IAC Guiding the SA and NT Automotive Industries in the Transition to New Technology

The MTA’s Industry Advisory Council (IAC) has passed a series of recommendations designed to assist members navigate the impact of emerging and future technology on the automotive industry.

The recommendations from its September meeting include:

1. A need for a nationally consistent approach to incentives and taxes.

2. Reinforce the importance of Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles, particularly in rural, regional and remote areas and the heavy vehicle, towing and recovery industry.

3. A forward-thinking plan for training across industry, ideally conducted through the MTA.

“Our main goal going into the IAC meeting was to work through the products and technologies which are coming, try to better understand when they coming and finally what it means for our industry and the customers they serve,” said Kaes Cillessen, the MTA’s Industry and Government Engagement Manager.

“The discussion was not confined just to electric vehicles. It also covered advanced driver assistance systems, autonomous vehicles, satellite telematics in agriculture and the raft of new technology going into vehicles.

“But electric vehicles was undeniably a major topic of discussion, including when electric vehicle subsidies might eventuate and what form they will take.”

The Council heard from SA’s Minister for Energy and Mining, Dan van Holst Pellekaan, who outlined the South Australian Electric Vehicle Action Plan (see separate story on page 12).

Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC) Chief Executive Officer, Geoff Gwilym, provided an invaluable international perspective in markets which are well advanced in EV uptake.

“At the end of the day, Australia is a small country and what overseas governments are doing and how manufacturers are responding, will dictate a lot of what comes to us,” said Kaes.

“Geoff gave an insight into the overseas experience, including Norway where about 50% of its vehicles are electric.

“Locally we need to learn from that. What does it mean for industry, including dealerships, servicing, repairs, service stations and so on?

“How can that information help you plan the future of your business?”

Prior to the IAC, the MTA canvassed 50 members across all divisions and from regional and metropolitan areas to identify key issues from their perspective.

Not surprisingly, training for future technologies was near the top of the list.

“Training means different things to different members,” said Kaes.

“Dealers will get a lot of it from the manufacturer and it’s brand specific.

“If you’re an independent repairer, the new the new AUR32721 Certificate III in Automotive Electric Vehicle Technology qualification due at the end of this year will be a major step forward.”

INFORMATION SHARING

Information Sharing was another major topic of interest.

“The right to repair will be important for independent repairers, how they work on some of these high tech vehicles and the information they need to access it,” said Kaes.

“Overall, we were providing information to members. They are there to tell us what the future direction of the MTA should be, not the other way around.

“We’re also approaching a federal election, so it’s important that the MTA considers where it stands on these issues.”

Formed in 2020, the IAC consists of South Australian and Northern Territory Divisional Chairs and Deputy Chairs and Zone Chairs. It reports to the Board and its role is to assist in the development of the Association’s industry policy position for the interests of members. The members of the IAC have a key role in bringing forward the industry policy positions from their various Divisions and Zones for broader consultation and development of policy materials.