STAY POSITIVE AND FOCUSED Despite inflation & cost-ofliving pressures, the future looks good. PROTECTING THE FUTURE OF AUTOMOTIVETHEINDUSTRY Supporting 4th year apprentices is key. CAPRICORN MUTUAL’S $100 MILLION MILESTONE CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION IS YOUR SERVICECUSTOMERKEEPINGUP? How to keep pace with customer expectations. SEPTEMBER 2022
Products sold through Capricorn Risk Services Pty Ltd (NZBN 9429041139813) include discretionary risk protection and general insurance products. Discretionary risk protection is issued out of Australia by Capricorn Mutual Ltd. Before deciding to acquire discretionary risk protection you should consider the Product Disclosure Statement to see if it is appropriate for you. This can be obtained from Capricorn Risk Services Pty Ltd by phoning 0800 555 303 via email info@capricornrisk.com or by visiting website capricorn.coop/risk. General insurance products are issued by a range of insurers and are available through Capricorn Risk Services Pty Ltd as a member broker of PSC Connect NZ Limited. Capricorn Risk Services Pty Ltd is a registered financial services provider (390446) and a corporate Authorised Representative (No. 460893) of Capricorn Mutual Ltd (AFSL 230038). Capricorn Mutual Ltd has published a Target Market Determination for its protection which is available at www.capricorn.coop/about/capricorn-mutual. TM info@capricornrisk.com 0800 555 303capricorn.coop For risk protection you can trust, talk to our expert Risk Services team today.
GOT
WORKS?INSPANNERATHE
At Capricorn Risk Services, we know how important your business is to you – and how essential it is to have the right risk protection when unexpected problems arise. Available exclusively for Capricorn Members, Capricorn Risk Services offers a range of insurance and protection products designed specifically for the motor trade industry. We’ll protect every corner of your workshop.
COVEREDGOTWE’VEYOU
CONTENTS SEPTEMBER 2022 5
All information, material and content in this edition of Ignition is provided or sourced by Capricorn Society Limited (“Capricorn”) for general information only and is not intended to be advice or comment on any particular matter or subject. Before acting on any information in this edition of Ignition you should consider the relevance of it to your own circumstances and, if necessary, take professional advice. Any opinions expressed in an Ignition article are those of the relevant individual author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Capricorn. Capricorn makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy, completeness or reliability of any material (including without limitation, any third party authored article or supplier advertisement in respect of which Capricorn merely acts as conduit) included in this edition of Ignition. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Capricorn, its officers, employees, agents and representatives disclaim any and all liability to you or any other person for any loss or damage whatsoever connected with:i.reliance on any material in Ignition; or ii. any inaccuracy, error or omission in any material in Ignition.
record.
12 PROTECTING THE FUTURE OF THE SupportingINDUSTRYAUTOMOTIVE4thyearapprenticesiskey.
David Fraser Group CEO $100 CapricornMILESTONEMILLIONMutualhassetanewsales
Once again, making customers happy was the top positive given for working in the industry, with the satisfaction gained from solving problems a close second and a passion for auto coming in third. Above everything else State of the Nation tells us this year it’s the data around happiness that I find most reassuring. With all the challenges we face — from finding qualified staff to shortages of spare parts to Covid-related absenteeism to the switch to electric vehicles — it’s always good to know the overwhelming mood in the industry is positive. When we’re happy, when we love what we do, we’re more inclined to come up with innovative and real solutions, to grow and evolve, and to face challenges head-on. That kind of energy can only be good for our businesses and for our industry.
CAPRICORN IGNITION SEPTEMBER 2022 3
13 STAY POSITIVE AND DespiteFOCUSEDinflation&cost-of-living pressures, the future looks good.
CEO’s message
7 2022DRIVELIFESubaruWRXGTTSWagon.
18 IS
expectations.HowKEEPINGCUSTOMERYOURSERVICEUP?tokeeppacewithcustomer
Almost 2,000 Members across Australia and New Zealand took part in this year’s survey and two-thirds of respondents said they were either extremely or very happy with their careers in automotive.
State of the Nation has lots of fascinating insights and data. I hope you’ll take the time to read it and that you’ll get something out of it. The full report will be out in midOctober, so look out for more info in next month’s Ignition and online.
Are you feeling happy with your lot in life? If the responses we received to our third State of the Nation report are anything to go by, you probably are.
Confidence has also grown since last year, with significantly more people (four per cent more than 2021) saying they were either very or extremely confident in their business’s future. There’s an interplay between happiness and confidence, obviously, but it’s great to see Members’ belief in their businesses shining through. This is especially important considering the period of transition we’re entering as an industry. The challenges I listed above are growing. It’s becoming harder to find staff and get spare parts. But it’s the long-term structural changes ahead that may challenge us most. Members saw far more electric and hybrid vehicles this year than last year, or in 2020. The electric revolution is coming and we need to adapt. The other big challenge we face as an industry and as business owners has actually been the number one challenge every year for the last three years: we are finding it too hard to get away from work and take a break. This is a worrying trend. Getting away and recharging our batteries is one of the most important things we can do for our mental and physical health. It’s also important to prioritise spending time with our families and friends. No one lays on their deathbed thinking, “I wish I’d spent more time under the bonnet of a Toyota Camry”. Even if we love our work, we work to live, not live to work. That’s the true secret to Thishappiness.year’s
Yours in cooperation, David GroupFraserCEO
22 RISK MANAGEMENT IS SMART MANAGEMENT Prevention is definitely better than a cure for workplace risks.
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This car is a meeting point between technology and art.
14 ALL I NEED IS THE AIR THAT I BREATHE AND AN O2
WorldAnSEVENTHWORLDSTUDENTSAUSTRALIANTOPTHEFORTHETIMEAussiewinattheAramcoF1®inSchoolsChampionship.
