cn to receive the latest show information. CAPAS and AMR are two of approximately 40 fairs in Messe Frankfurt’s global Mobility and Logistics portfolio. For more details about other events, please go to www.mobility-logistics.messefrankfurt.com
DAVID MCCLURG RETIRES
David has enjoyed an outstanding 37-year career in the automotive aftermarket Dayco Australia Sales and Marketing Director, David McClurg, has announced his retirement following an outstanding career spanning almost four decades in the Australian automotive aftermarket industry. David made the move into the automotive aftermarket industry after working at Cadbury Schweppes as a Product Planner. He joined Denso Australia in 1985, also as a Product Planner, before being promoted after three years to the position of Product Manager for the Denso Replacement / Aftermarket Radiator range. After 11 years with Denso, David was recruited by Dayco Australia as the company’s Product Manager, overseeing the company’s entire Australian and New Zealand aftermarket product range. He was promoted to Sales and Business Manager at Dayco after one year, overseeing a period of outstanding success for the local arm of this leading global automotive component manufacturer. David became Dayco Australia and New Zealand Sales and Marketing Director 15 years ago and has been pivotal in replacing and growing the company’s lost OE sales (when the big three car manufacturers ceased Australian manufacturing) with an aftermarket sales focus. He developed
a program of constant Dayco product range expansions, including the introduction of product kits to make mechanics’ jobs easier, when no others in the industry were doing this. David also oversaw the company’s immensely successful online catalogue, which was introduced long before it became the industry norm to do so. He was also responsible for the introduction of several new and high-quality non-core aftermarket products to the company’s local range which now represent more than 10 percent of the company’s aftermarket sales in the region. He also established Dayco’s highly successful motorsport marketing program and oversaw the design and presentation of several Dayco trade media advertisements, the company’s successful local and international trade media PR program and its award-winning trade show stands and attractions. “David brought enthusiasm, dedication and acute industry knowledge to his management roles at Dayco. He has been a mainstay at every industry trade event and international trade fair event during his remarkable close to four-decade automotive aftermarket industry career,” Dayco Vice President - Aftermarket South East Asia, Arnold Mouw, said.
David McClurg (centre) with Arnold Mouw and Andrew Schram.
“We will miss him greatly from our team and we all wish David an enjoyable transition to retirement after having contributed so much to our company and to our industry for so long.” According to David, it has been a very rewarding career. “I have met and worked with some great people along the journey, and I have enjoyed spending close to four decades in the automotive aftermarket industry. Most of my career has been with Dayco and I’m thankful for the opportunities that I was given to broaden my career with the company. I’m very proud of what we have been able to achieve together,” David said. For more from Dayco, visit www.dayco.com Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
17
NEWS
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY PRESENTATION A WINNER FOR BAPCOR TRADE International Women’s Day was more than just a token event for the trade division of BAPCOR To ensure that International Women’s Day on Tuesday the 8th of March was a day that celebrated and encouraged the ever-increasing numbers of women who are working in the automotive industry, BAPCOR – which says it is Australasia’s largest automotive aftermarket specialised company – hosted a special International Women’s Day presentation and panel discussion event. Held at BAPCOR’s new Mount Waverley (Victoria) headquarters and web streamed to BAPCOR Trade colleagues nationwide, the company welcomed Lisa Entwisle, highly accomplished “Wellthy Living” program developer, motivational speaker and writer to host a very special in-house panel discussion titled “Are men still hogging the wheel?”
Joining Lisa in this highly informative panel discussion was Burson Trade Executive General Manager Steve Drummy, accompanied by BAPCOR Trade Regional Manager, Kristi Lancaster; BAPCOR Special Mechanical Division Marketing Manager, Lisa Esposito; and Burson Auto Parts Marketing Programs Manager, Fiona Gotas. This highly interesting group discussion left few stones unturned relating to the often-misunderstood consequences of gender bias, female stereotyping and a number of other challenges faced by women seeking to establish strong and rewarding careers in this traditionally patriarchal industry. “I commend BAPCOR Trade on taking the initiative to have this very important discussion on International Women’s Day and for the many staff members who took part in person or online,” Lisa Entwisle said. “It is through open discussions like these that gender barriers are broken down, true understanding takes place and as a result the company achieves great things as a strong, cohesive, empathetic and diverse organisation.” “The open honesty of all who took part to share their experiences and learnings during this discussion made it a truly remarkable event,” BAPCOR Trade
Executive General Manager, Steve Drummy, said. “It was an honour to have played a part in it and while we didn’t come up with all of the answers, this was a major step forward in ensuring that BAPCOR Trade is an employer of choice for women seeking to join our constantly growing and changing automotive industry.” “This event clearly displayed that we work with a company that is truly embracing the change on diversity and inclusion for women but also for men,” Burson Auto Parts Marketing Programs Manager, Fiona Gotas, said “It provided a safe space for us to share honest personal and professional experiences and I am sure that everyone who took part came away with a number of learnings and new perspectives.” For more from BAPCOR, visit www.BAPCOR.com.au
INQUIRY INTO ROAD SAFETY FINAL REPORT COMPLETED The Joint Select Committee on Road Safety has many recommendations for improving road safety The Joint Select Committee on Road Safety has tabled the final report for its Inquiry into Road Safety. The aim of the report is to examine factors related to fatalities and serious injuries on Australian roads. The scope of the report also includes possible opportunities to improve road safety outcomes. There are a total of 61 recommended measures included in the report. These suggestions include constructing and maintaining high-quality road infrastructure. The report also recommends educating road users on road safety risks, managing speeds to safe levels, encouraging the uptake of modern vehicles with safety features, and contributing to effective postcrash response and trauma support. The report points out the importance of highquality research and the use of reliable data to adequately understand the road safety environment and how to improve safety measures.
whether as victims of a road crash or as family members, friends, first responders, or members of the wider community,” Committee Chair, the Honourable Darren Chester MP, said.
“Road trauma touches the lives of all Australians,
“As this report coincides with the federal Budget,
18
Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
“The causes of road trauma are complex and demand innovative solutions supported by strong leadership, reliable, accurate data, and highquality research. “The committee’s report outlines a series of measures that may be taken to improve road safety in the short term, while also highlighting some of the steps that should be taken if we are to achieve sustainable reductions in road trauma into the future. “While the committee’s report outlines several areas where road safety can be enhanced, what is crucial is that governments at all levels take responsibility for reducing fatal and serious injuries on our roads, including implementing as a matter of urgency recommendations of this and other inquiries.
the committee also calls on the Government to invest in safety for all Australians by committing sustainable funding to measures which reduce deaths and serious injuries on our roads.” The committee wishes to thank all who contributed to the inquiry by lodging submissions, expressing their views, or providing evidence at hearings or additional information. The report is available on the committee’s website at www.aph.gov.au
NEWS
ELECTRIFICATION EXPERT PANEL FOR VASA WIRE & GAS 2022 Australasia’s automotive aftermarket has questions about what vehicle electrification means for the industry
This year’s VASA Wire & Gas convention has assembled a panel of experts to provide the answers from almost every angle. One thing is certain: for those who rise to the challenge, the hybrid and electric vehicle revolution that was demonstrated to be already in full swing at the recent Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo provides plenty of opportunities, not to mention a bright future for those starting out in the industry. Among the panel for VASA Wire & Gas are people who embraced electrification early and have already built a track record of success in Australia and overseas, from building charging infrastructure to carrying out electric conversions on existing vehicles to specialising in the maintenance and repair of hybrid and electric vehicles. Confirmed panel participants include JET Charge Chief Executive Officer and Chargefox Director, Tim Washington; REDARC Electronics Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Anthony Kittel; Jaunt Motors Chief Executive Officer, Dave Budge; and US-based workshop owner turned world-renowned hybrid and EV repair expert, Craig Van Batenburg.
VASA is Australasia’s trade association for specialists in auto air-conditioning, electrical and thermal management, disciplines that are converging and ideally placed to benefit as electrification becomes increasingly mainstream across everything from passenger cars to heavy vehicles and earthmoving equipment. More Wire & Gas panel participants and expert speakers will be announced ahead of the event, which will take place from July 29-31 at the lavishly refurbished JW Marriott Gold Coast and landmark VASA HQ/SuperTest facility in Ormeau, Queensland. To book tickets, accommodation and for more event information, visit www.vasa.org.au/wg2022
BENDIX PARTNERS WITH OUTBACK CLEANUPS AUSTRALIA The charity has already removed 61-plus tonnes of rubbish from our environment Bendix has partnered with Outback Cleanups Australia, a registered not-for-profit charity dedicated to removing rubbish from Australia’s remote coastal areas, bushlands and marine environments. Outback Cleanups Australia founder Boe Langford established the organisation in 2019 and together with his partner Kimberley Baraiolo, the couple
travel across the country in their 75 Series Toyota LandCruiser on their journey to clean up Australia and help preserve its unique and stunning landscape for future generations. With over 61 tonnes of rubbish and counting removed since its inception, the Outback Cleanups team show no signs of slowing down. Bendix is now fully committed as an official partner and is proud to be supporting Outback Cleanups Australia on its mission to preserve our country’s beautiful environment, by not only helping them continue their travels, but also by spreading awareness about the important work that they do. “We are happy to be supporting such a great cause with Outback Cleanups Australia, along with a host of other environmental initiatives – it’s an important part of our program and further strengthens our position as a strong environmentally conscious company,” FMP Group (Australia) Pty Ltd (Bendix) General Manager, George Kyriakopoulos, said. “OCA is excited to have an Australian business
such as Bendix on board as a partner, there is no doubt that their product is fantastic, especially for us and our setup. We are very excited for this partnership,” Outback Cleanups Australia’s Kimberley Baraiolo said. To learn more about Outback Cleanups Australia, visit www.outbackcleanupsaustralia.com For more information about Bendix, visit www.bendix.com.au Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
19
NEWS
PARTLY APPOINTS RENOWNED CSO Tony Ausin is joining the company
Partly, the parts technology company providing digital cataloguing infrastructure for ecommerce, has appointed Kiwi Tony Austin as Chief Strategy Officer, off the back of its successful pre-Series A capital raise of NZ$3.7 million last year. As CSO for Partly, Tony’s key focuses include spearheading the business strategy, cultivating rapid growth and global scale, as well as helping to upskill and mentor the Partly team. He will also take on the title of Co-Founder, being one of Partly’s founding investors back in 2020. Joining Partly represents a return to the Automotive industry for Tony, with automotive experience spaning a variety of countries and segments, including Category Manager at Repco, Head of Motors at eBay UK – where he led eBay Motors to be the largest automotive player in the global Vehicle Parts and Accessory space – and head of Amazon Automotive’s European division, responsible for enabling many of the OE vehicle Manufacturer’s e-commerce thinking and capabilities. Tony joins Partly from global ecommerce giant,
Amazon, where he worked for more than six years across Europe and Australia, most recently as the latter’s Country Manager of Amazon Global Store and General Manager of Cross Border Businesses. Tony was a key driver in establishing and growing Amazon’s brand presence in the Australian and NZ markets. “It was clear from the beginning that Partly’s approach was truly revolutionary,” Tony said. “I’ve witnessed first-hand how inadequate automotive parts cataloguing is holistically, and how it impacts millions of automotive parts buyers and fitters globally, every second of every day.” This appointment of a CSO role follows Partly’s ongoing record of success, having reached a NZD$50 million pre-Series A valuation after raising NZD$3.7 million in venture capital. Partly is a leading technology company with a mission to organise the world’s parts. It works with manufacturers, distributors and resellers to standardise auto part data and ensure this can be utilised online, especially for ecommerce.
Partly provides online tools, infrastructure and APIs enabling businesses to sell more parts with the right data. Founded in Christchurch, New Zealand, Partly is used in over 25 countries by thousands of businesses, from small companies to large enterprises, to add fitment, check interchanges and manage parts online. For more information, visit www.partly.com
BRIDGESTONE MAINTAINS MOST TRUSTED TYRE BRAND STATUS The company has claimed the Readers’ Digest Most Trusted accolade for a ninth straight year Australian and New Zealand motorists have once again put their confidence in Bridgestone, confirmed by another victory in the tyre category of the coveted Reader’s Digest Most Trusted Brands survey. Bridgestone claimed the title of Australia’s Most Trusted Tyre Brand for the ninth straight year – maintaining its unblemished record since the tyre category was introduced in 2014. The title of New Zealand’s Most Trusted Tyre Brand went to Bridgestone for the sixth year in a row, with the Firestone brand also retaining ‘Highly Commended’ status. Since the tyre category was introduced in NZ in 2015, Bridgestone and Firestone are the only
brands to have won the accolade, with Firestone winning the first two years and Bridgestone every year since. While the brand’s reputation has been built on its acclaimed products and service, Bridgestone Australia and New Zealand Managing Director, Heath Barclay, believes that the company’s ambition for innovation and its community support are also driving factors behind the years of maintaining trust across both markets. “We’re honoured to be named both Australia’s and New Zealand’s Most Trusted Tyre Brand again in 2022. Bridgestone places great importance on not just providing safe and reliable tyres, but also playing a role in creating value for our customers and society through innovation and community support,” Heath said. “We’re proud of our achievements and the trust we’ve built, and we’re excited for our future as we continue to innovate and provide even more reasons for motorists to continue to put their trust in Bridgestone.” Bridgestone continues to invest in the future of sustainable mobility not only through its own product development, but through its continued support of a range of community led initiatives such as the RYDA road safety education program in both countries, the global Bridgestone World
20
Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
Solar Challenge partnership, support of the EVolocity schools program in New Zealand, and ongoing partnerships with the Leukaemia Foundation in Australia and Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand. “The results of the leading consumer brands survey has once again revealed the vital role trust has in helping customers decide which brand to purchase,” Reader’s Digest Magazine Editor-inChief, Louise Waterson, said. “Bridgestone enjoys an enviable position – their customers know Bridgestone tyres are value-for-money, reliable and above all, safe. Congratulations!” Bridgestone also won Reader’s Digest’s Quality Service Awards for tyre retailers last year in both countries. For more from Bridgestone, visit www.bridgestone.com.au
NEWS
COOLDRIVE AND FAMILY BUSINESS AUSTRALIA COME TOGETHER In conjunction with Family Business Australia, CoolDrive Auto Parts recently hosted a “Meet the Owners” event at its Head Office in Box Hill In attendance were fellow Victorian Family Business Australia members, who experienced the inner workings of CoolDrive Auto Parts, which included a guided tour of the Head Office and the adjacent Blanchard Racing Team workshop, which had the CoolDrive Racing Supercar on full display. The networking event also included a Q&A session with CoolDrive Auto Parts Chief Executive Officer John Blanchard and Chief Operating Officer Tim Blanchard, who discussed the history and future of the business, and the importance of family involvement. From humble beginnings to now being recognised as Australasia’s preferred automotive parts distributor, CoolDrive continues to stay true to its family roots, with the tradition of generations of the Blanchard family continuing to drive the business. And at its core is the company’s ties to motorsport.
“Motorsport is in the DNA of the Blanchard family for decades, and has subsequently been a perfect complement for the development and growth of CoolDrive Auto Parts since 1977,” John Blanchard said. “It engages our staff, suppliers and customers, and bringing the Blanchard Racing Team to life has been the natural next step in that evolution. “For CoolDrive as a whole, there are a lot of great parallels between the competition of motorsport and the operation of a growing family business. “From a culture perspective, we have recently implemented some core values relating to working
together, caring for each other and our business partners, embracing change, acting fairly, and aiming to inspire. “We are proud to have developed from very humble beginnings to be a major player in the market, and we are looking forward to continuing the journey.” The event hosted at CoolDrive was part of Family Business Australia’s ‘Meet the Owners’ series which gives members exclusive access into the workings of the diverse family business sector in Australia. For further information on CoolDrive Auto Parts, visit www.cooldrive.com.au
FEDERAL BATTERIES GETS BEHIND POWER CHAIR TEAM A number of donations are powering the Western Sydney Wanderers Football Club Power Chair Team Federal Batteries has thrown significant support behind the players of the Western Sydney Wanderers Football Club Power Chair Team, giving them the power to keep playing.
Championships held at Sydney Olympic Park in late April.
Powerchair football is a modified version of football (soccer) for electric wheelchair users and is played in over 30 countries. Foot guards fitted to the modified chairs are used to knock the ball to teammates and the goal.
“We wanted to make a substantial difference. Federal Batteries’ focus is about providing the best power solutions for work, life and play – so this is a great fit for us,” John said.
John said he hoped the donation was the beginning of a continuing partnership with the club.
Twenty batteries, enough to power ten chairs for the team, have been donated by Federal Batteries.
WSW FC Power Chair midfielder, Ben Keyte, said the yellow-tops Optima batteries were supplied to the whole squad.
“It was more than a donation; it was to facilitate the happiness and value that this game brings to the players, their carers and support teams,” Federal Batteries Regional Manager, John Collyer, Regional Manager, said.
“Thanks to Federal for supplying these batteries, which is a massive financial cost, plus several fast chargers. As it is essential between the matches, we charge our chairs and be back to 100 percent power before kick-off,” Ben said.
commercial, and industrial customers across the nation for over 30 years.
Federal Batteries also supplied four fast chargers to keep the team playing during tournaments.
“It (the batteries donation) takes the financial burden off the players and families. Normally it takes a set of batteries in these sports chairs, costing roughly $700 to $800, so it can be quite expensive.
It provides energy and storage solutions for a wide range of applications including automotive, marine, caravan and RV, truck and heavy transport, electric vehicles, and personal mobility devices.
“All these extra expenses of having a child or person with a disability that they’re supporting, so to have Federal Batteries come in and take that financial load off us and help us and the club is amazing, and we really appreciate it.”
Federal Batteries is part of BAPCOR Limited, which says it is Australasia’s leading provider of automotive aftermarket parts, accessories, automotive equipment, and services.
“This is more than sport for the participants, this is their social life and opportunity to compete and participate in a team environment. It was great to see everyone getting out there, men, women and children competing and enjoying the game,” John said. The batteries were supplied just in time to help the club prepare for and compete in the weeklong Australian Power Chair Football National
Federal Batteries has been servicing automotive,
For more from Federal Batteries, visit www.federalbatteries.com.au Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
21
NEWS
BOSCH HOLDS SUCCESSFUL NETWORKING EVENTS The company was pleased to hold two highly successful events following the last two years The 2022 Bosch Car Service (BCS) Conference was held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Melbourne across the 7th and 8th of April. It was a great success with over 130 delegates in attendance, comprising of 100 BCS, service partners and Bosch personnel. Themed “Car Service #LikeABosch”, BCS members were introduced to the latest BCS consumer marketing campaign at the conference. According to internet meme culture, when mastering a task easily, it makes you feel “Like a Boss.” Taking example of this online hype, Bosch transformed this saying into “Like a Bosch.” Over the last few years, the message (via videos), has highlighted the innovative benefits of intelligent Bosch products and has communicated that through connected solutions and premium manufacturing quality, anyone can live the smartest life – being at home, on the road, and in a professional environment. The first #LikeABosch video in the series alone had more than 23 million views, making it the fifth most successful ad on YouTube in 2019 – worldwide. Fast forward to today, the most recent video to be added to the #LikeABosch series is related to car servicing by Bosch Car Service. The BCS conference networking event began with a casual welcome cocktail function on the Thursday evening, where BCS members from all over Australia were able to gather for the first time in two years. The following day, the MC (John Deeks or “Deeksie” as he is widely known), navigated through a packed conference schedule featuring presentations from Automotive Aftermarket industry professionals including Bosch, Capricorn, and the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association, just to name a few. The conference also coincided with the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Expo (AAAE), which conference delegates had the opportunity to visit on the Friday afternoon. The AAAE showcased the latest vehicle repair and service equipment, parts, tools and accessories, new technology and trends, plus a comprehensive
22
Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
training and education program. The largest event to focus on the Automotive Aftermarket in Australia and New Zealand, it was also the very first occasion since 2019 to interact face to face with other mechanical workshops on this scale. The Bosch 6m x 13m stand showcased the full range of parts (including Batteries, Brake Pads, Spark Plugs and Wiper Blades), Technical Training Programs, Bosch Car Service, and the latest equipment such as the Bosch DAS 3000 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems Calibration Unit, KTS 250 Diagnostic Tool and the ACS 753 – Premium Air Conditioning Service Unit. A 2021 Porsche Taycan Turbo S EV from Porsche Centre Brighton was also setup on the stand to demonstrate the Bosch DAS 3000 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems Calibration Unit. Visitors to the stand also had the chance to win a Bosch powered Cube eBike. With the theme ’The Workshop of the Future is Here,’ and the introduction of new initiatives and features, Bosch had equipment setup on the event’s “Workshop of the Future” stand where Bosch Senior Automotive Technical Trainer, Darren Todd, provided a very well received presentation on the topic of “Working with ADAS Technology – Covering Vehicle Calibration.” After the visit to the exhibition, it was time to glam up for the 2022 BCS Gala Awards Dinner at the Mayview Ballroom back at the Grand Hyatt Hotel. The special evening, with the amazing “Effie” as MC for the evening, was a night to remember. BCS members came together to celebrate a belated 100 years of Bosch Service (marked in 2021), and to recognise individual achievements and company success. Awards were presented to members who received 100 percent in their BCS Service Quality Assessments (Audits and Mystery Tests) in 2020/2021 and to members for their long-term service within the network. Bosch was also proud to recognise 57 BCS workshops who have been with the Bosch Service Network for over 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 plus years. These members were congratulated and
Ken Ringrose from United Fuel Injection (WA) with Engin Buyukbalbak, Head of Sales, Workshop Concepts & Services – Asia Pacific Southeast (on the left) and Angelo Di Lizio, Bosch Franchise & Operations Manager – Oceania
recognised for their loyalty, contributions, and commitments to the network. A humble Ken Ringrose from United Fuel Injection from WA thanked Bosch for his 40-year service award in person on the night; and Tony’s Auto Electrics from Queensland, (whose team unfortunately could not attend the conference) was also acknowledged for its 50 years within the network. Bosch Automotive Aftermarket General Manager, Michael Werle, highlighted that the BCS conference and the AAAE were inspirational events, to be physically connected again with customers, partners, and associates as an industry. Overall, the week of Bosch Automotive Aftermarket networking events received a lot of attention and positive feedback from BCS members and AAAE visitors alike. Bosch says it looks forward to the next large scale networking opportunities which will occur in 2023 for the BCS network of worldclass workshops and the AAAE in 2024. For more information about the BCS network and to watch the new Car Service #LikeABosch video, visit www.boschcarservice.com.au
COVER STORY
ZF: A PACESETTER FOR NEXT GENERATION MOBILITY Long viewed as a powerhouse in the global automotive industry, ZF continues to go from strength to strength on both a global scale and here in Oceania A global technology company, ZF supplies systems and components not just for passenger cars, but a whole gamut of vehicles including commercial vehicles and industrial/off highway to enable the next generation of mobility. In spite of the challenges of recent years, ZF Group recently confirmed it had achieved its financial goals in 2021, exceeding both sales and earnings targets. This has enabled the company to continue to make investments towards its strategic orientation and focus on the future of mobility – including its highest ever spend on research and development. “Our Next Generation Mobility strategy underpins all that we do at ZF – that is to focus on developing and delivering technology solutions to make cars, commercial vehicles and other automotive see, think and act in order to reduce emissions and increase road safety,” Head of ZF in Oceania, Mark Lowe, said. As a division of the ZF Group, ZF Aftermarket says it ensures that ZF’s world-leading OE expertise, knowledge and innovation is consistently carried forward into the aftermarket. A €3 billion business (approximately 4.5 billion AUD), ZF Aftermarket is the second largest aftermarket organisation in the world, employing 9,000 people in more than 120 locations across 40 countries. “ZF Aftermarket really is an architect and pacesetter for the Next Generation Aftermarket,” Mark said. “Backed by industry-leading, forward-thinking research and development, ZF Aftermarket defines and embraces the latest technology to ensure the aftermarket is futureproofed. “ZF Aftermarket benefits from more than 100 years of innovation, technology, expertise and experience in developing OE quality parts; and welcomes the opportunity to combine mechanical and digital technologies to change the world for the better.”
ZF: a family of brands ZF says it has long been regarded as one of the world’s leading suppliers in the automotive aftermarket. It states that its brand portfolio is unmatched, 24
Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
with an impressive range of driveline, chassis, steering and braking components from its primary premium brands – ZF, LEMFÖRDER, SACHS, TRW and most recently, WABCO. ZF’s automotive transmissions are fitted as original equipment to many passenger cars, supported by a range of genuine spare parts for service and repair. ZF also offers its original equipment transmission lubricants range as an aftermarket product called ZF-Lifeguardfluid. ZF Aftermarket states that its LEMFÖRDER brand is considered one of the top brands in steering and suspension components, and is utilised as original equipment fitments by more than 50 vehicle manufacturers worldwide. Another brand in ZF Aftermarket’s portfolio is SACHS, with premium grade clutches and shock absorbers, including a standalone shock absorber range for four-wheel-drives, off-road and utility vehicles – SACHS MAX.
