Australia’s Next Top Model: The Toyota Hilux

VALE: W.J BLANCHARD

CoolDrive Auto Parts Founder John Blanchard Senior passed away in December at the age of 87, following a long battle with illness

John spent his lifetime working within the Australasian automotive industry, with his achievements recognised in 2019 when he was inducted into the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association’s Hall of Fame. His illustrious career began at his parents’ garage ABC Motors in Clifton Hill (Melbourne), helping his father as a five-year-old. That led to the ability to service cars by age 11 and then, after leaving school, a long career with the likes of VW, Kenworth, Land Rover, New Holland and Girling, before a stint overseas and then striking out on his own.

In the late ‘70s, John established Melbourne Auto Air with his wife Shirley, being one of the first people to import automotive air conditioning systems into Australia, and since then that business has grown exponentially. John remained an active contributor to the CoolDrive business where he was fondly known as “Senior” regularly attending the Box Hill Head Office or conducting a surprise visit to a CoolDrive branch. John was acknowledged for his meticulous attention to detail, high level of organisation and entrepreneurial spirit, and remained extremely proud that CoolDrive continues to be an Australian family-owned business. A lifelong motor racing enthusiast, John was also heavily involved with the Victorian Historic Racing Register for many years, as well as supporting the racing exploits of son John and grandchildren. John is survived by his wife Shirley, his children John and Jennie and his six grandchildren Tim, Adelyn, Jack, Harry, Simon and Sam. The team at the AAAA and Aftermarket Magazine extends its deepest sympathies to the Blanchard family at this sad time.

AUSTRALIA’S NEXT TOP MODEL: THE TOYOTA HILUX

With the unpredictable year of 2021 finally closed, ACA Research takes a step back and looks at how new vehicle sales have performed

In total, there were 1,049,831 vehicles sold throughout 2021, representing a 14.5 percent increase to 2020. While this is just 13,000 less than 2019, it still lags the 2018 result by more than 100,000 sales, reflecting the ongoing impact of microprocessor shortages on global supply chains, and restricted access to dealerships through the pandemic. Despite this, there are some positive elements to take away, with a number of manufacturers recording strong results. It is no surprise to see Toyota again claim the top spot, with its 223,642 sales making up 21.3 percent of the market share. Mazda came in second with 101,119 sales at 9.6 percent market share, while Hyundai (72,872 sales) finished just 1,492 sales ahead of Ford (71,380 sales) in fourth place. Looking at the top 10 models sold, we can see a noticeable shift in consumer behavior. Four Utes made the top 10 in 2021, and by doing so, overtook the number of passenger vehicles in the top 10 for the first time in Australian Automotive history. Most notably, as highlighted below, the Toyota Hilux continued its domination of the market, capturing the top position for a sixth year in a row. Just behind, ranking second for the fifth year in a row, was the Ford Ranger, with Toyota’s RAV4 Corolla claiming the third and fourth positions respectively. With that said, if the Ranger had managed just 2,523 more sales, it would have overtaken the Hilux and made it the first time in 26 years that a Ford claimed the top spot.

A clear absentee from the top 10 list is the Holden Commodore; a vehicle which is still the most common in Australia’s car parc – with 808,591 vehicles in 2021 (based on ABS data). It sits more than 50,000 ahead of the closest competitor in the Toyota Hilux, with 754,662 vehicles registered. Given GM’s decision to retire the Holden brand and wind down operations in Australia, the number of Commodores on Australian roads will continue to decline, but when will it be overtaken as the most popular vehicle on Australian roads? As seen below, we predict that the Toyota Hilux will become the most common vehicle in Australia midway through 2022, with the Toyota Corolla also overtaking the Commodore over the next 12 months. Looking even further ahead, by the year 2026, we expect to see the Commodore drop to sixth most registered vehicle in Australia, with the Toyota Landcruiser, Mazda 3 and Ford Ranger all overtaking it, and giving us a top five of Toyota Hilux, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Landcruiser, Mazda 3 and the Ford Ranger.

