Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine - October 2022

VIVA ENERGY – LEADING LOCALLY

AFTER YOUR CUSTOMERS’

CONDITIONING

CALENDAR 2022-23

AAPEX

The Venetian Expo, Las Vegas, Nevada 1 - 3 November 2022 www.aapexshow.com/

SEMA Show

Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada

1 - 4 November 2022 www.semashow.com

Automechanika Dubai

Dubai World Trade Centre 22 – 24 November 2022 www.automechanika.messefrankfurt.com

PRI 2022

Indianapolis, Indiana, USA 8 – 10 December 2022 www.performanceracing.com/tradeshow

Automechanika Shanghai

Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Centre

20 – 23 December 2022 www.automechanika.messefrankfurt.com

Autocare 2023

Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre 9 – 10 June 2023 www.autocare.org.au

A2Y Auto Repairs

1/6 Downes Road WINNELLIE NT 0820 Ph: 08 8984 3606

E: enquiries@a2yautorepairs.com.au

Ace Motor Care

6 Suffolk Road SUNSHINE NORTH VIC 3020 Ph: 03 9312 1752 E: ace_motor_care@hotmail.com

Automotive iQ

144-150 Hobart Road KINGS MEADOWS TAS 7249 Ph: 03 6344 7305 E: info@automotiveiq.com.au

Autotune

81 Queens Road FIVE DOCK NSW 2046 Ph: 02 9747 1368 E: cmrepairs@bigpond.com.au

Bob Mol Motors Pty Ltd

20 Erskine Road CARINGBAH NSW 2229 Ph: 0404 873 203 E: service@bobmolmotors.com.au

Bosch Car Service Helensburgh

203 Parkes Street HELENSBURGH NSW 2508 Ph: 02 4294 4706

E: admin@transitionautomotive.com.au

Cane

3 Chandler Street MARRICKVILLE NSW 2044 Ph: 02 9736 2612

E: maurizio@mastertouchauto.com.au

Cars24

19 Link Court BROOKLYN VIC 3012 Ph: 0412 906 306 E: heidi.horner@cars24.com

Christo’s Cars

7A 219 Brisbane Road LABRADOR QLD 4215 Ph: 0405 213 688 E: christo.bekker@yahoo.com

CP Performance

19 Alawoona Street LEGANA TAS 7277 Ph: 0407 287 264 E: shanesuter@hotmail.com

Elite Torque Mechanical

7 Sullivan Drive STANTHORPE QLD 4380 Ph: 07 4681 0741 E: workshop@elitetorque.com.au

Engine 2 Exhaust Performance & Mechanical

1 Moo Street BERRIMAH NT 0828 Ph: 08 8900 8033 E: sales@e2eauto.com.au

Goldstar Automotive

6-8 Rees Street INVERMAY TAS 7248 Ph: 03 6333 0350 E: admin@goldstarauto.com.au

Grafton Auto Electrics

2/45 Villiers Street GRAFTON NSW 2460 Ph: 02 6642 2591 E: grantgthompson@hotmail.com

G’s Car Care

1/ 8-10 Deadman Road MOOREBANK NSW 2170 Ph: 02 9558 8822 E: gary@gscarcar.com.au

Hamer Offroad

16 Atlantic Drive Keysborough VIC 3173 Ph: 0458 427 892 E: pol.golard@hamer4x4.com

NEW MEMBERS

Harrower Tube Bending

40 Sandhurst Road CALIFORNIA GULLY VIC 3556 Ph: 03 5446 1688

E: margaret@harrowertubebending.com.au

Injection Perfection

8 Drover Road BANKSTOWN AIRPORT NSW 2200 Ph: 02 9791 3122

E: sales@injectionperfection.com.au

Lamb Mechanical

1 Curr Street DEVONPORT TAS 7310 Ph: 03 6424 7744 E: lambmech510@bigpond.com

Lanotec Australia Pty Ltd Unit 79, 57-101 Balham Road ARCHERFIELD QLD 4108 Ph: 07 3373 3700 E: robert.doncon@lanotec.com.au

MDD Mechanical & Performance 24 Beresford Road ARCHER NT 0830 Ph: 08 8967 1649

E: info@mddmechanicalperformance.com.au

Midas Launceston

Corner of Wellington & Elizabeth Streets LAUNCESTON TAS 7250 Ph: 03 6331 4655 E: launceston@midas.com.au

Midas Tweed Heads 45 Minjungbal Drive

TWEED HEADS SOUTH NSW 2486 Ph: 07 5523 4266

E: sales@tweedheads.midas.com.au

MITS Alloy Pty Ltd

12 Woodstock Street MAYFIELD NSW 2304 Ph: 02 4967 6817 E: michelle@mitsalloy.com.au

Motion Automotive 82 Herald Street CHELTENHAM VIC 3192 Ph: 03 9584 3335 E: motionauto@bigpond.com

Natrad Ballarat 1/ 38 Grandlee Drive WENDOUREE VIC 3350 Ph: 03 5338 2200 E: jack@duomobile.com.au

Natrad Berwick 80-86 Enterprise Avenue BERWICK VIC 3806 Ph: 03 9769 9477

E: sales@ultimateradiators.com.au

Natrad Griffith 26-28 Altin Street GRIFFITH NSW 2680 Ph: 02 6962 6996 E: guy@autoedgegriffith.com.au

Natrad Marrickville

10 Chapel Street MARRICKVILLE NSW 2204 Ph: 02 9557 1079

E: alexandriaradiatorservice@hotmail.com

Natrad Moorabbin

18 Keys Road MOORABBIN VIC 3189 Ph: 03 9555 5755 E: kerrie.clinton1965@gmail.com

AAAA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CHAIRMAN

Mark Pedder (VIC) Pedders Suspension Pty Ltd Ph: 03 9706 3500

Craig Baills (QLD), Highfields Mechanical Ph: 07 4696 7116

Natrad Phillip

24 Grenville Court PHILLIP ACT 2606 Ph: 02 6282 3926 E: sales@autoheat.com.au

Natrad Raymond Terrace

9 Port Stephens St RAYMOND TERRACE NSW 2324 Ph: 02 4987 4113 E: rtnatrad@tpg.com.au

Natrad Shepparton

20 Campbell Street SHEPPARTON VIC 3630 Ph: 03 5821 8500 E: joedelai@live.com.au

Natrad Southport

12 Bay Street SOUTHPORT QLD 4215 Ph: 07 5532 5922

E: southport.radiators@westnet.com.au

Noosa Exhaust & Mechanical

11-13 Rene Street NOOSAVILLE QLD 4566 Ph: 07 5449 7811 E: info@noosaexhaust.com.au

RMJ Mechanical Repairs Pty Ltd

211 Edgeware Road MARRICKVILLE NSW 2204 Ph: 0407 148 251

E: rmjmechanicalrepairs@gmail.com

Rock Armor Pty Ltd

296 Hume Hwy LANSVALE NSW 2166

Ph: 02 8004 9402 E: mark@powerful4x4.com.au

Rowe Auto Electrical

2 Telemon Street BEAUDESERT QLD 4285 Ph: 0419 743 902

E: mark@roweautoelectrical.com.au

Stoddy’s Mobile Mechanical

2/10 Butler Place HOLTZE NT 0829 Ph: 0405 360 085

E: stoddysmechanical@outlook.com

Stuart Hunter Motors

81 Levanswell Road MOORABBIN VIC 3189 Ph: 03 9555 9791 E: stuarthunter@bigpond.com

Tasman Automotive

90 William Street DEVONPORT TAS 7310 Ph: 03 6476 0747 E: 90tasman@gmail.com

Tasman Bm

8223 Channel Hwy MARGATE TAS 7109 Ph: 0409 559 340 E: matthew@tasmanbm.com

T-Power

F1/7 Technology Circuit HALLAM VIC 3803 Ph: 1300 772 678 E: ian.liao@t-power.com.au

Tune Corp

Unit 6/1830 Albany Hwy MADDINGTON WA 6109 Ph: 0427 089 419 E: shannon@tunecorp.com.au

Wayne’s Auto Repairs

22 Varley Street YEERONGPILLY QLD 4105

Ph: 07 3892 5543

E: eric@waynesautorepairs.com.au

DEPUTY CHAIRMAN

Wayne Bryant (VIC), Repco Pty Ltd Ph: 03

SECRETARY

Janelle Gonzalez (NSW), Blue Toro Pty Ltd Ph: 1300 258 386

TREASURER Don Cormack (SA) ADRAD Pty Ltd Ph: 08 8243 9888

DIRECTORS

Michael Carnemolla (NSW)

313 Automotive Pty Ltd Ph: 02 9713 9476

Darren Robinson (VIC), HELLA Australia Pty Ltd Ph: 1800 061

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

Mark

LOOKING FORWARD AFTER A DEFINING YEAR

We’ve recently completed the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association Annual Report for 2021/22 and presented the results at our AGM in late October

Looking back on financial Year 2021/22 allowed us to take stock of how far we have come as an industry, to appreciate the significant accomplishments of the AAAA, and to reflect on the transformative law that started a new era for the automotive aftermarket.

In many ways, FY21/22 was another challenging year, with Omicron variants and isolation rules impacting on staff availability and record floods occurring across New South Wales and Queensland. Despite these challenges, we were proud to continue providing industry leadership and valued support to our members. We were also buoyed by the continued high consumer demand and optimism across the retail, service, repair and modification sectors throughout the year.

The centrepiece of our accomplishments was the delivery of the Motor Vehicle Information Scheme (MVIS) – a defining moment for the automotive industry.

The new law, which started on the 1st of July 2022, was the successful culmination of years of dedicated AAAA work championing mandatory data sharing on behalf of the industry. The game-changing law allows independent repairers access to all vehicle manufacturers’ service and repair information at a fair price. The scheme is fundamental in sustaining the work of independent repairers and promotes fair and open competition while the law ensures consumers can have their vehicle safely maintained and repaired by the workshop of their choice. Part of this incredible achievement was the creation of the Australian Automotive Service and Repair Authority (AASRA) to operationalise the law, and the creation of the AASRA Portal for independent repairers to access vehicle information. The AASRA Portal went live on the 1st of July 2022 and is available for all automotive technicians to join at https://aasra.com.au

Alongside our important MVIS work, we ramped up efforts leading the fight to address the unprecedented industry skills shortage, which included the launch of the ground-breaking Apprentice Survey. The nation-wide survey provided invaluable insights into the apprentice journey, has increased awareness of the issue and could help shape future government policy.

With the Government announcing their strategy on the Zero and Low Emission Vehicle (ZLEV) transition and knowing the aftermarket will be deeply involved in this future, we advocated for education pathways for the next generation of technicians and for training support for our current workforce.

Our advocacy took place across the country on a multitude of other industry issues. Countless

meetings, flights and online meetings with state and federal vehicle regulators, industry associations and other stakeholders allowed us to advocate for positive outcomes beneficial to the survival and growth of our member businesses.

The Australian Auto Aftermarket Expo, co-located with the Collision Repair Expo, is our premier industry event and made a welcome return in 2022 after being delayed a year due to the pandemic.

Despite challenges relating to the Formula 1 GP changing their dates resulting in a direct clash and uncertainty due to potential government restrictions, we are extremely proud of our team’s ability to successfully run Australia’s largest automotive Expo under trying circumstances. The event was applauded by visitors and exhibitors alike, and we received fantastic feedback about the quality and value of the event for all involved.

From a financial and membership position, the Association recovered ground previously lost due to pandemic impacts. We are proud to say that our membership retention rates remain at an all-time high level of 98 percent, and total membership numbers increased by nine percent up to 2,842

– the highest number on record. These positive indicators illustrate how much members value the AAAA for support, representation, advocacy and business services.

Our direct member services continued to serve and grow members’ businesses including our highly valued Legal and HR hotlines, industry leading market research, the updated AAAA Car Parc Data Tool, and our free to industry Workshop Health Check.

The Auto Innovation Centre (AIC) continued to expand its offerings and now services dozens of aftermarket companies wanting to fast-track their product development. This AAAA led initiative has great upside potential for the AIC’s continual growth given its unique, industry leading capability.

Outlook

As we look forward, we will keep investing our time, effort and resources to better serve our members and our industry. With revenues bouncing back and membership levels stronger than ever we are channelling more resources towards our industry’s greatest challenges – the Skills Shortage, and the exciting industry transition to ZLEV. We are also expanding our membership and administration teams to better support our growing membership base.

We are committed to visiting more members in more regions, and connecting more independent workshops and automotive aftermarket businesses

with the strengths and services of the AAAA. We have ambitious plans to grow our membership, because there is strength in numbers for advocacy and collaboration, and because we are determined to keep supporting and growing the industry.

We are excitedly preparing for Autocare 2023, taking place across the 9th and 10th of June in 2023 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. This convention is a not to be missed technology, skills and training event for workshop owners and managers, technicians and apprentices.

Autocare 2023 will feature a one-stop exhibition of the latest products, services and tech, along with a comprehensive hands-on training program led by national and international experts.

With the worst of the pandemic impacts hopefully behind us for good we will use the foundations we have built and the lessons we have learned over the past year to push forward. Our goal remains to optimise the current and future automotive playing field for our members and our diverse, innovative and skilled aftermarket industry.

Our members are central to everything we do, and their unwavering support enables us to continue to shine the light on our incredible industry and fight for what is right for the aftermarket. Your continued membership and support is integral to our shared success. Together we can and do make a difference.

Stuart Charity Chief Executive Officer

FINDING THE RIGHT BALANCE

Work-life balance is a real challenge for workshop owners, notes Capricorn Group CEO, David Fraser

When was the last time you got away from the workshop and spent some uninterrupted time with your family and friends? Or when was the last time you locked the workshop door at 5.00pm and went home?

This year’s State of the Nation survey reveals that many of you are really struggling to take time off and manage some kind of work-life balance. In fact, these were the top two challenges Members said they faced in running an auto business.

Taking time off and having balance in your life should be non-negotiables for any business owner. Downing tools, shutting up shop, and spending time doing something other than working are vital for your physical and mental health.

You need rest. You need time to recharge your batteries. Taking a holiday is not a “nice to have;” it is essential. Pay yourself with time off in the way that you pay your electricity bill or your lease. Plan ahead, book it in, and pay yourself on time. It is possible. I am reminded of the Ignition article we ran last month with Caroline Langan-Minca of His’n’Hers Automotive in Victoria (this article is available on CapHub if you missed it). She and her husband, Craig, prioritise work-life balance, juggling the workshop’s opening hours between each other and around the school drop-off and pick-up. They stopped working Saturdays. They trained their customers to know the workshop shuts at 5.00pm on the dot.

The latest Capricorn State of the Nation report covers this information in more depth, along with many other fascinating topics related to the automotive industry and you can access it at cap.coop/son-22. We hope this report can help you to have a better understanding of where we are and what the future looks like.

Yours in cooperation, David Fraser Group CEO – Capricorn Society Ltd For more on Capricorn Society membership, visit www.capricorn.coop

COMMUNICATING THE MESSAGE

The AAAA was well received at the recent Supercheap Auto Conference

Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) Director of Government Relations and Advocacy, Lesley Yates, attended the recent Supercheap Auto Conference to communicate the latest trends in the Aftermarket sector.

Every year Supercheap Auto brings together its network leadership team – which is made up of store managers and area managers as well as key team members from its support office and its senior leadership team – for a series of workshops, strategy sessions and trade partner presentations.

Supercheap Auto says the purpose of the conference is to build a strong retail team, and to ensure that every part of its business is aligned on its business strategy for the year ahead.

This year the conference was held at the RACV Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast across September 5 to 9.

Lesley was invited to participate in one of the panel discussions at the conference and to talk to the audience about trends, opportunities and challenges in the automotive industry.

“Her talk was illuminating around challenges such as skilled labour as well as opportunities such as the growth of electric vehicles,” Supercheap Auto Head of Marketing, Julia Willcox, said.

“As AAAA is a key partner for Supercheap Auto, it was invaluable having Lesley at our conference and many of the store network team were able to meet Lesley and ask her questions.”

Lesley said she fielded a lot of questions about collision repair and the new mandatory data sharing law.

“There was a lot of interest from the collision repair professionals and (there was) a desire to know more about how to access the (data sharing) system,” Lesley said.

“I talked about AASRA (the Australian

Automotive Service and Repair Authority) and what its function was – why it is so important to be registered on that site and what benefits there are.

“I also discussed what is, and what is not, in our new Law and that it certainly applies equally to collision and mechanical repair.”

Lesley said there was a lot of enthusiasm for the new law.

“There was a lot of optimism about what it will deliver for the sector and a lot of interest in learning more about AASRA – specifically how to get on board,” Lesley said.

Julia said the conference was a great success.

“Our Trade Partners, who are key to the success of our business, were invited to participate in an expo. They put on an amazing expo event for our team members with demonstrations, new product launches and competitions,” Julia said.

The Trade Partner Expo was followed by a formal awards dinner where Supercheap Auto awarded a number of trade partners with some special accolades. Recognised were:

• Trade Partner of the year – Bendix

• Retailers Choice Winner – Motoractive

• Most Successful Product Launch –Chemical Guys

• Most Innovative Trade Partner – Karcher

• Outstanding Strategic Trade Partner –Kincrome

For more from Supercheap Auto, visit www.supercheapauto.com.au

David Fraser Group CEO, Capricorn Society Ltd

NEW VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY COULD LEAD TO GREATER REGULATION

EVs could result in government introducing more mandatory and onerous conditions on the service and repair sector, unless we get ahead of the curve

Speaking with a group of auto component producers and repairers this week an adage I have heard so many times came up: “we’re not scared of EVs.” Effectively the view of this group, and the vast majority of our industry, is that the auto industry has already lived through and adapted to significant technology evolutions.

For example, the progressive introduction of Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) required new learning about the fuel system, a new approach to managing workplace hazards and an understanding at all levels that EFI would progressively become the dominant technology. Similarly, conversations occurred during the introduction of airbags – first the single steering wheel to today’s environment of multiple airbags.

In the first wave of airbags, we heard a great deal about the potential danger to technicians if they inadvertently set off the airbag trigger and what that meant for OH&S depending on where the technician was seated at the time.

The point here is that over and over I hear that we are ready to adapt to ADAS, to EVs, connected vehicles, telematics, and over the air software updates – whatever the future may hold. Our confidence is fuelled by first-hand experience that we adapted in the past and we will do it again.

Changes to how the vehicle is powered, and how we supply replacement parts, how we modify and how we repair and service will evolve alongside the evolution of the car parc. I like our optimism here: a sense that EVs are just another change in a long journey of vehicle evolution is true. It is still a car. We can expect wear and tear due to heat and friction and sometimes inappropriate use. Nothing has changed there.

But our well informed and lived experience may not be enough here. We know we can adapt but other key actors in our future, including the public and the regulators – well they may not be so sure. In addition to feeling confident about our ability to adapt and respond to whatever the future holds, we need to pay attention to the perception of our industry and how we can influence that perception.

The public service is generally highly risk averse, and they clearly have their risk radar well and truly set our way. Before they get carried away with fear and trepidation about our abilities, we need to get ahead of that wave. It is our job to anticipate their tendency to worry and to overregulate. We need to make sure we have a plan to engage with the public sector now. This plan should be to bring them along the journey with us.

Lesley Yates, AAAA Director of Government Relations and Advocacy info@aaaa.com.au

We are training up for EVs, working on dedicated bays, insulated tools and protective equipment.

We know we are getting ready, but do they know that? Because if the regulators feel that there is a risk, we can expect to see various OH&S work requirements developed that are a knee jerk reaction and in WA and NSW we can expect to see additional (mandatory) requirements for any workshop that services EVs.

The point here is that we are getting ready – but let’s not make that a secret. The time has come for us to turn our attention to how can we self-regulate or self-promote that we know how to service these vehicles and we know how to keep our staff safe. Afterall, that’s what we have always done.

SHENZHEN TO HOST AUTOMECHANIKA SHANGHAI 2022

The December 2022 show is moving to a new location

The 17th edition of Automechanika Shanghai will move to the Shenzhen World Exhibition and Convention Center from the 20th to the 23rd of December 2022 as part of a special arrangement.

Show organisers say the relocation provides participants with more flexibility in their planning and will allow the fair to meet the industry’s expectations for in-person trade and business encounters.

“As the organisers of such a highly influential show, our top priorities are to protect the wellbeing of participants and stimulate market activity,” Messe

Frankfurt (HK) Ltd Deputy General Manager, Fiona Chiew, said.

“Therefore, holding this year’s fair in Shenzhen is an interim solution while the market in Shanghai continues to evolve.

“It is a sound alternative for Automechanika Shanghai thanks to the city’s position in the automotive industry and the venue’s integrated trade fair amenities.”

“On top of speaking to a number of supporting organisations and partners, we understand that many exhibitors and buyers are eager to reconnect,” China National Machinery Industry International Co Ltd General Manager, Li Zhang, said.

“The determining factors for the relocation of this year’s show are the feedback from our customers and the market information that we have carefully examined.

“I would like to thank all our stakeholders for seconding the move and look forward to welcoming you all to the show in Shenzhen.”

Shenzhen is a technology hub contributing to the Greater Bay Area automotive manufacturing cluster. As one of China’s leading business complexes in the region, the Shenzhen World Exhibition and Convention Center will play host to Automechanika Shanghai – Shenzhen Edition.

The facility offers state-of-the-art infrastructure that can house the show’s expected 3,500 exhibitors from 21 countries and regions.

The event is organised by Messe Frankfurt (Shanghai) Co Ltd and the China National Machinery Industry International Co Ltd (Sinomachint).

For more information, email auto@hongkong.messefrankfurt.com or visit www.automechanika-shanghai.com

AUTOMECHANIKA INNOVATION AWARD 2022 WINNERS ANNOUNCED

The award-winning products revealed a clear focus on digitalisation, new mobility and sustainability

The winners of the coveted Automechanika Innovation Awards were announced on the first day of the Automechanika Frankfurt trade fair on 13 September 2022.

In addition to those eight awards, which were presented in categories such as E-Mobility; Workshop and Service Solutions; and Data and Connectivity, a Green Award was given to the product judged to be especially sustainable.

The winners of the Innovation Awards were chosen from a total of 133 candidates. The products and solutions submitted were evaluated by an international panel of 14 experts, including Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association Chief Executive Officer, Stuart Charity.

The judges examined various criteria, including the degree of innovation, cost effectiveness, user-friendliness, functionality, relevance to the aftermarket, safety and quality, as well as contributions to environmental protection and sustainability. This year’s award-winning products revealed a clear focus on digitalisation, new mobility, and sustainability.

This was the third time that the panel presented the Green Award to honour the most ecologically sustainable innovation among the submitted products. This year’s Green Award went to GelKoh for ‘LiBaRescue,’ a recovery system for e-cars that helps to conserve resources. This innovation also won the Innovation Award in the Workshop and Service Solutions category.

Companies from the automotive aftermarket were able to submit their innovations in the following categories: E-Mobility; Data and Connectivity; Workshop and Service Solutions; Parts and Technology Solutions; Body and Paint; Car Wash and Care; Accessories and Customising; and Commercial Vehicles.

The winners and finalists were also featured in a special area of the Automechanika Frankfurt trade fair, located in the new Innovation4Mobility showcase in Hall 3.0.

• E-mobility: Autel Europe, MaxiCharger DC FAST – a direct current (DC) fast charging station for battery electric vehicles. It has a maximum output power of 240 kW.

• Data and Connectivity: Herth+Buss Car Parts, Herth+Buss Product Detector – this app quickly and easily identifies spare parts. The desired item can be scanned into the app and then found thanks to image-recognition capability and even ordered in-app.

• Workshop and Service Solutions: GelKoh GmbH, LiBaRescue – an innovative recovery system for electric vehicles which is heatresistant up to 1,500°C and works in much the same way as a fire blanket. In a fire incident or as a preventive measure, the damaged vehicle is pushed on top of the recovery system, after which the recovery system is wrapped around the vehicle.

• Parts and Technology Solutions: Knorr-Bremse Systeme für Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH, Braking Torque Reduction System – helps to reduce CO2 emissions, lowers fuel consumption, and lessens the level of fine particulates by lowering brake pad wear. It will be possible to retrofit all standard Knorr-Bremse brake systems on the market with this system in future.

• Body and Paint: Celette France S.A.S., Eagle – Electronic Car Body Measurement System – a laser-assisted electronic measurement

system to ascertain the distortion of chassis, for example following collisions. The results are then compared with the CAD coordinates supplied by the vehicle’s manufacturer, and the system is able to reliably detect deviations of ± 1.5 mm. An entire vehicle can be measured in no more than ten minutes.

• Car Wash and Care: Lederzentrum GmbH, ColourScannerPRO Colour Scanner including Formula Database – a novel new type of mobile digital tool that is able to quickly and affordably determine the colour of leather for leather repairs. The colour scanner is connected to the smartphone via Bluetooth using the COLOURLOCK app.

• Accessories and Customising: Dropracks AS, Dropracks - Elevating Roof Racks – an innovative roof rack system for cars in which the loading surface (ie. the rack) is not permanently attached to the base rack on the vehicle’s roof. Instead, a clever kinematic mechanism makes it possible to pull out the rack and lower it to chest level.

• Commercial Vehicles: ZF Friedrichshafen AG, ZF Aftermarket Turning Assistance System CV Retrofit Solution – a novel new turning and lane change assistant that rises above other systems thanks to the fact that its sensor system combines radar with optical sensors. In poor weather conditions when the camera is unable to supply reliable information, the radar is supplemented by a second sensor system.

Also awarded at Automechanika Frankfurt was the winner of the Automechanika Body and Paint Competition, with five participants making it extremely difficult for the nine-member international awards panel. In the end, the panel awarded first prize to Sebastian Schunder from Eckental (Bavaria), sponsored by SATA.

The next Automechanika Frankfurt will take place across the 10th to the 14th of September 2024 on the Frankfurt exhibition grounds. For more information, visit www.automechanika.messefrankfurt.com

The 2022 Automechanika Innovation Award winners

CAPRICORN MUTUAL REACHES $100 MILLION IN SALES

It is an outstanding record for CML’s not-for-profit 20-year history in Australia and New Zealand

Capricorn Mutual Limited (CML), Capricorn’s non-profit Mutual, has reached a record-breaking $100 million in sales.

CML sales exceeded $100 million in 2022 despite having paid out record sums for claims during one of Australia’s biggest natural disasters in early 2022.

More than 200 Capricorn members affected by the devastating New South Wales and Queensland floods received approximately $35 million in support from CML.

Capricorn Risk Services Chief Executive Officer, Jim Glossat, said the $100 million milestone

was a huge achievement for the Mutual, with the business growing by $50 million in sales over just the past five years.

“It is recognition of the sustainable nature of our Mutual operating model, which relies on a focus on the automotive industry, face to face service and the support of our Members,” Jim said.

“Being a Mutual - whereby Members are the owners of the business as well as its customers, means we can focus solely on our purpose, which is to support our Members in their greatest times of need without having to worry about external investors wanting their share of the profits.

“In particularly good years where claims costs have been lower than we expected, we return excess profits directly back to Members in the form of a Loyalty Rebate, reducing the out-ofpocket cost of protection.

“The remaining profits are reinvested back into the business in the form of additional services and improved pricing to ensure our Mutual provides a product our Members need, at a competitive price.”

Over 10,000 Capricorn Members, just under half of the entire membership, are also Capricorn Mutual Members.

“With the support of our Members, Capricorn

Mutual can boast a strong financial footing with higher than 10 percent annual growth and the capacity to pay claims when Members need us most,” Jim said.

“This is a well-established business that pays its own way and will be there for its Members well into the future.”

As a non-profit mutual established to provide Capricorn Society members and their associates a competitive alternative to insurance, Capricorn Mutual says it offers market leading protections tailored to the Motor Trades industry.

For more information about Capricorn or to learn more about CML, visit www.capricorn.coop/risk or call 1800 327 427 (NZ 0800 401 444).

CASTROL LAUNCHES ‘CASTROL ON MARS’ PODCAST SERIES

Global lubricants leader Castrol has launched ‘Castrol on Mars,’ an entertaining and informative new podcast series which takes listeners inside the minds of a diverse range of innovators and pioneers.

Each tells their story about what it takes to perform in some of the most extreme conditions on the planet – and even in outer space.

Available on all major podcast platforms, the eight-episode series includes commentary from astronauts Sandra Magnus and Robert Thirsk who describe how they dealt with the extremes of outer space, while Sarah Cruddas, a space journalist, international TV host and award-winning author, discusses what NASA’s Mars Perseverance Rover is contending with during its extraordinary mission.

Castrol’s oils and lubricants are currently performing 250 million miles away in temperatures as low as minus 153 degrees Celsius on NASA’s Mars Perseverance Rover. These include Castrol’s specially developed Braycote greases and Brayco oils which provide essential lubrication to scientific instruments, including a

weather station, ultraviolent spectrometer and laser micro imager.

Closer to home, Formula E’s Sam Bird and World Rally’s Gus Green-Smith describe what it takes to claim victory behind the wheel in top-level racing, while David Eyton, bp’s former head of innovation and engineering, gives his perspective on the challenges faced by engineers and scientists when developing products that need to stand-up to extreme pressures.

The ‘Castrol on Mars’ series has already received the top award in the ‘Documentary’ and ‘Technology’ categories at the prestigious Communicator Awards.

“Our new podcast series highlights what’s required to perform in some of the most far-flung, extreme environments,” Castrol Global Communications’ Elizabeth Jones, said.

“Through engaging and personal stories from some of the world’s adventurers and individuals, workshops can utilise these assets to build trust, win sales and enhance their connection with the wider Castrol brand.”

Castrol’s oils and lubricants are used by NASA’s Mars Perseverance Rover, currently operating in temperatures as low as minus 153 degrees Celsius

Whether chosen by NASA or workshops back here on Earth, Castrol says its products can always be trusted to deliver performance under even the most demanding conditions.

To learn more visit www.castrol.com.au

BOSCH TESTS FUEL CELL VANS

Fuel cells enable long rangers and short refuelling times

Vans get goods to their destination quickly, ideally using a powertrain with zero local emissions. But the longer the journey and heavier the vehicle, the more a battery-based electric drive reaches its limits. And that is where the strengths of the fuel cell come into play.

Bosch has now equipped two vans with this technology and started test operations on the road.

“The fuel cell enables long ranges and short refuelling times, which makes long journeys more economical,” said Dr Markus Heyn, member of the Bosch board of management and chairman of the Mobility Solutions business sector.

“With the two fuel cell vans, we are expanding our understanding of the system and showing that the fuel cell can also be a suitable drive solution for light commercial vehicles.”

The partner in the project is ABT eLine GmbH, which designed and converted the vehicles together with Bosch Engineering GmbH.