Head of ZF in Oceania, Mark Lowe
The local TRW brake program from ZF in Oceania offers more than 9,000 part numbers, for products including brake pads and discs, as well as companion items like brake hoses, brake fluid, brake grease and brake cleaner. The newest member of the ZF family is WABCO, with its passenger car offering including electronically controlled air suspension (ECAS) and vacuum pump for diesel and gasoline engines.
COVER STORY and hybrid vehicles, including LEMFÖRDER steering and suspension components, SACHS shock absorbers and clutches, and TRW brakes. Of particular note, is the TRW Electric Blue brake pad which is the world’s first aftermarket brake pad for electric and hybrid vehicles. A true OE alternative, the TRW Electric Blue creates less noise and vibration, making it of particular benefit to these sorts of vehicles. ZF also manufactures TRW brake pads using “Powder Adhesive Technology,” which is a dry powder coating adhesive applied to the carrier plate as opposed to a solvent-based adhesive. As a result, ZF estimates that more than 150 tonnes of solvents are saved each year.
ZF in Oceania In 2022, ZF marks 35 years servicing the Australian, New Zealand and the entire Oceania region.
Sustainability and remanufacturing With its products, ZF contributes to reducing emissions, protecting the climate and enhancing safe mobility – all while striving to be climateneutral by 2040. ZF has reaffirmed its continued commitment to remanufacturing, which enables the company to significantly reduce C02 emissions.
In 2020 alone, ZF reduced its global C02 emissions by an estimated 12,444 tonnes and realised an estimated energy savings of 8,740,000 kWh through its remanufacturing processes (when measured against the production of the same quantity of new parts). Throughout its aftermarket product portfolio, ZF offers many products which are suitable for electric
From its small beginnings with one office and five employees, ZF in Oceania now counts over 70 employees and multiple distribution hubs across Australia and New Zealand – while being based out of its headquarters in Blacktown, NSW. A preferred partner for customers across the region, ZF continues to evolve and adapt its offerings to improve the mobility experience for everyone. “Our recipe for success is a combination of our strong customer focus, service presence where our customers need it and a growing product and service portfolio, which caters for the latest trends in e-mobility and digital solutions,” Mark said. “As part of our commitment, we are proud to have recently launched the ZF [pro]Tech program locally, to assist workshops in getting jobs done perfectly and efficiently each and every time.” Providing access to an online portal and content hub, ZF [pro]Tech includes vehicle-specific mounting instructions for LEMFÖRDER, SACHS and TRW products, an online parts catalogue, installation and product expert advice, and much more. ZF’s expertise is also highlighted in its current “Tech Experts” campaign which focuses on the faces within its Oceania business. Featuring 10 local ZF product and technical experts – who hold more than 100 years combined hands-on experience with ZF and its brands – the Tech Experts campaign effectively highlights the industry know-how and experience of the local team. For further information on ZF in Oceania, and its brands and services, visit www.zf.com.au or call 1800 ZF SALES (1800 93 72537).
Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
25
PRODUCT R&D
NEW TRAINING ALLOWS WORKSHOPS TO REAP THE REWARDS OF BILSTEIN’S R&D Bilstein is using its experience and extensive research and development of its shock absorber products to impart knowledge to its distributors via a highly focused video training service
Bilstein is further expanding its professional and practice-oriented support for workshops. Through entertaining videos, the experts at the Bilstein Academy are imparting valuable suspension and shock absorber knowledge. This new video series allows suppliers and fitters to take advantage of Bilstein’s many hours of R&D and its knowledge gained over years through the development of its highly sought-after products. “Not only for tricky installation issues, but also for all suspension-related topics, including modern technologies such as semi-active suspensions and air suspension modules,” Bilstein Academy Head, Rainer Popiol, said. All the topics and tips in “Suspension fundamentals – powered by Bilstein Academy” are based on specific questions from Bilstein’s workshop customers and on feedback from Bilstein Academy training participants. “With our workshop tips, we serve the specific needs of our customers in the garage and provide support that automotive professionals can implement directly in their day-to-day work,” Rainer said.
Suspension fundamentals – practical tips for workshops Four parts have already been published in the Suspension Fundamentals series, accesible at workshop.bilstein.com/en/suspension-fundamentals The first part explains everything one needs to know about suspension tests and damage diagnosis, the second how to avoid mistakes when installing shock absorbers, and the third part introduces the Bilstein Academy. Part four focuses on suspension components besides shock absorbers and springs – an interesting and often neglected topic. “When we talk about the suspension of a car, we usually only talk about shock absorbers and springs, but there are many other parts involved in it,” said Mustafa Yavuz, who is responsible for technical support for workshops at Bilstein Technical Support. “The support bearing is the link between the 28
Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
suspension and the chassis on the vehicle, which also enables the rotational movement of a MacPherson strut. “The protective tube has the task of protecting the shock absorber, the piston rod as well as the locking package from stone chipping. The bump stop limits the travel of the spring so that the components are protected and the free movement of the wheel is ensured. “Whenever shock absorbers are replaced, these parts should also be exchanged. For good reason – after all, they fulfil important tasks in the suspension system.”
The Bilstein workshop tips in video format are presented by racing driver Nico Bastian. When the 32-year-old is not sitting in his Mercedes-AMG GT3 from HRT (Haupt Racing Team), the hardcore racer works as an instructor and presenter. As Nico is also a technology freak, he fits perfectly into the team.
Bilstein Academy: preventive care and aftercare for motor vehicle technicians Workshops that require more support can also obtain further help and trainings on various suspension topics free of charge via the Bilstein Academy. Part three of the video series shows
PRODUCT R&D how automotive professionals benefit from this program in many ways. “The Bilstein Academy is divided into two strong areas. On the one hand, the Training and Education area, and on the other, Technical Support,” Rainer said. “So, on the one hand we have preventive care through our own further training, and on the other hand we have aftercare: if questions arise in the day-to-day running of the workshop or something goes wrong, the entire Bilstein Academy team are directly available for motor vehicle professionals with appropriate assistance.”
Trainings: know-how transfer directly in the workshop The training content for workshops, which is available in English, ranges from general shock absorber knowledge and series replacements to tuning and motor sports. “We also offer our training courses as virtual e-training,” Rainer said. “Our participants can choose where they want to attend the online training courses from. On the other side of the computer sits a virtually connected trainer who guides them through the programme and explains the most interesting tips within an hour.” It is also important that the participants are actively involved in the training.
E-Trainings 24/7 The Bilstein Academy wanted to lower the hurdles even further and now also offers free e-training courses that can be carried out autonomously.
“No matter whether it’s about active or semiactive systems, passive shock absorbers or air springs, we offer the right knowledge tailored to the needs of the workshop.”
Although the live experience and the direct exchange with the trainers are missing, this format has other unbeatable advantages: the learning units can be accessed around the clock and the time required is only 20 to 30 minutes.
General information on the Bilstein training programme can be found at workshop.bilstein.com/en/trainings-and-courses
This ensures that the individual modules can be completed comfortably during work breaks, at home after work or even during a train journey.
Dimitris Kouvaras, Global Training Manager at Bilstein, also sees the compact learning modules as a kind of trial offer that is intended to encourage the use of further offers. “This is a great thing. Everything builds on each other. Maybe one or two people would like to take part in a more comprehensive live training course afterwards,” Dimitris said. For more information, email training@bilstein.de or visit workshop.bilstein.com Photo: Copyright BILSTEIN 2022.
Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine Publisher, Cameron McLachlan, takes a look at the products driving the automotive aftermarket. cameron@aaaa.com.au Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
29
PRODUCTS
GREASING TOOL TURN YOUR GARAGE SPINDLE From Terrain Tamer INTO SOMETHING SPECIAL Rhino Linings says the humble garage floor will never be the same again
There are many options now available to transform your standard concrete slab into a feature point. Rhino Linings says its Flake Flooring is at the forefront of these concrete coatings for revamping this often-overlooked area. With a range of mixed colours available, there is a colour combination to match whatever style you like. Not just aesthetically appealing, Rhino Linings says Flake floors are extremely durable, seamless, easy to clean and impervious to grease, oils, and chemicals. Most garage floors also have cracks and imperfections which will all be covered up during the preparation stage.
Terrain Tamer’s Spindle Inner Bearing / Bush Greasing Tool, or ‘Spindle Greasing Tool’ for short allows greasing of Toyota spindle bushes, without needing to remove the spindle or wheel hub.
Terrain Tamer explains that it is not uncommon for the inner spindle / CV driveshaft bearing / bush to fail prematurely, due to being starved of lubricant, as it cannot be greased without the spindle being removed. The Spindle Greasing Tool has been designed as a solution to this problem. After removing the drive flange, free wheel hub and bearing adjustment lock nut, the tool fits on the threaded end of the spindle. Grease is then pumped between the spindle and the drive shaft.
greatly extended when using the Terrain Tamer Spindle Greasing Tool.
Terrain Tamer says molybdenum grease is recommended for this application.
Terrain Tamer says the rigorous research, development and testing that all of its parts go through before they can bear the Terrain Tamer stamp ensures “every part is at least equal to original equipment and often far exceeding the standard.”
Compatible with all Toyota threaded spindles, Terrain Tamer says the bearings’ longevity is
For more information and videos, please visit www.terraintamer.com or call 1300 888 444.
A rod inserted in the steering knuckle filler plug hole will show the grease level.
KYB’S STRUT KIT
KYB says with this kit, you have everything you need in one box Rhino Linings products utilised for this system include: • Rhino Linings concrete repair or Rhino ArmaFloor 200SC for filling and patching any concrete cracks or imperfections. • Rhino Linings ArmaFloor 200SC epoxy primer system. • Rhino Linings ArmaFloor 500AU Polyaspartic applied as the pigmented base coat. • Rhino Linings Flake. • Rhino Linings ArmaFloor 500AU Polyaspartic clear applied as the topcoat. If additional slip-resistance is required, Rhino Aggregate particles can be introduced to the areas concerned to produce the required slip rating. Rhino Linings notes that all works must be strictly carried out in accordance with the latest edition of Technical Data Sheet (TDS) and Safety Data Sheet (SDS) documents for Rhino Linings products. Rhino Linings highly recommends that only professionally trained applicators apply its systems for expert results. For more information, contact Rhino Linings on 1300 887 780 or visit www.rhinolinings.com.au 30
Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
Global suspension manufacturer KYB’s Strut Kit range provides a simplified product offering for customers with everything they need in one box. KYB says the strut kit is perfect for customers who want longer lasting components, reduced fitting costs and the confidence of a perfect fit – first time, every time. “The strut is a crucial part of the vehicle’s steering system and greatly affects alignment angles, so it is important to ensure this part is in optimum condition for vehicle safety,” KYB Senior Product Manager, Larry Coulthard, said.
also allow you to save on labour time, with the kits coming complete with everything you need in the one box. “And thanks to the fact that the kits are vehiclespecific by design, you can rest assured each part is ideal for its corresponding make and model for a perfect fit.”
“If you are in the situation where a strut has failed, it is highly likely that the strut mount, dust boot and bump stop will have worn out as well.
Sixteen vehicle-specific Strut Kits were released in the initial launch with kits for additional vehicles set to be introduced in the future.
“Because of this, we recommend all related components should be replaced at the same time to avoid further problems and optimal performance.
“KYB is one of the largest worldwide manufacturers of OE shock absorbers, so who better to develop and manufacture AM replacement suspension components!” Larry said.
“While replacing struts will restore the vehicle’s suspension to like new condition, replacing the strut mount, dust boot and bump stop at the same time will ensure the prolonging of the strut’s life by providing enhanced protection and support.
Established in 1919, KYB has become a world leader in the development and application of hydraulics technology. KYB Shock Absorbers are distributed by NGK Spark Plugs Australia.
“Replacing these parts all at the same time will
For more information, please visit www.kyb.com.au/product/strut-kit/
PRODUCTS
AEROFLOW RELEASES INTERNAL WASTEGATE TURBOCHARGER The new B5455 offers improved performance and functionality Aeroflow Performance is adding a new product to its current range of Boosted B5455 turbochargers. The new internal wastegate turbocharger is designed to be a bolt on upgrade option for Nissan Skylines and Holden VLs with T3 .82 rear housing and a standard low mount turbo manifold. It comes with a Ford XR6 5 bolt dump pipe flange, which works well with the Aeroflow Performance Ford XR6 to V-Band Adapter. This converts the five-bolt flange to a three-inch V-Band to help fabricate a new exhaust. The internal wastegate rear housing is capable of clearing the factory manifold since it is 20mm longer above the T3 flange mounting plate. The B5455 is rated up to 660 engine horsepower, making it ideal for smaller engine displacements from 2L up to 3.5L. The nine-blade turbine wheel is made from a super alloy called Inconel, which helps to maintain strength through prolonged exposure to extremely high exhaust gas temperatures. Compared to the first generation 5455, this model
has greater top end power, reduced weight, and a less restrictive flow of exhaust gasses that exit out the rear housing more efficiently. The Boosted B5455 features a Point Milled Billet compressor wheel that is made from 7075 aluminium. While the majority of turbochargers have a smooth surface finish known as flank milling, this model has point milling. This involves a complicated process where the CNC tool is brought over the compressor blade in multiple passes. This results in increased flow and reduced exducer tip speed, which allows the turbo to spool faster. The end product is a much more efficient turbocharger with flow increased up to 15-35 percent depending on each size compressor wheel. The B5455 is a dual ceramic ball bearing cartridge designed to extend the turbo lifespan and improve the shaft balance. The design reduces the amount of oil needed for adequate lubrication, which also reduces the possibility of seal leakage.
The ball bearing cartridge features an external restrictor, and each turbocharger comes with a turbo oil feed fitting with a 1mm restrictor inside. There are also two water ports on each side of the turbocharger’s core, which can help when installing water lines in compact areas. Water cooling lengthens the turbocharger’s life and improves the mechanical durability. The Boosted B5455 internal wastegate turbocharger is available for immediate shipping from Aeroflow. For more information visit www.aeroflowperformance.com or contact Rocket Industries on 02 8825 1900 or via www.rocketind.com
Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
31
PRODUCTS
AHRNS SHOWS OFF TILT SIDE SPLIT TRAY Ahrns Handling Equipment was on-show at AAAE
Based in Adelaide, South Australia, Ahrns Handling Equipment manufactures transport and workshop equipment and specialises in tilt slide trays. At the Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo, Ahrns Handling Equipment gave show attendees the opportunity to have an up close look at its tilt side trays. “We are able to supply and fit a tilt slide tray to suit any size truck – we are even able to source the truck for you and provide a complete package ready to go,” Ahrns Handling Equipment Director, Kim Ahrns, said.
“We liaise with multiple truck dealers all around the country and are happy to assist customers via truck dealerships.” Ahrns Handling Equipment says its Tilt Slide Trays are manufactured to a high-quality standard, not a price. “All components used are of the highest quality to give years of trouble-free operation,” Kim said. “All tilt slide trays are built to your requirements of length, width, headboard style, lights, chain down points, paint/signage and accessories. Our flexible manufacturing style enables you to get the tray built to suit you and your work.” Ahrns Handling Equipment can also offer a tilt slide split tray with a low five degree loading angle. “Tipper slider trays are also an option. If the truck chassis can accommodate your vision, we can build it!” Kim said. Workshop equipment is also manufactured at Ahrn’s Adelaide site including, but not limited to, presses, axle stands, filter crushers, floor cranes and transmission jacks.
“We are also the South Australian agent for Fassi and Tadano truck loading cranes. Need a crane and tilt tray combo? We can do that too!” Kim said. “We stock a range of spare parts, and are able to source even more for you. With an array of machines in the workshop, we aim to keep as much of the manufacturing process in-house as possible. “This keeps production times down, quality high and work stays in Australia.” A family-owned business for over 30 years, Ahrns Handling Equipment prides itself on being Australian made and owned. For more information, contact the Ahrns team on 08 8250 1511 or info@ahrns.com.au or visit www.ahrns.com.au
Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
33
PRODUCTS
ATECO EQUIPMENT SOLUTIONS
The wholesale, distribution and export company has a wide array of products The Ateco group of companies has its origin in the establishment of Ateco Pty Limited, which commenced trading in March 1959 from premises in George Street, Sydney. An early involvement for Ateco was to provide towing and recovery equipment for heavy vehicles in the Australian Defence Forces, and the ADF connection still exists. Today, Ateco Equipment is a wholesaler, distributor and exporter of market leading products across a range of industries. Initially specialising in 4WD and off-road products, Ateco Equipment has broadened its product range to now include other automotive accessories, industrial products and utility tools. Among Ateco Equipment’s stable of brands are Warn winches, which it states are “the world standard” in winches for 4WD and industrial applications. Ateco Equipment stocks both recreational and industrial winches and full parts backup across the Warn winch range. Utilising Ateco Automotive’s winch background knowledge, the VRS Recovery Winch and Recovery
34
Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
Kits were developed as Ateco Automotive’s own brand for high-quality winches with many features at an affordable price with full spare parts backup. They are available in 4000lbs, 9500lbs and 12500lbs. The popular Ridepro Suspension System has been developed specifically for four-wheel drive vehicles and is now being exported to Europe, the Middle East, South East Asia, South America and the United States. Tested in some of the toughest off-road competitions in the world, including the Outback Challenge, the Ateco-Warn Challenge, Off Road Racing in Australia and the Rainforest Challenge in Malaysia; Ridepro products are available throughout Australia for most popular four-wheel drive vehicles. Super Springs are designed to counteract the effect of load on the standard springs. Acting in parallel with the existing spring pack sharing the load on the wheels and quick to fit, Ateco says these are a cost-effective option to restore ride height when carrying loads. Ateco also stocks Telma manufactured
electromagnetic braking units for heavy-duty vehicles ranging in weight from five to 44 tons. The Telma product range reportedly provides added vehicle safety, allowing the service brakes to remain cool and allowing them to remain effective. Sanko is another long-term product in the Ateco portfolio. Designed to house the spare wheel underneath a semi-trailer, Sanko is available for 20” wheels in Spider, 10 Stud and eight stud configurations. Ateco supplies wholesale to the industry with either selected direct accounts or as a preferred Capricorn supplier. For more information, visit www.atecoequipment.com.au or www.vrswinch.com.au
PRODUCTS
BILSTEIN B3
Bilstein says these are perfect OE replacement Springs Just like shock absorbers, suspension springs also wear out. But while worn shock absorbers are usually reliably detected by automotive professionals and replaced in good time, this is not always the case with springs. Worn springs are a serious – and unnecessary – safety risk. After all, springs are also subject to constant wear: on the one hand due to their natural slackening, and on the other hand due to external influences such as stone chipping, cold or heat. Especially in winter, water and salt can put the springs to a tough test. “Salt water accelerates corrosion considerably, especially in some axle designs where the springs are in a veritable mud bath,” Bilstein Regional Sales Manager, Sascha Decker, said. Worn springs can then quickly become a real safety risk. This is when the vehicle starts to sway dangerously, contact with the road is lost and, in the worst case, the vehicle swerves in bends and leaves the road. If the springs are weak, it is also common for them to sag due to the lack of spring tension. Sascha
therefore recommends replacing the springs at the same time as changing the shock absorbers: “This makes absolute sense for higher mileages because a weakened spring puts much more strain on the shock absorber,” Sascha said. “Since the shock absorber is tuned to an intact spring, it can only develop its full potential if the spring has the full tension.” “For car drivers on the one hand and workshops on the other hand, this results in a win-win situation when the springs are changed together with the shock absorbers. “The garages can generate a higher turnover of parts. The advantage for drivers is that the amount of work is significantly less than if the shock absorbers are changed first and then the springs are changed separately at some point. At the end of the day, this saves them money.” However, according to Sascha, the biggest advantage is a significant gain in driving safety and comfort. Especially if you choose the high-quality Bilstein B3 OE replacement spring. Bilstein states this is a spring in original equipment quality. As a successful OEM supplier to renowned car manufacturers, Bilstein says it knows exactly what matters: uncompromising quality.
Sascha Decker, Bilstein Regional Sales Manager
With the Bilstein B3 series replacement spring, Bilstein says automotive professionals and end customers also benefit from another unbeatable advantage. “Our shock absorbers, springs and strut bearings/ support bearings are always optimally matched to each other. This enables us to provide driving behaviour like on the first day,” Sascha said. For more information, visit workshop.bilstein.de Photos: Copyright Bilstein 2022
Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
37
PRODUCTS
NEUTON POWER K PREMIUM RANGE BATTERIES The Neuton Power brand is YHI Power’s proprietary brand YHI Power says the Neuton Power brand has been recognised across Australia for over 10 years for its reliability in Australia’s extreme conditions. YHI Power explains that Neuton Power K batteries are quality batteries made in Korea, with a comprehensive range of automotive batteries from cars to trucks and tractors, marine and MRV as well as start-stop batteries available. It says the Neuton Power K batteries have a proven record for very low warranty rate in the past five years in Australia. The batteries are exclusively distributed by YHI Power.
Introducing the Neuton Power K premium range – Silver Series Batteries YHI Power explains that the K Silver Series are strong and powerful batteries because of their micro fibre and special tissue that are used inside the batteries with micro 4BS crystal structure of active materials. They are punched positive and have an expanded negative plate with unique grid surface design.
38
Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
YHI Power says these unique grids have a full framed round edge grid design to offer strong physical strength while a wide bridge with strong adhesion of active materials is also applied to better the protection against internal short circuit. From this design, the service life of the batteries is greatly improved compared to the standard models, according to YHI Power. YHI Power says that based on the data supplied by its manufacturer engineers, the Silver Series batteries have 25 percent higher starting power and 15 percent higher capacity than other standard maintenance-free batteries. • Punched Grid for Positive Grid for improved corrosion resistance and longer life; minimised self-discharge, enhancing cold cranking power; uniformed grid dimension and efficient electrical flow; and strong physical strength by full frame rounded edge grid design.
internal short circuit is protected by widebridge and adhesion of active materials. • Micro 4BS Crystal Structure of Active Materials for extended life cycle by adding special additives in active material and reduced sulfation and stratification throughout chargedischarge cycles. • Micro Fibre and Special Tissue for enhanced adhesion of active materials.
• Unique Grid Surface Design for enhanced adhesion of active materials to grid; and the
For more information contact YHI Power at 1300 722 028 or inquiry@yhipower.com.au or visit www.yhipower.com.au
Key features include:
PRODUCTS
SCUDERIA AUTOART LEAVES ITS MARK AT AAAE The importer and distributor showcased a number of bespoke enhancements at the show Scuderia Autoart found the perfect opportunity to display its wide range of brands and products at this year’s Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo (AAAE) with its brands and its numerous “cutting-edge” enhancements featured. With presence in every state and territory through its extensive dealer network of more than 50 dealers, Scuderia Autoart says it has been the home of the world’s leading automotive aftermarket brands for over 10 years in Australia and has “grown into the premier source for all car enthusiasts looking for bespoke aftermarket enhancements of the utmost quality for their vehicles.” At the forefront of the Scuderia Autoart stand was the wheel rack, featuring the best from HRE, FlowForm, Vossen and ABT. For HRE, the entire range was proudly on display, with the stunning forged HRE S101SC wheel as the most attractive application while the HRE FlowForm FT1 was grabbing all the attention of Ute/Truck owners. Additionally, the Vossen Hybrid-Forged HF-3 and the ABT Sport G21 wheels completed the exhibition. The brands of the KW Automotive Group were one of the stand’s highlights, with the KW V6 racing damper as a testament of KW’s cutting-edge suspension technology along with multiple coilover and suspension kits to complete the ‘yellow and purple’ display.
