AUG 2022
CARMAGEDDON THE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES OF AN AUTO INDUSTRY IN TRANSITION
Q&A: INNISFAIL + APPRENTICE OF THE MONTH: + HYUNDAI UNVEILS ‘ROLLING + PROMTAMOTORS JUNE & JULY 2022 LAB’ CONCEPTS INTERESTED IN BECOMING A MEMBER OF MTA QUEENSLAND? CLICK HERE
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OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE MOTOR TRADES ASSOCIATION OF QUEENSLAND
M TA Q U E E N S LAN D DI V I SIO NA L CO M MIT T EE M EET IN GS
MTA QUEENSLAND hosts quarterly Divisional Committee meetings for:
USTRALIAN AUTOMOTIVE DEALER ASSOCIATION › A(NEW CAR DEALERS) UTOMOTIVE ENGINEERS DIVISION › A(MECHANICAL REPAIRERS) UTOMOTIVE PARTS RECYCLERS DIVISION › A(PARTS RECYCLERS) UTOMOTIVE REMARKETING DIVISION › A(USED CAR DEALERS) NGINE RECONDITIONERS ASSOCIATION OF QUEENSLAND › E(ENGINE RECONDITIONERS) ATIONAL AUTO COLLISION ALLIANCE › N(PAINT & PANEL / TOW TRUCKS) UEENSLAND FARM & INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY DEALERS DIVISION › Q(FARM & INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY) UEENSLAND MOTORCYCLE INDUSTRY DIVISION › Q(MOTORCYCLES) ENTAL VEHICLE INDUSTRY DIVISION › R(RENTAL VEHICLES) ERVICE STATION & CONVENIENCE STORE ASSOCIATION OF QUEENSLAND › S(SERVICE STATIONS) YRE & UNDERCAR DIVISION OF QUEENSLAND › T(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.
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From the Editor Official Publication of the Motor Trades Association of Queensland 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
JONATHAN NASH
Email: publications@mtaq.com.au Website: www.mtaq.com.au
EDITOR
W
EDITOR Jonathan Nash
ELCOME TO THE August 2022 edition of Motor Trader. In July, MTA Queensland hosted the fifth edition of its Carmageddon symposium, bringing together auto industry leaders, business owners, government representatives, academics, and MTA Queensland members to discuss the industry's future. Many businesses have been contemplating when to make a move in preparation for the arrival of EVs and other new technologies - when to invest in new facilities, in charging points, in staff training - and at this year's Carmageddon there was a palpable sense that the deadline to make those
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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 SUBSCRIPTION RATES Subscribing to the Motor Trader e-magazine is free. Click here to subscribe 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.
decisions was edging closer. In relation to EVs, while it may be some years before they are seen in great numbers here, the path to that point seems clear, and some businesses have already pulled the trigger on investments. The challenges associated with EVs and other issues affecting the automotive industry - such as the skills shortage crisis - were at the heart of this year's Carmageddon. The result was an event of compelling discussions loaded with insights and ideas, between industry stakeholders for whom these issues are truly important. You can read our wrap-up of Carmageddon 2022 from page 14. I hope you enjoy this edition, and if you have some interesting news to share, then please reach out. I look forward to hearing from you. Cheers Jonathan Nash, Editor jonathann@mtaq.com.au
MTA Queensland welcomes the following new members
MTA QUEENSLAND ABN: 74 028 933 848
20221095
CORPORATE PARTNERS
BUSINESS NAME
ADDRESS
DIVISION
4X4 Mechanical AMC Mechanical Autobunkerz Services Better Call Saul Mechanical Bridgestone Select - Darling Heights Caravan Hub Chev Tech Automotive Currumbin Mechanical Harcombe Motors Island Bodyworks (Qld) Pty Ltd Rod Howes Automotive RPM Mechanical Wide Bay
Shed 5, 3-7 Kruger court Hervey Bay, QLD, Australia 4655 28686 Bruce Hwy, Childers QLD 4660 Unit 6/58 Bullockhead St, Sumner QLD 4074 940 Ingham Rd, Bohle QLD 4818 36 Stenner St, Darling Heights QLD 4350 9 Horwood Street, Currajong, QLD, Australia 4812 74 Supply Rd, Edmonton QLD 4868 13/44A Currumbin Creek Road, Currumbin Waters QLD 4223 5-33/35 Timms Rd, Everton Hills QLD 4053 31 Armitage St, Bongaree QLD 4507 43 Enkelmanns Rd, Alberton QLD 4207 32 Drury Ln, Dundowran QLD 4655
AED AED AED AED TUDQ ARD AED AED ARD NACA AED AED
August 2022 Motor Trader | 1
Contents
14
CARMAGEDDON: THE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES OF AN AUTO INDUSTRY IN TRANSITION
04 FROM THE DESK OF MANAGEMENT 06 MTA Q&A: INNISFAIL PRO MOTORS 14 CARMAGEDDON: THE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES OF AN AUTO INDUSTRY IN TRANSITION 32 AUTO INNOVATION NEWS 42 CLASSIC CAR: ICONIC BENTLEY SPEED SIX TO BE BORN AGAIN 49 AUTO NEWS 70 WORKPLACE RELATIONS 73 MTA INSTITUTE NEWS 84 APPRENTICE OF THE MONTH: JUNE 2022 86 APPRENTICE OF THE MONTH: JULY 2022 88 MTA INSTITUTE GRADUATES 90 CONCEPT CORNER 2 | Motor Trader August 2022
MTA INSTITUTE TRAINING THE FOUNDATION TO YOUNG MECHANIC’S SUCCESS
74
Search for MTA Queensland
42
ICONIC BENTLEY SPEED SIX TO BE BORN AGAIN
80
MTA INSTITUTE’S TRAINING TEAM GATHER FOR ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT MEETING
90
HYUNDAI UNVEILS ‘ROLLING LAB’ CONCEPTS
MTA Q&A: INNISFAIL PRO MOTORS
06
August 2022 Motor Trader | 3
From the Desk of Management
ROD CAMM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER MTA QUEENSLAND
T
HE TIMING OF last month’s fantastic Carmageddon innovation symposium at MTA Queensland could not have been more perfect, as new discussion of zero and low emission vehicles and technologies sweeps across our industry at a national level. I recently returned from a trip to Canberra, where I met with numerous delegates from Australia’s peak automotive representative bodies as we discussed the coordination of the future of our industry in light of the emerging zero- and low-emission vehicle technology at a one-day summit. From this summit came a historic outcome. As you are probably aware by now, Australia’s peak National, State and Territory industry bodies – AAAA, AADA, FCAI, NALSPA, and MTAA and each state’s adjoining association – have come to an agreement on a unified approach to developing critical pathways and positions that achieves a considered and practical transition to the electrification of the national motor vehicle fleet. This is a monumental development, and one that we can all agree was critically necessary to ensuring we stop falling behind the rest of the world when it comes to vehicle and emission technologies. What does this decision mean for our industry? Australia has lacked a government-
4 | Motor Trader August 2022
"WE KNOW THE FUTURE IS ELECTRIC, HOWEVER, NO MEASURED STEPS OR PATHWAYS CURRENTLY EXIST TO GET US THERE, AND CONSUMERS ARE THE ONES ULTIMATELY LEFT WITH THE FINANCIAL AND CHOICE BURDENS OF THIS LACK OF STRUCTURE AND TARGETS." led, nationally consistent approach to embracing the electrification of the industry and reducing CO2 emissions. We know the future is electric, however, no measured steps or pathways currently exist to get us there, and consumers are the ones ultimately left with the financial and choice burdens of this lack of structure and targets. This harmonisation between parties will utilise our combined experience, data, and networks to present thoroughly laid out plans and targets to government to guide the installation of a nationally consistent Zero and Low Emission Electrification Transition Strategy that embraces electrification without deterring our industry in the short term. While acknowledging our future, we cannot underestimate the importance of
hybrid and ICE vehicles – of which there is approximately 20 million in the Australian fleet – in supporting the transition in the short and medium term. It is unfeasible to expect these vehicles to disappear overnight and be replaced by electric vehicles. We must ensure these vehicles are supported during the transition to avoid the economic and social ramifications from simplistic measures like banning the purchase of new ICE vehicles by 2035. This is not to say we should remain open to importing any and every outdated ICE vehicle. We support government imposed emission targets for new vehicles to ensure only the most fuel-efficient vehicles, compatible with the most advanced fuel options, are introduced during the transition. This is where industry supports government leadership to introduce CO2 regulations on imported vehicles, in line with the rest of the world, and help Australia meet its emission targets. We all have a role to play. Introducing bans , as we have recently seen in the ACT where new ICE vehicle purchases will be banned from 2035, is not the way forward. All this serves to achieve is removing consumer choice and ensuring people hang on to their ICE vehicles until EVs are more affordable. We need people to keep maintaining their vehicles and not just keeping them hidden away. There has been some conjecture in a mainstream newspaper that the industry is trying to hold back the tide. That is incorrect. We support electrification and support an achievable plan rather than an ideological one. Stay tuned for more news in the coming months as we continue discussions about putting key actions in place with key stakeholders and government agencies. However, for now, I can say I am incredibly excited by the potential this initiative proposes for the future of our industry and the many businesses who operate across the retail, service, and repair sectors!