Calling CallingRides!allallRides! •Collision Connect Huntly - $2,000 •Te Kauwhata Mechanical & Towing Services - $1,000 •Mayne Automotive - $1,000 •LB Collison repair Group - $1,000 A big thank you to all Members who participated in the campaign! There is still plenty of opportunity to win, so keep getting your gold nugget cards. GOLD RUSH ANNOUNCED!WINNERS Parts Connection Preferred Supplier Bonus Points Promotion Capricorn Preferred Supplier, Parts Connection, continues to give back to Members with their generous prize pool worth Members$30,000.who purchased from any Parts Connection supplier received a lucky gold nugget card which puts them in the running. The list of lucky recent winners and prizes includes: Want the world to know about your classic car, racing vehicle or other automotive passion piece? If you have a story or a ride that could be published in Ignition, email it to ignition@capricorn.coop. Ensure you include Member Ride in the subject line! 4 CAPRICORN IGNITION SEPTEMBER 2022
Jim said a prime example of Members needing Capricorn Mutual was seen in the first months of this year, when more than 200 Members were affected by flooding in New South Wales and Queensland. He said Capricorn Mutual will pay out about $35 million to those Members to help them get back on their feet. “This kind of sum shows the progress we’ve made over the years, where we can demonstrate that we are there to protect our Members’ livelihoods even for large-scale events,” he said.
If you’re not protected with Capricorn Mutual, give us a call and speak to one of our Risk Assessment Managers. Products sold through Capricorn Risk Services Pty Ltd (NZBN 9429041139813) include discretionary risk protection and general insurance products. Discretionary risk protection is issued out of Australia by Capricorn Mutual Ltd. Before deciding to acquire discretionary risk protection you should consider the Product Disclosure Statement to see if it is appropriate for you. This can be obtained from Capricorn Risk Services Pty Ltd by phoning 0800 555 303 via email info@capricornrisk.com or by visiting website capricorn.coop/risk. General insurance products are issued by a range of insurers and are available through Capricorn Risk Services Pty Ltd as a member broker of PSC Connect NZ Limited. Capricorn Risk Services Pty Ltd is a registered financial services provider (390446) and a corporate Authorised Representative (No. 460893) of Capricorn Mutual Ltd (AFSL 230038). Capricorn Mutual Ltd has published a Target Market Determination for its protection which is available at www.capricorn.coop/about/ capricorn-mutual.
Jim said Capricorn Mutual Members could take comfort from and celebrate the $100 million milestone, precisely because it meant they could be confident in Capricorn Mutual’s ongoing health and value to their lives. He said the milestone means not only that the Mutual continues to have the support of its Members but that it has a solid financial base on which it can continue to grow into the future.
Over 10,000 Capricorn Members, just under half of the entire membership, are also Capricorn Mutual Members. Jim said, “with the support of our Members, Capricorn Mutual can boast a strong financial footing with higher than 10% annual growth and the capacity to pay claims when Members need us most.
Capricorn Mutual’s $100 million milestone cause for celebration
Capricorn Risk Services Chief Executive Jim Glossat said the $100 million milestone was a huge achievement for the Mutual, with the business growing by $50 million in sales in 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,” he said.
TM CAPRICORN IGNITION SEPTEMBER 2022 5
Capricorn Mutual has reached more than $100 million in sales for the first time in the not-for-profit’s 20-year history, despite paying out record sums for claims in 2022.
Jim said reaching this kind of major milestone was “even sweeter” because the Mutual only offers its products and services to Capricorn Society Members. “This limits the opportunity to grow but conversely it allows us to tailor what we do to the needs of our Members without having to cater for people who are not in the industry.”
The Mutual was launched in 2003 to offer Capricorn Society Members a competitive alternative to insurance and provides protection tailored to the motor trades industry, through Capricorn Risk Services.
“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.”
This is a well-established business that pays its own way and will be there for its Members well into the future.”
Enjoy the finals from the comfort of your own home FRENZYFINALS capricorn.coop/rewards *Products subject to availability. Participation in the Capricorn Rewards Program is subject to the Capricorn Rewards Program Terms and Conditions which can be found via the Capricorn website. Whatever finals you’re counting down to, make sure you have the best setup to enjoy the last games of the season. Finals is the perfect excuse to get together with a couple of mates and have a BBQ, making it a great time to upgrade your home viewing setup using your Capricorn Rewards Points. Capricorn Rewards has everything you need to make the game even more memorable, regardless of whether your team wins or not (we hope they do!). Head to Capricorn Rewards website to upgrade your TV setup, secure a new BBQ or improve your sound system to replicate the stadium experience in the comfort of your own home. At Home Bar Mixed Pack VnC Cocktails iDance BT PartyWithSpeakerMic Dolby3.1PhilipsChannelATMOSsoundbarwithwirelesssubwoofer Weber BBQ Q3100 Family - Black LPGChromecastGooglewithGoogleTV SnackSunbeamHeroesPopcornMaker COASTChairIsla Apple TV 4K 64GB
We last tested the WRX sedan back in 2018, with me at the wheel for a week. The car mostly impressed, with few things to dislike. For 2022, Subaru has released an updated model with some small changes. The biggest change is that the car is now built on the new Subaru Global Platform chassis.
points/behaviours. What we like • Handling • Steering • Performance in S or • S+ mode • It’s a sports wagon • Steering wheel controls • Steering responsive • headlights • Looks in Sapphire Pearl • Blue What we don’t like • So much beeping • Steering wheel feel • No manual wagon CAPRICORN IGNITION SEPTEMBER 2022 7
Written by DriveLife
WRX 2.4T Premium (manual) - $59,990
DRIVELIFE
WRX 2.4tS (auto) - $64,990
Is the 2022 Subaru WRX GT tS Wagon a poor man’s alternative to the 2022 Audi RS3 We spent a week and 600 km behind the wheel to find out.
WRX 2.4T Premium (auto) - $59,990
In the wagon range: WRX GT Premium (auto) - $59,990
We’re testing the wagon version of the WRX this time, still fitted with a CVT transmission but it’s an all-new unit that Subaru calls “Subaru Performance Transmission”. They suggest it has a 50% quicker downshift and 30% faster upshifts. This may seem strange for a CVT transmission but keep in mind it has an 8-stage stepped mode. It has new mapping too, and also “automatic downshift blipping control for engaging performance”.
The last WRX Premium sedan (automatic) we tested in 2018 was $55,990, so the price has gone up slightly. As you can see, you can still buy a manual WRX, but only in the “base” sedan model.
WRX GT tS (auto) - $64,990
Gone are just two models to pick from for your WRX. Now you can select from a sedan or wagon, with two spec variations in each body style.