At IAA Transportation in Hanover, Bosch is offering interested visitors the opportunity to experience the test vehicles and Bosch fuel cell technology in action on a track.

Largely Bosch components in use

The developers were able to use Bosch components almost throughout for the fuel cell system. A fuel cell kit is used, which comprises the stack, anode supply module including hydrogen gas injector

and recirculation blower, electronic control unit, electric air compressor and components for the hydrogen storage system, and even a large number of sensors.

The technical basis for both vehicles is commercially available vans that run on electric power alone. The batteries including peripherals were now replaced by the fuel cell, five storage tanks for a total of over 10 kilograms of hydrogen, and a smaller lithium-ion battery.

“Accommodating the fuel cell components in the available installation space was a major challenge,” Bosch Powertrain Solutions Division President, Dr Uwe Gackstatter, said.

The partner ABT eLine adapted the cooling system, the vehicle control system, and the electrical system. Bosch designed the fuel cell system, integrated it into the vehicle together with the hydrogen storage system, and developed the associated control system. After the required technical tests, the vehicles were granted official approval for road use.

The project is already providing important insights: even loaded, the vehicles can travel up to 540 kilometres and are fully refuelled again in six minutes. The fuel cell can therefore be a good addition to the battery-electric drive in future for fleet operators whose vans cover particularly long distances during the day and return to the maintenance and storage facility in the evening.

Fuel cell and hydrogen ready for the next step

The first Bosch components for fuel cells are already in volume production, but the work is far from over.

“We need as much data as possible from real driving operations to develop the system further,” Dr Gackstatter said.

Thanks to cloud connectivity, the two test vehicles now deliver these in real-time to the developers’ computers, supplementing the measured values from the test benches. With this knowledge, Bosch can offer customers components that have been tried and tested even earlier, as well as comprehensive support in system design.

However, further steps are still necessary for fuel technology to make a breakthrough.

“Industry and politics must work together to remove obstacles to hydrogen technologies,” Dr Gackstatter warns. For example, the development of a tank infrastructure and the production of green hydrogen in larger quantities remain tasks that can only be solved together.

For more information, visit www.bosch.com.au

BATTLE FOR SEMA LAUNCH PAD PRIZE PACKAGE HEATS UP

Fifteen entrepreneurs and innovators of automotive products are competing for the prizes

The 10th annual SEMA Launch Pad competition was held recently at the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California.

As part of the competition, 15 entrepreneurs and small business leaders pitched their automotiverelated products to a panel of judges.

These 15 semifinalists were chosen from a large pool of applicants. Their pitches included interactive demonstrations, question answering, product innovations, and more.

The Launch Pad judging panel consisted of Chip Foose (Foose Design), Jared Hare (Addictive Desert Designs), Myles Kovacs (TIS Wheels), and Alex Parker (Redline Detection).

This group carefully listened to pitches for hours and evaluated the diverse range of products.

These included custom accessories and tools, performance aftermarket products, tire kits, retrofit kits, and mobile apps for the automotive community.

There were also innovations related to the growing

electric vehicle (EV) community and demands related to advanced driver assist systems (ADAS).

“This year’s SEMA Launch Pad competition is fierce,” Launch Pad Judge, Alex Parker, said.

“The judges were blown away by the level of innovation, creativity, and sheer grit that these competitors brought. Their passion and their products are so inspirational, and each of these competitors should be very proud.”

The 15 semi-finalists will each receive a one-year SEMA membership, a complimentary booth in the SEMA Launch Pad Pavilion at the 2022 SEMA Show in November, and other items totaling to a prize package valued at $4,000.

Five finalists, who will be announced later this year, will advance to pitch their products at the 2022 SEMA Show, where they will compete for a grand prize that includes free advertising space in SEMA News, use of the services from the SEMA Garage, discounts on SEMA Data, and thousands of dollars in cash for a total value of up to $92,000.

The 15 semifinalists are Fabian Araujo, Andrew Auble, Robert Carale, Jesse Freeman, Dustin Golat, Jake Hamann, Jacob Hawksworth, Conrad Mohr IV, Susan Pieper, Frank Terlep, Irvin Vance, Daniel Whittington, Andrew Wiess, Kevin Robinson, and Kai Tan.

The competition will be featured in a nationwide TV special airing after the SEMA Show.

For more information, visit www.sema.org/launchpad

AUTOMECHANIKA HO CHI MINH CITY CLOSES SUCCESSFULLY

The show concluded with strong international support across the automotive supply chain

After a two-year hiatus, Automechanika Ho Chi Minh City returned as one of Vietnam’s most resilient automotive industry events recently.

The exhibition took place from the 29th of June to the 1st of July 2022 with bolstered online services through V-Connect that successfully connected the wider global community.

Praise also extended to the show’s unique range of events that vibrantly captured opportunities in the local market and offered vital educational touchpoints for aftermarket service providers.

Key figures from Automechanika Ho Chi Minh City 2022 included:

• 173 exhibitors from 21 countries and regions

• 10,000 sqms of indoor and outdoor exhibition space

• Six country and region pavilions

• 10,112 visitors from 42 countries and regions

• 570,904 impressions on V-Connect from 90 countries and regions

• Seven concurrent fringe programme events

“We channelled a lot of our efforts into championing the sustained growth and development of Vietnam’s automotive industry,” Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd Deputy General Manager, Fiona Chiew, said.

“We geared many of our onsite activities and online solutions to highlight domestic opportunities to global audiences. And so, it was very promising to see a solid response from overseas professionals taking part in the physical show and engaging with services on V-Connect.”

During the three-day show, there was a strong sense of optimism about the local and regional market prospects, with many industry players keen to get back to business and interact with onsite activities.

For the first time, V-Connect was a vital part of the Automechanika Ho Chi Minh City’s toolkit, with many appreciating remote gateways to onsite exhibitors, conferences and workshops.

Australia, Cambodia, China, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, the UAE, the US and Vietnam took up a large proportion of registered visitors from 90 countries and regions.

Analytics from online users suggest that the most popular sectors explored included OEMs,

WIN THE COOLEST HOLIDAY WITH COOLDRIVE

A $85,000 prize pool features a trip to SEMA 2023 amongst other great prizes

CoolDrive Auto Parts customers can win big during the family-owned company’s ‘Coolest Holiday Giveaways’ promotion.

Throughout October and November 2022, CoolDrive trade customers will receive one entry in the prize draw for every $50 + GST spent on air conditioning or engine cooling products from participating brands.

“Automotive workshops throughout Australia and New Zealand have had some tough and challenging times over the past few years, and we really wanted to incentivise and reward our customers with an exciting new promotion,” CoolDrive Auto Parts General Manager – Marketing, Jock Harris, said.

“Up for grabs are a number of holiday getaway packages for a well-earned break, along with gift vouchers from well-known brands and companies.”

The travel experiences include trips to Las Vegas, skiing holidays in New Zealand, as well as beach holidays in Fiji, Bali, and Cairns to take in the beauty of the Great Barrier Reef.

The first prize is surely any automotive industry professional’s dream trip to the SEMA Show 2023 in Las Vegas including flights and accommodation, and of course tickets to the premier automotive speciality product’s trade event.

A number of gift vouchers can also be won during the promotion for stores such JB Hi-Fi, Drummond Golf (Golf Warehouse for winners located in New Zealand), BCF (EquipOutdoors for New Zealand), and Rebel Sport, bringing the total prize pool to $85,000.

The participating brands cover the breadth and depth of CoolDrive’s comprehensive air conditioning and engine cooling offerings and include Denso, Valeo, Koyoair, Koyorad, Doowoon, Jayair, Jayrad, Sanden, Viper, Unicla, Ariazone, CPS, Maradyne, Parker, Aisin, Tridon, Nissens, Behr-Hella and Mahle.

CoolDrive says air conditioning is at the very heart and soul of its business, with the company being the first to introduce to the market complete air conditioning systems in 1977.

passenger vehicles and aftermarket solutions. Importantly, these interest areas lined up with the show’s main highlights in Automotive Manufacturing and Automation, Automotive Services and Maintenance, and Accessories and Customising.

Across the arena, a collection of educational and experiential events zeroed in on Vietnam’s distinct trends and needs in the automotive industry.

Elsewhere, the Auto Service Day was one of the most popular activity areas at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center.

The fair is co-organised by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, Chan Chao International Co Ltd and Yorkers Exhibition Service Vietnam.

For more information, visit www.automechanika-hcmc.com

Today, CoolDrive says it is regarded as one of the industry’s largest suppliers of original equipment and aftermarket automotive air conditioning components.

CoolDrive is also a leading distributor for engine cooling parts such as complete radiator assemblies, heater cores, intercoolers, oil coolers, fan clutches as well as cooling system accessories including hoses, caps and water pumps.

For further information on CoolDrive Auto Parts, visit www.cooldrive.com.au

BAPCOR 4WD BRANDS MAKE FOXTEL DEBUT

Direction Plus, Protex and Remco will star as part of a popular Foxtel 4WD program

Three major Bapcor owned 4WD product brands – Direction Plus, Protex and Remco – have taken the naming rights sponsorship of Simon Christie’s 4WD ProTips Foxtel television program for season four, commencing from October.

Simon Christie is no stranger to Bapcor and has been working with Roadsafe for the past couple of years as the sponsor of his show – “Life Off Road.”

“It made sense for us to reach out to Simon when we were considering expanding our presence in the 4WD market,” Bapcor Specialist Group Manager, Brands, Sarah Cartlidge, said.

“We look forward to building these brands with Simon and his audience by providing industry and product knowledge within our specialist areas of 4X4 diesel protection, batteries, and brakes.”

DELIVERING THE IDEAL AUTOMOTIVE APPRENTICE EXPERIENCE

In this article, ACA Research reviews the 2022 Automotive Apprentice Survey findings

As we approach the end of the 2022 school year, a cohort of students are considering their options for the year ahead.

Given this, it is timely to take a look back at the results of the 2022 Automotive Apprentice Survey (commissioned by the AAAA, AADA, and MTAQ) to understand how we might better attract and retain prospective (or current) apprentice automotive technicians across four key groups.

First Year Apprentices

As could be expected, first year apprentices are highly engaged, ‘bright eyed’ and happy with the knowledge and skills of their trainers/supervisors.

They do however see potential to improve the initial phase of their apprenticeship, particularly wanting to get hands on right from the beginning, and have someone specific they can look to for support.

From a workshop perspective, this emphasises the importance of apprentices having someone they can talk to openly and honestly, including any concerns they might have.

They are more likely to face negative feedback from friends and family members as they work to establish themselves in what is still a maledominated industry.

While we clearly need to reduce (and ultimately remove) these barriers, the good news is that those who have made it appear to be obtaining better outcomes than their male counterparts.

This suggests that while the absolute number of female apprentices remains limited, many of them are being well supported by employers.

4WD ProTips is a weekly half-hour program that aims to help viewers get the most from their vehicles and adventures.

“This is a great opportunity for our brands to be featured on Simon’s show, he has been in the industry for over 18 years,” Sarah said.

“The show is designed for beginners and intermediate 4x4 drivers with a focus on education. It is all about how to set up your vehicle. Which products to select, how to fit and to operate them, where you can take your rig and how to get the most from it.”

Creator and presenter of 4WD ProTips, Simon Christie, said: “you’ll pick up a lot from our program each week including updates and news on local events, special offers, giveaways, and prizes plus regular features like the Your Rig segment.”

The new series kicked off on Monday October 10 at 7.30 pm on Foxtel (channel 137) with key episodes to feature Protex, Direction Plus, and Remco products during the season.

For more information, visit www.bapcor.com.au

Fourth Year Apprentices

While new apprentices are important, we also need to remember those at the other end of the journey.

Fourth year apprentices are much less satisfied, being most likely to consider leaving to work in another industry.

While this comes back to a range of factors, two in particular are being given repetitive tasks, and their work environment.

Importantly, a number also feel they are not being given the time they need to complete their studies, suggesting more work is needed to ensure that later stage apprentices are being supported to find the right balance between working on vehicles, workplace learning, and their formal studies.

Career Changers

Our fourth group is career changers. While they may be latecomers to the trade, they are passionate about all things automotive, exhibiting a sense of passion for the evolving nature of the industry.

Importantly, this tells us that while they are embarking on a similar journey to other apprentices, their training will need to incorporate these new technologies for them to remain engaged.

Female Apprentices

Next are our female apprentices, who face some unique challenges when starting out in the industry.

The key point here is that as a workshop operator you might have any or all of these apprentices in your team.

Understanding their needs can help you work with them to develop training plans, address issues that might arise, and ultimately deliver the best possible apprenticeship experience.

To find out more about the research, or access the report, please visit https://bit.ly/Auto-Apprentice-Survey

This column was prepared for AAAA Magazine by ACA Research, the AAAA’s partners in the AAAA Aftermarket Dashboard which is delivered to AAAA members each quarter.

For more information about ACA Research and its services, visit www.acaresearch.com.au or contact Ben Selwyn on bselwyn@acaresearch.com.au

GARRETT CONDUCTS INSTALLER CONNECT TRAINING NIGHTS

Garrett Advancing Motion has embarked on an 11-stop roadshow

With turbochargers becoming the norm on most vehicles, now is the time to be trained on the correct procedures for turbo diagnostics and replacement.

The Garrett team has embarked on an 11-stop roadshow to supplement the Garrett Installer Connect Training Platform and support local installers around the country.

The free training courses are aimed to explain how a turbo works and provide in-depth training on why turbos fail.

“So far the turnout has been fantastic and getting back to in-person training is a crucial part of keeping up with the advancing technology in turbochargers,” Garrett Head Technical Trainer, Rob Stafford, said.

With subjects ranging from Commercial Vehicles and Performance to E-Turbos, these training nights are a great way to keep up with the growing turbocharger market.

Covered Topics in the training courses include:

• Growing turbo market opportunities

• How a turbo works

• On vehicle diagnostics (don’t assume the turbo is to blame)

• Turbocharger damage root cause analysis and diagnostics

• Precautions before fitting a replacement turbocharger

• New product introduction

Turbocharger Technology and Diagnostics

Before replacing a turbocharger, it is important to conduct a thorough diagnostic check of the engine systems and find the root cause of the vehicles problems.

A lack of power, noisy operation, excessive smoke or oil consumption could result from a faulty fuel injection system, restricted or blocked air filter, a damaged exhaust system or a lubrication problem. Also, Garrett advises that you check the engine crankcase pressure. A higher-than-normal reading can be caused by piston bypass or blocked breather system, and this requires your immediate attention.

If the diagnostic check does not uncover any obvious cause, make sure that an extensive trouble shooting analysis is completed on key

areas such as foreign objects, lack of lubrication, oil contamination, over-speeding of the turbo and excessive temperature.

This is important because turbo damage can often be a symptom of an underlying problem rather than the cause itself.

Garrett warns to not diagnose turbocharger failure by turbo replacement as this can be very costly as the replacement turbocharger could be destroyed in seconds if the root cause is not found and rectified.

If you would like to attend or find out where the next Garrett training will be, contact your Garrett Master Distributor.

DELKOR BATTERY SPECIALIST PROGRAM OPPORTUNITIES

R&J Batteries has recently launched an improved version of the program

R&J Batteries, which says it is Australasia’s fastest growing battery distributor, is inviting interested auto electrical workshops, battery resellers and parts distributors to become an authorised Delkor battery stockist by joining R&J Batteries’ Delkor Battery Specialist Program.

As the exclusive distributor of Delkor batteries in Australia, R&J Batteries is seeking businesses in the automotive aftermarket industry to join its mission in making Delkor batteries accessible to all customers across the nation.

After years of running the Delkor Battery Specialist Program successfully with stockists signed up at different levels, R&J Batteries says it has recently launched an improved version of the program.

The revamped Delkor Battery Specialist Program aims to assist Delkor battery specialists, both new and existing, to increase sales of Delkor batteries with access to a multitude of marketing collateral, tools and resources. The tiered structure allows businesses of varying sizes and scales to participate, providing support according to individual business needs.

R&J Batteries says Delkor Battery Specialist program members benefit in the following ways:

• Comprehensive Specialist Support Package to help grow your business

• Partner with a world leader in advanced energy storage solutions

• Enhanced digital visibility as you are listed as a Delkor specialist online

• Ready access to fitment data to locate the right battery for your customers’ applications easily

• Ongoing Marketing and Advertising support

• Jump-start your industry expertise with access to Delkor technical training materials

“The existing Delkor Battery Specialist Program has been very successful over the years, but like most things needed to evolve and include more features that would benefit our customers and their ongoing business needs,” R&J Batteries’ National Sales Manager, Shayne Dryden, said.

“Customer feedback drove many of the new program features and having multi tiers make the program more flexible to suit a wider variety of customers and business sizes.

“The new program includes unique Delkor Battery Specialist signage, merchandise, marketing support, stands and equipment and apparel all designed to help identify that the customer sells Delkor Batteries and are a ‘Battery Specialist.’

“All program changes will directly benefit our existing stockists and also allow new customers to enjoy these benefits after being appointed.”

“Marketing is essential for business growth,” R&J Batteries Marketing Manager, Leah Cushion, added.

“To be able to support our Delkor Specialists from a national level will really help lift their battery sales. Running digital marketing campaigns and maintaining online visibility requires time and experience which R&J Batteries and Clarios can offer to our specialists.

“These campaigns will generate more traffic to Specialists’ websites through listings on the Delkor website and will increase brand awareness in their retail customers. These digital assets combined with other platforms like industry magazines will ensure Delkor Batteries are the choice for quality and reliability when a customer is considering their battery replacement.”

To learn more about the program, please contact your local R&J Batteries branch by calling 1300 769 282. For more information, visit www.rjbatt.com.au

AN AMAZING POLITICAL CAREER DRAWS TO A CLOSE

As he prepares to leave parliament, the AAAA and the Aftermarket Industry thank Craig Ondarchie for his support

Craig Ondarchie’s political career will come to an end in November, with the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) and the wider Aftermarket industry rushing to congratulate the popular MP on his successful and highly effective tenure.

Across his time in government, Craig has championed many a cause on behalf of the Aftermarket and provided invaluable support to the AAAA; playing an instrumental role in a long list of industry developments – most notably, the Mandatory Data Sharing Legislation which came into effect earlier this year.

AAAA Chief Executive Officer, Stuart Charity, said Craig’s efforts and support have been absolutely critical to the advancement of the industry.

“Craig has been in Parliament for 12 years and we have enjoyed a strong relationship with him for all of those years,” Stuart said.

“Very early on, he made the effort to meet with us and understand the industry, and you could tell from the start he had really strong business acumen and a really strong grasp on the scale of the aftermarket and the importance of our industry to employment, to exports and to economic output.

“He played a crucial role in the Mandatory Data Sharing campaign, which ran for almost the entirety of his term. He was instrumental in bringing the policy into the Coalition in Victoria, and in that party being the first to indicate that if they formed government, they would move forward on legislating Mandatory Data Sharing and that was a really important step in our process to ultimately get Federal Government support.

“When it came to our export efforts, he was again instrumental, to the point he actually came on a trade mission with us to SEMA and met all of the exhibitors and got an understanding of the opportunity they had and the challenges they were facing in developing their businesses overseas.

“Most recently, he held the Shadow Energy portfolio and at our Expo pledged support to upskill technicians to work on Zero and Low Emission Vehicles in Victoria – seeing his party be the first to acknowledge the significant requirement for skills and training in this area.

“Craig is highly respected by me, the AAAA team and all of our industry leaders. His passion and commitment to support the industry is surely going to be missed and I want to take this opportunity to thank him for his outstanding contributions and wish him well in his future endeavours.”

AAAA Director of Government Relations and Advocacy, Lesley Yates, has known Craig since

the early 1990s and has worked closely with him across his parliamentary tenure.

“One of the things we have valued the most about Craig is how he has acted as a ‘front door’ for us –anytime where we couldn’t ‘get in,’ he was critical in helping us with a contact or giving us a heads up about who was working on what,” Lesley said.

“Often in politics you will find yourself up against a road block and it may not make sense as to why you are not getting traction on an issue. Craig was fantastic in telling us what was going on and providing a sense of understanding of how the road map was working and who the right person might be.

“Right before the 2016 election for instance he gave us an absolutely critical contact which made the Right to Repair part of the Liberal platform, effectively they agreed to do a review of the voluntary code as part of their election commitment and to act if that voluntary code was not effective. This was a very important milestone in our campaign. Craig got that commitment by helping us identify the right person to speak to, and it certainly wasn’t who you would suspect. We made the right contact at the right time and got the result that eventually led to our new Law.

“The other thing we absolutely love about Craig, and I say this all the time, is that he just ‘gets it.’ You could take him out on a visit or introduce him to a group of automotive leaders or workshop owners and immediately he would be asking questions that revealed his depth of knowledge. He is deeply interested in whoever he is speaking to, he knows what he is talking about because he has lived and breathed it, and you could instantly see the relief and surprise in the people he was speaking to.

“Craig no longer continuing in state parliament is a great loss, but I am certain he is likely to fulfil other important and influential roles and I am hopeful our industry will continue to benefit from his wisdom and his business acumen.”

Rob Herrod of Herrod Performance not only values Craig’s work as a politician, but also as a friend.

“He is an exceptional man. It has been so good having someone in government who takes an

honest interest in motoring and the aftermarket,” Rob said.

“I have been working for 47 years full-time and I have never seen anyone like Craig that has done the things he has done for our industry. He is just wonderful with a good and honest passion for the industry and without a doubt, I can’t see anyone else in government filling his shoes. It is very sad that he won’t be around anymore in that capacity.

“He is the hardest working politician I have ever seen, and also a great human and very compassionate. I wish him all the very best for the future and would like to thank him for everything he has done for my business and for this industry.”

mycar Managing Director, Adam Pay, is another who couldn’t say enough good things about Craig’s impact.

“It is hard to truly quantify the contribution Craig has made to the industry. His advocacy and ongoing support have been invaluable,” Adam said.

“One of the legacies Craig will leave is the consumers’ right to repair. I particularly enjoyed working alongside him and the industry as we advocated for, and eventually got over the line, the Motor Vehicle Information Scheme. This was an amazing outcome, which Craig backed every step of the way.

“His passion and dedication to ensuring the best outcome for both consumers and the industry have been greatly appreciated and have shaped the industry’s future.

“Craig’s support for the AAAA, and for the mycar business, has been valued over many years, but most importantly, I’ve personally appreciated our conversations and his willingness to be a sounding board.

“I would like to wish Craig all the very best in his new endeavours and have no doubt he will approach the next season with the same passion he’s demonstrated for his constituents and the automotive aftermarket industry in his parliamentary roles.”

The AAAA and the Aftermarket Magazine team wish Craig all the best for his future endeavours, and thank him for his service.

MAHLE AFTERMARKET OPENS VIRTUAL WORKSHOP

MAHLE is rapidly driving forward the expansion of its digital offerings for independent workshops and retailers

With a new virtual workshop, MAHLE Aftermarket says it now makes its products for conventional and alternative powertrains an informative and intuitive experience around the clock.

The company is creating a virtual training centre for spare parts, battery diagnostics, calibration, air conditioning and transmission oil service.

RPM APPOINTS GUY NICHOLLS

The former AAAA board member and long-time aftermarket identity says he is ‘gone, but not out’ with the new appointment

RPM Automotive Group has announced experienced automotive executive Guy Nicholls as an independent Non-Executive Director, effective immediately.

Guy has more than 30 years of experience in senior executive roles in the automotive sector across strategy design and execution, manufacturing, and supply chain, as well as mergers and acquisitions.

Guy was the Chief Executive Officer of Ryco Group, a business unit of ASX 200-listed company GUD Holdings, where he was employed for 11 years.

He has also held several executive roles at NYSElisted Genuine Parts Company, known locally as Repco and NAPA Auto Parts, as Group General Manager of Brand and Product Optimisation and as General Manager of Store Operations for Repco Auto Parts.

Most recently, Guy was the Interim General Manager Commercial for 4WD and Caravan industry leader, REDARC Electronics.

introduction of legislation known as the Motor Vehicle Information Scheme (MVIS), aimed at helping consumers have a choice when repairing vehicles. He also has a Graduate Diploma of Business and Administration from RMIT and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

“The Board and Executive team are delighted to have someone of Guy’s calibre and reputation joining our team,” RPM Chair, Grant Carman, said.

In addition, the virtual workshop offers useful information on training courses as well as direct links to numerous other digital information offerings that MAHLE is constantly expanding.

If desired, it can also direct the user to the nearest sales partner. The new offer from MAHLE Aftermarket is available at werkstatt.mahle.com

“With the virtual workshop, we have created another building block in our extensive digital information offering to meet the increasing training and information needs of the workshops. Here we show our entire product range directly on the vehicle,” said Olaf Henning, member of the MAHLE Management Committee and director of the Aftermarket business unit.

MAHLE says it is driving forward the expansion of its digital offerings for independent workshops and retailers at a rapid pace.

Workshop equipment from MAHLE that is also networked in the workshop concept can be updated over the air, and can access the manufacturer’s servers when, for example, security gateways are involved.

Therefore, a digitalised overall concept is the backbone of the MAHLE Aftermarket offering, which ranges from e-commerce solutions to information and support services on technical topics and virtual trade fair presentations.

For more information, visit www.mahle.com

Guy was also a member of the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) Board, which played a pivotal role in the recent

“Guy’s extensive experience and strategic mindset will help accelerate our progress.”

For more information, visit www.rpmgroup.net.au

VACC LAUNCHES SKILLS ACQUISITION CAMPAIGN

The new AutoCareers campaign taking on the labour crisis

The Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce (VACC) has launched a new marketing campaign designed to tackle the automotive industry’s critical labour crisis.

“Australia’s automotive industry currently has 38,000 unfilled job vacancies. This situation cripples business owners who cannot meet market demand, which then impacts consumers. So we are doing something about it,” VACC Chief Executive Officer, Geoff Gwilym, said.

Labour and retaining staff are the big issues in automotive right now, so VACC explains it has designed a marketing campaign to address the skills concern from a number of angles, including the launch of an AutoCareers television campaign and a new website designed to connect job seekers with business owners wanting labour.

“The project encompasses a range of initiatives to thrust automotive careers in front of young people, prospective apprentices, and their influencers,

parents and teachers, along with skilled workers looking for a career change,” Geoff said.

AutoCareers campaign activities include the television advert – featuring Bob, Bec, Sharn, and Jake who represent various trades within the industry – extensive social media promotion, and editorial and interviews.

Supporting this advertising is a new AutoCareers website – www.autocareers.com.au

To list or search for an automotive opportunity for free, go to the AutoCareers website.

For more information, visit www.autocareers.com.au or call 03 9829 1133 or email autoadvice@vacc.com.au

AN EXPANSIVE SUCCESS

The Don Kyatt Group is continuing to grow and expand globally, with an exciting new facility to open soon

The popular 4WD parts brand is set to open a new facility in Chile at the end of this year, marking Don Kyatt Spare Parts’ eighth international location and its 18th branch overall in a continuation of its global expansion.

The new facility is a far cry from the modest premises in Moorabbin in Melbourne’s South East that acted as the company’s home when it first started trading with little more than $600 back in November of 1969.

But the Don Kyatt Group has only gone from strength to strength since then, opening branches Australia-wide to service every corner of the country, and expanding internationally to take its Terrain Tamer and Flashlube brands into key markets such as Europe, New Zealand, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and most recently, Africa.

Still owned and operated by Frank Hutchinson, who started the business over 50 years ago, Don Kyatt Spare Parts boasts a product range of over 60,000 unique part numbers.

The range is made up of all of the parts that will strengthen a 4WD – right through the gearbox, transfer case, filters, suspension, bearing kits, brake, clutch and thousands of other parts.

This expansive range is put to use by not only recreational 4WDers in more than 80 countries around the world, but also in in mining, military, farming and emergency service applications.

In early 2020, the company had just completed the setup and started trading from Lae, its second branch in Papua New Guinea, and had moved on to the beginning stages of setting up its South African warehouse in Cape Town.

Soon after COVID-19 and its subsequent lockdown periods began, creating obvious difficulties in getting the new location set up.

Don Kyatt’s perseverance paid off though, and, after having to adapt to meet the numerous challenges faced, the branch was ready on schedule in May of 2020, opening up a range of new opportunities for the brand in the region which boasts a rich 4WD industry and also many different mines.

Since then, the Don Kyatt Group has only seen more progress, navigating the many unknowns of the post pandemic business landscape to open its second Queensland branch in Townsville, move its New Zealand branch into a larger facility and also a new state of the art facility in Marsden Park, in Sydney’s North West in early 2022.

Built on a large 4500m2 site, the Marsden Park building itself covers an area of a little over 1900m2 and features two adjoining warehouses, as well as a new showroom and office area, and landscaping that features bottle trees and timber totems of varying heights, a nod to the Australian outback, that is rooted in so much of the company’s core Terrain Tamer brand, products and values.

The Don Kyatt head office in Tottenham, in Melbourne’s inner west, has also undergone an expansion, with the building of a large 15-metrehigh warehouse facility, effectively doubling the pallet capacity at the site, which was purchased from GUD Holdings in 2012.

“Such extensive expansion right across the group, both here and abroad, comes with a significant

Don Kyatt Group’s French branch exports throughout all of Europe.

The Don Kyatt Group now employs over 170 staff, including 70 at their Head Office.

increase in traffic through the Melbourne Head Office,” Don Kyatt Spare Parts General Manager, Brent Hutchinson, said.

“We needed a facility that was going to meet that need and we had simply outgrown the warehouse space we already had.

“We are very fortunate to have a 32,000m2 site to build on at Head Office, so significant expansion of our warehouse and buildings has been possible without encroaching on our test track or having to slow down any part of our existing operations.”

The expansion has also allowed the Don Kyatt Group to significantly increase stock holdings at its Head Office, addressing one of the main issues faced during the pandemic and since.

With ongoing delays in international shipping and

freight from overseas manufacturers, this has allowed the company to continue providing parts to both its customers and branches without too much interruption.

Further to this, a full-size duplication of Craigs Hut, a well-known landmark to 4WDrivers built on Mount Stirling in the Victorian High Country in the 1980s for the filming of The Man from Snowy River, has been replicated at the front of the site.

It complements the ‘Terrain Tamer Test Track’ which is located at the rear and is used primarily for Research and Development.

“The Craig’s Hut replica is certainly a unique fit to us as a company, our High Country roots and customer base,” Brent said.

“This character within the company is a large part

of what makes us a uniquely Australian brand, and ultimately a successful one.

“We’ve already had some comments that the building is definitely a head turning sight as you drive down Sunshine Road, but the original ‘Craig’s Hut’ is such an iconic landmark in our industry, and we believe that our ‘Terrain Tamer Hut’ will serve us well as a really distinctive function centre for staff and customers.”

