Ignition Magazine New Zealand | February 2022 by Capricorn Society

FEBRUARY MARCH 2022 2021

FUTURE RIDE MG CYBERSTER

CAPRICORN

Stars

CAPRICORN RISING STARS NOMINATIONS OPEN SHOW YOUR APPRENTICES YOUR APPRECIATION.

CRS FIELD TEAM HERE TO HELP Gets warm welcome from Members

WOMEN FROM THE TOP What it’s like to run a Member business

STRONGER TOGETHER Overcoming barriers in automotive

Over 2,000 Capricorn Members told us what they really think about the automotive industry. Find out what they said and how your business compares.

State Of The Nation

Available now at

capricorn.coop/SoN

CONTENTS FEBRUARY 2022

David Fraser Group CEO

CEO’s message

At Capricorn, we have the privilege to work with an incredibly diverse range of businesses. From our family owned and operated Members to our multinational Preferred Suppliers, we have the immense pleasure of seeing the passion and talent of the men and women working behind the scenes to create the automotive industry we have today. And if I asked every Capricorn Member or Preferred Supplier to raise their hand if they had or have women working in their business, I would anticipate an abundance of hands rising into the air. For almost five decades, we have watched as women contribute an incredible amount of time, sweat and tears to our businesses, and our industry. In early March, the world will recognise International Women’s Day, where we focus on how we can #BreakTheBias. It’s a call to action to help build a world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination, where differences are valued and celebrated. Breaking the bias is a challenge the automotive industry must overcome. Overcoming our biases, breaking down stereotypes and rewriting the narrative of the automotive industry as a ‘man’s industry,’ is a key step in building a sustainable automotive industry long into the future. Creating a welcoming and diverse industry can alleviate some of the big challenges we face right now. For example, it has never been more important to close the skills gap and we shouldn’t limit our talent pool to one gender. Overcoming our biases will mean we can attract a wider group of talent. We often like to think we don’t have any biases; however, often we aren’t even aware of them. We need to face up to the unconscious prejudices we may harbour and overcome some of the barriers preventing the diversification of the automotive industry.

5 Could an

Accident Cost You a Fortune? Sometimes, accidents happen. Are you protected?

7 Get Ready For

Capricorn Events

9 CRS Field Team 10 2021 Mitsubishi Here to help.

Outlander

DriveLife car of the cyar!

14 MG Cyberster 16 Women from

The future is here. And it's sexy as hell.

the top

What it’s like to run a Member business.

18 NZ World Leaders

An impressive record in international motorsport.

20 Capricorn Rising Stars

When we can overcome these challenges, the benefits speak for themselves. Research indicates having a diverse workplace is clearly linked to improvements in business performance, effectiveness, profitability, and revenue generation. Women bring a wealth of skills and perspectives to our industry that increases creativity and innovation. From helping to finance and develop the first automobile, to designing cutting-edge vehicles, to leading one of the world’s largest car manufacturers, women have been behind some of the biggest innovations in the automotive industry.

22 Stronger

The automotive industry can be a great place to work, but it’s long-term sustainability hinges on its ability to attract and retain a new talent, including a higher percentage of women. None of us are perfect, but it’s important we begin the journey now.

24 Women in Automotive

By providing safe spaces for all and welcoming a broader spectrum of people to the automotive industry — whether as team members, customers, or enthusiasts — we can create a diverse and sustainable industry ready for whatever is around the corner. Yours in cooperation, David Fraser Group CEO

More than $20,000 in cash and prizes to be won!

Together

Overcoming gender barriers in the automotive industry.

Top 10 women you need to know in automotive.

26 We can all do it

Encouraging women to join the automotive industry.

28 Hiring an Apprentice?

Reasons why you need to! CAPRICORN IGNITION FEBRUARY 2022 3

l l a g n i l l a C

! s e d i R

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 FEBRUARY 2022

NEWS

Could an oopsie-daisy moment cost you a fortune?

“That was a $12,000 claim in damage to the car, the toolbox, and a lot of inconvenience.” Rob urged Members to think carefully about the value of their assets and what impact it would have on their business if the item was taken out of action— especially if it’s a piece of equipment that is used every day. “If you’re a tyre shop, for example, you might have a couple of tyre balancers and tyre changers,” Rob said. “Those are expensive pieces of equipment. If one of those is accidentally damaged, it could cost you a lot. But it could also cost you a lot more in business interruption.” “Or if you’re a smash repairer and something accidentally happens to your spray booth and the electronics are completely gone, they’ve malfunctioned — imagine the cost of that unforeseen breakdown.” Rob said the pain of having a vital piece of equipment offline was bad enough at the best of times but was made even worse if the equipment was still under finance.

With the best will in the world, sometimes, accidents happen. They’re happening every single day, in workshops right across the country. Sometimes they’re big; sometimes they’re small. But, as Capricorn Risk Services’ New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory Sales Manager Rob Sedkey warns, even small accidents can have big repercussions. “Scan tools are a big one,” Rob said. “They’re expensive pieces of equipment but then someone leaves it on a car roof and drives off for a road test, and bang, it flies off and smashes. We’ve even had Members drive into toolboxes and some of them can be quite costly. A lot of the time these accidents are due to distractions.” “We see those kinds of situations a lot. There’s the general dropping of things, accidental breaking of things, and running into things. That’s why having a range of different cover, including accidental damage protection may have a range of benefits for your business. It can have a real impact on a business.”

“Then you haven’t even paid it off yet and it’s broken,” he said. “So, if you haven’t got the right level, or have no level, of protection for the different elements which make up your business, imagine how you’d feel. You’d be absolutely ropeable. “Yet it happens all the time.” Accidents happen in myriad and sometimes unlikely ways. They’re unplanned and they’re unfortunate. But you can make dealing with the fallout of an oopsie-daisy moment much easier by ensuring you have the correct coverage for your business.

Capricorn Risk Services can help your business navigate the different protection policies, so you have peace of mind, no matter the ‘oopsie-daisy’ moments. Contact your Risk Account Manager today for more information.

Making sure you have a range of cover including general liability, accidental damage, general property, and engineering protection (which protects against loss or damage to machinery and electronic equipment due to the breakdown of such equipment) can protect yourself, your staff, and your customers. “We had one claim where the Member’s gone to line up the car with the hoist to get it in position, put their foot on the accelerator, and ended up launching it into a toolbox,” Rob said.

Contact Capricorn Risk Services 0800 555 303 I info@capricornrisk.com I capricorn.coop/risk 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 capricornrisk.com. 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).

Get ready for Capricorn Events We are so excited to begin welcoming Members and Preferred Suppliers back to Capricorn events in 2022. It’s been a long time, and we cannot wait to catch up and hear what’s new.

the venue’s requirements, policies or any government restrictions or mandates that are in place at the time relating to Covid-19. Requirements will differ depending on the event type, the location and the providers involved.

As we begin to live with Covid-19, many of our external event providers and venues have new policies regarding vaccinations by which we need to abide to offer a safe, welcoming event for everyone involved. Please be aware that when booking or attending a Capricorn event you may be required to provide proof of your Covid-19 vaccination status. You may be denied entry to the event if you do not comply with

In addition, where you are booking travel through Capricorn as part of your attendance at the event, airlines and other travel providers may have policies related to Covid-19. Failure to comply with such policies may result in you being unable to travel with them.

however, please feel free to contact our Events team via phone on 0800 401 444 or via email at events@capricorn.coop for more information.

These requirements have also resulted in an update to our Capricorn Events – New Zealand Terms & Conditions. To read the updated terms and conditions, visit capricorn.coop/terms-conditions We look forward to seeing you at a Capricorn event soon.