All models are powered by a 2.4-litre, petrol-turbo boxer four, increased from 2 litres in the previous model. The engine pumps out 202 kW of power, up slightly from 197 kW. Torque remains the same at 350 Nm, but is produced lower in the rev range. Subaru says that STI has “had input into the vehicle”, and this is mainly via advisement on settings changes in regards to the drive modes, and transmission change
2022 SUBARU WRX GT TS WAGON
In the sedan range:
It’s nice to know that only Australia and New Zealand will be getting the new GT Wagon, one thing our two countries have over all others.
Since there’s no STI model now, Subaru has added “flashes of STI’s brilliance through the tS model sporting STI branding on the steering wheel and instrument cluster and the tS wagon also featuring STI-branded front seats and tailpipes.”
What we like and dislike about the 2022 Subaru WRX GT tS Wagon: What’s in the 2022 Subaru WRX Range?
Mechanical and other changes for the 2022 WRX include: • Redesigned front • Lip-style boot spoiler (sedan) • A new cockpit design • An 11.6” centre display • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability • Built on the new Subaru Global Platform chassis • More powerful 2.4-litre engine • Electronic dampers on the tS models • New dual-piston electronic steering • Sedan 75 mm longer, 30 mm wider 2022 Subaru WRX Premium Standard Equipment Highlights • Body-coloured mirrors, door handles and shark fin antenna • Bonnet scoop • Bonnet with gas strut • Wiper de-icer • Power folding door mirrors with indicators - Heated • Door mirrors - auto dipping (passenger side), auto power• folding, position memory • Electric sunroof • Spare alloy wheel 17” • Privacy glass on rear door, rear quarter and rear windscreen • glass • Rear spoiler • Black side cladding • Driver monitoring with facial recognition • Ultrasuede and synthetic leather trim • 18” alloy wheels • LED cabin and cargo area lights • Welcome lights (coming home function) • LED headlights - dusk sensing • LED headlights - auto high and low beam with auto off • LED rear combination lights • LED front fog lamps • LED daytime running headlights • LED steering responsive headlights • LED rear stoplight • Air-conditioning - dual-zone climate control with rear vents • Anti-dust filter • Immobiliser security system • Paddle gear shifters (auto only) • Eyesight Driver Assist System (auto only) • Automatic wipers • Heated front and rear seats • Leather steering wheel • Alloy pedals • 11.6” centre screen • Apple CarPlay & Android Auto • SatNav with 3 years of updates • Harman Kardon speakers • Power sunroof WRX tS model adds: • Single CD player • STI-branded steering wheel and instrument badging • Drive mode select system • Electronic damper control WRX GT tS adds: • STI-branded rear muffler Both wagon models have a power tailgate with a hands-free sensor. There is a generous range of eight colours to choose from for your WRX: • Crystal Black Silica • Solar Orange Pearl • Ice Silver Metallic • Ignition Red • Ceramic White • Magnetite Grey Metallic • Sapphire Blue Pearl • WR Blue Pearl 8 CAPRICORN IGNITION SEPTEMBER 2022
What’s the interior like in the 2022 Subaru WRX GT tS Wagon? I’m going to be saying this a lot in this review: the car hasn’t changed too much. For the inside, there’s a nice, big new centre display. It’s got great resolution, but it can lag between screens a little. That’s the biggest interior change to the 2022 model that I can determine. On the plus side of the centre display, there is a small separate display at the top which shows your audio track/ station, fuel economy, and the car’s angle. It’s there all the time and I looked at it more than I expected I would. Our test car had a mostly black interior, with beige headlining and pillars, lifting it a little and a definite improvement over the last one I tested that was totally black inside. It’s all very cosseted in there, feeling very much like a sports car in that respect. I see that an electric sunroof is standard across the range, a nice touch. There’s a manual blind to keep the sun out if you want to. Note that the sunroof is only a tilt unit, so it doesn’t slide back at all.
I made a point in the last review of saying that it was great that Subaru had not gone to touch controls for the AC, and instead was using three simple dials. Well, AC is now operated by touch, but it works quite well. You can access many AC controls directly from touch controls at the lower part of the centre screen, and they are always there, so that’s a bonus. The front doors have some fake carbon fibre on them, and it looks ok. It was great to see that the door pockets are now feltlined, meaning things – especially drink bottles – do not rattle around when on the move.
First impressions of the 2022 Subaru WRX GT tS Wagon
For a full list of specs and options available for the 2022 Subaru WRX GT tS Wagon, head on over to the Subaru New Zealand website.
In front of the driver is a nice, clear rev counter with a 6,000 rpm red line, and to the right is the speedo, pretty busy with markings right up to 280 kmh. It was interesting to see that Subaru has stuck with analogue dials, so there are no customisations or fancy options to pick from.
CAPRICORN IGNITION SEPTEMBER 2022 9
Our car was finished in stunning Sapphire Blue Pearl, and that made the car stand out from all the grey and silver SUVs driving about. I got numerous comments on the colour of this test car
I think it’s fair to say that the new model isn’t a huge departure from the old one, but that’s no bad thing. The WRX has always had a nice stance, and in a wagon? Even better. There are subtle changes at the front, and I was disappointed to see that the cool air vents on the front guards have been taken away.
Ultrasuede seats front and rear will hold you and your passengers nicely, with lots of side support for the front seats. A nice touch is the three-stage heating for both front seats, and the two outer rear seats. Rear legroom is the same as before: average but usable. Headroom is about the same, especially in the back seat. A bit tight (the sunroof sucks up some of the space) but usable.
Thankfully, the rear of the car retains those two purposeful exhaust tips – not fake in any way. They look excellent, and send a message to those cars behind you…this is a WRX.
The black Ultrasuede seats do have red stitching and this is also carried over to the console, gear lever gaiter, steering wheel, dash and doors.
The steering wheel itself is flat-bottomed, and has an STI logo on it. The logo is also on the gauges, and on the headrests too. The steering wheel controls haven’t really changed at all, but there was no need to change them; they work just fine and it doesn’t take long to not need to look down to see what button you are pressing. I love that the volume toggle on the left side of the wheel is so prominent that your fingers fall to it very quickly. On the right side of the wheel, this toggle does your adaptive cruise control speed up and down. Weirdly, although the steering wheel is listed as being leather, it feels very plasticky to the touch. I would have put money on this not being a leather wheel. Not the end of the world but it did detract from the WRX driving experience, for me at least.