A
S ROD TOUCHED on in his column, our industry is in full discussion at the moment on the future of zero and low-emission KELLIE DEWAR technologies in DEPUTY CEO | GENERAL MANAGER MEMBER SERVICES Australia, and it was great to be able to delve deep into discussion on this topic, and many others, at our Carmageddon symposium in July. It was also fantastic to see so many of our members in attendance and taking part in panel discussions on the future of service station facilities, dealerships, and workforce management. Thank you to all involved! Carmageddon marked the beginning of a busy events season here at MTA Queensland. Our third and final Auto Women Connect virtual event will be held on Wednesday, 17th August, and features a fantastic line-up of industry experts and mentors! We are also finalising details for the inaugural Auto Women Dinner on Friday, 7th October and will be sending out invitations very shortly, so stay tuned. Rod and I are also preparing to embark on our next round of regional visits, heading to the Gold Coast, Maroochydore, and Toowoomba at the end of August to meet with members and discuss business conditions and their priorities, and how we can help them get the most out of their business in 2022. If you reside in any of these locations and are yet to register for these sessions, click HERE to RSVP and we look forward to seeing you there. Finally, I am pleased to advise that we are now taking applications for the MTA Queensland VET Trainer Scholarship. Now into year two of offering, the Scholarship is a fantastic opportunity for automotive professionals to take their first step towards a career in training and assessing the next generation of automotive experts. Applications close 1 September 2022. August 2022 Motor Trader | 5
MTA |Q&A
Tucked away off the main road through Innisfail in Far North Queensland is Innisfail Pro Motors, a mechanic shop owned by Allan Jones and Brett Saunders. Motor Trader recently visited the workshop to ask them about their mechanic business. WORDS: LARA WILDE PICTURES: JESSE DONOGHOE, SWEET SPOT PHOTOGRAPHY 6 | Motor Trader August 2022
Allan, what is your background in the Automotive industry? AJ: I grew up in the southeast corner of
Queensland beginning my mechanic apprenticeship at Eagers Holden in Brisbane in 1983. Working at a big dealership was an excellent way to learn about systems and processes to ensure a quality standard of work and consistency of customer service.
How did you come to be in Far North Queensland? AJ: After I finished my apprenticeship, my
mate and I decided to go traveling in an old bus to see a bit of the country. As we travelled, I took random jobs here and there at service stations. On our travels we made a point of visiting my relatives on the Atherton Tablelands. It was so lovely up here that before long I took a job at the local Holden Dealership in Innisfail.
“WE FOCUS ON BASIC SERVICING AND REPAIRS, PROVIDING ROADWORTHY CERTIFICATES, BRAKE MACHINING, AND WHEEL ALIGNMENTS.” How did you go from mechanic at the Holden dealership to co-owner of a workshop? AJ: I spent four years working for Innisfail
Holden and it was there that I met John Hoey who was also a mechanic at the dealership. In 1994, we decided to branch out on our own and open a mechanic shop called Innisfail Pro Motors in the garage at the Shell Service station in Innisfail. In 1997, we moved our business to our current location at 25 Cassowary St. August 2022 Motor Trader | 7
MTA | Q&A Your current business partner is Brett not John, how did Brett join the team? AJ: In 2004, John decided that he wanted
to take his career in a different direction. We listed his share in the business for sale for a while but selling half a business isn’t easy. Brett had begun his apprenticeship at Innisfail Holden in 1994 and I had always thought that he was an excellent tradesman, so I approached him about joining the Innisfail Pro Motors team. Rather than becoming an employee, Brett chose to buy John out in 2005, becoming a partner in the business. Brett bought into the business because he liked the challenge and the variety that being a part-owner of a small business provided compared to being a staff member of a much larger dealership. These days Brett is full time managing the workshop on the tools while I manage the office.
Brett, it seems like a very busy workshop, what are the core services you offer at Innisfail Pro Motors? BS: We focus on basic servicing and repairs,
providing roadworthy certificates, brake machining, and wheel alignments. We frequently work on small trucks, passenger vehicles, four-wheel drives, boat trailers, caravans, and horse floats. We are a Pedders stockist, and we also sell wholesale tyres.
Innisfail is a pretty small town. Do you have a good working relationship with other workshops in town? BS: We are very proud of the working relationship we have with other workshops in Innisfail. They often refer customers, sending them to us to use our scan tools for diagnostics. We provide wheel alignments and brake machining for many local workshops on a regular basis. It is a great idea to get along with the other mechanics in your community as it can make your life much easier.
From left to right: Thomas Heard, Brett Saunders, Rodney Smith, and Allan Jones
Brett Saunders and Allan Jones
Who is in your team and how do you approach training? BS: We have two trade-qualified
mechanics in our team - Thomas Heard and Rodney Smith. We also have two apprentices - Zain McEwan and Ben Gerritsen. We frequently take on apprentices and we enjoy training young people to contribute to our industry. We stay on top of training and equipment upgrades to make sure that our workshop is up to date and performing with best practice. MTA Queensland is instrumental in staying up to date with the latest training and advancements in the industry.
How did Innisfail Pro Motors become a member of MTA Queensland and why? BS: The first time the MTA Queensland rep came through our doors was when the shop
opened in 1994 and we signed up as a member. Since then, our membership has been invaluable to receive support and thoroughly understand the HR changes, latest technical information, and information about industry best practice. It is great to know that if we ever need help, we can get advice from MTA Queensland with just a phone call.
Do you see many electric vehicles at Innisfail Pro Motors? BS: We often service and do basic repairs
on hybrid vehicles, but we rarely see any purely electric vehicles. We are keeping our staff up to date on the latest training in preparation for when an electric vehicle does arrive at the shop.
How did Covid impact business at Innisfail Pro Motors? BS: Business increased during the first few months of Covid as people had extra time and money to work on cars. We changed
August 2022 Motor Trader | 11
our shop procedures also so that we could protect customers. This involved a thorough sanitation of vehicles inside before work began on them and after work was finished before customers collected them.
it his way. When you work with the next tradesman you will do it their way. It will take many years of doing it someone else’s way before you will find your own way to do things. Two: A doctor goes to university for years to understand how the human body works and they are paid If you could give a younger you advice at the start big dollars to fix the human body. The of your career, what would it be? human body hasn’t changed. A mechanic BS: I would tell my younger self to slow does an apprenticeship for many years to down and think things through a bit more. understand how cars work and they are not Ask the right questions and take the paid big dollars to fix cars. Cars, unlike time to listen to the whole answer. human bodies, change all the time CLICK TO VISIT AJ: I have two pieces of advice for and they advance frequently. Even THE INNISFAIL a younger me. One: When I did though mechanics don’t get big PRO MOTORS my apprenticeship, a serviceman dollars, we have to stay up to date WEBSITE told me that when you work and keep learning because cars with one tradesman you will do are constantly evolving. 12 | Motor Trader August 2022
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The Hon Mark Bailey MP, Minister for Transport and Main Roads
Rod Camm, CEO of MTA Queensland
CARMAGEDDON 2022 THE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES OF AN AUTO INDUSTRY IN TRANSITION
W
HILE THERE MAY be much discussion and debate about the timing, there really is little doubt that the future of the automotive industry is electric. It may well take years for the electric revolution to be completed – with challenges around infrastructure, government policy, price, public acceptance, industry workforce upskilling and other hurdles still to be negotiated, but ignoring the fact that most of the nations to which Australia compares itself, and which are the home of the manufacturers building the vehicles we drive, are moving inexorably to electrifying their fleets would be irresponsible. Facing up to the challenges and examining some of the directions and opportunities that Australian automotive businesses may take over the next few years was the dominant question considered at the fifth edition of MTA
14 | Motor Trader August 2022
Queensland’s Carmageddon symposium – a one-day forum that has, since its debut in 2017, aimed at highlighting and discussing the innovations, technologies, and trends that will shape the industry, across all sectors, in the near future. Held on July 28 at the MTA Queensland head office in Brisbane, the 2022 Carmageddon forum brought together more than 100 industry leaders, government representatives, business owners, academics, and MTA Queensland members to discuss the issues that face the industry. On display were examples of some of the technology that is making its way into the local market, with battery-electric, hybrid, and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles from manufacturers such as Audi, Hyundai, MG, Ford, and JAC Motors, along with a converted electric vehicle from Brisbanebased Oz DIY Electric Vehicles, and
Paul Peterson, Chair of the MTA Queensland Board
“SOME OF US LOVE THE BIG THROATY ROAR OF A V8, AND THAT'S ALL GOOD, BUT THE REALITY IS THAT ONCE YOU'VE TRIED AND GET USED TO AN EV, IT'S PRETTY HARD TO GO BACK.” two-wheel electric scooters and bikes from Australian companies EMoS Australia and Benzina Zero. Also being presented was a Level 4-capable autonomous research vehicle from the Queensland University of Technology (QUT), an independent front suspension unit designed and built in-house by MTA Queensland member Superformance; and the latest tools from Milwaukee Tool. Representatives from OurAuto were also on hand to discuss the products and services that organisation has to offer automotive businesses. Following a Welcome to Country from Louisa Bonner – descendant of the Jagera/ Ugarapul, Yaggera Language people – and an opening statement from Paul Peterson, Chair of the MTA Queensland Board, the Hon Mark Bailey MP, Queensland Government Minister for Transport and Main Roads addressed the forum, noting that the Queensland Government was working to make electric vehicles
(EVs) easier to use and buy through initiatives like the electric superhighway and subsidies, and that the transition to electrification offered ‘tremendous opportunities’ but also presented ‘tremendous challenges.’ The Minister commented on EVs as being part of a wider strategy on grappling with climate change. “There are a lot of ways of combating climate change, and certainly getting into new technology and cars is one important arm to that,” he said. “But aside from that, it is just better technology. We all love cars, and different kinds of cars. Some of us love the big throaty roar of a V8, and that’s all good, but the reality is that once you’ve tried and got used to an EV, it’s pretty hard to go back. And emerging technology is getting better and better and better . . . this is a massive time of transition and change.” Talking about the challenges ahead, the Minister noted the skills shortage,
Welcome to Country was delivered by Louisa Bonner
