MTA QUEENSLAND hosts quarterly Divisional Committee meetings for:
› AUSTRALIAN AUTOMOTIVE DEALER ASSOCIATION (NEW CAR DEALERS)
› AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERS DIVISION (MECHANICAL REPAIRERS)
› AUTOMOTIVE PARTS RECYCLERS DIVISION (PARTS RECYCLERS)
› AUTOMOTIVE REMARKETING DIVISION (USED CAR DEALERS)
› ENGINE RECONDITIONERS ASSOCIATION OF QUEENSLAND (ENGINE RECONDITIONERS)
› NATIONAL AUTO COLLISION ALLIANCE (PAINT & PANEL / TOW TRUCKS)
› QUEENSLAND FARM & INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY DEALERS DIVISION (FARM & INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY)
› QUEENSLAND MOTORCYCLE INDUSTRY DIVISION (MOTORCYCLES)
› RENTAL VEHICLE INDUSTRY DIVISION (RENTAL VEHICLES)
› SERVICE STATION & CONVENIENCE STORE ASSOCIATION OF QUEENSLAND (SERVICE STATIONS)
› TYRE & UNDERCAR DIVISION OF QUEENSLAND (TYRES, BRAKES, SUSPENSIONS)
The Agenda topics include:
› robust discussions around the priorities of the Division,
› issues that need to be directly presented to government and submissions,
› skilling needs,
› membership representation,
› technical and educational updates, and
› innovation opportunities.
The Committee meetings can be attended in-person at MTA Queensland or online. The meetings are open to members and non-members, but we strongly encourage membership to ensure all member benefits are available.
HEAD OFFICE
Building 8, 2728 Logan Road, Eight Mile Plains, Qld 4113
P.O. Box 4530, Eight Mile Plains, Qld 4113
Tel: 07 3237 8777
Fax: 07 3844 4488
Toll Free: 1800 177 951
Email: publications@mtaq.com.au
Website: www.mtaq.com.au
EDITOR
Jonathan Nash
ART DIRECTOR
Marco Ilinic
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS
Evangeline Kannis
Ian Naylor POLICY
Kellie Dewar, General Manager MTA Queensland
ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES
Email: jonathann@mtaq.com.au
EDITORIAL
Editorial submissions are welcomed but cannot be guaranteed placement. For more information email the Editor at publications@mtaq.com.au
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MOTOR TRADER PUBLISHING POLICY
Motor Trader is the official publication of the Motor Trades Association of Queensland. The role of Motor Trader is to inform members of current issues and legislation affecting the industry. As such it can be regarded as the business magazine for the Queensland motor industry. The role of Motor Trader is not to be in competition with the technical magazines already on the market. It will advise of new vehicles being released and of the latest technology incorporated into them; it will advise of latest technology affecting members in each of the MTA Queensland Divisions; it will keep members abreast of the latest in motor industry training and industrial affairs; and it will keep members informed of the latest technical aids available through MTA Queensland Member Services, which will assist members in staying ahead of the technological revolution presently being encountered within the motor industry. The publisher reserves the right to omit or alter any advertisement and the advertiser agrees to indemnify the publisher for all damages or liabilities arising from the published material.
MTA QUEENSLAND ABN: 74 028 933 848
CORPORATE PARTNERS
JONATHAN NASH EDITOR
Traditional car shows feel like a thing of the past and, perhaps, the Fully Charged Live event, the Australian debut of which was held in Sydney last month, is one direction the showcasing of new vehicles - well, electric vehicles (EVs) at least - will be done. The event combined EV displays and plenty of Q&A sessions and discussions about the technology, with more general information on home
energy - solar power and the like. More than 14,000 people attended. That's a decent number and shows just how much interest there is in EVs and their associated technologies. Motor Trader attended the Fully Charged Live show, as did a few MTA Queensland members, and we take a look at this interesting addition to the automotive event calendar from page 12.
We have plenty of other news inside, including a report from a tremendous training and careers expo initiative held in Mackay, and take a peak at some amazing new cars from Lamborghini and Gordon Murray Automotive.
I hope you enjoy this month's edition of Motor Trader.
Cheers
Jonathan Nash, Editor jonathann@mtaq.com.au
THERE HAS BEEN much said about the journey towards the electrification of Australia’s car fleet in recent times.
CAN YOU BELIEVE Easter is already upon us? I hope everyone had a chance to take a breath and unwind over the long weekend.
ROD CAMM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER MTA QUEENSLAND
We know about the challenges this transition presents, most notably the significant need for investment in infrastructure to make it all possible. There is also a strong metro/ regional divide. The more regional you travel, the less likely Australians see EVs as a genuine, viable option.
Notwithstanding this very real position, the data does tell a story.
While new car sales were down 3.9 per cent in March 2023 compared to the year before, year-to-date sales have increased by 2.5 per cent. The biggest news in this is that battery electric vehicle (BEVs) sales grew by 19.5 per cent, while plug-inhybrids (PHEVs) are up 33.3 per cent.
Now, while I know that BEVs account for just 6.8 per cent of sales, it is clear that despite the unique challenges, those that can afford and use an electric car are buying them.
For our industry, my message is clear. The time to begin topping up the skills for your workforce is now. It may not be time for everyone to invest in new equipment, however, your employees do need the skills.
These skills should first come by enrolling in our suite of micro-credentials, which are available online, to ensure our workforce is prepared. More intensive training can then follow as necessary.
In closing, the other clear trend emerging in new car sales is the rise of vehicles sourced from China, up 70.7 per cent. That is telling.
KELLIE DEWAR DEPUTY CEO | GENERAL MANAGER MEMBER SERVICES
I would like to start by thanking our members who flagged the changes to the National Exchange of Vehicle and Driver Information System data. On the back of the calls we received, we were able to collaborate with the other states to put forward an argument, and ultimately have these changes reverted to the benefit of our car dealers. This issue was driven by our members and is a reminder of the positive change we can make as a united industry group.
I am also happy to announce that nominations are now open for our annual Industry Awards. These awards are a fantastic opportunity for our industry to recognise the businesses who are achieving incredible things in the automotive industry.
This year, we are excited to open two new award categories – the Small and Large Business Awards for Excellence. I believe it is important to recognise the businesses that are leading the way in setting the standard for professionalism and excellence, which is what these new awards represent.
I have no doubt that the competition for the awards will be fierce, and I look forward to celebrating the winners at our Industry Awards Gala in November. You can nominate for the Industry Awards now by clicking HERE.
And finally, our Regional Industry Catchups are now well underway, and I would like to remind members to keep an eye on their emails to find out when our next event will be held in your community. We hope to see you there!
In 2016, Nino and Emmalaine Opena moved to Australia after years working in the automotive industry in Dubai and the Philippines. Three years later, they founded DC Power Automotive Solutions, a thriving auto electrical business in Mackay which is a testament to their abilities and determination, as well as being a story about the success of skilled immigration.
WHAT PRODUCTS AND SERVICES DO YOU OFFER HERE AT DC POWER?
NO: We do auto electrical and air conditioning on heavy machinery, mining equipment, small vehicles, passenger vehicles – when it comes to automotive, anything that has wires and is electrical!
YOU MENTIONED MINING. WHAT WORK DO YOU DO FOR THE MINING INDUSTRY?
NO: We have a business relationship with other workshops that specialise in the mining industry. We work on the electrical and aircon side of things, on rebuilds and new installs and on different kinds of mining equipment with them.
WE DO AUTO ELECTRICAL AND AIR CONDITIONING ON HEAVY MACHINERY, MINING EQUIPMENT, SMALL VEHICLES, PASSENGER VEHICLES – WHEN IT COMES TO AUTOMOTIVE, ANYTHING THAT HAS WIRES AND IS ELECTRICAL!
YOU ALSO SELL PARTS VIA YOUR WEBSITE TOO?
NO: Yes, that is an additional service that we provide through our website and is run by my wife Emmalaine. If the customer isn’t sure what they need they can ring
the office and we can guide them as to what parts they require.
NO: There are four us – me, my wife Emmalaine, Ryan who started working for me in 2019, and our apprentice Quinn who started working for us in December.
As well as overseeing the sale of parts, Emmalaine runs the office, does all the bookkeeping and handles all the bookings – everything administrative.
NO: In April 2019. We actually started as a mobile service but moved into this location in October 2019. We still offer that mobile service.
NO: We have been as far as four hours away. It depends on the customer requirements but we try to adjust and go above and beyond to help them out even if it means travelling up to Claremont. However, we don't go to the mines as a personal
preference. There are certifications that are required to go to the mines like Standard 11 etc. These are usually my alibi to not go there and also means that we can focus on the workshop.
NO: I finished my training in the Philippines in 2007, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in industrial technology with a major in automotive electrical. I worked in the Philippines for two-and-a-half years at Motortech, a dealer for Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep. I then moved to UAE in 2009 for career advancement.
I was in UAE for 7 years working in different automotive roles that included an auto electrician role in a GMC dealership, and supervisor in Emirates Transport overseeing about 20 staff in the auto electrical department. I then moved to Dnata as a ground support technician at Dubai Airport that broadened my experience and exposure to heavy machineries. Also, this opened an
opportunity for me to apply to Adaptalift here in Australia. Though that didn't push through, it became a gateway for me to explore what I can do even more.
I became part of AXA Power as a Technical Engineer, had extensive training in Denmark for a month, then travelled to several countries to supervise installation, perform commissioning and
AS WELL AS OVERSEEING THE SALE OF PARTS, EMMALAINE RUNS THE OFFICE, DOES ALL THE BOOKKEEPING AND HANDLES ALL THE BOOKINGS –EVERYTHING ADMINISTRATIVE.Emmalaine Opena
facilitate training of engineers and technicians in their airports.
NO: As I mentioned, I had been offered a position in Adaptalift by one of their representatives. I was in my 20s, a newlywed and I knew having kids was not too far away at the time.
I believed that moving to Australia would give my family a chance for a good quality life. We even compared living in the US vs Australia and obviously the latter came out ahead. Aside from the wonderful scenery it was the beautiful nature of the people that really brought us here.
Though moving to Australia wasn't an easy decision because the visa we had has its limitation, all went well in the end and we have no regrets.
NO: It was around November 2013 when I was offered a job to go to Australia as an auto electrician/ground maintenance at Tullamarine in Victoria. Me and the other applicants were told that the visa would be
a subclass 457 (employer sponsored) and so my wife Emmalaine jumped online and researched the visa requirements and we went through on completing it.
I had my IELTS and skills assessment ready to be submitted but the recruiting person suddenly had issues. We tried contacting Adaptalift directly but had been running in circles so we stopped chasing them and looked for other visa options through the immigration website.
That's when we found the Skillselect page. My wife submitted our documents and qualifications and was invited to apply in just 2 weeks. We applied for a 489
WE PLAN TO INVEST IN TRAINING AND TOOLS. WE WILL CONTINUE TO HIRE MORE PEOPLE THROUGH APPRENTICESHIPS AND GIVE OPPORTUNITIES TO YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN THE AUTO ELECTRICAL TRADE.
visa (State Sponsored - QLD) which was granted after 4 months. Then about 3 years later, we got our permanent residency and just last year we pledged our loyalty to Australia and its people as citizens.
ELECTRIC VEHICLES ARE GOING TO BE A BIG PART OF THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY’S FUTURE. AS AN AUTO-ELECTRICIAN, IS THAT AN EXCITING DEVELOPMENT FOR YOU?
NO: They are the future and we are very willing to go through the transition. In fact, we already have a course from Repco that at least gives us an introduction to EVs. In talking to MTA Queensland, we understand there will be modules for us to transition and be able to look after those vehicles. We are, in a sense, already in that field.
WITH THAT TRANSITION IN MIND, WHAT PLANS DO YOU HAVE FOR THE FUTURE?
NO: We plan to invest in training and tools. We will continue to hire more people through apprenticeships and give opportunities to young people who are interested in the auto electrical trade. We have proven that training
young minds suits our business well. Ryan is the first apprentice we employed and is almost ready to be signed off after just 3.5 years. Though we cannot compete with the mines when it comes to wages, we strive to be competitive and offer a pleasant and healthy work environment.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE THE YOUNG NINO JUST STARTING OUT?
NO: You are doing a great job. Your perseverance and hard work will pay off, always grab the opportunity when it arrives, and always remember what your father is always telling you, "Whatever is worth doing, is worth doing well"
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A MEMBER OF MTA QUEENSLAND AND WHAT HAVE BEEN THE BENEFITS OF YOUR MEMBERSHIP?
NO: We have been a member since 2019. MTA Queensland has given us a set of standards by which you should operate, and we stick to that. Beyond that, being a member helps us with our suppliers. Even if you are new, if you are a member MTA Queensland they will treat you like their old customers. And that is because you are part of this group.
WE ALL KNOW by now that electrified vehicles – be they battery-electric or hybrid – will play an enormous role in the future of the automotive industry. Sales of electrified vehicles reached 10 per cent of the new car market in 2022 and that percentage will grow as new models arrive on our shore, as charging infrastructure improves, and as public demand grows.
In March, what can arguably be seen as the first really big electric vehicle (and clean energy) show to be held in Australia landed in Sydney. Held across
THE FULLY CHARGED LIVE SHOW SAW AROUND 14,000 PEOPLE ENJOY A RANGE OF EXHIBITS THAT SHOWCASED ELECTRIC VEHICLE AND RENEWABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGY.
the weekend of the 11th and 12th at the city’s International Convention Centre in Darling Harbour, the Fully Charged Live show saw around 14,000 people
. . .
enjoy a range of exhibits that showcased electric vehicle (EV) and renewable energy technology. EVs of every typevans, cars, motorcycles, scooters and even skateboards - were on display, and amongst the many tech exhibits there were also test tracks on which attendees could try out micro-mobility machines, while test drives were also held that enabled the public to enjoy an EV experience.