For ST suspension, all 18 custom spring colours were laid out at the stand along with the XTA Plus 3 coilover kit, offering KW technology at a more affordable price point. Reiger Suspension introduced its Street and Trail damper, the first street application for the off-road/truck market derived from championship-winning rally technology. From Akrapovic, the striking Slip-On Race Line titanium exhaust and tailpipes for the Porsche 911 (991.2) GT3/RS stood out along with the BMW M3 and M4 carbon tailpipes. AWE was represented with its Touring Edition nonresonated exhaust for the Ford Focus RS with drone cancelling technology. For the top-end segment, the Novitec exhaust system for the Ferrari F8 captured the attention, made from Inconel, an alloy used in Formula 1 exhaust systems. For engine-bay upgrades, Eventuri brought its signature BMW E9X M3 Carbon Inlet Plenum and Carbon Intake for carbon fibre lovers. On the other hand, CSF brought its industry-leading cooling products to Melbourne, with the Porsche 911/930 Performance Oil-Cooler and BMW F8X top mount charge air cooler. Completing the Scuderia Autoart range on display, GiroDisc showed its slotted and drilled brake rotors for the Porsche 991 and Mercedes AMG G63 as the perfect brake performance upgrade while Velocity
AP presented its Clutches, developed to satisfy OEM replacements at a fraction of the cost with no compromise. Finally, Scuderia Autoart recently onboarded Techart, a leading brand for Porsche premium refinement, in a move that it says continues to set the company apart as one of the industry leaders for the Australian automotive aftermarket. For more information, visit wwww.scuderia-autoart.com or email sales@scuderia-autoart.com
MAKING CLASSIC CARS ETERNAL SKF has launched a new line of classic car parts for vintage vehicles SKF has introduced to the market the classic range, a new line of classic car parts to keep your old car running in a smooth and safe way. This original line of premium products consists of complete wheel bearing kits including accessories, along with printed mounting instructions for a professional repair. The kits are supplied in a high-quality box to ensure the components’ optimum protection, and with an attractive classic design are said to be unique to the vintage vehicle market. SKF says that “as the undisputed leader in wheel bearing manufacturing since 1907,” SKF has accompanied the soul of these historic cars since their design, without ever giving up on quality and perfect performance. The specific packaging also includes customised layers per bearing diameter for optimal protection and a certificate of authenticity to gain the loyalty of the garages and end-users. This certificate of authenticity includes SKF
quality control approval, a QR code for access to all kit information and a dedicated area for mechanic’s stamp, repair date and mileage for a complete repair traceability. Because of SKF’s dedicated sales team with high-level expertise, SKF says it can offer a comprehensive range of products that cover the most popular iconic and prestigious classic cars in the market. The specific cataloguing contains a high-quality linkage on old OE applications for quick and safe part identification. This brand-new range will include 40 kits as a first step, covering exclusive and iconic applications such as Jaguar E-Type and Lancia Fulvia, and will be extended in the coming months. “Classic vehicles are highly appreciated by passionate drivers, and we share that passion,” said Christophe Laurans, PLM-Chassis. “That’s why we are excited to launch this brandnew range which is a natural extension of our
premium wheel bearing offers. Classic cars owners deserve high standard products to maintain these pieces of history.” SKF says it has an automotive heritage to share with the classic car world and that’s why it has launched this new line. It says the new range will help to keep vintage cars always young and running smoothly, stating that these cars are not only a way to commute or travel, but also an identity for the owner; with SKF preserving history by making the classic vehicles eternal. For more information about SKF Vehicle Aftermarket, contact your local SKF representative, visit www. vehicleaftermarket.skf.com or subscribe to SKF’s YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/user/SKFAftermarket Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
41
PRODUCTS
LOOKING FOR PARTS FOR BRITISH CARS? British Motor Imports says it has you covered
British Motor Imports (BMI) says it is the largest importer of “British Leyland” parts and accessories in the Southern Hemisphere. The list of vehicles it covers includes Land Rover, Jaguar, Mini, Rover, MG, Triumph, Austin and Morris, with this range covering models for Series 1 Land Rover, E-Type Jaguar, and up to current Range Rover and current Jaguar Models. The company’s new website – www.bmiparts.com.au – demonstrates the range and types of parts and accessories available, which BMI says is expanding every day. “If you can’t find the part you are looking for, please send an online contact form with what you are after and we will get back to you,” BMI Business Development Manager, Ben Marshall, said. British Motor Imports is a proud member of the AAAA, MTA and is a Capricorn Supplier. “Our staff are all experienced and passionate about supplying you with the correct part for your British vehicle. We can ship overnight around Australia and New Zealand using many local and international couriers,” Ben said.
42
Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
“We list over 45,000 lines, carrying Genuine, Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and aftermarket products for many lines. “OEM includes VDO, Bosch, Borg and Beck, Delphi, TRW, Dayco, ZF, Meyle, Hella, to name a few. “This means we can supply the appropriate part to any client, from the Land Rover enthusiast who will only use genuine parts, mechanics and people in the trade who know OEM or aftermarket which is the equivalent without paying for the manufacturer’s brand on the box. “In many cases the genuine part has become No Longer Available (NLA) and OEM or aftermarket is all that is available. “We endeavour to source from many suppliers and manufacturers who work to the highest standards and who have proven themselves in the industry as reputable suppliers. “Many man hours go into vetting new suppliers and inspecting facilities to ensure they are up to our high standards and specifications. “This in turn equates to having long relationships with suppliers and being able to offer warranty of
12 months or 20,000km. In some cases, three-year warranty is available.” To complement its extensive range of parts and accessories, BMI explains it has introduced the Tool Connection range of tools which includes Laser Tools, Gunson, Connect Consumables and Power Tech brands. BMI says all of these brands deliver “the highest quality engine timing tools and speciality tools, not just for Land Rover and Jaguar, but all European marques.” “On the accessories range, Warrior Winches and Recovery brands are by far leading the way. Warrior Winches supply the UK army with their winches and Recovery is leading the way with diagnostics with the LOGIC4, as well as the silicone hoses and 4WD accessories,” Ben said. For further enquiries, please contact BMI on 02 4587 7807.
PRODUCTS
THROTTLE CONTROLLERS For the latest vehicles
Tried and tested EVC Throttle Controllers are here to eliminate throttle lag in the latest vehicles on the market. Remember when a new throttle cable would fix your acceleration response problems? In modern vehicles, the ECU dictates throttle opening and performance instead.
As a result, your throttle response can be adjusted for an enhanced or subdued feel, ultimately relieving throttle lag and allowing for complete adaptability in any situation. Four modes and 20 levels of adjustment allow you total control over your throttle response while maintaining ease of use for the driver.
At factory settings, many modern vehicle owners experience pesky throttle lag, which isn’t an accurate reflection of the true throttle response capability of their vehicle.
Ultimate9 says Ultimate Mode is a fantastic option for those looking to eliminate throttle lag: set it to U.9 and feel the instant response as your foot connects with the pedal.
Ultimate9 says its EVC Throttle Controllers have been a reliable fix for many automotive enthusiasts for years now, stating that whether you own a Toyota Corolla, the latest Isuzu D-MAX or a Ford Mustang, vehicles great and small have benefited from this safe and effective modification that’s installed in as little as 10 minutes.
It recommends you use Eco Mode to subdue your throttle for greater control – ideal for tricky tracks off-road or backing the van into a tight spot at your favourite holiday park.
Throttle Controllers provide new points of reference for your vehicle’s throttle mapping, modifying the torque request sent to the throttle tables in your vehicle’s ECU.
Or you can switch to Auto and let the controller choose the best response based on your pedal pressure or go back to Factory Mode when sharing your vehicle with an unfamiliar driver. Ultimate9’s Team continues to expand its range of EVC Throttle Controller applications for Australia’s favourite vehicles with models like Toyota
LandCruiser 300 Series, Hyundai Palisade and many more already catered for. To help you find a compatible throttle controller, it says its website offers a vehicle selector. With a lifetime warranty and a 30-day moneyback guarantee, Ultimate9 says its EVC Throttle Controller is a welcome, risk-free addition to any vehicle. Find a compatible EVC Throttle Controller by visiting www.ultimate9.co/au
Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
45
PRODUCTS
GOSS: THE GENUINE ALTERNATIVE
Goss encourages you to ask for its products by name Imagine this – the workshop doors open first thing Monday, you spot the D40 tow-in that arrived Sunday afternoon while you greet your scheduled customers. The mix of service work and repairs ahead is looking busy, and your technicians haven’t yet uncovered the mysteries this mix of vehicles is sure to present before 10.00am. As vehicle repairers it is all part of the day ahead, to manage the time it takes to diagnose, order parts, complete the repairs, and all while working within your customer’s own busy schedule. That’s why it’s so important to have a supply of quality parts that won’t let you down, and a brand you can ask for by name, knowing it’s a true genuine alternative. Goss says it is a leading provider of Genuine Alternative aftermarket and Original Equipment Supplier (OES) parts. With over 75 years sourcing and developing the world’s leading OES and aftermarket parts behind it, Goss says it prides itself on offering workshops the Genuine Alternative. “Workshops choose Goss because we pursue high-quality alternatives, putting our products through the ringer in high-tech testing labs. The result is long-lasting products and a warranty you can rely on,” Innovative Mechatronics Group Product Administrator, Tony De Marco, said. Let’s get into the repairs ahead, and the CX5 with GDI is running rough, with a P0302 and a P0171 logged in the ECM. “Just like our customers are feeling the pinch of high fuel prices, when it comes to fuel systems repairs, it pays to do the job once and do it right,” Tony said. Upon inspection, injector two is caked and blocked with carbon, it is time to replace. Goss supplies both GDI and CRD injectors including the consumable seal kits required during replacement. “The range of new aftermarket (OES) petrol fuel injectors meet or exceed OEM standards and are the ultimate direct replacement injector solution,” Tony said. “CRD injectors are available as a Genuine (OEM) product. These units allow complete confidence when replaced, as they perform to exact standards as the original units. So that’s an easy order – you can ask for Goss injectors by name, knowing there is a comprehensive range of injectors, and have peace of mind in the fitment and performance.” While you are there, it is worth testing the fuel rail pressure sensor (FRPS).
46
Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
As a key component on any direct injection engine, it is responsible for signalling the correct rail values to the vehicles engine control module (ECM) to maintain pressure for a given operating condition. The ECM is then able to accurately make adjustments to the fuel delivery, fuel injector pulse width and injection timing, to maintain peak performance while maintaining economical operation. When diagnosing, if all checks prove the sensor is at fault, there is no longer a requirement to replace the entire fuel rail assembly as required by most OE manufacturers, says Goss. “In most cases this would require the replacement of all single use injector pipes as well. The Goss alternative means you can just replace a faulty pressure sensor without the need for also changing ancillary components. This option not only saves money due to unwarranted parts replacement, but also saves technicians valuable time – meaning the vehicle can be back on the road sooner,” Tony said. “While tackling the fuel system, you will also be testing the coils, so keep in mind Goss has over 95 percent of the vehicle parc covered, with an extensive range of ignition coils.” Now it is time to tackle the D40 diesel that came in on the tow truck. Goss says it has an expanding range of parts, including some of the most common replacement components needed by vehicle repairers, including oil coolers, DEF heaters (Diesel Exhaust Fluid), EGR valve assemblies, VGT and Wastegate actuators, FRP sensors (Fuel Rail Pressure), Intake air valve assemblies (Throttle bodies), EGT sensors (Exhaust Gas Temperature), DPS sensors (Differential pressure sensors – Diesel particulate filter), and EGR Coolers. With EGR coolers being a hot topic, especially on the D40, Goss has a range of improved units, with internal tubes manufactured from stainless steel for longevity and TIG welded to laser cut plates - isolating the coolant from the exhaust. “This new design cools the exhaust gases more efficiently than the original design while helping to prevent a build-up of carbon that would usually diminish the effectiveness of the system,” Tony said. Common leak areas have been fitted with an upgraded collar providing additional strength resisting metal fatigue and breakage. Goss aftermarket coolers are supplied with fitment gaskets where necessary, are heat, stress, pressure and resonance tested to meet or exceed OE specifications and offer substantial cost efficiencies to the aftermarket. “With your part orders placed and the repairs well underway, Tuesday planning starts and the Genuine Alternative from Goss will be there to support you,” Tony said. To find your nearest Goss stockist or for product details, catalogues, technical documents, news, and other important information, visit www.goss.com.au
PRODUCTS
LOW VISCOSITY OILS FROM SHELL
Manufacturers are increasingly looking to the modern engine as a way to help lower carbon footprints It is a pivotal moment for manufacturers, with governments around the world pushing to reduce the amount of CO2 emitted by automotive vehicles. As a result, the downsizing of engines to cut CO2 emissions through less fuel usage and the fitting of turbochargers to not compromise performance is on the increase. However, the downsizing of engines has meant that they are operating in challenging environments like never before. Extreme temperatures and high pressures mean that turbocharged compact engines are prone to problems including severe engine failure. In response, Shell has created a low viscosity product range of Shell Helix Ultra 0W and 5W oils with these challenging conditions in mind, designed to protect engines and help OEMs, mechanics and everyday drivers meet the new emissions targets. A turbocharger rotates with more than 150,000 RPM and can reach up to 1,000°C. Through using a sophisticated scientific oil formulation, Shell Helix 0W not only ensures the engine stays cool, but importantly, it also lubricates the bearings of the turbocharger as these are prone to clogging which can lead to turbocharger damage. In addition, Shell Helix Ultra’s 0W/ 5W’s low viscosity and low friction formulations reportedly lead up to three percent greater fuel economy1, helping to reduce the carbon footprint. By using the range, a car can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 70 kilograms per year, based on an average annual distance of 14,500km per year 2.
To put this into perspective, that’s the same amount you would generate by brewing 7,000 cups of coffee 3. Shell Helix Ultra 0W doesn’t just help with caring for the turbocharger, however. With increasing levels of strict requirements, new engines require very specific oils that meet these industry approvals. Low Speed Pre-Ignition is an abnormal combustion event caused by the higher in-cylinder pressures common in modern engines which can happen while operating under low speed, high torque conditions. Prevention of uncontrolled misfire (LSPI) can be prevented by using specific oil compositions – and Shell Helix Ultra 0W – has crucial properties within its formulation required to comply with these new industry standards. “Reduction of CO2 emissions is a significant turning point for the automotive industry, and we’re seeing a new generation of modern, powerful engines, designed to consume less fuel and therefore emit less CO2,” Viva Energy Product Support Engineer for the Shell Lubricants Technical Helpdesk, Silvana Farrugia, said. “The number of cars sold in Australia fitted with a turbocharged engine is increasing every year, millions are at risk from severe failure without the correct care. “Engine oils play an integral role in vehicle and engine performance, and we want to help workshops and drivers by taking the stress out of maintaining modern engines, while also improving the longevity of their vehicles. “Aware of the changes in engine design, Shell have developed a premium Engine oil range,
Shell Helix Ultra 0W, which is able to provide long lasting performance under these new challenging conditions. “By providing up to three percent greater fuel savings and protection of up to 1000°C, it means motorists can always enjoy the drive, no matter how hot the engine gets.” Shell Helix Ultra 0W is a premium, fully synthetic, motor oil range, which is made from natural gas. Shell says the PurePlus Technology is a revolutionary process that converts natural gas into crystal-clear base oil with virtually none of the impurities found in crude oil. Developed together with OEMs with the everyday motorist in mind, building on the insight and experience from Shell’s motorsport partnerships, the range plays a crucial role in cleaning, protecting, lubricating and cooling the engine in temperatures of up to 1000°c. For more information, visit www.shell.com.au 1 Based on ACEA M 111 fuel economy results compared with the industry reference oil 2 Based on CO2 equivalent avoided per 1l fuel saved, not combusted in the engine 3 Deutsche Umwelthilfe 2015, Energy needed to brew per 2 cups consumes 0,21 gr CO²
Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
49
PRODUCTS
NEW TO AUSTRALIA RVS Technology Australia has arrived
RVS Technology says it is proud to now offer a market leading range and more than 20 years of experience providing exceptional service to automotive specialists, generalists, and enthusiasts.
The product range features the best-selling G8 and G6 for petrol engine protection, and D8 plus D6 for diesel engines with what RVS Technology described as Triboceramic protection and restoration.
RVS Australian Distribution Manager, Arto Repo, says the proven performer is what keeps specialists coming back.
Other RVS products are targeted toward auto or manual transmission and power steering systems.
“RVS is the only technology that has the ability to restore sliding surfaces,” Arto said. “More mechanics and automotive specialists are choosing RVS branded products and to keep engines running smoothly. “RVS engine, transmission and power steering solutions are now proudly in Australia providing quality assurance and extra value at a competitive price point.” RVS Technology says its products offer multiple benefits, resulting in great savings, extended engine life where ever mechanical friction exists and decreased emissions while ensuring peak engine performance.
50
Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
RVS Technology says it has been associated with high-performance vehicles in the European market for many years. RVS Technology LTD is a Finland based corporation which owns the Patented RVS Technology Triboceramic Nanotechnology products and RVS Technology products. “Our preventative and curative treatments help to avoid costly repairs and extend engine life, reducing emissions and adhering to pollution control,” Arto said. RVS reportedly has unique properties which protect and prevent the surfaces and mechanisms of wear and tear plus helping to reduce engine noises.
RVS says treating your customers’ vehicles is quick and easy, and all you need to do is add the recommended dosage of RVS Technology directly to your engine oil of a warm engine. Further, RVS Technology says “going green” is easy with its technology delivering: • • • •
Increased power up to 15 percent Lower fuel consumption up to 25 percent Longer engine life up to 50 percent Decreased emissions up to 25 percent
In addition to being patented, RVS Technology has been tested over many years across many applications and is also approved by TÜV SÜD, the renowned German testing experts. For more information, visit www.rvstec.com.au
PRODUCTS
COOLANT COLOUR CONFUSION
There’ s plenty of confusion these days about the colour of heavy-duty coolants It is often asked, does the colour indicate anything about the chemical make-up of the coolant, or is it just a brand to brand thing? In this article, Cummins’ Head Chemist and coolant expert, Mike Hudson, seeks to clear the air about this confusion by answering some common questions.
What should we look for in a coolant? First and foremost, choose a good quality coolant from a reputable brand and check that it has been tested to, and meets, a heavy-duty coolant standard. One such internationally recognised standard is the ASTM D6210, and coolants that meet OEM standards are even better. In terms of the coolant’s properties, it should have good heat transfer abilities and a higher boiling point and lower freezing point than water. It should also prevent corrosion and erosion, resist foaming, be compatible with cooling system component materials, be compatible with hard water, resist sedimentation, and be chemically stable. Other considerations include the life of the coolant and its maintenance requirements.
Which colour coolant is the best? The truth is the colour doesn’t mean anything. In days gone by, the colour of coolant was determined by the types of chemicals used to prevent corrosion, meaning once upon a time, you could tell a lot about a coolant by its colour.
Older coolants that used Inorganic Additive Technology (IAT) were usually blue or green in colour. These types would normally have to be changed roughly every two years. In the 2000s came Organic Acid Technology (OAT) coolants, whose chemical make-up offered better protection for cooling systems, and extended the life of the coolant. These coolants were usually orange or red in colour and offered a five-year or 160,000km change interval. There are also coolants which are a blend of IAT and OAT chemicals, and these were therefore named ‘hybrids’ (HAT) and were typically yellow or green; but not always. Nowadays, we can’t rely on the colour to tell us about a coolant’s chemistry or performance. Coolant marketers and OEMs have adopted their own tiered approach to differentiate their products, meaning the colour can no longer be used as a guideline to a coolant’s properties. For example, PGPlus, a hybrid, lifetime coolant with 250,000km or 4,000 hours service intervals, is dark blue in colour. And PGPlatinum, an organic, lifetime coolant which requires no service thanks to its superior additive package, is red in colour.
Is there a legal standard for coolant colours? These days, there’s no legal standard for a coolant manufacturer to use a certain colour, so it’s not
easy to know what chemicals are in the coolant just by seeing its colour.
How should coolant be maintained? Every brand of coolant requires different levels of maintenance. Some coolants, such as Fleetguard’s OAT coolant and PG Platinum are lifetime. Meaning they do not need to be changed over the life of the engine. Others such as those containing nitrite used for cavitation protection, require additive top-ups, as the additives within them deplete over time. Fleetguard’s PGPlus is an example of this. While some coolants are compatible with others, changing the chemical balance in the cooling system can be detrimental to its performance, so mixing different types of coolant is not recommended. All coolants, no matter the type, colour or brand, should be tested twice a year to ensure they are maintaining the correct chemical composition and concentration. For more information about coolant and cooling system maintenance, visit www.cumminsfiltration.com.au
DIESEL DOWNTIME CATERED FOR With parts from HPP Lunds
Modern diesel and the now more common turbo diesel four-wheel drives have advantages over petrol versions having better fuel economy, a longer touring range, more torque for towing or off-roading, and better access for diesel in this wide brown land. That’s why there are so many on our roads. Two of the most popular diesel off-roaders are both from Toyota; the LandCruiser range and the Prado range. LandCruisers have been in Australia since 1959 and both model ranges have forged a great number of devotees. Since there are so many of these on the road, so many older ones and so many that have racked up the kilometres through towing and off-road use, there is a need for spare parts and HPP Lunds has a wide range of diesel specific parts for these vehicles. These parts are available for LandCruisers ranging from early vehicles such as the BJ40 3.0 litre diesel to the later models such as the VDJ200 turbo
diesel, or if you’re talking Prado then from the early KZJ95 to the KDJ150 turbo diesel. While different models are catered for with a different range of diesel parts the range includes injection pump parts, primer pump parts, engine mounts, manifold studs, injector nozzle O rings, oil filler caps, oil filters, oil sump parts, side cover gaskets, valve stem seals, voltage regulators, glow plugs, pistons, timing gear parts, belt tensioner adjusters, head gaskets, solenoids, oil pressure relief valves, valve adjusting shims, valve lifters, cylinder sleeves and camshaft bearings, to name just a few. HPP Lunds’ LandCruiser catalogue has parts listed as they pertain to each model with the years covered from 1964 through to 2015. LandCruiser Prado models are also covered from 1996 to 2009. The LandCruiser catalogue is 326 pages. Tabbed, coloured and labelled outer stripes on each page enable you to easily recognise to which
vehicle the page refers. Most of the line items in the catalogues also come with notes to add more clarity. Both these books are available in hardcopy, and they can also be downloaded from www.hpplunds.com.au Approximately 99 percent of Lunds’ parts are directly imported from the manufacturers with stock available in the company’s Brisbane warehouse. Lunds 4WD parts are also listed on AutoInfo (Oscar) with more than 28000 entries. For more information or to obtain a copy, contact the HPP Lunds Call Centre on 1300 306 781. Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
53
PRODUCTS
SAFETSTOP TURNS HEADS AT EXPO The company showcased revolutionary products
SafeTstop explains that it had the pleasure of attending the AAAA’s Collision and Repair Expo (CRE), co-located with the Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo (AAAE). The show saw thousands of trade enthusiasts come together to see what the industry has to offer, with SafeTstop showcasing its “revolutionary” brake testing lanes for both light vehicles and heavy vehicles. SafeTstop motorsport also had its Lamborghini race car on display which was a big highlight and attracted plenty of attention. Over the three days, SafeTstop reports its stand attracted great interest, with Founder Richard Garten stating, “it was great to be back and to talk to future and existing clients face-to-face.” SafeTstop says the exceptional quality of its test lanes was once again proven after the devastating floods in Queensland and New South Wales. It explains that unlike most other equipment, the SafeTstop Plate test lanes withstood the water damage and with just a little cleanout, most of its customers were up and running again in no time,
54
Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
giving them a huge advantage over other service centres. SafeTstop states that its plate brake testing system is the ideal investment for the vehicle repair and maintenance business that wants to: • Take the lead as a business by ensuring customers know that conventional decelerometer brake tests and current safety test legislation are not at the leading edge of safety and that there’s a far superior test available. • Value-add and increase income by recommending an inexpensive SafeTstop plate brake test to each customer, typically priced around $29.95. • Pinpoint brake problems quickly; problems a conventional brake test wouldn’t even catch – a win for your business and your customers. • Check wheel alignment and suspension function at the same time, as well as the corner, axle, tow-ball, and total vehicle weights using the integrated weighbridge. • Provide a clear, printed report to your customers to support your maintenance and repair
recommendations, or illustrate the effectiveness of the completed work, to build trust and loyalty. SafeTstop has approval for brake testing in every Australian state and territory and New Zealand, and it comes with a 10-year warranty. SafeTstop reports a recent in-depth investigation by Adelaide University revealed that a car with the front brakes limited to 54 percent of maximum pressure could pass the legislated decelerometer brake test, stating that the results indicate that the current brake testing legislation is desperately overdue for an update. It says that with SafeTstop, you earn more, your work is efficient and professional, and your customers are safer. To learn more, contact SafeTstop on 1300 886 164.
PRODUCTS
NEW FROM PENRITE
The Australian owned and operated company has launched its new 6 in 1 Ultimate Fuel Stabiliser Penrite Oil is a 100 percent Australian family owned and operated business and has been producing world class products for over 95 years. With the cost of fuel increasing to its highest levels ever, Penrite has launched its new 6 in 1 Ultimate Fuel Stabiliser that keeps fuel fresh for up to 12 months. The New Penrite Ultimate Fuel Stabiliser can be used in both petrol and diesel fuels in passenger cars, light and heavy commercial vehicles, motorcycles, marine equipment, agricultural machinery, generators or anywhere where fuel is in storage and not being used.
deposits and polymers from forming in the fuel as well as protecting the fuel system from rust and corrosion. This extends the life of fuel pumps, injectors and exhaust catalysts. One x 200ml bottle treats up to 200 litres of fuel, making it extremely economical to use compared with discarding old or stale fuel.
Product Benefits
the future for future Australians and continues to lead the way in lubricant manufacturing in Australia.
When used at the correct dosage, Penrite says it will provide up to 12 months extended life for fuels preventing them from going stale and having to be discarded.
• Prevents both Petrol and Diesel fuel from going stale for up to 12 months • Prevents gum, sediments, and polymer formations in the fuel • Protects fuel systems against rust and corrosion • Contains detergents to clean and maintain the fuel system • Extends the life of fuel injectors, pumps, and exhaust catalysts • Inhibits the tendency of Biodiesel to react with oxygen, thereby prolonging its shelf life
It also contains detergents to maintain the cleanliness of the fuel system preventing gum,
Fast approaching 100 years of Australian production, Penrite says it continues to invest into
To find out more about Penrite and its Australian Made products visit www.penriteoil.com.au
It can be used in premium and standard octane unleaded petrol, E10, diesel, bio-diesel, ULSD and in pre-mixed two stroke fuels.