the recognition that more will be done to smooth the transition to EVs, and the exciting future a shift to new fuel technologies offers. “There will be real challenges – skills are something that are going to be a real challenge and particularly at a time when the jobless rate is at historic lows,” he said. “I know the MTAQ are right in there, working with industry to make sure the skilling challenge is being met, and that it is a tremendous opportunity for people to get into the industry and be set up for a long time. “Five years ago, there were 500 electric vehicles in Queensland, there are now more than 10,000. We’ve increased - off a low base admittedly - by 2000 per cent. What has partly held us back is a lack of national leadership . . . we have been dragging the chain compared to most other developed nations, but the new Albanese government has made it very clear that they want to be part of the solution. They’ll be removing the import duty and the Fringe Benefit Tax on electric vehicles, and we will continue to work with them and other states to ensure this transition happens. “Obviously, hydrogen is a really important part of that future as well . . . In Queensland and in Australia, we have tremendous opportunities in terms of green hydrogen going into the Asian market of 3 billion people. We have a huge
amount of space, huge amount of sunlight, a developed economy, lots of ports . . . and our department is lined up to work with companies in Asia to get those hydrogen deals sealed and for us to get into that part of the world energy mix.” Following the Minister’s address, the first keynote address was delivered by MTA Queensland’s CEO, Rod Camm. As the Minister did, Mr Camm focused on the opportunities and challenges of the transition to electrification, commenting that more needed to be done on beefing up infrastructure, on incentives, on formulating a national response that includes elements such as fuel standards, and on recognising that while EVs, hybrids and, perhaps, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles represent the future, internal combustion engine vehicles are not going to disappear. He also noted that in the national conversation about battling emissions and climate change, the automotive industry had become a central point of debate. That, he said, focused attention on an industry that was only part of the answer to the emissions question, but it also helped stimulate automotive industry leaders to unite to find solutions, something highlighted by the meeting of state and national organisations – including MTA Queensland – that occurred in July. “At the heart of this really important debate at the moment is the automotive industry,” said Mr Camm. “All you
previously heard about are things like coal, but now they are talking about the technology rushing through the automotive industry. Yes, our industry is the cause of about 18 per cent of emissions, so we recognise it is important, but there is a risk in this discussion, and that risk is that the solutions only seem to be electric vehicles. Nothing could be further from the truth.” However, the industry was taking its responsibility seriously and electric car conversions; shared mobility; electric mobility in the form of scooters, motorbikes and other urban-focused vehicles; hybrid and hydrogen fuel cell
technology; and infrastructure were part of the solution, he suggested. Governments must play their part too. “When you look across the world, other countries, particularly in Europe, are well ahead and are looking at non-financial incentives around transit lanes, free parking, free charging and the like. “The Minister mentioned that not just Queensland but other states have stepped forward in light of a lack of a national response, but car manufacturers are looking for national uniformity - a national position. I sense this is now a live discussion and that will help us enormously.” Noting that the suggestion had been made that by 2030, 50 per cent of new vehicles will be electric, Mr Camm said that meant EVs would still constitute just a fraction of the total vehicle fleet, with internal combustion engine vehicles remaining dominant in the transportation landscape. “It is great to have ambition . . . but even if that was achieved, the reality is that in 2030 electric vehicles will constitute about 8 per cent of the total vehicle fleet. That tells us that we can't forget about internal combustion engines. August 2022 Motor Trader | 17
Battery-electric scooters from Benzina Zero (above) and EMoS Australia (right) were on display for attendees to view “We want to respect that legacy fleet because all our independent repairers and dealerships have to keep focusing on their business, so there's a risk around just focusing on electric vehicles.” Regarding EV uptake, Mr Camm commented on the various reasons that might be hindering the penetration into the local market. He highlighted that 2.3 million EVs were sold in Europe last year and that while the Australian EV market experienced impressive growth, sales here reached just 20,000 units in 2021. Fuel standards, he said, would go some way to enabling manufacturers to bring in more and better hybrid vehicles, as would more and better subsidies, and a greater choice of electrified cars would lead to better prices, enabling more Australians to get into hybrids and EVs. “89 per cent of electric vehicles in Australia are above $50,000,” he said. “In Europe, the reverse is true but only because of national-level subsidies and the like. So that's important. We've still got some pretty good cars available at that lower price but the more we can make it competitive, the better.” The transition to electrification would, Mr Camm said, be tough, and some businesses would be affected. Training too, would have to adapt to the new reality, and 18 | Motor Trader August 2022
“WE WANT TO RESPECT THAT LEGACY FLEET BECAUSE ALL OUR INDEPENDENT REPAIRERS AND DEALERSHIPS HAVE TO KEEP FOCUSING ON THEIR BUSINESS, SO THERE'S A RISK AROUND JUST FOCUSING ON ELECTRIC VEHICLES .” more effective strategies to grapple with the perennial issue of skill shortages would have to be adopted. “The experience of Norway is that up to 20 per cent of independent businesses – largely mechanical repairers - can be expected to close over the journey,” he said. “We don't want that because the tail is long – by 2030 more than 90 per cent of vehicles will still be powered by internal combustion engines. “The challenge around skills is that we are in a competition in a tight labour market. We need to be able to reach into schools and we do have a strategy that we are working on . . . We have been working really hard with government, and there is a Gateway Skills Program for which we are lobbying. “We completed an apprenticeship survey recently . . . and the message there was
Rod Camm with Andrea McCarthy from McCarthy Panel Works that kids love automotive but want to know what the future looks like. By the time they get to the fourth year of their apprenticeship, they're over it, and we need strategies to keep them sticking. “So there is lots to do, but my main message today is that we embrace electrification . . . We are absolutely unified as an industry on this initiative.” Following Mr Camm’s address, he held an interview with Andrea McCarthy, owner of McCarthy Panel Works in Mackay who is also a Director on the Board of MTA Queensland, a member of I-CAR Australia’s Industry Advisory Board, and Chair of MTA Queensland’s National Auto Collision Alliance division. Passionate about the repair industry, Ms McCarthy is also a mentor in MTA Queensland’s Auto Women project – a project aimed at providing a supportive environment for women working in the industry - and is a recipient of the first Executive Ready Auto Women Scholarship from Women & Leadership Australia. Under the guidance of Ms McCarthy and husband Craig, McCarthy Panel Works has made significant moves in preparation for the expected influx of electrified vehicles over the next few years, expanding facilities to include a specialised centre for electric and hybrid vehicle repairs.
While they had already begun to invest in the expansion, the business did receive $50,000 in State Government funding via the Government Business Growth Fund to assist in completion of the venture. Such funding is, of course, extremely useful and Ms McCarthy explained how she had been successful in her grant application - an explanation that offers a good guide for other businesses that may wish to make a pitch for funding. "Ultimately every transaction you do and every conversation you have comes back to negotiating. What does this person need, what do I need and how do we marry the two together?" she said. "We were able to look at the situation and say, 'The government wants to create an electric super highway, we are part of that highway, how do we marry those things together?' "My proposal was designed around what the government needed and what we were already looking to do in our business . . ." Ms McCarthy further highlighted the need for business owners to fully accept that change was inevitable and to move forward on that basis. “One of the things I see as being the biggest issue the repair industry has to overcome is ourselves . . . We need to take ownership of what happens and start taking the next step forward,” she said. August 2022 Motor Trader | 19
Scott Nargar from Hyundai delivered a keynote address on hydrogen technology and Hyundai's wider electrification strategy “If we keep rehashing the same things, we are never going to make a change. Own it, move past it.”
HYDROGEN: THE FUEL OF THE FUTURE The second keynote address of the day was delivered by Scott Nargar, Senior Manager of Future Mobility and Government Relations for Hyundai. Hyundai is a big advocate of hydrogen technology, using fuel cell powertrains for its Nexo SUV and Xcient heavy-duty trucks, and Mr Nargar focused on that technology and the wider electrification strategy Hyundai was implementing. Hydrogen is to play a major part in Hyundai’s pursuit of lower emissions, and the company was a founding member of the Australian Hydrogen Council – which has, as one objective, the aim to ‘accelerate the commercialisation of new hydrogen and fuel cell technologies for transportation, export, storage and stationary applications in Australia.’ The potential for hydrogen in Australia is massive, said Mr Nargar, and the country was well positioned to be a major player in the industry both as a user and manufacturer and exporter. Like other new technologies, having the infrastructure to make it appeal to car buyers will take work, and heavy vehicles 20 | Motor Trader August 2022
On display at Carmageddon were the Hyundai Nexo hydrogen fuel cell vehicle and the electric Hyundai Ioniq 5 (right) might be the catalyst for more refuelling stations. Europe seems to be the place to which Australia might look for inspiration. “It is really going to happen with buses and trucks to justify the cost of stations,” said Mr Nargar. “Stations are expensive, and while cars use 6.3kg of hydrogen to do 600-700kms, a truck or a bus needs 35-55kg every single day. If you are going to invest in infrastructure, you want many trucks and buses running off your service station.” In Germany, he added, there are 96 operational public hydrogen stations with another nine currently under construction, and there are many more private stations owned by bus and truck operators. Five years ago, in Frankfurt, there was one hydrogen station, now there are six. It was hoped, said Mr Nargar, that something similar will happen here, with the potential of hubs, or clusters of hydrogen stations, offering manufacturers the confidence to deploy more cars into the country. As with battery-electric vehicles, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles have fewer moving parts than their combustion engine counterparts. While that might mean the servicing requirements are fewer, the technology demands high quality training be delivered to future technicians and Mr Nargar said Hyundai was working
“THERE IS NOT A WHOLE LOT OF SERVICING REQUIREMENT BUT THE TECHNICIANS WHO WORK ON THESE CARS NEED TO BE EXPERT IN HIGH VOLTAGE AND EXPERTS IN HIGH PRESSURE GAS.” with the Queensland Government on the codes and standards around the vehicles and the technician training. “Like an EV, there are only a couple of main components,” he said. “We’ve got the fuel cell and the drivetrain at the front with an electric motor, and there are hydrogen tanks in the back of the vehicle . . . There is not a whole lot of servicing requirement but the technicians who work on these cars need to be expert in high voltage and experts in high pressure gas.” While there are currently only a handful of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles on the road in Australia, and only a small number of places to refuel them, the technology is well-proven. It will likely find its place within the national fleet, following the path that other countries have set out, and this means it must be something
automotive businesses consider as they contemplate their future plans. “The future is now, the cars are here,” said Mr Nargar. “The tech is coming, accept it, believe in it, train on it, upskill your staff and yourself and be prepared for the tech that is here right now.”