Companies showcasing their products and services included those that consult on infrastructure solutions for business, including automotive businesses such
as service stations; there were renewable energy technology companies; solar businesses; and companies offering EV fleet solutions. Also represented were developers of charging systems - including EVX, which made headlines recently with the installation of the first charger connected to an existing utility pole; EV dealers; EV motorcycle manufacturers; energy companies; EV conversion businesses; EV owner groups; and organisations including the Australian Electric Vehicle Association (AEVA) and the Electric Vehicle Council.
As well as the product and services that were showcased, a busy schedule of panel discussions and Q&A sessions were held, featuring experts from the auto industry, the tech sector and the media. A huge variety of topics were discussed, with sessions having titles such as Electrifying streets – no driveway, no problem? and Choosing your first electric vehicle and Are established carmakers going far enough and fast enough? amongst them. Other discussions included those on vehicle-togrid technology, micro-mobility, batteries and their sustainability, and the potential of electric car homes.
While some of the larger EV manufacturers declined to participate – at least this time around – the EVs on show were plentiful with an area outside of the Convention Centre main hall dubbed the Electric Alley, and official participation from MG, BYD, Polestar, and Cupra amongst others ensured attendees had plenty of the latest vehicles to examine. Notably, Fully Charged Live saw the launch of two new EVs from MG, including the very interesting and smart-looking MG4.
The Fully Charged Live event is a global one, having launched in 2018 in the UK. Since then, six events have been held, including in the US, and many more are scheduled, with Canada and the Netherlands added to the locations to host the show in coming months.
The show was born out of the Fully Charged YouTube channel – founded by UK writer, broadcaster and actor Robert Llewellyn (perhaps best known as Kryten on the science-fiction TV show Red Dwarf, and as the presenter of the long-running competition show Scrapyard Challenge). Llewellyn launched the channel in 2010 to cover topics around EVs, renewable/clean energy and the like, and it has grown to have more than one million subscribers.
That popularity enabled the launch
of the Live show, which has been enthusiastically welcomed everywhere it has been held. Sydney was no different, and the interest in EVs, renewable energy, and sustainable living was certainly registering high amongst those who attended. Many attendees may already have been owners of, or were already sold on the idea of owning, an electric vehicle, but their numbers add to the evidence that the reason for the somewhat sluggish uptake of EVs in Australia is one of availability rather than public appetite. Even given what seems like a relatively slow shift to electrification here, Llewellyn - who has family ties to Australia, is a frequent visitor, and has filmed episodes for his Fully Charged channel here - was apparently encouraged by the advances he had seen over the past few years and where the country might be in a few years.
“It has been fascinating coming back and seeing how much it has changed
. . . the last time I was here when I was in Brisbane we saw a Tesla Model X - because I drove it there! - and we saw a Tesla Model S, but this year I have sat in traffic jams in Brisbane and in Sydney that were full of electric cars. It really has changed a lot,” said Llewellyn in his address at the opening of the show.
He later noted that the evolution over the years he had run his YouTube channel was remarkable and that Australia was well positioned to take advantage of EV/ renewable energy opportunities.
“WHAT’S HAPPENED IN THE TIME THAT THE FULLY CHARGED SHOW HAS BEEN GOING, WHICH IS NOW OVER 13 YEARS, IS A REMARKABLE SHIFT AROUND THE WORLD. IT REALLY IS EXTRAORDINARY.”
Fully Charged founder, Robert Llewellyn
ONE OF THE major moments at Fully Charged Live was provided by MG Motors Australia, with the company debuting two new electric vehicles (EVs) – the ZS EV Long Range and the very smart-looking MG4. The standard MG ZS EV is already available in Australia, with MG saying the Long Range gets a bigger 72kWh battery pack providing up to 440km of driving
“What’s happened in the time that the Fully Charged Show has been going, which is now over 13 years, is a remarkable shift around the world. It really is extraordinary, because 13 years ago there was a Tesla Roadster, a Mitsubishi i-Miev . . . the launch of the Leaf and the Renault Zoe in Europe, and one or two vehicles coming out. Literally, there was one or two or three and they all had limited range and limited everything, and now you look at what is available, and it is truly
. . . WE FELT THERE WAS NO BETTER STAGE THAN FULLY CHARGED LIVE TO OFFER A GLIMPSE OF MG’S FUTURE IN PREVIEWING OUR FIRST GLOBAL MODULAR SCALABLE PLATFORM IN THE MG4 . . .
range (WLTP). The ZS EV Long Range is set to be available from this month at a price of $55,990.
The MG4 meanwhile, which is set be available in the second half of the year, will initially come as an 'Essence' variant - more models will be on their way - and
extraordinary," he said.
“. . . It is just great to see the impact of renewables and battery technology and all the technologies that are being developed in this country – and you’ve got such incredible potential here to do things. It is a really exciting time and I really hope we see some really big changes and developments in Australia.”
Amongst points brought up by Llewellyn in a discussion with Dan Caesar, Fully Charged CEO, was that while Australia
reportedly have a price tag of $47,990, and a range of up to 435km thanks to a 64kWh battery pack.
The company does say that the MG4 EV hatchback ‘boasts several innovative and key features that sets it apart from MG’s other EV offerings in the market’, including a modular scalable platform with a new pure electric architecture.
MG Australia also says that both the MG4 and ZS EV Long Range will be equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, and that the battery technology can charge up to 80 per cent between 40 - 63 minutes using a fast charger.
“MG Motor is very excited to be a part of the inaugural Fully Charged Live event, here in Australia. So much so that we have decided to use this event as a platform
may be lagging behind other nations, the trajectory of change was very familiar.
“ . . . we believe there is a similar adoption curve in all the countries we are seeing,” said Caesar. “You are just at a different point in that adoption curve . . . One of our favourite quotes is ‘The future is already here, it just isn’t evenly distributed’.”
Participating in Fully Charged Live were a number of MTA Queensland member businesses, including British
to announce two major milestones in the Australian and NZ EV landscape,” said Peter Ciao, CEO at MG Motor Australia & New Zealand. “Following the success of the ZS EV in September last year, we have listened to our customer’s feedback and have fast tracked the arrival of our new ZS EV long range.
“We know Australians love to drive and now they can go even further thanks to a larger 72kWh battery pack and a 440km range in the ZS EV Long Range.
“Equally, for this reason, we felt there was no better stage than Fully Charged Live to offer a glimpse of MG’s future in previewing our first global modular scalable platform in the MG4 and we know you’ll be as excited as we are to see it on Aussie and NZ roads in H2 this year.”
Off Road, which was showcasing their VW Kombi EV conversion, and Benzina Zero - which provides world-class micro-mobility electric vehicles, such as scooters, designed to transport people and goods. Co-founder Ben Silver was on hand to field questions from visitors and the show was, he said, an excellent opportunity for discussion around micromobility solutions – a sector somewhat handicapped by rules that differ across state and territory borders – as well as to
be part of an event that was the biggest of its kind yet held in Australia.
“We attended many EV events over the last year or so but Fully Charged Live was by far the best and we only see it improving and becoming better and better,” said Ben. “We were there primarily for brand awareness within Sydney, but I was surprised how many people travelled for the event. I spoke to people from Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth!
“I am always interested in discussions around the role micro-mobility can play in enhancing our cities,” he added. “As always, the primary conversation in this space is the inconsistency of legislation in each state. For example, why can we ride a moped on a car licence in Queensland, WA, SA and NT but not the other states? It’s nuts and it costs us opportunities to reduce congestion in a cities as well as reducing the available workforce for twowheeled delivery businesses in an already tight labour market.”
Fully Charged Live did, said Ben, show the enthusiasm Australians now had for EVs – an interest Benzina Zero was keen to attract with its range of efficient vehicles.
“Benzina Zero was on display at Fully Charged Live to support the movement we are seeing for the shift to electric vehicles,” he said. “With a transition from ICE to electric, we should rethink how we move
around and our goal is to replace the second car with an electric moped/scooter. We offer Australian's most cost-effective way to transition to an EV from around $5000substantially less than the cost to move to a new electric car - allowing a shift to happen quicker with less people being left behind.
“Australians are hungry for this and are driven to reduce the impact of climate change,” he added. “We have seen the shift before Fully Charged Live, but what the event did is confirm our thoughts.
If anyone thinks this is going away, they have rocks in their heads. We can already
Benzina Zero Co-founder, Ben Silversee the shift in new vehicle sales over the last three years and the next five years are going to be very interesting.”
A well-known face within Australia’s electric vehicle sector, Graeme Manietta, was also at Fully Charged Live. Graemewho has a long association with the AEVA and, via his Brisbane-based business OZ DIY Electric Vehicles, offers an EV conversion service, EV components and DIY kits, as well as a consultancy service – attended as part of an AEVA display. He brought along a 1968 Honda S800 conversion for the exhibit.
The Fully Charged Live show was, he said, an excellent way to tackle some of
the public’s misconceptions about EVs and for them to learn more about the potential of the technology.
“I have been attending EV Expos since 2008 and was team leader on the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre AEVA EV Expo and conference in 2018. Until the Fully Charged show, that was about the biggest EV show in Australia,” said Graeme. “With many more cars, trucks, vans, bikes, scooters, marine applications, charging and so on nowadays, it has really become a large interest for most to come and see what's on offer and learn what it’s all about. There’s too much politically motivated, anti-EV misinformation, so it’s good that this can be dispelled. These shows are about education at the end of the day.”
MTA Queensland itself was also in attendance. While not an exhibitor, the Association did have Technical Learning and Development officer Nigel Palmer there to check out the proceedings and the technology. It was, said Nigel, an impressive show, and an indication of how things were beginning to pick up for the EV sector in Australia.
“The change in Australian transport has well and truly started,” he said. “The size of the event venue, the caliber of the exhibitors, the technology on display, the people attending, everything I encountered was more than I expected.
“BENZINA ZERO WAS ON DISPLAY AT FULLY CHARGED LIVE TO SUPPORT THE MOVEMENT WE ARE SEEING FOR THE SHIFT TO ELECTRIC VEHICLES.”Mark and Ross Calder from British Off Road with their converted VW Kombi
“Walking around and talking to the exhibitors about their products and how they fit into this evolving landscape was very interesting. Every person I spoke to has a positive and innovative outlook for the electric transformation of life in Australia.
“And there were a lot of things that caught my attention,” he added. “From the different methods of charging the vehicle; to battery swap systems where you buy a ‘skin’ and rent the batteries and rent a larger battery for a longer run when you need it; to new individual inverters for household solar panels which enable easier system expansion; to mobile charging solutions for workshops which negate the need for a dedicated charging bay; to mix and match customisable electric vehicle conversion kits. The information on hand was endless and the people exhibiting and attending were passionate about the future.
“As always, moving forward, knowledge and understanding is paramount,” he said. “Even a basic understanding of the systems
and the safety behind them is necessary for anyone operating in the automotive sector. However, acquiring a deeper knowledge of electric vehicle diagnosis and repair starting now will help future-proof anyone’s business and career.”
The inaugural Australian Fully Charged Live was a taste of things to come. It will be back and, no doubt, more shows that celebrate and champion EV technology will be launched. Judging from the sales figures of electrified vehicles that are now being registered in Australia, coupled with the enthusiastic reception of this show, those future events will be a must on the calendar for anyone in the industry.
“. . . ACQUIRING A DEEPER KNOWLEDGE OF ELECTRIC VEHICLE DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR STARTING NOW WILL HELP FUTURE-PROOF ANYONE’S BUSINESS AND CAREER.”OZ DIY Electric Vehicles founder Graeme Manietta brought a terrific 1968 Honda S800 conversion to the Fully Charged Live show
ENGAGING WITH YOUNG people and encouraging them to consider a career in the automotive trades has been a long-standing mission of MTA Queensland and the MTA Institute.
Over the years, many courses have been run that have seen hundreds of school students introduced to the automotive industry, with many of those students going on to gain apprenticeships.
The MTA Institute’s current program for school students, called Auto Ready, has proven to be extremely popular.
The five-day course, which is delivered by MTA Institute's experienced trainers, is held during the school holidays, enabling students to be immersed in a workshop environment and be exposed to many of the basic principles and practices of the mechanical trades.
Students undertaking the program learn tasks relating to using and maintaining
tools and equipment and identifying and inspecting mechanical and electrical components and systems of light vehicles.
The Auto Ready program comprises three accredited units of competency, and successful completion of the course provides students with credit towards the full AUR20720 – Certificate II in Automotive Preparation qualification and 1 QCE point.
While the Auto Ready course was run initially from the MTA Institute’s stateof-the-art workshop in Brisbane, in 2022 the Institute began to take the course to regional Queensland - notably, partnering with Rockhampton’s Glenmore State High School to deliver the course there at the school’s trade training facility.
At the beginning of April, Auto Ready went further north, with the program run in Mackay.
IMAGES ON PAGES 26 TO 30 COURTESY OF KIERON PLACE ART & PHOTOGRAPHY
Hosted by MTA Queensland member McCarthy Panel Works at its recently completed, Electric and Hybrid Vehicles Repair Centre, the program saw tremendous interest from local youngsters – so much so that a second course was scheduled to follow on immediately from the first, with more than 30 enthusiastic students enrolling onto the program.
The interest in the Mackay program was helped greatly through the support of McCarthy Panel Works owners, Andrea and Craig McCarthy.