We will do our best to communicate any requirements prior to booking the event,

SUPPLIER PROFILE Alltech Diesel & Turbocharger

19 YEARS PREFERRED SUPPLIER

Alltech is New Zealand’s premier turbocharger and diesel sales and service organisation. Located on the North Shore of Auckland, Alltech has been servicing the NZ automotive industry for over 25 years. With its expansive range of service equipment, substantial stock of new turbochargers and parts, and their highly experienced staff, Alltech is well placed to assist with your needs. Their philosophy has remained the same from the beginning – to be New Zealand’s leader in industry supply and technical knowledge. This has led to investment in equipment, staff and stock that’s difficult to find elsewhere. The net result of Alltech’s investment has been consistent excellence in its service to the public and industry customers.

Website: turbo.co.nz

6 CAPRICORN IGNITION FEBRUARY 2022

GOLD RUSH WINNERS ANNOUNCED!

Parts Connection Preferred Supplier Bonus Points Promotion Capricorn Preferred Supplier, Parts Connection, continues to give back to Members with their generous prize pool of Capricorn Preferred Supplier Bonus Points worth $30,000. Members who purchased from any Parts Connection supplier received a lucky gold nugget card which put them in the running. The list of lucky winners this month include; 100,000 Preferred Supplier Bonus Points • Collision Connect Huntly • Crown Auto Works • Webbs Autos • Rodney Auto Centre • Church St Motors A big thank you to all Members who participated in the campaign! There are still plenty of opportunities to win, so keep getting your gold nugget cards.

winners Congratulations to the following Members who won a Smoko Shout for their workshop. Members simply had to use the CAP eziparts service between September and November 2021 for their chance to win a Smoko Shout for their workshop. Save time finding the best deal. Login to Capricorn and submit your CAP ezi-parts request. Our Pr e f e r r e d S u p p l i e r s network will then respond with prices and delivery times.

November Winners South Island • Green Island Auto Service Centre Lower North Island • Chris White AutoElectrical Upper North Island • Rod Knight Automotive

CAPRICORN IGNITION FEBRUARY 2022 7

IT’S DIFFERENT. Mutual Protection provided through Capricorn Risk Services is custom made for auto trades.

Join us!

Get the right cover for the right price. See how you’re better off with mutual protection through Capricorn Risk Services. 0800 555 303 | info@capricornrisk.com | capricorn.coop/risk Products sold through Capricorn Risk Services Pty Ltd 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 via capricornrisk.com. 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 is a registered financial services provider (390466) and a corporate Authorised

FEATURES

Field team ‘here to help’, gets warm welcome from Members

“They’re all exceptionally welltrained and have a lot of coaching to ensure they’re following the strictest of protocols and guidelines.”

Who would you prefer to do business with?

“They’re all exceptionally well-trained and have a lot of coaching to ensure they’re following the strictest of protocols and guidelines,” Rob said. “When they’re assessing a risk, they understand it’s a cooperative and everything is to benefit Members.”

Someone who knows the automotive industry, knows you, and takes the time to understand your business and your needs? Or a stranger at the end of a phone in a call centre somewhere?

Members that purchase mutual protection through Capricorn Risk Services receive additional benefits including an instalment payment option at no additional cost, and the ability to earn rewards points on protections paid through their Capricorn Trade Account.

When it comes to the insurance and risk protection industry, these days the second option is a lot more common than the first. It’s becoming rare for business owners to have the name of a person who is responsible for the protection of their most important assets — let alone have that person actually turn up on their doorstep for a conversation about their coverage needs. But according to Rob Sedkey, Capricorn Risk Services’ Sales Manager for New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, that’s exactly why his team receives a warm welcome wherever they go. “The difference is incredible,” Rob said. “I’ve worked in the Australian insurance industry for nearly 20 years now and it’s a very different feeling at Capricorn Risk Services. In my experience, unlike most sales roles where just getting the chance to speak to someone about what you’re offering is a battle, Members that don’t have risk protection welcome us with open arms when we call. “Because we have the Mutual, they know everyone at Capricorn is there to help.” Capricorn Risk Services has a network of more than 30 Risk Account Managers across Australia and New Zealand and, while competitors are shrinking their field teams, Capricorn’s is growing.

Additionally, in Australia mutual protections don’t attract stamp duty of the fire services levy. Members also have the comfort of knowing that we can calculate their risk exposure using state-of-the-art estimator tools sourced from industry experts, to assist them when deciding on the appropriate level of protection for their business. “Unlike some traditional insurers, we look at it every single year,” Rob said. “There’s not one single renewal that goes through Capricorn that doesn’t get looked at either by the Risk Account Manager or the Risk Account Executive.” Rob said the cooperative spirit is instilled into every member of the field team. “We have a set of values that stand behind, that we stand for,” he said. “Everything we do, when we go in there to talk about levels of cover and protection, we do it with the best of intentions. “I think it makes it very special. Everyone in Capricorn essentially is there to help.” If you’re not already a Capricorn Risk Services Member, get in touch today .

DRIVELIFE

2021 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER 2.5P VRX 4WD Written by DriveLife online

The Mitsubishi Outlander has been a stable workhorse for many New Zealand families. The team at DriveLife have reviewed many generations of the Outlander and they have always ranked well with us. The main reason for this was that the Outlander was simple, practical and of great value for money. The only areas we always felt it was struggling in were the interior and tech level specs. However, for the price, we still ranked it high as it was of great value. Now the fully redesigned 2021 Outlander is here and I got to spend 4 weeks behind the wheel over the Christmas holidays. This would really put it to the test: everyday family life, a road trip and a family holiday. W H AT ’ S I N T H E 2 0 2 1 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER 2.5P VRX 4WD RANGE? The new Outlander is available in two formats, combustion engine only and Phev. We hope to review the new Outlander Phev early in 2022, but for now, we will just focus on the combustion engine range. There are six variants of the new Outlander, three of these are two-wheel drive and three are four-wheel drive. • OUTLANDER 2.5P LS 2WD CVT $41,990 • OUTLANDER ● 2.5P XLS 2WD CVT $44,990 • OUTLANDER ● 2.5P VRX 2WD CVT $49,990 • OUTLANDER ● 2.5P LS 4WD CVT -

• •

$44,990 OUTLANDER ● 2.5P XLS 4WD CVT $49,990 OUTLANDER ● 2.5P VRX 4WD CVT $54,990

There are three spec levels across the range: LS, XLS and VRX. The main difference between these levels is that the LS is the five-seat trim level. While the XLS and VRX are both seven-seat trim levels and the VRX has leather seats, a panoramic sunroof and a power tailgate. All vehicles share the same engine: a 2.5 L DOHC MIVEC petrol engine. This engine creates 135 kW of power and 245 Nm of torque. It gets the power to the wheels by a CVT automatic gearbox that has a Sports Mode and Paddle Shift gear selection on

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the steering wheel. The four-wheel drive variants also come with a Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) system, allowing it the ability to do light off-roading. The VRX has a huge spec level, which you can see below and on the Mitsubishi New Zealand website.