SERVICE STATIONS OF THE FUTURE The second panel discussion of the day focused on service stations and, more specifically, on how service stations can evolve to meet the twin challenges of a gradual reduction in the size of the internal combustion engine fleet and an increase in the number of battery-powered vehicles requiring charging. On the panel were Scott Nargar from Hyundai; Paul Guy, Managing Director of Smart EV Solutions; and Paul Wessel, Principal of Wessel Petroleum, which operates 20 service stations in Queensland, and a Queensland Board member of ACAPMA – the Australasian Convenience and Petroleum Marketers Association. The facilitator of the panel was Mark McKenzie, CEO of ACAPMA. It is clear that ACAPMA has been wrestling with the question of electrification for some time and Mr McKenzie played a video showing a possible service station of the future August 2022 Motor Trader | 21
Carmageddon attracted national media attention with Rod Camm interviewed for television news on the future of the automotive industry that is as much a ‘community hub’ as a refuelling or recharging site. The station concept included interactive consoles; virtual meeting spaces for business; play areas for children; 3D printing areas; and even a drone hub designed to leverage a station’s position as a potential delivery facillity. A futuristic concept it may have been, but it was also an indication that the sector is well along in its thinking about absorbing EV charging (and the longer time customers may stay at its locations) into its plans for the future. And in such a large a industry sector, it is important that they are thinking ahead and asking questions about when they should invest in technology such as EV chargers, when fossil fuel delivery may become a thing of the past, and if hydrogen will be a feature of the industry. “The key issue here when you start to
think about the service station industry is that it is an industry that employs 48,000 Australians, there are 7,800 sites, and we support sales of 27 billion litres of fuel that supports a motor vehicle fleet of 20.1 million vehicles,” said Mr McKenzie. “Less than 0.25 of 1 per cent of those vehicles are electric and hybrid. That is where we sit at the moment. So there is a big gap between where we are aspiring to be and where we are now, and when you have $30 billion of assets under your stewardship and you’re making an investment in those assets today that will define the archetype of the forecourt in the next 15 years, we have to be right ahead of the curve." That curve demands plenty of careful consideration. “It is well beyond an argument about whether we are going to go to EVs or hydrogen . . . the challenge is when and
Scott Nargar, Paul Wessels, and Paul Guy joined ACAPMA CEO Mark McKenzie (right) in a discussion on the future of service stations
how we develop an investment profile that is reasonable and we don’t get so far in that we end up with a squeeze that drives up the price of conventional fuel because we retired those assets too early. That’s the challenge.” The subject of EV charging included discussion around the cost of installing and running charge points, the ability of the grid to support charger installation, the return on investment, and when such investment should take place. The consensus around charge points was that those delivering 150kW of power were optimal, offering a relatively fast charging time. Anything less powerful would mean not enough vehicles could be pushed through a station. The performance of the electricity grid was considered vital too, with the example raised of one location having to invest not only in the chargers themselves, but also in the connection of the site to the grid – a scenario that meant the station was actually investing in the grid, an asset it does not own. Also considered was timing. With the estimate being that only about 8 per cent of the total vehicle fleet to be electric by 2030,
when to invest heavily in charging points is a vexing question. What was not questioned was that change is inevitable. With manufacturers working in and for a global market, these vehicles are coming, and every industry has to adjust. “We can’t leave the legacy fleet behind – it’s still going to be the mainstay for the next 20 years in our industry, so we have to find a way to diversify the forecourt with sound economic and investment solutions . . . that’s a challenge we are all dealing with at the moment,” said Mr McKenzie. While there are plenty of real browfurrowing challenges for the service station industry to consider, there was no doubt amongst the panel that the industry would adjust and survive. “Service stations will not fade off quietly in the distance, they will adapt,” said Mr McKenzie.
RECYCLING AUTOMOTIVE PLASTICS The third keynote address of the day was delivered by Sarfraz Ali Kyani, PhD Candidate and Sessional Academic at Queensland University of Technology Sarfraz has been researching automotive recycling and presented data and insight into a potential opportunity for new businesses in Queensland. Focusing on the recycling of plastic vehicle bumper bars, Sarfraz gave a rundown of his research that led to the conclusion a new industry is ready to be created through recycling this component. Sarfraz proposed that businesses requiring relatively small investment - can be established in Queensland to collect and shred bumper bars, recycle the plastic and either export the much in-demand recycled PPE pellets, or manufacture, through such technology as 3D printing, a vast variety of products. Such an enterprise, he said, would benefit from, among other things, external enablers such as governments looking to become ‘greener’ by regulating the use August 2022 Motor Trader | 23
Sarfraz Ali Kyani presented data from his research on the recycling of vehicle bumper bars of recycled material for products used in, for example, schools and other public places. Also available, Sarfraz noted, were Government grants and ‘green’ loans from financial institutions, both of which were becoming accessible for ventures centred around the circular economy. You can find out more about Sarfraz Ali Kyani and his work and research HERE.
AUTOMOTIVE WORKFORCE CRISIS The third panel discussion of the day revolved around the seemingly neverending problem of finding, training and keeping skilled staff. According to the 2021 Directions in Australia’s Automotive Industry report from the Motor Trades Association of Australia, ‘50 per cent of automotive businesses are experiencing a shortage of skilled labour . . .’ and the ‘. . . industry skills deficit is forecast to increase to an estimated 38,700 skilled positions by 2022/23. The panel included Eden Spencer, CEO of The Skill Xchange; John Girardi, Director of Girardi Human Resource Services; Nick Manolis, Managing Director of Genesis Autoworks; and James Voortman, CEO of AADA (Australian Automotive Dealer Association) who also acted as facilitator. There were some very interesting perspectives and insights offered by the 24 | Motor Trader August 2022
“IF YOU ARE GREAT AT YOUR JOB, THERE IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE OPPORTUNITY THERE, AND THAT NEEDS TO BE SOLD TO POTENTIAL NEW ENTRANTS.” panel as they tackled what is currently a pretty nasty situation. So bad is it, in fact, that Mr Girardi offered a truly incredible anecdote regarding the desperation of some businesses to keep hold of staff, no matter the situation. He had, he said, worked with a client who'd had an employee steal from them but who kept that employee on because it would just be too difficult to replace them. Astounding. The panel discussed what strategies could be implemented to create an environment that appeals to good staff and encourage them to stay, and these included ensuring good communication channels were open; that there were opportunities for, and clear pathways to, advancement; that ongoing and relevant training was available; and that rewards - not just of the financial kind were achievable. Diversity too, was discussed, with Nick Manolis noting that attracting more women into the industry just made sense and that there was little logic in ignoring 50 per cent
James Voortman, CEO of the Australian Automotive Dealer Association, led a discussion on the workforce crisis and was joined by Eden Spencer, John Girardi, and Nick Manolis
of the population. At Genesis Autoworks he employs 15 staff and has four female employees, and their presence was a positive, he said, with other women, upon seeing them in the workshop, confident enough to approach him about the possibility of starting an automotive career. “There’s definitely the recurring theme that having them visible in our business we are getting quite a lot of interest,” he said. “We don’t have the ability to take them all on because we have to stay within certain caps of tradespeople to apprentices, but I have a waiting list of females wanting to do apprenticeships.” Another angle to tackle the skills shortage was raised by Eden Spencer, who argued that if the still widely held view of the automotive industry as one that is rugged and dirty could be changed, more young people would be interested. “I don’t know if we are spending enough time and effort in considering how to present automotive in a modern light and modern fashion,” he said. “I was drawn to the industry because of technology and innovation . . . and I don’t think that image of the industry is really getting through to the potential new entrants we need to come in to fill the skills shortage. “On top of that, having a skills shortage does have some benefits . . . you have job
security, you have job stability, and that is something that is industry wide. If you are great at your job, there is always going to be opportunity there, and that needs to be sold to potential new entrants.”
SAFETY FEATURES AND TECHNOLOGY The last keynote of the day was delivered by Carla Hoorweg, CEO of the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) who gave a comprehensive rundown of that organisation's work, the additions to the testing program that it had brought in as vehicle technology has progressed, and the proposed new tests that ANCAP will be initiating in the coming year. For example, in 2023, Ms Hoorweg said ANCAP would be assessing the ability of a vehicle to detect the presence of child left in a vehicle and how it might alert the absent driver. Also on the cards was vehicle submergence technology, and how it might help enable emergency services to access a vehicle that is underwater - something, she said, that was of interest given the recent flooding in NSW and Queensland. “Most vehicles have powered windows and doors . . . we take this power technology for granted, but it can be problematic if the vehicle is submerged," she said. "What we are going to look at from 2023 is the August 2022 Motor Trader | 25
ability of the vehicle to allow occupants to escape, or for rescuers to access occupants and open the door. So we will be looking at whether car doors can be opened without battery power and whether the electric windows remain functional for up to 10 minutes after submergence.” ANCAP also aims to expand its testing program to other vehicle types, including heavy vehicles and motorcycles. The mission of ANCAP is, said Ms Hoorweg, to protect road users by improving new vehicle safety and promoting safer vehicles, and its work over 30 years had been instrumental in reducing the number of deaths and serious injuries on Australian and New Zealand roads. “The majority of new cars entering the market are achieving 5-star ANCAP safety ratings, and this is continuing even though every two years we increase the requirements, lift the bar, change the tests, and change the scoring to make it harder to satisfy,” she said. “Today, we see very good results, we see 5-star cars, we see strong structures, multiple airbags, lower risk of injury, and survivable crashes. I think that demonstrates what the point of the program is.”