While the brakes have plenty of power, they can feel a bit wooden at times. Still, overall grip, handling, steering and braking all contribute to a car that can really hustle on any windy Driveroad. mode options are the same as before, with one small but nice change. The car always defaults to Normal drive mode, and hitting the mode button on the steering wheel will switch to Sport, then Sport+, then Individual, Comfort is next, then back to Normal. A new feature is that when you tap that button, a new window pops up on the centre display to show you what the settings are for that specific mode, in relation to steering, engine response, AC, and other factors. It’s a great way of visually identifying what the car’s settings are. Naturally, in Individual mode you can select the settings you want. Performance is as I remembered; in Normal or Comfort mode you can tootle about with the car feeling almost lethargic at times. You really need to give that gas pedal a good kick to get the car up and away. The gas pedal needs more pressure to it than I remember, making you take notice of just how much gas you are giving the car. In Sport, and especially in Sport+ mode, performance changes. The car is far more lively and WRXlike, with instant performance – with a slight bit of lag from a standstill – available, especially in the mid-range. The engine is certainly smooth enough too, right out to the redline, and is happy to hold those revs for as long as needed.
The best thing about a performance wagon is that it is a wagon, and the WRX GT tS Wagon has a good 492 litres of space available, increasing to 1,430 litres with the seats down. There are rear seat release latches back there too, as well as a steel fullsize spare under the floor. The brochure says it’s an alloy spare, but our test car’s spare was steel. What’s the 2022 Subaru WRX GT tS wagon like to drive? So, what about driving the new WRX? I have to admit, after testing the last model I lusted after a manual version. For me, a CVT doesn’t have a place in a performance wagon.
Getting to that point of adhesion takes some gusto, as with allwheel drive and those Yokohama tyres, the grip is excellent. Those tyres can get pretty noisy, however, especially on coarse chip seal, and road noise can be quite evident at times as well.
Perhaps this just adds to the driving experience of a WRX.
Handling has improved as well. I recall the “old” model was excellent, with lots of grip as you’d expect in a performance AWD. But I did feel the old model felt a bit nervous on the limit, like if you lost it on a corner, it was all over. The new model on the new chassis is much better in this respect. You can push this car right out to the limit of adhesion and then go beyond it. I had it drifting nicely at speed (on a closed road, of course), and it all feels very controllable, with little sign of nervousness. It was a big move to change the WRX to an all-new chassis, but boy has it worked. The car sits flat on most corners – flatter than the last model – and rotates nicely on its chassis. Turn-in is superb, too.
According to Subaru, “Electronically controlled dampers debut on the WRX tS models to enhance the already sporty handling while refining ride quality. A new dual-pinion electronic steering system reduces steering resistance, for a smooth and linear steering response.” So, only the tS models get the adjustable dampers, but they certainly seem worthwhile. I thought the steering was very good on the last model, but this new one? The steering is excellent, with good feel, and the weight notably increases as you move through the different drive modes.
I’ve got to say, Subaru has done well with the “Subaru Performance Transmission” in this latest model WRX. Daily driving will bring on some CVT flaring, but it’s not bad overall. Slightly spirited driving will see the transmission move into its 8-speed stepped mode, and this feels so much better, like a real automatic. As mentioned, it has new mapping for a more engaged drive. When you are really pushing the car, on the whole, it will “change gears”, giving the driver a much better experience and actually using torque to help things along. Only once on a slight uphill on a full throttle did the car decide it was best to use CVT mode, and the rev counter sat on 6,000 rpm and didn’t move. Still, that was only once. It seems this “new” transmission is a big step forward from the old one.
10 CAPRICORN IGNITION SEPTEMBER 2022
Back seat passengers get access to two 2.1 amp USB-A ports, grunty enough to keep tablets charged on a long trip. Front seat passengers also get two USB-A ports, an Aux port, a 12volt socket and also a single CD player hidden inside the small centre cubby. The glove box is definitely on the smaller side, and is mostly filled with the massive owner’s manual.
SUMMARY Since the Levorg has departed, the WRX is now Subaru’s defacto sports wagon. They could do a lot worse. Other than a lack of exhaust note or decent engine noise, the WRX is very impressive. It’s no rocket ship, but it doesn’t need to be. It handles even better than the last model, still looks good, is usable as a wagon and is comfy to boot. What more could you Iswant?itapoor man’s RS3? Yes. Is that bad? No. For those with “only” $65K to spend on a performance wagon, the WRX is likely at the top of the tree as the top contender for purchase.
are a couple of other niggles for me. The digital speedo is tiny, ditto the digital gear indicator. It’s far too small, and I wish that when the car was in Sport or Sport+, the gear indicator at least would grow in size.
Getting to 100 kmh takes 6.1 seconds, left in Drive to its own devices. I did try using the paddles to get a better time, but it made no difference. Slipping the gear lever to the right will shift the car into Manual mode, but there’s no option to use the gear lever to shift gears, so you have to use the paddles.
I’ve mentioned many times how I love brake auto-hold. Just come up to a red light or stop sign, press harder on the brake pedal, and all the brakes on the car lock on and will not release until you press the gas pedal. It’s a great safety feature. I mentioned in the last review of the WRX that you have to turn this on in the menu system every time you start the car, which is a pain. Well, that hasn’t changed. Hopefully, in the next update, we’ll see this feature stay on if you turn it on. Other little tricks I liked include the display of how much fuel you’ve saved at the lights. The WRX has the usual engine stop feature, and when the engine is turned off (at say a red light), the dashboard will show you how much fuel and time you have saved since the last trip meter reset. Over my 600 km in the WRX GT tS, I saved just over a litre of gas. At the current prices that will probably buy a house, or close to it. It’s one of those little things that is appreciated, and you can tell some thought has gone into it. Like front and rear heated seats and a power sunroof, steering responsive headlights (SRH) are fitted across all models. I last saw these on the Subaru Forester[LINK], and in the WRX they are just as good. LED as well, of course, but the simple act of turning the lights with the steering makes a huge difference to your safety at night. And, yes, we all know Citroen did this first in a mass-produced car in the 1960s. You can turn off SRH in the menu system, but I’m not sure why you would want to. It’s Thebrilliant.ride in the new model on this new chassis feels a little smoother than before. It is never jiggly, although – as expected – in Sport+ mode it’s fairly firm. However, it’s not to the point of making the car skip on a bumpy bend as we’ve seen in some other performance cars.