Whether it be the latest specification product, packaging innovation or cleaner and more sustainable manufacturing, Penrite says it is the innovator that other companies follow.
Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
55
PRODUCTS
MAKING INROADS INNOVATIVE WHEEL ALIGNMENT DBA’s Brake Pads range is proving a great success SOLUTIONS Available now from Alemlube
Alemlube says it understands the need to be innovative when it comes to workshop equipment and states it is always looking for ways to maximise the benefit to its clients. It says the Ravaglioli Premium Truck and Car Wheel Aligner is an advanced wheel aligner utilising leading European software technology, together with local assembly and sourced computer and accessories making for a “bullet proof “and reliable Car/truck wheel aligner which is “the first of its kind.”
After a hugely successful first 12 months since its market launch, Disc Brakes Australia (DBA) says it continues to extend the vehicle coverage and service offerings for its Street Series range of brake pads. On the anniversary of the launch of its Street Series brake pads program, DBA says it couldn’t be happier with how the program has established itself in the market. “The reception has been nothing short of fantastic,” DBA Product Manager Friction, Andrew Bates, said. “Sales in year one have far exceeded our expectations, and – more importantly – the feedback from the trade and the workshop mechanics alike has been outstandingly positive. “They are impressed by the product performance and the value for money on offer.” When the program was launched in April last year, DBA’s main goal was to close the gap in their range of brake pads. With its two upgrade brands Street Performance and Xtreme Performance firmly established in the market, the ‘missing link’ was a competitive program at OE replacement level.
The Ravaglioli Premium Car and Truck Wheel Aligner is supplied complete with the master control unit, 24” LCD display, keyboard, mouse, battery charger, printer, and six measuring heads, as well as both car and truck wheel clamps, a pair of each car and truck turntables, a brake pedal depressor, and steering wheel holder. Alemlube explains that Bluetooth transmission between the measuring heads and the control unit ensures reliable and accurate information, every time. The data management and display program systems operate within the Windows 10 environment and contain in excess of 90,000 vehicle data sheets. The customer database can record and store individual jobs and can be searched by customer name or vehicle rego for future reference. Options available include: • STDA29L - Extra set of commercial turntables for twin steer trucks • STDA92 - Special three point truck clamps to avoid runout • STDA49N - Adapter for trailer alignment • STDA55 - Quick locking arms for STDA30E clamps For more information, visit www.alemlube.com.au 56
Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
Rather than becoming another brake pad brand in a crowded reseller market, DBA says it drew on years of successful research and development in braking products to create a pad that not only performs at OE level or better, but also offers the ideal friction formulation specifically for each application. Consequently, DBA did not settle on just one formulation, but offers either ceramic or semi-metallic friction depending on the vehicle specifications and the required braking characteristics.
All of DBA’s Street Series friction material undergoes a Thermal Stability Profiling (TSP) process, and a titanium dioxide-infused bed-in stripe is applied to the material to increase the initial friction coefficient. As a result, Street Series brake pads perfectly complement DBA’s range of Street Series brake rotors, offering the shortest bed-in times and optimal braking performance across the range. Market-leading coverage and cataloguing add to the strengths of the program. With a pad for over 95 percent of the ANZ passenger and light commercial vehicle population readily available, DBA says it truly offers a ‘one stop shop’ experience to the customer. In combination with its technology-leading range of brake rotors, DBA states it has the complete package for any vehicle. Putting its money where its mouth is, the company has just released over 40 brand new brake pad part numbers for recent vehicle models, true to its aspiration of being ‘first to market’. For details on the latest part number releases, visit www.dba.com.au/dba-catalogues/newproduct-releases All Street Series part numbers, together with its Street Performance and Xtreme Performance counterparts, are meticulously catalogued in DBA’s online Part Finder database, freely accessible via the DBA website. A recently added cross-reference search function helps workshop mechanics identify the correct DBA part number from a myriad of leading vehicle manufacturer and aftermarket part numbers. The functionality is not limited to DBA brake pads but is also available for DBA brake rotors and brake drums. To view a short demonstration of the crossreference functionality, visit www.dba.com.au and click on ‘About Us’ and then ‘DBA News,’ or find Disc Brakes Australia on YouTube. For further information, visit www.dba.com.au or call 1800 730 039.
PRODUCTS
SPARCO BRINGS THE PERFORMANCE EDGE Now available through CoolDrive Auto Parts and Racer Industries The Sparco range of motorsport fireproof apparel, safety equipment, helmets, seats, steering wheels, accessories and lifestyle apparel is now offered by CoolDrive Auto Parts and Racer Industries. Since 1977, Sparco says it has been at the forefront of motorsport safety equipment worldwide, with innovations from the world of Formula 1 filtering down to all levels of the sport. The brand is proud to be associated with McLaren in F1 competition. Other categories where Sparco currently has an involvement include the World Rally Championship, NASCAR, Indycar, World Endurance Championship, IMSA, Supercars, GT World Challenge, TCR and more. An area Sparco has become synonymous with is helmet technology, with the brand continually pushing the boundaries to innovate in the name of safety. From the latest-spec carbon fibre full-face helmets with the shell reinforced with carbon-kevlar, complete with Hans clips, plus drink system and communications ready, Sparco also caters down the line to more price-focused entry-level helmets.
This includes open face and specialist applications, such as for rally and off-road use. Another area of focus is fireproof race suits and underwear, with the top tier products offering the ultimate in lightweight, breathable material, while still retaining premium fire protection to the latest and highest level of FIA Homologation. The Sparco range caters from amateur to professional competitors and extends to all forms of motorsport including a specialist go karting range. Another highly personal choice of safety equipment for drivers is gloves and boots, with Sparco offering a wide range that offers the ultimate in protection and feel. CoolDrive and Racer Industries also carry the range of Sparco competition harnesses for multiple applications. Meanwhile, the brand’s seats and steering wheels have found favour in all levels of motorsport, with a growing number finding their way into performance street cars, as well as homes and offices through the range of ultra-comfortable and stylish office chairs and accessories.
Sparco also produces a wide range of motorsport accessories, such as balaclavas, socks, technical equipment, bags, extinguishers, pedals and extensions, fuel caps, map lights, window nets, roll bar padding, and much more. Away from the track, Sparco has also developed a quality line of lifestyle products and apparel, making sure wearers look the part, both on and off the track. Another new area for Sparco is gaming, with highquality rigs and components that bring the virtual world to life. For further information, visit www.racerindustries.com.au or contact your local CoolDrive Auto Parts branch.
Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
59
PRODUCTS
MORE PARTS IN MORE PLACES
New part numbers continue to be added into Adrad’s existing product categories every month Adrad says it has experienced some impressive growth to its product range over the past 12 months and that theme is continuing as the second half of the year approaches. Adrad is a proudly Australian owned family company, specialising in the manufacture, importation and distribution of quality radiators, automotive air-conditioning parts, other heat exchange products, plus a growing range of automotive service and replacement parts. Adrad is well-regarded by the automotive trade as providing high quality parts, competitive pricing and exceptional national warranty support. In 2021, Adrad released its own range of gas struts for replacing worn units on vehicle bonnets, boots and hatches; and reports these gas struts have proven to be very popular with vehicle repairers. Earlier this year the company’s parts range expanded into more new product categories such as starter motors, alternators and brakes. World-renowned Mintex and Nisshinbo brakes parts (from global leader TMD Friction) are now
60
Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
available to suit around 96 percent of Australia’s vehicles on road. At the same time, new part numbers continue to be added into Adrad’s existing product categories every month. This increases the variety of applications that can be provided for with the correct aftermarket parts for the job. Adrad says not only are there more Adrad parts to get – there are more places to get them from. Adrad’s distribution network keeps on growing with new locations that allow faster and easier delivery of parts to a growing customer base. One of the latest new Adrad branches is located in Dubbo, which provides extra support for customers across Central New South Wales. This location joins the other new distribution centres operating in Townsville, Epping and the Gold Coast. It is an exciting time for the company, which has managed to extend its reach across a much wider product range and customer base while still staying true to its roots.
Adrad’s manufacturing facilities in Beverley (SA), Bayswater (WA) and Molendinar (QLD) continue to produce high quality radiators, cores and custom heat exchange parts to support passenger vehicle, heavy equipment and industrial applications in Australia’s transport, mining, construction, agriculture and rail sectors. Adrad says its aftermarket parts meet or exceed OE specifications and with the company’s accreditation to ISO9001-2015, you can be confident Adradsupplied parts are quality products. To enquire about any of Adrad’s products, contact its national customer service team by calling 1800 882 043 or send an email to customerservice@adrad.com.au For more information, visit www.adrad.com.au
PRODUCTS
LEADING TYRE CHANGING TECHNOLOGY Corghi says it can help you escape downtime, improve efficiencies and make the new FY your best on record Corghi says it has been at the forefront of tyre changing technology for more than 50 years. It offers an extensive range of workshop equipment including tyre changers, wheel balancers and aligners, hoists, scissor lifts and diagnostic equipment, all built to last and designed to increase productivity. “While our design and build quality sets us apart from the majority of our competitors, it’s our service quality that customers appreciate the most,” Corghi Australia General Manger, Andrew Cornwell, said. Corghi says its team of skilled professionals work side-by-side with automotive workshop owners to assess the best equipment solutions for their businesses. “We’ll review your customer profile, workshop footprint and current capacity to ensure our recommendations are designed to suit your specific equipment requirements,” Andrew said. “We are committed to helping you improve efficiencies, reduce downtime and increase profitability.”
The team at Corghi believe customer service is just as important as the sale, stating it will develop an implementation plan tailored to the specific needs of customers to ensure they get the most out of their investment. “With each new purchase, our experienced technicians will take you through the essential operating instructions and have you up and running quickly, allowing you to reap the rewards of your investment faster,” Andrew said. Getting the most out of your Corghi equipment is essential and Corghi says that’s why it offers company training to ensure your investment delivers on its promise to increase efficiencies in your workshop. One interesting trend that Andrew and his team have identified following the COVID pandemic is that more customers are embracing automated solutions to help them combat the ongoing struggle to source reliable labour. “Our premium range of automated equipment does the thinking and the heavy lifting, all at the
push of a button. These solutions can be integrated to complement traditional machines to provide the workshops with fast, reliable outcomes,’ Andrew said. “At Corghi, we’re committed to forging longlasting and mutually beneficial relationships with our clients.” Corghi says to achieve your goals in FYE 30 June 2022, you should call 1800 CORGHI (267444) and book a face-to-face meeting with an experience Corghi Team Member today. To learn more about Corghi Australia, visit www.corghi.com.au
Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
63
PRODUCTS
NEW TOTAL PACKAGING HDPE cans are now offered for the Quartz Xtra range
A year after the launch of the Quartz Xtra range, developed to meet the needs of the latest generation of engines (hybrids, downsized) and providing significant fuel savings (up to four precent¹), TotalEnergies Lubrifiants says it is taking another step forward. The company is stepping up its efforts to promote the circular economy and is taking it a step further by offering HDPE (high density polyethylene) cans for the Quartz Xtra range, which are made from 50 percent recycled plastics² and are 100 percent recyclable. The recycled resins come from a processing unit where the waste materials are crushed, separated and transformed into reusable granules. The recycled material represents 50 percent of the new packaging. The Quartz Xtra HDPE cans are fully recyclable many times. The waste is recycled into secondary raw materials without changing the basic structure of the material. Quartz Xtra lubricants manufactured in Europe now benefit from this new packaging for the one and five litre sizes. This innovation boosts the use of recycled plastics in TotalEnergies’ packaging and contributes to the Company’s ambition to offer increasingly affordable, clean, reliable energy that is accessible to as many people as possible. “We are committed to offering our partners and customers solutions that promote a circular economy. This project demonstrates our technical expertise and our ability to innovate, putting our products at the service of mobility that is both efficient and sustainable,” TotalEnergies Lubrifiants Automotive Director, Jean Parizot, said. For more information, visit www.totalenergies.com ¹ ACEA M111 Fuel Economy for Quartz Ineo Xtra Dynamics 0W-20 compared to the industry benchmark set by ACEA. ² Recycled plastic from PCR + PIR: Post-consumer recycled material + post-industrial recycled material (caps and labels not included). 64
Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
DAYCO EXPANDS SILICONE TURBO HOSE RANGE For Australia and New Zealand
Dayco, a leading engine products and drive systems manufacturer for the automotive, heavy duty and industrial market segments, has introduced another comprehensive product range specifically for the Australian and New Zealand automotive aftermarket. Four new silicone hose product range expansions are offered to the market in varying IDs and lengths to cover most application requirements.
Turbo Hose – Aramid Reinforced Nomex Dayco Aramid-Reinforced Turbo Hose is commonly used in the following applications: air intake connections, supercharger connections, hot side turbo and intercooler connections, radiator or heater core connections or virtually any application where high temperatures or extreme working conditions exist. This type of CAC hose is also used in aerospace applications, performance motors and vehicles, marine wet-exhaust, commercial truck and bus induction and cooling systems, agricultural and off-highway vehicles and turbo diesel applications.
90° Universal Hose Bend – Silicone Dayco Elbow Silicone Hoses are commonly used for air intake connections, supercharger connections, cold side turbo and intercooler connections, radiator or heater core connections or virtually any application where high temperatures or extreme working conditions exist. Also used in aerospace applications, performance motors and vehicles, marine wetexhaust, commercial truck and bus induction and cooling systems, agricultural and off-highway vehicles and turbo diesel applications.
45° Universal Hose Bend - Silicone Dayco Elbow Silicone Hoses are commonly used in the following applications: air intake connections, supercharger connections, cold side turbo and intercooler connections, radiator or heater core connections or virtually any application where high temperatures or extreme working conditions exist. Used in aerospace applications, performance motors and vehicles, marine wet-exhaust, commercial truck and bus induction and cooling systems, agricultural and off-highway vehicles, all turbo diesel applications, food and beverage connections and general manufacturing industries worldwide. The above three products all have the following features and benefits: • Five Ply Silicone - Polyester Reinforcement – 70 Durometer
• Recommended working temperatures: -53.9°C to +176.6°C. • Resistant to electrochemical degradation. • Meets and exceeds all performance and physical criteria of SAE J20 R1, SAE J20 R1 H.T. Class A, TMC RP303B Grade I and Grade II, Mil Spec A-A-52426 and other heavy-duty OEM specifications. • Excellent ozone and UV resistance.
Charge Air Cooler Hose – Heavy Duty Commonly used in turbo, supercharger or intercooler connections or virtually any air-to-air application where high temperatures or extreme working conditions exist. This product works well for offset piping connections or where extreme vibration or lateral movement exists, offering a superior connection between engine mounted charge air system components in truck and bus induction systems, performance vehicles, agricultural machinery, off-highway vehicles and aerospace applications. Features and Benefits: • Four Ply woven Aramid Silicone Hose (Oxide Red) • Aramid temperature range -50° to +230°C • Four Ply Silicone Polyester reinforced configuration (Blue) • Silicone temperature range -50° to +177°C • Black CAC Hose has a Fluorocarbon liner for increased petrochemical combustion residue resistance. • Stainless Steel retention rings • Excellent Ozone and UV resistance. • Convoluted design retains flexibility in hostile engine environments. • Meets and exceeds all performance and physical criteria of SAE J20 R1, SAE J20 R1 H.T. Class A, TMC RP303B Grade I and Grade II, Mil Spec A-A-52426 and various other heavy-duty OEM specifications. • Oxide Red for Hot side and Blue for cold side applications. For more information, contact Dayco Australia Customer service on 03 9796 4044 or visit www.dayco.com
INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS
2022 AUSTRALIAN AUTO AFTERMARKET INNOVATION AWARDS AAAA Most Innovative New Aftermarket Product - Parts The competition for AAAA Most Innovative New Aftermarket Product - Parts award was exceptionally close with nine entries in total from seven AAAA members. In this issue, we take a look at the entrants who vied for this award including the winning LoadRyder Onboard Weight Scales from Pedders Suspension and Brakes.
Pedders Suspension and Brakes, LoadRyder Onboard Weight Scales - WINNER Pedders’ new LoadRyder Onboard Scales are a cost-effective solution which delivers critical real-time vehicle weight information for light commercial vehicles. The LoadRyder Onboard Scales system is designed for dual axled vehicles with standard coil or leaf suspension. Each axle is monitored with a robust I.P666 rated potentiometer, relaying signals via the inbuilt Wi-Fi transmitter. Utilising an integrated accelerometer, data is then transmitted to the display when the vehicle is stationary, and the handbrake is applied. An audible alarm will sound if the total vehicle or if the axle weight maximum is exceeded. The breakthrough technology allows users to maximise payloads by precisely knowing the weight and axle distribution. For more information, visit www.pedders.com.au
Trico Products Australia, Trico Top Lock Connector – Force/Tech Blade Trico Products says its new Swift Top Lock Connector system is a revolutionary new multi-fit connector system designed to be simple, fast and easy to use. Designed to make installation a simple task, the new connector system ensures the correct arm mount is securely attached to the blade simply and easily. To complement the new Swift Top Lock connector, each Trico Force and Tech blade is supplied with a range of multi-fit adapters for hook, pinch tab, push button and side pin wiper arms. The new system replaces the outgoing L-BRACKET connector (Force) and OFF SET connector (Tech) and significantly improves the connector mechanism that the arm adaptor uses to connect to each blade. For more information, visit www.tricoproducts.com.au
Clutch Industries, CI Flywheel range The objective of the flywheel program was to decrease the amount of wasted hoist time when completing a new clutch installation. The CI Flywheel Range offers a range of OEM style replacement flywheels at a comparable price to a flywheel grind, while reducing installation time and keeping original geometry to ensure correct engagement and disengagement. In partnership with distributors Repco and NAPA, Clutch Industries were able to go to market with a program that delivered the trade an alternative to grinding by not only having a quality range of popular flywheels but also having them stocked in key branches at a low price. For more information, visit www.clutchindustries.com.au
Clutch Industries, UniClutch Mantic Engineering (the R&D division of Clutch Industries) were tasked with developing a universal clutch system to solve two key requirements: to reduce thousands of clutch SKUs into a couple of clutch SKUs and to decrease installation time for mechanics. The resulting Universal Clutch (UniClutch) only requires two clutch SKUs, one eight-inch and one 10-inch version, to cover more than 90 percent of the Australian passenger and light commercial car parc. This is done through innovative and patented technology which includes a removable spline, multi-fit flywheel mount, height adjustment system and radial dampening centre technology. The system is available for purchase in the Australian market in July 2022. For more information, visit www.uniclutch.com
66
Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS
Don Kyatt Spare Parts, Terrain Tamer Heavy Duty Swivel Housing Kits Terrain Tamer’s Swivel Housing Kits for a range of Toyota and Nissan 4WD vehicles are practical for unforgiving terrain and extreme applications and where the extremely short service life of wheel bearings means costly downtime. The kits are comprised of two major innovations, and created with tooling exclusive to Terrain Tamer. The first of these is a heavy-duty bearing that has been made in Japan, with a Rockwell hardness rating that is 2.5 points higher than the OE equivalent. The second element of the kits is an innovative new range of Heavy-Duty hub seals which rotate on their own internal surface, without relying on the condition of the shaft and thus eliminating wear on other components. For more information, visit www.donkyatt.com.au
Ryco Group, RCA428M - MicroShield Cabin Air Filter Ryco says the RCA428M is a world first cabin air filter, that can be easily fitted to Isuzu N and F series trucks by untrained operators. The filter integrates seamlessly into the ventilation system (HVAC), providing full airflow and a service interval that matches the other standard service filters. Ryco’s engineering team developed the RCA428M using the MicroShield N99 flame retardant media, which integrates an anti-viral and bacterial pre-filter to eliminate biological agents, an activated carbon barrier to remove chemicals and odours and an electrostatically charged nano-fibre filter to capture fine particles. The MicroShield N99 filter element features a genuine 0.3-micron filtration capability proven with lab testing. These filters combine an order of magnitude improvement in filtration while meeting serviceability requirements and customer demand. For more information, visit www.rycofilters.com.au
Ryco Group, RCK400 - Isuzu N Series Crankcase Filter The RCK400 Isuzu N Series Crankcase Filter kit has been tailored to fit the 2008 to 2018 Isuzu N Series with the 4HK1 engine. A complete package, the kit includes all parts required for the installation, including the brackets, vapour hoses, joiners, clamps, and Ryco RCC351 catchcan. The RCK400 was developed for a near factory fit while retaining the ability to seamlessly connect into the OEM crankcase ventilation system. The engineering team incorporated a two-piece mounting bracket design, allowing the whole unit to be affixed and detached quickly for easy inspection and servicing. Ryco says the RCK400 is a unique product in the commercial vehicle segment, offering a cost-effective preventative maintenance solution for the N Series. For more information, visit www.rycofilters.com.au
Repco, Repco Filter Service Kits Repco says its 4WD Filter Service Kit program has set the “new standard” in convenience. Whilst there are many options available in the market, Repco says only its kits contain an accessories pack. The Repco kits contains the recently “up spec’d” Repco Synthetic Blend Media Oil Filter (improved Life, Flow and Efficiency), a Repco Air Filter and Fuel Filter and, where applicable, the new Repco Anti- Viral Cabin Filter. But what really sets the Repco kits apart from all others, is the inclusion of a handy accessory pack at no extra cost to the customer. The Accessory pack contains two quality white cotton rags, one oil funnel, a pair of nitrile gloves and, where relevant, a sump plug washer. For more information, visit www.repco.com.au
Bosch, Bosch ENV6 Brake Fluid The Bosch ENV6 brake fluid has been developed to combine both a very low viscosity – ie. very high fluidity – and a very high wet boiling point in comparison with conventional brake fluids. This combination makes Bosch ENV6 particularly reliable and safe. Bosch ENV6 can be used to replace several different brake fluids such as DOT3, DOT4 or DOT5.1. Very rarely used brake fluids based on mineral oils (LHM) or containing silicones (DOT5) are the only ones not compatible. It can be used for up to five years as long as the cans remain unopened. Its stockkeeping at the workshop is eased even further by the fact that it is not classified as a dangerous substance as specified by the Ordinance on Hazardous Substances. For more information, visit www.boschaftermarket.com.au For more on the awards, visit www.aftermarketawards.com.au Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
67
MEMBER FEATURE
CLUTCH INDUSTRIES: INNOVATING FOR SUCCESS From OE manufacturer to aftermarket specialist, Clutch Industries has always been an innovator
Clutch Industries says it is proud of its 70-plus year history as a major Australian clutch manufacturer, supplying original equipment for Toyota, Nissan, Ford, GM and Mitsubishi. With the decline in vehicle manufacturing, Clutch Industries pivoted its business to supplying the aftermarket parts market almost 20 years ago. However, it retained its OEM test lab and the majority of their manufacturing equipment. Research and development is a high priority for the company and Clutch Industries has a dedicated R&D division, called Mantic Engineering. Mantic Engineering holds 10 current patents on clutch technology and employs six mechanical engineers in its Melbourne facility. In recent years, the company has invested one million dollars in modernising and increasing its manufacturing capabilities. Part of this investment has included state of the art automation equipment and robotics to increase efficiencies in its Australian manufacturing processes. Another focus of Clutch Industries is to undertake initiatives to increase efficiencies for workshops. These initiatives have included adding installation instructions, spline grease, alignment tools and spigots into its clutch kits. An initiative recently launched was Clutch
68
Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
Industries’ OEM replacement flywheel program. Traditionally when a clutch kit is replaced, the flywheel must be ground to ensure the surface finish is correct. Clutch Industries has surveyed workshops and found that on average, 4.5 hours of hoist time is wasted due to this process. In addition, the trade price for a grind is on average $70 plus the delivery cost. Financially to workshops this is a massive cost when the cost of the grind, delivery time/cost and lost hoist time is considered. Clutch Industries believes this single mass flywheel range will revolutionise the clutch replacement process by offering a range of OE style replacement flywheels at an affordable price.
Clutch Industries explains that previously, to buy an OE spec replacement flywheel there were very limited options which meant if a replacement flywheel was needed, a workshop would have to purchase a second-hand unit from a wrecker. Generally, the only option to buy new was through an OEM which in most cases is not stocked locally and the price can be several times more than the price of the clutch kit, Clutch Industries explains. “This flywheel range will change the way a clutch replacement is done, in same way as replacement rotors did with brakes,” Clutch Industries Senior Product Manager, David Talbot, said. “Eventually as the range extends, replacing the flywheel will be a common practice for every clutch replacement.”