DEALERSHIPS The final panel discussion of Carmageddon 2022 focused on vehicle dealerships. The panel included Tania Meli, an executive with Frizelle Sunshine Automotive and Dealer Principal at Audi Centre Gold Coast and Ferrari Cold Coast; Nicholas Pappas, Group Managing Director for Servco Australia; Mark Woelders, Managing Director of Motorama; and Fraser Brown, Dealer Principal for Q Automotive. With all the panellists having spent many years in the industry leading large dealership groups and locations, the discussion gave some really in-depth insight into what is being contemplated at the top echelons of that sector. 26 | Motor Trader August 2022
Carla Hoorweg, CEO of ANCAP
“TODAY, WE SEE VERY GOOD RESULTS, WE SEE 5-STAR CARS, WE SEE STRONG STRUCTURES, MULTIPLE AIRBAGS, LOWER RISK OF INJURY, AND SURVIVABLE CRASHES. I THINK THAT DEMONSTRATES WHAT THE POINT OF THE PROGRAM IS.” Electric vehicles were, once again, front and centre of the discussion, with talk of the investment (and who provides it) required to install chargers at dealerships; the constant improvements in EV technology, and the need to be diversified and invest in this new technology while also still providing quality service for internal combustion engine vehicles. Nick Pappas of Servco - which amongst other brands, has more than 15 Toyota dealerships across the country – spoke about the long lead-in time for EVs to reach critical mass, saying that the EV market is less than two per cent and needs to reach 10 per cent to get the attraction of the mass market. Toyota’s experience
The discussion on the future of dealerships was chaired by Tania Meli, who was joined by Nick Pappas of Servco, Fraser Brown of Q Automotive, and Mark Woelders of Motorama
with hybrid vehicles was, he said, an example of how things can play out. “Hybrids are a big part of our market – almost 10 per cent of the market now,” he said. “We started that journey with Prius back in 1993, so it has been almost 30 years to get to where we sit today and to get the hybrid to 10 per cent of the market . . . If you apply that logic to EVs, assuming they are three times as fast, that is 10 years out. So it is a long game, and we are at the start of a long tail.” Digitalisation – that is the use of digital technologies to change a business model and provide new revenue and opportunities – was also discussed heavily, and given public acceptance of online purchasing during COVID, the concept is high on the list of priorities for dealers. It was suggested there were some who believe digitalisation may see the business model change so that dealers - no longer the single touchpoint for customers - will become more about the physical assets and the experience of a test drive, vehicle delivery and service. The OEM, meanwhile, will take care of the online experience, the sale, the configuration, the accessorising, the financing and insuring of the transaction. The agency model, which looks much like this, is now an entrenched, if controversial, business concept.
Digitalisation also captures the phrases ‘multi-channel’ and ‘omni-channel’. Customers, though they may still appreciate the human touch afforded by test drives and the like, now expect to be able to deal and interact with brands, OEMs, and dealerships across multiple channels, and a 'multi-channel' approach sees businesses approach each one – be it newspapers, television, or facebook and other social media – differently, telling different but tailored stories across each platform. 'Omni-channel' sees a business take a more focused approach and tell a single story or concept across all channels and platforms. While this may seem just a difference in marketing, the panel considered how individual dealership businesses may want to retain some measure of control over what was put out across their own channels. Customer data also comes into the digitalisation conversation. Connected vehicles create vast amounts of potentially very valuable data and the panel discussed that, traditionally, when a customer bought a vehicle, they owned the vehicle and what is in it. Today, however, with technology such as telematics, who owns that data? The car company? Dealers, it was suggested, need to get data literate in this area, and understanding data and August 2022 Motor Trader | 27
The opportunity to network and view and discuss new technologies is a part of the appeal of Carmageddon
how it can be safely stored and used opens a whole new area regarding employees and skillsets. A dealership may once have been the domain of salespeople, finance specialists and mechanics – but data professionals are an employee sector that must now be considered. On the subject of employees, the group also discussed what a dealership would need in terms of skilled employees in the future, and how the ongoing skills shortage can be overcome. As was also highlighted in the Automotive Workforce Crisis panel discussion, the dealership leaders were united in that a focus on retaining through training, culture, and progression plans was vital, and that ‘selling’ the industry to young people was critical. “We have got to grow our own rather than competing,” said Mark Woelders. “It comes back to the industry to start planting seeds 28 | Motor Trader August 2022
that become trees . . . It really starts with the young and making sure they know it is exciting . . . We need to do a much better job of painting that career path for them for the future. Not everyone wants to be a technician forever, not everyone wants to be a salesperson forever, and as a business we have a lot of different opportunities to progress. We just don’t necessarily do a very good job of telling people.” Ultimately, suggested Mr Woelders, dealerships are ready to face the challenges the sector faces in the coming years. “Resisting change is like trying to hold your breath,” he said. “It doesn’t end well.
SEE YOU IN 2023 The 2022 edition of Carmageddon was particularly fruitful, and as the industry’s transformation picks up speed in the coming years, the symposium will become an even more important event on the industry’s calendar. It has become a leading platform for the showcasing of, and discussion around, the new technologies affecting the automotive industry, and it has become an important part of MTA Queensland’s mission to highlight the challenges these bring, and the potential opportunities for businesses to thrive as the market changes. See you next year.
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MTA QUEENSLAND LAUNCHES NEW ROUND OF VET TRAINER SCHOLARSHIPS
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PPLICATIONS FOR THE next round of the MTA Queensland VET Trainer Scholarship program are now open. Valued at over $2,500, the Scholarship provides one female and one male candidate the opportunity to undertake the highly soughtafter Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE40116) course, where participants will learn the relevant skills and knowledge to design, deliver, and assess training in the VET sector. Launched at the beginning of 2021, three rounds of scholarships have been opened and awarded to trade-qualified professionals and there has been incredible interest in the program. With the second round for 2022 now open, two more automotive technicians can chase their dream and begin the journey to becoming a qualified trainer. An important step to becoming a “We are very excited to announce qualified trainer, the Scholarship is open another round of the VET Trainer to all Queensland-based, trade-qualified Scholarships,” said Rod Camm, CEO of individuals who possess at least five MTA Queensland. “Ensuring our current years post-apprenticeship experience in and future automotive apprentices have any of the following automotive areas – access to experienced teachers is vital, Light Vehicle, Heavy Vehicle, Auto and MTA Queensland will continue Electrical, Motorcycle, Mobile Plant, CLICK supporting the development of Agricultural, Parts Interpreting, TO FIND OUT training excellence.” MORE AND Outdoor Power Equipment, APPLY Nominations for the VET Trainer Scholarships Automotive Body Repair and Refinishing, and/or Underbody. close at 4:30pm, 1 September 2022.
LAUNCHED AT THE BEGINNING OF 2021, THREE ROUNDS OF SCHOLARSHIPS HAVE BEEN OPENED AND AWARDED TO TRADE-QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS AND THERE HAS SEEN INCREDIBLE INTEREST THE PROGRAM.
30 | Motor Trader August 2022
YOU ARE INVITED TO JOIN AUTO WOMEN Auto Women is a supportive group that: Raises the profile of women in the automotive industry Advocates for women in the automotive industry on key issues to government Promotes career opportunities for women and the advantages of diversity to employers Hosts virtual and in-person networking and social events that educate, connect and support women Is led by a diverse mentor team Provides career enhancement courses and scholarships
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Auto innovation news
AUTOMOTIVE ORGANISATIONS REACH A HISTORIC AGREEMENT ON NATIONAL FLEET TRANSITION
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USTRALIA'S PEAK NATIONAL, State and Territory automotive representative organisations have reached a historic agreement at an Industry Summit on critical positions and pathways to achieve the considered and practical transition and electrification of the national motor vehicle fleet. Representing thousands of businesses that make, sell, distribute, provide novated leasing, service, repair, supply aftermarket parts, components, and accessories, dismantle, recycle, and train tens of thousands of automotive professionals, the peak organisations developed and agreed to more than 25 principles including: • Embracing the electrification of the Australian motor vehicle fleet.
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THE LEGISLATION WAS IN THE FIRST BATCH OF 13 BILLS INTRODUCED TO THE PARLIAMENT AND WILL ENCOURAGE THE UPTAKE OF EVS ONCE PASSED. • Mandating CO2 targets, not Electric Vehicles (EV) targets. • Supporting the Federal Government in developing a National Zero and Low Emission Vehicle (ZLEV) Electrification Transition Strategy. • Considering the entire registered vehicle fleet and the needs and requirements of Australians who own and operate them. • Maintaining the safety, security, service,
repair, and efficiency of the legacy Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) fleet. • Opposing the introduction of bans that limit consumer choice and remove options for meeting car owners' needs and Australia's emission reduction targets. • Ensuring Government targets and milestones are ideally Federally led (or at least nationally consistent), are realistic, supported by facts and sound qualitative data, and applied to an Australian context. The organisations welcomed and congratulated the Albanese Labor Government for its decisive action in fulfilling its Fringe Benefits Tax exemption for Electric Vehicles promise. The legislation was in the first batch of 13 Bills introduced to the Parliament and will encourage the uptake of EVs once passed.