“I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE A GREAT IDEA TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER, SO THAT WHILE WE HAVE KIDS HERE WHO ARE ALREADY INTERESTED IN AUTOMOTIVE . . . LET’S PUT THEM IN CONTACT DIRECTLY WITH EMPLOYERS WHO I KNOW ARE LOOKING FOR PEOPLE.”The Mackay Auto Ready program students with MTA Institute trainers Colin Crichton (left) and Gareth Hartley (second from right)
Andrea - who is Chair of MTA
Queensland’s National Auto Collision Alliance (NACA) division, a member of MTA Queensland’s Board, and also a member of I-CAR Australia’s Industry Advisory Board - is passionate about engaging with young people, inspiring them, and giving them the opportunities to learn about the automotive trades and see the pathways open to them to start their career journey. With that in mind, she was the driving force behind the partnership with the MTA Institute that saw a new and exciting
“THE FUTURE OF OUR INDUSTRY. . . IS BUILT ON OUR KIDS COMING THROUGH SO THAT THEY CAN BE TRAINED UP IN ROLES IN THE TYRE INDUSTRY, AND THERE ARE LOTS OF ROLES . . . WE HAVE LOTS OF CAREER PATHS FOR INTERESTED YOUNG PEOPLE.”Jarrod Adams, General Manager at North Jacklin Motor Group
initiative run in conjunction with the Auto Ready program. That initiative was the Careers Expo – an evening event that saw local automotive businesses share information with students and their families about their work and trades, the technologies they use, and the opportunities and career options available.
Local dignitaries, including the Mayor of Mackay Greg Williamson and Councillors Alison Jones and Belinda Hassan from Mackay Regional Council, were joined by Julieanne Gilbert MP, Member for Mackay and Assistant Minister for Health and Regional Health Infrastructure in the Queensland Government, to give words of encouragement to the students and businesses in attendance.
Businesses taking advantage of the Expo included Snap-On, which brought along its PanTech truck filled with plenty of the technology the company has developed, including scan tools; Treadwell Tyre Service; the North Jacklin Motor Group dealership; Auto Corner dealership group; paint distributor Wholesale Paint Group; paint manufacturer BASF; Bob Jane T-Marts; ADAS Far North Queensland, who are specialists in the calibration
of vehicle Advanced Driver Assistance Systems and their sensors; and Bryan Bodies Australia, manufacturers of highquality truck bodies and trailers.
For Andrea, hosting Auto Ready and the Careers Expo was a chance to combine the education of students while helping them connect with industry – an objective beneficial to both and one, she said, that could, and should, be replicated in other regions.
“I thought it might be a great idea to bring people together, so that while we have kids here who are already interested in automotive . . . let’s put them in contact directly with employers who I know are looking for people,” said Andrea.
“This is what we would consider a national pilot in respect to the mini Careers Expo,” she added. “The training itself has happened in southeast
Queensland before, and it is State government-funded, which is a fantastic program that they help the automotive industry with, so ideally we are looking at taking this and presenting the idea so that other regional centres can get involved.
“It gives the MTAQ a greater reach, gives the students in those regional centres somewhere where they can go in their holidays and actually take a look at the automotive industry, and gives the employers in that area something they can focus on.”
For the businesses that attended, the opportunity to reach out to young people who were already showing an interest in their industry was a welcome one.
“The fact McCarthy Panel Works has worked really hard alongside MTA Queensland to provide this event - for students especially, but any interested young people - is really good so we are really happy to be here and support both,” said Maree Sturdy, from Treadwell Tyre Service.
“The future of our industry . . . is built on kids coming through so that they can be trained up in roles in the tyre industry. And there are lots of roles - from tyre fitting on cars to trucks to ag to earthmoving, from wheel balancing to wheel alignment and underbody mechanical, as well as sales roles and workshop roles. We have lots of career paths for interested young people.”
Much the same reasoning was behind the North Jacklin Motor Group attending the expo. Represented by General Manager Jarrod Adams and bringing along a spectacular new Nissan Z to display, the North Jacklin dealership group encompasses Mitsubishi, Subaru, Suzuki, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, and
Nissan brands and employs more than 100 staff. A fixture of the Mackay automotive community for more than 60 years, the Group is, as all automotive businesses are, always on the lookout for young people interested in a career in the industry and has roles available that run from window tinting to mechanical to sales to parts interpreting and more.
“This type of event brings kids straight to
the first week included some who were already certain about automotive as a career choice, and others who were curious and wanted to learn more about the industry.
“I chose to do this course because I thought it would be a good experience,” said Daniel Yarnold, a student at Mackay Christian College. “I am in Year 11 now and I want to get things under my belt so I can see what is happening an industry that I might want to work in.
“We’ve learned about safety, about mechanical components of a car – the brakes, electrical systems and so – we are pulling apart engines at the moment, and we are learning about crucial things we might need to know.
the doorstep of our business,” said Jarrod. “It gives us an opportunity to liaise with them and they already have an interest in our line of work. That ticks off the first box with regards to our requirements - we get people who are interested in our field of work. That’s obviously a big step up. And then we can work with those kids to put them into the roles that will set them up for the future, and set us up for the future too.”
While the Careers Expo was a unique element of the Auto Ready week, the training program was the main focus for the students, and the group of 13 that attended
“I really enjoyed this week,” he added. “I got to see the workplace, work with professionals from the industry . . . and I am more interested in the industry now because I can see how it all works and get an appreciation of it.”
MTA Institute trainer Colin Crichton who, along with colleague Gareth Hartley, delivered the Auto Ready program, was full of praise for the students who attended, and reiterated the need for such programs in regional areas of Queensland, especially those areas in which the mining is a powerful local player.
“This is a fantastic way of catching
“ . . . WE CAN WORK WITH THOSE KIDS TO PUT THEM INTO THE ROLES THAT WILL SET THEM UP FOR THE FUTURE, AND SET US UP FOR THE FUTURE TOO.”The team from Bryan Bodies Australia Andrea with students from the Auto Ready course and the Mayor of Mackay, Greg Williamson
The Auto Ready program and Careers Expo brought together young people interested in the automotive industry with local automotive businesses keen to show the opportunities and careers available to them
these kids before they potentially end up going out to the mines,” he said. “They are interested to start with – they are giving up a week of their school holidays – and they have a genuine interest in some part of the industry.
“And the kids have been fantastic,” he added. “We’ve had plenty of laughs and plenty of good fun, and no misbehaving! Everybody has got along really well and the feedback from them has been really positive. They have certainly learned a lot, they tell us, which is the main thing and we’ve covered all sorts of things from engines through to steering, suspension and brakes and how everything works in a basic way. The quizzes we have
given them, the practical tasks we have given them, they’ve been spot on with all of it, so we are really happy and the fact the kids have said they really enjoyed it is very encouraging.”
For MTA Queensland and the MTA Institute, the support from Andrea and McCarthy Panel Works was instrumental in being able to deliver such a successful Auto Ready program and Career Expo event, and while the plan has always been to deliver the course to regional centres, pairing the two in the future is something that is planned.
“The Auto Ready program has been a great success and we want to go into other regional towns – Townsville, Gladstone, Rockhampton, Cairns, anywhere in Queensland,” said Paul Kulpa, Director Industry Initiatives for MTA Queensland.
“We know that there is a place for this, and it is certainly something we want to keep exploring, making sure that we can keep that pipeline of students into the industry. And we want employers to come and support it as well.”
“WE KNOW THAT THERE IS A PLACE FOR THIS, AND IT IS CERTAINLY SOMETHING WE WANT TO KEEP EXPLORING, MAKING SURE THAT WE CAN KEEP THAT PIPELINE OF STUDENTS INTO THE INDUSTRY.”
QUEENSLAND AUTOMOTIVE BUSINESSES are invited to nominate for the Motor Trades Association of Queensland’s 2023 Industry Awards.
Celebrating the significant achievements, ingenuity, and excellence of Queensland’s automotive industry, the recipients of the Industry Awards will be crowned at MTA Queensland’s Industry Awards Gala on Saturday, 11th November 2023 in Brisbane.
Two new award categories have been added in 2023, recognising businesses that are leading the way and driving the industry forward.
Both acknowledge excellence and best practice in all aspects of business – from customer service to training and employee development, to marketing and sales activities - with the Small Business Award for Excellence to be presented to an MTA Queensland member business that employs 15 or fewer staff, while the Large Business Award for Excellence will be presented to an MTA Queensland member business that employs 16 or more staff.
“I am incredibly excited to introduce these new award categories for the first time and deliver well-deserved recognition to the businesses who are performing to exceptional levels day in, day out,” said Rod Camm, MTA Queensland Ceo. “The Industry Awards Gala has become the signature event on the Queensland automotive industry’s calendar, and it just makes sense to honour the very best our industry has to offer on the night in front of their peers, friends, and families.”
These new awards will be in addition to the following, longstanding award categories:
• Community Award – awarded to an individual or member business who is a role model in their community and this is evidenced in their actions.
• Innovation Award – awarded to an individual or business that is supporting or implementing innovation in the automotive or mobility industry.
achieving success through their commitment to driving change in the automobile or mobility industry.
The highly coveted MTA Queensland Apprentice of the Year Award will also be presented on the night to an MTA Institute (RTO. 31529) apprentice who has gone above and beyond in their training and displays a commitment and passion for the automotive trade.
“With businesses across the state continuing to deliver excellence in the face of ongoing adversity, the Industry Awards Gala is an opportunity for our community to come together and celebrate each other, as well as celebrate the special contributions made in the innovation space, in local communities, and by the women doing outstanding work in the industry,” said Mr Camm.
“Nominating for one of the Award categories is a fantastic way to recognise a person or business in your community for the wonderful value they bring. There is significant media attention attached to the finalists and winners, and it can bring an increased sense of trust and credibility for customers, knowing that an employee or the business itself has been recognised as an industry leader in Queensland.” Nominations for the Industry Awards are open now and will close at 4.30pm, Friday, 30th June 2023. For more information about the MTA Queensland Industry Awards Gala, and to nominate, visit www.mtaq.com.au/industry-awards-gala
Awarded to an individual or member business who is a role model in their community and this is evidenced by their actions.
Awarded to an individual or business that is supporting or implementing innovation in the automotive/mobility industry.
Awarded to a female leader or business achieving success by their commitment to driving change in the automotive/mobility industry.
Awarded to a member business with 15 or less staff (full or part-time) who demonstrates excellence and best practice in all aspects of business, including customer service, training and employee development, and marketing activities.
Awarded to a member business with 16 or more staff who demonstrates excellence and best practice in all aspects of business, including customer service, training and employee development, and marketing activities.
NOMINATIONS CLOSE FRIDAY 30 JUNE 2023.
WINNERS ANNOUNCED AT THE INDUSTRY AWARDS GALA, SATURDAY 11 NOVEMBER 2023.
ONLY 500 WORD SUBMISSION REQUIRED
RECEIVEFINALISTS ONE ACCOMMODATIONNIGHT’SAND ONE RETURN FLIGHT TO BRISBANE WHERE THEY ARE LOCATED OUTSIDE SOUTH QUEENSLAND!EAST
TOYOTA AIMS TO introduce 10 new battery-electric vehicle (BEV) models, with a sales goal of 1.5 million vehicles by 2026.
Additionally, the company said that it would produce a new generation of BEVs, delivering far greater driving range by using batteries with far greater efficiency, and transform its manufacturing, using more efficient lines, autonomous technology and connected technology to ‘transform the landscape of our production plants.’
The company will also look to achieve carbon neutrality at all of its global plants by 2035.
The plan was outlined by Toyota’s new CEO Koji Sato, and top company executives Yoichi Miyazaki and Kiroki Nakajima at a press briefing at the beginning of April.
To accomplish this plan, which also calls
for investments in connectivity and other mobility systems, Toyota says it will create a specialised unit to handle development, production and business operation.
As well as battery-electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids will also receive plenty of attention, with the aim to enable an EVmode range beyond 200 km, while plans for the mass production of fuel cell vehicles (FCEV) will centre on commercial vehicles.
Toyota has received some criticism for its apparent reticence in embracing batteryelectric vehicles. The company has talked about the providing the widest possible range of customers with the widest possible range of powertrains – an approach to cater to its broad range of customers across the world – but a recent change at the top, with new Koji Sato taking over as CEO - has sharpened its focus on electrification.
Toyota said that in the US it will start the local production of a 3-row SUV BEV in 2025 while, in addition to its bZ4X and bZ3 sedan developed for the Chinese market, two new models of locally developed BEVs will be launched in China in 2024.
“ . . . We are fully committed to achieving carbon neutrality in 2050 over the entire life cycle of our vehicles,” said Koji Sato. “When it comes to car manufacturing, we will continue to pursue a variety of options, based on a multi-pathway solutions, to stay close to the future of energy and the condition of each region.
“First, we will thoroughly implement electrification, which we can do immediately. To steadily reduce CO2 emissions from where we stand now, we will promote the practical popularisation
THERE MIGHT
STILL be a future for the internal combustion engine (ICE). After announcing planned regulations that would see the sale of new fossilfuel ICE vehicles banned from 2035, last month it was reported that the European Union had agreed to concessions that will allow such cars to continue to be sold provided they run on carbon neutral, synthetic, e-fuel.
The news agency Reuters reported that the European Commission has drafted a plan that includes the creation of a new type of vehicle category in the EU for cars that run on e-fuel. The draft includes, Reuters said, a proposal that such vehicles would have to use technology that would prevent them from driving if other fuels are used.
Synthetic, or e-fuels, are created by capturing carbon dioxide and using renewable energy to create hydrogen
of electrified vehicles. We will strengthen sales of hybrid electric vehicles, including in emerging markets, and increase the number of plug-in hybrid electric vehicle options. We will expand our line-up of battery electric vehicles, or BEVs, which represent one important option, over the next several years.”
from water. Combined and then refined, the carbon and hydrogen can be made into e-fuel. While the resultant fuel still burns and releases carbon dioxide just like regular fossil fuels that are refined from oil extracted from the ground, the fact that it is man-made using carbon taken from the air and produced using renewable energy such as wind power, solar and so on, makes it carbon neutral.