MEMBER FEATURE Looking to the future, Clutch Industries says the rise of Electric Vehicles (EVs) will decrease demand for a lot of common vehicle parts, outside of a handful of categories. It states while the effect of this has not been felt in the Australian market yet, with major manufacturers phasing out production of Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles in 2030, Clutch Industries says it is only a matter of time before the effect is seen in the industry. Clutch Industries says Mantic Engineering has a future thinking philosophy and therefore has been proactively approaching the challenge of how to ensure workshops have immediate access to the parts they need in a complex and significant category (clutch) when demand will be declining with increased adoption of EVs. In 2018 a dedicated engineering team at Mantic embarked on a project to decrease clutch SKU complexity (ie. increase carparc coverage with less parts), reduce installation time for mechanics whilst also looking to enhance performance and quality compared with typical OEM clutches. Clutch Industries says there is a multitude of reasons why you would replace a flywheel instead of grinding one, including: • Faster installation time; less hoist time wasted • In most cases the price is comparable to a grind • Eliminates issues related to a poor grind like shudder, noise and slipping • Restores correct stack height, reducing the chance of disengagement issues after installation • Stick out from the competition; offer your customer new instead of old! Clutch Industries says that the range currently covers around 50 percent of the common clutch
kits sold (where the OE flywheel is single mass), with the range being expanded regularly. The range is available in major Repco or NAPA branches, meaning that you’re able to buy everything you need to get the clutch job done in one place. The OEM style replacement flywheels are available in the CI range which comes with a twoyear or 40,000km warranty and also offers other advantages such as: • 1045 grade steel, exceeding Australian standards • Manufactured by quality assured factories • Includes a ring-gear • Engineered and manufactured to OE specifications
What they created is a clutch system that replaces thousands of different clutch kits with less than 20 products. The system is called: UniClutch. UniClutch works by taking the fitment complexity out of the clutch and consolidating the mechanical interfaces into what they call a fitment kit, which contains its patented multi fit flywheel mount and patented interchangeable splines. This system allows the sealed pre-assembled clutch to be adapted to various makes and models where traditionally a new clutch kit would be required. Another key piece of patented technology, new to UniClutch, is Mantic’s Radial Dampening Centre (RDC) found in the UniClutch disc. Clutch Industries says this technology is the pinnacle of noise and harmonics reduction inside a clutch disc and performs comparable to that of a dual mass flywheel. Lastly, UniClutch is designed to handle prodigious torque in a compact modular package which fits into the bellhousing of most vehicles from a Toyota Corolla to a Nissan Patrol. This is achieved by leveraging Mantic Engineering’s 70 years of experience manufacturing multi-disc clutch systems in Australia. With the development stage of the project now complete, Mantic Engineering is launching a pilot program for its innovative clutch system. It will be fitting the new system to hundreds of different vehicles not only in Australia, but also around the world, to show off what it says is the most innovative solution ever developed. For more information, visit www.clutchindustries.com.au or call 1300 369 787. Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
69
SERVICING
EXPLAINS BRAKE FLUID MOLNAR SHOWCASES BENDIX EQUIPMENT AT AAAE And which one to choose New garage equipment from Molnar was on-show
Molnar attended April’s Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo in Melbourne, excitingly releasing a range of its new Dunlop Garage Equipment incorporating Wheel Balancers and Tyre Changers. Molnar says feedback from Expo attendees showed a great acceptance and interest for these products. Molnar also featured its most highly demanded Molnar 2 post 4.5T (SM245-ZB) vehicle hoist, featuring patented “Signum” alarm system. The Molnar 2 post 4.5T hoist has been around in the market for many years, yet to date is still Molnar’s most successful piece of equipment. Molnar also showcased two models of the AUTOPSTENHOJ range of hoists, inground Masterlift and 2 post Maestro.
These European manufactured hoists were very well received and great interest was shown in both models. Lastly, Molnar presented both models of its new Molnar Parking range, featuring both two and three-car stackers. At the exhibition, Molnar received a special visit from Dick Johnson, along with customers who travelled from New Zealand to make themselves familiar with the team including the two company representatives from the European arm of STENHØJ. Overall Molnar says its experience at the expo was a huge success, seeing it build relationships with new and existing clientele and meeting people within the industry who have now familiarised themselves with the brands Molnar and AUTOPSTENHOJ. Molnar reports that it took from the expo that personal interaction is still key to finding new customers and building even stronger current customer relations. For more from Molnar, visit www.molnarhoists.com.au 70
Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
Brake fluid is a type of hydraulic fluid and serves several important purposes within modern braking systems.
Its main task is to transfer force – when the brake pedal is pressed, it activates the brake master cylinder which pushes pressurised brake fluid through the brake lines and ultimately to the brake calipers which apply pad pressure to the disc brake rotors. Brake fluid is non compressible, ensuring that the pressure that is applied at the pedal is maintained to deliver the necessary braking force to safely bring a vehicle to a standstill. A secondary purpose of brake fluid is to lubricate all the moving parts within the braking system, helping to protect it against rust and other corrosion. It also helps dissipate heat within the system, leading to reliable and predictable braking performance. Like most fluids and oils used in a vehicle, the brake fluid should be periodically changed to ensure it remains fresh and uncontaminated, which in turn ensures the braking system is operating at its full potential. Although the braking system is classed as a closed system, over time it’s impossible to keep out small amounts of moisture which can be absorbed from the air through imperfect seals, microscopic holes in rubber hoses or even when the cap is left off the fluid reservoir for too long. Eventually the moisture mixes with the brake fluid, increasing its water content which reduces its ability to protect the braking system’s internals against corrosion and also lessens the fluid’s boiling point, which reduces performance.
Replacing the braking fluid Owners should consult their service manual to learn more about their vehicle’s brake fluid changeover schedule, or if they are experiencing a decline in braking performance, visit their local service center or brake specialist who will properly diagnose the issue.
In diagnosing a braking issue, the technician may perform a brake fluid test to learn if it is still providing the necessary protection and performing as it should. To do this, the mechanic or technician will use an electronic brake fluid tester, dipping it into the brake fluid reservoir – the tool then analyses the quality of the fluid. More basic ‘strip’ tests are also available, which perform a similar function. If the brake fluid does need replacing, your technician will specify a fluid that is in keeping with the vehicle’s OEM parameters because not all brake fluids are the same. A visit through any automotive retail outlet reveals the wide selection of replacement brake fluids available on the market, and each will include a ‘DOT’ reference on the labels: DOT 3, DOT 4, DOT 5 and DOT 5.1.
What is DOT? DOT refers to Department of Transport and is a standard that sets the safety regulations that are acceptable for different brake fluids. The DOT ratings given to a brake fluid are based on the fluid’s wet and dry boiling points. A reference point for dry boiling point is when the fluid is brand new, while wet boiling point is when the fluid is one to two years old and already has some moisture content. As an example, dry boiling temperature for a DOT 4 fluid would be over 230°C, while the wet boiling temperature could be closer to 155°C. Generally speaking, the higher the DOT rating, the higher the boiling point and longevity of the fluid. Before rushing off to buy the highest DOT fluid though, consult the vehicle owner’s manual because some brake fluids are incompatible with different brake lines and systems. DOT 4 fluids are the most widely used – Bendix says it offers both high performance Polyglycol DOT 3 and DOT 4 fluids, providing optimum performance in both hydraulic and conventional braking systems and meeting stringent Australian and US specifications. To learn more, visit www.bendix.com.au/product-range/ brake-fluid
SERVICING
UFI FILTERS TALKS FILTRATION Within the context of diagnostics and testing
With filtration, some filter replacement intervals are too long and so technicians may have to diagnose whether a filter can last until the next service. Whenever a car is in the workshop for routine checks or scheduled inspection, the technician should take a look at the filters. For any type of filter, UFI recommends to endeavour, wherever this is possible, to ensure that the assembled filter corresponds to the application suggested in the catalogue as the use of incorrect part numbers is a frequent cause of malfunction or even collapse of the filter. In particular, UFI says for the oil filter it is recommendable to replace it even more often than what the car maker indicates, and what the filter manufacturer recommends. If a vehicle is frequently driven short distances, an increased degradation of the oil will result. A good indication for this is the condition of the used oil from the engine (deep black colour in the engine oil, low viscosity of the engine oil like a thin liquid that almost resembles water). UFI notes the service life of the air filter is indicated in the filter’s manual and should not be exceeded, warning that clogged air filters can
compromise noticeable engine performance, reliability, increase fuel consumption and increase harmful emissions. With the automatic diagnostics in modern cars, there is a symbol of a filter that, when lit up, indicates a clogged air filter. When this happens, there is a problem with the intake air and in most cases the filter needs to be replaced. In cars without a warning system, various alerts, such as generation of black smoke from the exhaust pipe, give a good indication that the combustion is not complete for an air filter due to be replaced. If the fuel filter is clogged, not enough fuel can get into the car’s engine. In modern cars, the control unit detects the problem of fuel starvation and the engine warning light will turn on. Usually, symptoms of a clogged fuel filter become apparent quickly, the most common of which are loss of power and jerking of the car. Although the standard rule of thumb for a replacement of a cabin filter is once a year, it should be done at even shorter intervals in particularly dusty areas, since the rate of wear is quicker in such locations.
Allergy symptoms whilst driving, fatigue and poor concentration after prolonged driving can be a good hint to replace the filter. Further indications may include a significant deterioration in the air quality, such as unpleasant odours or pollen particulates in the cabin as well as poor visibility due to condensation that builds up on the windscreen and side windows, or if unusual noises or leaks are being identified whilst operating the A/C system or the fan. To conclude, UFI Filters recommends that, within the check routines, the technicians check the mileage of the vehicle; check the vehicle’s service check book about documented services including filter changes that were either part of the maintenance level or additional filter replacements that are documented separately; and service the vehicle in line with the due service level and follow the indications of the carmaker. For more information, visit www.ufifilters.com
CTEK LAUNCHES WALLHANGER PRO 60/120 ACCESSORY The new product is designed to meet the growing need for battery support in the workshop CTEK, a leading global brand in vehicle charging solutions, has launched the Wall Hanger PRO60/ PRO120, for better cable and clamp storage, as well as a more permanent storage solution for the CTEK PRO60 and PRO120 battery support units. Made of black powder coated metal, the Wall Hanger PRO60/PRO120 enables the PRO60 or PRO120 unit to be mounted on the wall or ramppost for quick and easy access to the product – each and every time it’s needed. “With vehicle technology becoming more and more complex, technicians are finding that battery support is something required for even the smallest vehicle repair or service.” PRO Business Development Manager, Henrik Hjuler, said. “Whilst workshops maybe in the past had one or two battery support units, used across multiple bays, they are now looking to equip each and every bay with a powerful solution to meet even the most power-thirsty, modern vehicles. “The Wall Hanger PRO60/PRO120 provides workshops with a durable and effective way
of mounting our two most powerful, efficient and simple to operate products – that are fast becoming essential pieces of workshop equipment.” The PRO60 and PRO120 12V battery support units, are advanced pieces of workshop equipment designed to meet the most extreme power demands in any workshop. With advanced design, technology and superior features, CTEK says it is the ultimate choice for comprehensive professional battery support, charging and maintenance; and the perfect solution to support even the most demanding diagnostic or software flashing work – procedures that require the vehicle’s ignition to be switched on for long periods of time. Providing up to 120A of clean and constant current, these units have selectable voltage output to exactly meet the specifications of individual vehicle manufacturers – as well as being able to work with both lead-acid and lithium (LiFePO4) batteries. They also have an extremely stable output, to
prevent battery failure during diagnostic / reprogramming work – that can result in costly repairs and wasted technician time. Due to inherently low voltage ripple, low current ripple and a range of integrated safety features, the PRO60 and PRO120 units are safe for the battery and the vehicle’s delicate electronic systems too. For more information about the CTEK range of professional battery management solutions, visit www.ctek.com Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
71
SERVICING
THE NGK DIFFERENCE
NGK Spark Plugs have been around for more than 80 years NGK says there is a number of elements which really set NGK products apart from the rest of the market.
OE Quality
Engine manufacturers spend many years researching and developing new engine designs. During this complex process, every engine component, including the spark plug, is engineered and tailored to perfectly match the application.
NGK and NTK products are all designed and manufactured in the same factories as the products NGK supplies to its OE customers across Japan, Europe, North America, Korea, Thailand, China and other regions involved in vehicle manufacturing. NGK says it remains the manufacturer of choice for vehicle manufacturers across the world.
As the largest OE spark plug supplier in the world, NGK says it works hand-in-hand with vehicle manufacturers during the development of each new engine configuration to engineer spark plugs specifically designed to suit each engine’s individual requirements and ensure optimum performance.
Further to this, NGK says its products are manufactured with the highest levels of quality in design, raw materials and processes. It states it is driven by quality as well as delivering the best levels of range, supply and service to customers, and says it is very proud of its products’ performance.
It says that when spark plugs are commonised, important attributes are often compromised, and this can have a big effect on performance and longevity. These attributes include Heat Range, Centre Electrode Projection length, number of ground electrodes and ground electrode designs (including Double Fine Electrode (DFE) and Platinum Square Projection Electrode (PSPE) designs).
As emission regulations continue to become more stringent, pressure on vehicle manufacturers to reduce emissions and improve efficiency has increased. NGK says its range of precious metal spark plugs with superior ignitability over conventional spark plugs meet and surpass the modern requirements of vehicle manufacturers.
Vehicle Specific Parts
NGK says it prides itself on providing the broadest range of replacement spark plugs designed and engineered for more than 98 percent of the vehicles on Australian roads.
Efficient, reliable and clean performance
It explains that precious metals such as Iridium and Platinum have much higher melting points over traditional metals such as Nickel. This allows centre electrode diameters to reduce from 2.5mm using Nickel, to 0.6mm using Iridium or Platinum.
NGK explains that the finer point means that once a spark forms, the flame kernel does not have a large mass of centre electrode that reduces absorption of heat and reduces the flame shadow impeding the flame progress. This equates to a more complete burn that translates to improved acceleration, smoother idling and improved fuel consumption, says NGK. NGK says these features along with its technical support and availability are what sets NGK spark plugs apart from the pack and enables it to provide the greatest range of correct fitment spark plugs for Mechanical workshops throughout Australia, New Zealand and the rest of the world. For more information, visit www.ngk.com.au
MOREY OIL HEAVY DUTY OIL STABILIZER Morey Oil Products says it is your lubrication specialist When it comes to Transmissions and Differentials, Morey Oil says this could be one of the most neglected areas of vehicles, as service intervals of these components are usually around 100,000kms or more from the dealer for new vehicles. In some cases, it says these services only happen when there is an issue with the vehicle, such as when a noise is heard, there is slipping or crunching gears, or something leaking. The differential uses oil, thicker than the oil that goes in the engine. Changing the oil in the differential is as important as the engine oil change because over time, the oil wears thin and becomes contaminated. If left too long or if the fluid starts to run low, the differential will become noisy and can eventually fail. If that happens, the gears can seize, locking up the rear wheels and potentially causing a lot of damage or even an accident. With your transmission, at the top of all auto 72
Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
repair experts’ lists for causes of problematic transmissions is low transmission fluid. Usually caused by a leak somewhere in the system, low or contaminated fluid makes it nearly impossible for the transmission to automatically shift gears and run smoothly. Under heavy-duty use, such as towing or stopand-go traffic, some manufacturers suggest changing transmission fluid on a more regular basis. The more you use something or in the event of towing, the more pressure you put on your driveline, and you now have the risk that you will have burnt oil or contaminated oil which will then lead to dirty deposits, glazing of gears, the heat in the oil can harden seals or O-rings leading to cracking and leaking. Morey Oil Products says this is where its Morey Oil Heavy Duty Oil Stabilizer will help. It states that its special formula will assist with keeping your oil at its peak for a longer period,
extending the life of your regular oil including synthetics in all applications, preventing the burning of oil, reducing the operating temperature, providing better lubrication, reducing gear wear, protecting against high temperature viscosity loss, reducing the thickening and thinning of oils, reducing noise in transmissions and differentials, plus much more. Morey Oil Products encourages you to check out its website for information on other products within its range and invites you to contact its Head Office for further information, or your nearest reseller. For more information, free call 1800 637 173 or visit www.moreyoil.com.au
SERVICING
ARE YOUR CUSTOMERS CHARGED AND READY FOR THE ROAD? REDARC’s SmartCharge AC Battery Chargers can help If you work around cars for extended periods of time, you are aware of the risk of the customer returning to collect their car, only for their battery to be as dead as a dodo. Customers contact their local mechanic, auto electrician, or crash repairer for all sorts of issues – some are a quick fix and others can take months. Even when a battery isn’t being used, the internal reaction that produces the electricity that the car needs to run keeps happening, and thanks to vehicle alarm systems and on-board computers, if the battery is connected to the car, it drains even faster. Every minute matters – the longer the job takes, the longer the battery is left idle, and the greater the risk of degrading long-term health, limiting efficiency and, in the worst-case scenario, the higher the chance of complete battery failure. Being a mechanic is already challenging enough, so no one wants to deal with an angry and frustrated customer when their car won’t start. If you’re a mechanic who is serious about your work, before each vehicle leaves your workshop, REDARC says the battery should be fully charged and tested. REDARC states that its SmartCharge AC Battery Chargers are simple to use – just connect the charging clips to the battery (or use the optional plug connection), connect it to an AC power supply (such as your shops mains) and push the ON button. When the job is done, simply wind up the cables and that’s it. Not to mention, they’re rated to IP65, so these SmartChargers are workshop ready. Compatible with most battery types including AGM, lead acid and lithium, the SmartCharge range is available in four, six, eight, and 10amp variants. They automatically adjust to suit the battery voltage and type in your car, boat, motorcycle or caravan. These smart battery chargers give peace of mind in knowing your or your customer’s car battery is getting the right amount of charge it needs without the risk of overcharging. Once a battery is fully charged, the charger goes into sleep mode and wakes up every seven days to check the battery’s status and resume charging if required. Alternatively, if the battery drops below 12.6volts it will also resume charging. REDARC encourages you to “increase customer satisfaction and keep your job stress-free” with REDARC’s SmartCharge AC Chargers. To learn more, visit www.redarc.com.au/ac-battery-chargers Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
73
SERVICING
ELEVATED CREEPER CORGHI AUSTRALIA THE From Three Point Classic ON SHOW The team was excited to get back in front of workshop owners at the Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo
Corghi tyre equipment, which says it is renowned the world over for innovation, quality and precision, has recently announced it will increase its investment in the Australian market. “Corghi has a long and successful history in Australia,” Corghi Australia General Manager, Andrew Cornwell, said. “We’re increasing our range significantly with a greater focus on our heavy-duty, hoist and diagnostic ranges.” After a three-year hiatus, the team at Corghi were excited about getting back in front of workshop owners at the Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo.
Three Point Classic says The Elevated Creeper is a technician must have that will revolutionise your ability to work from the top side of the engine compartment. The Elevated Creeper has a generously padded support deck fixed to a high-grade, adjustable mount with attached ladder.
It is available in two options - standard or a convenient portable foldaway model, the Elevated Creeper suits all workspaces. Aside from the productivity, health and safety benefits, Three Point Classic explains the Elevated Creeper also provides the following:
It says The Elevated Creeper is the perfect solution for any technician or tradesman working in hard-to-reach spaces or awkward spaces.
• Tough, durable construction, supporting up to 158kg • Generous, padded support for comfort • Ergonomic controls create flexible and adaptable operation • Padding both to protect vehicle paintwork and for added comfort • Industrial strength bearings and whisper-quiet wheels
From cars, 4WDs and vans to trailers and light aircraft, operators using The Elevated Creeper are benefiting, regardless of the engine compartment they are working on, says Three Point Classic. The sleek, dynamic and flexible design allows for ease of use across all workstations and transportation is made simple with the Foldaway model, designed for those on the move. For more information, visit www.threepointclassic.com
A WIDE ARRAY OF SERVICE PARTS From Unique Auto Parts
“Our business has evolved significantly since the last AAAE in 2019 and we couldn’t wait to re-engage with our customers face-to-face and get them hands-on with our new range,” Andrew said. Corghi says it has been at the forefront of tyre changing technology for more than 50 years. It states that its design and build quality has set the benchmark for innovation, but that it is its after-sales service that its customers appreciate the most. “When you purchase any Corghi product, our experienced technicians will run you through the essential operating instructions and have you up and running quickly, allowing you to reap the rewards of your investment quickly,” Andrew said. “Our extensive range of workshop equipment now includes tyre changers, wheel balancers and aligners, hoists, scissor lifts and diagnostic equipment all built to last and designed for ease of use.” For more information, visit www.corghiaustralia.com.au 74
Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
Unique Auto Parts says it has containers arriving regularly to fill a constant need for the most common service items including filters, brakes, wipers, oil and cleaning additives for European makes, stating it only stocks the best of the best when it comes to filters, including TJ filters. It explains that TJ Filters has always been a reputable name and while the brand itself has been around for over 40 years, it has recently been given a new lease on life by Quinton Hazell (QH), a brand which is imported and distributed in Australia by Unique Auto Parts. The QH range includes oil, air, fuel and cabin filters, all of which are available from Unique Auto Parts. Unique Auto Parts is also the exclusive Australian importer for Carlube oils which are high quality oils and lubricants that are not only recommended for all modern vehicles but have a specific focus on European makes. Unique Auto Parts stocks an extensive range of products for all application areas such as engine, transmission, differential, power steering and brake systems. In addition to this, Unique Auto Parts also has selected Bluecol coolants and a range of Carlube additives designed to clean and improve efficiency and performance.
Brakes and windscreen wipers are also amongst some of the most required service items. Unique Auto Parts stocks a range of zinc coated brakes from JP group which it says are exceptionally durable and have a higher temperature tolerance compared to others. When it comes to wipers, Unique Auto Parts says it only trusts the best and stocks a complete range Bosch wiper to suit both European passenger and commercial vehicles. Unique Auto Parts has five fully stocked warehouses across Melbourne, Queensland and Perth. Freight is also dispatched Australia wide daily using “the fastest and most efficient couriers.” To be connected to your nearest branch, call 130 864 864 or visit www.uniqueautoparts.com.au for more information.
SERVICING
SUSPENSION OUT OF AIR?
Bilstein advises you to ensure you observe the correct tightening torques If air suspensions do not appear to be completely tight after a repair, this can be due to quite banal reasons.
“Compressed air connections and residual pressure valves are particularly tricky,” Bilstein Academy Head, Rainer Popiol, said.
Defective spare parts are rather uncommon. However, the devil is in the details and defects can often occur if the specified tightening torques have not been observed.
However, the correct tightening torques should be meticulously observed also for the remaining connections.
The Bilstein Academy says the following are points to which attention must be paid. Replacing air springs or air suspension modules is neither rocket science nor a mystery. Nevertheless, there is a small checklist for workshops to follow to ensure that no mistakes are made in the heat of the moment. At the top of the list: never lower an air-suspended vehicle to the ground with the lifting platform while the system is still depressurised. Failure to do so could cause irreparable damage to air springs or air suspension modules. However, there are also expensive consequences in other areas. Incorrectly selected tightening torques are enough to cause leaks.
There are no standard values, but the usual range is between 2 and 5Nm. A torque wrench with this setting range can therefore be selected from the tool trolley before starting repairs. The mechanic can find out the exact values from the vehicle manufacturer’s documentation for each vehicle. Since the specifications can change over the course of time, for example due to technical modifications, it is essential to ensure that the data is up to date. To prevent leaks, vehicle manufacturers generally specify very precise torque requirements for all connections on air springs and air spring modules. Under no circumstances should these be undercut, otherwise connections could become loose – or they may not be completely airtight.
Tightening them too much can be just as dangerous, as it can damage seals. Even small leaks can cause expensive consequential costs for air suspension systems – even if they are not noticed during driving. The compressor has to work permanently against a gradual loss of pressure and thus wears out more quickly. Bilstein reminds readers that replacements for defective OE compressors are available from Bilstein’s B1 programme. For more information, visit workshop.bilstein.com
THE IMPORTANCE OF STEERING AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT Jax Tyres and Auto says the trade has a big role to play in educating consumers While Australian drivers are becoming more familiar with identifying vehicle issues, industry professionals have a huge role in ensuring this awareness is translated into action to encourage safety and peace of mind. Findings from the Jax Tyres and Auto Road Safety Report 2021 showed that despite a nine percentage point increase from 2020, only 40 percent of Aussie drivers take their car for a check-up every six months and just over half (54 percent) say they carry out specific checks before a long drive.
One necessary maintenance procedure that only trained technicians can provide is a wheel alignment. Misaligned wheels can cause issues with fuel efficiency, increased tyre wear, and impact on safety and handling. It may seem trivial but improper handling could cause serious safety risks if drivers need to make an emergency manoeuvre and their car doesn’t respond accordingly. The correct settings for wheel alignment are very precise so there’s a noticeable difference in the feel and function of a car. Here are the symptoms that mechanics encourage people to look out for: • The car pulls to one side • Tyres are worn excessively or unevenly • The steering wheel is not centred when driving straight • Squealing tyres or unusual sounds when driving Concerningly, Jax Tyres and Auto’s recent study also found 39 percent of Australians claimed that even if their car drove fine, an unidentified noise wouldn’t prevent them from going on a long road trip. Only 50 percent of respondents take the right precautions by checking their tyre health at least once a month.