The next step for the expansion of the company is the new Chilean branch, currently being set up in metropolitan Santiago, the country’s capital city.

With stock already on the water and on its way to the new warehouse, the branch is due to open in the coming months and will be managed by Nicolas Bonilla, a former assistant manager of the company’s European warehouse in France, and perhaps most helpfully, a native Spanish speaker, who has migrated specifically to take on the task of finding, setting up and running the new location.

The new branch will act as a launching pad for the South American and Central American areas, which have previously proven to be strong markets for the export of the Terrain Tamer brand for many reasons, but in particular the extensive mining sector, including many large Australian companies such as BHP.

“We’re very particular about where we choose to open our branches, and we have worked with Austrade for just over two years before taking this step,” Brent said.

“Chile is strategically a great opportunity for our unique range, and not only an already sound trading partner with Australia but a great launch pad into other parts of South America.

“Interestingly, we’ve come to learn that our countries share a lot of similarities in the 4WD sense and the demands that we put our vehicles under, so we’re going into this with a real advantage.”

Additionally, South American consumption of LPG is among the highest in the world, lending itself as a key market for the export of the Don Kyatt Group’s additives and lubricants brand, Flashlube, and in particular, its original Valve Saver Fluid and kit products, which are also popular throughout many European and Asian countries.

What comes next for Don Kyatt Spare Parts is anyone’s guess, but what is almost certain is that the company has no intention of slowing down.

Having seen growth almost every year since opening in Melbourne all those years ago in 1969, the company and its branches have collectively navigated and survived recessions, natural disasters, political unrest and now a pandemic to evolve into the successful international business that it is today, and export its parts into almost every corner of the globe.

For more information, visit www.donkyatt.com.au

The group expanded into Cape Town, South Africa, in 2020.

The Don Kyatt Group’s new Head Office warehouse and Craigs Hut Replica in Melbourne.

RYCO TO HELP DRIVE SUPERCAR CHAMPIONSHIP INTO NEW ERA

RYCO Filters is the ‘Official Filtration Partner’ of Supercars, having its oil, air, and fuel filters fitted as ‘Control Parts’ for the category’s new GEN3 race cars

Achieving success in motorsport is not only about having the fastest vehicle.

Behind the scenes, there’s a fine balancing act taking place that sees competitive teams juggling outright performance with reliability while at the same time being constantly shadowed by budgetary constraints.

While touring car competitions originally began with vehicles driven off the showroom floor before being ‘tweaked’ for the racetrack, the current breed of Supercar race vehicles are very much purpose-built for competition in one of the world’s most competitive racing series.

Evidence of this can be seen in the Repco Supercars Championship, Australia’s leading motorsport category which sees competitors race expensive, technically advanced race cars.

With Supercars looking at ways to reduce costs for its competing teams, its administrators decided to look at alternate approaches to help with this whilst ensuring close racing.

In response, Supercars devised a new series for 2023 – known as ‘GEN3’ – that aims to significantly reduce competition costs, mostly through using more affordable engines with longer maintenance intervals whilst also maintaining high performance.

For these goals to be met however, a notable reduction in engine wear had to be achieved. A new generation of race cars need a new generation of filters

The team at RYCO says it accepted this challenge and in response, developed a range of new filtration products designed specifically for Supercars with the benefits being transferred not only to other race categories, but also to everyday passenger cars.

This led RYCO’s Melbourne based Engineering, and Product teams to consider how else they might assist the broader Supercars category.

How to create the world’s best package of racing oil, air, and fuel filters

The process began with RYCO creating a strategically aligned innovation-based mission statement: “to create the world’s best oil, air and fuel filters for racing vehicles.”

Additional consultation with race teams, engine builders and Supercars’ technical experts further identified other concerns over engine wear, performance limitations and the shortfalls of existing filtration products.

These insights were complemented by additional research conducted by RYCO focusing on race engine specifications, incumbent filtration products, and the effects that certain particulate sizes have on different systems.

Armed with the facts, RYCO explains it set about designing and producing a package of oil, fuel and air filters that would provide ideal filtration efficiencies to both maximise engine life while also delivering outstanding performance.

In response, RYCO collaborated globally with its suppliers to identify latest technology filter medias that could achieve the target efficiencies and design requirements of Supercars

RYCO’s unique Supercar filtration solution

RYCO explains that its unique Supercar filtration solution breaks the traditional view that fineparticle filtration must come with a compromise to flow restriction and engine performance.

A key to RYCO’s new Supercar filters is its “neverseen-before in racing” media.

In the case of the oil filter, it features a unique 100 percent synthetic media for fine-micron filtration that replaces the traditional cellulose-based examples.

For the fuel filter, it features rolled element finemicron media, rather than course particle pleated metal screens.

Finally, the air filter employs a hydrophobic nano-fibre coated media with unique honeycomb construction.

To prove the feasibility of these combinations under racing-conditions, prototypes of each of these filters were extensively evaluated both in RYCO’s lab, current Supercars race vehicles and the GEN3 Mustang and Camaro prototypes.

The amazing performance of the three RYCO filtration products reportedly quickly allayed any concerns race teams may have had in making a switch away from traditional racing filtration products.

In addition, RYCOs new range of filtration products have also drawn praise from Supercars, including

(L-R)

Rob Herrod, Herrod Performance, Tony Sheedy, GM Sales RYCO, Alastair Hampton GM Engineering and Innovation at RYCO and, Craig Hasted, Engineering Project Manager for Engines, Supercars)

from its very experienced Head of Motorsport, Adrian Burgess.

“RYCO’s innovative, world-first filtration technology will enable the GEN3 series the best chance of success whilst also lowering purchase and operating costs for teams,” Adrian said.

Similar sentiments were also echoed by Supercars’ Engine Projects Manager, Craig Hasted.

“The RYCO ‘control’ Oil, Fuel and Air Filters provide long life performance for GEN3 Engines,” Craig said.

RYCO’s Executive General Manager, Stuart Chandler, said the company was delighted to have further cemented its relationship with Supercars.

“I am extremely excited by our new partnership with Supercars as the ‘Official Filtration Partner’ of

the category through being the ‘control’ supplier of oil, air, and fuel filters,” Stuart said.

“In addition, this partnership cements RYCO Filters as the premium motorsport filter brand in Australian and New Zealand.

“The accomplishment would not have been possible without RYCO’s brand promise of adapting to demanding conditions, along with our unwavering commitment to innovation. I thank everyone involved in helping us achieve this success.”

RYCO Filters: bred for the racetrack, perfect for the road

On and off the racetrack, RYCO says the latest range of its filters help extend engine life, whilst maintaining power levels and requiring less consumption of resources.

And just as RYCO passenger-car filters meet or exceed the filtration performance of Supercars and original-equipment manufacturers, these products can also be used by regular vehicle owners without affecting their warranty.

Late last year, RYCO Filters launched passenger car derivatives with these filters employing the same technologies and composition as used in motorsport.

Currently, there are over thirty filters available within the RYCO range to suit a variety of makes and models, with the range constantly expanding.

To purchase a RYCO filtration product, contact your nearest RYCO stockist.

For more information, visit www.rycofilters.com.au

Australian Automotive Aftermarket Magazine Publisher, Cameron McLachlan, takes a look at the products driving the automotive aftermarket. cameron@aaaa.com.au

MAHLE LAUNCHES SCT ELECTRIC MOTOR

The new electric motor had its global launch at IAA Transportation 2022

MAHLE recently presented its SCT (Superior Continuous Torque) electric motor as a world first at IAA.

It says this new motor solves a dilemma common to many electric motors: the great discrepancy between continuous and peak power.

While previous electric motors can only produce their peak power for a short time and then drop to about 60 to 70 percent, MAHLE says its SCT electric motor can be operated continuously at over 90 percent of its peak power.

REPCO FILTRATION

Adding value for customers

With the growing trend of workshops buying complete Filter Service Kits, as opposed to individual filters, Repco says there is a need to provide customers with a filtration program that not only covers the most popular vehicles on road but also adds value to the workshop.

Repco explains that its Filter Service Kits contain the high quality, recently “up spec’d” Repco Synthetic Blend Media Oil Filter (improved Life, Flow and Efficiency), an industry leading quality Repco Air Filter, a Repco Fuel Filter and, where applicable, the Repco Anti- Viral Cabin Filter. However, it says 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.

Repco says its 4WD Filter Service Kit program has set the “new standard” in convenience by offering a complete service solution all in one box.

It states that only Repco’s Filter Service Kits contain a handy accessories pack with all things needed to complete a service.

The accessory pack contains two quality white

cotton rags, one oil funnel, a pair of nitrile gloves and, where relevant, a sump plug washer – just add the oil, and you have all you need.

So, no matter whether the service is being conducted in a workshop, out the back of a mobile mechanic’s van or on the side of the road, Repco says the customer has everything in the kit to get the job done.

The Repco Filter Service Kit program continues to grow with a further 10 courier vehicle kits released to market, which includes the convenient accessory pack as a value add.

For more information, visit www.repco.com.au

RVS TECHNOLOGY EXPANDS DOWN UNDER

The company’s protective and restorative products are now available in Australia

In addition to this, MAHLE explains it is substantially smaller and lighter than a conventional electric motor with the same continuous output. This makes it suitable for use in all vehicle classes, including heavy commercial vehicles.

MAHLE states that it achieved this technological leap by using an innovative oil cooling system.

MAHLE is a leading international development partner and supplier to the automotive industry with customers in the passenger car and commercial vehicle sectors.

With the introduction of the new electric motor, MAHLE becomes a full-range supplier in the field of electric drives. From pedelecs to passenger cars to heavy-duty commercial vehicles, MAHLE says it electrifies everything that has wheels.

The technology group, which was founded in 1920, says it is working on the climate-neutral mobility of tomorrow with a focus on the strategic fields of electromobility and thermal management as well as other technology fields to reduce CO2 emissions, for example fuel cells or highly efficient combustion engines that can also run on e-fuels or hydrogen.

For more information, visit www.mahle.com

RVS Technology has expanded its family of products into the protective and restorative space, and following success in Europe and the USA, says it is proud to bring these products to the Australian market.

“Our preventative and curative treatments help to avoid costly repairs and extend engine life, reducing emissions and adhering to pollution control,” RVS Technology Director, Arto Repo, said.

“Going Green is easy and saving fuel is a must. RVS Technology products offer multiple benefits, resulting in great savings and extended engine life wherever mechanical friction exists for decreased emissions and peak engine performance.”

The product range features its best-selling G8 and G6 for petrol engine protection, and D8 and D6 for diesel engines, described as providing Triboceramic protection and restoration.

Other RVS products are targeted toward auto or manual transmission and power steering systems.

“RVS has unique properties: it protects and prevents the surfaces and mechanisms of wear and tear plus helping to reduce engine noises and ensure the engine is running smoothly,” Arto said.

“Treating your vehicle, bus or truck is quick and easy, and all you need to do is add the

recommended dosage of RVS Technology product directly to your warm engine’s engine oil.

“Consumers will benefit from power increases of up to 15 percent, up to 25 percent lower fuel consumption, engine life extended by as much as 50 percent, and up to a 25 percent decrease in emissions.”

Arto explains that RVS Technology has been associated with high-performance vehicles in the European market for many years.

It is a Finland-based corporation and owns the patented RVS Technology Triboceramic Nanotechnology products and RVS Technology products.

Using the products takes 15 minutes, and RVS Technology says the results are immediate and last up to 100,000km.

For more information, visit www.rvstec.com.au or call 0458 431 868.

E-MOBILITY FOR THE LAST MILE

Bosch launches new electric drive for light commercial vehicles

Vans and medium-sized trucks are the beating heart of urban goods traffic. When powered electrically, they are locally emission-free, contribute to better air quality and reduce noise pollution for residents.

Bosch is now starting volume production of a new drive unit for such light commercial vehicles, consisting of an electric motor and an integrated inverter. The inverter controls the electric motor and provides the connection to the high-voltage battery.

“Bosch is driving forward e-mobility also in commercial vehicles. Compared to its predecessors, the new unit provides even higher power and torque density and is even lighter and more compact,” said Dr Markus Heyn, member of the Bosch board of management and chairman of the Mobility Solutions business sector.

Together, the motor and inverter weight is around 80 kilograms. Bosch says it has reduced electrical losses by more than 20 percent using new power semiconductors, which enables an inverter efficiency level of 97 percent, thereby increasing the vehicles’ range.

Thanks to the flexible construction, Bosch says it is

also now even easier to integrate the drive module into existing and new vehicle models.

The electric drive will make its debut at the customer Daimler Truck, supplemented by a DC/ DC converter and the vehicle control unit from Bosch for the drivetrain.

The unit’s maximum power is 129 kW, while the continuous power is 100 kW. For a short time, the permanent-magnet synchronous machine can generate a peak torque of 430 Nm.

Even at a vehicle weight of 8.5 tons, this reportedly ensures superior driving performance in every situation – including in hilly cities such as Tokyo, Rome, or San Francisco.

A good basis made even better

Bosch says its engineers have based the design of the electric motor and the inverter on the technology used in the passenger car segment.

It says this not only sped up the development phase considerably, but also helped cutting costs.

By embedding the electric drive module in the vehicles’ existing water-cooling circuit, an oil-based cooling circuit is no longer necessary.

Furthermore, the high rotational speed of the electric motor ensures a single-speed transmission to be sufficient to meet all requirements.

The smaller dimensions of the new electric drive mean that a battery made up of a single part can now be used. New microcontrollers offer considerably more computing power to process the complex control algorithms of the electric drive within milliseconds.

In this context, the software is largely responsible for the behaviour of the electric drive and can be tailored to customers’ specific requirements. The drive module will roll off the production line in Hildesheim, Germany, the Bosch lead plant for electric drives.

For more information, visit www.bosch.com.au

POWER UP FOR LESS

With REDARC’s new BCDC Core

REDARC has been excited recently to introduce the new BCDC Core in-cabin DC to DC charger.

Utilising the same tried and tested DC charging technology as its “legendary” BCDC, REDARC says the BCDC Core range is perfect for customers looking for an in-cabin, canopy or battery box charging solution.

The BCDC Core is a charging solution designed for situations where dust and weatherproofing aren’t required, with REDARC stating users can now enjoy the premium performance of a REDARC product in their in-cabin setup.

Exceptional value doesn’t mean compromised quality, says REDARC. It states that each BCDC Core features REDARC’s trusted dual input DC charging technology as well as an MPPT solar regulator and green power priority, all within the compact BCDC form.

These features mean the BCDC Core can efficiently charge from both the vehicle’s alternator and solar simultaneously, ensuring maximum charge capability no matter the situation.

Available in 25A and 40A variants and compatible

with both 12 and 24V standard and smart alternators, as well as all common battery chemistries including Lithium (LiFePO4), REDARC says it is the perfect DC charging solution, no matter the budget.

For customers that still need to push their gear to its limits, regardless of dust, water and weather, REDARC says its legendary BCDC D range is still available.

The current 25A, 40A and 50A dual input BCDC D variants have fully sealed electronics, making them ultra-rugged and perfect for engine bay installations or any location that will be exposed to water crossings, desert heat, mud pits and wild weather.

With all the same connections as the original BCDC D range, there’s no need to change your installation process with the BCDC Core.

REDARC explains that like all of its products, the new BCDC Core range is “backed by nationwide support, including a hassle-free warranty, REDNetwork certified installer network and aftersales service to answer any questions.”

“Designed, tested and manufactured in Australia, power up for less with the new BCDC Core,” says REDARC.

For more information, visit www.redarc.com.au/core

MOBIL LUBRICANTS SIGNIFICANTLY EXPANDS RANGE

MotorActive

As an official Mobil 1 Performance Oil Partner, MotorActive says it was quietly confident its relaunch of packaged Mobil 1 lubricants would be well received. However, the success of the program has exceeded MotorActive’s wildest expectations, it says.

MotorActive states the 2019 relaunch has seen the widespread return of packaged Mobil 1 products back onto retail shelves.

In addition, MotorActive says a host of independent workshops have switched to Mobil 1 and are reaping the benefits for their business and their customers that comes from using Mobil performance lubricants.

MotorActive says it is understandable that premium workshops and demanding consumers would relish the opportunity to take advantage of the “unsurpassed protection provided by the world’s leading synthetic motor oil brand.”

Chaz Mostert certainly did, when his Mobil 1 powered #25 WAU Commodore took pole position, before sweeping to a dominant victory at last year’s Bathurst 1000.

Following the success of the 2019 re-launch, MotorActive is pleased to announce the range of Mobil lubricants it now has on offer has significantly expanded.

protection

In addition to a greater array of Mobil 1 (most notably the ESP X3 0W-40 and the ESP X2 0W20), select Mobil Super 3000, Mobil Super 2000, and Mobil Delvac lines are now readily available.

Mobil Super 3000 and 2000 are premium quality, synthetic and semi-synthetic engine oils. They are engineered to prolong engine life and maintain engine efficiency, while minimising exhaust emissions.

As high-performance engine oils, they reportedly deliver the confidence of knowing they’ll deliver full protection, even under the most extreme conditions.

MotorActive explains that Mobil Delvac has been “the industry benchmark” since its introduction many decades ago.

“Trusted by millions of truck professionals and diesel manufacturers around the world, the Delvac range is one of the world’s most highly developed commercial vehicle lubricants. It is perfect for both heavy and light diesel, including conventional and DPF-equipped variants,” says MotorActive.

To provide flexibility when ordering, MotorActive provides a range of optimal pack sizes ranging from 1-litre up to 208-litres. MotorActive notes that due to the volume of five-litre packs sold

globally combined with the complexities of freighting 20s and 208s, the pricing of multiple five-litre packs can sometimes work out more cost effective.

Workshops that are part of MotorActive’s Trade Customer Program can order direct and whilst a broad selection of specifications are stocked ‘onshelf’ at SuperCheap Auto – and in the webstore – many others are available via special order.

To view the full range, visit www.m1oils.com.au

To enquire about becoming a MotorActive Trade Customer, call 1800 350 622.

CHEMTECH CARE AND PROTECTION PRODUCTS

The range has been “made to work”

Chemtech says its range of vehicle care and protection products has been developed to meet the demands of the extreme climatic and environmental conditions that face both commercial and domestic vehicle owners in Australia.

For more than 20 years, Chemtech says its original Chemtech RL18 Super Blue Truck Wash has been the staple for owner drivers, fleet managers and truck detailers.

“Our Super Blue RL 18 Truck Wash has developed the well-earned reputation as a gutsy, nononsense, down-to-earth, value for money, quality product that consistently works,” Chemtech Marketing Manager, Australia, Daniel O’Brien, said.

Biodegradable and solvent-free, Super Blue Truck Wash easily removes dirt, mud, oil film and road grime.

“Super Blue has been used extensively by the Professional Detailing, Heavy Vehicle Trade, Car, 4WD and Truck enthusiasts for over 20 years, and is made to work,” Daniel said.

“The powerful formulation acts fast to remove the toughest road grime, leaving the truck and trailer with a streak-free, sparkling clean finish every time.”

In addition to effectively removing dirt, mud, oil film and road grime, Super Blue is also safe to use on glass, rubber, aluminium, chrome, vinyl and tarpaulins, making it the intelligent choice for truck owners and professional detailers.

“Super Blue Truck Wash is specifically formulated for commercial purposes,” Daniel said.

“While many cheaper options are available, the small savings made at the checkout are quickly eroded when you consider how much more time and elbow grease will be required to get the job done in the wash bay.

“It is critical to note that Super Blue RL 18 will not cause paint to fade and effectively inhibits rust and corrosion, so there is no doubt that it’s a sound investment.”

Free from caustics, Super Blue Truck Wash is formulated for use on all painted and bare metal surfaces, as well as copper and plastic, and

is available in three sizes, 5litres, 20litres and 200litres.

From vehicle washes and detailing products, degreasers, fuel additives, wheel and tyre care, and metal and aluminium cleaning and polishing products, Chemtech says it has all applications covered.

The Chemtech range is available at all good auto and fleet retailers and outlets.

For more information, visit itwbrands.com.au

KELPRO WEAR SENSORS

The Kelpro range is expanding

The addition of Kelpro’s new wear sensor range further extends the Kelpro range of brake products, which already includes the Kelpro Brake and Clutch Hydraulics range launched at the start of 2021 and the Pedal Pads program.

Brake wear sensors are an important safety feature used on many vehicles and it is vital they are changed whenever the brake pads are replaced.

They perform the vital role of informing the driver when the brake pads are approaching the end of their service life and cannot be reused as they are designed to fail when the brake pads near the end of their service life.

NEW FROM LED AUTOLAMPS

The latest release from LED Autolamps features a distinctive new design

Those behind the Kelpro brand explain that the initial range consists of 114 sensors to suit 1,681 vehicle applications with an easy-to-understand part numbering system and comprehensive cataloguing to make selecting the right sensor easy.

All Kelpro Wear Sensors begin with KBS prefix for ‘Kelpro Brake Sensor’ and are numbered sequentially from 9000 on.

The sensors are made from the “highest-grade” raw materials, and are designed to meet the exact function of the OE standard of braking safety. They are individually supplied in their own sealed bag for easy identification.

The Kelpro team state that its Wear Sensor range is sourced from ISO 9001 and TS accredited world leading factories that specialise in manufacturing automotive sensors.

Due to these strict manufacturing processes, the Kelpro team says all of its Wear Sensors can be given a two-year/40,000km warranty to help give the consumer greater confidence.

The full Kelpro range of Brake Wear Sensors, Brake and Clutch Hydraulics, Pedal Pads and Seals is available through Repco and NAPA Auto Parts.

For more information, visit www.repco.com.au

LED Autolamps says it is proud to release its latest range of boat trailer lamps, created with a new design, look and appeal.

LED Autolamps, a brand name known and trusted for over 19 years, says this new benchmark for style and design will have your customer’s boat trailer looking amazing, and importantly, make you shine brighter than everyone else.

These lamps include specially designed integrated circuitry with the latest in LED lighting technology, and light up brilliantly with a quality second to none, says LED Autolamps.

LED Autolamps explained it has worked on two new designs radically different on the surface but using the same overall size and mounting footprint.

The two models on offer are the 215 series and the 216 series.

The 215 series features a horizontal array of an Indicator and Stop functions centred with a handy inbuilt reflex reflector.

The 216 series boasts a striking angled light-up array for the Stop and Indicator function backed with a propeller plate chrome effect.

Both designs include a left side and a right-hand side that includes a built-in licence plate lamp but, more importantly, both feature a modern diffused tail lamp function that surrounds the outside of the light finishing the design.

All options available measure 215mm width x 105mm height x 30mm depth.

The lamps are held securely in place using stainless steel bolts and fittings at the rear of the lamp.

As well as exceeding the required standards with rigorous ADR approvals, these lamps will not only enhance and make your application look neat but also ensure your trailer is road legal and compliant in all states of Australia.

They come standard in a 12 Volt-only configuration and offer a low operational current draw.

LED Autolamps says as always, these products have been designed and manufactured to last.

It states these lamps are constructed extremely tough using UV resistant high impact plastics and are sealed and tested to IP67 standards with sea/ salt spray protection.

Further, vibration and impact resistance with no moving parts ensures these lights are made fit for purpose and up to any challenge in Australia’s harshest marine environments.

They are both available in a twin retail blister pack with left and right-hand side lamps and bulk packaged for OEM manufacturers.

In addition, LED Autolamps has also made available a 10-metre lamp and cable kit, which contains the left and right-hand side lamps and enough hardwire cable for a trailer up to 10 metres in length. They also come in a twin blister or OEM bulk packaging.

LED Autolamps explains that its entire operation is certified to ISO9001:2015, the internationally recognised Quality Management Standard. It states its main production facility is certified to IATF16949:2016 standards, which it says is your guarantee of conformity of production, exceptional service technical expertise, and dedicated after-sales care.

This latest Series of boat trailer lamps from LED Autolamps come with a five-year warranty and a distinctive new design with unparalleled quality, says LED Autolamps.

“If you want to provide your customers something different that will give you the wow factor you are after, check out our website or give us a call,” LED Autolamps said.

For more information, visit www.ledautolamps.com or call 1800 815 000.

CABIN AIR FILTERS

Protecting occupants and air conditioning systems

One of the most overlooked vehicle filters is the Cabin Air Filter.

“Cabin filters are a relatively new innovation in passenger cars and many vehicle owners aren’t even aware their vehicles are fitted with one,” Ryco General Manager of Engineering and Innovation, Alastair Hampton, said.

“This can lead to these filters not being replaced as regularly as they should. In a time that the health and safety of many people has become so important, replacing an existing cabin filter with the best available on the market is a reasonably small investment to make.”

There are two things that are really important for a cabin filer to do – firstly they need to protect the vehicle’s occupants, making sure they are not exposed to airborne pollution whilst driving along the road, while also protecting them from pollens and particles that aggravate allergies.

Secondly, they also protect the HVAC system, which over time collects dirt and dust which when coupled with moisture and the cold HVAC system can see you growing mildew, resulting in flow issues and expensive maintenance.

Ryco says its upgraded MicroShield range of Cabin Filters are the most efficient and micron rated in the Australasian market and a must-fit for vehicle and workshop owners in this current climate. Whereas most cabin filters are rated to 2.5 micron, Ryco says its MicroShield sets the standard with a “staggering 0.3 micron” rating.

The N99 MicroShield cabin filter media are manufactured fine enough to also protect occupants from wood smoke for added protection if you live in bushfire prone areas, as well as human aerosols, which can carry viruses*.

“The Ryco MicroShield range of cabin filters are made from N99 medical grade media which provides both anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties. The MicroShield range of Cabin Filters from Ryco are 99.7 percent efficient and tested and compliant to ISO11155-2:2009 standards,” Alastair said.

The increased protection of the upgraded MicroShield range comes from an innovative three-layer system. The first layer is anti-viral with natural polyphenol extracts that eliminate viruses, bacteria and allergens. The second layer is activated carbon which is designed for odours and gas absorption. The third and last is medical grade polypropylene which is electrostatically charged, which collects more micro particles. Ryco says all MicroShield Cabin Filters are 100 percent safe and free from pollution.

Ryco explains that one of the many advantages of fitting a Ryco MicroShield Cabin Filter is that the anti-viral layer inhibits the survival of bacteria and viruses using a natural micronutrient called polyphenol.

This means not only does a Ryco Cabin Filter stop the bacteria and viruses from entering the car, it also destroys them at the same time – including serious diseases like Influenza A and H1N1/H3N3.

With research showing that a vehicle’s interior can contain over 10 times more pollutants that the outside air, Ryco is strongly urging all vehicle owners and automotive workshops to make a cabin filter check and/or replacement a priority.

When completed by a professional, a check or replacement takes only a matter of minutes on most vehicles.

When it comes to product design and development, Alistair said the Ryco MicroShield cabin filters now exceed the fit, sealing and filtration efficiency of their original equipment (OE) counterparts.

Ryco’s upgraded MicroShield Cabin Filters are available in over 120 part numbers, covering hundreds of popular vehicle models. More part numbers will be progressively available in the near future. The upgraded versions of MicroShield Cabin Filters will be denoted with an “M” on packaging as opposed to “MS.”

To purchase, visit your nearest Ryco stockist. For more information, visit rycofilters.com.au *H1N1/H3N2.

PREPARING THE NEXT GENERATION

Snap-on recently demonstrated its

solutions as part of a National Skills Forum

Imagine you are a third or fourth-year apprentice technician beginning your journey in the global automotive industry.

You are faced with the diagnostic and repair challenges of Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid and EV powertrains including their management systems. Daunting, isn’t it?

Now imagine you have been invited to an automotive “Master Class” – a training event put on specifically for you – because you are the future, the “Next Generation” of diagnostic technicians trusted to repair these complex machines.

In late July 2022, twelve apprentice technicians from across Australia were invited to a specialist training event held at Skills Tech – Acacia Ridge QLD – as part of the National Skills Forum overseen by Worldskills Australia.

Those young technicians were hosted by industry giants – Kevin Dove and Dino Vasquez from Snap-on Australia – who ran an in-depth training session using a range of cutting-edge Snap-on diagnostic tools and platforms.

While the team talked about different overall diagnostic approaches, individual electronic component testing was high on the agenda kicking off with in-depth pre and post-catalyst oxygen sensor testing.

Kevin walked the students through what an O2 sensor is used for and its operation within the engine management system, followed by some waveform analysis of both upstream and downstream sensors showing what happens when the catalytic converter fails.

Another hot topic of discussion was a crank angle sensor failure on a BMW 328i. The students were

walked through a complex diagnostic task with the help of the Snap-on ZEUS diagnostic scan tool.

Introducing Intelligent Diagnostics

Snap-on says it has taken diagnostics to the next level with “Intelligent Diagnostics,” whereby the technician is guided through the diagnostic process derived from globally sourced processdriven outcomes bundled into the scan tool.

A notable difference from other platforms is when a DTC or Diagnostic Trouble Code is displayed, there is an option for the technician to select the “Diagnose” tab from the screen.

This directs the technician to a landing page flagging any Technical Service Bulletins relating to the DTC under scrutiny.

SureTrack Information

A very unique feature in the Snap-on diagnostic platform is “SureTrack” where the technician is presented with a graphical display of techniciancertified repairs that have been analysed and confirmed by the Snap-on global team, detailing what has fixed that DTC and how many times that repair was successful.

This piece of information is there to give the diagnostic technician an inside edge speeding up the fault-to-fix process.

Smart Data

Snap-on says this little gem is the icing on the diagnostic cake. Smart Data displays codespecific PIDs (Parameter Identification).

When this function is selected only those lines of data relating to the DTC are populated with flags (alerts) attached to the data streams that have values outside of the OE specifications, a critical

COOLDRIVE PARTNERS WITH BASCO

The

CoolDrive Auto Parts has partnered with automotive parts specialist, Basco, as part of its commitment to deliver more to its customers.

“We are excited to have Basco as part of our everexpanding range of products at CoolDrive Auto Parts,” CoolDrive Auto Parts Product Manager, Harry Blanchard, said.

“Basco has excellent cataloguing to complement its extensive range of high-quality parts. This will ensure our customers can make the right choice faster and easier through CoolDrive’s iShop platform.

“The CoolDrive team has been working closely with Basco to ensure this partnership hits the

insight when trying to identify a malfunctioning sensor.

With these insights in hand, the technician can then access a range of functional tests on the diagnostic tool, including component activations and reset functions relating to the DTC.

In the case of the BMW issue discussed in the session, the students used the features to complete a crank angle sensor (CAS) variation learn.

The next generation of diagnostic technicians certainly have a challenging vehicle scope ahead of them, but with the help of tools like the Snap-on Zeus, Snap-on says they get the insights of a global team working together.