2022 SUBARU WRX GT TS WAGON DRIVER TECH 7 ECONOMY 7 HANDLING 9 INFOTAINMENT 7 INTERIOR 7 PERFORMANCE 8 RIDE 8 SAFETY 9 STYLING 9 VALUE 8 CAPRICORN IGNITION SEPTEMBER 2022 11
There are some other niceties, most of them carried over from the previous model, like a warning that the car in front has moved away if you are at the lights and are distracted by some electronic device. Another carryover is the automatic brake hold system. While you get a manual handbrake in the manual WRX sedan, all automatic versions have an electric park brake with an auto-hold function.
Fuel economy for the 2022 Subaru WRX is listed at 8.5L/100km. Over my 600 km of sometimes spirited driving, I managed to get 9.4L/100km out of it. To be expected in a 2.4-litre performance wagon. Interestingly, in the test with the 2.0-litre turbo motor, I managed 9.2L/100km, so my result in the new model was pretty much spot-on. Your mileage may vary.
Some of the things in the last WRX that I didn’t like – such as always having to turn the brake auto-hold function on – haven’t changed. Adaptive cruise control still beeps too much, and on the mechanical side of things, putting the car into Drive or Reverse when the engine is cold can still be a jerky affair. I think for me, the biggest thing that is still missing is some sort of engine or exhaust noise. While the engine has moved from 2 litres to 2.4 litres, it still doesn’t have any character. It has no historic Subaru burble, and there are certainly no snaps, crackles or pops from the exhaust. The new model has an auto-blipping function for the automatic versions of the car (“automatic downshift blipping control for engaging performance”), but I never heard it at all. (Subaru says that driving the car in say Comfort mode and then switching to Sport mode will make the noise more noticeable). In this respect, the Audi RS3 certainly has a massive advantage if you want to show your inner manTherechild.
Training opportunities around new vehicle technology for apprentices and recently qualified technicians is an investment in a workshop’s ability to repair, service and maintain these new generation vehicles.
However, lack of diversity and challenges in the workplace were seen as areas for improvement. Understanding the opportunities available for a long-term automotive career, and role modelling from the successes of other women in the industry are where female apprentices look for inspiration and set goals for their future.
“Our industry and the economy depend on having enough skilled automotive technicians to service and repair vehicles. There is no silver bullet, however collectively as an industry we will continue to make inroads on this critical industry issue, said Lesley Yates, Director of Advocacy and Government Relations, “ForAAAA.workshop owners and managers, I encourage you to download the free Automotive Apprentice Survey report, and consider the findings as you work to attract great talent and retain great staff,” said Lesley.
Automotive Apprentice Survey report – visit resultscom.au/news/aaaa-news/automotive-apprentice-survey-https://www.aaaa.
PROTECTING THE FUTURE OF INSIGHTSAPPRENTICEINDUSTRYAUTOMOTIVETHE 12 CAPRICORN IGNITION SEPTEMBER 2022
Amongst all apprentices, satisfaction is lowest amongst those in their 4th year. As these apprentices are just reaching the launching point for a career in automotive, they are disengaging and considering other options. It is critical that we retain these talented and committed individuals in the industry they are passionate about and that desperately needs them. Encouragingly, 88% of 4th year apprentice respondents are keen to receive further support beyond the completion of their apprenticeship in the areas of training, career prospects and development. This clearly signals both a commitment to and passion for the automotive aftermarket. Technology based training is at the top of the wish list for 4th year apprentices and includes specialisation areas such as hybrid or electric vehicles, programming and diagnostics, and advanced driver assistance systems technology. Younger generations are known as digital natives, having grown up with computers, internet and software, so it’s no surprise that apprentices are interested in these areas.
industry is experiencing an unprecedented skills shortage and we must tackle it head on. This groundbreaking research is a practical way to learn, and develop strategies at government, industry and workshop level to attract and improve retention of apprentices in the future,” said Stuart Charity, CEO of the AAAA.
As a clear opportunity to introduce more and new skills into the automotive industry, providing improved career pathways for women was highlighted as an important piece of the puzzle.
Offering more support to fourth year apprentices has been identified as a key opportunity for policy makers and the automotive industry, as an extraordinary industry wide skills shortage grips the country. The experience for fourth year apprentices, and other crucial apprentice insights have been revealed via the unprecedented nationwide Automotive Apprentice Survey, a joint project by the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA), Australian Automotive Dealer Association, and the Motor Trades Association of Queensland, in conjunction with ACA “Theresearch.automotive
Encouragingly, females are generally satisfied with their career choice and are committed to the profession long term.
The Apprentice Survey offered a welcome insight into the perspectives of female apprentices.
First year apprentices were also targeted in the survey. With a passion for automotive 75% were satisfied with their situation despite some challenges around pay. Youth remains a dominant source of industry new-starters, with 68% of apprentices starting their career path during, or straight after completing school studies.
Stay positive and focused — the future looks good by Geoff Mutton
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Australian government statistics have the number of motor mechanics slightly increasing from 109,000 in 2019 to 111,000 in 2021. However, the current five-year forward forecast is for a fall of 0.7 per cent. On its own, a stagnating workforce doesn’t mean much, but it’s compounded by the fact we have a growing and aging car fleet. Put simply, more vehicles will need to be worked on by fewer technicians.
Simply put, a growing and aging vehicle fleet is good for the service and repair It’sindustry.achallenge
Just as when COVID started back in 2020, your database of customers will see you through tougher times. It’s therefore imperative that workshops maintain regular contact with their database. With tightening budgets, there might be a drop in vehicle servicing. The consequences of putting off or skipping vehicle services are well-known to the trade, so you would be doing the right thing by your customers by sending second and third reminders to those whose vehicles reach three or six months overdue for servicing.
The net result of the new car shortage is that many customers will be forced to spend significant money repairing and maintaining older vehicles. Rising cost of living pressure will also further propel people to repair older vehicles rather than buy a new one.
to get real stats on how many legitimate registered mechanical repair workshops there are in Australia and New Zealand. My gut instinct tells me they are slightly decreasing.