OUR REVIEW VEHICLE’S OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT Mitsubishi has always been good about giving you trim levels options instead of optional extras. There is a wide range of vehicle accessories, but the VRX pretty much has all the options and the current retail price of $54,990 For a full list of specs and options available

for the Outlander, jump on over to the Mitsubishi New Zealand website.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS At first glance I thought the vehicle I was looking at was the Mitsubishi Triton, their ute. But I was wrong; the new styling from the latest Triton has carried over and it has given the new Outlander a very strong stance and presence. It also made the new Outlander look like a big vehicle. I must admit there is a lot going on within their design, with the chrome embellishment on the front and the brig grille, but it all works and it looks like a serious bit of kit. Our review car came with the Deep Bronze exterior paint option. It would not have been my pickup, as most people, including myself, instantly referred to it as brown. If I had the choice I would have picked Diamond Red or Atlantic Blue. Regardless of the colour, it was time to get into the new Outlander, as it would be my home for the next month. This time covers the Christmas break, which also includes a family road trip, so we were able to put the new Outlander through almost every family situation before its return.

THE INTERIOR If you are accustomed to the inside of the previous Outlanders, you would describe it as adequate. They have never been a vehicle that you would say had a luxury interior, that is until now. Every single person who got in the Outlander during my time with it, opened the door and said, “WOW, this is nice”. Even I said it when I opened the door for the first time. The inside of the new Outlander has been fully redesigned, and it's been worth the wait. If the Mitsubishi badge was not on the steering wheel, you could very easily convince someone that this was a very high-end European vehicle. What blew everyone's mind was how much it cost. As a test, after each person who said “WOW” got in, I asked them how much they thought it

costs. Nobody came even close to the retail price of $54,990. The answers ranged from $65k to $95k, which really shows that the Outlander is going all in and lifting its game in the family SUV market. The front seats are very well appointed, noticeably finished in the diamond stitch leather which matches the inlay on the doors too. The front seats are extremely comfortable and supportive. Both front seats are 8-way adjustable with power lumbar support, memory function and heating. It didn't take long to get that golden position and lock it into the memory functions. I don't have a single complaint about the seats; the only option I found a bit frustrating was the seat slide on exit, which would move the seat back to allow more room getting in and out of the vehicle. This was fine as long as nobody was in the back. Thankfully, there is an option to turn it off, which we did. The rear seats are appointed in the same way, and are also rather comfortable. While the third row of seats is laid down, the second row can go all the way back, which gives the passengers a huge amount of leg space behind the front seats. Both outer second-row seats are heated; the middle jump seat is not. Heater controls were found on the rear of the centre console, as were the dual-zone climate controls. Headroom is good in the rear too, and it's much the same in the third row. When you want to use the third row, the second row seats must be pulled forward a bit, as there is no leg room when the second row seats are all the way back. Once this is done, third row seats pull into place via a grab handle in the boot, super easy to pull up and put away. They never caused us any issues. Not as much space as our Land Rover Discovery has, but the seats are much easier to use. Getting in and out of the third row requires either side second row seat to be folded forward. They slide and tilt forward to allow the user access to the rear. After a few tests, I felt the rear is more of a space for kids, as getting in and out was a bit tight, as was the legroom.

The infotainment was all combined into a nice 9” touchscreen display in the middle of the dash. The system incorporated the navigation system and AM/FM Radio and was also Android Auto and Wireless Apple CarPlay compatible. Wireless Android Auto is not available, which was a bit of a let-down, as I don't have an Apple phone. The display itself is not the most futuristic display; controls are simple and it's easy to use, which is what it needs to be. The audio side of the system was connected to 10 BOSE premium speakers, where you could either use with the radio, or bluetooth audio streaming. Below this display there was a wireless phone charging pad and 2 USB connections. One is USB A and the other is USB C, which are charging ports only. One of the main features inside the Outlander VRX is the full tilt and sliding panoramic sunroof. This was a great feature to have for the price bracket of the car, with most European cars still leaving this as an optional extra. The sunroof is split into two glass panels; the front panel can move and the rear one is fixed. The front can tilt up, allowing some air in, or it can drop down and slide fully under the second glass panel, opening up a large space in the roof. The other nice thing about the roof was the sunblind. This worked in three positions: fully opened, fully closed and at the bar that runs across the middle of the frame. This makes sense for those with kids who might sleep in the car on a long trip. This made it easy to close the blind so the sun is not on them in the rear, while still having it open at the front. The sunroof could even be opened with the blind half-closed. Rear view out is brilliant, with the only problem area being the B-pillar which was a bit larger then I would have liked, thus creating a bit of a blind spot. A nice little feature for the rear passenger was that the VRX has built-in window shades on both rear passenger doors. Rather handy for younger kids, or those super-hot summer days.

The contents of and any opinions contained in this article do not reflect the opinions of Capricorn Society Ltd and Capricorn makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy, completeness or reliability of any material in this article. CAPRICORN IGNITION FEBRUARY 2022 1 1

console. This goes from Park to Drive and it can also be used to select Neutral and Manual gear mode. I am not sure why it had this, or the steering wheel paddles, as it was never required. The CVT does a great job, so we left it to do its job, making it one less thing to be concerned about.

The boot is also a great space; with the third row stowed away, the boot space is a practical 655 litres. This held a lot more than you would expect. Our trip away required a week’s worth of stuff for my wife and I and our 4-year-old daughter. Our daughter required so many more things than we do, so most of the boot was taken up with her bags, bike, scooter, toys — and presents, as we were away for Christmas day. But the Outlander has no problems with all of that, while still having the ability to put one of the seats in the second row down if more storage was required. If the second row is down, the boot space opens up to 1,473 litres. With the third row of seats up, boot space got a bit tight, with under 200 litres (exact figures not available from the manufacturer). But there was enough space to put a few shopping bags.

THE DRIVE The new Outlander comes with a range of drive modes, with 2WD or 4WD models available. The drive mode selector on the central console allows you to select from a range of environments. Default is Normal and then you have Eco, Tarmac, Gravel, Snow and Mud. There is a very cool visual aid on the dashboard when you make each selection, making it easy to know which one to use. I was only able to use Normal, Eco and Tarmac, as we never went offroad during our trip. Normal and Tarmac felt much the same, and I assumed Tarmac might be configured for more efficient long drives. Eco was, as you would expect in most cars, a lethargic transmission and throttle control, in an effort to avoid quick and inefficient acceleration. Driving the Outlander would be second nature to previous owners, as the gear selector is a control knob on the central

The engine power was initially a concern of mine, as the output of the 2.5 L DOHC MIVEC petrol engine was lower than I had expected for a vehicle of this size. This engine produces 135 kW of power and 245 Nm of torque. Not high figures in today's market, but that doesn't mean it's going to be under powered. My suspicions were correct as the Outlander has the right amount of power to go about your day-today duties and challenges. But if you want to see what it's like off the lights, you will be disappointed as the engine is set up for efficient driving, not drag racing. What this means is that you can't really drive this vehicle in an extremely inefficient way, unlike other vehicles with too much power for daily driving. Even over the Remutaka range, we never felt like the car was underpowered; it was just the right amount for the job. The ride in the new Outlander is smooth, the road’s undulations are handled well. Even the rougher road surfaces were damped in both feel and sound, which in some cars can be quite bad. There is not much roll in the body when tackling twisty roads like the Remutaka Hill road heading out of Wellington to Masterton. The feel in the wheel is ok, nothing to write home about, but you do get a good sense of where the feels are on the road. Visibility is generally pretty good; out the rear is brilliant, with the only area being the