Snap-on has been developing tools and equipment for technicians since 1920. Knowing the importance of investing in our future technicians, Snap-on says it is also supporting our next generation through Worldskills Australia, and are looking forward to seeing its Australian representatives Nick McLaren and Isabella Turrise show their skills and talents in this year’s international competitions.

For more information, talk to your local franchisee representative or visit www.snapontools.com.au

4WDs in Australia

group running with excellent stocking ranges rolling out nationwide as we speak.

“We know that Basco shares our commitment to excellence, and as another Australian familyowned business, we are looking forward to working together to provide the best possible service to our customers.”

Basco products include bearings and kits, oil seals, engine components, driveline parts, repair kits, and automotive accessories, with components sourced from leading global brands.

CoolDrive Auto Parts says one of Basco’s strengths is its strong relationships with supply channels in countries across the world, as well as its skills in

foreseeing product requirements, new ranges and industry trends to ensure availability of the right products at the right time.

For further information on Basco and CoolDrive Auto Parts, visit www.cooldrive.com.au

ELIMINATE THE GUESSWORK OUT OF BATTERY REPLACEMENT

Century says its Battery Fitment Solution can future proof your business

Vehicle technology is changing at a rapid rate with manufacturers incorporating more advanced technologies and electronics into vehicles as standard.

How many times have we heard the saying “batteries don’t last as long as they used to,” or “they don’t make them as good as they used to?”

Century says neither is true – batteries are better now than they’ve ever been.

It wasn’t that long ago that reversing cameras, parking sensors or assisted parking systems were optional extras – yet many of these are now fitted as standard in today’s vehicles.

Similarly, manufacturers are also incorporating advanced emission control technologies and battery management systems into vehicles to meet global CO2 emission standards and performance targets.

With the introduction of all this new technology it is critical to not only ensure that the correct

battery (both in terms of technology and capacity) is fitted, but also that specific step by step pre-and post-installation procedures are followed during battery replacements.

These steps will help you avoid vehicle damage, loss of system functionality and even premature battery failure down the track. In a nutshell, battery replacement is no longer the simple task it once was.

Luckily, says Century, it is here to help. It says its ‘Battery Fitment Solution’ is a complete battery finder and fitment system designed to assit with battery replacement in this rapidly changing market place.

Century explains that this system will help to ‘future proof’ your business by providing a complete battery finder and fitment solution.

The system allows you to easily identify vehicles, presents the battery replacement options for that vehicle and then provides an estimated battery fitment time to replace it. More importantly, it also provides you with detailed fitment instructions to ensure the battery will be installed correctly.

Compatible with desktop computers, tablets and mobile phones, you can search for a vehicle by typing in the registration number, VIN, or through a standard make/model search.

Once the correct battery has been selected, you can view the estimated time required to fit the battery into the vehicle, and also download the detailed step-by-step fitment instructions required.

The system will also advise if the Yu-Fit configuration tool is required as part of the battery replacement process.

Century says its battery finder system is just one of the many exciting initiatives available.

For more information or assistance, contact your Century Yuasa representative on 1300 362 287.

BILSTEIN OFFERS GUIDANCE ON PROPER LOWERING SUSPENSIONS

In this article, Bilstein compares coilovers and sports suspensions for lowering solutions

With a nearly 150-year history, Bilstein offers a wide range of suspension products for both offroad and street performance vehicles.

One of the main questions that Bilstein encounters almost daily is which suspension is best for proper lowering: coilovers or sports suspension.

Bilstein notes that one thing is certain; suspension tuning is the tuning measure with the greatest impact.

With a good retrofit suspension, Bilstein says drivers can both significantly optimise the appearance of their own vehicle and raise the driving experience to a completely new level.

Bilstein first gives guidance on the differences between sports suspension and coilover suspension, stating that sports suspensions from premium manufacturers such as Bilstein consist of shorter sports springs with specially matched sports shock absorbers.

It states this is important because the OE shock absorbers are simply not designed for the shorter spring travel and harder spring rates of sports springs.

While a sports suspension has a precisely defined lowering, coilovers are adjustable in height. The essential feature of coilovers is their screw thread, which allows the lowering to be individually adjusted within a defined range.

Bilstein says it is one of the few manufacturers that tunes each kit individually to the vehicle in question to ensure a dynamic, harmonious driving experience.

According to Bilstein, the motto for sports suspensions is: install and be happy! The company states this is why sports suspensions are the perfect choice for most performance-oriented drivers.

Bilstein says coilover suspensions offer more individuality and setup options. The company suggests that coilovers such as Bilstein B14, EVO S and SE are often the ideal partners for those who want to take their car to the racetrack every now and then.

It says the ability to adjust the vehicle height individually within a predefined range is a key advantage over normal sports suspensions for ambitious tuners and dynamic drivers.

For example, it is possible to influence the weight distribution of the wheel loads. Depending on the vehicle, coilovers can also offer greater lowering compared to sports suspensions.

Many coilover suspensions also allow individual adjustment of the damping forces. For example, with the Bilstein B16 or the EVO T1, the damping forces in the rebound and bump stages can be adjusted in parallel.

In general, Bilstein recommends that tuning fans should always look for high-quality suspensions and ensure that they are installed in a specialist workshop in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications.

For more information, visit www.bilstein.com

START DEAD BATTERIES

With NOCO Jump Starters

The NOCO Boost Max Jump Starter range has just landed at Repco, delivering lithium jump starters that are light weight, ultra-safe and powerful enough to jump start petrol and diesel cars up to 32L.

The Boost Max series is designed for the largest, most challenging engine starts. With 5250 amps of starting power, the GB250 can jump start 12-volt petrol and diesel engines up to 16 litres. Furthermore, the GB251 can jump start 24-volt engines up to 32L.

The GB250 jump starter has the capacity to start trucks, motorhomes, coaches, buses, mining, agricultural, and construction equipment with six, eight, 12, or 16 cylinders, and more.

Featuring second-generation patented safety protection, it can be connected to any 12V system. Repco states the mistake-proof design features spark-proof technology and reverse polarity protection. It also has a countdown timer that will switch the unit off after 60 seconds of cranking to protect itself.

The new technology in the Boost Max range means they also reportedly recharge four times faster than earlier models from a vehicle’s auxiliary port or via the supplied power adapter.

Weighing in at 6.7kg, the GB250 is significantly lighter than commercial vehicle jump starters of earlier generations that could weigh more than 100kg.

The included carry case means it can easily and safely be carried on-board for self-rescue of large commercial vehicles. It measures at 315 x 155 x 93 (L x W x H mm), making it easily portable.

It is not just a lithium jump starter, but also a portable power bank, with two 5V 2.1A USB ports capable of recharging smartphones, tablets, and other USB devices multiple times.

It is equipped with an ultra-bright 600-lumen LED flashlight with seven light modes, including emergency strobe and SOS. It also has an integrated digital battery voltmeter to enable diagnostics.

Alongside the jump starter, the package includes a 56W XGC power adapter, a 60cm 12-volt XGC cable, and the protective carrying case.

The 12V jump starter generates 5250A peak starting current and is suitable for use with all lead-acid battery systems. The internal lithium-ion battery has a capacity of 242 watt-hours, and an operating temperature range between -20°C to +50°C.

The unit is covered by a one-year limited warranty by NOCO Australia.

For more information, visit repco.com.au

MEYLE UNVEILS FIRST CLIMATENEUTRAL PRODUCT RANGE

The company aims to be climate-neutral by 2030

Having launched the first MEYLE HD part 20 years ago, the manufacturer based in Hamburg is now transforming its MELYE HD steering and suspension parts into what it says is the first climateneutral product range in the independent aftermarket.

The company says it has been working to improve the carbon footprint of MEYLE HD steering and suspension parts since 2019 and has managed to significantly reduce production emissions with energy efficiency measures and the use of wind power.

MEYLE is now taking the next decisive step and working with ClimatePartner to compensate for the CO2 emissions associated with MEYLE HD parts in the steering and suspension category.

These parts are largely manufactured at the company’s own plant in Turkey, which like the MEYLE headquarters in Hamburg has been certified carbonneutral since 2021 (Scope 1 and 2 in accordance with the GHG Protocol).

The concept behind MEYLE HD parts has always been sustainable: repairing rather than replacing the entire unit – with spare parts more durable than the original.

“That’s good. But for us, it’s not enough. We want to be a driving force in a very heterogeneous and international sector,” MEYLE Corporate Responsibility Manager, Florian Gaertner, said.

“That’s why we committed ourselves to the UN Global Compact in 2021, are systematically accelerating our sustainability activities and expanding them step by step.”

Sustainability management now comprises a whole host of projects across all company departments. MEYLE says its most important aim is to offer a product range that is entirely climate-neutral by 2030, with a key focus on avoiding CO2 emissions.

“We’re doing everything in our power to make this happen and will only compensate for remaining emissions with investments in sustainable projects,” Florian said.

The company’s headquarters and SIO production facility for steering and suspension parts are already certified carbon neutral. The next step is to make all the other sites carbon neutral.

MEYLE is also making an effort to reduce its suppliers’ CO2. By using CO2-reduced materials such as “green aluminium and steel,” the company is planning to further reduce CO2 in the future. Thanks to a switch in packaging and shipping materials in logistics, the company has already reduced its use of plastic by around four tonnes a year, with further reductions still to come.

Sustainability and the ongoing mobility transformation are reportedly very important to MEYLE, which is why, in 2016, the company invested in the infrastructure necessary to allow employees and guests to charge their electric vehicles.

Motorsport also generates important information about how the parts perform, allowing MEYLE to further develop them and make them even more durable.

MEYLE has set its sights firmly on new drive technologies and, since last season, has sponsored the first ADAC Opel e-Rally.

For more information, visit www.meyle.com

LIGHT IT UP

Repco and NAPA Auto Parts offer a wide range of lighting solutions

Australia’s automotive electrical specialists are being asked to install auxiliary lighting in everything from 4x4s and RVs to trucks, forklifts and earthmoving, agricultural and mining equipment.

Repco and NAPA Auto Parts say these professionals can trust in its ranges of leading lighting brands when they are looking for the right lamps they need to light a sufficient work area.

Amongst the offering is the recently launched range of rechargeable LED inspection lights from OEX.

DIESEL 4WD PROTECTION

Protecting both new and used diesel 4WDs has never made more sense, says Direction Plus

Australian used vehicle prices jumped by 18 percent over the last year, bringing their astounding increase in value since the COVID-19 pandemic began to 79 percent, says Direction Plus.

While used vehicles were once a cost-effective way to acquire the vehicle you want, now they represent significant investments that warrant a high level of protection traditionally afforded to new vehicles.

Further confounding drivers today are new 4WD vehicle lead times, now commonly quoted in months and in some cases years.

At least one manufacturer has added a “new vehicle availability” portal to their website apologising to customers and offering customers a way of determining lead times.

Today’s 4WD driver must assume their vehicle may be worth more and they may need to keep their vehicle for longer, therefore the need to protect the vehicle is stronger than ever.

Direction Plus explains that its range of quality 4WD specific aftermarket products are designed with protection of your vehicle at front of mind.

and a long service life, Direction Plus says these kits meet the specifications set by leading manufacturers of Diesel fuel injection systems.

The Fuel Manager version features a high level of water separation and a glass bowl providing a visual indication of the water captured. Water and Common Rail Fuel systems do not mix – the repair of a Common Rail Fuel system contaminated with water can easily reach $15,000.

Direction Plus ProVent Oil Separator (catch can) kits

Providing protection from oil and soot contamination, the Direction-Plus ProVent system is designed to separate and redirect oil and air from blow-by gas produced from within the crankcase.

Repco and NAPA Auto Parts explain that the OEX brand has been relied upon for over 20 years to light up work areas in recreation, commercial, industrial, and agricultural applications.

These new powerful LED inspection lights can conveniently be recharged through its supplied wireless charging base or can be plugged into a USB socket.

Both the charging base and the light have strong magnets built in for mounting and hands-free use. Available in 250 lumens (LLX3000) and 300 lumens (LLX3001), both inspection lights have a rotatable hook on the back for easy use and offer a charge time of approximately 3.5-4hrs, so you can get back to what’s important in no time.

For heavy duty applications, Repco and NAPA Auto Parts state the strength of Blacktips work lights has been utilised for years, with a range of lights that meet industrial, marine, and mining requirements with specifications tailored to each industry.

With a rich heritage in auto electrical and lighting aftermarket parts through Ashdown-Ingram, NAPA Auto Parts says it has the range, brands and Know How for every automotive aftermarket application.

For more information about Repco and NAPA Auto Parts’ range of lighting, visit www.repco.com.au or www.napaparts.com.au/locations

It says the core range of Pre-Filter Water Separator kits, Provent Oil Separators (catch cans) and Automatic Transmission Coolers are a must for anyone wanting to protect their 4WD vehicle investment.

Direction Plus Fuel Manager and PreLine Water Separator kits

Offering immediate protection from water and contaminants in fuel, the Direction-Plus Water separator kits are an innovative pre-filter system for Diesel fuel systems that ensure a high degree of water separation and particle pre-separation.

The PreLine kits include a remote multi-stage water alert. With a water separation efficiency of 100 percent (based on 150μm droplet size)

This combination of oil and exhaust particles from the EGR build up to a point where they block inlet manifolds and valves, resulting in reduced engine performance and/or failure.

The Direction Plus ProVent kit protects your diesel engine by substantially reducing the amount of oil entering the engine from blow-by gas.

Direction Plus TransChill Automatic Transmission Cooler kits

The Direction-Plus TransChill Transmission Cooler kit is designed specifically to reduce excessive transmission heat caused by towing, carrying loads, and driving in sand, snow, offroad or hot conditions. This an economical and efficient way to help protect 4WD vehicles against costly transmission repairs.

The Direction-Plus TransChill Transmission Cooler can reduce the temperature of the ATF by as much as 33C. A reduction of just 11C can double the life expectancy of the transmission, ATF, and all internal components.

Direction-Plus says its website includes a vast range of additional quality 4WD specific aftermarket products and states a visit to this website is essential for those seeking to enhance and protect their recreational or commercial 4WD vehicle.

For more information, visit www.directionplus.com.au

PROJECTA ENTERS LITHIUM BATTERY MARKET

Following extensive research and development, the company has launched a new lithium battery range

After a comprehensive three-year development and testing period, Projecta has launched a new 12V lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO₄) battery range, providing powerful yet safe and reliable performance for a range of applications including 4x4, RV, trade and emergency services.

While lithium battery storage is a new product category for Projecta, parent company Brown and Watson International has extensive lithium iron phosphate know-how through products such as jump starters and work lights, where similar technology is applied.

Projecta says the range’s LiFePO₄ chemistry is the safest lithium technology available and makes the new Projecta batteries inherently much safer than lithium cobalt competitors, a performance measure that was proven during inhouse testing.

Projecta’s lithium batteries also feature a built in Battery Management System (BMS), which offers protection in the event of under/overvoltage and over/underheating.

Additionally, BMS monitors individual cell voltages, balancing when required, and providing extra peace of mind for users.

Another key benefit of the Projecta lithium battery range is its longevity – capable of delivering over 2000 cycles, this is up to eight times more than lead acid batteries, offsetting the initial higher cost of a lithium battery over time to save money, as well as reduce waste.

Compared to equivalent size lead acid batteries,

Projecta says its lithium batteries also offer superior charging and discharging rates.

On offer in the range are two models, the LB100 and the high discharge LB100-BT.

The LB100 delivers true 100 Amp discharge current, capable of powering 1000W inverters as well as a fridge and is equivalent to a 160Ah lead acid battery.

Projecta notes that while lead acid batteries can only withstand 50 percent depth of discharge without detrimental effects, the LB100 can be discharged to 20 percent without reducing the life of the battery.

In-house side by side testing against multiple competitor units reportedly revealed that most were not able to discharge current at a rate equal to their Amp-hour capacity, and therefore may struggle supplying sufficient power for larger inverters and appliances, where Projecta’s units remained true to their claimed 100 Amp and 150 Amp discharge rates.

Users needing even greater power can select the high discharge LB100-BT, which delivers an impressive 150 Amp discharge current – with Projecta stating it is the ideal battery for fourwheel drive and caravan owners and is even capable of powering 2000W inverters.

For additional convenience, the LB100-BT allows owners to monitor the battery status via smartphone or tablet using Bluetooth.

Available information includes voltages, current,

state of charge (in per cent) and any alarms that may have occurred. This battery is also fitted with a power level indicator, allowing owners to see the state of charge at a glance.

Both batteries are housed within traditional N70 casings, allowing them to easily fit a variety of mounting locations.

Additionally, the Projecta lithium batteries are around one third the weight of equivalent lead acid batteries, making them easier to install while also helping to reduce vehicle gross weights.

Other benefits include carry handles for easy transportation and M8 bolts for simple connection.

For added versatility, the LB100 and LB100-BT can both be paralleled with up to four batteries as well as installed in up to four batteries in series.

Projecta’s new lithium iron phosphate LB100 and LB100-BT batteries are backed by two and threeyear warranties respectively, and are available from leading automotive, camping, caravanning and four-wheel driving outlets nationwide. For more information, visit www.projecta.com.au

GPC Asia Pacific’s Eclipse KlearLights headlight restoration wipes allow users to restore yellowed, faded and unsafe headlights in just two minutes.

Traditional headlight restoration kits often rely on abrasive processes to physically remove UV degraded and yellowed plastics from car headlight lenses. This process can be time consuming and tedious, requiring many steps to achieve a reasonable outcome.

GPC Asia Pacific explains that its KlearLights headlight restoration technology is a revolutionary and simple three step ‘wipe on’ process that utilises state of the art chemistry to restore weathered, hazy, yellowed and cloudy headlight lenses back to crystal clarity.

Step one converts the degraded surface of polycarbonate headlight lenses to a clean, stable base.

Step two significantly enhances the optical transmission while the specially formulated UV protective resins lock in the headlight clarity for up to 12 months.

Thus, deteriorated headlight lenses are dramatically improved in terms of safety through increased visibility of oncoming vehicle.

Greater light transmission reduces eyestrain and increases depth and breadth of night vision, which is particularly important on poorly lit roads in regional areas.

Key features and benefits:

• Restores headlights in just two minutes

• Enhance roadworthiness and appearance

• Add re-sale value

• Three types of special wipes quickly clean and seal your degraded headlight.

• Quick, clean and simple solution – simply wipe on, dry and coat

• No mess, no fuss, no special tools required.

• Inexpensive – the kits have a retail price of $26.00

For more information, visit www.repco.com.au

JLM LUBRICANTS EXPANDS RANGE

New fuel additives have been introduced

The Dutch additive brand JLM Lubricants has expanded its range of fuel additives with a special Heavy Duty HD range that includes Engine Oil Flush, Fuel Injection System Cleaner, and Diesel Extreme Cleaner.

The products are designed to reduce truck and agricultural vehicle maintenance time, save fuel, improve performance and reduce the need for parts replacement.

As part of the pre-launch testing, each product was tested in workshops on a range of commercial vehicles, including trucks and tractors.

JLM Lubricants says this is extremely good news for fleet managers, not least because using a high-quality additive whenever possible is better than an expensive part or a time-consuming repair where the vehicle cannot be used.

“We have already taken market share in this HD sector with our Heavy-Duty DPF particulate filter cleaner, which saves fleet owners significant costs compared to replacing a particulate filter,” JLM Lubricants Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Gilbert Groot, said.

“The particulate filter does not need to be dismantled and can be cleaned on the vehicle, which reduces the down time of the vehicle.

“It made sense to launch three more products that are perfect for heavy duty commercial vehicles –used as complementary additions during vehicle service, maintenance and repair.

“Demand for this range is fueled by the ongoing global increase in fuel prices. The operating costs of large and heavy vehicles are now unprecedentedly high.

“Our special Heavy Duty range keeps those wagons working, lowers workshop repair costs, shortens vehicle downtime and improves fuel economy.

“Every hour a commercial vehicle is off the road presents a logistical challenge for the owner or fleet manager plus a drop in profits unaided by rising workshop costs.

“Working closely with technicians from the earliest stages of product development, we understand their detailed requirements for high-performance

additives to keep workshop time and costs low. This is what we deliver.

“And of course, we embrace the growing trend of products instead of parts and repair versus replacement.

“The products in our Heavy Duty additive range are already bestsellers in the automotive sector in more than 45 countries.

“We simply changed the concentrate to make it suitable for heavy vehicles from a truck to a tractor and a delivery or school bus. Our plan is to continue to expand the range, so stay tuned.”

For orders and enquiries, call JLM Lubricants Australia on 02 9133 3855 or email sales@jlmlubricants.com.au

DRIVEN RACING OIL

Available from Performance Wholesale Australia

Those behind the Driven Racing Oil brand state it was originally created to advance engine and driveline lubricant performance in professional racing engines, but today their innovations extend beyond the racetrack to the street and more.

Driven Racing Oil delivers specialty lubricants designed to meet the requirements of specialty applications.

For example, Driven says it pioneered the development of break-in oils, which provide the chemistry needed for the initial break-in of a new engine.

It says all of its products provide unique formulas developed with the application in mind first.

The company states the Driven Oil product development team looks at the engine and how it is used; then design application specific products using a “zero compromise” approach that delivers a measurable performance advantage.

“Racing is in the DNA of Driven Racing Oils, and every product developed is proven to perform,”

Performance Wholesale Australia Marketing Manager, Karlene Morrison, said.

“From full synthetic race oils to engine break-in oils, Driven offers a wide range of race winning products including gear oils, cleaners and waxes and greases that deliver enhanced performance, protection and value.

“So whether you need gear oil for your race car or motor oil for your hot rod, put your trust in lubricants engineered, tested and proven to perform. Put your trust in the innovator of highperformance lubricants – Driven Racing Oil.”

New GP-1 High Performance Motor oil from Driven Oils

A high-performance Pennsylvania grade synthetic blend oil has been introduced by Driven Racing Oils. GP-1 synthetic blend high performance motor oils are formulated using Pennsylvania petroleum combined with a high zinc (ZDDP) content that has been engineered and tested to deliver increased horsepower and better engine wear protection under high load.

It is available in 20W-50, 15W-40, 10W-30, and 5W-20 viscosity for high performance engines, providing “the perfect performance oil for competition, custom and classic cars, hot rods, and all racing applications.”

These products and more can be found at Performance Wholesale Australia, which says it is Australia’s largest stockist of high-performance engine parts.

For more information, call the Performance Wholesale Australia sales team on 07 3808 1986 or visit www.performancewholesale.com.au

PROJECTA IC RANGE NOW SUITABLE FOR LITHIUM BATTERIES

The Intelli-Charge (IC) range is now more versatile than ever

Projecta has expanded the versatility of its Intelli-Charge range with the inclusion of a new Lithium-specific charging algorithm, in addition to its Wet, AGM, Gel and Calcium battery profiles.

This flexibility means that owners now only require a single battery charger, no matter what type of automotive batteries they have.

It also allows users to confidently update to more modern batteries such as Lithium, without the extra expense of purchasing a Lithium-specific charger.

While it is possible to use a lead acid charger with a Lithium battery, the process is not great for the battery lifecycle, while charging also needs to be closely monitored for safety.

As well as being versatile and ultra-reliable, the latest Projecta IC range provides a high-quality charge that prolongs battery life; this is achieved through either a five-stage (Lithium only) or sevenstage charging profile, which is automatically selected depending on the battery type that’s being charged.

There are 11 models available within the upgraded IC line-up, ranging from units that are suitable for charging the smaller batteries found in motorcycles, personal watercraft and ride-on mowers, all the way through to the large batteries used by heavy commercial vehicles and buses.

The chargers also feature adjustable output*, meaning that even the most powerful units can charge smaller batteries – charge rates can be set as low as 2A with the IC7 and IC7W capable of being set even lower at 1A.

The IC range also offers a power supply mode* where the chargers can be used to provide a constant voltage of 13.8VDC – this mode is best used where appliances like fridges are draining power from the battery, or for replacing a vehicle battery without resetting the ECU.

In the larger IC models (25A and higher), the chargers come with a sleek and modern remote control** that can be flush or surface mounted.

The remote features a fully functional control panel and LCD screen, providing the same functions as found on the chargers themselves.

Aside from the IC100L, all the Intelli-Charge range also feature removable battery clamps that allow for permanent installation such as in caravans or camper trailers.

Such is Projecta’s confidence in the quality and reliability of the upgraded IC range, that it has increased the product warranties, with a revised three-year replacement warranty now applying with minimal terms and conditions.

Projecta’s new Intelli-Charge range is available from leading automotive, camping, caravanning and four-wheel driving outlets nationwide. For more information, visit www.projecta.com.au

* Excludes IC100L

**Excludes IC25W

TURBOSMART’S ESG50

STRAIGHTGATE50

The Australian designed and developed product is a world first according to the company

Turbosmart states that its eSG50 StraightGate50 is a world first (patent pending) electronically actuated butterfly style wastegate, which provides more flow and greater control, specifically at lower opening angles than any other wastegate available.

The StraightGate is smaller than a 60mm wastegate and has control greater than any 38 or 40mm wastegate. The electronic actuator uses no springs or vacuum hoses so is not limited to the tuning window associated with pneumatic solutions meaning virtually any boost level can be achieved with no limits or compromises to boost and torque management.

ECLIPSE PREMIUM HYPER FOAM CANNON

A world first foam cannon with a selected five spray combination and all-in-one design

GPC Asia Pacific explains that the Eclipse Premium Hyper Foam Cannon covers the car in a thick bubbly film that picks up the loose dust and dirt and lifts it from the paint, creating the optimal clean surface to start applying car wash, car polish or car wax.

The Eclipse Hyper Foam Snow Cannon can be used with all leading brands of foaming car washes. It retails for $62.00.

It is made to be used with a pressure washer and comes with two pressure washer adaptors: MechproBlue and the KarcherK Series.

The five-way spray design allows the customer to foam their car faster and more efficiently, achieving maximum productivity with minimum waste.

The spray combinations can be changed at the click of a button, making it super easy to foam the car in any direction.

Spray options include cone, jet, horizontal fan, vertical fan and down.

Key features and benefits:

• Five-spray design

• Save time and money

• Patented technology

• All-in-one design

• Compatible with all leading brands of foaming car washes

• 1L transparent wide body bottle

• G14” quick connector

• Brass head

• Pressure rated to 1000-3500psi

• Two Pressure Washer adaptors: MechproBlue and KarcherK Series

For more information, visit www.repco.com.au

HEAVY-DUTY TYRE EQUIPMENT

The StraightGate50 is an all Australian developed, designed and manufactured world first solution which Turbosmart says has positively disrupted the boost control segment with a product which is priced just 10 percent higher than the previous ‘most premium’ and advanced solutions available in the consumer segment.

Turbosmart says its StraightGate50 has already proven to be widely accepted based on initial orders upon release, but also by the ECU companies and calibration engineers that work on the vehicles where this product would shine the most.

It states that these are lighter, faster, more accurate and responsive and with a wider operating range than any other wastegate in the world, Turbosmart says it has produced them at a consumer-friendly price point.

With enough priority placed on positioning and fitment, the Turbosmart StraighGate50 can reportedly provide a tuning window from zero boost, all the way up to all of the available boost and does so with less mechanical complexity and less wearing components for a longer service life. For more information, visit www.turbosmart.com

Corghi Australia has a complete range of heavy-duty tyre changers in stock and ready for installation

The range from Corghi Australia includes a wide variety of heavy-duty tyre changers, including the HD500, HD700, HD900 and the fully automatic HD1800 HYDRUS.

“The HD1800 HYDRUS is the flagship of our range,” Corghi Australia General Manager, Andrew Cornwell, said.

“It can handle wheels up to an 3,000kg and has 45,000nm of bead breaking force.”

The HD1800 HYDRUS has an impressive max wheel diameter of three metres or 118” and a clamping capacity of 14” to 60” with extensions. This unit can take an absolute beating without breaking a sweat.

“The HD1800 HYDRUS controls are easy-touse, and being a fully automatic machine, it can increase productivity and massively reduce manual labour,” Andrew said.

Corghi’s heavy-duty tyre changer range also includes the ever-popular HD 700 and HD 900 Semi-Automatic Truck Tyre Changers.

The HD 700 can handle wheels weighing up to

700kg, has a clamping capacity of 14” to 26” and features a mechanical arm that acts as a bead breaker and lever.

The next step up in the Corghi range is the HD 900.

“The HD 900 Electro-hydraulic tyre changer is perfect for trucks, buses, tractors and earth moving equipment with groove or elastic ring type rim wheels and with tubeless or inner tube type tyres,” Andrew said.

“It also features a two-speed motor and is designed for wheels that weigh up to 1000kg.”

For more information, visit www.corghi.com.au or call 1800 CORGHI (267444) to book a face-to-face meeting.

RAVENOL HEADS DOWN UNDER

For the first time Ravenol

and products are now officially available in Australia

Mention the name Ravenol to a workshop owner or technician in Australia and the chances are most people would not have heard of the name or what it is known for.

However, mention Ravenol in Germany and it would be hard to find a workshop who hasn’t used one of its high-quality premium lubricants or additives.

Ravenol explains it is a 75-year-old German oil company and “one of the most dynamic brands for premium lubricant products in the world.”

Ravenol is also reportedly acknowledged as a global player who manufactures and markets highquality lubricants with an enviable reputation in over 80 countries.

The great news is, for the first time Ravenol lubricants and products are now officially available in Australia through distribution partners Imparts Automotive and Group Auto Spares stores.

“Made in Germany” Ravenol engine oils are developed to meet the specific requirements of the Manufacturer and it says its advanced lubricant technology not only meets, but often exceeds, the latest requirements of today’s motor vehicles.

Ravenol branded products carry approvals for many of the world’s major manufacturers including Daimler, Volkswagen, BMW, Porsche, Volvo, Chrysler, MAN, Cummins and ZF.

Its products are also listed by API (American Petroleum Institute) and ACEA (European Automobile Manufacturers Association). Ravenol states that the large number of OEM Approvals confirms the high quality of its products.

Ravenol says it is also rapidly becoming one of the world’s most popular lubricant brands in motorsport, with its involvement including the Lemans 24 Hour, Audi Sport TT Cup and the highest single seater categories below Formula 1. Ravenol is also extensively involved in rallying and is a technical supplier in motor bike racing.

Today, the extensive motor-racing involvement of Ravenol comprises of more than 100 race series worldwide.

Ravenol’s aim for its products is to have a low environmental impact and be eco-friendly. It says there is no better example of this than Ravenol’s revolutionary Bag–in-box 20L container system.

The Ravenol Bag-in-box system is made up of a robust outer box and a plastic bag that has an integrated outlet tap. This innovative oil container system is not only space saving but offers a sustainable disposal of the packaging components.