Porsche has made headlines in recent months with its plant in Chile now producing e-fuel. It also has an e-fuel plant being built in Tasmania.
The world uses hundreds of billions of litres of fuel every year and the investment required to build enough e-fuel factories (in areas with enough wind or solar power) to create anywhere near enough of the synthetic fuel to keep the world’s ICE cars going would be colossal. However, a mix of potential power sources – be it batteryelectric, hydrogen fuel cell, or synthetic fuels – that allow vehicles to be carbon neutral, must be a good thing.
THE NEXT GENERATION of BMW electric vehicles will be fitted with a high-tech new heads-up display system called Panoramic Vision.
A projection technology that allows information to be shown on a dark-coated area at the lower edge of the windscreen, and which extends for the entire width of the windscreen, Panoramic Vision was revealed at the CES technology show in January and BMW announced in March that it will go into production with the company’s new dedicated EV platform, called Neue Klasse, that is expected in 2025.
“The windscreen becomes a single large display with our new BMW Panoramic Vision, opening up completely new possibilities for the design of our vehicles. Whether the driver decides themselves which information they want to display in their own field of vision, or that all occupants can see the entire content,” said Frank Weber, Member of the Board for Development at BMW AG.
“The revolutionary projection and the
significantly more clearly structured cockpit give an impressive new feeling of space and driving. We are taking our proven 'eyes on the road – hands on the wheel slogan' to a new level.”
“THE WINDSCREEN BECOMES A SINGLE LARGE DISPLAY WITH OUR NEW BMW PANORAMIC VISION, OPENING UP COMPLETELY NEW POSSIBILITIES FOR THE DESIGN OF OUR VEHICLES,”
CREATING AN AUTONOMOUS or selfdriving vehicle that can travel a nation’s regular roads might be a fiendishly difficult challenge for carmakers, but the technology is being developed and used in vehicles in other sectors. At the CONEXPOCON/AGG 2023 construction trade show held in Las Vegas in March, Honda showcased a prototype of the third generation of its Honda Autonomous Work Vehicle (AWV) –a fully programmable all-electric offroad work vehicle that is designed to support construction-related activities and enhance workforce productivity.
Able to operate autonomously – or manually via remote control – the Honda AWV could, the company says, provide a wide range of services to industries that need autonomous operation or delivery solutions. The company is also exploring the development of attachments and tools that could make the vehicle a suitable platform for many work environments.
With a loading capacity of more than 900kg, an 18.6kWh battery, and a range of up to 45km, the Honda AWV employs a suite of sensors to operate autonomously, using GPS for location, radar and lidar for obstacle detection and cameras for remote monitoring. Honda says that previous field tests have verified that multiple AWVs can transport and deliver construction materials and supplies at precise points along a pre-set route.
AUTOCARE 2023 IS Australia’s largest education led automotive convention, offering an unprecedented training and networking opportunity to take automotive career development, skills and business growth to the next level.
Hosted by the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) and proudly sponsored by mycar Tyre & Auto, Autocare will run from 9 – 10 June 2023, and see thousands of technicians and business owners descend on the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC).
Attendees will learn from the largest collection of industry experts ever seen in Australia via a comprehensive training program tailored specifically for automotive parts, service and repair professionals.
“Vehicle technology is changing quickly and technicians need to be ready to efficiently service and repair the latest generation vehicles, including EVs. For workshop owners and managers, they need to know how best to invest in the equipment, technology and business practices to plan and adapt for future success. In addition, with the unprecedented skills shortage, finding practical methods to attract and retain great staff is more important than ever,” said Stuart Charity, CEO of the AAAA.
Autocare’s Technical Training Program for technicians and apprentices will focus on advanced diagnostics, EV servicing and safety, oscilloscopes, fuel injection systems, exhaust aftertreatment, diesel diagnostics and much more. The Workshop Management stream is for workshop owners and managers looking for the latest research, trends and management techniques to increase their workshop efficiency, sustainability and profitability.
A feature-packed Trade Show with 100 of Australia’s best brands, training stage and networking event will complement the training programs, creating an unparalleled industry event to invest in your future career or business success. Review the full training program schedules and secure Autocare tickets at www.autocare.org.au.
THE AMOUNT OF investment being put into the automotive industry’s evolution to electrification is staggering. From start-ups to the ‘legacy’ carmakers, from tech companies to recyclers, all are pumping money into research and development, new factories, joint ventures, renewable energy, and innumerable other initiatives in a bid to be leaders in an electrified future.
For Ford, this investment includes the building of a ‘mega-campus’, called Blue Oval City, in the US state of Tennessee – a facility which will, the company says, be capable of producing 500,000 electric trucks per year when at full production.
Ford and its Korean batterymanufacturer partner SK On are investing $US5.6 billion ($AU8.5 billion) into Blue Oval City, which Ford says will be its first carbon neutral vehicle manufacturing and battery campus and is a key part of the company’s plan to scale electric vehicle (EV) production – it says it is targeting a production run rate of two million EVs annually across the globe by the end of 2026.
The 3,600-acre campus will be
incorporate a fully integrated Blue Oval SK battery manufacturing site where a team will build battery cells and arrays and assemble battery packs that will be delivered to the assembly plant.
VIDEO: CODE NAME: PROJECT T3 | COMING 2025
Ford says the plant will use carbon-free electricity from the day it opens, and also use recovered energy from the site’s utility infrastructure and geothermal system to provide carbon-free heat for the assembly plant, and save tens of millions of litres of water each year by reducing evaporation from the site’s cooling towers. A zero-waste-to-landfill site is designed to use no fresh water for its assembly processes.
Production at Blue Oval City is planned to begin in 2025, and it will be home to Ford’s second-generation electric truck, codenamed Project T3. Ford is developing its second-generation EV truck in tandem with the assembly plant.
Project T3 is short for “Trust The Truck”, and while details are few on what can be expected, Ford says the team behind it are aiming to create ‘a truck people can trust in the digital age – one that’s fully updatable, constantly improving, and supports towing, hauling, exportable power and endless new innovations owners will want.’
“Project T3 is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to revolutionise America’s truck. We are melding 100 years of Ford truck know-how with world-class electric vehicle, software and aerodynamics talent. It will be a platform for endless innovation and capability,” said Jim Farley, Ford president and CEO.
Ford says around 6000 jobs are expected to be created at Blue Oval City and it is investing not just in the site but in the people that will work there. Talent development programs the company is investing in include supporting K-12 (kindergarten to 12th grade) schools and universities to expand existing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) programs; bring advanced manufacturing training and programs to local schools; and collaborate with higher education institutions to provide training on advanced manufacturing, EVs and battery manufacturing, amongst other initiatives.
NISSAN HAS UNVEILED its new approach to electrified powertrain development, which it calls ‘X-in-1’. Under this approach, core EV and e-POWER powertrain components will be shared and modularised, resulting, the company says, in a 30 per cent reduction, compared to 2019, in development and manufacturing costs by 2026.
Through the X-in-1 approach, Nissan aims to further increase the competitiveness of its EV and e-POWER vehicles. The company has developed a 3-in-1 powertrain prototype, which modularises the motor, inverter, and reducer, which is planned for use in EVs. A 5-in-1 prototype, which additionally modularises the generator and increaser, is planned for use in e-POWER vehicles.
The X-in-1 approach, which covers 3-in-1, 5-in-1, and other possible variants, has been developed to enable EV and e-POWER core components to be produced on the same line.
Aside from development and manufacturing costs, Nissan says the X-in-1 approach will result in other benefits too, including size and weight reduction of the unit that will improve vehicle driving performance and minimise noise and vibration.
Under the company’s Nissan Ambition 2030 plan, Nissan aims to bolster its line-up with 27 new electrified models, including 19 EVs, by 2030.
MCLAREN APPLIED –a British technology and technology company that was part of the McLaren Group and which works in the motorsport, automotive, transport, and mining industries - has announced the development of a 5G intelligent edge antenna technology for vehicle applications.
Called Halo 300, the unit offers, according to the company, a ‘game-changing connectivity solution’ for a wide range of operators and industries.
McLaren Applied says the Halo 300 offers increased performance at lower cost and complexity, with high-quality hardware - including Huber+Suhner antenna componentry - and reliable software proven over hundreds of motorsport races.
With edge computing, integrated eSIMs, the built-in power to support additional applications and a CANBUS interface, the company also says that the Halo 300 technology offers future-proofing necessary to take advantage of developments in autonomous travel, software-defined vehicles and the Internet of Things.
The system uses McLaren Applied’s Fleet Connect software, which was originally developed for Formula One and is already deployed on fleets around the world
to deliver high-speed passenger WiFi connections, as well as operator uplinks for operational, infrastructure and safety purposes. The company says that by splitting data across networks in real time and reassembling it in the cloud en route to its destination, Fleet Connect increases bandwidth and data throughput, reduces blackspots while providing a consistent connectivity stream.
The Halo 300 system could deliver time and cost savings via the provision of a reliable uplink for real-time remote monitoring, vehicle diagnostics, fleet optimisation, tracking and freight management. A dependable highbandwidth WiFi connection would also prove useful to passengers on bus, light rail, tram or boats.
HYUNDAI MOTOR GROUP has showcased an automatic charging robot (ACR) for electric vehicles (EV) at the 2023 Seoul Mobility Show.
The ACR for EVs is a one-arm robot capable of plugging a cable into an EV’s charging port and removing it again once charging is complete. The Group did release some information about the charging robot in 2022 and now it appears to be a fully working machine.
In a video release, Hyundai showed that the robot can communicate with a stationary vehicle to open the charging port, calculating the exact location and angle through a camera mounted inside.
The robot then picks up the charger and fastens it to the vehicle’s charging
port, starting the charging session. Once charging is complete, the robot removes the charger, returns it to its rightful place, and closes the cover of the vehicle’s charging port.
Hyundai Group says its engineers built a bespoke outdoor electric vehicle charging station at its R&D center and evaluated the ACR’s performance in various conditions. As a result, the company says, its performance has been greatly improved so that it can be stably operated even in extreme environments. In addition, engineers have installed a safety pole with a built-in laser sensor around the robot to prevent possible accidents by enabling it to detect stationary and moving obstacles.
Hyundai Group says it expects automatic charging robots to significantly increase convenience of EV charging, and if combined with autonomous parking control systems in the future, can improve use by sequentially charging several parked vehicles.
“The ACR will help to make EV-charging easier and more convenient, especially in dark environments. It will also improve accessibility, particularly for people with mobility barriers, as charging cables become thicker and heavier to enable high-speed charging,” said Dong Jin Hyun, Head of Robotics Lab, Hyundai Motor Group.
“We will continue developing the ACR for increased safety and more convenience, so that all EV customers can soon benefit from using it at charging stations.”
“THE ACR WILL HELP TO MAKE EV-CHARGING EASIER AND MORE CONVENIENT, ESPECIALLY IN DARK ENVIRONMENTS.”
DETERMINING PARKING SPACE availability near destinations is now the top requested in-car connected service. So say the results of the Connected Features Interest Survey report from TechInsights which assessed 28 connected features, with 4,990 drivers in the USA, UK, Germany, France, Italy and China asked to rank their interest in each service to gauge demand.
In-car parking information was ranked the most valuable feature cited by Chinese drivers, with European motorists classing it as their second priority, only 1 per cent behind the top-rated choice, and American respondents placed it at 67 per cent, just 3 per cent behind their top priority, traffic information.
Drivers in Western Europe and China are increasingly concerned about whether they will be able to find parking at their destination. Additionally, those with larger vehicles have a higher preference to reserve spaces at their destination. The survey results show
drivers’ increasing expectation for parking to be seamlessly integrated into the in-car navigation process.
The survey data also highlights how in-car payments have gone from being predominantly used by early adopters, to a highly desirable function.
This rising demand covers services such as parking, fuel, tolls and food across all age groups and technology engagement levels. The results show drivers gaining increased confidence using these services due to the reduction in perceived complexity and valuing the heightened convenience and removal of physical contact required.
WORDS & PICTURES: LARA WILDE
FATHER’S DAY CAN be an underwhelming experience. Some socks, some jocks and maybe some after shave. You love your kids, so you smile and thank them and enjoy the day with them, grateful that you have such generous offspring. On Father’s Day in 2009, Ken Horwood was on the tools at his Pacific Radiator Services store in Cairns expecting a similar socks and jocks celebration with his son and daughter. That year his son rocked up with what could quite possibly go down in history as the best Father’s Day gift of all time.
As a kid, Ken grew up loving cars. He began his career working on the tools to fix cars. Over the years he owned many different vehicles. There were Holdens and Valiants and Fords. His day job meant that he worked on a wide variety of beautiful cars and Ken dreamt of having a pride and joy of his own.
As the years progressed, he realised that he had a blue oval soul and Fords were to be his car brand of choice. Like many of us when we think of our dream car from the Ford marque, Ken dreamt of a steelchromed bumper on a muscle car from the seventies. A car that had stamped Australian motoring culture with pride and legacy.
Now picture this. It is Father’s Day. You are hard at work on a customer’s car. You hear a gentle rumble out in front of the shop. Your son Anthony is pulling
“MY FIRST IMPRESSION WAS ‘WOW, THAT NEEDS WORK!’. IT WAS MY DREAM CAR, BUT IT WAS PRETTY ROUGH. THE MORE I LOOKED AT IT THE MORE I FOUND TO FIX.”
up behind the wheel of a 1971 Ford XY Fairmont GT Replica. With a grin from ear to ear, he hands you the keys and wishes you a Happy Father’s Day. If you are anything like Ken, your grin would spread to match your son’s and you would be the happiest Dad about.