Automotive Organisation leaders shared and discussed comprehensive global and domestic data analysis on the future production and delivery of ZLEVs past 2030 (particularly to the Australian market); impacts and use of targets, milestones, incentives, subsidies, and penalties; jobs and skills; tariffs and taxation; fuel standards and security; legacy fleet management and maintenance; and awareness and education. Over the coming weeks, the automotive organisations will engage with stakeholders, governments, and communities and share critical data and information to better balance discussion and partner with the Commonwealth Government to plan the actions necessary to reduce motor vehicle-sourced CO2 and GHG emissions.
ELECTRIC CAR DISCOUNT BILL INTRODUCED TO PARLIAMENT
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT has introduced the Treasury Laws Amendment (Electric Car Discount) Bill 2022 into Parliament. The Bill implements the Government’s plan to remove fringe benefits tax (FBT), and the legislation will amend the Fringe Benefits Tax Assessment Act 1986 to exempt from FBT the use of eligible electric cars made available by employers to employees. This FBT exemption will apply to battery electric cars, hydrogen fuel cell electric cars and plug in hybrid electric cars. The exemption will be available for eligible electric cars with a first retail price below the luxury car tax threshold for fuel efficient cars ($84,916 for 2022 23) first made available for use on or after 1 July 2022. The Government said that if a model valued at about $50,000 is provided by an employer through this arrangement, the
fringe benefits tax exemption would save the employer up to $9000 a year. For individuals using a salary sacrifice arrangement to pay for the same model, their saving would be up to $4700 a year. This measure forms part of the Government’s Electric Car Discount, designed to reduce the up front and ownership cost of electric vehicles, and will be implemented as an ongoing measure and reviewed after three years. The Government said it will also introduce changes to remove the five per cent import tariff for eligible electric cars. August 2022 Motor Trader | 33
Auto innovation news
TOYOTA DEMONSTRATES POWER OF HYDROGEN TECH AT MARVEL STADIUM
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OYOTA HAS DEMONSTRATED the power and potential application for hydrogen technology using a stationary fuel cell to power the sign and coaches' box at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium (aka Docklands Stadium) during the Round 19 AFL clash between the Western Bulldogs and Melbourne Demons. The demonstration used the same type of Toyota-designed fuel cell as seen in the Mirai fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV), generating the electricity to power the large Marvel Stadium sign on the outside of the building as well as the Western Bulldogs coaches' box. Toyota Australia Manager of Energy Solutions, Matt Macleod said the demonstration aimed to showcase the broader applications for hydrogenpowered fuel cell technology beyond the transport sector, as a clean and efficient source of electrical energy generation across a range of industries. "Toyota sees hydrogen fuel cells as a key source of clean, renewable electrical energy going forward, as evidenced by vehicles like the Mirai FCEV," said Mr Macleod. "Partnering with the AFL to help power the Round 19 game at Marvel
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Stadium shows the incredible scope this technology has, all while producing no CO2 emissions." The EODev GEH2 fuel cell unit is capable of producing roughly 80kW of power, but only 10-15 per cent of this capacity was required to power the Marvel Stadium facilities. Toyota said that running in the lead-up to and during the game, the EODev unit used 6kg of hydrogen saving an estimated 100kg of CO2 emissions compared to running the lighting off the electricity grid. To further raise awareness of its fuel-cell technology, Toyota also had a cross-section of the Mirai and its FCEV powertrain on display at the Marvel Stadium concourse, allowing passers-by to view the technology up close. The Mirai powertrain is composed of a 330-cell fuel cell stack, three compressed hydrogen tanks, a lithium-ion battery and integrated electric motor, combining to produce 134kW/300Nm. The three carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) tanks are capable of storing up to 5.6kg of hydrogen, which allows for a driving range of approximately 650km.
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Auto innovation news
JAGUAR LAND ROVER OPENS LAB TO TEST ELECTROMAGNETIC COMPATIBILITY OF VEHICLES
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AGUAR LAND ROVER (JLR) has opened a new facility in the UK designed to test the next generation of vehicles for electrical and radio interference. The Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) laboratory has been built to ensure future vehicles meet current and future legislation and quality standards for connectivity and electronics. The new Range Rover Sport, which launched in May, was the first vehicle to undergo a testing program at the facility. EMC is the ability of electrical equipment and systems to function correctly in their electromagnetic environment. It works by limiting the unintentional generation, propagation and reception of electromagnetic energy to reduce the risk of unwanted effects such as electromagnetic interference. JLR’s new laboratory features two anechoic (echo free) chambers: an electrically ‘quiet’ rolling road that enables engineers to test vehicles at speed, as well as equipment to assess the performance of individual components, such as batteries or electric motors. Bluetooth, GPS, WiFi, 4G, 5G, adaptive cruise control, wireless charging and blind spot monitoring are all examples of vehicle services and features that the facility will test for EMC. “The importance of testing our vehicles 36 | Motor Trader August 2022
VIDEO: JAGUAR LAND ROVER EMC TESTING FACILITY
for electromagnetic compatibility cannot be underestimated,” said Peter Phillips, Senior Manager, Electromagnetics and Compliance at Jaguar Land Rover. “Opening this new testing facility is an important step forward for the business and it will play a crucial role in helping us deliver quality, legal, and customer satisfaction.” Electric vehicles are set to play a major role in the future of JLR. Jaguar announced in 2021 it had plans to manufacture only EVs from 2025. Land Rover models are also planned to be available in pure electric form by the end of the decade.
HYUNDAI MOTOR AND KIA TO DEVELOP LUNAR SURFACE EXPLORATION MOBILITY SOLUTIONS
HYUNDAI MOTOR AND Kia are now expanding their vision beyond the bounds of Earth, signing joint research agreements with six Korean research institutes and forming a consultative body to develop mobility solutions to explore the surface of the moon. With collaboration expected to start as early as this month, the consultative body will work to define the required major core technologies and strategies to operate on the lunar surface. Hyundai Motor and Kia will support the consultative body with their smart mobility technologies. Under the research agreement, the participants from the private and government sectors will work to advance their existing technologies and engineer new solutions. Areas to be worked on include exploration equipment, software
GM TO DOUBLE THE SUPER CRUISE ROAD NETWORK
GENERAL MOTORS (GM) is to expand the availability of its Super Cruise technology, with the hands-free driver assistance system to be available on more roads across the U.S. and Canada, effectively doubling the road network on which the system can be used to a reported 400,000 miles (644,000km). Super Cruise currently works on mapped divided highways, known as interstates, and when the system is engaged, the vehicle’s LiDAR map data, real-time cameras, radars and GPS keep the vehicle centred in the lane. It accelerates or brakes the vehicle to maintain a selected gap from a vehicle ahead, steers to maintain lane position and, on select models, can perform both driver and system-initiated lane changes to pass slower traffic and to
for mobility operation and remote communication functionality. Resources will be used from Hyundai and Kia’s Robotics Lab, and the companies will also collaborate on software and hardware design and interpretation, space environment response technology, and special equipment for conducting lunar exploration missions. Hyundai and Kia also expect to secure proprietary technologies for future mobility businesses in the process of the project's development. VIDEO: STRESS LESS WITH SUPER CRUISE DRIVER ASSISTANCE TECHNOLOGY | CES 2021 | GENERAL MOTORS
move from a lane that may be ending, while monitoring the driver’s head position and/or eyes to help ensure driver attention. GM says that its customers have driven more than 34 million miles (55 million km) with Super Cruise engaged. For new vehicles in the GM portfolio built on the company’s VIP electrical architecture, the expansion will be available later this year and will be delivered over-the-air to Super Cruise-equipped models. August 2022 Motor Trader | 37
Auto innovation news
HYUNDAI AND ROLLS-ROYCE TO COLLABORATE IN ADVANCED AIR MOBILITY
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LYING TAXIS AND flying personal mobility craft might have taken another step closer to reality with Rolls-Royce (the industrial technology company, not the car manufacturer) and Hyundai Motor Group agreeing to collaborate on bringing all-electric propulsion and hydrogen fuel cell technology to the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) market. The AAM market is one that looks to use cost-effective, efficient, and clean-powered aircraft to offer passenger and delivery services for people within and between cities. Interest in the sector has grown in the past few years with start-ups and legacy companies gearing up to enter the market. Hyundai has an Advanced Air Mobility Division and unveiled its vision for urban mobility back in 2020 at the CES expo – a concept that included not only a Personal Air Vehicle (PAV), but an infrastructure hub that featured a range of mobility solutions (you can read more about that concept in the February 2020 edition of Motor Trader by clicking HERE). Rolls-Royce is exploring low-emission propulsion technology, recently teaming up with the airline easyJet to investigate hydrogen-powered combustion engine technology, and also looking at hybridelectric propulsion technology. 38 | Motor Trader August 2022
Warren East, CEO of Rolls-Royce, with WarrenChung, East, CEO of Rolls-Royce, with Euisun Chairman of Euisun Chung, Hyundai Motor Chairman Group of Hyundai Motor Group
VIDEO: SMART MOBILITY SOLUTION PROVIDER FOR HUMAN CENTERED CITIES | CES 2020 | HYUNDAI
The partnership between Rolls-Royce and Hyundai will, the companies say, ‘leverage Rolls-Royce’s aviation and certification capabilities and Hyundai Motor Group’s hydrogen fuel cell technologies and industrialisation capability.’ The companies also said that the benefit of using a hydrogen fuel cell system in an all-electric aircraft propulsion system is that it is a ‘zero-emission, silent and reliable on-board power source that enables scalability in power offerings as well as long distance flight range.’ Hyundai will work with Rolls-Royce to bring hydrogen fuel cells, storage systems and infrastructure to the aerospace markets, and advance this technology into Hyundai’s vehicles and Rolls-Royce all-electric and hybrid-electric propulsion system offerings. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two companies
LOTUS ENGINEERING AND IPROVA PARTNER TO BRING AI-ACCELERATED APPROACH TO TRANSPORTATION SECTOR
p includes five strategic aims: • Collaborating on the technology development and requirements of power and propulsion systems for Hyundai’s Advanced Air Mobility Division. • Collaborating on the industrialisation of Rolls-Royce power and propulsion systems for the Advanced Air Mobility market. • Development of electric propulsion systems based upon hydrogen fuel cells as an energy source for Hyundai’s RAM (Regional Air Mobility) platforms. • Collaborating to bring to market a joint fuel-cell electric propulsion system to the wider AAM market. • Delivering a joint fuel-cell electric aircraft demonstration by 2025. “We are pleased to partner with RollsRoyce to draw upon their aviation and certification expertise to accelerate the development of hydrogen fuel-cell propulsion systems,” said Jaiwon Shin, President of Hyundai Motor Group. “Hyundai has successfully delivered hydrogen fuel cell systems to the global automotive market and is now exploring the feasibility of electric and hydrogen propulsion technologies for aerospace integration. We believe this to be the key technology to support the global aviation industry’s goal to fly net zero carbon by 2050.”