Beyond conducting a wheel alignment during regular servicing, Jax Tyres and Auto encourages members of the trade to have a conversation and encourage customers to consider it when they get new tyres, replace a part of their steering or suspension or experience a sudden jolt or accident while on the road. Jax Tyres and Auto says its industry expertise means it is best placed to help these drivers to take action when noticing bad wheel alignment symptoms. These actions are essential for safety and peace of mind, both for the driver and others on the road. To discuss the importance and benefits of wheel alignment with qualified technicians, Jax Tyres and Auto encourages you to contact its team via www.jax.com.au Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
75
SERVICING
REPCO 100 YEAR ANNIVERSARY TOOL KIT Only 500 are available; act quick to freshen up your tool kit To commemorate the grand occasion of Repco turning 100, you’ll have to get in quickly to secure yourself one of 500 Limited Edition 100 Year Anniversary 390 Piece Tool Kits from Repco. With only 500 units produced, they are all individually numbered and have a Limited-Edition plaque on each unit. Repco says, “if it is time to freshen up the tool kit in your garage, then there couldn’t be a more perfect time to snag one of these gems and be the envy of all your mates.” The tool kit is prepacked with an outstanding array of quality tools, including a huge variety of Metric and AF Sockets, Spanners, Wrenches, Combination, Diagonal, Long Nose, Snap Ring, Multi Grip and Locking Pliers, Screwdrivers, Hex Keys, Hammers, Hacksaws, Punch and Chisel Sets, a 12 drawer Tool chest and finally a seven drawer Tool Trolley. For almost 100 years, Repco has developed, tested, tuned and engineered a range of quality auto parts and solutions to keep you on the road. Whether it is a wheel bearing kit, oil filter, drive
belt or any one of the thousands of car parts in the Repco range, Repco says you can be assured that it will only carry the Repco name once it has been subjected it to a rigorous number of tests and standards – giving you the peace of mind to know that it will fit, perform and last as you would expect. Benchmarked against the leading brands and products in their ranges and backed by substantial warranties, Repco says its tools are built to handle the harshest conditions found across Australia and New Zealand and states it prides itself on understanding the needs of the modern motorist to not just maintain their vehicle but repair, upgrade and enhance with its wide range of products. The company says putting the Repco name on its products comes through the constant engineering and evolution of its ranges to always be at the forefront of new technologies and materials. It states that products such as the Repco tools range have been developed over long periods of time to incorporate the outstanding quality and materials you would expect, while also providing the enhancement and functionality of modern
thinking to produce tools that will stand the test of time in any garage or workshop. For more information, visit www.repco.com.au
SYNERGY EURO 5W-30 C3
TriTech Lubricants says its new OEM Approval on Synergy Euro 5W-30 ensures superior engine protection TriTech Lubricants is an Australian owned and operated company, celebrating its 20th birthday this year. “We’re a modern lubricants supplier, finding a niche with a wide client base that seek a wellpresented, high-performance product backed by a complete supply, one-stop-shop range offer,” TriTech Lubricants Brand Division Sales Manager, Carrie Moon, said. “We’re built on a foundation of lubricants toll blending, providing fully supported private label packaging ranges, supported and backed by a high level of service, product, and technical support. “TriTech Lubricants is committed to technical and quality excellence, ensuring that all our products are rigorously tested to perform under the most demanding conditions. “Our products are manufactured under strict ISO 9001-2015 quality endorsed manufacturing systems onsite in Dandenong South, Victoria. “Our lubricant products are blended using OEM approved formulations, developed to meet and exceed industry specifications and comply with SAE, API, ACEA and ISO guidelines. This is backed by our product guarantee.” Recently, the withdrawal of GM/Holden from the 76
Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
Australian market, TriTech deemed it appropriate to have an OEM product meeting the requirements of a prestige and high technology automotive brand, which has a strong presence in the Australian market. “TriTech decided to go with the marquee brand Mercedes Benz. Therefore, the dexos2 OEM approval has been replaced by a higher performance specification, MB 229.52. The dexos2 performance is still retained and may continue to be used safely in this application,” Carrie said. TriTech Lubricants’ 9281 - Synergy Euro 5W-30 C3 is now manufactured to a new formulation that not only meets the stringent Mercedes Benz specification MB 229.52, but exceeds ACEA C3 requirements, retaining ACEA C2 performance level and has now been upgraded to API SP from the previous API SN/CF. “The new formulation also gives your vehicles engine superior protection from LSPI (Low-speed pre-ignition) – a phenomenon now seen in modern small high output engines,” Carrie said. This new approval on 9281, MB 229.52, is a specification tailored for new Mercedes Benz BlueTEC engines, designed to meet the latest Euro 6 emissions standards. The oil must deliver fuel
economy benefits compared to MB 229.51 and 229.31, which is achieved with better cold flow properties and superior friction control. Compared with the baseline ACEA C3 specification, MB 229.52 is said to deliver better performance in terms of oxidation resistance; wear and corrosion control; sludge control; oil flow and pumpability; and foaming control. This Mercedes Benz specification, MB 229.52, is fully backwards compatible with MB 229.51 and MB 229.31. TriTech Lubricants says it is proud to be a preferred supplier for Capricorn Society Limited. For a quote or to set up an account, contact TriTech Lubricants by calling 1300 463 333 or emailing info@tritechlubricants.com For more information, visit www.tritechlubricants.com
SERVICING
SNAP-ON TRITON-D8 INTEGRATED DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM The first step towards a complete repair
The Snap-on TRITON-D8 Integrated Diagnostic System inherits powerful features from its older siblings. Snap-on says that with access to FastTrack Intelligent Diagnostics and a built-in Two Channel oscilloscope, starting with the D8 makes day to day workshop operations fast and efficient. Snap-on says the TRITON-D8 proved itself in a recent Toyota RAV4 diagnosis whereby the customer reported the illumination of the vehicles malfunction indicator lamp. The TRITON-D8 reportedly quickly completed a VIN read whereby all correct vehicle parameters were automatically loaded allowing a full vehicle scan to take place. The cause of the MIL was DTC P0102 – Air Mass Circuit Low Input. A gentle tap on the eight-inch touch screen moved the user into Intelligent Diagnostics and provided the top most common causes of this code. The information here comes from the Snap-on global team, who collect data on specific DTC
codes from thousands of Snap-on scan tools around the world connecting to the Snap-on network. Snap-on explains that the engineering team work to understand what commonly causes this fault, consulting the OEM for common parts that require replacement, or even module programming that may have changed to handle the parameters causing the code to set, and often only released into the dealer network. This data is then packaged and delivered direct to the scan tool, with regular updates covering more codes and vehicles through Snap-on Intelligent Diagnostics. Snap-on says for the RAV4, the first guided step was to inspect the mass air flow meter and replace. In this scenario, the vehicle had clearly already had a new MAF installed and been sent on its way…obviously not without further diagnosis or understanding what could also cause this initial fault. It explains the second most common cause is a burnt-out fuse box and states that sure enough,
inspection of the fuse box revealed this exact case, and a replacement box was installed. The RAV4 lived to drive another day! When considering your next scan tool purchase, Snap-on says it makes sense to start with a Triton D8. Your local Snap-on franchisee can take you through the complete features, and demonstrate the power of Intelligent Diagnostics in your own workshop. For more information, visit www.snapontools.com.au or speak with your local franchisee to arrange a demonstration.
ACCURATE BRAKE FLUID TESTING
The most popular product AutoTest demonstrated at AAAE was its Brake Fluid Tester Most brake fluids used today are glycol-ether based. Glycol-ether (DOT 3, 4 and 5) brake fluids are hygroscopic, which means they absorb moisture from the atmosphere.
the brake pedal can lead to total hydraulic brakesystem failure.
Glycol-based brake fluid starts to absorb moisture from the moment it is put in the hydraulic brake system or exposed to the air.
The more moisture in the brake fluid, the lower the boiling point. This increases the risk of “brake fade.”
The fluid attracts moisture through microscopic pores in rubber hoses, past seals and exposure to the air. The problem is obviously worse in wet climates where humidity is high. Brake fluids must maintain a low level of compressibility. This is important to ensure consistent brake-pedal feel. As compressibility increases, more brake-pedal travel is necessary for the same amount of brake force and the brake pedal will feel different. The brake fluid in the average vehicle may contain as much as two percent water after only a year of service. After several years, it is not unusual to find brake fluid that contains as much as seven to eight percent water.
Water also promotes corrosion of important metal brake components.
Under heavy driving conditions, such as towing, or on steep, winding roads or stop-start braking at high speeds, brake fluid boils, turns to vapour, and the brake pedal goes straight to the floor with no braking action. This is known as “vapour-lock”. If the police are called to such an accident, unless they test the boiling point of the brake fluid, all will appear normal: the brake fluid will have cooled back down, the brake pedal will feel firm, and the driver, having previously been unable to stop, will be faced with some serious questions.
Excessive water content will decrease the boiling point of brake fluid and increase the risk of vapour lock.
AutoTest says there are several brake fluid testers on the market which measure just conductivity, however it states the most reliable method of determining the efficacy of your brake fluid is to boil it, which is exactly what the AutoTest Brake Fluid Tester does.
The compression of a vapour lock when applying
The AutoTest Brake Fluid tester is designed to test
the boiling point of the fluid in the car in less than 30 seconds, with digital accuracy. It works on all grades of brake fluid and shows clearly what the fluid has boiled at, and what the DOT minimums are for each, making the fluid change decision easy for the technician and the customer. Once the brake fluid has been changed, garages can offer to re-test the brake fluid using the AutoTest Brake fluid tester, to clearly show the improved results on the new fluid. For more information visit www.autotest.net.au Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
77
SERVICING
OPUS IVS SUPPORTING WORKSHOPS
The Opus IVS team recently guided a customer through repair of Renault Clio with a vibration issue IVS 360 from Opus IVS reportedly offers unrivalled diagnostics and live repair guidance support services, to help workshop technicians fix complex vehicles quickly and safely. All Opus IVS mechanical repair solutions come with live repair guidance from IVS 360 OEM brandspecific master technicians. Using the DrivePro’s market leading diagnostic software and extensive product knowledge, the IVS 360 team identifies the causes and steps needed to fix vehicle faults. Customers can quickly and easily request support from the IVS 360 team directly from their DrivePro device or DrivePro Elite Diagnostic Kit. In real-time, Opus IVS’ experts remote directly to vehicle communication systems to diagnose, programme and calibrate vehicles. It says this eliminates uncertainty, giving workshops the confidence to get the most complex vehicles back on the road safely and fast.
6. If a fault is found, please consider replacing the mounting. 7. Once the new part is fitted, confirm that the symptoms of noise and vibration have been corrected. Parts required: In order to replace the mounting, as recommended, an upper engine mount (8200140431) is required. IVS 360 says it provides: Unlimited support – there are no limits to support requests, so workshops have unlimited access. • On-demand assistance – request support from our OE-certified Master Technicians when needed. • Time savings – no more sending jobs to dealers, or wasting time Googling the repair.
For more information on Opus IVS diagnostic solutions and IVS 360, please visit www.opusivs-au.com or contact +61 03 8561 7600 or sales-au@opusivs.com
The Opus IVS team recently guided a customer through the repair of Renault Clio. Renault Clio 3 symptoms: The customer reported having a Renault Clio 3, 2005 model year, with a vibration, humming sound and judder through the vehicle when stationary. According to the customer, this could be felt in neutral at idle speed through the pedals, dashboard, and seat base. The IVS 360 team supported the customer with the following advice. Affected vehicles: This issue can affect Renault Clio 3, 2004-2009 (all variants with K9K engines and JA5 and JR5 manual gearboxes), and Modus, 2004-2009 (all variants with K9K engines and JA5 and JR5 manual gearboxes). Possible causes: The team suggests that a possible cause is that the upper engine mount has failed. Repair steps: In order for the customer to investigate and repair this issue, the IVS 360 team suggested the following repair steps: 1. Check and confirm the vibration. 2. Whilst sitting in the vehicle, please raise the engine RPM from idle and see if the noise stops. 3. Visually check upper engine mount (see picture). 4. With the help of an assistant, get them to manipulate the mounting by adding pressure to it using a lever bar in the areas shown. 5. If the noise stops or changes in pitch whilst manipulating these areas, you need to remove and check the mounting. Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
79
ACCESSORIES & CAR CARE
THE ‘TWO BUCKET WASH METHOD’ By Bar’s Bugs
The Bar’s Bugs team says the most common way to introduce swirls and scratches to our vehicle’s paintwork is “by washing it!” Bar’s Bugs recommends utilising its ‘two bucket’ wash method to keep paintwork looking prestige for longer. To utilise this method, purchase two buckets, one Grit Guard, one Chenille Microfibre Wash Mitt, and one Car Wash and Protectant. Use one bucket as a wash bucket, filled with water and 40mls (approximately four caps’ worth) of Bar’s Bugs Car Wash and Protectant, and swish the water to activate suds.
Use the second bucket as a rinse bucket, filled with water and Grit Guard. Bar’s Bugs says this is where you rinse your dirty mitt each time it is taken off the car. Rinse the entire car using a hose or pressure washer to remove/loosen dirt and debris. Dip your Chenille Microfibre Wash Mitt into your wash bucket and starting at the top of your car, apply suds to a small section of your car’s glass and paintwork. Once your Chenille Microfibre Wash Mitt has become soiled, wring it out, removing as much dirt as possible, and then dip it into your rinse bucket, rubbing the dirty Wash Mitt against the Grit Guard. This will see dirt and debris dislodged from the Wash Mitt and be trapped below the Grit Guard. Once your Wash Mitt is dirt-free, it is ready to reuse. Bar’s Bugs advises that you wring and rinse frequently. Then, Bar’s Bugs says it is a matter of wash, rinse and repeat – dip your Wash Mitt back into your wash bucket, suds up another section of your car, and wring and clean off your Wash Mitt in your rinse bucket, repeating until the entire car is clean. Bar’s Bugs invites you to view its range and purchase everything you need to use the two bucket wash method at www.barsbugs.com.au 80
Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
HELLA AUSTRALIA LIGHTS UP AAAE Visitors to AAAE experienced a wide array of both new and existing products from HELLA Australia Making their debut at the show was HELLA’s new Black Magic LED Light Bars which attracted a great deal of interest with their combination of intense illumination, exceptional efficiency, compact dimensions and discreet styling. The legendary Rallye 4000 Chrome driving lights spotlighted HELLA’s vast array of auxiliary vehicle lighting, along with new RotaLED Compact SAE Class 1 safety beacons, and HELLA’s Modular Light Bar and K-LED Nano, supported by the ever-popular BST LED range and Mini and Micro Light Bars. The RokLUME 280N SMART was on show ahead of its forthcoming launch, alongside the new R120 S work lamp and Powerbeam and Module 70 S-series work lamps. Visitors to the HELLA booth also saw a number of new products for commercial vehicles, including the Combi-SR and HIL-Full LCD RCL signal lamps, the Jumbo-S triple module and DURALED side markers with chrome housing, and new ranges of HELLA reverse alarms. HELLA’s Vehicle Specific Lighting display featured two Audi A4 combination rear LED clusters with sweeping indicator function and an A6 advanced headlight. In Vehicle Specific Electronics, HELLA displayed a raft of components that it offers the repair market including an Oil Level Sensor, an Intelligent Battery Sensor, two Cam/Crankshaft Position Sensors, an Exhaust Gas Recirculation Valve (EGR), a Vacuum Pump, an Airflow Sensor, and an Accelerator Pedal Assembly for a Mercedes C-Class. Also on display was an Exhaust Pressure Sensor for BMWs and a Lane Change Radar Assembly suited to Audi and Porsche models. HELLA GUTMANN – a brand launched at the 2019 AAAE – presented a number of innovative new products. Amongst the new products on show was the revolutionary mega macs X diagnostic device,
which offers a flexible, fully-customisable, costeffective and future-proofed diagnostic solution. The HELLA GUTMANN team also demonstrated the new CSC-Tool Digital – the “ultimate” camera and radar-based ADAS calibration tool which allows digital calibration targets to be downloaded and changed at the touch of a button. The CSC-Tool Wheel Module Line Laser was also on display, as was the brand-new MT-HV tester for low and high voltage testing. HELLA PAGID BRAKE SYSTEMS also had a range of disc brake rotors to view, bringing a huge range of OE quality to the aftermarket. The MAHLE heavy-duty original equipment grade commercial vehicle replacement parts business presented a range of its increasingly popular passenger and commercial vehicle components; while SCANGRIP workshop portable lighting solutions were headlined by a revised I-VIEW LED rechargeable head lamp using COB (chip on board) technology. “AAAE 2022 provided HELLA Australia with an excellent opportunity to not only display our new and popular products to the trade but allowed us to recharge our relationships across the industry following the COVID-driven interruption,” HELLA Australia Managing Director, Darren Robinson, said. “We have forged strong relationships and earned mutual respect from our customers over our 60year journey. “We continually aim to reward their loyalty by delivering both industry-leading products and the very best customer service that we can. “HELLA Australia continues to be a leader in the provision of state-of-the-art electronic workshop tools and these vital components will determine workshop profitability and survival over the coming years as vehicle electronics continue to become increasingly complex, and new powertrain technologies start to become the norm. “With HELLA Australia as a partner, you can be sure you’ll stay ahead of the curve.” To find out more about HELLA Australia, visit www.hella.com.au or email info.au@hella.com or call 1800 061 729.
ACCESSORIES & CAR CARE
MEGUIAR’S HYBRID CERAMIC WASH AND WAX Meguiar’s says this revolutionary wash and wax is like no other you’ve ever used With its incredibly advanced SiO2 chemistry, Meguiar’s says its Hybrid Ceramic family has turned the world of car care on its head. The latest edition to the family is the Meguiar’s Hybrid Ceramic Wash and Wax. It incorporates two specially engineered liquids working in tandem. In the main bottle you have a premium-quality, low sudsing wash shampoo which loosens and gently whisks away dirt and road grime, while delivering the dazzling clean and
glossy shine that Meguiar’s says its car washes are world famous for. In the separate, small chamber is the SiO2 boost which you add to the wash solution after you’ve filled your bucket and frothed up your suds. Meguiar’s says the separate SiO2 Boost is what makes Meguiar’s Hybrid Ceramic Wash and Wax truly revolutionary, stating that it delivers durable, real-world protection against wind, rain, sun, pollution and other harsh elements. By combining these two specially engineered liquids, Meguiar’s says you get extreme water beading protection and an ultra-slick finish, all in one with no extra step necessary. Meguiar’s says its Hybrid Ceramic Wash and Wax is both incredibly easy to use and incredibly unique. To get the desired SiO2 Boost, using a Meguiar’s Microfibre Wash Pad is said to be a must. Also, before the first wash, Meguiar’s says it is essential users watch the short ‘How-To’ video, as there is a slight tweak to the typical wash
technique – stating that otherwise you won’t get the full effect of the advanced Hybrid Ceramic Technology in the SiO2 Boost. Meguiar’s Hybrid Ceramic Wash and Wax is compatible with all regular waxes and paint coatings – it will also renew and help maintain your existing ceramic protection that has been lost over time. Meguiar’s says it is the perfect partner for the rest of the Meguiar’s Hybrid Ceramic family, stating it is “a revolution in advanced protection and appearance.” For more information, visit www.meguiars.com.au or call 1800 347 570.
Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
81
ACCESSORIES & CAR CARE
ALL NEW FROM LED AUTOLAMPS
The company has released new dark tinted, high-intensity Class One Emergency Minibars Alerting road users of potential incidents and of crews carrying out traffic operations continues to be a concern to all involved. Often required are intensely bright compliant warning lights set atop responding vehicles to alert all to the incident crew’s presence. LED Autolamps’ answer to this requirement offers a new option to its existing emergency bars, consisting of two different types and two different sizes: • Overall Size 246mm Length x 172mm Width o Part # LB246ATM - Hard Wired Single Bolt Fixed Mount o Part # LB246ATMM - 3m cable with Power Plug and Selection Switch, Magnetic Mount. • Overall Size 380mm Length x 172mm Width o Part # LB380ATM - Hard Wired Single Bolt Fixed Mount
o Part # LB380ATMM - 3m cable with Power Plug and Selection Switch, Magnetic Mount. Both sizes enable compatibility with LED Autolamps’ accessory four-point adjustable mounting feet, which are available separately. All feature SAE/J845 Class One, ECE R65 and NHVR Overmass compliance for brightness and intensity in visual signalling; and are designed to alert and withstand the rigours of heavy-duty use. LED Autolamps explains that it has manufactured the new dark tinted lens covers with UV-resistant polycarbonate, which is renowned for strength and durability, protecting the internals from the environment and allowing a long operational LED life span of 30,000 hours. A sleek, low-profile design is typical with LED Autolamps’ range and the company says this design helps avoid unwanted damage while minimising roof wind resistance. At the same time, water and dust resistance ensure environmental protection with stringent testing to a minimum of IP67 standards. The intense 360° omnidirectional output is achieved using high-powered one-watt LEDs with 18 inbuilt selectable flash patterns that give a low operational current draw, which is essential to consider when running them from the vehicle’s battery electrical system.
An operating temperature range of -40° to 60+° makes the lamps suitable for extreme roadside working environments. LED Autolamps says this guarantees that your intentions are clear and will assist in enhancing roadside workplace safety. These lamps also have a very usable voltage range of 10-30 Volts and comply with ECE R10 for EMC Electrical interference standards. LED Autolamps offers these Emergency Minbars in a sturdy colour retail box and include a solid fiveyear Warranty as standard for peace of mind. LED Autolamps says they are perfect for roadside breakdown or recovery vehicles, incident response, heavy haulage, trade or worksite vehicles or any application that requires a slick tinted new design with intense bright amber emergency lighting. The new lamps will be available in mid-2022. To view the entire range, visit www.ledautolamps.com for the details of your local distributor or call LED Autolamps on 03 9466 7075.
NEW FROM MOTHERS
A number of new car care products has been released into the market by Mothers Command Auto Group says it is proud to release the following new and innovative products to the market in 2022.
The New Ultimate Hybrid Car Wash Mothers Ultimate Hybrid Car Wash and Bead Booster provides a familiar and easy-to-use traditional experience, while advanced science and cutting-edge formulary dig deep to cleanse your paint of bead-killing grime and shine-dulling contaminants. Mothers says this ultra-slick, pH balanced, and environmentally friendly formula won’t strip or harm your existing ceramic coating, sealant or wax, and is safe to use – even encouraged – on a regular basis. Enhancing that “just coated” super hydrophobic, liquidy-gloss appearance is now as easy as washing your car. Mothers says its Ultimate Hybrid Car Wash and Bead Booster takes the guesswork out of washing and caring for your vehicle and is also super-sudsy for optimal foam cannon compatibility. 82
Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
California Gold 3 Clay Bars pack The “original, trusted, DIY detailing clay” designed to remove the particulate debris and contaminants that washing and polishing can’t, is now available in a three pack perfect for the value conscious heavy clay user. Mothers says the “huge” 300gm value pack is a must have that will drive volume in the car care prep category.
California Gold High Performance Car Wash Fitting neatly into Mothers’ classic range is the introduction of a newly refined super-sudsing premium wash, focused on the everyday consumer and adding a high-performance punch for traditional car care and modern wash-only ceramic-friendly products. Perfect for bucket wash or your foam cannon.
Ultimate Mag and Aluminium Polish Delivering next level reflectivity, Mothers says this is the perfect prosumer product for the discerning automotive enthusiast from the most trusted name in metal polish.
Using ultra-fine, SiO2 infused nano-quartz abrasives, this high-end metal polish is said to provide incredible results on any uncoated metal, including aluminium, billet, stainless steel, nickel, brass, silver and copper. for a flaw-free finish, next level shine with ceramic protection. The team at Command Auto Group says it strives for consumer DIY satisfaction, pride and enjoyment of ownership no matter what their ride, and delivering great products that add to your business. Customer support in store visits, training, a range of social media activities and attendance at car events around Australia have delivered strong positive results for the Mothers brand. Please contact your local Command Auto Representitive or Head office on 02 8853 2900
ACCESSORIES & CAR CARE
SELLEY’S TURTLE WAX HYBRID SOLUTIONS PRO LINE With the benefits of Graphene
Selley’s says the manufacturing world has only begun to scratch the surface in its use of a carbon form called graphene; but in the coming decades; this miracle material will improve our lives in untold ways and help us address some of our most pressing challenges. Graphene helps provide a super slick surface that resists swirl marks and common soil abrasion. The results are unapparelled shine and protection that makes future exterior maintenance extremely easy. Selley’s says Turtle Wax US saw an opportunity to create a new and innovative car care range with Graphene, the Hybrid Solutions Pro Line. To create the range, Turtle Wax US took real Graphene through a process called “High Pressure Exfoliation and Stabilisation.” It says the combined benefits of this patent pending process includes increased UV protection through heat dissipation and reduced dust attraction. This new graphene process facilitates a complex matrix of ingredients in the formula that provides a transparent and extremely glossy dense,
protective, tight web of protection that is extremely water and chemical resistant.