“My first impression was ‘wow, that needs work!’. It is going to be hard for the kids to ever beat that Father’s Day and find a better gift. It was my dream car, but it was pretty rough. The more I looked at it the more I found to fix.” reminisced Ken. His son Anthony and daughter Stephanie
Ken Horwood from Pacific Radiator Services with the XY Fairmont GT Replica
had found the car in a shed near the Barron River north of Cairns. She was run down and tired. The driveline was exhausted, the trim was hanging loosely, and the interior had seen some rough miles.
Ken got to work on the big Ford. The manual gearbox was pulled out and replaced with an automatic transmission. The Cleveland 351 donk was ripped out and rebuilt until it purred like a big, angry kitten. A lot of the chrome trim was replaced where it looked tatty and, of course, the team at Pacific Radiator Services made sure the cooling system could handle the heat in the tropics of Cairns. With the XY back on the road, Ken began to enjoy his dream car and so did the kids.
“I don’t know that my son has ever ‘driven’ it . . . he sure has flogged it!”
With Ken’s son at the wheel, the sedan has been known to lay down rubber with many a burnout at local weddings. Apart from delivering brides and grooms, the Ford has also delivered its fair share of high school seniors to formals and proms. Ken is proud that the car has been driven and used rather than stored in a shed in mothballs.
What is the best time for the big car down the quarter mile?
“I HAVEN’T TAKEN THE XY TO SPRINGMOUNT OR ANY OTHER RACETRACKS. I JUST ENJOY CRUISING AND DOING SOME OF THE LOCAL CLASSIC RALLIES.”
“I haven’t taken the XY to Springmount or any other racetracks,” he said. “I just enjoy cruising and doing some of the local classic rallies.”
For now, the GT Replica is a solid cruiser showered with plenty of family love but there are plans for her and her future.
“I have plans to restore the XY. Not to a showroom standard, but just as a reliable cruiser that I can jump in and enjoy and be proud of,” said Ken.
The restoration will kick off with some mechanical love. Attention needs to be paid to the body to fix blemishes and imperfections. Finally, the interior will need repair to the wear and tear on the upholstery and some of the gauges and fittings on the dash need replacing or repairing.
“Finding the time is the challenge. Working full time in my business plus spending time with my family leaves little time for building project toys,” said Ken. “I have so many toys and almost no spare time to play with them.”
In addition to the XY, Ken also has a collection of vintage dirt bikes, and ski boats and some other project cars. One of those project cars is very special indeed.
More than a decade ago, a customer told Ken about the 1965 Valiant ute that he had started to build with his son. It was to be a project that would bring them closer together, but his son had lost interest and the ute had sat unfinished for years. Ken offered to buy the Valiant, planning a similar project build with his children. A few weeks later the customer returned and offered to sell the Valiant ute to Ken for a bargain price. Ken paid the money and brought it back to the workshop.
The ute was stripped back ready to build. She received a fresh coat of paint in a custom purple colour. Ken began to collect the parts he would need and then the build stalled. Today it rests in the back of the Pacific Radiator Services workshop covered in drop cloths, waiting patiently for the day Ken finds the time to finish building her along with his other toys.
Meanwhile Ken is behind the wheel of the XY, enjoying all that Aussie muscle cars have to offer. A classic cruising machine that rumbles sweetly every time the key is turned. A family car that can be enjoyed and shared. A man’s dream car that has made one father very happy.
KIA HAS REVEALED details of the EV9, its three-row seat electric flagship SUV.
Based on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) designed specifically for electric vehicles (EVs), several variants of the EV9 are on the cards, with the imposing and boldly designed SUV featuring a range of powertrain configurations.
A 76.1kWh battery is offered with a Rear-Wheel-Drive (RWD) standard model, while a 99.8kWh battery is to be fitted in both the RWD Long Range and All-WheelDrive (AWD) models.
The RWD Long Range has a 150kW/ 350Nm electric motor, while the standard RWD model gets a single motor too, but one that kicks out 160kW and 350Nm.
The AWD variant is equipped with two
motors delivering 283kW and a combined torque of 600Nm. Kia says they can push the AWD model to 100km/h in 6 seconds.
A Boost feature, available for purchase at the Kia Connect Store, can increase torque to 700Nm and get the EV9 to reach 100km/h in 5.3 seconds.
Using an 800-volt charging system, the vehicle’s battery pack can, Kia says, be replenished with sufficient charge to power the vehicle for 239km in approximately 15 minutes, and the EV9 Long Range has a targeted range
of 541km (WLTP) on a single charge.
The vehicle features a 3,100-mm wheelbase with an overall length of 5,010 mm. It stands at 1,980-mm wide and 1,755mm tall. 21-inch, 20-inch or 19-inch wheels are set to be available.
As well as the regular model, Kia revealed a GT-Line model design which features stylistic flourishes that distinguish it from the standard variant. These include a ‘Digital Pattern Lighting Grille’.
The EV9 offers a range of seating options. Seven-seater and six-seater
Kia EV9set-ups will be available with a variety of second-row seat options – including 3-seater bench seats, relaxation seats, and swivel-type independent seats.
There’s no surprise to discover the EV9 is jam-packed with technology and safety features. Kia says the SUV takes ‘a significant step towards full autonomy’ with a key piece of tech enabling this being the company’s Highway Driving Pilot (HDP) system (which may be available depending on trim level and the market). The system, if installed, provides the EV9 with ‘conditional Level 3 autonomous driving’. 15 sensors enable the SUV to scan for and detect objects in full 360-degree field of view, allowing it to detect and react to the road and other users to prevent potential collisions.
Kia says that by providing proactive, real-time assistance across a wide range of conditions, its HDP system will meet the criteria required to deliver Level 3 autonomy in certain areas of the world.
EV9’s other Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) include Remote Smart Parking Assist, which Kia says enable the EV9 to park itself without the need for driver intervention, whether in or out of the vehicle, with the driver initiating the procedure with a smart key called Digital Key 2.
Digital Key 2 also enables users to open
and start the SUV using their smartphone.
Other ADAS features are Rear CrossTraffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, Blind Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, navigation-based Smart Cruise Control, and Highway Driving Assist, amongst many others.
Kia says the EV9 will also have Vehicleto-Load (V2L) functionality that puts out 3.68kW of power..
Via the Kia Connect Store, Kia says owners will be able to select the equipment specification of their EV9. Beyond standard features, the store offers options that enable owners to update and upgrade the SUV’s digital features and services. The Boost feature, for example, is available through the Connect Store, as is the Remote Smart Parking Assist.
The cabin of the EV9 includes a panoramic wide display that reaches over the centre line and which integrates two 12.3-inch touchscreens with one 5-inch screen. The displays offer all the driver info – from instrument cluster to infotainment features as well as heating and air conditioning control.
While specifications and models available in Australia will have to be confirmed, the EV9 looks to be an absolute ripper.
As an Industry Skills Advisor we engage with employers, small business and industry stakeholders to provide high quality, evidence-based industry advice and intelligence about current and emerging industry direction, regional skills needs and training solutions, job growth and employment opportunities.
SEA ELECTRIC, THE e-mobility company founded in Australia in 2012, has announced it is now a Tier 1 partner to Mack Trucks in the US, for the supply of its proprietary SEA-Drive power system.
The five-year agreement will focus on the next generation of Mack’s MD (medium duty) range, which will see deliveries of the fully electrified models to Mack dealers across North America. The Mack MD6 and MD7 models will be equipped with the SEADrive 120 and 180 power-systems.
Sea Electric say its SEA-Drive powersystem is an upgradable and flexible architecture and can adapted to a wide array of final applications, fully electrifying all ancillary features, with charging completed via the integrated onboard system.
“This is a proud day for SEA Electric, and the culmination of over a decade of leading research and development that has proven the SEA-Drive power-system around the world,” said Tony Fairweather, SEA Electric CEO and Founder in a statement.
“In testing, the SEA-Drive equipped Mack MD6 successfully completed a gruelling durability assessment, equivalent
to more than 500,000 miles on one of the toughest and most challenging tracks.
“We are proud to partner with a brand as iconic as Mack Trucks to help them achieve market leadership in the Class 6 and 7 zero emissions segment.
“In the future, this agreement has the potential to see significant scale, which is very exciting for the industry as it transitions to a sustainable future.”
According to Mack Trucks US website, its MD electric trucks will have either 150kWh or 240kWh battery packs, up to 370km of range depending on the set up, and offer charging times, once again depending on the battery pack size, of 7 to 11 hours at 19.2kW AC charging, and 1 hour and 40 minutes to 2 hours and 40 minutes at 80kW DC charging.
TO an electric vehicle (EV) powerhouse continues, with the company revealing its latest model in Europe – an electric Explorer. This new Explorer will, however, not be the large SUV that many may remember. Aimed at the European market and engineered and built in Germany, the new EV Explorer is, instead, a mid-sized crossover.
While many technical details are to be confirmed, media reports in Europe have suggested battery pack sizes of 52kWh and 77kWh will be available offering ranges of up to 500km. Whatever eventuates there, Ford does say that the Explorer will be able to fast charge from 10 to 80 per cent in just 25 minutes.
Technology will be top-notch, of course, with features to include a SYNC Move connected infotainment system and a 14.6-inch touchscreen that can slide up and down to suit the driver, wireless app integration and plenty of advanced driver assistance (ADAS) technology. There are 12 ultrasonic sensors, 5 cameras, and
three radars dotted around the Explorer to enable those ADAS features – that will include Assisted Lane Change and Clear Exit Assist that provides warnings of approaching cyclists before opening doors in busy city centres.
Combined storage is 450 litres in five-seat mode and there’s a 17-litre console between driver and frontseat passenger that can hold a 15-inch laptop.
Styling and design touches include sculpted sporty seats and a soundbar up front, while there are also heated front seats and steering wheel, a massaging driver’s seat and climate control that allows driver and front passenger to choose their own temperature. Keyless entry and hands-free power tailgate are standard.
Available initially in two versions, Select and Premium, the all-electric Explorer will
be available in Europe – where Ford is committed to offering an all-electric portfolio of passenger vehicles by 2030 – later this year and is Ford’s first EV to be built at scale in the new Ford Cologne EV Campus in Germany.
The new Explorer looks like an excellent addition to the ever-growing choices of EVs, but reports suggest it won’t make it to Australia any time soon. We can keep our fingers crossed that we will see it eventually.
QUEENSLAND HAS LAUNCHED the first in a series of campaigns designed to promote support and drive change for apprentices and trainees, particularly female apprentices, as well as women and girls aspiring for great careers in male-dominated occupations like traditional trades.
Launched during Queensland
Women’s Week, the let’s protect respect campaign promotes respect and support available to all apprentices, trainees and employers at www.qld. gov.au/AppreticeshipsInfo – so they know their rights and obligations, and where to turn for help if things go wrong at work.
Focused on both retention and attraction, the campaign series is part of the government’s three-year Train and Retain strategy, which aims to forge a stronger, inclusive training system that delivers for apprentices, trainees and employers, as well as our economy.
The strategy includes a range of actions in response to a 2022 review of support by the Queensland Training Ombudsman and is part of the Queensland Workforce Strategy – connecting good people to good jobs. Learn more and find campaign materials for industry and workplaces leaders at www.qld.gov. au/LetsProtectRespect .
LAMBORGHINI HAS JOINED the electrified vehicle revolution. The famed Italian manufacturer, maker of some of the world’s most iconic sports cars, has taken the wraps of a hybrid hypercar that combines the power of a whopping naturally aspirated V12 with a trio of electric motors and a lithium-ion battery pack to create what it calls the ‘first super sports V12 hybrid plug-in HPEV, or High Performance Electrified Vehicle.' Named the Revuelto, the hybrid monster is, not surprisingly given this is Lamborghini, banging out some tremendous performance numbers. The 6.5-litre V12 internal combustion engine –codenamed L545 – is, Lamborghini says, the most powerful 12-cylinder engine it has ever made amd pumps out 607kW and 725Nm. When paired with those motors
NAMED THE REVUELTO, THE HYBRID MONSTER IS, NOT SURPRISINGLY GIVEN THIS IS LAMBORGHINI, BANGING OUT SOME TREMENDOUS PERFORMANCE NUMBERS.Lamborghini Revuelto
– two 110kW/350Nm motors up front and one 110kW/150Nm motor positioned above the 8-speed doubleclutch gearbox – the Revuelto produces 747kW. That’s good enough, Lamborghini claims, for the sleek, lightweight Revuelto to reach a top speed of more than 350km/h and clock a 0-100km/h time of a ripsnorting 2.5 seconds.
The motor located above the gearbox doubles as the starter motor and generator, as well as supplying energy to the front electric motors via the battery in the transmission tunnel. The lithium-ion battery pack comes in at 3.8kWh. A full recharge can be done, Lamborghini says, in 30 minutes when charging at 7kW. The battery can also be recharged under regenerative braking from the front wheels or directly from the V12 engine.
The hybrid set-up enables torque vectoring and there is also a four-wheel steering system.
Performance for the new hypercar is enhanced by its light weight – its integral carbon fibre structure makes it lighter and increases torsional stiffness over
the Aventador supercar – and by active aerodynamics, including a front splitter and roof design that channels airflow to the 3-position active rear wing, delivering ‘new levels of efficiency and downforce’.
The Revuelto features Carbon Ceramic Brakes Plus – 410 x 38mm at the front with 10-piston calipers and 390 x 32mm at the rear with 4-piston calipers – and the car’s design includes front suspension strips and a grille inside the wheel arches aimed at improving the cooling of the front brakes.
There are 13 drive mode settings for the Revuelto, selectable via two rotors on the steering wheel. These modes include Recharge, Hybrid, Performance, and Citta (City). The Citta mode is designed for driving in urban areas and at zero emissions. Peak performance is achieved with the car set to Corsa mode.