LOTUS ENGINEERING HAS announced a partnership with data technology company Iprova that aims to combine Lotus’ expertise in prototyping, engineering and development with Iprova’s artificial intelligence, data, and automation tech. The aim is to enable the invention of new technologies and products more swiftly and efficiently to the transportation sector. Iprova uses data and algorithms to inspire potential inventions and, because this is done in real-time, they are, the company says, created much sooner and more reliably than using traditional methods. Together, Lotus Engineering and Iprova say they offer a unique proposition which provides an integrated solution for companies that need to ‘invent big and implement fast’ in order to stay ahead of their competition. “Our invention platform, Invention Studio, transforms the process of invention by enabling engineers and scientists to sense inventive signals as they occur, in real-time, even if they are very distant to the target invention area,” said Julian Nolan, Iprova’s CEO. “This enables sectordefining inventions to be created with great speed and efficiency. There are no prizes for coming second in the race to invent and implement and, for this reason, partnering with Lotus Engineering makes perfect sense. Together we are able to invent and implement faster, minimising the time from opportunity identification through to product launch.” August 2022 Motor Trader | 39
Auto innovation news
FORD TRIALS ROBOT CHARGING STATION TO ASSIST DISABLED DRIVERS
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ORD HAS DEVELOPED a prototype robot electric vehicle (EV) charging station designed for disabled drivers and people with reduced mobility. Able to be operated via a smartphone from inside an EV, the technology could enable disabled drivers to stay in the car while charging or leave the car while the robot does the work. Ford says that disabled drivers have identified ease of charging as a key purchase consideration for EVs, and the company is testing the robot charging station as part of a research project to develop hands-free charging solutions for EVs and fully automatic charging for autonomous vehicles. When activated, the charging station cover slides open, and a robotic arm extends towards the vehicle’s charging inlet with the help of a small camera. After charging, the arm retracts back into place. For the trial, drivers were able to monitor the charge status via the FordPass app. Developed in Germany and custom40 | Motor Trader August 2022
VIDEO: FORD TESTS ROBOT CHARGER DESIGNED TO GIVE DISABLED DRIVERS A HELPING HAND
WHEN ACTIVATED, THE CHARGING STATION COVER SLIDES OPEN, AND A ROBOTIC ARM EXTENDS TOWARDS THE VEHICLE’S CHARGING INLET WITH THE HELP OF A TINY CAMERA. made by Dortmund University, the robot charging station could be installed at disabled parking spaces, in car parks or at private homes. Further applications could
TRIUMPH COMPLETES TE-1 MOTORCYCLE PROJECT TRIUMPH HAS COMPLETED its TE-1 electric motorcycle development project, powered by Scalable Integrated Modular Inverter (SIMI) technology from Helix. During rolling road and track trials, the TE-1’s electric powertrain – an integrated inverter/motor solution - delivered 130kW peak power, for a 0-60mph (0-96.5km/h) time of 3.6 seconds and 0-100mph (0-161km/h) in 6.2 seconds. It also achieved a 161km range. Triumph says the high-power density of Helix electric powertrains contributed to making the TE-1 prototype as much as 25 per cent lighter than comparable electric motorcycles, and it comes in at a trim 220kg. Integral Powertrain Limited’s e-Drive division developed the SIMI in cooperation with Triumph from 2018. VIDEO: PROJECT TRIUMPH TE-1
include a charging solution for company fleets. The technology could also support more powerful charging to charge vehicles in a much shorter time. August 2022 Motor Trader | 41
ICONIC BENTL T O
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B E
B O
LEY SPEED SIX R N
A G A I N
August 2022 Motor Trader | 43
A Bentley Speed Six (below) and a Bentley Blower (right)
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UXURY CARMAKER BENTLEY made a bit of a splash a couple of years ago when it announced it would be making 12 new examples of its famous 1929 Bentley Blower supercharged race car. A successful exercise in resurrecting a much-loved and iconic motor car, Bentley took notice and have announced that they will perform another Lazarus-like project, this time with the equally iconic Speed Six. There’s real racing pedigree in the Speed Six name. Back in 1930, when the Blower was ripping around the racetrack at Le Mans and ultimately falling to reach the chequered flag, it was the Speed Six that kept up Bentley’s astonishing winning record at the world’s most famous race 1930 would be the fourth successive win for the company, with the Speed Six taking first and second place, adding to its victory from 1929. The Speed Six is also rather famous for being at the centre of a tale concerning one of the Bentley Boys – the adventurers and speed chasers that achieved great fame for their racing exploits in the 1920s and 1930s. This group of mavericks included Woolf Barnato, the son of a South African diamond magnate, veteran of WWI, firstclass cricket player, three-time winner at Le Mans (in a Bentley, of course), and 44 | Motor Trader August 2022
“AFTER INCREDIBLE LEVELS OF SKILL WERE ACQUIRED BY THE MULLINER TEAM THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE BLOWER CONTINUATION SERIES, AND WITH THE SUCCESS OF THE CARS WITH THEIR CUSTOMERS, A CHANCE TO HONOUR THE SPEED SIX IS A FANTASTIC NEXT STEP.” future Chairman of the company. The story goes that Barnato wagered he could, in his Bentley Speed Six, beat the ‘Le Train Bleu’ – an express locomotive that ferried well-heeled types from the port of Calais on the north coast of France to the Mediterranean Riviera resort towns in the south and back again – in a race from the southern coastal town of Cannes back to Calais. Not only that, Barnato claimed he would be in the bar of his London club – meaning a ferry trip across the Channel had to be navigated too – by the time the
locomotive reached the Calais terminus. He did so with four minutes to spare. Bringing such a classic car back to life will be the responsibility of Mulliner, Bentley’s coachbuilding division which has been working with the company since 1923, became a part of Bentley in 1959, and which today produces many of the
company’s unique and most luxurious vehicles, as well as overseeing the Blower continuation project. That project sold out instantly and Bentley says the same is true of the new Speed Six continuations, with all 12 cars already reserved by customers around the world. And what will they get for their money? August 2022 Motor Trader | 45
Well, the Speed Six was a highperformance and improved version of the 1926 6½ Litre Bentley. In base form, with a single Smiths five-jet carburettor, twin magnetos, and a compression ratio of 4.4:1, the 6½ Litre delivered 147bhp (110kW) at 3500 rpm. The Speed Six chassis was introduced in 1928 as a more sporting version of the 6½ Litre. The engine was modified to liberate more power, with twin SU carburettors, a higher compression ratio and a highperformance camshaft, responsible for an increase to 180 bhp (134kW).
The Le Mans-winning racing version of the Speed Six had a further-developed engine running a compression ratio of 6.1:1 and developed 200bhp (149kW). The 12 new Speed Sixes are, Bentley says, authentic to the design of the racers of 1929 and 1930. The Mulliner team created a complete 3D CAD model of the car, from both the original blueprints and detailed analysis of original cars. Two cars have been referenced for this process, including Bentley’s own Speed Six, and ‘Old Number 3’ - the third of three Speed Sixes entered
by Bentley into Le Mans in 1930 and a car that is still fully road legal. Bentley says the first new Speed Six in 92 years will be assembled in the second half of this year and become the engineering test and development car for the project. “After incredible levels of skill were acquired by the Mulliner team through the development of the Blower Continuation Series, and with the success of the cars with their customers, a chance to honour the Speed Six is a fantastic next step,” said Adrian Hallmark, Chairman and Chief Executive of Bentley. “It’s vital that we
protect, preserve, and develop not just this important part of our heritage, but also the knowledge we’ve gained through working with these classic Bentleys. The Speed Six is one of the most important Bentleys in our 103-year history, and the 12 cars of the Continuation Series will embody the same values as W.O. Bentley’s originals, crafted by hand with the same meticulous attention both to engineering quality and to fanatical attention to detail. The lucky owners will be able to race their cars around the world, and truly relive the exploits of the original Bentley Boys.”