B-pillar which was a bit larger than I would have liked, thus creating a bit of a blind spot. Even though the new Outlander is a big car, it does not feel big to drive. Much like the older models, it feels light and easy to maneuver compared to its physical size. The driver’s dash in the new Outlander is a fully digital display with two dials either side and a large multifunction area in the middle. The central section shows compass direction, vehicle fuel information, navigation, audio and drive mode selection. Unlike other cars where a lot of the vehicle's settings are accessible via the central display, the Outlander had all of these under the driver’s display. But once I found this out, everything was pretty easy to find. This is where I was able to disable the sliding seat on exit setting. In addition to the driver’s dash, there is also a heads-up display, which is another thing I would not have expected at this price bracket. It's a simplistic display showing speed and navigation, but it's great to have as you will look at this over the dash when driving, keeping your vision focused towards the road ahead. The steering wheels controls are good, giving you quick access to audio volume, vehicle information on the dash, vehicle setting menus, phone and cruise control. The only issue that I and my wife found was that setting the cruise control was not as intuitive as you would expect. In several occasions, we both found that it became too much hassle and said we would work it out when stopped, forgetting to do so the next time we stopped. Apart from that the rest of the buttons were straightforward and easy to use. Considering this vehicle is a 7-seat luxury SUV and it retails at $54,990, I was surprised at the range of driver’s aids that are all standard on the VRX. Deep breath and here we go: it's got a reverse camera; emergency lane assist; traffic sign recognition system; driver attention alert; lane departure warning and prevention; moving object detection; forward collision mitigation; active blind

DRIVELIFE

2021 MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER

spot assist; rear automatic emergency braking; adaptive LED headlights; rear seat alert; adjustable speed limiter; driver, passenger, center front, side, curtain and driver's knees airbags; blind spot warning; hill start assist; parking sensors front and rear; multi around view monitor of parking; lane change assist; rear cross traffic alert; and hill descent control. For the money, you would have to add several thousand dollars of options to some other cars to get this level of technology. My only real gripe with the new Outlander was with the handbrake. It's an electric push and pull button set-up, with an autohold button option under it. Both work as expected; however, the auto-hold is reset to off every time you start the vehicle, which I found to be very frustrating. Fuel consumption is another one of the Outlander’s strong points. The rated combined consumption from Mitsubishi is 8.1 litres per 100 km. Over the time we had the Outlander, we managed to get it to 10.1 litres per 100 km. But I was left feeling like this number was not right, mainly based on how many times I filled it up over the 4 weeks I was driving it. I covered around

1,500 km during this time and I only filled up twice, which is over 700 km per fill. We know from the previous models they are really efficient, and I was very happy with how far I was able to get on a tank. If I were to use one word to describe the drive of the new Outlander, that word would be “Quiet”. The redesign must have added a fair bit of soundproofing as it's hard to hear the engine without the windows down. This is great as it makes the cabin a good place to be and makes chatting to passengers easier. Driving the Outlander is much the same as the previous Outlanders. It's rather uneventful. It's not fast or slow, it is not a driver's car, but it's not a bad car to drive. It does not have a hard ride or a soft ride. Everything is around the middle, which may sound like useless info, but it’s not.

ECONOMY

HANDLING

INFOTAINMENT

INTERIOR

PERFORMANCE

RIDE

SAFETY

STYLING

VALUE

SUMMARY As I mentioned, the DriveLife team have always had respect for the Outlander. It's a very versatile family vehicle and has been the core of many families due to its great value. But the inside was dated even in the previous model and it was long overdue for a big makeover. Thankfully, that's exactly what Mitsubishi has done. The new Outlander is a clear sign that Mitsubishi is looking at what their customer base loves about the brand, updating what works with new technology and fixing what was working so that they continue to offer a solid all-round family vehicle at exceptional value. I personally think that if you're after a family SUV or 7-seater, it's going to be hard to beat the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander.

The new Outlander drives how you would expect it to — no complicated systems, easy to use and it does the job well — making it a rather easy car to live with on the day to day.

FUTURE RIDE

Lots to love about MG’s new

The future is here. And it’s sexy as hell. Meet the MG Cyberster—a sporty little two-seater convertible with a sleek, up-to-the-minute design and more than a wink at the classic MGs of the 1960s. It’s as fresh as a contestant on The Bachelor and, as it does zero to 100 kmh in under three seconds, it moves about as fast as one, too. Oh yeah, and it’s electric, with a stereotype-busting range of some 800 km. There is, in short, a lot to love about this impressive roadster— both inside and outside. Let’s start with what’s inside. The MG Cyberster has an intelligent all-electric architecture with an upgraded moduleless battery. It’s that technology which explains the zippiness and the range. As we’ve come to expect from the recent generation of concept cars, it features intelligent driving, Level 3 autonomous driving capability, advanced “smart technology” and 5G connectivity. Basically, you'd think you'd need to train at NASA to fix it. But it’s outside where the MG Cyberster really captivates. It was designed by the team at SAIC Design Advanced London. SAIC director Carl Gotham said the designers wanted to create a bold statement that “looks strongly into MG’s future”.

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“It touches on our heritage, but more importantly, it’s building on our cutting-edge technology and advanced design,” he said. “Sports cars are the lifeblood of the MG DNA and Cyberster is a hugely exciting concept for us.” The Cyberster inherits the classic convertible shape and takes some of its styling cues from the classic MGB Roadster. The front face features the design of MG’s classic round headlamps and slender grille, along with interactive “Magic Eye” headlights that open when switched on. (They don’t just pop up, they respond to different modes. For example, in race mode, the headlights become a single sharp line.) “In order to achieve better aerodynamic performance, the MG Cyberster has evolved the grille into an aerodynamic air duct leading to the front wheels, interpreting new aesthetics in the EV era,” MG explained in launching the vehicle.

roadster, outside and inside A flattened kammback tail design gives the Cyberster a very distinctive rear end and improves its aerodynamics. Its wide base, with its wheels set in the corners, gives the roadster an imposing, road-dominating look. In the cockpit it has a large LED instrument display with a second central screen. The interaction is realized through full touch. The Cyberster is no electric dream; it’s about to become a reality. Unveiled at the Shanghai Motor Show in April last year, MG said the vehicle would go into production if there was enough interest . It is believed that the vehicle had more than 5000 registrations by July. So the Cyberster may be on the way. In the line-up of all the amazing electric vehicles coming onto the market in the next year of two, the MG Cyberster is one any discerning Bachelor would give a rose.

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Women from the top

What it’s like to run a Member business We sat down with our Member Directors Julie Wadley and Lydia Stjepanovic to discuss what it’s like to run an automotive business in 2022 and demonstrate the career opportunities for aspiring women.

Member Directors Julie Wadley and Lydia Stjepanovic In 2019, the University of Sydney released their report titled One of the boys, investigating the work and career experiences of Australian women working in automotive trade occupations. One of the recommendations to improve women’s participation in the automotive industry was to increase the visibility of tradeswomen to give women role models. Capricorn currently has three women sitting on our Board of Directors. Two Member Directors, Julie Wadley and Lydia Stjepanovic, and Independent Director, Donna Vinci. Whilst Donna has vast experience across finance and IT (other traditionally male-dominated industries), for International Women’s Day, we sat down with our Member Directors Julie and Lydia to discuss what it’s like to run an automotive business in 2022 and demonstrate the career opportunities within the industry to aspiring tradeswomen. Both Lydia and Julie are Capricorn Member Directors, meaning they simultaneously run successful automotive businesses and represent Member interests on the Capricorn Board of Directors. Both are busy positions that require a lot of experience, dedication, and time. Julie began in the automotive industry when she and her husband opened their collision repair business in 1972. The business was a family passion, and when her husband became unwell and lost a hard-fought battle with cancer in 2008, Julie took on the management of the business by herself.

share one thing: a love for all things automotive. Julie and Lydia are no different, with different paths, and for different reasons, but both share the love for the automotive industry. Julie’s husband was keen to be his own boss, so Julie worked to support their dream of business ownership in their early days. After spending years passionately running the business with her husband, developing the systems and processes to keep the business running smoothly, Julie transitioned to managing the business by herself when her husband fell ill. Lydia, by contrast, was born into the automotive industry, so you could almost say she inherited her love. After helping her parents in the business during high school, Lydia finished a business management degree, fell into a customer experience role, and spent some time in the wine industry. When the opportunity to help her parents out became available, she returned to ‘help’ and has never left. As she explains, she and her husband ‘wake up in the morning, excited to go to work.’ When asked what keeps them going on the tough days, Julie and Lydia noted loving the challenges thrown their way as business owners. Constantly overcoming the challenges keeps them passionate. As Julie mentioned, ‘if you can solve it, you’ve succeeded.’