The Revuelto sits on bespoke Bridgestone Potenza Sport tyres available as mixed fitment with 265/35 ZRF20 at the front and 345/30 ZRF21 at the rear, as well as with 265/30 ZRF21 at the front and 355/25 ZRF22 at the rear, both featuring run-flat technology.
On the inside has a new Human Machince Interface (HMI) system consisting of three displays – a 12.30nch instrument cluster, an 8.4-inch central display, and a 9.1-inch passenger display. The infotainment system offers personalisation and customisation. A new navigation system uses maps downloaded in real-time and incorporates real-time
traffic information, weather and other data. Amazon Alexa enables voice commands. Lamborghini says an integrated Overthe-Air software update system allows the infotainment set-up to evolve over time.
Using the Lamborghini Unica mobile app, the car’s status can be monitored, including the fuel level, battery charge, electric range and its exact position when parked. The app also allows for remote operations such as locking and unlocking doors, sounding the horn or activating the car’s lights. Maximum speed parameters can be set, as well as hourly and usage limits via geolocation: if the car exceeds a set speed, exceeds the limits of a set area, or is used beyond a certain time, the owner is warned via the app.
A comprehensive ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) includes Active Lane Departure Warning, Lane Cahnge Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and more.
FORD IS EXPANDING its Ranger lineup with the special edition Wildtrak X, expected in Australian showrooms in the second half of this year.
Ford says the Wildtrak X bridges the gap between the Ranger Raptor and the regular Wildtrak.
Power comes via Ford’s 150kW/500Nm 2-litre Bi-Turbo inline four-cylinder diesel mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Ford says the Wildtrak X will be the first Ranger variant to meet the Light Duty Truck EU Stage 6 emissions level 7 and will require the use of AdBlue. It will also be the first Ranger 2-litre Bi-Turbo Diesel variant to feature the advanced Fulltime 4WD system instead of the part-time ‘shift on the fly’ 4x4 system.
Wildtrak X comes with Bilstein PositionSensitive Dampers that Ford says allows drivers to go further off the beaten track but also improves on-road cornering
POWER COMES VIA FORD’S
150KW/500NM 2-LITRE BI-TURBO INLINE
FOUR-CYLINDER DIESEL MATED TO A 10-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.
manners as they have a monotube design and nitrogen-charged external reservoir that allow increased tuning bandwidth for dual driving characteristics. Towing capacity remains the same as the standard Ranger Wildtrak at 3500kg.
General Grabber AT3 all-terrain tyres are fitted as standard, with the 265/70 R17 rubber wrapped around new 17-inch alloy wheels. The combination of new suspension, wheel, and tyres results in a 30mm wider track width front and rear, and an additional 26mm of ground clearance when compared to the existing Wildtrak.
Wildtrak X is also set to come with Trail Turn Assist, designed to help negotiate tight bends on narrow tracks by applying the brake on the inside rear wheel, reducing the turning radius. It’s designed to be used on loose surfaces at speeds under 19km/h and can be used when the truck is engaged in either 4H or 4L and the rear differential is unlocked. In certain circumstances, Ford says Trail Turn Assist can reduce the Wildtrak X’s turning circle radius by up to 25 per cent. Trail Control – also seen in the Ranger
Raptor – helps drivers maintain a constant low-speed while off-road. The driver selects a set speed below 32 km/h and the vehicle will manage its acceleration and braking while the driver concentrates on steering.
There’s also Rock Crawl on Wildtrak X, which is designed to help on uneven, rocky terrain in a controlled manner at low speed. This drive mode requires low range 4WD to be engaged and will automatically lock the rear differential for maximum traction. Rock Crawl mode will also automatically actuate a unique throttle and transmission calibration that is designed to help the driver traverse the terrain as smoothly as possible.
Ranger Wildtrak X features Ford’s Flexible Rack System, which consists of a Sliding Load Rack that can be locked into five positions along the length of the load bed, and the Folding Roof Racks that store inside the rails when not in use. The flexible load system can be operated by one person and doesn’t require any tools to set up or stow.
RANGER WILDTRAK X FEATURES FORD’S FLEXIBLE RACK SYSTEM, WHICH CONSISTS OF A SLIDING LOAD RACK THAT CAN BE LOCKED INTO FIVE POSITIONS ALONG THE LENGTH OF THE LOAD BED.
The Wildtrak X will be available in Cyber Orange – an exclusive colour for the special edition model, and it is also set to come with a new off-road grille design with LED headlamps and a Cyber Orange accent strip, a steel bash plate, cast aluminium side steps and Wildtrak X badges on the front doors and tailgate, black Ford oval badges front and rear, as well as distinctive Ranger lettering across the hood. The grille surround, bumper H-bar, wheel lip mouldings, fender vents, mirror caps, door handles, and rear bumper are finished in asphalt black. There are also auxiliary LEDs integrated into the unique front grille.
Inside, there are new leather-accented seats with Miko suede and Wildtrak X
embroidered into the seat backs, upper glovebox and all-weather front and rear floor mats.
Terra suede wraps the glovebox, instrument cluster hood, door trim and centre console rails while Cyber Orange contrast stitching is used on the seats, steering wheel, gear shifter, doors and the upper glovebox.
Also standard for Wildtrak X compared to the regular Wildtrak is a B&O Sound premium audio system, and the larger 12.4-inch Digital Cluster found on the Ranger Raptor and Platinum variants. The Wildtrak X is also fitted with an overhead auxiliary switch bank for aftermarket accessories.
Recommended Manufacturer List Price (MLP) for the Wildtrak X is $75,990.
FIAT’S 500E ELECTRIC car will be introduced to Australia this year.
Retaining the look and feel of the small, classic, petrol-powered Fiat 500, the four-seater 500e is, Fiat Australia says, equipped with a front-mounted electric motor outputting 87kW delivering peak torque output of 220Nm. That’s good enough to push the car from 0-100km/h in nine seconds.
A 42kWh battery pack sits underneath the stylish body, and three charging modes are supported. There’s a CCS COMBO Type 2 socket that enables both domestic AC and DC fast charging, with a DC fast-charging rate of 85kW offered as standard. Fiat says this enables a 0 to 80 per cent charge in 35 minutes. In Europe, the Fiat 500e is certified to a range of 311km.
Designed, engineered, and manufactured in Italy, the Fiat 500e offers all manner of driving assistance tech enabling Autonomous Driving Level 2 as standard. This tech, Fiat says, includes Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Centring, rear-view parking camera and blind spot monitor Autonomous Emergency Braking, Traffic Sign Recognition, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, iACC with Lane Centring and Traffic Jam Assist and more.
Inside, quality fit and finish are completed by unique design cues and includes a two-spoke steering wheel and a rounded cluster that makes a connection
with the 1957 original 500. A glass roof comes standard and the car is also equipped with a retractable curtain.
According to Fiat, the 500e is rated one of the most environmentally friendly cars on the market, scoring a maximum five-star rating from the Green New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). It was, the company says, the first vehicle to achieve a maximum score of 10/10 in the Energy Efficiency Index.
Launching in the sole La Prima model trim, the 500e is to be available in six colours - Ice White, Onyx Black, Ocean Green, Mineral Grey, Rose Gold, and Celestial Blue, with the interior featuring Ice Beige FIAT monogramming EcoLeather and premium dashboard trim. Base Vehicle Price (excluding on-road costs and dealer delivery) is marked at $52,550 with premium and tri-coat paint options coming in at $700 and $1600 more respectively.
AN INTERESTING BIT of research out of the UK has revealed that more than a quarter of millennials would undertake their own vehicle repairs to save on costs rather than paying a professional garage. The research, carried out on behalf of eBay - the e-commerce giant and the UK’s largest automotive online marketplace – and which surveyed 1,535 respondents, revealed more than 23 per cent of 17 to 24-year-old respondents are inclined to undertake minor car repairs themselves.
The research also revealed that just 18 per cent of baby boomers are willing to do DIY fixes and are more likely to opt for help from their local workshop.
Windscreen wipers were deemed one of the easiest items to fix, with more than half of customers prepared to fit them at home, according to the research.
Broken or smashed door mirrors were among the other items popular with motorists with a fifth willing to carry
out a mirror replacement. Other popular items on the UK eBay site included car seats and batteries, number plates, lightbulbs and engine oil.
“As the cost of living continues to rise, motorists are increasingly looking for ways to reduce their running costs across the board,” said Dr Tony Tong, Head of Automotive at eBay UK. “This trend towards DIY repairs, spurred on by interest from younger generations, is something we expect to keep rising - converting more and more motorists into enthusiast home mechanics. Doing simple jobs yourself is an easy way to upskill and save, while eBay’s intuitive MyGarage function makes it simple to find the right part for your car.”
THE LEXUS ELECTRIFICATION story continues with the brand’s second battery-electric vehicle, the RZ 450e, due in Australian showrooms next month.
The first Lexus built on the e-TNGA platform, designed exclusively for a battery powertrain, the mid-size SUV is to be available in two grades – the Luxury and the Sports Luxury – and both are fitted with a 71.4kWh battery unit offering a claimed 470km of range. There’s 230kW of power on tap, with an electric e-Axle - each with its own motor – for both the front and rear wheels. Each e-Axle comprises its own motor, gearing and Power Control Unit (PCU) to distribute power and grip to each of the four wheels as required. The appropriate amount of torque sent to each e-Axle comes from the Lexus DIRECT4 all-wheel drive (AWD) system. DIRECT4 can, Lexus says, adjust torque bias in milliseconds - faster than any mechanical system.
The RZ 450e is equipped with an 11kW on-board charger. Lexus says battery recharging when connected to a three-phase power supply can take around six-and-a-half hours, while an 80 per cent recharge can be completed in about 30 minutes when using a DC fast-charging system.
Standard exterior features for the RZ 450e include 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights with static auto-levelling and headlight washers, LED daytime running lights, rear spoiler, rear privacy glass and heated side mirrors and autodimming (driver's side) with auto power folding function.
The interior includes NuLuxe leather trim, 8-way driver and front passenger power adjustable heated seats (driver's with two-way lumbar power adjustment), 14-inch multimedia display, 10-speaker Panasonic audio with DAB, Wireless Apple CarPlay 4 and Android Auto 5, five USB-C ports and Qi wireless phone charger.
A suite of Lexus Connected Services is standard, along with 10 airbags and a comprehensive range of safety and security features as part of Lexus Safety Sense+.
The RZ 450e Sports Luxury gets 20-inch alloy wheels, acoustic glass, dynamic auto-levelling headlights with cornering function, two-tone exterior paint option, Ultrasuede interior trim, heated outer
rear seats, ventilated driver and front passenger seats, heated steering wheel, three-position driver seat memory, touch sensitive steering wheel controls, head up display, adaptive high beam system, intelligent park assist, dimming panoramic roof, smart key card and 13-speak Mark Levison Premium Audio.
Looking forward, Lexus says the RZ is set to offer a new driving experience with steer-by-wire and yoke steering wheel featuring the Lexus One Motion Grip design. Details on that system will be made available closer to the its introduction. Price for the RZ 450e sees the Luxury variant come in with a manufacturer’s recommended retail price of $123,000 and the Sports Luxury at $135,000.
THERE’S 230KW OF POWER ON TAP, WITH AN ELECTRIC E-AXLE - EACH WITH ITS OWN MOTOR – FOR BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR WHEELS.
JEEP IN THE US has revealed the new range of Wrangler models for the 2024 model year, giving the iconic off-roader a range of updates.
In the US, the 2024 range will be available in Sport, Willys, Sahara, High Altitude, Rubicon and Rubicon 392 models. What models, and with what specs, can expected in Australia is to be confirmed.
Styling has been tweaked with a new grille, and a windshield-integrated antenna. 10 new wheel designs are available. The new models include an interior offering more technology and amenities, including available 12-way power adjustable front seats, all-new instrument panel featuring a 12.3-inch touchscreen and standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher grade models receive forward collision warning and standard advanced cruise control.
In the US, the 12.3-inch touchscreen – the most advanced and largest display
ever offered on Wrangler –houses the latest Uconnect 5 system which, Jeep says, is five times faster when compared to the previous generation and which, by using an Android operating system and over-the-air (OTA) updates, allows the system to continuously evolve to offer new content, features and services.
Functionality is enhanced for front-row passengers with standard dual USB Type C ports that allow devices to charge up to four times faster. The Wrangler delivers a
IN THE US, THE 2024 RANGE WILL BE AVAILABLE IN SPORT, WILLYS, SAHARA, HIGH ALTITUDE, RUBICON AND RUBICON 392 MODELS.Wrangler Willys Wrangler High Altitude
total of up to seven USB Type A and Type C ports for both rows. Standard 12-volt accessory outlets are located throughout and an AC outlet is available to power select three-pronged home electronics.
Two new models – the Sport S 4xe plugin hybrid (PHEV) and the Rubicon X –have been announced, while a new Willy’s model comes with a Tru-Lok rear locker,
Wrangler Rubicon 392
steel rock rails, trailer tow and heavy-duty electrical group, plus 33-inch tyres.
Wrangler Rubicon models are available with a factory-installed 3629kg-capacity Warn winch mounted in a steel front bumper with removable end caps. Rubicon also gets next-generation Dana 44 HD full-float rear axle, a 100:1 crawl ratio, and 2268kg towing capacity. The Rubicon X
model is standard with 35-inch tires, Rock-Trac full-time transfer case, integrated off-road camera and steel bumpers.
Powertrain options run from hybrid through to V8 with the 4xe (hybrid) lineup and high-performance Rubicon 392 models getting an eight-speed automatic transmission, while the 2.0- and 3.6-litre petrol engines available will offer both a six-speed manual transmission and an eight-speed automatic transmission. Power options are 2-litre turbocharged PHEV 4xe, 2-litre turbocharged I-4 engine, 3.6-litre V-6, and 6.4-litre V8.