Figure One. Source: VFACTS Figure Two. Source: ABS

So, what decisions can be made off the back of this? Based on these insights, mechanics may have a better understanding of the cars that are likely to turn up in their workshops, informing training needs, and investment in tools and equipment. Flowing on from this, manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers will have a better idea of the parts that will be needed to service these vehicles, and how production and supply might need to ramp up or down over time. Ultimately, the effective use of data is key, particularly now as the economy resets off the back of an incredibly turbulent couple of years. This column was prepared for AAA Magazine by ACA Research, the AAAA’s partners in the AAAA Aftermarket Dashboard which is delivered to AAAA members each quarter. For more information, visit www.acaresearch.com.au or contact Ben Selwyn on bselwyn@acaresearch.com.au

VALE: PETER ARMSTRONG

The AAAA staff and members were saddened to hear of the passing of industry stalwart Peter Armstrong in December

Peter was extremely popular amongst his peers in the Automotive Aftermarket fraternity and was highly respected by all who knew him. Peter commenced his career in 1965 with Patons Brake Replacements (PBR) as a Sales and Marketing Cadet and progressed to become a Technical Representative in the power brake equipment department. In 1971 he moved to Canada to a position of Sales Representative with Repco Auto Parts, Canada and was transferred to Repco Parts USA in 1974. Peter spent the next five years with the automotive industry in a managerial position with Mandrake Management Consultants, Toronto, Canada. He returned to Australia in 1981 to take up the position of Victorian Sales Manager with Better Brakes, and in 1985 was promoted to National Sales Manager and transferred to their Head Office in Sydney. In 1987 Peter was employed by Melbourne Clutch and Brake as NSW State Manager to create a NSW division for that company. Peter joined Independent Brake Supplies (IBS), in 1993 as the National Sales Manager overseeing the five state branches. It was then renamed IBS Auto Solutions upon acquisition by Australian Truck & Auto Parts in 2008 which itself was renamed to Australian Automotive Distribution (AAD), at which time Peter was appointed General Manager of IBS. During the later parts of Peter’s working life, he then as a result of structural changes became State Manager for AAD in NSW, which incorporated the Sydney sites of the three businesses that were previously known as ATAP, IBS and Partco. Peter remained in this position until his retirement in August 2019. Peter was the past Chairman of the NSW brake specialist division of the Motor Traders Association (MTA) and past National Chairman of the brake division. Peter was a National Councilor of the AAAA for 17 years and was President of the Association from 2000 to 2002. He was inducted into the AAAA Hall of Fame in 2013. Peter is survived by wife Jan and sons Craig and Shaun. He was father-in-law to Dianne and Pop to Tianna. Staff and members of the AAAA extend their condolences and sympathies to Peter’s family. The team at the AAAA and Aftermarket Magazine extends its deepest condolences and sympathies to Peter’s family.

VALE: DR WALTER W.J UHLENBRUCH AO

Dr Walter W.J Uhlenbruch AO passed away in November 2021

At the age of just 25, Dr Walter W.J Uhlenbruch emigrated to Australia where he built the HELLA business from the ground up, to more than 1,200 employees. Dr Uhlenbruch was included in the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association Hall of Fame by being awarded the “Outstanding Service to Industry Award” in 1994. Further highlighting the significance of his contribution to the industry, in 2005 he was appointed as an “Officer of the Order of Australia” (AO), the second highest award in Australia. “Across his illustrious career, Walter was a former Director, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of fourteen private and/or public companies in the automotive parts, construction, and superannuation industries across Australia, SE Asia, and the US,” HELLA Australia Managing Director, Darren Robinson, said. “Walter was an absolute gentleman, whose caring, compassion and determination were highly regarded by everyone he worked with. “Walter’s loyalty and love for HELLA, and the Automotive Industry, remained until his passing, but his spirit remains with those of us who were lucky enough to have met him.” “With Dr Walter Uhlenbruch, we have lost a true HELLA pioneer,” HELLA Gmbh & Co. KGaA Chief Executive Officer, Dr Rolf Breidenbach, said. “From the laying of the foundation stone of our Australian plant in Mentone in 1961 until his retirement after the turn of the millennium, he shaped HELLA’s presence in the AsiaPacific region for more than four decades like no other. “HELLA not only has him to thank for the establishment and further development of the HELLA site on the fifth continent, but also for the first contacts in the Korean and Chinese markets, which are so significant today. “The most important element of the HELLA culture is the realisation that people are at the heart of the company. “This guiding principle of Dr Walter Uhlenbruch was not only ground-breaking for him in his many years of work for HELLA, but also in his commitment to numerous charitable causes. “He stood up for socially disadvantaged people and was a recipient of the German Federal Cross of Merit as well as the Australian Order of Merit. “He distinguished himself through his human greatness and his entrepreneurial skills and was not only appreciated by employees, but also highly respected by customers and business partners alike. “With him, we lose a straightforward and determined personality to whom we owe a great deal. We will always honour his memory.” The Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association and Aftermarket Magazine extends their deepest condolences to all who knew and loved Walter.

Dr Walter W.J Uhlenbruch AO (left) with Hella Australia Managing Director Darren Robinson