Julie is Capricorn’s first-ever female Director, appointed in 2014, after dedicating years to the ongoing development of the automotive industry through numerous boards and committees. Julie has also busted the glass ceiling a few times, being the first person to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from the MTA WA, the second woman to receive a similar award from the National Collision Repairer and winning the 2005 AAMI/Paint & Panel Best Small Shop award.

Lydia mentioned getting a thrill when she can change people’s perceptions about the automotive industry. She enjoys demonstrating that the modern workshop is a professional, specialised workplace full of passionate team members.

Lydia is our most recent addition to the Capricorn Board after being born and raised in the industry. A second-generation automotive business owner, Lydia initially explored a successful career outside the automotive industry before returning to her family business. Since purchasing her parents’ business in 2019, Lydia and her husband have driven doubledigit business growth, won multiple awards in business and customer service and been consecutive finalists in a national business award.

Running a business

Why the automotive industry Everyone comes to the automotive industry for different reasons, and on different paths. However, most people working in the industry all 1 6 CAPRICORN IGNITION FEBRUARY 2022

Their advice when things get tough? When it’s difficult, you realise how good you are, and how much you love what you do.

It’s important to celebrate the wins we experience when running our businesses, no matter how big or small. After spending so much time under the hood of a car, or swept up in paperwork, it can be hard to see how far we have come. As many Members’ reading will know, building a business from scratch is really hard. Breaking into the collision industry with different insurers and established repairer networks can be even harder. Proving her business was good enough and they could do the job is an achievement Julie is incredibly proud of.

Lydia is proud of the customer-centric workshop she and her team have worked hard to create. As she explains, so many people in the automotive industry are passionate people but struggle to communicate effectively with customers. Focusing on strong communication skills has made their workshop stronger, as anyone can talk to customers and provide exceptional customer service. A few other business initiatives such as removing the hierarchical structure of the business to create a great workplace culture and building a new website have contributed to double-digit year-on-year growth for Lydia and her team. And whilst we must celebrate the wins, it’s also important to acknowledge the challenges we have overcome to arrive where we are today. Among the numerous challenges to running a business, the constant upgrade cycle and reaching capacity are challenges Julie has had to overcome. At the moment parts can also be a struggle to come by, so she has had to keep a larger parts inventory to compensate. For Lydia, getting into the mindset of running a business, and juggling conflicting work and family commitments when working on the business by herself have been particular challenges. She also shared how unique it can be to learn how to work with a spouse, dividing responsibilities, creating processes and making sure everything gets done without stepping on each other’s toes. As Julie notes on overcoming challenges, when running a business, you develop a gut

instinct. You make a decision, and you have to stick by it and own it. You can explain why you made the decision, but you can’t go backwards. Lydia adds you can’t seesaw. If it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work. You try your best to fix it and then move on.

Women in automotive When discussing how the experience of women in the automotive industry is unique, Julie mentions she has a giggle when sales reps make assumptions regarding the decisionmakers in the business. She says, ‘you can see the floor open up beneath them when my team come to find me.’ In Lydia’s workshop, she often finds customers still want to talk to a (often male) mechanic. Whilst the mechanics provide the same information, customers still have preconceptions regarding her ability to answer their questions. Both Julie and Lydia admit being women in the automotive industry can be very difficult, as it is still quite male-dominated. Although, as Julie points out, there are a lot of opportunities for women in automotive, ‘it’s hard to break in, but the industry is starting to get there; it just takes time.’ Lydia builds on this saying, ‘anything worth doing is difficult and anything worth having requires persistence to attain. Consistency and showing up every day are the key to pushing through barriers.’ She also recommends allowing yourself to be imperfect, as we all fail, make mistakes and grow. True success turns

those failures into opportunities. In her words, ‘accept, acknowledge and then move on, and keep showing up, every single day.’ Being a woman in the industry can be positive for workshops and is something Julie credits as helping her to develop a respectful workplace culture, which bleeds into all facets of the business, including within customer service. Whether a spray painter, a receptionist or a customer, respect is a core value within Julie’s team. However, representation can be half the battle for women in automotive and Lydia notes that at times it can be difficult to find women. In her experience, the best thing she can do as a business owner is to be visible. Her advice for other women working in the industry? Be seen and be approachable, as demonstrating the different roles women fill within the industry, whether as a tradeswoman or an accountant, will help encourage other women to join the industry. And regardless of where you are heading, you will have both critics and cheerleaders. Keep the cheerleaders close and hold yourself accountable for your future. Lydia recommends visualising where you want to be and start the journey. Whilst imposter syndrome is real, ‘don’t let that voice in your head stop you. It’s louder than all of your critics.’ For those looking for support, Julie recommends the Motor Trade Associations. Lydia would also recommend looking outside of the automotive industry to other business network groups, for example, a local tradesperson business group provided her with some of the support she required.

The best thing I bring to my business In conclusion, we asked Julie and Lydia the best thing they bring to their businesses. For Julie, she brings the love and passion needed to run an automotive business. Whilst Lydia loves bringing a different perspective from her experience outside the automotive industry. Julie and Lydia have both spent their time in the automotive industry smashing stereotypes and changing people’s minds. In 2022, International Women’s Day asks us how we can Break the Bias for a world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. By amplifying the achievements of the women within Capricorn, like Julie and Lydia, and promoting the opportunities for women in the automotive industry, we hope we can increase representation and provide role models for the next generation of Capricorn Members.

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NEW ZEALAND A WORLD LEADER IN MOTORSPORT by Paul Marinelli

New Zealand ranks as the 75th largest country in terms of land mass and it sits at 121st for population size. Yet the land of the long white cloud has one of the most impressive records of success in international motorsport. New Zealand racing drivers have accumulated one Formula One World Championship; 12 Formula One grand prix wins, including two at the famed Monaco Grand Prix; six victories in the Le Mans 24 Hours; six IndyCar Series Championships; one win in the Indianapolis 500; four Motorcycle Grand Prix Championships; three World Endurance Championship (GT/Sportscars) Drivers’ titles; one World Rally Championship round win; and, closer to home, a staggering 18 Bathurst 1000 victories and nine Australian Touring Car Championship/Supercars titles. 1 8 CAPRICORN IGNITION FEBRUARY 2022

In 2021 alone, Shane van Gisbergen won the Supercars championship, Andre Heimgartner claimed his first Supercars victory, Marcus Armstrong and Liam Lawson scored race wins in Formula 2, Scott McLaughlin raced to Rookie of the Year honours in the IndyCar Series and in the Indianapolis 500 (directly after winning three consecutive Supercars Championships), Brendon Hartley finished runner-up in the Le Mans 24 Hours (after having made it all the way to Formula One), Mitch Evans was a championship contender in Formula E, and Jaxon Evans won a race in the Porsche Supercup global championship. From the pioneering efforts of 1967 Formula One world champion Denny Hulme, long-time grand prix driver Chris Amon, and legendary team founder Bruce McLaren to the international achievements of IndyCar great Scott Dixon and sportscar aces Earl Bamber and Hartley today, New Zealand well and truly punches above its weight in motorsport.