For 2024, Wrangler continues to use a five-link coil suspension setup. The front suspension features two upper and two lower high-strength steel control arms for longitudinal control and a track bar for lateral axle control. The five-link rear suspension features a similar layout to the front suspension,.
The front and rear full-width high-strength steel track bars are positioned to control lateral movement of the axle with minimal angle change during suspension travel.
On Wrangler Rubicon models, an electronic front sway-bar disconnect is featured to provide additional wheel travel when the terrain calls for it.
Standard on all models for 2024 are first- and second-row side curtain airbags, which complement standard driver and passenger front airbags and front seatmounted driver and passenger side airbags.
Forward collision warning and advanced cruise control with stop now come standard on Sport S and above. Blind-spot
and cross-path detection and ParkSense rear park-assist system come standard on High Altitude, Rubicon X and Rubicon 392, and are available on Sport S, Willys, Sahara and Rubicon. A ParkView rear backup camera with dynamic grid lines, traction control and electronic stability control (ESC) with electronic roll mitigation are standard on all models.
There are 10 available colours – the new Anvil, as well as Earl, Firecracker Red, Granite Crystal, Silver Zynith, High Velocity, Hydro Blue, Sarge, Bright White and black.
Jeep says that by the end of 2025, the entire North American Jeep brand line-up will be electrified and by 2030, 50 per cent of Jeep brand sales in the United States will be fully electric while 100 per cent of Jeep vehicles in Europe will be fully electric.
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THE GWM UTE range has expanded with the addition of a new cab chassis body style, the Cannon-CC.
Adopting the same dual cab styling as the current GWM Ute range, the Cannon-CC swaps out the Ute tub for an aluminium tray and comes in three variants priced from $36,990 to $43,490.
Power is delivered by a 2-litre turbo diesel engine, producing 120kW and 400Nm, mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Towing capacity is 3000kg, payload is 1130kg. GWM says combined fuel economy is 8.4L per 100km for the 4x2 model and 9.4L per 100km for 4x4 model.
Width and height remain the same as the Ute with length increasing by 101mm. Dimensions of the tray are 1730mm long, 1855mm wide, by 235mm deep.
The Cannon-CC is equipped with:
• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Automatic LED headlights & taillights
• Side-steps
• Comfort-Tek leather seats
• Air conditioning
• 9-inch colour LCD touchscreen
• Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
• 3.5-inch colour instrument cluster
• Power outlet & USB port for dash cam
• 12V power outlet
• 220V power outlet
• Front USB port (x2) & rear USB charging port x 1
• Keyless entry & push-button start
• Paddle shifter
• Rear parking sensors
• Reverse camera
• Passenger side kerb-view camera
• 7 SRS airbags
• Hill-Start Assist Control
• Hill-Descent Control
• Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
• Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with pedestrian and bicycle detection
• Active Cruise Control (ACC)
• Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR) with overspeed warning
• Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
• Chrome front grille
• Chrome door mirrors and handles
• Power folding door mirrors with indicator
• Leather steering wheel
• Heated Comfort-Tek leather seats (front) with poweradjustable driver’s seat
• Automatic climate control
• Automatic anti-glare rear-view mirror
• Front parking sensors
• 360 degree around-view camera
GWM says first shipments have landed and can be expected in showrooms soon.
GORDON MURRAY, THE man behind one of the world’s greatest supercars – the McLaren F1 – and a veteran designer of Formula One racing cars, has taken the wraps off his newest creation, a Spider variant of the Gordon Murray Automotive T.33 sportscar.
Developed in parallel with the T.33 coupe and sharing the same ultralight carbon fibre monocoque construction, the rear-wheel-drive T.33 Spider weighs
DEVELOPED IN PARALLEL WITH THE T.33 AND SHARING THE SAME ULTRALIGHT CARBON FIBRE MONOCOQUE CONSTRUCTIONS, THE REAR-WHEEL-DRIVE T.33 SPIDER WEIGHS IN AT 1,108KG . . .
T.33 Spider
in at 1,108kg and has two removable roof panels and a deployable rear window just in front of the monster engine that gives the car its stellar performance.
That engine is a naturally aspirated 3.9-litre V12 developed by Cosworth. The aluminium powerplant is fed via
the ram air scoop on the roof and four throttle bodies and has two fuel injectors per cylinder. Maximum power is 454kW at 10,250rpm with maximum torque of 451Nm available at 6,750rpm.
The carbon composite roof panels can be stowed in a 115-litre front luggage compartment, and there are twin side lockers in the car’s rear haunches providing an additional 180 litres of storage space.
The T.33 Spider’s interior reflects the analogue and functional requirements set by its designer. A focal point of the instrument cluster is the centrally mounted rev counter, either side of which are displays for climate control and infotainment, which includes Apple Carplay and Android Auto connectivity
All the main controls are tactile, with
VIDEO: GORDON MURRAY AUTOMOTIVE T.33 SPIDER
the carbon fibre steering wheel trimmed in leather. The pedals, gear shift lever and switchgear are machined from aluminium alloy. Carbon fibre seats are trimmed in leather and Alcantara.
Aerodynamics befit a car built for performance and drivability while reflecting Gordon Murray’s experience designing ground-effect racing cars. There are no ducts, skirts or splitters, but there is a Passive Boundary Layer Control (PBLC). A ground-effect inlet at the front of the car directs low pressure air underneath the floor, which is then fed into a rear diffuser with a boundary layer removal duct.
In combination with a deployable rear spoiler, the PBLC delivers low drag, high performance and high-speed stability.
The T.33 Spider features all-round aluminium double wishbone suspension and coilover design dampers.
The fixed rear section of the roof, which provides rollover protection, is an integral part of the body design to optimise stiffness. It is designed to minimise drag and buffeting when the panels are fitted.
To deliver traction and steering response, the T.33 Spider, like its coupe sibling, uses an asymmetric wheel and tyre specification. The front and rear axles
feature lightweight, forged aluminium 19-inch and 20-inch wheels respectively, together with 235/35 ZR19 and 295/30 ZR20 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tyres.
The Spider is offered exclusively with a six-speed manual gearbox. The powertrain is completed by a multi-plate clutch and a mechanical limited-slip differential.
Just 100 examples of the T.33 Spider are to be built and each can be tailored to a customer’s specific requirements.
Price of the T.33 Spider is yet to be disclosed, although reports in the UK suggest a £1.89 million ($AU3.5 million) price tag.
Recognising top Apprentices who are passionate about the Aftermarket industry
AUSTRALIA’S AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY delivered 97,251 vehicles during March 2023.
VFACTS numbers released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) show that while this represents a 3.9 per cent decrease on the same period in 2022, year-on-year comparisons show 2023 is up on last year by 2.5 per cent.
Increases in sales were recorded in Queensland, which was up 4.9 per cent (22,244); the ACT, up 1 per cent with 1,576 vehicles sold; South Australia, up 2.6 per cent (6,543); and Western Australia, up 1.1 per cent (10,129). Declines were notched in NSW, where the numbers showed a 6.1 per cent drop (30,256); the Northern Territory, 15.3 per cent (776); Tasmania 8.4 per cent (1,620); and Victoria 11.2 per cent (24,107).
Toyota led the market with a total of 13,223 vehicles sold. Mazda was second (8,243), followed by Ford (6,485), Kia (6,403) and Mitsubishi (5,863).
The Toyota Hi-Lux was the highest selling model with 4,583 sales, followed by Ford’s
GREW BY 19.5 PER CENT ON MARCH
2022 FIGURES WITH 6,612 SALES.
PLUG-IN-HYBRIDS INCREASED BY 33.3 PER CENT WITH 569 SALES.
Ranger 4,508. Isuzu’s D-Max was third with 2,789, followed by Mitsubishi’s Outlander (2,169) and Tesla’s Model Y (1,938).
Battery electric vehicle sales grew by 19.5 per cent on March 2022 figures with 6,612 sales. Plug-in-hybrids increased by 33.3 per cent with 569 sales. Hybrid sales were down 29.8 per cent on March 2022 numbers at 5,247.
For the year to date, sales of vehicles sourced from China have increased 70.7 per cent with 15,124 vehicles sold in March. Japan remains Australia’s largest source of vehicles (25,538), with Thailand in second spot (21,729) and Korea fourth (12,771).
While the headlines were remarkable, the detail in a recent BHP case shows that the court applied the law as it is written. It means because working a public holiday was part of their roster and there was no extra remuneration, this in part led to a Decision by the Full Court to clarify whether an employee has any choice.
IN A RECENT significant Fair Work Commission decision, specifics were set for distinguishing a "request" or a "requirement" for an employee to work on a public holiday.
The proceedings concerned the fact that, on Christmas Day and Boxing Day in 2019, some employees of an in-house labour hire provider worked a standard 12.5-hour shift at the BHP Daunia Mine. Significantly, there was no additional pay for this work where two public holiday days were part of their normal roster, which was a seven days on, seven off, seven nights on, seven off arrangement.
This decision clarifies what businesses that trade on public holidays and who wish to roster their employees are to do to avoid
an alleged breach of Federal employment laws, avoiding penalties.
However, for most automotive businesses who trade on a public holiday, under Section 114 of the Fair Work Act, employees are permitted to refuse the request if it is not reasonable or if the refusal is reasonable given the list of what can be considered.
A fact sheet is available to all MTA Queensland members, along with general and customised advice on all workplace relations matters.
This information is provided as general guidance, and professional advice and assistance is recommended. For Business enquiries about wages, salaries, employment contracts, dismissals and representation, please contact the MTA Queensland Workplace Relations team on 07 3237 8777.
IN A RECENT SIGNIFICANT FAIR WORK COMMISSION DECISION, SPECIFICS WERE SET FOR DISTINGUISHING A "REQUEST" OR A "REQUIREMENT" FOR AN EMPLOYEE TO WORK ON A PUBLIC HOLIDAY.
TO MORE THAN 13,000 PEOPLE DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN THE MOTORING INDUSTRY (website or e-magazine options)
SO, THE FIRST quarter is done and dusted. Hopefully all is well. Industry tells us, and we concur, that with the current labour and skills shortages we desperately need more new entrants, and engagement with schools is a key piece of the puzzle. I’m excited to update you that as part of MTA Queensland, we are increasing our activity in schools via a School-2-Work Transitions program along with several VET in school and Auto Ready programs. We need to change the perceptions of the automotive as being a dirty and low-paid industry. Through quality information and advice and by building relationships between students and employers, a line of sight to a career in automotive as a highly skilled and innovative industry will be a critical element in creating a skills pathway for the future and it will reimagine the industry for students, parents, and VET co-ordinators.
Australia’s transition to electric vehicles will quickly change the industry and result in new and exciting careers with very different skills requirements, including high-level diagnostic and data skills.
The School-2-Work program is designed to create strong and effective schoolindustry partnerships across Queensland and improve access to high-quality automotive career information for school students, student co-ordinators and
parents. Educating all parties around the abundance of career opportunities and pathways found within the automotive industry will greatly improve the attraction of students into our industry and develop a pipeline of talent.
Our VET in schools program sees MTA Institute trainers go into schools one day a week for 20 weeks and deliver a AUR20720 - Certificate II in Automotive Vocational Preparation.
Our Auto Ready program is designed for school students on school holidays and provides a basic introduction to the automotive industry. All these strategies serve as attraction pieces for our future workforce. Please reach out if you would like to know more about these school initiatives. Till next month, Arrivederci!
“. . . AS PART OF MTA QUEENSLAND, WE ARE INCREASING OUR ACTIVITY IN SCHOOLS VIA A SCHOOL-2-WORK TRANSITIONS PROGRAM ALONG WITH SEVERAL VET IN SCHOOL AND AUTO READY PROGRAMS.”
APPRENTICE:
RYAN MATTHEWS
WORKPLACE:
TYE’S REMOTE MECHANICAL
APPRENTICESHIP:
LIGHT VEHICLE MECHANICAL
RYAN MATTHEWS is the MTA Institute Apprentice of the Month for March 2023. The 25-year-old light vehicle apprentice has been working for Tye’s Remote Mechanical in North Queensland since 2021 and according to his MTA Institute trainer Antony Joslin, he displays an attitude that is always positive, he will independently research and apply knowledge, and he is ‘polite, well-presented, and an asset to his employer.’
Based out of a cattle station a few kilometres from Georgetown – a small township of around 400 people located 380km southwest of Cairns – Tye’s Remote Mechanical offers services on a wide range of vehicles and machinery. From cars to trucks, from tractors to bobcats and everything in between, Ryan works with business owner Tye Ryan to keep all manner of vehicles and machinery running. And it’s not just for the residents of Georgetown. Cattle stations dot the region and repairing and maintaining the equipment used by contract mustering crews is part of Tye’s Remote Mechanical’s regular work.
Mustering is, in fact, how Ryan began his working life. Leaving school after completing Year 10, Ryan joined a mustering crew working the Gulf Country and he enjoyed that rugged life enough to stay for five years.
For those that don’t know, mustering crews are usually a group of 8 to 10 people who live and work on cattle station land and, for much of the year, round up cattle, brand calves and sort them for sale. It is a lifestyle Ryan loves, but he always had the desire to complete an apprenticeship – a wish that was spurred on by the fact that a mustering crew needs to maintain the motorbikes, trucks and other machinery they use.
“When we were contract mustering, we had to do 99 per cent of the work on our vehicles,” said Ryan. “We used them every day, so they had to be working.”
Eventually, the opportunity to take on an apprenticeship came along, and Ryan grabbed it.
“I loved the lifestyle of mustering, so I stayed with that for a while,” said Ryan. “But when I was 21, I went and saw some family friends - Martin and Judy Vemeer who ran Atherton Mechanical Services - and they offered me an apprenticeship.”