It is easier to get an accurate picture of how many people work in the industry.
The industry has been super busy and when bookings have to be made several weeks in advance, customer service may suffer. It’s time now to review service standards and start wowing your customers again. Rising costs to your business will need to be closely monitored. If costs are left unchecked, there could be a rude shock in a year’s time. Don’t just roll over with the same supplier every year. Invest some time to check out alternatives to ensure the workshop is getting the best value that it can find for the dollar. And finally, if you haven’t put prices up in the last few years, review them again now, because you will find that many of your competitors have struck more realistic prices that match the value of the services and expert staff they deliver. A final word – keep your chin up, stay positive and don’t let all the negative talk about the economy get you down. There is good reason to believe that the industry should be optimistic about a prosperous 2022-23.
From 2017 to 2020 car ownership was on a declining trend in Australia. The COVID pandemic quickly changed that, and from 2020 to 2021 car ownership increased by 1.7 per cent, to 20.1 million. In addition, the average vehicle age in Australia has increased from 10.2 years prior to the pandemic to 10.6 years in 2021. The Australian Bureau of Statistics is yet to release its 2022 report, but it’s expected that the number of registered vehicles in Australia will increase, as will the average vehicle age.
Don’t for a minute think that this means you can sit back and the work will just flow in. More than ever before you will need to be highly active in marketing your business, communicating with your customer database and providing exceptional service.
With the current buzz about rising inflation, interest rates and petrol prices, you would be forgiven for thinking that Australia is in the depths of a severe recession. But as I draft this article, the reality couldn’t be further from the truth. Both the Australian and New Zealand economies are still booming with nearrecord-low unemployment rates. The rapidly rising inflation is a concern, and the reserve banks of both countries are sensibly raising interest rates to slow the spending to get inflation under control. In Australia, inflation is forecast to peak around 7 per cent later this year and then decline to more manageable levels in So2023.what does this mean for the average person? We can all agree that we are going to see a period of rising cost of living pressures brought on by higher interest rates, fuel prices and food prices. This will no doubt force many people to curb and reprioritise their spending. The million-dollar question is how will rising interest rates and cost of living pressures affect auto workshops? That is a hard one to answer, but what we do know is that not all industries will be impacted in the same way. There will always be Havingabnormalities.saidthat, there are many reasons workshop operators should maintain a positive outlook that the industry will get through the next couple of years fairly COVIDunscathed.really knocked around the production of new cars and, coupled with extra demand, caused long wait times for new cars. Demand continues to significantly outstrip supply, with wait times for most manufacturers stretching between three and 14 months. It’s fair to estimate that the new car shortage will likely continue for at least the next 12 to 18 months.
Here’s how designer Maximilian Missoni puts it: “This car is a meeting point between technology and art, between precision and sculpture, with a determined but not aggressive stance.”
Stop for a moment. Take a look at the picture of the Polestar O₂. Remember this moment. In the future, you might find yourself talking about the first time you ever laid eyes on this car. You might find yourself storing the memory in your brain alongside other major firsts, like the first time you met your partner or the first time you held your child. We know what you’re thinking: this is hyperbole, surely? Yes, obviously. But we’re not alone in getting excited about the O₂. It seems the entire auto industry is losing their cool over an electric car that’s been named after the very air that we Afterbreathe.the concept car appeared at Goodwood in June this year, Autotrader’s headline on their coverage was, “they MUST build this car”. Auto Express’s headline was “why has it taken THIS long?” Even Top Gear tagged their article about the Polestar O₂ with the words “the petition to make it starts here”. So, what is it about the Polestar O₂ that apparently has every automotive journalist around the planet ready to sell their granny to get one? Well, as electric 2+2 hard-topped convertibles go, it’s certainly pretty. The O₂’s design is based on the Polestar Precept but it has a low and wide body, a compact cabin, minimal overhangs and a long wheelbase. They’re classic sportscar proportions but it also has a really modern and electric feel.
“The high quality and rigidity of the bonded aluminium platform are geared towards heightened dynamic response,” the company said. “Handling dynamics are taut, thanks also to small roll angles and high roll damping, and the agile, direct steering feel is linear, with great steering torque build-up.”
There’s also a fair chance the O₂ might just simultaneously revolutionise both the car manufacturing plant and the wrecker’s yard. The Polestar’s interior is largely made from a new thermo-plastic mono-material, which means it is much easier to recycle (compared to interiors made from different materials bonded together).
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“Polestar O₂ is our vision of a new era for sports cars,” Missoni says. “By mixing the joy of open-top driving with the purity of electric mobility, it unlocks a new mix of emotions in a car. But as with all our cars, we are about more than just straightline sprints. It’s when you turn the steering wheel that the fun Thisbegins.”aconcept so, in reality, no-one actually knows how it will drive. But Polestar promises the O₂ is designed to be “lively, light and full of confidence”.
All I need is the air that I breathe and an
In other words, it’s beautiful. But there’s more to it than that.
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The goal is to make reusing and recycling as easy as possible, which the company says is “a significant step towards greater circularity, while also reducing weight and waste”. Even the different grades of aluminium on the various components within the car are clearly labelled to make recycling easier. But we know what you’re thinking: “yeah, yeah, but it’s just a concept. We’ll never see it on the roads.” Hold onto your hats. Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath seems absolutely serious about making the O₂ a reality. He’s calling the O₂ the “hero car” for the Polestar brand. In July he told Top Gear, “My ambition is to make it a production car” alongside other models that have made the jump, including the Polestar 5. “This is a taste of what we can design and engineer with the talent and technology we have in-house,” he said. “It looks incredible and being able to lower the roof and not hear an engine promises a superb sensation.” So, remember this moment. Remember where you were when you first laid eyes on the Polestar O₂. May it be a long and happy relationship.
The Trinity College team’s miniature F1 speed machine also won the Fastest Car Award, which was supported by the Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team, and the Best Engineered Car Award, supported by the Williams Grand Prix Team. The Australian team was also nominated for three other awards: Scrutineering Award, Best Pit Display and Best Application of Project Management.
This year a team of six 17-year-old students from Trinity College in Melbourne became the seventh Australian team to win the Aramco F1® in Schools World Championship Trophy.