Hybrid Solutions Pro Graphene Flex Wax A spray wax that delivers a strong graphene wax coating with months of long-lasting protection at the pull of the trigger. It can be used on both wet and dry surfaces for incredible gloss, slickness, water repellent and heat dissipation for increased UV protection. Flex Wax is named for its flexibility in use and can be applied as a protective coating after paint correction, a regular maintenance product after washing or standalone protective coating.
Hybrid Solutions Pro to the Max Wax A durable and liquid car wax for professional detailers and auto enthusiasts. It features Turtle Wax’s patent pending graphene infused formula that creates a tighter web of protection and delivers long-lasting depth of colour, gloss, slickness and UV protection. It also contains super-hydrophobic polymers to equip the cars with months of chemical resistance, water repellency and stain prevention.
Hybrid Solutions Pro One and Done Professional Polishing Compound Correct and Finish A flexible, top-of-the-line polishing compound. It allows both professional detailers and car owners to smooth deep scratches and swirls while adding a wet, reflective polish to any glossy clear coat. A powerful product that does not damage the car wax. It is expertly crafted, aluminium oxide abrasives remove up to 1000 grit to erase noticeable imperfections, while advanced platelets slide and glide to protect the car finish from additional damage. It is the ultimate go-to solution for pros and skilled auto enthusiasts looking to upgrade their detailing arsenal. For more information, visit www.turtlewax.com.au
Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
85
ACCESSORIES & CAR CARE
THE MANY USES OF 303 AUTOMOTIVE PROTECTANT Easy to use products providing high quality protection Trico Australia says its full range of 303 Automotive Protectants has been used for years by car detailers and auto enthusiasts alike. It says its products are easy to apply; never leaving the surface glossy or oily, resisting the build-up of dirt and mould and providing overall protection against UV attack. Representing “the gold standard in automotive protection”, Trico Australia says 303 Automotive Protectants can be used for a number of applications. Applying 303 Automotive Protectant to your vehicle’s interior and exterior trim will go a long way to ensuring these often overlooked parts of your car remain in perfect condition. Spray a small amount of 303 Automotive Protectant on plastic and vinyl surfaces and then wipe the excess away with a clean micro-fibre towel. For best results re-apply every 30-45 days. Trico Australia states that regular use of 303 Aerospace Protectant provides 100 percent prevention against slow-fade caused by UV. It
86
Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
is non-toxic, silicone free and biodegradable providing long term protection. 303 Aerospace Protectant prevents drying and cracking and keeps rubber, vinyl and plastic items pliable and supple, thus maintaining or restoring lost colour and lustre. To protect your underbody plastics against dust, dirt and oily spray, Trico Australia says a regular application of 303 will keep your underbody plastics looking fantastic throughout the life of your car. Tyres are your only connection to the road surface beneath you, and are often subject to more abuse than any other part of your car. Not only is it important for your tyres to be in good condition, you also want them looking as good as they were when they rolled off the showroom floor. 303 Automotive Protectants are said to be a sure-fire way to keep your tyres looking good, and free from damage such as dry rot. Much like car applications, RVs and caravans have a number of surfaces that will respond well to 303 Automotive Protectants – as well as leather,
plastics and vinyl, RVs and Caravans will also feature things such as cabinets, cupboards and countertops that require forms of maintenance which Trico Australia says its range is perfect for. For more information or to locate a dealer visit www.303products.com.au
ACCESSORIES & CAR CARE
PROFESSIONAL PRESSURE WASHERS Clean up at CoolDrive
CoolDrive Auto Parts is helping its customers clean up, with a comprehensive range of leading pressure washers now available from its branch network across Australia. CoolDrive’s pressure washer offering is primarily targeted at car detailers, workshops and their wash bays, car dealerships, the mining sector, plus the transport and agricultural industries. For the commencement of the program, CoolDrive will be focused on three core brands, namely Kränzle, PowerShot and HotWash, containing both cold and hot water pressure washers, as well as a full range of complementary accessories and service parts. “This year is shaping up as an exciting one for the Tools and Equipment Category at CoolDrive, with the addition of the pressure washer range just the tip of the iceberg,” CoolDrive Auto Parts Category Manager – Tools and Equipment, Matthew Douglass, said. “We are proud of the products we have assembled to date; they are all professional quality and fully serviceable for long-lasting, reliable usage in the toughest of conditions.
“Our customers have identified pressure washing as an important product line, so like our entire offering, we bring to the market high-quality products that represent great value in the long run.” Leading the way is the Kränzle range, and like CoolDrive, the German brand is family owned and operated, with a comprehensive range complete with systems for every requirement, big or small. As used by the Blanchard Racing Team, Kränzle’s premium construction and componentry is packed with intelligent features, such as a quick-release plug-in system with hardened stainless steel components, which ensures a simple and safe connection every time.
Powershot meanwhile brings the best of American manufacturing to Australia, with designs that are specifically created for the toughest of industrial settings. The offering covers a wide array of applications, from powerful, heavy-duty cold water pressure washers, to specialist drain cleaning machines and more.
Other highlights include a special screw connection that prevents the twisting of the highpressure hose, easy application of special cleaning agents, an intuitive total stop system when the high-pressure gun is not in use, plus compact designs and go-anywhere capabilities.
A focus on precision engineering and quality sees Powershot systems achieve outstanding pressure and water flow characteristics.
All Kränzle systems are fully supported by a comprehensive parts catalogue complete with service kits, ensuring an extended service life.
For further details on the CoolDrive Auto Parts range of pressure washers, plus details of your nearest branch, visit www.cooldrive.com.au
Rounding out the new additions to CoolDrive is the HotWash line, designed and manufactured in Italy to handle high temperature professional use.
ECO-FRIENDLY CAR CARE
SONAX Car Care offers eco-friendly vehicle cleaning products Committed to sustainable, eco-friendly products and processes, SONAX Car Care is based in Germany and says it makes it a point to be ecofriendly wherever possible in its products and operations. SONAX says one of its core values is better health for its employees, its customers, and the environment. The company’s product developments and business processes are geared toward sustainability and long-term success. SONAX states it strives to protect and preserve natural resources and actively contributes to solving environmental problems within the sphere of its influence. To meet its sustainability goals, SONAX has open and transparent sustainability reporting in place. The company says it is also very mindful of how it allocates its financial resources so that investments meet the needs of today without compromising the resources needed by future generations. In its operations, SONAX says it uses advanced equipment that was chosen for its significantly lower energy requirements compared to standard machinery. The company also uses a cold mixing process and energy-saving lighting systems.
One of its top priorities is sustainable packaging solutions, which result in 70 percent less waste in the end-user’s consumption. SONAX explains that it uses recyclable packaging and has been changing over from plastic to cardboard packaging. All canisters are also recyclable, and the company uses recycled plastic and paper where necessary. SONAX states it also creates products that have an efficient cleaning effect, requiring fewer cleaning cycles, and another focus is on product longevity. For example, a 250ml bottle yields 25 liters of highly effective windshield cleaning fluid, with SONAX stating this will last for one to two years for car drivers with average milage. About 90 percent of the total amount of solvents and oils in the company’s products are based on renewable materials, and 25 percent of the surfactants are based on renewable raw materials. About 47 percent of the complexing agents used in the products, including phosphates, are also from natural materials. The products are produced by SONAX GmbH Germany, the company’s manufacturing facility in Neuburg.
SONAX says it is committed to maintaining its ecofriendly products and processes and improving where possible. Further, it states that it will always meet or exceed environmental and legislative standards. The products are imported by Mega Moto Pty Ltd for the Australian and New Zealand markets. These products are reviewed locally and are compliant with local regulations. One of the most popular products is the SONAX Multistar deep clean concentrate all purpose cleaner. SONAX says it is ideal for use in biological water recycling systems. For more information, visit www.sonax.com.au Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
89
ACCESSORIES & CAR CARE
NARVA UPGRADES LED LOAD LIGHT The addition of a glare shield will increase safety for the driver and others on the road
Australian-owned Narva says it is a leader in the development, manufacture, and supply of automotive lighting and electrical components. One of its most popular products is the LED Load Light, which has recently been upgraded to include a glare shield. Narva’s LED Load Light is an in-demand aftermarket addition for commercial vehicles, and it is also offered as a standard fitment by a leading local heavy duty truck manufacturer. The LED Load Light’s single 25W ‘Cree’ LED emits a powerful 2500 Lumen spot beam along each side of the truck. It is mounted to the side mirror frames, aiming backwards toward the truck body or trailing equipment.
HOT WHEELS AMERICANA SERIES PREMIUM CAR CARE PRODUCTS Now at CoolDrive
CoolDrive Auto Parts is now an Officially Authorised Distributor for Australia and New Zealand of the Hot Wheels Americana Series Premium Car Care range. Recognisable by its distinctive “flame” logo, CoolDrive Auto Parts says the Hot Wheels Americana Series Premium Car Care products offer everything owners would want to clean and protect their vehicles and keep them in pristine showroom condition for longer. Made in the USA, the Hot Wheels Americana Series Premium Car Care line-up at CoolDrive is headlined by the Wash and Wax biodegradable car shampoo that deeps cleans and waxes in the same one-step process. Taking protection to the next level in the Ceramix solution which guards and protects the vehicle’s exterior from UV rays, dirt, dust, pollen, road grime, mud, clay and other harmful items, and even fills in light swirl marks. For a showroom glow, the Epic Shine is the go-to product, with its synthetic polymer nano mist repelling dust, dirt, and nature’s elements while also producing an epic shine in minutes.
The spot beam is capable of producing one Lux of light at 160m, which can offer additional visibility when reversing and create a safer environment for load adjustment. The new glare shield gives added protection against glare, and it can also help prevent distracting or ‘dazzling’ other road users. Additionally, it helps protect the driver’s eyes when in use. The LED Load Light is designed with tough diecast alloy housing and fully sealed construction to IP68, which enables it to withstand the challenging Australian road transport conditions.
Tyres and wheels are also catered for with the Pro Tyre Cleaner breaking down built-up dirt and grime to bring back the like-new rubber surface, and the Pro Tyre Finish spray repelling dust and
dirt particles, while at the same time leaving tyres with a crisp, dark long-lasting finish. The All Wheel Cleaner – suitable for coated wheels only – is a heavy duty non-acidic foam that breaks down dirt, brake dust and road grease from wheels, making it simple to clean off. There is also a range of products suitable for the vehicle’s interior including the Trim Cleaner, a potent oxygenated foam which can remove stubborn dirt, oil and stains from all trim surfaces including moulded hard plastic, rubber, vinyl and carpet. The Trim Guard offers the finest interior protection and is suitable for all interior surfaces. Capping off the Hot Wheels Americana Series range at CoolDrive is the Leather Cleaner to remove dirt and oil build-up and the Leather Guard providing leather surfaces an essential barrier of UV protection. For further information on the Hot Wheels Americana Series Premium Car Care products now available at CoolDrive, visit www.cooldrive.com.au
CAR CARE PRODUCTS From Unique Auto Parts
Unique Auto Parts says it has been known for supplying quality parts for European makes for over 20 years, and it also stocks a range of car care products that is continually growing.
Narva says that the installation is very straightforward thanks to the lights being surge protected with reverse polarity.
Recent shipments have brought in new products to keep vehicles running in tip top condition including battery terminal cleaner, carb and intake cleaner, silicone spray, copper spray grease, tool cleaner, break and part cleaner, electrical contact cleaner, engine starter and multi-purpose spray cleaner.
wheels tyre and shine, rapid colour restorer and new products 10-minute treatment for paint work, glass, chrome and trim and black trim and wax.
The lights can be purchased as a pair or for the right-hand side. Each kit also comes with a universal mirror mounting bracket that will allow for easy fitment for all truck makes.
These new products are in addition to some other already popular products including engine cleaner and degreaser, DPF cleaner and complete fuel system cleaner (for diesel engines).
For the interior there is a range of leather cleaner and conditioner and an interior spray that’s effective on seats, carpets, roof linings and all areas of upholstery and interior trim.
The Narva LED Load Light includes a five-year LED warranty. It is available at leading automotive and transport outlets throughout Australia.
Unique Auto Parts also stocks a large range of interior and exterior car care products especially formulated to produce first class results.
In addition to car care products, Unique Auto parts also stock a range of sponges, PVA chamois, polishing cloths and polish pad applicators.
For more information, visit www.narva.com.au
To take care of the exterior there is advanced wash and wax, advances resin polish, wonder
For more information, visit www.uniqueautoparts.com.au or call 1300 864 864 to be connected to your nearest store.
90
Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
TRADE TALK
RACING FOR PERFECTION
Embracing a passion for performance that was sparked as a youngster, today Glenn Paine combines this passion with his engineering prowess and extensive automotive industry experience to drive wellknown performance brand Pro Race into the future Born in Paramatta and raised in Northmead, Pro Race Performance Products Managing Director, Glenn Paine, grew up right in Sydney’s motorsport heartland. “For as long as I can remember, I’ve always been into cars,” Glenn said. “It all started innocently enough, starting out with Matchbox cars, but the die was cast when my parents bought me my first AFX slot car set when I was nine years old.” Traveling into central Parramatta to change buses for Carlingford, where he attended James Ruse Agricultural High School, Glenn discovered the G&D Slot Car centre. That Christmas his parents delivered a “Womp Womp” slot car, and he was soon working there as a 14-year-old and racing comp each Wednesday night. Glenn freely admits that he was bitten by the ‘collecting’ bug early, and together with his late father Ken, built what is considered one of the most extensive collections of 1960s and 70s slot cars in the southern hemisphere. And while Glenn lost count many years ago, he estimates his collection has grown well beyond 4,000. “Slot car racing was a massive fad in the 1960s,” Glenn explained. “Today, you might still be able to find one or two slot car centres around, but there were literally hundreds in the sixties.” “I competed at the Australian Titles in Melbourne when I was 14 finishing tenth. It was an amazing experience and one that I still cherish to this day.” Unfortunately, the popularity of slot car racing started to wane towards the end of the 1960s and in the 70s home set racing started to take over. Glenn
92
Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
stopped racing to focus on his HSC in 1983, but the father and son team started collecting old slot cars. “We grabbed everything we could get our hands-on, and it’s a passion that’s stayed with me for my entire life,” Glenn mentioned. “Today, I’m confident my collection is the biggest in Australia, maybe the Southern hemisphere. I did promise my father when he passed away that I’d get it all on display one day, which is still on the bucket list. It is mostly held in storage units, but I have a plan to bring the display to fruition in the future off the back of the continued growth of the Pro Race business.” If that’s not enough, Glenn has a very healthy Bathurst racing memorabilia collection to display alongside the slot cars. Glenn started his career when he took on an engineering cadetship at Sims Metal. “The cadetship at Sims Metal was a great foundation on which to build my professional career,” Glenn explained. “It provided me with an in-depth understanding of heavy hydraulics, and I did much work on their shears and shredders. It’s funny how things come to pass, I basically started my career by crushing cars, including those from the Mad Max 3 film, and now Pro Race is supplying components to engine manufacturers around the world,” Glenn quipped. Following his time at Sims Metal, Glenn worked for James Hardie in an asset management role and oversaw a greenfield installation of an aluminium extrusion plant in Smithfield for G. James Glass and Aluminium before a chance meeting at a mate’s wedding changed the course of his career significantly. “Right around the time the aluminium extrusion plant was being commissioned, things were starting to slow down. Well, that was until I received a call from one of my mates who said that his uncle wanted to have a chat about a potential new job opportunity,” Glenn said. As it turned out, about a year before Glenn’s mate had gone and got himself hitched in Melbourne and Glenn had met his uncle, John Edwards who was also from Sydney, at the wedding. “John was a very unassuming fellow who became a great mentor for me. John ran a small business called J&L Edwards Pty Ltd. So, I gave him a call, and he asked me if I was interested in joining the business as an engineer. He also asked me how much I knew about torque converters, which was absolutely nothing,” Glenn said.
A week later, Glenn arrived at the J&L Edwards office for an interview and brimming with confidence after spending seven days researching torque converters. “The hard work paid off, and I got the job,” Glenn said. At that time, the business represented several automotive brands, including Sachs (acquired by ZF in 2001) and WABCO (recently also acquired by ZF). Still, the primary focus was the supply of torque converters to what was then the BTR transmission plant in Albury. “The next big shift came in 2002 when ZF flagged their interest in GM’s global Zeta architecture project,” Glenn explained. Via the J&L/Sachs connection, John and Glenn were chosen to support ZF through the acquisition process. The Zeta architecture was going to underpin Holden Commodore and the Camaro program, selected Pontiac programs as well as some vehicles in China, so at that time, the plan was for it to become a truly global platform. “During this time, Holden was the lead program on the Zeta platform as they were GM’s home office for rear-wheel-drive design globally,” Glenn said. ZF was awarded that business in November 2003 and local company ZF Lemforder Australia Pty Ltd was established. ZFLA supplied complete rear modules and front corner modules for the VE Commodore, and the company set up the JIS (just-in-sequence) operation next to the Holden production line in Adelaide. At the time, Glenn was still living in Sydney, but as the trips to Melbourne became more frequent, he bit the bullet and moved the family down in October 2004 for what he then thought would be a three-tofive-year assignment (he’s still there). “We set up the ZF office in Turner Street, just
TRADE TALK
down the road from Holden head office and started building the plant in Edinburgh Park, South Australia, which opened in June 2006,” Glenn said. “It was a very successful program, but GM did a bit of a switcheroo, and the Zeta architecture really never became a global platform. By the time the Camaro arrived, it was built on the Zeta 2 platform, which shared very few components, so it ended up being all about Holden.” Glenn became the Global Account Manager for GM for Chassis Systems during that period. In this role, he was responsible for delivering similar projects in Thailand, Brazil, China and North America. “It was a hectic time of my life, and Australia is not in the best time zone, but I loved every minute of it,” said Glenn. “I was on the ZF global councils for both GM and Ford, and during that period, we were the number one supplier to Holden in terms of dollar value, and I was also on the Holden supplier council. Concurrently, we were the number three supplier to Ford, with the six-speed transmission on Falcon and
Territory, and aluminium front suspension and Sachs monotube damper program for Falcon in full swing.” But of course, all good things come to an end, and Glenn finished up at ZF on June 30, 2017, only a few short months before the final Commodore rolled off the production line. Glenn decided to take a few months off to consider his next move, when he received an interesting call from one of the automotive aftermarket’s more colourful characters in ex-Top Fuel drag racing Champion, Graham Withers. “Graham asked me to come and have a look at his business, Cyco Systems Corporation, of which Pro Race Performance Products was one of the business units. I ended up working with Graham, and we got the business to a point where it was ready for sale, as he approached his retirement, so we started hunting around for buyers,” Glenn said. At the same time, Glenn was approached separately and offered an off-market opportunity to purchase an manufacturing business called Great Engineering. When Glenn saw the facility, he knew straight away
that the Pro Race business could be an attractive add-on. Glenn did some modelling, ran the numbers, and as a shared overhead, the Pro Race business looked profitable. “My Business Manager, Simone Ryan, agreed to jump across to help run the new business and off we went. It took some negotiating, but I settled on both businesses in March 2021. We’ve been trading for a little over a year now,” Glenn said. “It probably wasn’t the best timing to take over a new business, what with the COVID pandemic causing chaos around the globe, but I’m happy to report that Pro Race is going very well.” Pro Race is primarily an export business, with the United States accounting for approximately 90 percent of sales. “We make harmonic dampers, primarily designed for high-performance engines. So, we’re not an OEM replacement. We know what we’re good at and where demand is strong, so we have a fairly narrow range of products, with a focus on Ford, GM and Chrysler, with a little bit of retro English stuff mixed in for good measure, including Jaguar, Austin Healey and MG,” Glenn said. Pro Race supplies harmonic dampers for several of the big US OEM crate engine programs, in addition to supplying performance heavyweights Jegs and Trick Flow via a US warehouse in California. “Not many people realised that there are several different designs and philosophies when manufacturing harmonic dampers. Many companies in the states white label our product, but we recently started to invest in building our brand in this massive market,” Glenn said. All Pro Race products run full coverage elastomer style dampers that deliver several benefits, especially for street cars running high-performance engines. “Unlike a lot of our competitors, our harmonic dampers are basically set and forget. Our Pro Racer and Pro Sport range of harmonic balancers are SFI certified so that you can use them for competition, but if you are just a street guy with a highperformance engine that you’re not trying to retune every second day, then you wouldn’t look past Pro Race,” Glenn said. “Our Pro Racer dampers are designed with a rolled lip, so you don’t need to service them, you can just bolt one up and leave it there for 15 or 20 years, go cruising and just enjoy your car without giving it a second thought and that’s our competitive advantage.” Looking to the future, Glenn has already identified that developing products to suit the Ford modular and GM LS series engines will deliver growth. “We’re also starting to focus on new supercharger dampers applications. Because we don’t necessarily need huge volumes to develop new products, when we identify an opportunity, we can bring it to market quickly,” Glenn said. To find out more about Pro Race, visit www.pro-race.com Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
93
SERVICES
MEGABUS CELEBRATES LAUNCH OF MARLIN BLUE AT AAAE
The new cloud-based Tyre and Workshop ERP was announced at the Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo Megabus says Tyre and auto workshops have been relying on its software for many years to manage essential operations like invoicing, estimating, workshop resource planning, accounts receivable, accounts payable, stock control, procurement, STP compliant payroll and EDI. Now, after seven years of research and development, Megabus says it is excited to introduce the next generation of software, Marlin Blue. The software includes a wide range of capabilities, including inventory, full embedded accounting, and creditor and debt management. It features industry quoting interfaces Repco SmartQuote and Burson EzyParts, native mobile applications for the workshop and it also has “unparalleled” API integrations to rich B2C websites from MyTyreSite and DatabaseDyno retention campaigning. Megabus says the FitmentFinder is a groundbreaking suggestive selling platform for tyre retailers that is embedded in Marlin Blue. It states it will help guide salespeople and consumers
through the process of selecting the best tire for the consumer. “Marlin Blue is a native cloud application, meaning that the essence of its design is its API capabilities to partner and connect to an evergrowing landscape of applications and solutions,” Marlin Blue product owner, David Swan, said. Megabus says it will facilitate connections around the world. “We are excited to see the latest evolution of Marlin come to life by our talented in-house development team with a cloud-first, multi-lingual, multi-company and multi-location approach. These are true foundational requirements to build an ERP for the Australian and International aftermarket depths,” Megabus Chief Executive Officer, Justin Chalk, said. Megabus was introduced to the independent workshop market at the Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo, where it received plenty of attention from the attendees and other exhibitors.
CLUTCHTECH PROVIDES ANSWERS
Marlin Blue is just one of many automotive aftermarket business and support products offered by Megabus. Its other products and services include managed hardware and standard operating environment services, back office backoffice and bookkeeping services, Marlin GTX software, Marlin HR payroll software, and the extensive Mega-link EDI network. For more information, visit www.megabus.com.au
ACS is supporting workshops with Online Technical Resources The ClutchTech technical support database by Australian Clutch Services (ACS) has been developed to support workshops around Australia with a wide range of clutch specific technical information and videos. The ClutchTech brand encompasses the entire database of technical support information including ACS Technical Service Bulletins which are distributed with each kit, an online troubleshooting guide and an online video series looking at some of the most common clutch related technical questions. “Our ClutchTech database has been developed over many years to try and minimise the time workshops require to accurately diagnose a clutch issue,” ACS Sales Manager, Colin Jevons, said.
94
Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
“With the knowledge that our team has developed over our 30 years of operations in Australia, we have been able to put together a comprehensive range of clutch diagnostics and technical information and ClutchTech is a great way for us to share this with the automotive community.” The online troubleshooting guide is available on the ACS website and is an easy-to-use diagnostic tool that explores common clutch failure symptoms and the key points to check for each. ACS says this guide is ideal for workshops who are trying to diagnose a clutch failure before they purchase the components for replacement. By looking at the most common causes of that failure, workshops are then able to see what additional components may be required such as a broken clutch fork or hydraulics. The ClutchTech video series offers a great way for technicians to review installation processes for everything from basic clutch fitment guides through to vehicle specific installation information. ACS explains the series includes over 50 videos and says it has proven popular around the world with some of the most popular videos looking at DCT clutch removal and installation and hydraulic pedal adjustment. The videos are ideal for technicians who may be
caught on a clutch installation procedure and who require more detailed information or to actually see an example of the process. ACS also includes ClutchTech Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) with applicable clutch kits. These printed flyers give important further technical support information for specific clutch kits and also include QR codes to related technical videos if available. Operating for more than 30 years, Australian Clutch Services offers an extensive range of complete clutch kits, flywheels, hydraulics, accessories and tools through a nationwide distributor network. Australian Clutch Services’ leading brands include ClutchPro, Xtreme Clutch, Xtreme Outback, ClutchPro Commercial, AG Clutch and Classic Clutch. For more information, please visit the ClutchTech page on www.australianclutch.com.au or call 1800 CLUTCH.