The system saves up to 80 percent in space with the empty packages as compared to package containers of the same packaged size. This state-of-the-art container system is further

THE RIGHT TOOL FOR THE JOB

Having the right tool at hand can make any task easier

Unique Auto Parts encourages you to save yourself time, effort and frustration by ensuring you are using tools specifically designed for the task at hand.

Unique Auto Parts stocks a specialty line of tools that are designed especially for European vehicles.

Back in the mid-90s Unique Auto Parts first began trading as a mechanical workshop before changing focus to the supply of quality parts for Mercedes Benz, BMW, Mini, Audi, Volkswagen, Seat, Skoda, Peugeot, Renault, Citroen, Porsche, Volvo, Fiat and Range Rover.

Unique Auto Parts says these humble beginnings have given it a unique understanding of what mechanics need and how important having and using the correct tool really is.

Armed with this knowledge, Unique Auto Parts says its representatives have searched the globe and sourced a range of tools specifically designed for use on European vehicles.

If you are after a tool to help you with a general service then Unique Auto Parts says it has you covered with oil filter removal tools, alternator pulley removal tools and spark plug sockets.

If you are in need of something a bit more specific there is a wide variety of timing tools ranging from camshaft locking, adjustment and alignment tools, timing tool kits, crankshaft pulley holders and guide pin pullers that are currently available.

Also in stock are tools for all your suspension and engine needs including but not limited to spring compressor tools, ball joint socket and remover tools, rear axle bush and socket tools, injector nozzle pullers, fan wrenches and more.

There are also several other useful tools available such as airbag removal tools, dashboard tool kits, automatic transmission dipsticks and drive multispline bit socket sets.

In addition to such a wide range of tools, Unique Auto Parts has top quality parts to suit all your needs including filters, brake components,

enhanced with a movable space-saving shelf system which has the capacity to store 10 x 20L Bag-in-Box bundles.

The outlet taps are cleverly suspended into a groove strip which ensures simple and clean bottling of the product, and the system comes with a removable drip pan for easy cleaning and has fastening casters to easily move around the workshop.

Oil is now a spare part

With the vast range of vehicles and multitude of differing specifications in today’s market, it is almost impossible for workshops to carry all the lubricants that is demanded of them.

Ravenol says that by taking advantage of its extensive product range and using distribution partners in Imparts Automotive and Group Auto Spares with three deliveries per day in metropolitan cities throughout Australia, oil can now be treated like a spare part.

For more information, visit www.imparts.com.au

steering and suspension, electrical components, cooling components, gaskets and seals, oils, and lubricants and much more.

With five fully stocked branches conveniently located around Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth and a premium delivery service, Unique Auto Parts says it makes ordering and receiving parts simple and stress free.

To be connected to your nearest store, call 1300 864 864 or visit www.uniqueautoparts.com.au

2022 AUSTRALIAN AUTO AFTERMARKET INNOVATION AWARDS

AAAA Most Innovative New Aftermarket Product - 4WD

The competition for AAAA Most Innovative New Aftermarket Product – 4WD award was exceptionally close with eight entries in total from seven companies. In this issue, we take a look at the entrants who vied for this award including the winning Hulk 4x4 Adjustable Vehicle Door Step from CoolDrive Auto Parts.

For more information about the Australian Auto Aftermarket Awards, please visit www.aftermarketawards.com.au

WINNER – CoolDrive Auto Parts, Hulk 4x4 Adjustable Vehicle Door Step

The Hulk 4x4 HU2705 adjustable door step allows easy access to the roof of the vehicle. Taking just seconds to set up, the adjustable vehicle door step offers a long, extended platform, which allows both feet to fit and is rated to carry a total of 180kg. Its scissor lock system safely locks the door step in place while in use, with its two adjustable positions meaning that it will suit both front and rear doors. The Hulk 4x4 adjustable door step includes a handy carry bag, folds flat for easy storage, and is perfect for loading camping gear, kayaks, bicycles, or car-washing. The adjustable door step is part of Hulk 4x4’s touring and camping accessories range which also includes awnings, outdoor matting, jerry cans, first aid kits and a folding saw.

For more information, visit www.hulk4x4.com.au

Eurospares Depot: Electric Secondary Park Brake Kit

Eurospares has redesigned the OE brake caliper of popular four wheel drive utes to incorporate an electronic park brake as seen on many new cars on the market. The mechanical hand brake, brake disc, pad, and caliper piston remain the same as OE to not affect the Australian Design Rules compliance of the vehicle. When the switch is applied, the redesigned brake caliper locks the brake pads against the brake disc preventing the vehicle from moving. Apart from electrical power and one control wire, the system is independent of the electrical and hydraulic systems of the vehicle. As an added safety measure, the system will engage when the vehicle ignition is cycled off. The kits include rear brake calipers, wiring harness, control switch and instructions.

For more information, visit www.eurospares.com.au

TJM Products, TJM Pro Series Twin Air Compressor

TJM says it has successfully created an industry leading air compressor that can combat the harsh Australian environment and inflate tyres quicker than ever before through a new, revolutionary design. TJM says the Pro Series Twin Air Compressor has been revered for its best-in class performance when tested against its direct competitors. This 12V air compressor can inflate four tyres (from 16 to 40 PSI) in five minutes and 21 seconds with “zero chance” of automatic shut-off caused by overheating and allows a consistent and continuous airflow while operating. Further, the compressor’s multifunctional design can power air suspension systems or air powered tools when combined with TJM’s 5L Air Tank. It can even inflate a single tyre from 0 PSI to 40 PSI in two minutes and 30 seconds.

For more information, visit www.tjm.com.au

Don Kyatt Spare Parts, Terrain Tamer Air Filter Insert Kits

Terrain Tamer has designed a range of vehicle specific, stainless-steel filter inserts for the most problematic vehicle models, which, when fitted, create a surface area that perfectly matches the filter, aligning in the correct position to properly seal, and effectively working to reduce the issue of dusting. A simple and affordable innovation, the insert holds the airbox structure, which of course means that the risk of engine damage from dust particles is greatly reduced. The Air Filter Inserts are sold in kits, which also include the corresponding Terrain Tamer Air Filter, as well as the sealant required, making it a quick, simple and whole solution for workshops or home mechanics to fit without needing to source anything extra.

For more information, visit www.terraintamer.com.au

INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS

Don Kyatt Spare Parts, Terrain Tamer Heavy Duty Parabolic Springs

Terrain Tamer’s Parabolic Springs contain fewer leaves than regular leaf springs and get their name from their tapered ‘parabolic’ design, meaning the spring is thicker in the centre and thinner toward the ends, rather than the usual linear style. This design eliminates the weight of often heavy, thick, traditional leaf packs and dramatically reduces the unsprung weight of the vehicle. This makes them both safer on the road, and in the workshop where a two-man-lift to fit a heavier leaf spring might prove to be impractical, or impossible. Effectively coupling a more comfortable ride with a strength not afforded to traditional springs, the Parabolic design also helps the spring to flex while still providing the strength needed to bear the weight of heavy loads.

For more information, visit www.terraintamer.com.au

Rediffusion DC Power, Topo Wireless-Ready 144AH Long Range Lithium and Remote Wireless Monitor

The Topo DC Power wireless-ready 144Ah Long Range Lithium Model range features three different battery capacities and models to choose from to suit user needs. Packed full of features, Topo DC Power says the plug and play system keeps your 12 Volt power easy, neat, and straightforward. Built-in a tough protective slimline steel casing is a powerful 12Volt/144Amp, Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) battery which is longlasting and said to be a vastly more stable battery than other lithium types, providing safe and convenient energy storage and transfer. The complete portable 12V System weighs in at 21kg(144AH), making it a much lighter alternative, and its slim design makes it fit behind seats, tucked away easily and nicely. A dedicated Solar charge input is also available for an unregulated solar power source.

For more information, visit www.topodcpower.com.au

Ryco Group, 4x4 Filtration Upgrade Kits

Ryco created its 4x4 Filtration Upgrade Kit to not only prevent intake manifold sludging but also control fuel contamination. The kits offer bespoke fitment for specific vehicle engine bays and not only provide effective preventive maintenance by way of a fuel water separator and crankcase ventilation catch can, but importantly deliver the ‘genuine look.’ With the upgrade kits, Ryco has made it possible to purchase one package, under one part number, purpose designed to fit the specific engine bay – meeting not just enthusiasts’ needs, but also the needs of workshops tasked with installing the solution. The kits have been designed not only to offer an OE like fit using engine bay specific mounting hardware and moulded emission hoses, but also provide adequate tool clearance for the job at hand.

For more information, visit www.rycofilters.com

Narva, Ultima LED Light Bars

Narva Ultima LED light bars produce enormous amounts of useful driving light with no dark spots or hot spots. The 24-inch bar, for example, outputs 16,000 effective lumens and reaches up to 900 metres, with a light beam that is up to 70 metres wide at 600 metres, ensuring maximum visibility out front and to the sides. What makes these bars truly innovative is both their modular design – allowing you to connect them side by side to achieve your desired length - as well as Narva’s built-in Connect+ technology that when combined with an optional controller, gives you light dimming controls, custom presets and a boost mode for changing light output on the fly to suit your driving conditions. The light bars are expected to be released over the coming months.

For more information, visit www.narva.com.au

LEADING LOCALLY

Viva Energy is a locally operated Australian energy company, committed to providing dynamic and adaptable service

Viva Energy is one of Australia’s leading energy companies, boasting more than 1350 service stations and 55 fuel import terminals and depots nationally, a retail alliance with Coles at more than 700 Coles Express service stations, and the sole right to use the Shell brand in Australia for the sale of retail fuels.

It is also an exclusive macro distributor for Shell branded lubricants, has a strategic relationship with Vitol for the supply of crude oil and imported products, and supplies 24 percent of Australia’s fuel needs. Further, its Shell Fuel Card service is accepted at 1350 service stations across the country.

“We’re proud to be Australian, proud of our 120-year history and extremely proud of our achievements. We help Australians reach their destinations by making, importing and delivering the fuels, lubricants, chemicals and bitumen they need to get there,” Viva Energy, Sales and Marketing Manager – Lubricants, Renee Reilly, said.

“We’re with workers on their daily commute and families on their school run. We’re with industry, too, helping farmers feed us, truck drivers move goods across the country, and keeping vital machinery running smoothly.

“Over many years our Workshop program has forged mutually rewarding relationships, and we’ve been a long-standing member of the AAAA community. We listen to the needs of our customers and go the extra mile to deliver. Because when they succeed, so do we.”

As the Shell Licensee in Australia, Viva Energy operates more than 1350 Shell-branded service stations, and is the exclusive supplier of Shell lubricants.

“People trust our products. We also supply 24 percent (around one quarter) of Australia’s fuel needs, and play a major role in getting people and goods from A to B,” Renee said.

Shell has a history of innovation in lubricants and explains it was the first supplier to market cleaner, more pure lubricants made from natural gas.

Significant investment in research and development has led to technologically advanced products that are reliable in even the toughest Australian conditions.

“Shell invests significantly in technical collaboration and has more than 350 product application specialists who work closely with OEM and customers to develop innovative lubricant solutions. Our lubricants products can deliver value but also improve your business outcomes,”

Viva Energy Australia Technical Expert, Silvana Farrugia, said.

“Our customer benefits include lower maintenance costs, longer equipment life and reduced energy consumption – these are some of the reasons that Shell has recently celebrated 15 consecutive years as number one global lubricants supplier.”

With local expertise backed by a global brand, Viva Energy states that its lubricant sales and technical team are well placed to identify and implement best in class lubrication solutions for customers.

“Online, on-site or over the phone, we are always available to resolve your lubrication questions, so you will know the right oil for any application fast,” Renee said.

There are also a number of helpful and convenient tools you can utilise to assist in every aspect of product selection and lubrication management to help you unlock TCO savings. These include:

• Viva Energy Technical Help Desk – highly trained Australian office based technical helpdesk staff provide answers to you or your customers’ lubricant and application questions by telephone or email.

• Shell LubeMatch – www.shell.com.au/ lubematch is a free self-help website featuring an interactive vehicle and equipment database that allows you to access expert lubrication recommendations at any time.

As lubricants, greases and coolants are critical machine components, Shell works with leading

equipment manufacturers to make sure its products meet the requirements of the equipment and the tough working environments in which it operates.

“The Shell range of lubricants carries a wide range of industry and OEM approvals to meet and exceed the requirements of equipment manufacturers,” Renee said.

“At a local level, Viva Energy technical staff has a technical relationship with all key OEMs. This technical relationship enables consistent information flow between all parties, enabling us to work with customers to get the most out of their equipment.”

Viva Energy also has extensive, proven experience of delivering in demanding supply chains in all environments, for a range of customers across Australia.

“Our supply chain is one of the most flexible and adaptable and includes both local fuels refining and global sourcing,” Renee said.

Viva Energy owns, leases and operates a portfolio of established infrastructure assets complemented by third party warehouse providers throughout Australia, providing a costefficient supply chain.

“We have the experience and capability to manage product supply to some of the most remote parts of Australia,” Renee said.

“At Viva Energy we also strive to be ‘Better Together’ and our unified approach to account management and customer engagement is underpinned by our value of ‘customer obsessed,’ which is at the heart of every decision we make.

“In addition to this we are also committed to our corporate social responsibility by working with our communities, people and customers to make a positive impact and deliver genuine social benefits.

“Our community program aims to support a range of not-for-profit organisations in the communities

in which we and our customers operate. Current partnerships include Careflight, Northern Futures, Racing Together and Koorie Heritage Trust.”

Beyond refining and lubricants, Viva Energy is also looking ahead to the future and aims to establish new energy projects which it says will transform the Geelong refinery site into a modern Energy Hub and meet the changing energy needs of all Australians.

“Our vision for the Geelong Energy Hub is focused on exploring opportunities in transition fuels (such as LNG), alternative fuels (such as biofuels and hydrogen), and renewable energy and emission reduction projects such as a solar energy farm at our Geelong Refinery,” Renee said.

“We know that it is critical for the sustainability of our business, but also our customers’ businesses that we understand the opportunities and risks associated with climate change and incorporate these into our business strategy.”

“All of these initiatives help our customers to also reach their goals, and allow us to be a true business partner for all of their energy requirements,” Renee said.

Viva Energy is a long-time member of the AAAA.

“We have a larger customer base that is in the automotive aftermarket sector, including independent workshops, and by being a member of AAAA it allows us to stay on top of the current trends in the auto market, advocate for the industry and our customers, and learn about the critical industry insights and information to future proof both our and our customers businesses,” Renee explained.

For more information about Viva Energy, visit www.vivaenergy.com.au

For product information, contact the Viva Energy Technical Helpdesk Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm AEST on 1300 134 205 or technicalhelpdesk@vivaenergy.com.au

TRW ELECTRIC BLUE BRAKE PAD

For electric and hybrid vehicles

In recent times ZF’s Aftermarket Division has focused on developing products specifically for the e-Drivetrain market, which has resulted in many new innovations, including the TRW Electric Blue brake pad.

ZF says the TRW Electric Blue brake pad was the world’s first aftermarket brake pad for electric and hybrid vehicles.

It has been NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) tested and is proven to create less noise and vibration.

A MORE ENJOYABLE RIDE

With Fram Filters

Established in 1932, Fram is a global filtration brand with 90 years of experience, research and development, which it says makes it a market leader in filter technology.

Fram states that it designs, develops and manufactures filters to meet or exceed Original Equipment Manufacturer’s filtration specifications.

Fram explains that its products are designed, engineered and manufactured in-house, with multimillion-dollar test rigs, giving them the capabilities to test OEM-ISO/SAE/JIC specifications.

With the Summer season fast approaching, it is a pertinent time to prepare air conditioning systems for the hot weather ahead; and that includes replacing the sometimes unthought of and overlooked filter, which keeps unwanted dust and pollen particles out of the cabin.

Fram says that whilst there are filters to protect engine components on a vehicle, the most important cargo is the driver and their passengers.

1. New Cabin Air Filter out of the box 0kms, 2. Used Cabin Air Filter after 60,000kms, 3. Used Cabin Air Filter after 200,000kms

Fram Cabin Air Filters allow travelers inside the vehicle to breathe cleaner air by filtering out pollen, allergens, exhaust fumes, dirt and dust that enter the vehicle through the cooling/heating ventilation.

Fram Cabin Air Filters can reportedly eliminate up to 98 percent (road dust and pollen particles ranging in size from five - 100 microns) of these impurities, providing a more enjoyable ride.

Fram says that it is the constant research, testing and development that helps to keep it up to date and at the forefront of the advancing technologies within the industry.

For more information on Fram Filters, call 08 8193 9675 or visit www.framfilters.com.au

The Electric Blue brake pad has been made with a “revolutionary” FMG 53 material that produces less NVH compared to standard material when supported by noise damping accessories.

This is of significant benefit for electric vehicles as noises can be heard more clearly due to the lack of engine noise.

The TRW Electric Blue also emits less dust into the atmosphere with the combination of the bespoke brake pad material and blue shims emitting up to 45 percent less particulate emissions during the braking process.

ZF says further proof of its sustainability is that Electric Blue also emits less harmful metals (such as copper) which can pollute waterways.

ZF is a global technology company suppling systems for passenger cars, commercial vehicles and industrial technology, enabling the next generation of mobility.

In the four technology domains of Vehicle Motion Control, Integrated Safety, Automated Driving, and Electric Mobility, ZF says it offers comprehensive product and software solutions for established vehicle manufacturers and newly emerging transport and mobility service providers.

ZF electrifies a wide range of vehicle types. With its products, the company contributes to reducing emissions, protecting the climate and enhancing safe mobility.

For more information, visit www.trwbraking.com.au

DIESEL EMISSION CONTROL REPAIR PARTS

GOSS has an expanding range of the most common replacement components for this area

There are plenty of conditions that will freeze water, and this is why automotive cooling systems use an antifreeze agent – but what about Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) or AdBlu?

DEF is typically made up of 67.5 percent water and 32.5 percent urea and has no antifreeze ingredients because of the precise catalyst reaction required during an SCR event.

So, in theory, AdBlu freezing in Australia is possible, so manufacturers utilise DEF heaters throughout their systems to keep the fluid from freezing and maintain a set temperature which allows for an effective reduction of NOx during catalysation.

A DEF control module is responsible for driving the DEF heater, reading a number of sensor inputs that can include the DEF tank temperature sensor, DEF supply pump temperature sensor and ambient air temperature sensor.

With data from these sensors combined, the heating element is instructed to warm the ureabased fluid within the storage tank.

The DEF heater is only one component of a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) solution. It has multiple temperature inputs, running conditions and multiple modes of operation, from basic heating, thermal control, and start-up modes.

As more vehicles arrive in Australia with Euro 6 emissions standards, the complexities of emission control are growing exponentially – and likewise are component failures.

GOSS says that thankfully, it has an expanding range of parts, including some of the most common replacement components needed by vehicle repairers dealing with modern diesel emission control repairs such as DEF heaters, EGR valve assemblies, EGT sensors, DPS pressure sensors and EGR coolers.

GOSS states it is a leading provider of Genuine Alternative aftermarket and Original Equipment Supplier (OES) parts, with more than 75 years’ sourcing and developing the world’s leading OES and aftermarket parts.

For more information, find your nearest GOSS stockist or visit www.goss.com.au

VCM PERFORMANCE ON THE MOVE

The company is in expansion mode

After more than 30 years servicing, tuning and restoring high performance vehicles while being at the forefront of developing performance related products and systems, VCM Performance says its team is now in an expansion mode with the business to soon move to a new facility.

With the distribution of the HP Tuners product a major cornerstone of the business, it was natural that VCM Performance would develop other high performance related products to sit alongside and complement the HP Tuners software packages.

One product highlight to enhance the ability to extract more performance using HP Tuners software has been VCM Performance’s own cold air intakes and camshaft packages.

world performance gains, with OEM appearance. A term frequently quoted by the team is “our OTRs are often copied by others, but never equalled.”

Alongside the OTR packages, VCM Performance has its own range of performance camshafts and componentry developed to maximise the performance of the engines once tuned with HP Tuners software.

This range of products has reportedly taken the LS market by storm in Australia and New Zealand and is proving a hit with engine builders and tuners throughout the country.

Over recent years, VCM Performance has grown not only its own range of products but has also become the exclusive Australian distributor for several iconic performance brands, including HP Tuners, Magnuson Superchargers, K&N and AEM intake and filters, Improved Racing Products and Deatschwerks fuel systems, to name a few.

VCM Performance is also now the appointed New Zealand distributor for the K&N and AEM intake and filters and is looking to grow the number of products it supports into New Zealand, along with supplying Australian customers.

VCM Performance is also the authorised distributor for such brands as Dayco, Powerbond, Tuffmounts, Brisk spark plugs, Melling oil pumps, ATI Racing products, Manley Products, PSI springs, and GM performance products amongst others, and has an inventory of over 10,000 SKUs and growing.

VCM Performance says it is an exciting time for its team, which is now in the final planning stages of the move to a new premises covering 1500 square feet of warehouse and modern office space.

The move has been made to lay the foundations for the growth of the brands that VCM currently manage and to allow for an increase to the number of brands and products that are constantly coming in to supplement the existing range.

For more information, visit www.vcmperformance.com.au

PARTS

DBA LAUNCHES ALL NEW RANGE

The new Street Series EV brake pads range has been designed for Electric and Hybrid Vehicle applications

Disc Brakes Australia (DBA) explains that a commitment to offering the right product for the application has guided its product strategy for many decades.

Developing a brake pad specifically for the growing population of Electric and Hybrid Vehicles on Australian roads was therefore the next logical step in DBA’s long history of product innovations.

Electric and Hybrid Vehicles have slightly different braking requirements, necessitating a change of friction material from the current, common material composition as used, for example, in DBA’s Street Series brake pads offering.

EVs primarily use engine braking, where the vehicle slows down when the accelerator pedal is released. This engages an alternator, which is used to generate energy that is fed back into the vehicle’s battery pack, a process known as regenerative braking.

At low speed, the regenerative braking does not engage as efficiently and is reliant on the traditional brake system. At the same time, the weight of Electric and Hybrid Vehicles in comparison to conventional vehicles of the same size is substantially higher, resulting in the requirement for more stopping power.

Changing to a higher friction co-efficient addresses this requirement. DBA engineers have opted for a friction co-efficient approximately 10 percent higher (SAEJ522 Dyno-tested) compared with the company’s Street Series pads to produce optimal friction at low speeds.

Secondly, with regenerative braking responsible for most of the retardation of the vehicle, the conventional brakes on an EV operate less frequently and work less hard than that of an ICE vehicle, resulting in lower average operating temperatures and potential residual contamination on the brakes rotors.

With all DBA friction material developed for optimal performance under the respective conditions, the all-new EV friction composition accounts for the lower operating temperatures whilst delivering maximum stopping power.

Electric and Hybrid Vehicles are quiet, so the demands placed on the materials from a comfort perspective are even higher than for conventional vehicles. DBA states the new friction material and shim for Electric and Hybrid Vehicles is an evolution up from any existing designs, allowing for extra noise and vibration reduction.

The Street Series EV ceramic friction material has low dust (low particle emissions) and is copper-free, ensuring cleaner wheels, longer brake rotor life and a greener, environmentally friendly product. It is ‘N’ rated by the NSFI and has passed the AMECA certification, backing DBA’s commitment to minimising environmental impact and meeting strict US copper content requirements due to be introduced in full by 2025.

DBA’s Street Series EV brake pads range features a unique, silver label design for ease of identification. Both the label and the backing plate feature DBA’s unique, trademarked EV logo which DBA says gives

you the peace of mind you “are buying the best product on the market.”

The new EV and Hybrid Vehicle Street Series brake pads are part of DBA’s comprehensive range of over 1,300 SKUs of brake pads, which DBA says ensures you always have the right pad for the application. DBA summarises the key features as follows:

• Silver titanium stripe improves the initial friction co-efficient during bedding in period

• Ceramic, copper-free (NSFI rated) formulation with AMECA certification, backing DBA’s commitment to minimising environmental impact

• OE-style, post-cured process for optimal braking performance over the pad life

• Delivers on safety, low noise, wear resistance and environmental protection as the standards for DBAs approach to development.

• Passes the US City Traffic Noise and Wear Test, due to superior noise-reduction attributes.

• Contains hardware and wear sensors where applicable

For further information, visit www.dba.com.au or call DBA Customer Service on 1800 730 039.

ADRAD ADDS WHEEL HUBS AND BEARING ASSEMBLIES

Adrad has just added a collection of high-quality wheel hubs and bearing assemblies from leading suppliers GMB and Ultima to its extensive automotive parts range.

Adrad says GMB and Ultima are recognised for their craft and collectively boast over 80 years of experience in the automotive industry.

It states their expertise is demonstrated with products designed to meet or exceed OEM specifications, exhibiting excellent durability and performance.

Using high quality materials and expert construction, these parts are said to be made to last, with results that have been proven during internal testing.

In particular, Adrad outlines that the GMB bearings range is made using a high strength GR15 steel.

It explains that this is subjected to a proprietary process to achieve maximum hardness. Finally,

the steel is treated with a G10 glass fibre finish, which is one of the toughest resins available.

Adrad says this treatment is proven to reduce premature scoring and increase longevity, which in testing lasted over one hundred thousand kilometres.

Another crucial element is quality bearing grease.

Adrad explains that the range utilises a special formulation to increase lubrication and achieve enhanced thermal dissipation, water wash-out resistance and improved ability to lock in oils for optimal performance.

It states these bearings are not only made with premium materials but are also designed intelligently.

Using triple and quadruple lip sealing technology, this design utilises high-temperature-resistant rubber to maximise protection against dust, water, and road debris.

Adrad says this is just one of the many features that increases the longevity of the bearing.

As a testament to their excellent performance and reliability, wheel hubs and bearing assemblies supplied by Adrad are all are backed by a twoyear/40K warranty.

Available from Adrad and Natrad Trade Online, the parts range suits a variety of popular vehicle makes including Holden, Ford, Toyota, Nissan, Audi, Volkswagen, Skoda, Subaru, Hyundai, Kia, Lexus, Mitsubishi, Jeep, and Daihatsu.

For more information, contact Adrad on 1800 882 043 or email customerservice@adrad.com.au

UNICLUTCH BY CLUTCH INDUSTRIES

Universal kits to satisfy the majority of the Australian car parc

In 2018 Mantic Engineering (the R&D division of Clutch Industries) started a project to develop a universal clutch system aimed to solve two key requirements, firstly to reduce thousands of clutch SKUs into a couple of clutch SKUs and to decrease installation time for mechanics.

The Universal Clutch (UniClutch) only requires two clutch SKUs, one eight-inch and one 10-inch version to cover over 90 percent of the Australian passenger and light commercial car parc.

FULCRUM GVM UPGRADE RELEASED

Now available for LandCruiser 200 Series

Continuing on from the success of the recent F4R launch, Fulcrum has just released its first Formula 4x4 GVM upgrade kit with many more to follow.

Its first GVM upgrade kit is for the Toyota LandCruiser 200 Series (2007–2021) and increases its gross vehicle mass to 4,000kg.

The GVM upgrade legally allows the vehicle to carry a bigger, heavier load without compromising performance and handling, both on-road and offroad.

Fulcrum notes that people with highly optioned four-wheel drives do not realise their vehicle’s weight especially once they have a full cabin.

The company says its team sees it time and time again and notes that it doesn’t take much to go over the legal maximum weight once accessories, canopies and trays are added to a vehicle. That is why it says the Formula GVM upgrade kit is the smart choice.

The GVM upgrade kit adds a 40–50mm lift to the 200 Series once installed and is fully engineered, approved and certified. It includes Formula’s signature low-pressure nitrogen Big Bore shocks for improved heat dissipation providing longer performance and extreme comfortability.

By default, the kit also includes an aftermarket SuperPro upper control arm kit to ensure the

vehicle has the correct wheel geometry once it leaves each workshop.

Included with the GVM kit is Fulcrum’s standard five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty and importantly the upgrade does not affect the manufacturer warranty.

Fulcrum also notes that each of its GVM kits once installed to a vehicle will be mod-plated and engineered to state compliance, covering all legal requirements.

With all components as well as on and off-road factors considered, Fulcrum is confident that the Formula kit is the most comfortable GVM upgrade on the market today – stating they are designed, tested and built for Australian conditions.

For more information, call Fulcrum on 1800 385 278 or visit www.fulcrumsuspensions.com.au

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. These technologies make it possible to supply workshops with a comprehensive clutch range without needing large space or capital investment for parts distributors.

The UniClutch system is a sealed system that does not require the flywheel as a friction surface. This means that unlike in a normal clutch installation job, the flywheel does not need to be removed and replaced or ground. Instead, the flywheel can remain on the vehicle and the UniClutch is then bolted directly to the OEM flywheel.

The UniClutch comes delivered to the mechanic pre-assembled, which means there’s no need to align the clutch discs as this is already done.

As the clutch system is sealed and preassembled, Clutch Industries says it tests every unit for all relevant specifications to 100 percent confirm the clutch will operate correctly.

It states no other clutch manufacturer has ever created a universal clutch system like this as the technology did not exist.

For more information, visit www.uniclutch.com

NARVA GEN III LED RANGE EXPANDED

Signalling and interior globes have been added to the range

The release of Narva’s new GEN III LED signalling globes provides vehicle owners with a complete incandescent globe replacement solution, delivering added brightness and reliability for indicators, brake lights, number plate and reverse lights.

Narva says this plug and play replacement produces a crisp, white 2700°K quality light, to develop an amazing 20 percent greater output behind coloured lenses, while also offering reduced current draw.

A further benefit of the new Gen III LED globes is CANBUS compatibility ensuring they work seamlessly with modern vehicle computer systems, while the indicator globes are resistorfree providing a smooth and measured flash pattern.

Also new to the Gen III range is a selection of interior LED globes, that Narva says increases output by 140 percent compared to standard incandescent globes, to better illuminate the cabin.

The new Gen III LED range is available in both 12 and 24V and in a wide selection of fitments and sizes including T10 Wedge (interior/park/ tail/numberplate), T20 Wedge (stop/tail), 12/24V Festoon (interior/numberplate), High Power Reverse 1500lm and Bayonet.

The latest globes can be purchased from leading automotive and 4x4 stockists and are designed for off road use only.

For more information, visit www.narva.com.au

BENDIX BRAKING SOLUTIONS

Quality products to improve performance and reduce brake fade

Through its Ultimate, Ultimate 4WD and Euro+ Disc Brake Rotors, Bendix says it offers packages for a range of passenger cars and four wheel drives.

It notes that its products increase braking performance and help reduce brake fade.