2022 marked the seventeenth year of this global high school based STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) initiative. ‘Hydron’, with team members Will Johnson, Benjamin Noonan, Alexander Liu, Andrew Yeang, Timothy Crichton and Alastair Murphy, fought off intense global competition to take this Formula One based engineering title.
The Aussies headed off 52 teams from 25 countries to win coveted university scholarships to study at UCL Engineering in London, along with taking the prestigious F1® in Schools World Champions title.
“Our engineers did a fantastic job of designing our cars, devoting hours and hours of work, thousands of hours doing the CAD modelling in fact, but it was the gelling of the team and cooperation that made our car the best, too.
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Taking the 2022 F1® in Schools World Champions title was a very proud moment for the Australian team, with Will Johnson, the Team Principal saying, “When we set out it was our dream to make it to the World Finals and it’s crazy to think how far we’ve come. We can’t believe that we’ve done it.
Team Blackout from Wales took the runner-up honours in the competition, with SBA Avidity from the United Kingdom completing the podium for the 2022 F1® in Schools competition host Andrewcountry.Denford, Founder and Chairman of F1® in Schools, commented, “I am always blown away by the work of the students taking part in F1® in Schools. Just as in the sport of Formula 1 we see teams pushing the boundaries of the rules and regulations in their determination to produce the best car, they put many hours into testing and perfecting it. Hydron developed an outstanding car and showed fantastic teamwork to earn a well-deserved victory.” by Paul Marinelli
“It is not one person; it is a real team effort. The teamwork and the relationship between us and our shared ambitions all going for one thing made it so special.
AUSTRALIAN STUDENTS TOP THE WORLD FOR THE SEVENTH TIME
“Some of us are keen to look at the opportunity of the scholarship, which is great, too. We’ve put in so much work, late nights staying back at school, getting through to the end was a big challenge, but it has paid off for us. We’re just over the moon!” Will Johnson said.
The F1® in Schools competition provides an opportunity for teams of students to research, design, test, manufacture and race a miniature Formula 1 car, using some of the advanced technology applied within real Formula One teams. All of the teams competing spent hundreds of hours producing their models using 3D CAD/CAM/CAE engineering design software, with proficiencies required in Coding, Computational Fluid Dynamics and Finite Element Analysis.
Since the inaugural F1® in Schools World Final in 2003, Australia has been a dominant competitor. The Aussie trophy cabinet contains seven world championships, five runner-up trophies, four third places and a trifecta of fourths, along with six fifths.
In 2017, Australian high school teams came first and second in the world, and back in 2008 Australia placed second and third. Aussie teams finished second, third and fourth in 2009 as well.
“But it is not only the academic excellence that we have seen at the World Finals,” adds Denford. “F1® in Schools changes lives around the world and these boys and girls will have formed friendships that will last a lifetime. I know that they have all learned life skills which will be invaluable throughout their careers.”
As Australia’s student performances on this very high-profile global platform have clearly proved, we have STEM talent within our high school students that is as good, if not better, than anywhere in the world. Something for all of us to be proud of and excited about what these talented people can achieve for the world in the future.
Australia also boasts a total of nine Best Engineered Car Awards, six Best International Collaboration Awards and seven Fastest Car Awards in this global competition.
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2. Educating your customers through videos
Customer education videos are all about educating them on why certain repairs or maintenance is required, with the idea being that the video will do the selling for you. The key with educational videos is to make them part of your process.
1. Keeping in contact*
That means that if you want to deliver the kind of experience that lives up to your customers’ expectations, chances are you might need to start changing your ways and update some of your out-of-date notions about how to relate to customers and keep them happy.
The greatest asset in any business is the customer database. A neglected database means the workshop depends only on customers finding and using the business. The sensible alternative is to regularly keep in contact to keep your customers close and out of reach of your competitors.
Modern customers have different desires and expectations that are shaped by other kinds of customer experiences that they go through on a daily basis. It’s not just other workshops that you’re being compared to – it’s other businesses like banks, dentists, doctors and e-commerce operators.
obvious, but the number of workshops that fail to carry out these basic communications is quite astounding. If your point-of-sale software doesn’t have these features, a great starting point is Capricorn’s AutoBoost, which has an SMS facility.+
Whether it’s just human nature or people getting stuck in their ways, lots of workshop owners prefer to stick to the same methods they’ve always used. However, it’s important to realise that these new customer experience products are emerging as a direct result of customer demand. While adapting to change can sometimes be a challenging process, it’s important for business owners to understand that it’s not about them; it’s what the customers want.
The huge advancements in automotive technology over the past two decades have required workshops to invest in tools and knowledge if they want to stay in business. All well and good for the practical tasks of fixing vehicles, but by contrast, research has shown that the customer service experience many workshops deliver has not kept pace with this change.
A very successful workshop owner admitted that the only thing he does differently from 25 years ago is email customers their invoice and sends SMS service reminders. While good old faceto-face customer service is still just as important ever, there is a range of new products and technologies that enable businesses to improve the customer service experience, but they are not being readily embraced.
Modern technology, such as email and SMS, makes keeping in contact easier than ever. The time to contact customers could include service reminders, 24-hour booking reminders, registration and WOF reminders (location dependent), repair progress updates, repair images, monthly specials and holiday Thismessages.allsounds
This is still a step too far for some workshops, but you can trust the fact that some customers will appreciate it. Today’s consumers are used to booking haircuts, gym classes, doctor’s appointments and just about everything else online. The industry needs to get with the times and start making this service available. IS YOUR CUSTOMER SERVICE KEEPING UP WITH YOUR CUSTOMERS?
3. Online bookings
Washing, vacuuming, cleaning tyres, deodorising, cleaning the dash or reattaching a loose mud guard are all examples of visual triggers. They might seem like a pain to you but it’s something your customer will notice and appreciate. Convenience and trust are the main reasons customers choose a workshop. The little extra things are what makes it harder for them to leave you. Taking the time to review your customer service experience and update your processes is something that can pay big dividends over the long term. Are you keeping up with the times and grasping new technologies, or are you still doing things the same way you did 20 years ago?