Fortuitously, Tye Ryan was just about to finish up his own apprenticeship at the shop just as Ryan was starting his.
“I have known Tye since I was about 15,” said Ryan. “His parents ran a contract mustering crew and we met each other then and had a few bits and pieces to do with each other over the years. When he finished his apprenticeship, he came out here and set himself up with a workshop. He’d had that going for a couple of years when I started to look to move back here.”
Moving in part to be with his girlfriend, who works on outback stations, and partly to get back to the Georgetown region, Ryan reached out to Tye who took him on as an apprentice.
While Ryan had started his apprenticeship with another training provider, a change in ownership at Atherton Mechanical Services would see him swap over to the MTA Institute. He stayed with the Institute when he moved to Georgetown – something that has proved useful when considering the town’s remote location and that the Institute’s educational model sees the trainer go to the apprentice’s workshop to deliver training.
“Antony coming here is great,” said Ryan. “I can chip away at my own study and know what I need to be looking at and learning and can focus on it. With him coming here, it’s one-onone and I can ask my own questions and it is a good system.”
With less than a year to go until he qualifies, Ryan has given some thought to what happens next with his career. Not surprisingly, one spent in outback Queensland is likely, with more training on the cards too.
“I would like to get more training and be better with the electrical side of vehicles because that is something that is really sought after out here,” he said.
“I do think about EVs too and would like to do a course and get up to speed on them. But I think I will set myself up as a mobile mechanic and work station-to-station.”
• Are you employing an apprentice who is excelling in the workplace?
• Do you have a high-achieving apprentice colleague?
• Are they training with MTA Institute?
If the answer is ‘yes’, then nominate them for the MTA Institute Apprentice of the Month Award.
THE MTA INSTITUTE is the largest independent provider of automotive apprenticeships and training in Queensland and it is always a proud moment when its
students complete their trade qualification. Congratulations to everyone who was issued a qualification in March 2023. It's a fantastic achievement!
Jesse Spratt
Certificate III in Automotive Body Repair Technology
Tyson White Certificate III in Automotive Body Repair Technology
Joel Ashcroft
Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology
David Fensham-Elms Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology
Braydan Gibbs Tickell Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology
Jayden Montgomery Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology
Phoenix Ah-Toon
Brandon Brettle
Daniel Carter
Certificate III in Automotive Refinishing Technology
Certificate III in Automotive Refinishing Technology
Certificate III in Automotive Refinishing Technology
Bailey Lipke Certificate III in Automotive Refinishing Technology
Alistair White
Ben Carpenter
Kerrod Smith
Mitchell Brown
Tahlia Cavallaro
Lynton Cramp
Ajdin Fazlic
Carl Garrard
Jai Harbison
Jesse Harker
Evelyn Hayes
Certificate III in Automotive Sales (Parts Interpreting)
Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Pj Hennessy Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Steven Jenkins
Kaleb Kelly
Dylan Longbottom
Steven Maguire
Luke Mathews
Ryan Matthews
Brock McDonald
Isaac Mcilveen
Blake Parfitt
Jackson Quaill
Zakkria Ryan
Hamish Shore
Jesse Steeghs
Samuel Stringer
Kieron Walsh
Zachary Spence
Jacob Balmer
Brayden Damiani
Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Certificate III in Mobile Plant Technology (Mobile Plant Equipment)
Certificate III in Motorcycle Mechanical Technology
Certificate III in Motorcycle Mechanical Technology
Shane Palmer
Alfio Rotolone
Gareth Hartley
Steven Cameron
Stephen Blaauw
Don Lerm
Alfio Rotolone
Alfio Rotolone
Keiran Charters
Alfio Rotolone
Lloyd Cross
Lloyd Cross
Neville Donaldson
James Dixon
Dennis Shaw
Kevin Ryan
Stuart Davies
Steven Cameron
Antony Joslin
Jason McCann
Jens Puder
Steven Cameron
Steven Cameron
Stephen Blaauw
James Dixon
Stuart Davies
Andrew Elson
Antony Joslin
Simon Verkroost
Stuart Davies
Derrick Pratt
Bruce McLeish
Neville Donaldson
Antony Joslin
David Twidale
Stephen Blaauw
Simon Verkroost
Michael De Waard
Ivan Aird
Ross Wilson
MTA Queensland will represent you to state and federal governments on BIG issues affecting your business and the industry. We represent service stations, new & used car dealers, tyre businesses, paint & panel, repairers, parts recyclers, engine re-conditioners, farm & industrial machinery businesses, motorcycle sales and rental vehicles, so can actively espouse direct industry perspective.
Receive FREE expert advice on Workplace Relations matters & Consumer Complaint Support. Access a website building service and, through the Member Portal, information regarding wages & awards, health & safety, public holidays and more. There also is a FREE-to-use online Jobs Board platform, and discounted products available through the online MTA Queensland shop.
• Apprenticeships • Traineeships • Skills Recognition.
• Automotive Licensing • Short Automotive Courses (including some which attract a 20% discount for members)
• Pre-apprenticehips.
Our corporate partners offer a wide range of services & benefits, including banking, insurance, payment options, legal advice, and advice on workplace health & safety compliance Library of online business resources and templates Weekly industry bulletin Webinar and micro-credential program (coming soon). FREE Jobs Board Discounts on stationery & workshop products Monthly subscription to the Motor Trader e-magazine Regular specials & discounts
Stay ahead of the automotive digital revolution with access to events and the MTAiQ Innovation Hub.
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The Commonwealth Bank offers members some of the lowest EFTPOS charges in the country. Members have saved thousands with CBA.
Capricorn makes it easier for its members buy parts, earn reward points and share in the benefits of being a member of the largest and oldest automotive parts buying cooperatives in Australasia.
Guard Insurance Brokers specialises in insurance and risk management solutions and offers dedicated service to MTAQ members at market leading rates.
Providing legal services across a number of core areas, Bennett & Philp Lawyers have been providing effective legal solutions to meet the needs of dealers, suppliers, racers, financiers and other motor vehicle professionals for more than ten years.
Safety Help provides the automotive industry with a service dedicated to making your business compliant.
illion is the leading independent provider of trusted data and analytics products and services in Australasia. Members are eligible for substantial savings on annual subscriptions.
Make it Cheaper are Australia’s leading energy comparison and broker service for Aussie businesses, working with up to 10 energy retailers to find customers a great electricity or gas plan and reduce energy costs.
IHAVE NOW CLOCKED more than 9000km in MTA Institute’s batterypowered vehicle, the BYD Atto 3. It has performed admirably but, as with all vehicles, time in its company has revealed a couple of minor irritations. The
first is related to Queensland’s extended, hot, summer period.
I have never been a big fan of leather interiors. They tend not to stand up to Queensland’s high UV index, needing a lot of care. Leather vehicle seats can also
get extremely hot to sit on. Vehicles with synthetic leather, such as the Atto3, are, in my opinion, worse.
The seats can feel more like a matt vinyl from a 1970’/80’s vehicle, which is not particularly nice on a hot summer day. It feels sticky. Plus, if anybody uses the vehicle before you, evidence of their sweat
can be found. I understand the Atto 3’s interior was designed to look like a gym environment. Having occupants ‘towel down’ their seating area after use is taking the design too far!
Also, anything above 30-degrees Celsius and the air conditioning does seem to struggle in comparison to my previous Camry Hybrid and personal ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicles. The Atto 3 will cool down, but it takes a while.
Window tint is a definite requirement for ownership in the Sunshine State.
Unrelated to the Queensland hot summer, the passenger’s side front stereo speaker seems to be distorting. This could be the Atto 3's first warranty work.
. . . IN THE LAST ISSUE, I SUGGESTED THE BYD DOES GET LOST IN THE SEA OF MINI-SUV’S. MTA INSTITUTE’S ATTO 3
NO LONGER DOES THANKS TO ITS NEW ADVERTISING BODY ARTWORK.The BYD Atto 3 is now kitted out in some snazzy artwork advertising its all-electric status
There has been no evidence the Queensland heat has affected battery performance or range in any way. However, do the vehicle settings or the actual physical/ topographical driving environment affect battery performance?
Over the last month, I have completed some comparisons on electricity/power usage. While not scientific, trips I’ve taken were at approximately the same time of day, same route and mileage.
The Atto 3 has three vehicle settings: Sport, Normal and Economy. My drive to the office is a mixture of urban stop/start of 15km, and 40km highway driving. It is a 110km round trip.
My results showed there was a difference of only 160 metres extra range per kw/h between Economy and Sport modes - noting I was driving normally, with no focus on economy. Based on this, the Economy setting only gives me an extra 9.6km range over Sport. While there is some difference, it is not dramatic. Both Economy and Normal settings lack the instant pick up I enjoy when in Sport mode. I will stay ‘sporty’ thanks.
Elevation and continuous highway driving (little brake regeneration) affects range/power usage more so than the vehicle settings.
On a recent drive up Mt Mee for a Sunday breakfast with my wife, I completed 35km from home to the cafe. A mixture of 100km/h speed limit roads to Dayboro, then a mountain drive up Mt Mee. Power used was 8.3kw/h. Compare this to 55km trip from home to work. That trip regularly uses 7.6kw/h. The mountain drive was 20km less but used 0.7kw/h more. That suggests range will be dramatically
affected by mountainous roads. It would be interesting to know how this would compare to a similar petrol-powered mini-SUV.
Finally, in the last issue, I suggested the BYD does get lost in the sea of mini-SUV’s. MTA Institute’s Atto 3 no longer does thanks to its new advertising body artwork. It will stand out from the crowd. If you see me out and about, feel free to come up and introduce yourself. I am always upon for a chat about the BYD or MTA Institute's training options.
. . . RESULTS SHOWED THERE WAS A DIFFERENCE OF ONLY 160 METRES EXTRA RANGE PER KW/H BETWEEN ECONOMY AND SPORT MODES . . . BASED ON THIS, THE ECONOMY SETTING ONLY GIVES YOU AN EXTRA 9.6KM RANGE OVER SPORT.
PREPARE YOUR EMPLOYEES TO WORK SAFELY AROUND ELECTRIFIED VEHICLES TODAY. COMPLETE MTA QUEENSLAND’S ONLINE COURSES.
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VOLKSWAGEN’S SURGE TO electrification continued last month with the unveiling of the ID.2all concept - a version of which will likely be another member of the company's battery-electric ID brand.
The company claims the production variant of the ID.2all will cost less than €25,000 ($AU40,300) – a price that would make it the cheapest all-electric car in Australia - and for that, customers will get plenty of car.
Based on VW’s MEB Entry platform, the ID.2all sports a new design language,
THE ID.2ALL SPORTS A NEW DESIGN LANGUAGE, IS FRONT-WHEEL DRIVE, IS POWERED BY A MOTOR DELIVERING 166KW, CAN REACH 100KM/H IN SEVEN SECONDS, AND HAS A RANGE OF AROUND 450KM.
is front-wheel drive, is powered by a motor delivering 166kW, can reach 100km/h in seven seconds, and has a range of around 450km. Although specifics of the battery pack set-up are yet to be revealed, VW says the ID.2all will be able to be
charged from 10 to 80 per cent in approximately 20 minutes.
Technology will likely be top-notch, with the company saying the ID.2all will include such features as Travel Assist, IQ.LIGHT lighting tech or Electric Vehicle Route Planner and much more. Coming in at 4050mm long by 1812mm wide and 1530mm tall, the ID.2all has a wheelbase of 2600mm and has a storage volume from 490–1,330 litres.
The production version of the ID.2all will be one of the 10 new electric models VW has planned to launch by 2026. This year, the company says, will see the introduction of the compact ID.3, the ID. Buzz minivan with long wheelbase and the ID.7 sedan. These will be followed by a compact electric SUV in 2026. VW also says it is working on an electric car that it can being in at a price of less than €20,000 ($AU32,300).
“The ID. 2all shows where we want to take the brand. We want to be close to the customer and offer top technology
in combination with fantastic design,” said Thomas Schäfer, CEO of Volkswagen Passenger Cars. “We are implementing the transformation at pace to bring electric mobility to the masses.”
. . . THE ID.2ALL HAS A WHEELBASE OF 2600MM AND HAS A STORAGE VOLUME FROM 490–1,330 LITRES.
AUTO READY
3 - 6 Apr 2023 (BRISBANE)
3 - 6 Apr 2023 (NORTH BRISBANE)
3 - 6 Apr 2023 (MACKAY - SOLD OUT )
11 - 14 Apr 2023 (BRISBANE)
11 - 14 Apr 2023 (NORTH BRISBANE)
11 - 14 Apr 2023 (MACKAY - SOLD OUT )
AIR CONDITIONING COURSE
26 - 28 Apr 2023 (SOLD OUT )
24 - 26 May 2023
21 - 23 June 2023
SALES/DEALERS/WRECKERS LICENCING COURSES AVAILABLE ONLINE COMMENCES ON ENROLMENT
RTO No: 31529
BATTERY ELECTRIC AND HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLES COURSE
2 - 4 May 2023
29 - 31 May 2023
AUTOMOTIVE VOCATIONAL PREPARATION COURSE
2 May - 2 June 2023
Enquiries to: courses@mtai.edu.au Website www.mtai.edu.au
MIG WELDING FUNDAMENTALS COURSE
19 April 2023
POST-TRADE TRAINING AVAILABLE ONLINE
VEHICLE MAINTENANCE COURSE
10 May 2023
ADVANCED DRIVER ASSISTANCE SYSTEMS COURSES
AWARENESS COURSE
TO BE ADVISED
VEHICLE GLASS COURSE TO BE ADVISED
TECHNICIAN COURSE
18 - 19 May 2023
Enquiries to: courses@mtaq.com.au Website www.mtaq.com.au
*Course dates subject to change
20170566
New seminars and webinars in 2023
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