So how has a country of only five million people achieved so much motor racing success? It has invested in facilities and grassroots racing, beginning with go-karts and progressing up to the Toyota Racing Series, New Zealand’s premier openwheeler category, with the New Zealand Grand Prix the main event on its calendar. New Zealand has eight permanent FIA-licensed racing circuits across the country: Bruce McLaren Motorsport Park (Taupo), Circuit Chris Amon (Manfeild Autocourse), Hampton Downs Motorsport Park, Highlands Motorsport Park, Pukekohe Park Raceway, Ruapuna Park, Teretonga Park and Timaru International Motor Raceway. Compare that to Sydney, also with a population of around five million, where Sydney Motorsport Park is the only permanent motorsport facility. New Zealand’s motorsport interests are catered for with easily accessible circuits and plenty of categories across the various motorsport disciplines, for talent development. But it isn’t just the facilities that develop future champions. New Zealand’s Elite Motorsport Academy is a collaboration between the New Zealand Sports Academy and the Otago University Physical Education Department. This is a sports science-focused academy with a mentorship program for its participants. While workshops cover physical training, psychology and nutrition, there’s also a major motorsport focus with classes on data analysis, regulations, and procedures, along with media training. Academy alumni include Bamber, Evans, Heimgartner, van Gisbergen and others. New Zealand can also thank philanthropic competitors who have invested in facilities and talent. Ken Smith, three-time winner of the New Zealand Grand Prix who raced well into his 70s, played a key role in the careers of Dixon, Hartley, Matt Halliday and several more. Tony Quinn, an Australian GT regular who moved to New Zealand from Scotland, owns the Hampton Downs, Highlands and Taupo circuits there and recently added Queensland Raceway to his portfolio. With the country’s strong developmental programs and impressive facilities to foster talent, New Zealanders can also easily cross the Tasman and make a name for themselves in Australia. Jim Richards set the benchmark, winning four Australian Touring Car Championship titles and seven Bathurst 1000 events, while also claiming the record for most race starts in the Australian endurance classic. This paved the way for a number of New Zealanders in Australian touring cars, such as Paul Radisich, Simon Wills and the late Jason Richards, with McLaughlin and van Gisbergen the recent dominators in Supercars. The only other country that can compare to New Zealand’s motorsport impact relative to its size is Finland, also with a population of just over five million. Finland has won four Formula One World Championships and a remarkable 14 World Rally Championship titles, also owing its success to strong grassroots-level support. But when it comes to wins across the breadth of international motorsport, New Zealand still comes out on top. With van Gisbergen, McLaughlin and Hartley at the peaks of their careers and youngsters Armstrong, Lawson and the Evanses entering theirs, New Zealand will only add to its incredible record of global motorsport achievements.

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T FU UR

RECOGNIS

EADERS EL

EE FF O R T

HARD WORK D R |R A W ET E A R I |

CAPRICORN

Stars $20,000 IN CASH AND PRIZES UP FOR GRABS! ENTRIES CLOSE 30 APRIL 2022 NOMINATE YOUR APPRENTICE AT CAP.COOP/STARS

For more information visit capricorn.coop/tc and click on ‘Capricorn Rising Stars 2022 Terms and Conditions’.

CAPRICORN RISING STARS NOMINATIONS OPEN SHOW YOUR APPRENTICES YOUR APPRECIATION

The Capricorn Rising Stars, Apprentice of the Year program is an opportunity for automotive workshops and repair centres to acknowledge apprentices for their ongoing effort and hard work. By recognising and rewarding apprentices for the value they bring to the workshop, you will keep them engaged and excited about to their promising careers ahead of them. The award prioritises acknowledging apprentices with a passion for auto, a positive can-do attitude and a strong commitment to forging a long career as a repairer. The unique judging criteria means you can recognise your star apprentices as they continue to develop their technical proficiency.

competition is open to apprentices at any level across all types of workshops and disciplines; from panel and fabrication to auto electrical, general mechanical, heavy diesel and more. All Members are encouraged to consider nominating their apprentices as a Capricorn Rising Star. As well as being a good opportunity to embed a positive team culture, recognising apprentices is also important to help the industry to attract the best talent and retain more of our future leaders. Every apprentice that is nominated will benefit by receiving a certificate sent to their workshop. In addition, more than $20,000 in cash and prizes is up for grabs to be shared amongst the Overall Winner,

Focusing on initiative, eagerness to learn and commitment to the auto repair industry, the

MORE THAN $20,000 IN CASH AND PRIZES TO BE WON! OVERALL WINNER

TOP 5 FINALISTS

•

$5,000 cash from Castrol

•

$1,000 cash from Castrol

•

Capricorn Rising Stars trophy

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$1,000 Repco voucher

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Plus everything the Top 5 Finalists receive

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Tickets to two Repco Masterclasses

Capricorn thanks long-term program sponsors Castrol, Repco and Workshop Whisperer, who have donated these fantastic prizes. For more information on the Capricorn Rising Stars competition, including competition Terms and Conditions, visit cap.coop/stars.

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Stronger together – overcoming the gender barriers in the automotive aftermarket by Jeff Smit

The auto repair industry has traditionally been exclusively male dominated, but that is changing, perhaps not rapidly enough, but the change is positive. Ask any workshop owner committed to gender inclusivity, if they regretted their decision, and you will get a resounding 'absolutely not.' Where once it might have made big news for a woman to sign up for a trade like auto mechanic, these days, the sight of a woman driving a huge rig on an open cut coalmine site, or working as a chippie on a building project, barely generates a raised eyebrow. Most traditionally male-dominated workplaces like auto workshops have become much more inclusive, and gender is no longer a tick box on a job interview form. Those who have made their workshops more inclusive, report positive attitudes in customer relationships and work ethics. And it’s encouraging to see more women making their mark in aftermarket auto workshops. In Australia, as in many other countries, the gender barrier in trades has been

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diminishing, and those who have engaged young women are excited to see the passion and dedication they are bringing to the industry. As one employer put it, 'we look for attitude first and foremost – gender is really incidental to the employment process.' Gender diversification in technical careers within workshops is a growing trend – slow but growing. In America, a recent report revealed that about one in five persons entering the auto technician field in the last five years is female. Not so many years ago, TaT interviewed several young women who had made names for themselves in the auto repair sector, one of them was the apprentice of the year in Queensland. Her employer stated that enthusiasm and a willingness to learn were the most important attributes of any employee, no matter their gender or age. Another young woman, then aged just 21, was a gold medalist in the Australian Worldskills National Competition, making her the best young auto electrician in the country. Proving once again the dedication and technical proficiency of the next generation of auto electricians. One large Queensland auto workshop works closely with high schools to encourage students to undertake work experience in the auto trades. He noted that more and more young women are volunteering for work experience whereas once such a job would not be on their radar.

It seems that the rapid technological advances in vehicle maintenance and repair have helped to overcome some of the perceived gender barriers, and once those completely disappear, the conversation reverts back to the essence of challenging diagnostic work. A female apprentice recently interviewed commented, 'A good work ethic will get you further than any debate about the gender differences. It's a focus that doesn't need to be there. Surely it is about the industry having good technicians, working hard to keep vehicles safe and on the road. 'The auto industry now offers such a wide range of opportunities, anyone can go anywhere.' For both men and women, there is a huge demand for technicians in the automotive sector. With 20.1 million registered motor vehicles recorded in January 2021 in Australia, and an expected 22 million by 2030, opportunities for careers in automotive servicing and repair must grow to meet the demand. Training organisations like a local TAFE have told us they would like to see more women join the auto electrical field. And as one employer put it, 'Encouraging gender diversity means we have doubled our potential pool of apprentices.'