Brake fade doesn’t just happen on the racetrack, it can also occur in passenger cars, four-wheel-drives and commercial vehicles particularly under heavy braking conditions and during hotter temperatures.

It leads to a temporary reduction in braking performance that’s caused by the added heat that’s generated from repeated or sustained braking or braking under heavy loads. When the heat doesn’t effectively dissipate, the braking becomes compromised.

Such conditions can arise more than we realise through the course of day-to-day driving – think of a heavily accessorised four-wheel-drive with larger tyres, or a passenger car towing a caravan descending a large hill or mountain road.

For large trucks the effects are even greater, which is why so many are equipped with secondary technology such as retarders and engine and exhaust brakes, which help to further slow them down without solely relying on friction-based braking systems.

When brake fade occurs it’s predominantly because the disc brake pads have exceeded their maximum operating temperature range, this affects

the friction material which begins to deteriorate. The process can cause the pads to leave matter on the rotors, lubricating them and making braking less effective.

Brake fade can also occur if the brake fluid overheats. If the fluid boils from prolonged braking any moisture within vapourises, which makes the fluid more compressible, this results in longer brake pedal travel and reduced braking effectiveness.

Drivers can minimise the likelihood of brake fade in several ways, beginning with ensuring the braking system is in good working order – upgrading some components might also be considered if the vehicle is regularly used in situations where the brakes are worked hard.

Bendix notes that its Ultimate, Ultimate 4WD and Euro+ Disc Brake Rotors cater for a range of passenger cars and four wheel drives, providing increased braking performance and help to reduce brake fade.

In the case of brake fluid, Bendix says the quality should be regularly checked to ensure it doesn’t contain excessive moisture, which will erode performance considerably.

Bendix further warns that brake pads that haven’t been properly ‘bedded in’ can make the brakes more susceptible to fading.

However, for users of Bendix brake pads it says this won’t be a concern because the Bendix

OLD MAN EMU SUSPENSION

Available from ARB

Suspension systems, especially when referring to 4WDs, are extremely complex.

Determining the right solution for each 4WD requires special attention to many factors, with weight being the most critical.

Old Man Emu 4x4 suspension by ARB approaches this in a unique way, says ARB, with one example being the Nitrocharger Sport shock absorber.

Nitrocharger Sport

Where the purpose of a spring is to carry the load of a vehicle and its cargo, a shock absorber works to control the spring by absorbing excess energy and in doing so, has a profound impact on your vehicle’s ride and handling.

During the development of Old Man Emu’s Nitrocharger Sport shock absorbers, particular focus was placed on how well they are matched to the specific springs they’ll be controlling.

Ride Control Engineers tailored shock absorber valving to work with the different springs in the range, often resulting in multiple shock absorber options for each vehicle.

Suspension for your vehicle

ARB says a range of suspension options are available for your vehicle.

To have a suspension package customised to your requirements, it invites you to contact your nearest ARB store or stockist.

range features Blue Titanium Stripe technology, meaning there is instant pedal feel from the first brake application and longer-term protection to minimise fading.

Another important way to reduce brake fade is by changing driving habits – driving more slowly and with greater mechanical sympathy, especially in more demanding conditions, will result in less pressure being placed on the braking system.

Bendix says that with a more considered driving style and some Bendix braking system enhancements, brake fade can largely be eliminated.

For more information free call the Bendix Brake Advice Centre on 1800 819 666 or +61 3 5327 0211 from overseas (8am-5pm Monday to Friday EST), e-mail brakeadvicecentre@bendix.com.au or visit www.bendix.com.au

A wide range of integrated parts

Instead of offering a compilation of parts that have been chosen primarily to increase the vehicle’s ride height, OME 4x4 suspension provides a range of tuned, matched and integrated systems, each offering optimum levels of comfort, load carrying capability and control characteristics.

The complete Old Man Emu suspension range incorporates more than just 4x4 shock absorbers and springs, with ARB stating it takes integration to the highest level with its own selection of bushes, U bolts, centre bolts, spring liners, trim packers and suspension fitting kits.

For more information, visit www.arb.com.au

BILSTEIN TALKS SUSPENSION COMPONENTS

More than just shock absorbers and springs

As part of its video series “Suspension fundamentals – powered by Bilstein Academy,” the experts from the Bilstein Academy regularly provide valuable practical tips for automotive professionals.

In the fourth episode, Bilstein Academy Head Rainer Popiol and Mustafa Yavuz from Bilstein Technical Support focus on suspension components that are often literally overshadowed by shock absorbers and springs – and yet are extremely important. Motorists can also look forward to a little something extra.

When we talk about the suspension of a car, we usually only talk about shock absorbers and springs. However, suspension components such as the strut bearing, the dust boot and the pressure stop are just as important. And quite a few of these components should always be replaced when shock absorbers are exchanged. Regularly check suspension components such as wishbones, coupling rods and tie rods

To ensure driving safety and comfort, all suspension components must be checked regularly. For example, during the suspension check, but at the latest when shock absorbers need to be replaced. Like the strut bearing, for example.

“The strut bearing is the link between the suspension and the chassis on the vehicle, which also enables the rotational movement of a McPherson strut,” said Mustafa, who is responsible for technical support for workshops at Bilstein Technical Support.

Other add-on parts such as the coupling rods and stabilisers, the wishbones, tie rod ends and track rods also need to be checked, as they ensure the correct axle geometry.

When replacing the shock absorber, also replace the dust boot and the pressure stops

Whenever shock absorbers are replaced, the dust boot and the pressure stop should also be exchanged. For good reason – after all, they fulfil important tasks in the “suspension system,” as Mustafa explains.

“The dust boot has the task of protecting the shock absorber, the piston rod as well as the locking package from stone chipping,” Mustafa said.

“The compression buffer limits the travel of the spring so that the components are protected, and the free movement of the wheel is ensured.”

Rainer recommends that once it has been determined which parts are needed, an initial look at the online catalogue at Bilstein.com is a good idea.

“I can make an initial pre-selection here and then also see what information is stored: is there a normal standard replacement damper, is there perhaps the Bilstein B6, the high-performance damper, which we have tested again specifically in the road test?” Rainer said.

“And also importantly: which add-on parts do I need? It is all in this online catalogue.”

The parts can then be ordered from the dealer or wholesaler. Incidentally, all standard spare parts from Bilstein always offer the same fit as the OE parts, says Rainer.

Easy ordering and installing suspension components

When it comes to installing suspension components, it is always important to the suspension professionals at Bilstein that the process runs smoothly in the workshop, so Bilstein puts a focus on the installation instructions.

“If we find that the vehicle manufacturer’s installation instructions cause problems, we make our own assembly instructions and also provide further information, such as videos,” Rainer said.

If all else fails, the experts at the Bilstein Academy are on hand to help. Bilstein says workshop professionals can always contact Bilstein’s technical support by e-mail or by phone, even if the vehicle is on the lifting platform and information is needed quickly.

Tips for correct installations

Speaking of installation, one of the topics covered by the Bilstein Academy in the “Suspension Fundamentals – powered by Bilstein Academy”

series is tips for the correct installation of air suspension, as cars with these systems become more and more popular.

As is so often the case with innovative technologies, even experienced automotive professionals are often apprehensive about working on air suspension systems. However, Bilstein says they need not be, stating the challenges aren’t that great.

It explains that yes, working with products such as the B4 air suspension module or the B3 air spring from Bilstein involves special requirements, but if mechanics and mechatronics engineers follow a few basics, the replacement of air suspension components can be mastered without any great problems.

The assessment and identification of defects is carried out somewhat differently than in the case of problems with a conventional suspension system.

Since the air suspension module is designed as an enclosed component, unlike the familiar suspension struts with open shock absorber and separate spring, oil leaks cannot usually be detected.

This makes further checks all the more important. In particular, a test drive to check for noises and driving stability is critical. In addition, automotive professionals can actuate the solenoid valves in order to check the condition of these components.

For more information on this topic including an example case of replacing the air suspension of the AirMatic Mercedes E-Class series 211, and many other helpful tips, Bilstein invites you to check out the “Suspension Fundamentals –powered by Bilstein Academy” video series today.

For more information, visit workshop.bilstein.com

DPF REPLACEMENT OR DEEPER ISSUE?

SWD says you should ask the following questions to save time and build trust

The Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) is a Filter mounted in the exhaust of diesel vehicles, designed to reduce the particulate emissions between 85 percent and 99 percent.

DPFs are high-cost items that customers don’t want to fork out for unnecessarily, so questions need to be asked before deciding a replacement is needed.

It is very possible that the DPF doesn’t need to be replaced, and the customer may just need to fix an underlying issue and perform a forced DPF regeneration. However, the DPF may be too damaged or blocked to be able to regenerate to correct working order.

The following questions are designed to ensure a DPF is only replaced when necessary, and that all factors involved in the cause of failure have been taken into consideration and can be resolved before a new DPF is fitted.

SWD says this will help to minimise any possible warranty claims as an expense to both the technician and their customer as well as build trusting relationships.

Questions the technician needs to ask:

• Why is the customer replacing the DPF?

• What is the cause of failure to the current DPF on the vehicle?

• Are there any underlying issues with the vehicle that may have caused the DPF to block?

• How many kilometers does the vehicle have on it (odometer reading)?

• Has the DPF reached its maximum soot level capacity (usually due to age or high kms)?

• Has the customer carried out a manual DPF regeneration?

• Has the vehicle gone into “limp mode”?

• Has the vehicle had a scan tool connected to check for any fault codes?

• Has the vehicle had a Diesel tune or ECU Remap?

Common issues that can cause a DPF to block:

• Split intercooler hoses – will cause over boost or over fueling.

• Leaky intercooler – will cause over boost or over fueling.

• DPF pressure sensors – will cause DPF to block (regen can’t occur).

• Glow Plugs – will cause DPF to block (regen can’t occur).

• Split DPF pressure pipes – will cause DPF to block.

• Leaky injectors – will cause over fueling.

• Fuel pressure – can cause over fueling.

• Tune or Ecu Remap – can cause over fueling.

• Engine Wear – can cause engine oil and contaminates to reach the DPF.

• Turbo Vane actuator issues – can cause over fueling or under boosting.

• EGR blockages – will cause an increased number of engine particulates.

For replacement parts including DPFs, CATs, universal mufflers and more, visit trade.swd.com.au

NEW MEYLE CONTROL ARM FOR TESLA

MEYLE has launched an “improved” control arm to solve Tesla Model 3 and Model Y squeaking problem

Since the beginning of the year, more and more drivers of the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y all over the world have reported an irritating squeaking sound. In response, spare parts manufacturer MEYLE AG unveiled a solution at Automechanika 2022: the new MEYLE HD control arm for Tesla Model 3 and Model Y.

Developed from the ground up, MEYLE says the high-quality product will be available to Tesla drivers and workshops around the globe from early 2023.

MEYLE says it offers a technically redeveloped solution which ensures Tesla’s typical driving fun, without the irritating squeaking. It also notes there is another benefit, stating that thanks to collaboration with ClimatePartner, the MEYLE part is climate neutral.

“Many everyday objects can begin to squeak after a certain period of time,” MEYLE Head of Steering and Suspension, Stefan Bachmann, said.

“But we weren’t expecting this to happen with the Tesla. We’re connected with car enthusiasts around the world and always have our finger on the pulse of the latest trends and acute issues.

Particularly when it comes to sensitive suspension technology, we immediately set out in search of a potential solution.

“Because we’re driven by principle, we wanted to get to the bottom of this strange squeaking sound straightaway.”

After numerous evaluations, the development

team determined that the Tesla control arm had been designed with insufficient moisture protection. MEYLE says rain drains directly from the windscreen onto the control arm and penetrates the ball joint, which ultimately leads to the unwelcome, irritating squeaking sound and, in rare cases, can compromise steering precision.

High performance potential and the increased weight typical of electric vehicles can take a heavy toll on the suspension components, subjecting the control arm to enormous stress. Even the bushings can wear sooner under this extreme strain.

MEYLE says it is usually the squeaking sound coming from the upper control arm on the front axle that warns drivers of the damage, while others report a rattling sound coming from the suspension.

“Being able to hold the first prototype of a future HD part in our hand after having identified a weakness, looked into the causes and performed development work and countless tests is a special moment for us every time,” Stefan said.

“Especially for a premium car like a Tesla. After all, moments like these are precisely why we do our best every day.”

When it came to reengineering the MEYLE HD control arm for the Tesla, Stefan explains four key changes resulted in success:

1. A sturdy control arm body made from highstrength, forged aluminium improves rigidity and reduces weight compared to the original, which is made from a combination of steel

AUTO ONE OFFERS DBA

DBA Brake Pads are part of Auto One’s product portfolio

Established in 1988, Auto One says it is a champion of the independent network in Australia.

Hosting two banner groups, Auto One and A1 Autoparts, the Auto One group has more than 80 stores Australia-wide and explains it remains the only independently owned national chain in the automotive parts industry.

“Already home to over 170 industry brands, Auto One is honoured to be working with DBA to deliver its range of Street Series products to the Australian Market,” Auto One Head of Merchandise, Sean Hegarty, said.

“DBA’s product offering exemplifies our commitment to quality and customer safety.”

Auto One says as Australia’s number one disc rotor manufacturer and complete ‘brake solution’ supplier, DBA has unmatched engineering and manufacturing expertise in the automotive industry.

“Their quality products bring safety to your vehicle and have been recognised through over 16 manufacturing awards from the AAAA and was rated number one for technical expertise in brake rotors by Australian workshops,” Sean said.

“The Street Series brake pad range uses a friction formulation to outperform OE level products, meaning you can get a genuine quality product at a much smaller price tag.”

Auto One explains that DBA’s uncompromised focus is on quality, performance, and safety 1 It states this is exemplified through their development of friction formulations to achieve a friction coefficient that outperforms the current market standard.

Consequently, DBA does not just settle on one formulation, but offers either ceramic or semimetallic formulations depending on the application and required performance of your vehicle.

and plastic. Optimised with the finite element method (FEM), the design also ensures high safety reserves with a low net weight.

2. The design of the ball joint forgoes the use of crimping, thus eliminating water penetration, preventing standing water and ensuring absolute tightness. The issue of water penetrating the original Tesla control arm is therefore eliminated.

3. The ball joint itself has a larger diameter than the original part and can distribute forces across a bigger surface, which is essential for a durable spare part, considering the large and frequent loads the high-performance vehicles are exposed to.

4. The bushings, too, have been optimised, which also increases service life.

MEYLE says intensive development goes into each and every MEYLE HD part, which is why the spare parts specialist provides a four-year guarantee for the HD control arm for the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y, just as it does for all its other HD parts.

For more information, visit www.meyle.com

The Street Series brake pads complement DBA’s long-established, market-leading range of Street Series disc rotors, and can be used in passenger cars, SUVs and Light Commercial Vehicles.

Customers can select the best DBA product suitable for their vehicle at any Auto One store, where an Auto One Team Member can provide advice on what DBA product will work best for their needs.

For more information and store locations, please visit www.autoone.com.au

1. https://dba.com.au/about/history/

NEW FROM DAVIES CRAIG

Two high-power Thermatic Electric Fans have been added to Davies Craig’s product line-up

Australian manufacturer Davies Craig Pty Ltd has added two new Thermatic Electric Fans with increased ‘air force’ CFM (Cubic Ft/Min, m3) to its line-up.

Both high-power 10-inch and 12-inch reversible Thermatic Electric Fans are now available in 12and 24-volt variants.

Davies Craig proudly offers these high-power automotive and air conditioning Thermatic Electric Fans to these two respective markets and that having conducted in-house wind tunnel tests, these four new Thermatic Electric Fans passed with flying colours.

BEAT THE HEAT

Give your air con a little TLC now before the summer season hits

Unique Auto Parts stocks many air conditioning parts for European makes including Mercedes Benz, Volkswagen, Mini, BMW, Skoda, Seat, Citroen, Porsche, Renault, Volvo, Peugeot, Audi, Land Rover and Fiat/Alpha.

Parts include all the integral components to keep air conditioning systems running at their peak including receiver driers, TX valves, evaporators, pressure switches, blower fans, cabin filters and more to suit both passenger and commercial vehicles.

Unique Auto Parts also stock compressors and condensers to keep the cold air flowing.

In addition to air conditioning components, Unique Auto Parts says it also offers an “unbeatable” range of parts including brake systems, steering and suspension parts, filters, clutches, alternators and starter motors, engine and transmission mounts, cooling systems and electrical and ignition components.

Unique Auto Parts explains that all stocked parts come from quality suppliers such as

the prominent aftermarket manufacturers JP Group, Quinton Hazell and Carlube, which are all exclusively imported and distributed by Unique Auto Parts, as well as Meyle, Trucktec, Victor Reinz, Hella, Mahle, Hella Pagid Brake systems, Mann Filter, Bosch and SKF.

Unique Auto Parts explains that it has five stores located around Victoria, Brisbane and Perth that can provide a quick delivery service to the surrounding area, as well as close working relationships with many couriers that allow quick and efficient delivery Australia wide.

For more information, contact Unique Auto Parts on 1300 864 864 or sales@uniqueautoparts.com.au

ALEMLUBE KEEPS YOU COMFORTABLE

Davies Craig says few may deny, temperatures generally are on the rise and having automotive cooling fans of this high capacity contributes to increased air flow.

It states that these four, value-packed highpower Thermatic Electric Fans offer outstanding performance for their size, delivering a 40 percent increase in air flow over the standard 10-inch and 12-inch models.

As with all Davies Craig Thermatic Electric Fans, these models are reversible for both up-stream and/or down-stream applications.

The profile of the shroud of these new models matches exactly those of the standard Davies Craig 10-inch and 12-inch models.

Further, Davies Craig has increased the warranty for the entire range of Thermatic Electric Fans from two to three years.

Part numbers:

• Part #0150 ~ 10” High Power Thermatic Electric Fan 12v - 1000CFM, RRP $163.00 + GST

• Part #0151 ~ 10” High Power Thermatic Electric Fan 24v - 1000CFM, RRP $163.00 + GST

• Part #0155 ~ 12” High Power Thermatic Electric Fan 12v - 1250CFM, RRP $173.00 + GST

• Part #0156 ~ 12” High Power Thermatic Electric Fan 24v - 1250CFM, RRP $173.00 + GST

For more information, visit www.daviescraig.com.au

Four air conditioning recharge machines are available from Alemlube

Throughout Australia, Alemlube Automotive, a division of Alemlube, says it has built a reputation for excellence in distribution, sales and the total support of all automotive workshop servicing products.

A very distinct and unique advantage of purchasing automotive air conditioning service units from Alemlube is the country wide installation, service and support network coupled to real industry experienced people, says Alemlube.

Alemlube states that its team delivers “unequalled product service” and “certainly offers an industry leading approach to product knowledge, advice and after sales support.”

Four air conditioning recharge machines are available from Alemlube: the AA1000, AA1500P, AA2000 and AA5000R.

Alemlube says these machines provide true cutting edge technology and superb efficiency when it comes to recovery, recycling, evacuating and recharging of R134A refrigerant (AA5000R for use with refrigerant type R1234YF).

The four units available from Alemlube reportedly make the recharge process quite simple which involves recovering the old refrigerant gas from the

air-con system and recycling it before replacing this with the correct amount of new refrigerant and lubricant as per the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation.

A vacuum test is also performed to ensure there are no cracks or damage in the customer’s vehicle air conditioning system that could cause the gas to leak out.

Within 30 minutes the whole recharge process is completed resulting in once again having refreshing cool air, on demand.

For more information, visit www.alemlube.com.au

ADRAD A/C COMPRESSOR KITS

For more than 1,700 applications

Back in 2015, Adrad released a selection of A/C Compressor Kits that combined all the major A/C system components needed to fully restore a failed air conditioning system.

Being available in a single part number provided an easier (and cheaper) way for workshops to order a matching set of products, while adding an industry-leading three-year nationwide warranty made the package even sweeter, says Adrad. Each kit is made using quality parts and includes the Compressor; Condenser; Thermal Expansion Valve (or Orifice Tube) and Receiver Drier/ Accumulator.

Hoses and fittings can be cleaned out and refitted but the critical parts are all new. As good repairers know, this the only way to fix the A/C system properly and make it as good as new, says Adrad. Kits also include a bottle of Air Conditioning System Treatment, Compressor Oil, Measuring Cup and System Guard Straps for security and tamper protection.

The straps are important to ensure the three-year

warranty is not voided by someone interfering later with the repair.

Adrad says the concept has proven to be extremely popular with technicians around the country and so the range has continued to grow.

How customers respond is the ultimate measure of success, and Adrad says its A/C Compressor Kits are an example of when a new product clearly addresses a need in the market.

Adrad offers more than 200 different A/C Compressor Kits to cover around 1,700 applications – representing over 11 million vehicles on the road. They are available around the country from Adrad stockists or online.

Need to replace or upgrade your workshop A/C equipment? Adrad says JAVAC products have a reputation in Australia for being “The Professional’s Choice.”

Adrad supplies a variety of JAVAC vacuum pumps, charging stations, equipment and tools that it says will help prepare your workshop for the busy summer season.

Need refrigerant? Adrad can supply licenced customers with R134A refrigerant in 11kg, 22kg and 65kg cylinders and R1234YF refrigerant in 4.5kg cylinders.

Adrad’s air conditioning products range features a variety of OE and trusted quality aftermarket brands including Adair, Koyoair, DENSO, Delphi, Sanden, CPS, Javac, Ariazone, Mahle and Valeo.

Adrad explains that its extensive warehouse and distribution network across Australia allows parts to be supplied quickly.

For details, contact Adrad on 1800 882 043 or order using the Natrad Trade Online or Radshop websites.

DO SOMETHING COOL THIS SUMMER

Alcius is giving customers the chance to share in a $30,000-plus prize pool

Summer is with us once again and there is no doubt that air conditioning servicing and repair demands will be increasing significantly at Australia’s automotive workshops in line with the heat and increased use of family, commercial and recreational vehicles over the festive season break.

To make things more exciting for air conditioning specialists and general repairers this summer, Alcius is running a prize filled trade promotion extending from November 1, 2022, to February 28, 2023.

Ensuring that specialist air conditioning and general automotive repairers have the parts they need when they need them throughout the busy summer months, trade customers have the chance to do something cool this summer when they spend with Alcius.

For every $300 spent on any Alcius product*, trade customers will receive one automatic entry into monthly draws to win their share of over $30,000 worth of prizes.

There are a multitude of prizes available each month from November through to February.

Three different prize pools will be given away each month of this Alcius trade promotion, consisting of first, second and third prizes.

The opening month will see lucky Alcius customers winning either a $5,000 camping pack, a $2,000 Yeti Eski pack or a $500 fuel voucher.

These are part of a range of very useful summer holiday prizes to be given away during this Alcius promotion that also includes water sports packs, active packs, relaxation packs and much more. Some of the items in the Alcius prize packs include golf clubs, Weber BBQs, inflatable boats, electric mountain bikes, Samsung TVs, bar fridges, Garmin sports watches and luggage sets.

Alcius says it already offers the automotive aftermarket the most comprehensive air conditioning parts range that comprises of more than 6,500 part numbers.

This summer finds an additional 750 part numbers added to the vast Alcius product range, ensuring all repairers have the air conditioning parts, tools and equipment that they need, exactly when they need them, says Alcius.

Trade customers can take part in this promotion by ordering Alcius Complete Climate Control products from JAS Oceania, BaxtersMTQ, Burson Auto Parts, Truckline and WANO stores nationwide.

Commercial and heavy-duty vehicle specialists are also well catered for with a major focus on expanding the Alcius range of light commercial and heavy-duty air-conditioning parts to meet the very specific requirements of owner driver and fleet operating customers.

Alcius says its comprehensive and easily accessible range of automotive climate control components

CORGHI’S AIR-CONDITIONING RANGE

Corghi says its range is driving workshop profitability

Now is the time to ensure your workshop is geared up to take advantage of the seasonal increase in automotive air-conditioning servicing brought on by the fast approaching hot summer months.

Corghi has a range of air-conditioning equipment that is says can help drive workshop profitability forward.

Amongst Corghi’s product portfolio is the TECNOMOTOR by Corghi range of service equipment for automotive refrigerants, which has been designed specifically for cars and light-duty vehicles.

The range is comprised of two fully automatic models, the A/C 1600 and the A/C 1605.

The A/C 1600 is suitable for refrigerant R-134a, while the A/C 1605 is designed for vehicles in which R-1234yf refrigerant is used to charge the cooling system.

“Globally, Corghi is on an aggressive acquisition program,” Corghi Australia General Manager, Andrew Cornwell, said.

“We’ve aligned with the NEXION Group, and this is providing us with numerous opportunities to increase our product range to ensure we have a solution to fit every workshop profile.”

The TECNOMOTOR by Corghi range allows the operator to select between manual and automatic functions for recovery, recycling, and recharge and is suitable for hybrid vehicles.

“All models feature an easy-to-read seven-inch, 800 x 480 pixel TFT-LCD RGB display, as well as WiFi and BlueTooth connectivity,” Andrew said.

“While those with a ‘P’ suffix in the model number indicate that these models come with a printer.

“This gives workshop owners the option to provide their customers with a detailed service report.”

Working in either manual or automatic configuration, the TECNOMOTOR by Corghi automotive air-conditioning service units will complete four critical functions: oil and refrigerant recovery, vacuum, micro-leak test, and finally, a new oil and refrigerant charge.

are specifically designed to withstand the demands of the Australian climate, providing confidence in each product’s technical quality and long term reliability.

This commitment to quality is underpinned by a 24month Alcius extended warranty** that applies to most products in this extensive and unparalleled air conditioning parts range.

Alcius invites you to be in the running to win by ‘Doing Something Cool This Summer’ with Alcius Complete Climate Control products through to February 28, 2023.

For more from Alcius, visit www.alcius.com.au

*Some Alcius refrigerant products are excluded from this promotion

**For further information visit www.alcius.com.au

“Both models feature an integrated heating band and a large 12kg capacity refrigerant tank that is easily assessable through a rear door to speed up unscheduled maintenance,” Andrew said.

“As well as a rotary compressor with recovery efficiency that exceeds 98 percent.”

Corghi says it has built a reputation on the foundations of innovation, quality and precision and that it is helping workshops embrace the latest in automated technology.

For more information about the range, call 1800 CORGHI (267 444) or visit www.corghiaustralia.com.au

PAO-BASED LUBRICANTS

For thermal management in Hybrid and Electric Vehicles

The Refrigerant Oil Company explains it pioneered the use of PAO-based oils in refrigeration over 20 years ago.

The company says there are many reasons why you should consider using PAOIL in your workshop.

Now, the company is producing PAO-based lubricants for thermal management in hybrid and electric vehicles.

The company says it is doing so because users of the products found they recognised the advantages of the stability, purity and lubricity of polyalphaolefins (PAOs) for the industry.

The Refrigerant Oil Company explains that the electrical properties of PAO make it suitable for high voltage electrical systems.

NEW PRODUCT

Due to the increasing global importance of energy efficiency driving the use of lower viscosity lubricants, PAOIL is releasing a VG 46 series of oils (PAOIL AA4).

VG 32 (PAOIL AA2). VG 68 (PAOIL AA1) and (PAOIL PL68) will still be available.

Key features and benefits:

• PAOIL is useable with all automotive compressor types including hybrid vehicle compressors.

• PAO is also compatible with R134a and R1234yf refrigerants.

• PAOIL is suitable for the use in hybrid and electric vehicles (AA series is preferred but PL series may be used)

• PAOIL has a high Viscosity Index meaning that

the oil maintains its viscosity and lubricating properties at high operating temperatures.

• Unlike other lubricants PAO is nonhygroscopic: it does not readily absorb moisture.

• Due to the inertness and inherent stability of PAO, PAOIL has a five-year shelf life.

• PAOIL is also available with an added UV dye to help with leak tracing.

• PAOIL is universal: you need to stock one, rather than carry many different types of oil.

• Safe to use: PAOIL is a non-hazardous, non-toxic product safe to have around the workshop. It is safe on painted surfaces, so no worries if accidentally spilt on vehicles.

The Refrigerant Oil Company says the PAOIL PL series offers the same positive properties as the PAOIL AA series.

This means it can be used as a complete oil replacement for A/C systems.

The company adds that by using PAOIL, you can buy in bulk (PAOIL is available in 1L, 5L, and 20L container sizes).

And with its five-year shelf life, you reportedly do not need to worry about the oil being unusable a couple of hours after opening.

Workshops also do not need to stock multiple types of oil when using PAOIL, since PAOIL is suitable for use with a wide variety of automotive compressors and refrigerants.

As such, PAOIL helps you to save money, says Ariazone and The Refrigerant Oil Company –which are fully Australian-owned companies based in Melbourne at the Global Headquarters and part of the ROC Group.

Ariazone/PAOIL products are reportedly used in workshops in more than 40 counties worldwide. For more information, go to www.rocoil.com or www.ariazone.com or call 03 9338 7522.

COOL AIR ON A SUMMER’S DAY

Tridon offers an extensive range of Heater Fan Resistors and Air Conditioning Pressure Switches

Tridon says its range has been extensively researched for maximum market coverage, so there is no need to go to the dealer to purchase your high quality, direct replacement air conditioning parts.

Common issues found with automotive air conditioners are lack of air flow, fans working on high or low speeds only, running constantly, not working on a particular speed or even not working at all. The most common cause of this is a failed heater fan resistor, says Tridon.

Fan resistors are designed to operate the air conditioner/heater fan speed inside the vehicle. They operate by controlling the current flow to the fan motor, in turn changing the speed of the fan.

Constant adjustments to the fan speed generate wear and tear on the resistor terminals, which in turn leads to shorting, or the resistor being burnt out resulting in eventual failure.

Tridon’s range of Heater Fan Resistors are designed for direct replacement in your vehicle.

Another common fault with air conditioning

air conditioning systems. Placed in line with the cooling pipes, they monitor the air conditioning system pressure.

If the pressure rises to dangerous levels, or if there is a sudden drop in pressure, it will shut off the compressor. This prevents damage to internal air-conditioning components and also to the compressor.

Tridon’s range of air conditioning switches has

MASTERCOOL COMMANDER EQX3000

making them direct replacements for the original switches in the vehicle.

Live application data is available for all Tridon parts on Tridon Part Finder for the most up to date new vehicle applications.

All applications are also available on major trade electronic catalogues.

For more information, visit www.tridon.com.au or call 1300 362 263.

Repco Equipment explains hybrid vehicles present new challenges when it comes to servicing AC systems

Hybrid vehicles use electric compressors which require special handling of servicing equipment so that there is no contamination of oils.

The Mastercool Commander EQX3000 airconditioning recovery/recycle/recharge (RRR) machine is specifically designed for these vehicles.