+ AutoBoost is a third party service provider. The terms of use for the version of AutoBoost made available to Capricorn Members is conditions/common/autoboost---terms-and-conditions.pdfhttps://www.capricorn.coop/-/media/project/csl/capricorn/terms-and-located
4. Finance solutions
Most franchise groups and dealerships are now offering some form of finance facility. Don’t confuse this with offering direct credit. With their finance facility, they outsource the collecting of the payment to a third-party finance company. The dealership gets paid up-front less a small, agreed commission. Such organisations include Ezypay and AfterPay. Offering this payment option helps those customers who may not have the funds available today and hence removes the ‘I can’t afford it’ objection.
Most workshops believe customers push service due dates because they can’t afford the service. In many cases, the real reason is that the customer is too busy and they will be inconvenienced if they don’t have their car for a day.
Obviously, running a fleet of loan cars is a significant cost. That’s why it’s called a loan car and not a courtesy car. One option is to hire your loan cars for a small nominal fee of say $10 to $20 per day, so that it becomes cost neutral.
* Applicable privacy legislation may constrain or prevent the use of an individual’s personal information for certain purposes. Applicable spam legislation may also operate to impose restrictions on the sending commercial electronic communications in certain circumstances. Members who have questions regarding the implications of these laws on their business should seek independent advice.
5. Loan cars
What could be easier for a customer at home browsing the internet and receiving an SMS service reminder containing a direct link to an online booking form? It’s a one-minute process that’s faster than a phone call and more inclined to be acted on immediately rather than the customer having to follow up.
6. Visual triggers
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Carried out by: The Boss GET IT CHECKLISTSORTED Sorting the workshop Comments Sorting the staff Comments Sorting the customer service Comments Vehicle Inspection Checklists Building Maintenance Checklists Equipment Maintenance Record Sheets Material Safety Data Sheets Available in AutoBoost Found it in AutoBoost Safety first! In AutoBoost too ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Employee Details Form Recruitment and Interview Guide Meeting Record Sheet So important these days Got it in AutoBoost Yep, this one’s there too ✓ ✓ ✓ New Customer Letter Templates Post Service Letter Templates Customer Service Guides Got it in AutoBoost✓ Downloaded from AutoBoost✓ A good read! Found them in AutoBoost too✓ An exclusive Member benefit! AutoBoost your business. Login to capricorn.coop/autoboost Login to capricorn.coop/autoboost AutoBoost your Business Access ready-to-use checklists, forms and templates to better organise your business.
As a business owner or manager, you should be aware of the risks specific to your industry. For example, almost half of all injuries in motor vehicle workshops are to the shoulder, lower back and knees, often caused by handling heavy or awkward objects, heavy lifting and working in awkward postures.
Some risks, such as vehicles falling from hoists or jacks, are easy to identify. Others, such as illnesses caused by long-term exposure to chemicals like solvents or paints, are not as immediately obvious.
Our State of the Nation research has once again highlighted that finding and retaining qualified staff is a major challenge for Members. It’s now easier than ever for people to find work elsewhere, so it can be assumed that people will be less likely to tolerate an unsafe work environment and are more likely to leave and find employment working for a business they feel is willing to invest in their safety and wellbeing.
Good Housekeeping
RISK MANAGEMENT
IS SMART MANAGEMENT
You can ensure you’ve done everything possible to manage risk in the workplace by working through a checklist appropriate for your business. Capricorn’s AutoBoost has a range of checklists to help you make sure your workshop is safe.* Log in to your myCAP Portal to access resources that will help you to identify risks and take steps to minimise them.
Complete a Risk Management Checklist
Another very common category of injury is slips, trips and falls, which are often caused by floors in bad condition or by poor housekeeping. These can be reduced by simple steps such as maintaining slipresistant surfaces, keeping leads off the floor and stored away when not in use, cleaning up spills immediately, and not leaving objects extending into walkways or work Goodareas.housekeeping generally reflects good management and pride in the workplace. Messy and disorganised workplaces don’t instil confidence in others, including both staff and customers. Creating a culture where everyone looks after their workspace is also smart management because it can lead to higher productivity and increased repeat business.
If you would like further information, speak to your Capricorn Risk Account Manager about other ways to reduce risks in and around your workshop. *AutoBoost is a third party service provider. The terms of use for the version of AutoBoost made available to Capricorn Members is autoboost---terms-and-conditions.pdfcsl/capricorn/terms-and-conditions/common/https://www.capricorn.coop/-/media/project/located
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It can also help you retain staff. As we referenced before, the skills shortage has led to increased competition for qualified technicians and mechanics, so you don’t want to be in the position of losing people because they disliked working in messy, cluttered and unsafe conditions.
These risks can be mitigated by providing (or having a third party provide) your staff with training that can help them avoid or minimise activities that might result in injuries. Investing in PPE and other ergonomic/assistive equipment can also pay dividends in the long term.
When injuries or accidents happen in the workplace, workers’ compensation and other types of business insurance can provide business owners with a financial safety net. But no amount of money can compensate for a death or serious injury, so ‘prevention is better than cure’ is without doubt the best approach to take to workplace risk management. If you want to ensure you protect yourself and your staff while also minimising disruptions to your business, make sure you check out the following steps you can take to effectively manage risks in your business. Smart Management Staying on top of potential safety hazards in the workplace is your legal duty as an employer. But it is also smart management. Less risk means fewer unnecessary incidents, and a happier, healthier and more productive work team.
Basically, the more pleasant and enjoyable you can make your premises, the better it will be for everyone (yourself included).
CAPRICORN LAST MONTH'S ANSWERSLAST MONTH'S ANSWERS LAST MONTH’S WINNERS 1st Prize - 4,000 points Hillside Auto Wreckers 2nd Prize - 2,000 points Kelmscott Service Centre Find the 15 words hidden in the jumble. They could be horizontal, vertical, diagonal or backwards. See if you can find them all! WORD Email your answers to ignition@capricorn.coop before the 25th of September. Winners will be selected by a lucky hat draw of correct entries. Please ensure you include your Member number and email address when submitting your entry. WORKSHOPSMARTQUALIFIEDONLINEFINANCESUPPLIERSREUSINGPOLESTAR INDUSTRYCONCEPTFOCUSEDSUPPORTCAREERVEHICLEMUTUAL CAPRICORN IGNITION SEPTEMBER 2022 23
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