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BUSINESS BUILDING

The women in automotive you need to know From the earliest days of motorised transport, we have heard about the men who have grown and shaped the automotive industry.

automotive manufacturers, to inventing important technology still used today, and driving cars far and fast, women have been part of the automotive industry since day one.

But right alongside them, from the very beginning, have been pioneering women driving the industry forward. From leading global

Here are 10 women you need to know if you work in the automotive industry today.

BERTHA BENZ

Known for: First person to drive an automobile over a long distance. We’ll spare you the cliché ‘behind every man,’ but without Bertha Benz, we may not even have the motor vehicles we know and love today. Bertha Benz was the business partner and wife of automobile inventor Carl Benz. After investing in Carl Benz’s iron construction company before their marriage in 1872, Bertha also helped to finance the development of the Motorwagen. After contributing to the design of the original machine, she was also the first person in history to drive an automobile over a long distance, covering 106 km in one day in 1888.

Margaret Wilcox

Known for: Inventing climate control It’s the first thing you turn on in the frosty cold of a winter morning, but did you know today’s climate control was invented by Margaret A. Wilcox in 1893? As a qualified mechanical engineer, Margaret worked throughout her twenties to heat railway cars utilising the heat generated by the engines to heat the cabins. In 1929, Henry Ford began using her system in his Model A cars, and the rest they say, is history.

Mary Anderson

Known for: Invented the windshield wiper Sometimes the smallest things can make a huge difference, the windshield wiper being a great example of this effect. During a visit to New York in 1902, Mary Anderson sat in a trolley car (known here as a tram) and observed as the driver struggled to see past the sleet on the windows. When Mary returned home, she worked with a designer to produce a hand-operated device to keep a windshield clear. Building on Mary’s invention, Charlotte Bridgewood created the first automatic wiper system in 1917, using rollers instead of blades.

Aloha Wanderwell

Known for: First woman to drive an automobile around the world When googling Aloha Wanderwell, you come across ads touting her as the ‘world’s most widely travelled girl.’ This claim may not be inaccurate, as at age 16 she began a drive around the world, starting in Nice, France, in 1922 and finishing her expedition in 1927. She is the first woman to circumnavigate the world by driving herself. Aloha spoke 11 languages and acted as translator and filmmaker for numerous expeditions she and her husband embarked upon.

Katharine Burr Blodgett Known for: Invented nonreflective glass

Katharine Burr Blodgett was the first woman to work as a scientist for General Electric Laboratory in Schenectady, NY. Whilst working with colleague Irving Langmuir, she developed the film used to create ‘invisible glass,’ making glass nonreflective. This film is now widely used on windscreens to reduce glare in motor vehicles. In 1943, she received a star in the seventh edition of American Men of Science, recognising her as one of the 1,000 most distinguished scientists in the United States.

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Jutta Kleinschmidt

Known for: First woman to win the Paris-Dakar Rally

The Dakar Rally is renowned for its difficulty and ability to push drivers and their cars to the limit. Jutta Kleinschmidt is the first, and currently only, woman to win the Paris-Dakar rally, in 2001. Originally starting out on a motorcycle in 1988, she switched to a car in 1994 and in 1997 became the first woman to win a stage of the Rally. In 1999 she placed on the podium before winning in 2001.

Mary Barra

Known for: The first woman to lead a global automobile manufacturer Mary Barra is the Chair and Chief Executive Officer of General Motors, becoming the first woman to lead a ‘Big Three’ automaker or global automobile manufacturer, in 2014. Barra has been working for General Motors since 1980, when she was 18 years old, working her way up through engineering positions and administrative positions to be named successor to the previous CEO in 2013. Under Mary’s leadership, General Motors has made the move into driverless and electric-powered vehicles.

"Sometimes the smallest things can make a huge difference, the windshield wiper being a great example of this effect." Simona de Silvestro

Known for: First full-time female driver in the Supercars era

Simona de Silvestro is a Swiss-Italian racing driver who has raced in Formula E and IndyCar; however, you may know her better as the ‘Iron Maiden’ or ‘Swiss Miss.’ Simona has made our list of women you need to know as she is one of only 31 women to compete at Bathurst and is the first full-time female driver in the Supercars era, joining in 2017.

Elena Ford

Known for: First female Ford family member to hold an executive position at Ford Motor Company

It wouldn’t be a list of famous automotive names without a ‘Ford’ included. However, we aren’t talking about the first Ford. We are talking about his granddaughter, Elena Ford. Elena is the first female Ford family member to hold an executive position at the company as their Chief Customer Experience Officer. She is spearheading their customer experience movement, including the Ford Signature program.

Betty Klimenko

Known for: The first woman to own a Supercars racing team and win the Bathurst 1000 A fan favourite rev-head, Betty Klimenko is the first woman to own a Supercars racing team, Erebus Motorsport. Betty is the daughter of Westfield Group founder John Saunders and bought the Stone Brothers Racing team (renamed Erebus Motorsport) in 2012 after being introduced to motorsport by her husband. Overcoming numerous challenges, including a manufacturer change, in 2017 she became the first female team owner to win the Bathurst 1000.

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WE CAN ALL DO IT

ENCOURAGING WOMEN TO JOIN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY Attracting people, especially young people to the industry has never been a hotter topic. Capricorn CEO David Fraser recently wrote, “Unless we tackle the problem now, the situation is only going to get worse,” after we discussed it as part of the State of the Nation 2021 report. Attracting and retaining women in the automotive industry have never been more important to help close the skills gap. But how can we ensure our workplaces are pleasant, welcoming places for all team members, including women? What challenges do women face entering the industry and how can we help them overcome them? Louise Azzopardi is a Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanic and life coach who has spent the last few years encouraging and supporting young women to join the automotive industry. From completing her trade qualification to training others to becoming a WorldSkills judge and Australian Apprenticeship Ambassador, Louise has grabbed the opportunities offered to her by her career with both hands, and she is passionate about helping other young women do the same. Louise always knew she wanted to do something technical, whether that be in fashion design or in an automotive trade. Having always ridden dirt bikes with her family, she knew she loved the maintenance of the bikes, always wanting to do something with her hands.

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After completing work experience at some local motorbike workshops, Louise tried working in a heavy mechanical workshop and soon found she couldn’t imagine herself doing anything else. Fascinated by the intricacies of the workings on the vehicles, Louise began to help train her fellow junior apprentices and realised her passion for training.