The EQX3000 has options for both standard vehicles and hybrids, and incorporates a flush circuit using an add-on accessory that ensures there is no cross contamination when switching between types.

Repco Equipment says the rising cost of refrigerant means RRR machines can now pay for themselves in one or two seasons, and their ability to perform almost an entire service unattended is a clear cost saving in a busy workshop.

The Mastercool Commander EQX3000 was designed in the US to be a reliable method of servicing vehicle aircon units. It is also continually improved through remote firmware updates, and the Commander has been updated to version 9.0.  This update includes the addition of email printing via an option on the completed job screen. The vehicle’s registration number, refrigerant recovered, oil recovered, and refrigerant usage can be included. This information can be sent to the customer’s email, the workshop email, or printed using the on-board thermal printer.

Other features include data logs that can be extracted via USB, uploaded to a PC, and viewed in Excel. Remote diagnostics have also been improved with a drop-down service menu.

Mastercool Commander is designed to meet the SAE J2788 standard, which means it must achieve a 95 percent refrigerant recovery rate with 95 percent purity within 30 minutes. For trucks or other large vehicles, the Commander has been tested to perform charges at 2.5kg or more. The charge hoses can be extended up to 10m without the need for recalibration.

Other features include:

• Manual and automatic functions.

• Eight-inch Windows tablet PC command centre.

• Two programmable bottles for oil and/or dye injection with individual load cells (standard vehicles only).

• Automatic and manual purging of noncondensable gases (NCGs).

• Large Class 1.0 analogue gauges.

• Multi-coloured visual system-status LED.

• 142L/min vacuum pump.

The machine includes on-board instructions with user prompts for each step. Remote set-up and training are also possible.

The only machine maintenance required is a filter change and vacuum-pump oil change, prompted by alerts.

Mastercool Inc is a US-based, family-owned company that has been in the air conditioning business for 40 years. Local service and technical back-up are available in both Australia and New Zealand through Repco.

For more information, contact Repco Equipment on 1800 224 581.

THE DENSO DIFFERENCE

DENSO offers a range of quality A/C components

From A/C compressors to condensers to evaporators, DENSO says its premium range of A/C components offer efficient and reliable heating, ventilation and cooling.

Compressors

DENSO says it brings together everything it knows as an air conditioning systems manufacturer to bring customers the highest quality line of factorynew compressors available.

It says DENSO compressors are manufactured and tested to the strictest OE standards for unparalleled performance, because it knows drivers and their passengers expect a comfortable cabin environment on every journey, whatever the weather.

Key features:

• Unmatched reliability with over 40 percent market share

• No core charge or deposit

• High quality product with extremely low warranty ratio

• Compressor delivered as complete assemblies and pre-filled with the right amount of oil

• 100 percent perfect match to vehicle specifications.

Condensers

DENSO condensers are designed to integrate seamlessly with your vehicle’s original air conditioning system.

DENSO says their premium aluminium construction improves reliability and resists corrosion, whilst the superior fin wave design offers higher heat transfer and maximum refrigerant condensation.

All DENSO condensers are designed to decrease foreign particle deposits, keeping your entire A/C system running at optimal performance.

Key features:

• Bolt-in replacement; no brackets and adapters

• Reduces required compressor power, resulting in improved fuel economy

• Restores A/C performance to as-new condition

• Pure aluminium construction provides greater resistance for corrosion

•

Zinc diffusion layer improves corrosion resistance

Unique fin design to minimise airflow blockage Evaporators

•

DENSO says its Revolutionary Slim (RS) and Multitank Superslim (MS) evaporators are the newest types of evaporators used in vehicles today.

DENSO’s evaporator configurations, tanks, fin pitch, core dimensions and materials meet OE manufacturer’s rigid specifications.

For more information and to find out where to buy, visit www.denso.com.au

INNOVATIVE CABIN COOLING SOLUTIONS

NAPA Auto Parts is proud to carry Australia’s range of Red Dot climate control units

As the temperature heats up, NAPA Auto Parts says there is no better time to expand your air conditioning parts and workshop equipment with the latest products from the world’s leading brands in its portfolio, including Red Dot.

In 2019, Red Dot proudly awarded Master Distributor Status to GPC Asia Pacific, meaning NAPA Auto Parts is the first port of call for quality Red Dot units in Australia.

NAPA Auto Parts says Red Dot’s range of climate control units for transport and heavy machinery is second to none.

With units developed for trucking, agriculture, industrial and construction applications, each Red Dot cabin cooling solution is built to last in our rugged and demanding environment.

NAPA Auto Parts Senior Product Manager, Tim Boyd, says it is important to select the right Red Dot unit for your application to ensure you get the performance you need from your air conditioning system.

“Whether it is a self-contained rooftop unit, a ceiling mount evaporator, one that sits between

COOL AND FRESH

the seats or elsewhere in the cab, it is vital to pair the selected evaporator with the optimum condenser based on capacity, style and available mounting space,” Tim said.

For cabs with a lot of glass or cabs not suited for roof mounted units, ceiling mount units are all about offering maximum performance utilising minimal space; match them to a remote mount condenser unit to ensure they perform to your requirements.

Wall mounted units can be positioned between seats or anywhere alongside the operator and range from compact designs for smaller cabs to larger unit designs for cabs that require plenty of cooling.

Remote condenser units, installed away from the cabin, are commonly used in agricultural and offroad applications and should be matched with the applicable evaporator. Remote condenser units are typically mounted on the roof however, many units can be mounted behind the cab, on engine covers or frame rails.

NAPA Auto Parts says you can be assured that Red Dot has the right combination of units available for your vehicle, no matter the voltage or whether it’s designed for off- or on-highway applications.

For more information about Red Dot products, see the team at your local NAPA Auto Parts – visit www.napaparts.com.au for a full list of locations.

The HVAC system does not only increase driving comfort, but safety as well

Even if most car owners believe that HVAC systems are maintenance-free, MAHLE says the system should be serviced every few years.

As in life, so it goes in the HVAC system: without a little pressure, nothing would ever get done. The refrigerant circuit requires a pressure range up to almost 18 bar.

Although the HVAC system is self-contained, it loses a bit of refrigerant during the year, mostly through the hoses and numerous gaskets.

To determine the amount of refrigerant left in the system, you must first extract it and then measure the exact quantity.

Once extracted, MAHLE explains the system is depressurised and can be serviced, for example, by replacing the filter dryer.

The 0.02mbar high precision vacuum pump of the MAHLE A/C service unit then creates a vacuum throughout the entire refrigerant circuit.

The high vacuum removes any remaining moisture from the system. At the same time, this also serves as a leak tightness test: if the vacuum remains constant, the system isn’t leaking.

After the testing is completed, the MAHLE A/C

service unit automatically refills the system with precisely the specified quantity of refrigerant.

MAHLE says its E³ technology ensures that no refrigerant is released into the environment.

Furthermore, the amount of refrigerant oil that was lost in the extraction process is automatically replaced with fresh refrigerant oil.

Too late is much too late

An amount of refrigerant oil circulates through the system with the refrigerant. This oil mist keeps hoses and gaskets flexible.

If there is too little refrigerant in the system, the gaskets and hoses become brittle and leaky.

The compressor suffers too. Its job is to compress as much refrigerant as is required to achieve the desired temperature in the passenger cabin.

If there is less than the minimum required amount of refrigerant, the compressor must work at full load, which overheats causing the refrigerant oil to burn and coke, which reduces its lubricity.

Worse still, metallic abrasions and chips from the compressor may damage the whole system. It is recommended to install a new cabin air filter as part of an A/C service.

MAHLE says it is proud to make sure the climate is right.

For more information about the MAHLE thermal management range, please visit www.mahle-aftermarket.com or email to mapl.sales@mahle.com

ALCIUS A/C TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT

Alcius says now is the time to update

With summer fast approaching, there’s no better time to ensure you have all of the right air conditioning service tools and equipment on hand to maximise opportunities in your workshop.

Alcius is part of Bapcor, Australasia’s largest automotive aftermarket specialised company, and says it has all of your air conditioning service tools covered.

The comprehensive Alcius range of tools covers the requirements of:

• single operation repairers;

• on-site service vans;

• large fleets of service vans; and

• the largest of automotive workshops.

With premium quality air conditioning service equipment to suit all refrigerants and meet all industry standards, Alcius has a manifold set, Vacuum pump, leak detection method or refrigerant recovery and recycle solution for your business.

The vast Alcius Air Conditioning tools and equipment range is displayed across more than

50 pages in the Alcius Complete Climate Control Catalogue.

From fully automatic refrigerant, recovery and recharge units designed and manufactured by leading companies, through to basic dash thermometers, Alcius says its comprehensive air conditioning service tool and equipment range will ensure that you always have the tool you need, when you need it.

Alcius provides quality air conditioning service tools to suit a wide range of applications, including:

• passenger cars;

• light commercial;

• heavy duty;

• mining; and

• agricultural vehicles.

As such, Alcius says its range covers the entire spectrum required by the Australian automotive service and repair industry.

To locate your closest Alcius stockist, visit www.alcius.com.au

NEXT FUTURE:GAS REFRIGERANT ROADSHOW ANNOUNCED

The next roadshow is expected to be held between July and September, 2023

In the six years since the first future:gas refrigerant roadshow took place, there have been changes of government on both sides of the Tasman, escalating uptake of electrified vehicles and the unprecedented use of the word ‘unprecedented’ caused by a seemingly relentless barrage of plague, fire and flood.

While all that has been going on, a lot of change has emerged in the world of refrigerants, so it is time for another future:gas.

Refrigerants are still changing, with some of the changes discussed in previous future:gas seminars happening faster than expected and some slower. There are also some unexpected developments and curveballs in the mix.

Everyone in the industry needs to be aware of what is happening in the market, what the laws are and how they could be changing.

For this reason, the 2023 future:gas roadshows will assemble expert speakers to discuss and explain the latest on the recovery and handling of new refrigerants, the laws that will influence each part of the industry, and what this will mean for the day-to-day life of those in the business of handling refrigerants.

For example, show organisers state the obituary

has been written for R134a, so we all need to understand what that means for us.

In addition, more alternative refrigerants and technologies are on the horizon as the global automotive industry grapples with the technical challenge of simultaneously keeping vehicle occupants comfortable and every component of an electrified drivetrain at optimum operating temperature while achieving maximum energy efficiency – preferably with a one-size-fits-all solution that can work in any climate in order to achieve economies of scale. This might not be R1234yf and almost definitely will not be R744.

All this, against a backdrop of new governments with different agendas, mounting pressure to act fast on climate change, the advent of mandatory repair information sharing between car manufacturers and independent repairers, accelerating momentum toward the deletion of internal combustion engines from an increasing number of global car brands, and supply chains that have been disrupted and re-shaped due to pandemics, war, drought, floods and much more.

Suffice to say, next winter’s future:gas roadshow will be a must-see, say show organisers.

The roadshow is planned to run between July and September 2023, taking in the following

proposed locations (subject to change): Auckland (NZ), Melbourne (VIC), Adelaide (SA), Newcastle (NSW), Brisbane (QLD), Perth (WA), Canberra (ACT), Sydney (NSW), Darwin (NT) and Townsville (QLD).

For more details about confirmed locations, speakers and seminar topics, readers can sign up for the free newsletter at www.futuregas.ac/ automotive

As previously, organisers state they cannot run these vital information sessions without the generosity of corporate and industry sponsorship and invites potential supporters to email support@ futuregas.ac to get in touch about supporting future:gas 2023.

For more information, visit www.futuregas.ac

CPS CARSMART Now at CoolDrive

CPS Products has been supplying tools and test equipment to the Australian automotive air conditioning industry for over 30 years with the brand said to be synonymous with quality supported by nationwide technical and service back-up.

Available through CoolDrive Auto Parts, the CPS automatic recover/recycle/reclaim machines are highlighted by the FX series single circuit dual refrigerant machines and the FA series multiple refrigerant single circuit range, all made possible by the TR series patented technology compressor.

CPS has also recently complemented its range with the addition of the European designed and manufactured CarSmart series, meaning that its range now covers all workshop automotive airconditioning machine needs.

With both R134A and R1234YF models, the CPS CarSmart series has been designed with ease of use for the technician.

The units come equipped with an easy-to-read icon-based display without the need to manually

operate the valves, a comprehensive vehicle database, multi-lingual software and the ability to set up to 30 custom vehicles’ data per machine.

Additional key features include analogue gauges with highlighted operation zones, a system performance test function, the ability to add extra refrigerant if required and the cylinder heater blanket allows quick charging even in the cooler months without the need to run the engine.

The CarSmart series offers oil and dye injection standard on the R134A model and oil injection only on R1234YF model, with easy access to the replacement bottles which are mounted externally on the front of the machine. There is also a handy solid metal front tray for storage of hoses and couplers.

The machines are Hybrid compatible so workshops can work on standard vehicles as well as vehicles with electric air conditioning compressors. They are also fully automatic, or can be used manually.

The compact design makes it easy to manoeuvre the units throughout the workshop, with the

supplied 3m charging hoses allowing the technician to continue performing other work on the vehicle without hinderance.

The CarSmart series comes with a full Australian 12-month warranty, plus continued technical support.

For more information, contact CoolDrive Auto Parts via www.cooldrive.com.au

COUNTRY KID MAKES GOOD

From selling fishing rods to running supermarkets to leading one of Australia’s biggest automotive chains, Benjamin Ward has done it all

Supercheap Auto Managing Director Benjamin Ward was raised in the country New South Wales town of Leeton where his dad ran the local boat mechanics; so tinkering with outboard motors became a hobby from an early age.

His dad’s business also had a shop, which is where he cut his teeth selling product to customers by retailing boating goods and supplies to the local fishermen.

“Dad was a diesel mechanic who decided it was a great idea to become an outboard mechanic and open a boat shop in the middle of the desert,” Benjamin jokes.

“He was successful for 30 years and that was a big part of my childhood – engines and boats.”

Benjamin did not always want to be a retail expert, but soon learnt it was something he was a bit of a natural at.

“I wanted to be an economist, but retail was in my blood from selling fishing rods and fitting out tinnies as a kid – so my direction was dictated by what I knew, what I was good at, maybe a bit of luck and a lot of hard work to build a career that I am proud of,” he said.

As well as boat engines, Benjamin had a passion for land-going machines, though he decided early on that four wheels were better than two or three.

“Originally it was motorbikes, but a rather large gumtree on a 70hp trike when I was eight made me realise metal on the outside was a better idea for me,” he explains.

“Around that time while watching Bathurst, I saw Jim Richards pull out of the pits in the most beautiful thing I have ever seen – a 635CSI, the ‘John Player Special.’

“I turned to Dad and said ‘BMW.’ He replied by pushing my chair away and stating quite sternly ‘no son – Ford or Holden, you choose’.”

Benjamin worked at the local Franklins supermarket as a casual when he left secondary school to pay his way through university, but soon realised it could offer a good career option for him.

“My Store Manager at Franklins organised an interview at Franklins Head Office in Sydney and my life in supermarkets started to become a career. I went on to spend 20 years with ALDI in everything from operations, buying and IT transformation across three continents before finally coming ‘home’ to Supercheap Auto three years ago,” he said.

While his career has been varied to this point, Benjamin has a simple philosophy in life and career.

“My approach has always been to work hard, don’t have tickets on yourself and others will value your worth and support your career,” he said.

“Retail is an awesome career that I never realised existed when I worked in stores. There are amazing roles and opportunities in life that you never really know of and consider when you start out – so also be open to things that cross your path.”

Though it was a tough decision at the time, leaving ALDI lead Benjamin to a whole new phase in his career.

““I could have stayed at ALDI until retirement and been happy, I loved ALDI and the experiences, skills and friends it gave me. But the call to start in a brand new company, with a new culture, in a new industry and new role to really test myself and get back on the steep learning path has given me both renewed vigor and a huge satisfaction to still grow a highly successful and well regarded business,” he says.

While happy to reflect, Benjamin is not one to dwell on the past.

“I firmly believe that every decision you make is the right one at the time, so don’t cut yourself up about it if in hindsight you should have gone a different way. None of us are perfect and neither is life, so sometimes you have got to roll with the punches, get up and go again,” he said.

He is also a big advocate that life is “100 percent” about attitude.

“I will always give someone an opportunity who is open, has a good work ethic and is eager to learn and develop. Skills can be taught; attitudes I find many people lock themselves into,” he said.

Benjamin owns a small hobby farm near Forster in New South Wales, which he says is a place of never ending small jobs.

“I’m renovating the 50-year-old shack and endlessly repairing the old tractors that I have bought cheaply as I enjoy the challenge of figuring them out,” he says.

“My father has been a key influence on my love of not only of cars and tractors, but the wonderful engineering that goes into them. He is an endless tinkerer and very mechanically creative, which I am inspired by.”

The passing of his mother at a relatively young age eight years ago has inspired him to live life to the fullest every day.

“You never know what is going to be thrown in front of you,” he says.

Benjamin is a big believer in remaining honest and humble.

“I had a Chief Executive Officer once tell me that he wanted to hire me because of two strengths – candor and humbleness. Candor I have had to learn. I have always been frank, but maybe needed to be more open – I’ve worked on that,” he said.

“Humbleness I think comes from working my way from the supermarket floor to be offered the amazing opportunity to be the custodian of Supercheap Auto.”

Supercheap Auto

Reg Rowe founded Supercheap Auto 50 years ago quite literally from his garage. He grew from being a mail order retailer to having stores and was most successful when he focused on fantastic value for his customers.

“We are now part of a much larger organisation that is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange and has four wonderful brands – Macpac, BCF, Rebel Sport and Supercheap Auto,” Benjamin explains.

“We offer hundreds of thousands of products for your car, home and garage. Whilst we have or can source just about everything for your vehicle, we have grown to stock a wide range of products such as cleaning, storage, 4x4 and camping.

“We currently have 329 stores across Australia

and New Zealand and continue to expand both the number of stores we have, as well as our online offer so all customers can access us.

“Our customers are quite literally everyone in Australia and New Zealand. There is so much more in our stores than just automotive. We believe that whoever you are, whatever you drive – we can help you make it super.”

Benjamin believes that a focus on customers is the key to the business’ accomplishments.

“We are unashamedly a place for everyone. Our customers are mums and dads, families, and kids getting their licenses. We are passionate about automotive and want to truly help our customers with what they are passionate about – as well as helping them on their journey,” he explains.

“Retail is a tough game no doubt. You always need to innovate and respond to changing customer needs and wants in a tough competitive environment. Our challenge has and will continue to be to offer great quality products to our customers at great prices.

“We are in a constant state of evolution, but I think one recent big change we have made is to update our tagline from ‘everything auto and much, much, more’ to ‘Make it Super’ after 17 years. It reflects our focus on helping our customers improve their ride, their garage or even just their day!”

He also sees the company’s staff as paramount in its continued success.

“Supercheap Auto has over 4000 team members who are highly passionate about what they do –whether it is serving our customers, fitting out stores, sourcing products or leading teams. It is these team members that are our key competitive advantage,” he says.

Benjamin is convinced that the company has a strong future.

“We will plan to continue to grow and evolve Supercheap Auto to a place where we can continue to help all Australians and New Zealanders ‘Make it Super,’” he said.

“I am constantly surprised by the number of times I hear first time customers say that they have driven past Supercheap Auto for years and never realised how many products we stock that they need.

“Retail is a tough game, no doubt. You always need to innovate and respond to changing customer needs and wants in a tough competitive environment. Our challenge has and will continue to be to offer great quality products to our customers at great prices.

“From a marketing standpoint – we need to convince more people to step inside and see for themselves!”

To learn more about Supercheap Auto, visit www.supercheapauto.com.au

ADVERTISING COMPLIANCE

When advertising your business it is important to ensure the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) is complied with

This article provides a brief overview of some key compliance issues that may arise under the ACL in relation to advertising. If the ACL is not complied with, penalties may be imposed (including infringement notices or court ordered penalties).

Making false or misleading representations or claims

It is important to carefully check advertisements and promotions to ensure no false or misleading representations or claims are included. It is important to note that regardless of whether such representations or claims are intentionally false/ misleading or not, if they are proven to be false or misleading the ACL will be contravened and penalties may be applied.

The legal compliance requirements for representations or claims about goods or services in advertising and promotions includes representations and claims made on websites, in social media, through radio, posters, flyers, statements made by employees, in promoting sales or service offers or in promoting your business generally.

Following are examples of matters that false or misleading representations or claims should not be made about:

• the quality, standard, composition, style, model, grade, history, previous use or value of a product;

• the standard, quality, value or grade of a service;

• the need to have a particular product or service;

• the price of products or services;

• that products are new when they are not new;

• that particular persons have purchased the product or that the product or service is sponsored;

• testimonials about a product or service.

Assessing a representation or claim

When considering whether a representation or claim is false or misleading, the overall impression of the advertisement/promotion must be considered (ie. parts of the advertisement can’t be considered in isolation). For example, if a statement

in a poster is true but a picture used on the poster with the statement gives a different impression, or changes the meaning of the statement, so that the overall impression created by the advertising is misleading, then the advertisement will be considered misleading even though the statement in isolation is true.

Disclaimers and qualifications

It is also important to keep in mind that using disclaimers and fine print may not be sufficient to prevent a statement made in an advertisement from being misleading. For example, an advertisement promoting services as “Always” using “New Parts” to replace parts with fine print advising that “refurbished parts may also be used,” is unlikely to sufficiently change the overall impression that new parts are “always” used by the business, and as a result the representation is likely to be misleading.

If there are any limitations or exceptions, ensure they are clearly and prominently stated. For example, if offering a discount on logbook services during the month of March only, then this should be clearly stated, for example:

20 percent off Logbook Services in March 2023

20 percent discount applies to logbook services booked in to be completed in our workshop during the month of March 2023 only.

Avoid bait advertising

If you have only limited stock of a particular part on sale, then it is important to clearly and prominently state that limited stock is available (depending on the amount you may need to put a number on it or state that very limited stock is available). This is to avoid bait advertising which is prohibited by the ACL.

Substantiate representations or claims

When making a representation/claim it is important to consider how you can prove the representation/ claim is true in the event its truth and accuracy are challenged or legal proceedings commenced against the business. It may be a good idea to keep a file of information, that can be used to verify the claim is true and accurate. For example:

• if you are making a claim that the price for a logbook service is 20 percent off for the month of March, then retaining information on the prices charged for that logbook service for the months prior to and following the discount showing a servicing price that is 20 percent higher can assist to prove the representation is true and accurate;

• if you are claiming that a part will perform to a particular standard, ensure you have the facts on file to back up the claim (for example testing you have done with the product proving the claim).

Tips for approaching advertising and promotions

When promoting goods and services advertised by your business there are some simple steps you can take that may assist with compliance, for example:

• always consider the overall impression made by the advertising/promotion (is the impression as a whole true and accurate and not misleading).

• be careful in the wording you choose and avoid using absolute words such as “best” or “most,” for example the statement “providing the ‘best’ servicing in the city,” will be difficult to substantiate as true and accurate (although providing the “best servicing in the universe” may amount to “puffery” (ie. the statement is so outlandish and exaggerated that no one could believe it to be true));

• use accurate and correct information;

• check you can substantiate a representation/ claim, especially if using facts;

• make sure any limitations and exceptions are clearly and prominently stated (ie. a disclaimer in small wording is likely to be insufficient in many circumstances);

• ensure any testimonials a true and accurate (eg. written confirmation as to its truth by the person providing the testimonial);

• avoid comparative advertising unless you have very strong facts that you can verify to substantiate your claims (comparative advertising carries a high risk).

If you have any questions regarding advertising by your business, you can contact Industry Legal.

Liability limited by a scheme approved under professional standards legislation.

This document is intended for general information purposes only and should not be regarded as legal advice. Please contact Industry Legal if you require legal advice.

AAAA Member Benefits

Industry Legal provides advice to members on commercial law matters. If you have any questions relating to the above information, please contact Industry Legal on 1300 369 703 or aaaa@industrylegalgroup.com.au

PUBLIC

to

and

7pm

7pm

to midnight

The applicable public holiday rates will depend on the workplace instrument that covers the employee.

Substitute Day

An employer and an employee can agree to substitute a public holiday (or part-day public holiday) for another day.

If a public holiday is substituted, then the substitute day is regarded as the public holiday and penalty rates are only paid on the substitute day.

Rostered day off

PUBLIC HOLIDAY ENTITLEMENTS

Entitlement to be absent

The National Employment Standards provide all employees with the right to not work on a public holiday.

While an employer can reasonably request that an employee work on a declared public holiday if the request is reasonable, the employee may refuse to work if they have reasonable grounds.

Payment for absence

Employees (except casual employees) who normally work on a day that a public holiday falls, will be paid for the ordinary hours they would have worked on that day at the base rate of pay (ie. excludes incentive-based payments and bonuses,

loadings, monetary allowances, overtime or penalty rates, or any other separately identifiable amounts).

Employees generally don’t get paid for a public holiday if they do not normally work on the day that the public holiday falls.

For example, if a part-time employee only works Monday to Thursday each week but the public holiday falls on a Friday, the employee does not get paid for the public holiday because they do not normally work the Friday.

Note, a roster can’t be changed to deliberately avoid public holiday pay.

Payment for working on a public holiday

Generally, employees will be paid public holiday rates for time worked on a public holiday.

If employers have a rostered day off (RDO) system in place with any of their employees, they should refer to the applicable award for specific information.

Some awards may provide for an alternative paid day off where an RDO falls on a public holiday.

Check your conditions

The information provided in this publication is necessarily general.

Different arrangements for their public holidays may apply depending on the applicable workplace instrument.

Before this holiday season, it is important to check what conditions and penalty rates apply to your employees.

Liability limited by a scheme approved under professional standards legislation.

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

regarding all aspects of

workplace and

law. Employer Assist can assist you in understanding your employment obligations in relation to public holidays and applicable penalty rates. Please contact Employer Assist on 1300 735 306 or aaaa@employerassist.com.au if you require any assistance.

WAX ON, SHOW OFF

Australia’s biggest Show ‘n’ Shine event has capped off a big year for Autobarn

Autobarn took the Show ‘n’ Shine concept to a whole new level from October to November 2022 with the popular national automotive parts and accessories retailer inviting motorists from every corner of the country to be a part of Australia’s biggest Show ‘n’ Shine event.

Called “Wax On Show Off,” Autobarn put the call out to motorists and bike riders across the country to take part in an enjoyable, easy and fun competition that could win them some fantastic prizes provided from a selection of Autobarn’s top selling product suppliers.

To be in the running to win from a total competition prize pool worth $20,000, anyone could take a photo of their car or bike outside any of the 135 Autobarn stores across the country, upload the image to Autobarn’s Facebook Page or to Autobarn’s Instagram (using the #waxonshowoff hashtag) to be in the draw.

PARTS4 CONFERENCE FOSTERS COLLABORATION

The three days featured a trade show, informative sessions, social events and the Parts4 AGM

After much anticipation and a few false starts due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Parts4 Automotive welcomed more than 180 members, guests, and suppliers when it opened its bi-annual Trade Show and Conference in Sydney earlier this year.

Held over the weekend of 19-21 August, delegates were treated to a blend of informative trade sessions and social events while enjoying the hospitality on offer at the Rydges World Square Hotel, located in downtown Sydney.

“While Parts4 members enjoy a wide variety of benefits, many believe that our bi-annual conference is the most valuable of the lot,” Parts4 Automotive Business Development Manager, Kim Mamouney, said.

The Parts4 Automotive business structure allows members to maintain their independence while belonging to a national buying group that also delivers significant rebates.

The conference opened with a BBQ dinner on Friday evening. This relaxed event provided members and suppliers with an excellent opportunity to rekindle old friendships and make new acquaintances.

“During the evening, I made sure to take a step back and just soak up the atmosphere,” Kim said. “It was so nice to watch our members and suppliers from across Australia reconnect after what has been a challenging time for us all.”

As simple as Snap, Share and Win and with no limit to the number of images people were welcome to take, this provided Autobarn customers and general motorists with more chances to win prizes over this unique three week long nationwide competition.

Autobarn offered three price pack levels for each vehicle sub-category judged as the stand outs during the competition, along with a randomly selected $5,000 Autobarn store voucher grand prize winner. The vehicle categories included Off Road Warrior, Most Unique, Japanese Domestic (JDM), Euro, Ute, Aussie Classic, Old School Cruiser, P-Plate Pride, Bike, Stance and Wagon, making sure that everything on wheels was covered.

Autobarn invites you to keep an eye on its social media channels to view the “Wax on Show off” images submitted by motorists.

For more information and to find out who the lucky winners were, visit www.autobarn.com.au

The real business started early on Saturday morning, with the Trade Show open for business from 9.00am.

“We tweaked the trade show format a little this year, and it was a great success,” Kim said.

Extending the period that the Trade Show was open across the weekend allowed members to engage with suppliers away from distractions they face daily while they are hard at work running their businesses.

“The trade show created a buzz felt by all who attended,” Kim said.

“We know of several great deals secured during the event.”

Many of those who attended agreed that it helped strengthen existing relationships and cultivate new ones, all of which are mutually beneficial.

“We had so many people ask when and where we’d be running the next trade show, highlighting just how much it had been missed during the covid-19 outbreak,” Kim said.

Following the conclusion of the trade show, the delegation was treated to a formal dinner where more than 180 guests shared an enjoyable evening and indulged in great food, drink and company.

As Sunday morning dawned, it was straight into more serious business with the Parts4 Automotive AGM kicking off at 9.00am.

“You could tell from the bleary eyes which members had enjoyed themselves the evening before as we all gathered for the AGM,” Kim said.

“But as soon as the AGM got underway, the fog lifted quickly, and the mood was positive and optimistic.”

Parts4 says that unlike many of the other automotive aftermarket chains, it is owned and run by its members, making it truly independent.

“We’re not here to profit from our members. We’re here to help members to compete out in the marketplace,” Kim said.

“More and more independents are realising that they need to be part of a larger group to survive. And that’s the benefit of joining Parts4 because they belong to a group but still have control over their business.”

Each of the 90-plus Parts4 Automotive stores across Australia are locally owned and operated. As a result, no two stores are alike, but like birds of a feather, Parts4 Automotive members stick together, says Kim.

“We finished what was certainly a memorable, productive and enjoyable conference with a harbour cruise,” Kim said.

“Mother nature turned it on for us as we all enjoyed a magic afternoon on the water before heading home with a renewed vigour and a positive outlook.”

To learn more about becoming part of Parts4 Automotive, contact Kim Mamouney on 0418 532 307or kim@parts4.com.au

For more information, visit www.parts4.com.au

PROJECTA TECH SUPPORT MAKES DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

Projecta has established a fast-growing online community: Projecta Switched on Tech Talk

With a dedicated team of four product experts in its Technical Support Department, Projecta says it is ready to help should customers need further explanation or assistance with a product.