MILESTONES
CAPRICORN CELEBRATES 25,000 MEMBER MILESTONE Capricorn is now the third-largest cooperative in Australia Capricorn, Australasia’s largest automotive cooperative, celebrates an outstanding milestone in 2022, reaching 25,000 Member businesses across Australia and New Zealand. It has been 48 years since Capricorn was created by 17 Western Australian Golden Fleece service station operators, seeking to gain more parts purchasing power and value by uniting as a cooperative. Steady growth has been the hallmark of Capricorn’s success, meaning so much more than strength in numbers. Capricorn says its success comes from being an extensive and highly effective network created by auto repairers for auto repairers. At 25,000 plus Members, Capricorn is now the third-largest cooperative in Australia. Capricorn says it is proud of the impact it has had on Member businesses, their families and the broader automotive aftermarket industry. As a cooperative, Capricorn Members are also the owners, making them eligible for dividends if they are declared. By using their Capricorn Trade Accounts to purchase from Capricorn Preferred
Suppliers, Members were able to benefit from $92 million in pre-tax returns in 2021. This equated to a Member value return of 28 percent. Capricorn says it continues its almost five-decadelong history of successful growth while maintaining its core cooperative and ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility and caring for others. “I genuinely believe cooperatives are purposedriven organisations that have relevance and meaning for their Members’ lives every day. This is the difference between the investor model and the cooperative and mutual model of business, and it is the bedrock that makes them so special,” Capricorn Chief Executive Officer, David Fraser, said. “Supporting our Members’ businesses and helping to make them stronger is fundamental to ensuring a positive and sustainable future. Making your business stronger is without a doubt the major advantage of being a Capricorn Member, as more than 25,000 Members across Australia and New Zealand can attest.” Bradley Gannon, Capricorn Automotive Chief
Executive Officer added “the more we grow our membership, the more opportunity there will be to add even greater value to our Members, to help them run an even better and stronger business. “Although our size and offering have increased over the years, what hasn’t changed is our complete member focus – we still put the member at the heart of everything that we do. Together we are stronger and together we will survive and thrive in these challenging and ever-changing times,” Bradley said. To find out more about joining Capricorn, visit www.capricorn.coop
MESSE FRANKFURT CELEBRATES ANNIVERSARY Messe Frankfurt is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its international sales partner network The global player now has a presence in 190 countries, creating an international network with 30 subsidiaries and around 50 sales partners that is without equal in the German exhibition industry. “The success of our global network structure can be seen in the fact that many of our foreign events are the second- or third-largest in their respective sectors worldwide – the largest being the corresponding flagship event at our Frankfurt base,” Messe Frankfurt President and Chief Executive Officer, Wolfgang Marzin, said. “The importance of this international network to our company has also been underscored during the pandemic, because our foreign events have allowed us to generate revenues that were denied to us in Frankfurt.” Frankfurt’s international sales partners got their start in spring 1922, when the Genoa Economic and Financial Conference marked Germany’s return to the global marketplace following the end of the First World War. For the first time, the catalogue for the International Frankfurt Fair listed international sales partners in 25 countries – most of which were located in Europe, such as in Italy and Switzerland.
Another eleven international sales partners were added within the space of five years, including an office in India. Back then, these partners still worked on an honorary basis, with their remuneration coming in the form of commissions on the stand rental fees that they generated. Following the Spring Fair in 1929, International Frankfurt Fairs and the business with international sales partners were put on ice due to the global economic crisis. In 1949 and 1950, however, new international sales partners were established in Australia, Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Turkey. Over the next 40 years, Messe Frankfurt continued to grow internationally, achieving two major milestones with its first trade fair outside Germany – Interstoff Asia in Hong Kong in 1987 – and the establishment of its first foreign subsidiary in Tokyo in 1990. Some of the company’s present-day subsidiaries started out as international sales partners, including the French subsidiary set up in 2002.
affording Messe Frankfurt access to industries, customers, ministries and associations in a wide range of countries. The result is a global network that continues to expand. “Even in difficult times like during the global pandemic these past two years, we believe in the power of our international network,” Wolfgang said.
Messe Frankfurt has been enjoying successful long-term relationships with its international sales partners for 100 years now.
“That is because we believe in achieving international understanding through face-to-face interaction and the peaceful exchange of products and ideas. Countless long-term professional partnerships – and lasting friendships – have come into being at trade fairs.”
These sales partners acquire customers locally,
For more information, visit www.messefrankfurt.com Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
95
CONSUMER LAW
WARRANTIES
The second topic in Industry Legal Group’s article series, based on Emma Dalley’s presentation at the AAAExpo At the AAAExpo, Industry Legal’s Emma Dalley presented a seminar on the top five most common legal enquiries Industry Legal receives. In this edition, Industry Legal takes a look at the topic of warranties voluntarily provided by manufacturers and suppliers to consumers, including how warranties and Australian Consumer Law (ACL) consumer guarantees apply to consumer claims, and the ACL requirements for warranties offered to consumers.
How long do warranties and consumer guarantees last?
Warranties and Consumer Guarantees
Providing a Warranty
A warranty is a voluntary promise made to a consumer by a manufacturer or supplier. It operates as a contract between the manufacturer or supplier and the consumer.
If your business provides a warranty it must comply with the requirements set out in the ACL. The ACL requires a warranty to be transparent and to clearly include the following information: • what the customer must do to be entitled to claim the warranty; • what the business will do to honour the warranty; • the business name, address, telephone and email; • the period within which the defect must appear; • the process for making a claim, including the address to send the claim; and • who will be liable for the expense of making the claim, and if it is the business, how the customer can claim such expenses. The ACL also requires the following to be included in the warranty: • a statement to the effect that the warranty benefits are in addition to other rights and remedies available to the consumer under the law in respect of the warranted goods or services; and • a mandatory statement, the exact wording of which is provided in the ACL, and which varies depending on whether the business giving the warranty provides only goods, only services or both goods and services. Below is the mandatory wording for a business that provides both goods and services:
The consumer guarantees are statutory guarantees provided under the ACL. Consumer guarantees apply automatically and cannot be contracted out of, restricted or modified. If a consumer guarantee is not met, the consumer is entitled to make a claim under the consumer guarantees despite any warranty provided by a manufacture or supplier. Additionally, more than one person may have a consumer guarantee obligation in relation to the same product. This gives consumers several avenues to seek a remedy for the failure of a product, including through the warranty (if there is one); through the supplier’s consumer guarantee obligation; or through the manufacturer’s consumer guarantee obligation (if applicable). A consumer guarantee claim can be made against the supplier of a defective part, even where the manufacturer has a warranty in place for that part (where the supplier has provided a remedy to a consumer for a defective product, the supplier may be able to make a claim against the manufacturer under the ACL).
Warranties are provided for the warranty period, being the amount or time (and/or kilometers), specified in the warranty. On the other hand, the consumer guarantees apply for a reasonable period based on the nature of the product. This means that the consumer guarantees may continue to apply to a product after a warranty period has expired.
“Our goods and services come with guarantees that cannot be excluded under the Australian Consumer Law. For major failures with the service, you are entitled: · to cancel your service contract with us; and · to a refund for the unused portion, or to compensation for its reduced value. You are also entitled to choose a refund or replacement for major failures with goods. If a failure with the goods or a service does not amount to a major failure, you are entitled to have the failure rectified in a reasonable time. If this is not done you are entitled to a refund for the goods and to cancel the contract for the service and obtain a 96
Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
refund of any unused portion. You are also entitled to be compensated for any other reasonably foreseeable loss or damage from a failure in the goods or service.” A warranty may also include other features that limit the warranty and assist to protect the business, provided they don’t contravene the ACL, for example: • a warranty can be non-transferable, so that your customer has the benefit of the warranty but no third parties have the benefit (e.g. where the vehicle is sold); • specify circumstances in which a warranty claim will not be successful, for example, if the customer uses a vehicle abnormally or fails to take reasonable steps to look after the vehicle, and this causes the issue (e.g. failing to service the vehicle as required and this causes the issue); • requiring that the vehicle be returned to the business for assessment and repair; • exclude reasonably foreseeable loss (which is available under the ACL).
Takeaways The key takeaways are: • the consumer guarantees continue to operate even where a warranty exists. • a warranty does not replace or limit the consumer guarantees. • the consumer guarantees apply automatically and cannot be contracted out of. • supplier and manufacturer warranties must comply with the requirements set out in the ACL. This document is intended for general information purposes only and should not be regarded as legal advice. Please contact Industry Legal Group if you require legal advice.
AAAA Member Benefits Industry Legal Group provides advice to members on commercial law matters. If you have any questions relating to the above information, please contact Industry Legal Group on 1300 369 703 or aaaa@industrylegalgroup.com.au
HR
PREPARING FOR ANNUAL WAGE REVIEW
The Fair Work Commission (FWC) is scheduled to announce its 2021-2022 annual wage review (Decision) Following the wage review, the FWC may announce a wage increase before 1 July 2022. When the Decision is released, the pay guides for the Vehicle Repair, Service and Retail Award (Vehicle Award) and the Clerks Private Sector Award (Clerks Award) will be updated and made available to AAAA members.
What steps can be taken to prepare? In preparation for the Decision, AAAA members are encouraged to: • review existing employment contracts to ensure they are applicable to the current work arrangements and compliant; • if you do not have existing employment contracts, consider implementing them for all employees and rolling these out in line with each employee’s wage review; and • commence reviewing current wage arrangements with employees to determine whether the increase can be absorbed or if the business needs to budget and plan to increase the employees’ wages.
Reviewing existing Employment Contracts The upcoming Decision with its anticipated wage increases provides a good opportunity to review existing employment contracts to ensure they are appropriate for the current work arrangements and compliant. For example, if the business is paying employees above the award rate, consider whether: • the amount paid to the employee means that they are no worse off compared with their minimum entitlements, including current wage rates and any wage increases (and applicable overtime and penalties in respect of those wages); and • the contract includes an appropriate offsetting clause, providing that any current or new legal payment entitlements are absorbed in the employees’ pay.
Employment contracts must comply with the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (Act) and the applicable award. Employment contracts must not provide less than the employees minimum legal entitlement or unlawfully restrict the employee from benefitting from those entitlements regardless of whether the employee is paid at or above the award rate. For example: • employees should not be paid below the award rate; • an employee is entitled to be paid for overtime and penalty rates where applicable. If an employee is paid above the award rate, it is important to keep this in mind, for instance where an employee works on Saturday, the amount they are paid should be sufficient to absorb the Saturday penalty rate (and other relevant entitlements). If the employee is paid the award rate, their contract should not restrict or exclude overtime or penalty entitlements they have under the Act and relevant award; and • employees are entitled to accrue and take annual leave. The contract should not provide for a smaller number of annual leave days than that provided for under the Act or restrict the employee benefitting from that annual leave. An instance where this may occur is if the contract includes a clause allowing the employer not to grant annual leave for any reason (under the Act the employer may not unreasonably withhold annual leave). Employer Assist can review existing employment contracts and provide members with advice on any amendments required or improvements that can be made.
Implementing new Employment Contracts If you do not have existing employment contracts, Employer Assist recommends implementing them for all employees. Employer Assist can provide members with template employment contracts tailored to suit any individual requirements and provide advice on rolling these contracts out to new and existing employees. Employer Assist’s employment contracts include the following key provisions addressing: • position title, duties and responsibilities; • the type of employment and hours; • where applicable, the award and classification level; • remuneration; • leave and other entitlements; and • termination including resignation, redundancy, abandonment and other obligations on termination.
Other employment contract provisions, that can be tailored to address particular circumstances, may also be included in an employment contract, including provisions addressing: • confidential information; • intellectual property; • employee restraints; • employee compliance with policies and procedures; • employee compliance with work health and safety obligations; and • employee warranties, including in relation to information provided, qualifications and authorisations.
Reviewing wage arrangements If the Decision includes an increase to the minimum rates of pay and you are already paying your employee sufficiently above the minimum rate of pay, you may be able to absorb the increase depending on the particular employment arrangements. If a registered agreement applies to the workplace, you will need to ensure the minimum base rates in the agreement remain at least equal to the base award rates. If not, the agreement rates will need to be increased to at least match the base award rates.
Assistance and Pay Guides Once the Decision is announced, Employer Assist will prepare updated Vehicle Award and Clerks Award pay guides for members. AAAA members can also contact Employer Assist for specific advice on whether absorbing an increase is possible based on individual circumstances. This article is intended for information purposes only and should not be regarded as legal advice. Please contact Employer Assist for advice.
AAAA Member Benefits If you require assistance, contact Employer Assist on 1300 735 306 or aaaa@employerassist.com.au Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
97
PERFORMANCE & RACING
TRAVEL WITH A PURPOSE The iconic Variety Bash is on again
For the ultimate bucket-list travel experience, how about putting the iconic Variety Bash on your calendar for 2022? You can kick off in Winton, Hyden, Tassie’s wild west coast, Sydney, Newcastle, Melbourne, Adelaide, or the Northern Territory for the adventure of a lifetime. The first Variety Bash was held in 1985 following an idea by Dick Smith, in which he invited his mates “for a drive in the bush” and raised $250,000 for Variety - the Children’s Charity, to help kids living with disability, disadvantage or illness. This inaugural event travelled from Bourke (NSW) to Burketown (QLD) and was such a success that many more Bashes have been held since then across all of Australia, raising hundreds of millions of dollars for Variety kids.
The original concept continues today, whereby hundreds of Australians annually grab an old car, rally their friends to join in, all the while fundraising together to raise more than $7 million nationally in funds to help kids. There are eight Variety Bashes which are organised annually throughout Australia, most of which are 10 days long. In addition, there’s a myriad of other Variety touring events such as jet ski and motorbike journeys to choose from. What they all have in common is a chance to experience the roads less travelled. “It’s a great way to experience the outback while making new friends and you’ve got the security of knowing you have a full support group including mechanics and first aid crews,” Variety Australia General Manager David Small, said, speaking for all the states and territories that manage and stage the eight Variety Bash events nationally. “Not only do we help kids via the funds raised, but we bring important economic impact to the regional towns we visit.” Studies have shown that larger Bashes leave around $40,000 to $60,000 in towns they visit.
Another advantage of the Bash is the usually “unobtainable experience” – the opportunity to tour on private roads and perhaps stay at places only exclusively available to the Bash, or even meet a famous face or two. For example, last year the Queensland Bash stayed overnight at RM Williams’ property where James Blundell performed some of his country music hits, while on last year’s NSW Bash singer John Williamson took part in the Bash and Dave Gleeson of Screaming Jets performed a surprise gig in Lightning Ridge. The 2022 Variety Bashes cover many different routes all over Australia, so there will be a trip to suit everyone. To register your interest or to find out more, go to www.variety.org.au/state-events
HISTORIC RACING AT ITS BEST
The 2022 Australian Phillip Island Classic lived up to its reputation in March The Victorian Historic Racing Register (VHRR) once again staged the biggest historic event in Australia at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit in recently. The event is proudly sponsored by Burson Auto Parts, CoolDrive Auto Parts and Penrite, and 450 entries provided interesting fields across a wide range of categories from the five litre V8 Touring Cars, through to a field of fifty-seven Formula Fords. There were no international cars due to shipping difficulties, however the huge field included three overseas drivers: Richard Tarling from the United Kingdom, Gislain Genecand from Switzerland and Xavier Michel from France; who all did battle with the locals for The Perkins Cup. The International drivers enjoyed great success with Gislain Genecand winning the Formula Ford outright with Richard Tarling seventh and Xavier Michel eleventh in a 57-car grid.
98
Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
The Don Kinsey Encouragement Award for Young Drivers went to 16 year old junior member, William Sala, who was driving a 1975 Elfin Formula V and winner of the Q & R F5000. F1, Indy Cars and Invited, was won by Guido Belgiorno-Nettis in his 1985 Ferrari 156/85. In Saturday’s race Guido was challenged closely by second place winner Grant Doulman in a 1988 Shrike NB89H although Guido stretched the margin out in Sunday’s final race. Q & R Sports & P & Invited was won handsomely from start to finish by Thomas Tweedie in a 1974 Elfin MS7 who wasn’t seriously challenged over the three-day event. Larry Perkins and his son Jack were at the Island to race Holden Commodores in the Australian fans’ favourite category, the five litre touring car races. Following his successes in Europe, Larry became a local legend in touring cars and the seventy-one-year-old, six-time winner of the Bathurst 1000-kilometre race, was enjoying the relaxed atmosphere of historic racing. Jack was the outright winner of this spirited challenge. Andy Newall was the fourth overseas driver to make the trip down under. Unfortunately, Andy’s borrowed McLaren M6B suffered a hub failure on Friday so he missed racing on the weekend.
The single seater event for cars from the seventies through to the nineties provided the fascinating sight of famed racing car designer Malcolm Oastler in a Ralt RT1 dicing with a Reynard 92D, a car he designed. After following the Reynard for a number of laps Oastler edged his 1600cc Ralt past the three-litre car taking fourth place in the Sunday morning race. The winner of the Sir Jack Brabham Trophy for Driver of the Meeting was Nick Bennett who raced in two categories and achieved 3 outright wins in Class M & O Sports Racing driving a 1970 Elfin TC-W 600B. Many of the spectators took the opportunity to drive their special cars to the track, with car clubs providing displays in the vast area overlooking the main straight. Organisers hope that next year some international cars can add further interest to the VHRR’s impressive event. For more information, visit www.vhrr.com
PERFORMANCE & RACING
AUSTRALIA BECOMES A NITRO NATION Burson Auto Parts Australian Top Fuel Championship releases 2022/2023 calendar The Burson Auto Parts Australian Top Fuel Championship will make history next season, visiting every Australian state and territory with a national level drag strip for the first time. Dates for the 2022/2023 season have been locked in, with three new venues joining the series for a total of seven races. Season two of the Burson Auto Parts Australian Top Fuel Championship kicks off on Friday the 2nd of September in Alice Springs as the headline act of the incredibly popular Red CentreNATS festival in Alice Springs. Other new venues for season two will see Top Fuel race at the new drag strip being constructed at the world-class facility The Bend in South Australia, and the fire breathing dragsters will make their long-awaited return to Willowbank Raceway in Queensland in the New Year.
Burson Auto Parts Australian Top Fuel Championship Season Two dates: • Round One: Red CentreNATS, Alice Springs Inland Dragway, NT — September 2, 2022 • Round Two: Summernats Slam, Heathcote Park, VIC — October 1-2, 2022 • Round Three: Goldenstates, Perth Motorplex, WA — November 11-12, 2022 • Round Four: New Year Nitro, Willowbank Raceway, QLD — January 7-8, 2023 • Round Five: Top Fuel Slam, The Bend Motorsport Park, SA — March 11-12, 2023 • Round Six: Nitro Champs, Sydney Dragway, NSW — May 5-6, 2023
• Round Seven: Darwin Supercars, Hidden Valley, NT — Date TBC “The Burson Auto Parts Australian Top Fuel Championship is truly national,” Andy Lopez said. “When this series began, we said we’d get Top Fuel racing in front of more fans all over Australia, in festival events that showcase these incredible nitro racing machines. “That’s what we’ve done, and in Season two we’re looking forward to other professional categories including Top Bike, Door Slammer, Pro Mod, Pro Stock and Pro Alcohol racing at any of our events that they choose.” Sportsman categories, including Junior Dragster, will also be invited to race at all Burson Auto Parts Australian Top Fuel Championship Series rounds. Each event will be developed with its own identity, creating unmissable experiences with a much wider offering of motorsport fun, such as burnouts, drifting and freestyle motocross, encouraging spectators to travel the country with the series. “In season one, fans are already being treated to unique events. We’re at Summernats Slam at Heathcote where the Burnout Masters series meets Top Fuel racing two weeks from now. Then Top Fuel heads to Darwin to run alongside Supercars and Superbikes, in what will be the wildest motorsport event in Australia this year. It’s an opportunity to enjoy the most ridiculously powerful motorsport on earth with a variety of other high-horsepower activities,” Andy said. The industry leading Burson Auto Parts Australian Top Fuel Championship TV broadcast returns for season two, with all rounds to be aired live on 7plus and Facebook, followed by an in-depth post produced show on 7mate. Series broadcast chief Nathan Prendergast said nitro drag racing fans will be able to enjoy the action from anywhere in the world at any time.
“Our fans want to be able to watch the racing when and where they like, so it’s up to us to meet that expectation,” Nathan said. “Whether they are watching at home or on the go, we want to make sure the quality is outstanding. We’re really proud of the broadcast from season one, and it’s only going to get better with more cameras, more stories, and more analysis.” Burson Automotive’s Anthony Hughes said that Australia’s preferred trade supplier of parts, tools and workshop equipment was delighted with their first year supporting the Burson Auto Parts Australian Top Fuel Championship. “The mix of racing classes and the support events has provided a very exciting spectator focused platform to demonstrate horsepower at many levels. Burson teams and customers in states without rounds in 2022 have been eager to get Top Fuel in their hometowns, and I envisage some big smiles when they read the calendar for Season two,” Anthony said. To visit with as many Australian motorsport fans as possible, the Burson Auto Parts Australian Top Fuel Championship remains sanction-neutral, and racers will simply align with each track’s choice of sanctioning body. Andy said that a changing feast of drag racing entertainment will be served up at each and every event on the calendar. “Festival-style, engaging events are what everyone wants, whether they be racers, fans, or sponsors. That’s what we’re delivering,” Andy said. For more information about the ATFC, visit www.topfuelchampionship.com.au For more information about Burson Auto Parts, visit www.burson.com.au Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
99
MEMBERS IN MOTORSPORT
NICHE FOCUS DELIVERS FOR MOTORSPORT BRAKES CUSTOMERS Motorsport Brakes was established to supply premium brake friction products to the Australian and New Zealand markets The company is now the world’s largest brake pad distributor for one of Japan’s most experienced manufacturers of braking products – Winmax Corp. A subsidiary of MK Kashiyama Group, Winmax work with Motorsport Brakes (MSB) on all business outside of Japan. World class racing brake pad brand CIRCO Racing Brake Pads is also distributed by Motorsport Brakes in Australia, with MSB acting on behalf of CIRCO in all racing category supply including for GT3, TA2 Muscle Cars, Australian Production Cars, TCR, Aust Rally Championship, Touring Car Masters, RX8 Cup Racing Series, World Time Attack and much more. “Given that Motorsport Brakes is a specialist and niche company who only deals in high-end quality braking products, the markets we deal in are quite defined: Heavy Duty, High-Performance and Competition,” Motorsport Brakes Director, Marty Beckton, said. “So, all work we do is aimed at those markets and we work with some competition categories such as TA2 Muscle Cars to supply ‘control’ brake pads for the TA2 category.” Marty explains that MSB is a business dealing in quality products offering personal service focused entirely on quality and rapid response to crucial requirements in specialist fields including Motorsport, Street Performance, OEM, Fleet and Government. “The fact the MSB deals so heavily in motorsport has real benefits to our customer base when it comes to experience and product development,” Marty said. “A perfect example of this is our involvement with the Lynton BMW Production Car team in Queensland. These guys have been at the pointyend of Australian Production Cars for some years
100
Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine June 2022
and have won the Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst Six Hour event twice in the last three years, including last year’s event with the Shane Van Gisbergen BMW M4. “New CIRCO brake pad compounds have been developed for this endurance purpose and these products are now commercially available for all customers to buy. For some parts of our customer base, this is invaluable as many of these teams at the lower end of the budget scale simply cannot afford to develop and test. So, a fully developed plug-in solution is available due to the development we have carried out on other cars. “This same type of thing does happen for trade customers who are looking for high performance solutions for their road going customers as well. “Many of the products we supply have been tried and tested in competition environments such as World Time Attack where we tend to use high performance street pads for quick one-lap runs. Some of these products end up in our range or some of the existing products are also used at times which give our company and sales department realworld knowledge of how our products behave. All of this benefits our customers. “We enjoy plenty of benefits from our involvement in motorsport as well of course. For instance,
the leveraging existing relationships to create new ones! Word of mouth is not a new concept of course, but it is by far our biggest form of advertising. “Brake systems on competition cars are not only a performance item, but also safety items. They must be reliable and capable of dealing with the punishment that is normal in racing or rally cars. So, you can imagine a driver who may have had a really good experience with our product telling other drivers, engineers or team owners and then this will trickle down and spread as these various people move around in motorsport or communicate with others. “This is enough in most cases for customers to make their mind up about a product. Of course, this can go the other way as well if someone has a bad experience, but fortunately we don’t have this very often!” MSB is working hard at expanding its capabilities. “We are evaluating new products from Winmax and CIRCO, as well as other brands. Our business has built a very good customer base now, so we are looking to be able to offer more to these customers. However, MSB is also being very careful to make sure that we only supply high quality products, so watch this space,” Marty said. “We have also recently arranged the installation of a new dyno in Japan in conjunction with Winmax Corp. Once commissioned later this year, this facility will allow CIRCO Brakes to more quickly develop pad compounds suitable for various categories around the World. “The technical requirements from race teams and larger organisations in the Motorsport world require specific and highly detailed information from parts suppliers to even have the opportunity to test on the cars. So, one of our main tasks over the next months is to get into a better position with our technical information capabilities in order to develop new products more quickly!” To learn more about Motorsport Brakes, visit www.motorsportbrakes.com.au