"Louise always knew she wanted to do something technical" In her early career, Louise was used to being the only woman in her classes, or in the workshop. However, being the only woman contributed to her denying some of her own health struggles as she strove to be considered ‘one of the guys.’ As well as dodging some of the odd sexist comments her colleagues and peers had made, it led to a period of selfdoubt. Without a lot of life experience, Louise found it difficult to properly communicate what she was experiencing. As part of her work as a mechanic and a trainer, Louise has seen firsthand how important supporting and nurturing women from the very beginning of their careers can be. As she notes, the automotive industry can be unkind to both young

men and women. And instead of focusing on the numbers of women joining as apprentices and becoming qualified, we need to focus on and celebrate our success in nurturing young people through a vulnerable part of their lives and their careers. In Louise’s view, it’s really simple. Women should be involved in the automotive industry, “because they make up half the population.” But beyond that, it’s important to have a diverse workforce including women as it will increase creative thinking within the workshop. A broader spectrum of experiences will provide a range of problem-solving skills and unique thought patterns, all of which are important for technical trades. Her advice for young women thinking about joining – just go for it. Whilst it can be intimidating to begin, she says, “Once you earn your stripes, they can be whatever colour you want them to be.” For the tradeswomen looking for support in their career, she advises to build a strong support network around you. Louise runs her own support group on Facebook called ‘Tradeswomen Owning Their Power’ where tradeswomen can find a safe space for personal and professional development. But she also recommends thinking outside the box and finding mentors and coaches that make you feel safe and can help empower and develop your resilience. And don’t forget the work best friend! Having someone to confide in, even if they aren’t on the workshop floor, provides women with the emotional support needed in the workplace. Her advice for businesses when they are approached by young women – don’t be shocked! Women want to join the industry; however, often they have to overcome waves of self-doubt and being left feeling like they aren’t welcome. Representation and attitude matter, so putting in the extra effort to welcome young women into your workplace will pay off in the long run.

and make the effort to maintain an open dialogue with the team. Sometimes small things can be a struggle for women, such as explaining why they don’t feel well, or deciding what to wear to social events so they aren’t sexualised or perceived differently. These challenges can be solved by fostering a safe, supportive, and non-judgemental workplace culture. Sometimes the smallest things like asking team members what they need to feel safe or taking the time to eat lunch together can help create authentic safe spaces for all staff to feel like they belong. Finally, if you are noticing a problem, really take the time to find the root cause of it. From a bad egg to a culture issue or even an

"Women should be involved in the automotive industry, “because they make up half the population.” " external partner that could be causing roadblocks, take the time to find the problem so you can solve it properly. For women looking for further support to build their confidence, Louise runs a mentoring and coaching program focused on developing a range of life skills needed throughout a career. You can find out more at louiseazzopardi.com

Also be prepared to have some difficult conversations with staff

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Why should I hire an apprentice?

Only 39% of Capricorn Members currently employ an apprentice. When factoring this for our membership base of 24,000 Members, that’s only just over 9,000 apprentices. With service and workshops projected to grow 9.3% between 2020 and 2025 in Australia alone, there are a lot of trades positions to fill. The skills gap is real, and since the international borders have been closed for most of 2020 and 2021, finding skilled tradespeople has become a larger challenge. More than 51% of Members listed a shortage of skilled people as a top five concern for the industry in the 2021 State of the Nation report. That’s up seven percentage points on the 2020 result, leapfrogging changing technology as the industry’s biggest challenge (on 44% in 2021, compared to 49% in 2020). The biggest opportunity to start closing the gap is to encourage a new generation of talent, as this is the pipeline of future technicians, business owners, partners, and industry leaders. As former Capricorn Director Russell Becker noted in the 2021 State of the Nation report, ‘every Member running a business needs to accept they have a level of responsibility to help find and train the talent of the future, and to find a way to do so that is sustainable and profitable for their business.’ ‘We have to live up to the answer we give to surveys like State of the Nation and actually “train the next generation” — because

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ultimately it will benefit us all. That’s not altruism; that’s an investment.’ So, what are some of the benefits of hiring an apprentice? Why should you hire an apprentice in 2022?

It’s an investment for the industry Employing an apprentice not only benefits your workshop in the immediate term, but it also helps other workshops in the future. The greater the number of qualified tradespeople in the talent pool, the easier it will be to find the right people for your workshop, and the easier it will be for your peers as well. A healthy talent pool also helps when you begin to consider how you would like to exit the industry or succession planning. The apprentices of today will be the industry leaders of tomorrow. A larger pool of prospective buyers is obviously beneficial for business owners looking to sell or pass on their business.

Apprentices tend to be loyal Apprentices spend a number of years in your workshop and get to know you, your goals and business values. They understand the commitment workshop owners put into their training and development and will often develop a sense of loyalty to their host workshops. Whilst they may move on after their qualification is complete, apprentices often think fondly of their first workshop. Russell reminisced in the State of the Nation report how he still fondly remembers his time at Prospect County Council (now Sydney Electricity). A great way to foster apprentice loyalty and demonstrate their value to your business is to recognise them for the great work they do. Capricorn Rising Stars is all about recognising effort and rewarding hard work to help workshops retain their future leaders. Unlike other apprentice competitions that focus purely on the technical proficiency of nominees, Capricorn Rising Stars prioritises rewarding apprentices who demonstrate a passion for all things automotive and have a positive can-do attitude and a strong commitment to forging a long career as a repairer. Check out pages 16 & 17 for more information on Capricorn Rising Stars.

It can help manage human resourcing

Apprentices are also very flexible as their training requires experience in numerous areas of the workshop. So not only are you getting assistance in different areas of the business, but your apprentice is developing a range of life and technical skills. Finally, apprentices can help give existing team members leadership and management experience as they assist with the apprentice’s training and development. Whilst training an apprentice is a rewarding experience, it can also foster a sense of value and satisfaction with existing team members.

Apprentices are great for workshop culture We all remember what it was like when we started our careers. Everything was new, fresh, and exciting. Apprentices bring a fantastic energy to the workplace and can help reinvigorate the team and remind us all why we are so passionate about our trade. Having an apprentice can also help foster a culture of mutual learning. The trade schools of today are teaching ever new and exciting technologies, which apprentices feed back to their host workshops. Making new discoveries and learning together is a great way to foster strong workplace relationships.

Don’t forget the financial incentives The potential availability of government financial incentives* is another important factor to consider when deciding whether to hire an apprentice. Linking back to our point in human resourcing, incentives can help workshops grow at a manageable rate. Apprentice incentives make hiring an apprentice an attainable reality and a sustainable way to increase your workshop capacity. We’ve got an article linked in the QR code, highlighting all the available incentives across Australia and New Zealand for easy access to the incentive information you need.

Growth can be difficult to manage and getting your staff numbers right can be tough. Apprentices are a great middle step to grow at a manageable level if you aren’t sure whether you need a new tradesperson yet.

*Please note that all content relating to financial incentives is provided as general information only. Nothing in this article or the linked material should be construed as advice regarding a Member’s eligibility to obtain any government payments or financial incentives. Members should seek independent advice if they have any questions regarding the availability of any particular government incentive or payment.

CAPRICORN IGNITION FEBRUARY 2022 2 9

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N R O C I R P A C

LAST MONTH'S ANSWERS LAST MONTH'S WINNERS 1st Prize - 4,000 points Romsey Auto Care 2nd Prize - 2,000 points Tim Warren Auto

Email your answers to ignition@capricorn.coop before the 25th of February. 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.

WORD

Find the 15 words hidden in the jumble. They could be horizontal, vertical, diagonal or backwards. See if you can find them all!

EVENT CHAMPIONSHIP BIAS ENTHUSIASTS WOMEN AFTERMARKET NOMINATION COMPETITIVE

STEREOTYPES SUSTAINABLE RISING APPRENTICESHIP GENDER RESOURCES RIDE

CAPRICORN IGNITION FEBRUARY 2022 3 1

M NO E W TO ’ S U TH PG E RA D

We’re saying “YEAH” to Members who want new vehicle & equipment finance* Take advantage and get the best EOFY deals from Capricorn Preferred Suppliers

Contact Capricorn Finance on lending@capricorn.coop or call 0800 401 444. *Capricorn Finance offers business equipment finance through Capricorn Society Limited (NZBN 9429038593185). Fees & charges, terms & conditions and lending criteria apply.

Ignition Magazine New Zealand | February 2022

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