One of the team members, Benny, has also recently transitioned to video as the brand explores new ways to support owners.

A 15-year veteran of Projecta, Benny lives and breathes the industry he works in, having rotated through the company’s production, manufacturing and design departments before finding his calling in tech support.

“As a child I was interested in becoming a teacher but never did – I really enjoy helping people and showing them how to do things. I get to do this in my current role at Projecta which I really enjoy,” Benny said.

Benny isn’t joking when he says this, you see –after officially clocking off from work at around 5.00pm, he would then happily spend his evenings on caravanning, RV and four-wheel-drive internet forums, sharing his technical knowledge with others on-line.

Given the time it was taking Benny and other tech team members to navigate the many online forums, Projecta decided to establish its own forum.

‘Projecta Switched on Tech Talk’ is a private Facebook group that has already grown to around 3,000 members.

In starting the group, it was Projecta’s goal to create an engaging and educational platform where owners and prospective customers could access general product information and technical support advice at the one convenient location.

What they ended up with could now be described as a community, eager to help each other and share their Projecta-powered projects with the group.

As well as encouraging a two-way communication channel between Benny and the other Projecta technical gurus, the group regularly posts videos covering product features and benefits, installation tips, troubleshooting recommendations and more.

Benny said that the technical nature of some of the Projecta range, as well as the fact that many owners opt for DIY installations, meant that

inevitably users had plenty of questions they wanted answered.

“The user demographic for Switched On Tech Talk is split to around 80 percent for caravan and RV support, with the remainder of the audience being equipment dealers or RV manufacturers,” Benny said.

If you are a current or prospective Projecta owner and wish to learn more about the brand’s online technical support and educational resources, search for ‘Projecta Switched On Tech Talk’ on Facebook. Alternatively, Benny’s videos can also be seen on the Projecta Australia YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/user/ProjectaAustralia

For more from Projecta, visit www.projecta.com.au

TIPS FOR TAMING INFLATION IN AUTO PARTS DELIVERY

Delivery transport is a top five cost of doing business for many auto parts companies

Inflation is squeezing margins for many businesses, making it a good time for auto parts firms to analyse their major expenditure areas –and one area which often needs attention is the delivery transport function, according to Ontime Delivery Solutions Chief Executive Walter Scremin.

The current inflation rate, at just over five percent, tells only part of the story – many businesses have had to negotiate much steeper rises in costs due to supply chain disruptions and labour shortages.

And it’s not likely to get easier according to the Reserve Bank of Australia’s Governor, Philip Lowe, with the RBA forecasting inflation to peak at around seven percent later this year.

“Much of the inflation we are seeing is beyond our control. But there are things within the control of auto parts delivery companies which can be looked at,” Walter said.

Walter says delivery transport is a top five cost of doing business for many auto parts companies, which rely on deliveries for their existence.

“Transport has remained a top five cost even with the many efficiency improvements which have been delivered over recent decades,” Walter said.

“But if you don’t analyse your delivery transport function, there is potential for transport to become

a top three or four business cost. It can really run away from you and there are many ‘hidden’ costs involved.”

Walter says some common cost areas which can balloon out of control include in-house delivery fleets.

“There has been a trend toward in-house fleets as companies become fed up with other options. But in-house fleets introduce many large fixed costs to your business,” Walter said.

“High performing delivery fleets have flexibility. They can scale up to meet peak demands without having to break the bank. Likewise, they can scale down and reduce costs when business demand drops off.

“In-house fleets can find this flexibility a challenge. Having an outsourced component to make the delivery function leaner and more responsive is usually beneficial.”

Another big challenge with delivery fleets are the hidden costs which mount up – things like unexpected repairs or breakdowns, increases in insurance premiums, and vehicles which aren’t being used to their optimum.

“Finding and controlling these hidden costs is challenging, but there are steps you can take to

unearth these hidden costs and monitor them so they stay under control,” Walter said.

“There are various tech tools available which allow you to do a really thorough fleet audit on costs. At Ontime we’ve seen many companies bring costs down by first bringing them out in the open.”

Walter said technology can also help counter inflationary issues such as high fuel costs.

“Delivery fleets can use telematics tracking technology to become more efficient. A more efficient fleet will use less fuel,” Walter said.

By keeping hard-to-pin-down areas such as delivery transport under control, Walter says auto parts companies can give themselves a better chance of minimising inflation’s impact on their business.

For more information, contact Walter at wscremin@ontimegroup.com.au or visit www.ontimegroup.com.au

REAL WORLD R&D BENEFITS ACL CUSTOMERS

ACL is heavily involved in the motorsport scene and its experience has resulted in market-leading products

ACL has been manufacturing precision automotive engine bearings in the northern suburbs of Launceston, Tasmania, for eight decades.

The business was begun by Repco in 1949, before transferring to be known as ACL in 1986. The company was initially formed to supply the developing Australian automotive industry at the OEM and replacement level, but soon entered the world of motorsport with an intimate involvement with the world championship winning Repco Brabham Formula One program.

This relationship yielded two world championships for Sir Jack Brabham in 1966 and 1967, with Sir Jack visiting the Launceston ACL plant on several occasions to view the manufacturing of the bearings during this time.

Today, ACL produces one of the largest aftermarket ranges of engine bearings, including the RACE Series Performance Engine Bearing range which caters for more than 200 engine applications for Australian, American, Japanese, Korean and European vehicles. Its motorsport involvement has similarly grown to new heights.

“We are very proud of our involvement in motorsport in Australia, in particular our relationship with the iconic Supercars Championship. This connection dates back to the early seventies and has developed and grown with the category through its many forms and iterations,” ACL Bearing Company (Australia) General Manager, Chris Brooks, said.

In particular, we have had a very special and continuous relationship with one team, what is now known as the Penrite Racing Team, since the magnificent days of Larry Perkins back in the early 90s.

“We love seeing the Penrite cars on track displaying the ACL brand. This cooperation has covered Holden, Nissan and Ford products and has seen massive developments in engine technology with each application having its own idiosyncrasies.

“We have been fortunate enough to have been involved in the endless pursuit for power and performance of the team and this has helped drive our product developments and challenged traditional thinking and methods.”

In addition to providing ACL with the ultimate in real word product testing, the company’s involvement with Supercars provides media exposure across

a wide array of platforms, with events such as the Bathurst 1000 delivering a huge audience across Australia and New Zealand.

“We are very fortunate to be able to leverage our relationship with the team through social media, customer ride days, driver visits to the factory in Launceston during the annual Symmons Plains event and driver promotional activities and customer interface opportunities,” Chris said.

Supercars isn’t the only motorsport involvement for ACL, with the company in fact playing a part in a wide range of motorsport disciplines and categories globally.

For instance, ACL has long term partnerships with top Irish drift drivers, Jack Shanahan, Conor Shanahan and James Deane, who compete in the European, British and Irish series.

It also sponsors drifting in Tasmania at the grassroots levels through the Island State Drift Series and as a partner of local drift driver Brodie Maher who has just been crowned as the Drift Allstars Australia Champion.

Further, ACL is in its second year as a series sponsor of the Hyundai Excel Racing Association of Victoria and is the naming rights sponsor of the Hyundai Excel Racing Tasmania (HERT) 2022 inaugural season – for which it developed a RACE Series Performance Engine Bearing a few years back.

ACL is also passionate about supporting and fostering the next generation of Tasmanian talent and has recently announced new partnerships with two young up and coming racers, Formula Ford racer Harrison Sellars in his maiden season of competition in the national series, and Charlie Parker, who is competing in the HERT series.

The company is also proud to hold a number of drag racing partnerships, including supporting Australian Errol Brittain with his Subaru Brumby –the quickest four-cylinder Subaru EJ25 in the world – in the Outlaw 325 series; the USA’s Lizzy Musi in the Discovery Channel reality TV series, Street Outlaws; and the UK’s Robin Read and his Daimler Dragster as well as Steve Venables with his Suzuki Hayabusa drag bike.

During 2022 ACL has also extended its community involvement in Motorsport by partnering with Racing with Autism Australia (RWAA). RWAA was established in Tasmania in June 2020 with the

aim to support five people on the Autism spectrum involved in motor racing. RWAA is now a not-forprofit organisation now supporting over 30 racers across Australia.

“As well as providing content for our social media outlets and printed product, sponsorships such as these give ACL an ‘inside line’ on the thinking and planning of participants in a wide range of racing,” Chris said.

“This provides early intel on future engines of interest and how they are expected to perform. This not only means that ACL can be ahead of the game in making bearings available to prospective users, but also provides more time to ensure that the individual bearing designs are fully refined prior to launch.

“ACL’s customers are our best Research and Development resource. Sponsorship allows direct contact with users across a broad range of engine types and race categories which enables ACL to continually refresh and deepen the knowledge and expertise that are essential for exceeding engine builders’ expectations into the future.

“Sponsorship also leads to a level of mutual trust and cooperation that provides ACL with in-depth knowledge of how and why leaders in a variety of race fields use ACL Race Series performance engine bearings.

“This knowledge feeds directly back into ACL’s materials development and advanced bearing design strategies. This means that ACL can be proactive rather than reactive in responding to the evolution of engine variants, components and tuning within these race codes.

“More broadly, ACL’s development of bearings for a range of performance applications means that there is an emphasis on toughness and adaptability that provides an extra layer of confidence for engine builders, with lessons we have learnt from the track applied to our product engineering and development.”

To learn more about ACL, visit www.aclperformance.com.au

CASTROL RACING RAISES OVER $50K FOR PETER MAC

The team’s fundraising campaign for the Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation has concluded

Castrol Racing’s recent fundraising activities at the Sandown SuperSprint and beyond have concluded with an impressive final number donated to the Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation.

A collaborative project between Castrol Racing driver Thomas Randle and family, Tickford Racing, and Castrol, the campaign raised a total of $50,669 which will be directed to the ONTrac at Peter Mac Victorian Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Service.

Along with support from hundreds of race fans, donations from Castrol, Snowy River Caravans, ACT Fence Hire, Infinium Advisory, Herzog Steel, TPF Sports, and more bolstered the donation tally.

An additional donation was raised via auction of the bonnet of the Castrol Racing Ford Mustang from the Sandown event, which was managed by Lloyds Auctions and raised $3,100.

A further significant contribution to the foundation was also made by a rival in pit lane, with a generous donation made by the

Saunders Family Foundation – co-chaired by Erebus Motorsport’s Betty Klimenko – adding an exclamation point to the fundraiser which will directly aid the ONTrac program in supporting young people with cancer.

The project also raised more than just donations, with Castrol, Ryco, and Dream Simulation donating hot lap rides to over 15 patients and Peter Mac

staff, which took place at a team ride day following the Sandown SuperSprint.

Castrol also donated 100 tickets to the Sandown event for staff and young people in the Peter Mac program to attend the event, with Supercars also granting them grid walk access on both Saturday and Sunday.

For more from Castrol, visit www.castrol.com.au

WAGNER MOTORSPORT AND BILSTEIN TEAM UP

The companies recently partnered up to complete a Porsche 993 conversion

Wagner Motorsport and Bilstein recently partnered up for a Porsche 993 conversion. The 1995 model has been fully converted into a racetrack ready RSR with a Bilstein suspension system.

Wagner Motorsport from Kolbermoor (Germany) near Rosenheim is a Bavarian company that specialises in the repair and optimisation of Porsche sports cars.

Owner Hans Wagner and his son Manuel focus on the installation and tuning of suspensions.

Bilstein has been its only choice for suspension systems even before the company became a Bilstein suspension expert in 2013.

“It was always clear to us that only Bilstein was an option. Because Bilstein is the suspension manufacturer that works best on Porsche vehicles in our opinion,” Manuel Wagner said.

When asked what he would do if a customer asked for another brand, he responded: “In these cases, we can usually convince our customers of our favourite brand.”

Recently, Wagner Motorsport has converted a 1995 Porsche 993 into a racetrack ready RSR. This serves as a demonstration vehicle to showcase what is possible to its customers.

The 993 was stripped down to the bodyshell and a 3.8-litre six-cylinder boxer engine was installed.

Thanks to a flat-slide intake system, a Fuchs stainless steel racing exhaust system and optimised engine management, the classic aircooled unit mobilises an appropriate 330hp.

This will do for now, they say, but the team is already working on increasing the engine power.

Wagner Motorsport, in collaboration with the Bilstein Service Centre N.T.P. in Bolzano/Italy, also fitted a special version of the Bilstein MDS two-way racing suspension.

It says this ensures maximum performance and

can be adjusted in ten clearly perceptible clicks in the rebound and bump stage. The Porsche completed its first test drive at the Salzburgring.

“The package worked excellently, especially the suspension,” Manuel said.

The green-painted racing car has brought the company more attention and Wagner Motorsport says it is ready to accommodate additional customers with a workshop that was recently expanded by 225 square metres.

To learn more, visit www.bilstein.com or the company’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/bilsteinde

AEROFLOW ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROLLER

Allowing you to tune the throttle curve

The Aeroflow Performance Electronic Throttle Controller (ETC) unit is a throttle response controller that allows you to tune the throttle curve of the vehicle’s engine.

By providing new points of reference for the vehicle’s throttle mapping this will either sharpen or dampen the vehicle’s throttle response.

XTREME CLUTCH PERFORMANCE UPGRADES

For the Toyota GR Yaris

A new range of performance upgrade clutch kits have hit the market to suit the Toyota GR Yaris that are ideal for everything from daily driven vehicles with minor performance modifications all the way through to purpose-built motorsport applications.

Xtreme Clutch, which is a part of the Australian Clutch Services group of brands, is well known for being quick to market with the latest clutch upgrades for high performance vehicles and has been progressively adding to its range of upgrades for the GR Yaris since mid-2021. The brand now has a kit to suit all levels of performance.

Xtreme Clutch initially launched a single-mass flywheel conversion kit for the vehicle at SEMA show 2021. This kit includes a custom-made single mass flywheel, lightweight alloy pressure plate and is available with either a sprung organic or sprung ceramic friction disc.

Xtreme Clutch says this kit is ideal for very highpowered street cars or motorsport applications.

This is designed to work with most fly by wire throttle vehicles which tend to have delay from the moment the accelerator pedal is pressed.

The ETC reduces and eliminates this delay by giving you the ability to adjust the throttle’s sensitivity.

The ETC unit is equipped with a clear display and settings menu for easy operation.

There are three road driving modes (Normal, Economy, Performance) which offer different settings for different driving styles and conditions.

The Performance mode and Economy mode also feature up to nine adjustable settings in each mode.

The fourth driving mode includes an anti-slip mode designed to easily move the car in low friction terrain and the unit also offers the antitheft mode that is built into the unit.

The ETC is easy to DIY install, says Aeroflow, which explains you can purchase the unit itself and the required harness sold separately to suit each specific vehicle.

This harness will allow you to plug in-between your factory pedal assembly and pedal plug. The wiring is then simply run through the dash and the unit is mounted in a suitable location.

For more information on Aeroflow Performance products, visit www.aeroflowperformance.com

“The single-mass flywheel conversion kit is ideally aimed at vehicles that have had significant performance modifications or are being used in motorsport applications such as circuit racing or tarmac rallying,” Australian Clutch Services Mechanical Engineer, Stewart Furze, said.

Xtreme Clutch recently added to the range with an upgrade designed to utilise the factory dualmass flywheel.

This kit includes a custom 240mm alloy pressure plate designed specifically to bolt to the factory style dual-mass flywheel.

Xtreme Clutch says the upgrade offers almost OE levels of dampening for minimal noise and vibration changes, while increasing the torque capacity of the clutch to 560Nm – making it ideal for lightly modified street cars.

“The new dual-mass flywheel kit is the ultimate solution for daily driven vehicles that have been modified,” Stewart said.

“We only look to develop performance upgrades for dual-mass flywheels in very specific vehicles where we require that extra level of dampening.

“As it turns out, the GR Yaris was the ideal platform to develop this upgrade and we have tested it in-house with one of our vehicles and have seen fantastic driving characteristics and performance.”

The dual-mass flywheel kit is available with a rigid organic friction disc and is also available with a replacement dual-mass flywheel if required.

The final kit in the range is a 184mm twin plate racing clutch designed specifically for motorsport applications that require a very high torque capacity but also minimal rotational inertia to improve throttle response.

This kit comes with a lightweight alloy pressure plate, 4140 chromoly flywheel and two sprung ceramic friction discs.

Xtreme Clutch also offers service kits for this clutch assembly that can be used to rebuild the kit when it gets to the end of its normal service life, which is ideal for motorsport applications where higher wear rates are experienced.

The service kit comes with replacement friction discs, intermediate plate and main casting, meaning the clutch can be rebuilt by simply resurfacing the flywheel and replacing the internal sacrificial components.

All of the kits in the range include a variety of options to incorporate concentric slave cylinders, flywheel bolts, pressure plate bolts, and an alignment tool to ensure ease of installation and long-term durability.

For more information, please visit www.xtremeclutch.com.au or www.australianclutch.com.au

BURSON AUTO PARTS RENEWS SPONSORSHIP WITH LTRF

The company’s partnership with Lamattina Top Fuel Racing has been extended

Burson Auto Parts and Lamattina Top Fuel Racing were recently excited to announce the renewal of their marketing partnership as naming rights sponsor for the Shane Olive-driven Lamattina Top Fuel Racing (LTFR) Dragster.

“Burson Auto Parts is delighted that we could play a part in lighting up the pinnacle of horsepower in Australian motorsport for the first time in many years,” Burson Auto Parts Marketing Manager, Anthony Hughes, said.

In their inaugural year as a team, Shane Olive and the Burson Auto Parts LTFR team enjoyed an impressive season, culminating in a breakthrough event win at the Nitro Champs.

“There were so many highlights, including the stellar work done by Shane Olive in his first season and the commitment shown by all of the Top Fuel teams that that put together world class vehicles for all six rounds,” Anthony said.

Both Shane and rookie nitro Crew Chief Luke Marsden are now taking the experience and steep learning curve from their debutant year and applying it to the new season.

“I think as a team we achieved everything we set out to do for our first season,” Shane said.

“We have a few new goals we want to achieve, and

with the continued support of Burson Auto Parts, it makes for an exciting season.”

“I am thrilled with all that Shane and the team have achieved in their first season and we are proud to be representing, and to have the support of the country’s leading trade supplier of parts, tools accessories and equipment in Burson Auto Parts on Shane’s car,” LTFR team owner, Phil Lamattina, said.

“Burson Auto Parts has also supplied the team with some new tools and the crew will be doing everything they can to get the Burson Auto Parts LTFR Top Fuel Dragster in the winner’s circle as many times as possible.”

After just one season, the inaugural Burson Auto Parts Australian Top Fuel Championship has already set the bar for event promotion and spectator experience in drag racing.

“Burson Auto Parts also thanks Andy Lopez and the promotions team for making Top Fuel events special for every entrant, attendee, viewer and sponsor of the series,” Anthony said.

“Burson Auto Parts is very excited to help light up series two of the championship for a total of seven rounds, with the inclusion of South Australia, Queensland and Alice Springs. This season is sure to create many more future fans of this amazing category of motorsport.”

The first round of the 2022/2023 Burson Auto Parts Australian Top Fuel Championship kicked off at the Red CentreNats in Alice Springs on September 2.

Burson Auto Parts says it is Australia’s most trusted trade supplier of parts, tools, accessories and equipment with more than 200 stores located across the country.

The proudly Australian company celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2021.

For more information, visit www.burson.com.au

HULK 4X4 IMPRESSES AT 4X4 SHOWS

The brand recently exhibited its wide range in Sydney and Melbourne

CoolDrive Auto Parts says its own Hulk 4x4 brand continues to go from strength to strength with an impressive showing at the recent National 4x4 Outdoors Shows in Sydney and Melbourne.

The 210 square metre stand provided plenty of space to showcase the Hulk 4x4 range, which included displays of its industry-leading products fitted to a number of four-wheel-drive vehicles.

Exhibited on stand – and on the vehicles –were Hulk 4x4 products including driving lights, recovery gear, brake upgrades and accessories, as well as a full range of Hulk 4x4 merchandise.

“The National 4x4 Outdoors Shows are some of the most attended outdoor Expos in Australia, providing the perfect opportunity for us to showcase the HULK 4X4 range and CoolDrive’s extensive 4WD products,” CoolDrive Auto Parts Product Manager – Hulk 4x4, Jason Lock, said.

“Hulk 4x4 is one of the fastest growing brands within the local off-road and 4WD market, with industry-leading, hard-wearing innovative gear across the range – and visitors to our stand were truly impressed with what we had to offer.”

The Hulk 4x4 stand also showcased other products from leading CoolDrive brands including lighting options from Ignite such as lightbars, driving lights, and LED globes, Jayrad radiators, Bremtec brake upgrades and the Black Series alternators part of the Jaylec range.

“We had our expert team on stand every day connecting with attendees, providing hands-on demonstrations and also getting direct insight from consumers as to what they want from their outdoor products and accessories,” Jason said.

“All of us at Hulk 4x4 are enthusiasts ourselves

and it was fantastic to be at the Expos this year and we look forward to exhibiting at similar events in the future.”

The Hulk 4x4 product range has reportedly been precisely designed for premium performance in Australia and New Zealand’s unique conditions and is available from Hulk 4x4 distributors across both countries.

Product categories covered by the brand include Air, Wheel and Tyre Accessories, Caravan and Trailer Equipment, Cargo Management, Electrical, Lighting, Recovery Equipment, Touring and Camping, Underbody, as well as Vehicle Protection.  For further information or to become a distributor, visit www.cooldrive.com.au and www.hulk4x4.com.au

ULTIMATE TOW ELECTRIC BRAKE CONTROLLER

Bendix says it has applied its many decades of braking expertise to develop the new 12V Ultimate Tow Electric Brake Controller, providing additional braking control and enhanced safety for drivers who regularly tow heavier trailers or caravans.

Developed, fully programmed and tested from an Australian facility, Bendix says Ultimate Tow features its own unique braking algorithm, ensuring superior performance and reliability in demanding local conditions.

By law, trailers with a gross trailer mass (the weight of the trailer with everything in it) of between 750kg and 2,000kg are required to be fitted with either a mechanical or electrical braking system. And anything over 2,000kg needs to have an electric, or electric over hydraulic brake and an electric ‘break-away’ controller. Breakaway systems are designed to activate the trailer or caravan’s electric brakes if they decouple from the tow vehicle.

When hitched to trailers and caravans with electric brakes, the electric brake controller’s purpose is to activate and control the braking force supplied by the electric brakes in the caravan or trailer whenever the driver in the tow vehicle applies the brakes.

The controller allows braking to be easily modulated by adjusting the dial left for a lower

setting or right for maximum setting. This adjustment might be needed when descending steep hills or mountain roads, providing the driver with additional controlled braking capacity.

Bendix Ultimate Tow also features an override function – if the driver notices that the trailer/ caravan is swaying, they press the same dial to engage the override.

This applies the trailer brakes independently without the tow vehicle brakes needing to be on, pulling the trailer or caravan into line and minimising the swaying affect. Other safety features include an open circuit and trailer disconnection indicator.

Ultimate Tow is suitable for installation in a wide range of popular vehicles and is compatible with the ALKO ESC systems fitted to many caravans and trailers. The unit offers a compact, remote head and OEM-style finish with built-in LED for easy access during nighttime driving and attractive aesthetics.

Installing Ultimate Tow is also simple – only a single small hole is required for the remote head and it can be located in the smallest of knock-out dash panels.

Bendix says positioning is made even easier with the included 1.28m of cabling, which allows

greater flexibility to mount the control unit in a variety of under dash or under seat locations.

The control unit features rugged aluminium construction and can be installed on any angle. Everything required to fit Ultimate Tow is also provided within the kit, so there’ll be no unexpected trips to the auto shop mid-job.

Bendix Ultimate Tow is available from leading automotive, 4x4 and camping stockists across Australia and New Zealand, and is covered by a generous three-year warranty.

For more information free call the Bendix Brake Advice Centre on 1800 819 666 or +61 3 5327 0211 from overseas (8am-5pm Monday to Friday EST), e-mail brakeadvicecentre@bendix.com.au or visit www.bendix.com.au

Bendix

HAMER 4X4 PLANS EXPANSION

The company has been a manufacturer and global player since 1994

Hamer 4x4 has been distributing front and rear end vehicle protection products such as bull bars, rear bars and side steps in Australia for the last five years.

The company says the sleek and integrated design of Hamer’s accessories range makes its products stand apart from traditional bull bars.

Despite being different in their designs, the range has also been designed to cope with Australia’s rough offroad conditions.

Hamer 4x4 says its products have been gracefully welcomed by 4WD and Overland vehicle owners. It notes that aesthetics combined with functionality seem to be key in the decision-making process these days and states that these areas are something “Hamer has nailed thanks to its talented and inspired engineering team.”

A large proportion of the R&D process is conducted here in Australia to comply and test products to the ADR (Australian Design Rules) Standard, to keep occupants safe and maintain vehicle integrity.

Further, Hamer says it has an extensive vehicle model range, covering the popular 4x4 utes and overland vehicles all the way to small vehicles such as the Suzuki Jimny.

Following its modest start in the country five years ago, supported mainly by a network of dealers, Hamer is now ready to go to the next stage.

The decision has been made to implant the company’s headquarters and distribution centre in Keysborough (Melbourne), seeing it operate as an independent entity and trading as Hamer Offroad Pty Ltd.

NARVA EXPANDS HEAVY DUTY RV ACCESSORIES RANGE

The new accessories are designed for constant, daily operation

Narva has continued to grow its already extensive range of Heavy-Duty RV (HDRV) accessories, with the introduction of ten new 50A connectors which combine two popular accessories within a single mount.

The new releases are designed to provide vehicle owners with additional versatility, while catering to the increasing array of electrical devices that Australia’s four-wheel-drive, camping and marine communities are equipping themselves with.

Narva says these accessories feature its market-leading quality, including premium ABS housings for reliability and longevity no matter if fitted inside or outside the vehicle. Also assisting performance are tough, removeable dust covers.

Other benefits include extra-long mounting screws that ensure the 50A connector won’t pull the unit from the mounting surface, while a stylish facia plate conceals the mounting screws for a clean installation finish.

Bearing the Narva ‘HDRV’ logo, the latest accessories are designed and constructed for constant, daily operation, so Narva says users can rest assured of superior, long-term performance.

The new range can be purchased from leading automotive, transport, caravanning, four-wheel drive and marine outlets nation-wide.

For more information, visit www.narva.com.au

Hamer 4x4 has also made a commitment to increase its stock holding, allowing it to respond to rising demand for Hamer products and support its distributor network Australia-wide.

As part of its expansion, Hamer 4x4 recently appointed Pol Golard in the position of Country Manager. Thanks to his valuable 4WD industry experience, Pol will assist Hamer 4x4 with its expansion plans.

Hamer is currently on the lookout for more distributors, especially in regional/ rural areas to satisfy customer demands wherever they are located.

If you wish to become a Hamer distributor, call 1300 545 554 or email sales@hamer4x4.com.au

ELECTRIC SECONDARY PARK BRAKE

Pedders asks: what is your back-up for a park brake failure?

The Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series is used beyond the manufacturer’s design parameters in many situations.

Pedders Suspension and Brakes has redesigned the OE brake caliper of the Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series to incorporate an electric park brake (EPB) as seen on many new cars on the market.

4X4 DEALERS ATTEND UNIQUE ADVENTURE TOUR

12 TJM Dealers and Distributors from across Southeast Asia recently participated in a tour like no other

Dealers and distributors from across Southeast Asia recently descended on Australia to take part in a unique road trip hosted by 4x4 adventure brand, TJM.

Taking the lead were teams from Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, and of course, TJM Australia.

The tour was held in both Melbourne and Brisbane over a two-week period. The trip concluded at the spectacular Moreton Island where the team enjoyed four wheeled driving on the beach, night kayaking, sand boarding down the dunes and some amazing Asian style cuisine in the remote and pristine wilderness of the Island.

An innovative solution

The mechanical park brake, brake disc, pad, and caliper piston remain the same as OE, so as to not affect the Australian Design Rules compliance of the vehicle.

When the switch is applied, the redesigned brake caliper locks the brake pads against the brake disc, preventing the vehicle from moving.

The new Electric Secondary Park Brake gives its best performance during emergency and difficult situations, with Pedders Suspension and Brakes saying this once more proves the company’s ongoing commitment to improving overall brake system performance and driver safety and comfort.

The aim of the tour was not only for dealers across the region to get a better understanding of TJM products, but to also bring a diverse group of people together to improve communication within the organisation and to encourage different ways of thinking to further enhance a global approach to product innovation.

Whilst in Melbourne the team headed off to the 4x4 Outdoors Show to see the TJM brand in action. They also discussed ideation across the region and the cross-pollination activities that underpinned business growth in each of the countries. In addition to this they undertook factory tours and experienced some of the more unique aspects of four-wheel driving in Australia. Shamsul from TJM in Malaysia spoke about the experience and what they took away.

“It was the first time I had been to Australia and had the opportunity to camp on the beach, Moreton Island was simply stunning and if I have the opportunity I’d love to go back,” Shamsul said.

“At home in the Philippines we have been working with TJM products for about five years and we’ve seen our business go from strength to strength. I can’t wait to implement the ideas, strategy, and knowledge that I gained from the tour and continue to see our business grow.”

Group General Manager, Greg Kelly, from TJM parent company Aeroklas Asia Pacific Group, discussed the tour and the importance of bringing diverse groups of people together to foster innovation.

“To be at the forefront of our industry we need to be constantly working on ideas that will enhance the off-roading experience for our four-wheel drive customers,” Greg said.

“To achieve this, we need to explore different ways of thinking about our products and services.

Key features and benefits:

• Firm and secure hold

• Auto safe engagement

• Unobtrusive cabin switch

• Cost effective installation

• Greater hold for loaded and armoured vehicles

• Completely independent of OE

Pedders Suspension and Brakes is an Australian family-owned company that has been operating since 1950.

For more information, visit www.pedders.com.au

“For me, one of the best things about this trip was the factory tour, understanding more about the unique strengths of TJM products and learning about how they’re sold in the Australian market.

Bringing dealers from across the region offers a host of perspectives and sheds a whole new light on how we develop, manufacture, distribute and market our products.

“We’ve found if we embrace diversity and work hard to connect and communicate, we can unlock real innovation and develop products and services that are unmatched by our competitors.

“I’d like to thank all the dealers that took part and I look forward to seeing some of the great ideas developed during our time together come to life.

“We’re already planning next year’s dealer tour and will be taking it off-road once again to another outstanding destination.”

For more information, visit www.aeroklas.com.au