August 2022 Motor Trader | 47
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Auto news
TOYOTA UNWRAPS SPECIAL EDITION GR86
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OYOTA Toyota 10th Anniversary Edition GR86 AUSTRALIA IS set to release a 10th Anniversary Edition of the 86 reardrive sports coupe. Just 86 examples of the GR86 10th Anniversary Edition will be available for Australia, and they will arrive soon after the new-generation GR86 sports car is launched locally in September. The GR86 has a 2.4-litre, fourcylinder ‘boxer’ engine that sends power through a six-speed manual or automatic transmission and delivers 173kW and 250Nm of torque. Toyota says that torsional rigidity of the performance model has been improved by 50 per cent, delivering greater steering stability, and that turning performance and handling agility are enhanced. There are lightweight aluminium roof panels and fenders, new front seats and redesigned mufflers, MacPherson strut suspension up front and double wishbone at the rear and ventilated disk brakes all round. The special-edition GR86 will sport a passenger door trims will also be embossed new orange exterior paint colour, which with 10th Anniversary embroidery. will be matched inside with a two-tone More details on the 10th Anniversary Edition will be revealed when the new black and orange cabin theme. GR86 launches in September. The shoulder pads of the driver and August 2022 Motor Trader | 49
Auto news
NEW NISSAN PATHFINDER SPECS & PRICING REVEALED
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ISSAN’S NEW PATHFINDER will arrive in Australia in four grades – the ST, the ST-L, the Ti, and the Ti-L - with the redesigned big SUV available with seating for up to eight, two-wheeldrive (2WD) or four-wheel-drive (4WD) options, and plenty of new safety and technology features. Power will come from a 202kW/340Nm V6 petrol engine paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, and all grades other than the entry-level ST will come equipped with Nissan’s Pro-PILOT driver assistance system as standard. Braked towing capability is up to 2700kg with specific Tow Mode and onboard trailer-stability program, while Pathfinder 4WD drive models feature Nissan’s Intelligent 4WD with seven-position (Standard, Sport, Eco, Snow, Sand, Mud/Rut and Tow) Drive and Terrain Mode Selector.
Nissan Pathfinder
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There’s a new dual-pinion electric power steering system and a front strut and rear independent multi-link suspension design with front and rear stabiliser bars. In the cabin, there’s a 10.8-inch Head Up Display (HUD) introduced as standard across all models, projecting key information, including turn-by-turn satellite navigation. An upgrade to the infotainment system also spans all models, with integrated wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, and DAB+ digital radio. Four USB charging points are standard, as are two 12-volt outlets. The 2WD ST delivers a safety package from the standard Nissan Intelligent Mobility Suite that includes a rearview camera with parking sensors, a 9-inch touchscreen, a 10.8-inch Head Up Display, a 7-inch TFT Advanced Drive-Assist instrument
NISSAN PATHFINDER PRICING ST ST-L Ti Ti-L
2WD 2WD 2WD 4WD 4WD
$54,190 $59,990 $63,990 $67,990 $77,890
cluster display, sat-nav, LED dusk-sensing headlights with high-beam assist, 18-inch alloys, eight-way powered driver’s seat with lumbar control, EZ Flex latch-and-glide seating adjustment, and more. The 4WD ST-L builds on the ST’s safety features by including the Pro-PILOT driving system with Lane Keep Assist and Traffic Jam Pilot, Around View monitor with moving-object detection. Standard equipment includes roof rails, LED fog lights and a powered tailgate. The Ti – available in 2WD or 4WD – offers leather-accented interior trim with rear-seat heaters, wireless phone charging, and a 12-speaker BOSE audio system, while the 4WD Ti-L flagship model introduces wrap-around cabin ambient lighting, panoramic glass sunroof, 20-inch alloys, underbody protection, captain’s chairs in the second row, ventilated front seats, ‘smart’ rearview mirror with switchable digital imagery, and more. August 2022 Motor Trader | 51
Auto news
Classic Defender Works V8 Trophy II
LAND ROVER CLASSIC REVEALS LIMITED EDITION DEFENDER WORKS V8 TROPHY II
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AND ROVER CLASSIC has launched 25 units of an expedition-inspired Classic Defender Works V8 Trophy II vehicle. The uniquely camouflaged models will be created using Defender models from 2012-2016, stripped and rebuilt by hand with improved specifications. Powered by Land Rover’s 5.0-litre V8 petrol powertrain, producing 298kW and 515Nm, the limited edition features an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission, and each model will undergo a comprehensive rebuild with uprated suspension, brakes, and steering enhancements. It will be offered as 90 and 110 Station Wagon bodies as well as a 110 Double Cab Pick-Up for the first time on a Trophy model. In the production run of 25, Land Rover Classic will create five Double Cab Pick-Ups, with the remaining 20 vehicles split between 90
52 | Motor Trader August 2022
VIDEO: LAND ROVER LIMITED-EDITION DEFENDER WORKS V8 TROPHY II
and 110 Station Wagon body styles equally. The exterior features a distinctive black and white theme, with a unique camouflage developed with the Design team at Land Rover Special Vehicles. The main body is finished in Fuji White with a contrasting Narvik Black roof, Gloss Black exterior elements, and Gloss Black 18-inch Sawtooth alloy wheels.
The camouflage features 23 locations where Land Rover has conquered challenging terrain across more than 70 years of off-roading exploration. A range of exterior enhancements include a protective A-frame housing a winch ahead of a bespoke front grille. The black bonnet features a satin finish to reduce glare in bright conditions, while a full-width 1.27m LED light bar provides visibility in all-terrain conditions at night. The Classic Defender Works V8 Trophy II has a 500mm wading depth, a rear recovery point and is finished with rock sliders and an external roll bar for added body protection. A rear ladder provides access to the expedition roof rack while detailing includes Land Rover Trophy badging and white logo detail on the mudflaps. Recaro sports seats are finished in black and white Windsor leather with contrast
stitching. Leather trim extends to the dashboard, doors and headlining. A modern Infotainment System with integrated navigation and mobile device connectivity means the latest multimedia options are housed in the authentic dashboard. Land Rover’s ergonomic pistol shifter for the ZF automatic gearbox is also fitted. To finish off the interior a bespoke Land Rover Trophy clock face by Elliot Brown is the centre piece of the dashboard, with a unique face mirroring the exterior camouflage design. Land Rover Classic will be offering Trophy influenced Genuine Accessories to be announced later in 2022.
The 90, 110 and 110 Double Cab Classic Defender Works V8 Trophy II derivatives are now available to purchase direct from Land Rover Classic, with prices starting from £225,000 ($AU390,750) for a 90 in the UK. August 2022 Motor Trader | 53
Auto news
BMW PULLS THE PLUG ON I3 PRODUCTION
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MW IS BRINGING an end to production of its quirky i3 fully electric city car after nine years. Debuting in 2013, the i3 was BMW’s first effort at a series production all-electric car, and it was a successful effort too – more than 250,000 units of the small hatchback have been built. Designed from the ground up as an EV rather than a converted combustion model stuffed with an electric powertrain, the i3 was built on a unique platform that carried the rear-mounted 125kW/250Nm electric motor, the 22kWh high-voltage battery as well as a passenger cell made of carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) called the ‘life module’. Performance was pretty solid, with a top speed of 125km/h, and a 0-100km/h time of around 7 seconds. Range was good too, and with regenerative braking a feature of the model, a claimed 190km was possible between charges. A second model of the i3, aimed at those with a touch of range anxiety, was available with small ‘range extender’ petrol engine that could bump up range to around 320km. Subsequent versions of the i3 would get bigger batteries offering longer range, with
54 | Motor Trader August 2022
the 2019 version getting a 42.2kWh battery pack offering 310km of pure electric range. In addition to the all-electric drive, the BMW i3's eco-friendly credentials extended to its manufacture. Partly recycled raw materials were used for its outer skin, and the plastic used in the interior was made up of 25 per cent recycled material. The textiles used for the seat surfaces were made from recycled fibres. Eucalyptus wood from certified cultivation in Europe served raw material for parts of the instrument panel. BMW says the i3 has been sold in more than 74 countries around the world and, in many markets, it achieved a significantly higher market share in the electric vehicle segment than the BMW brand in the area of conventionally powered cars. It also succeeded in bringing new customers to the brand. The company says that, in the early years, more than 80 per cent of all BMW i3 buyers were new customers to BMW. While BMW may have brought the i3 story to an end, the company is charging ahead with its electrification plans. By 2030, the company aims for every second BMW Group vehicle sold worldwide to be fully electric.
LAWS PROTECTING AGAINST HARASSMENT
A positive duty already exists under model WHS laws for employers to ensure
RECENT MEDIA STORIES about what may be happening in some parliamentarian’s offices is a reminder to all employers and business owners that no-one is immune from a sexual harassment claim. The Fair Work Act and Regulations will soon be amended to give employers more power to sack perpetrators of sexual harassment. The Federal Government has announced it will amend section 387 of the Act to clarify that sexual harassment can be a valid reason for termination when determining whether a dismissal was unfair. It will also amend the definition of “serious misconduct” in the Fair Work Regulations to include sexual harassment, to clarify that this behaviour can justify summary dismissal. In addition, education and guidance on unfair dismissal and other workplace rights will be updated. The Act will include a ‘stop sexual harassment order’ by clarifying that a stop-bullying order is available in the context of harassment.
workers are not exposed to health and safety risks, which includes the risk of sexual harassment. Safe Work Australia guidance recently released specifically describes sexual harassment as a systemic risk employers must approach with a safety mindset.
PSYCHOSOCIAL RISKS CODE OF PRACTICE A code of practice on managing psychosocial risks is currently being
ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS developed by Safe Work Australia, which is to cover sexual harassment in the
TO MORE THAN 13,000 PEOPLEworkplace. DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN THE This will help to increase MOTORING INDUSTRY POSITIVE DUTY ALREADY EXISTS awareness (website or e-magazine options)of the duty to manage
psychosocial health and safety risks and improve compliance, it says, adding it will continue to support this work. The aim is to create an improved culture of respectful workplace behaviour.
For further information about Policy for your workplace, please contact MTA Queensland.
CLICK HERE FOR MEDIA GUIDE AND COSTS
Auto news
HONDA UNVEILS ALL-NEW CIVIC TYPE R
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ONDA HAS TAKEN the wraps of its new high-performance Civic Type R, with the sporty hatchback scheduled to arrive in Australia in early 2023. Power will come from a 2-litre VTEC Turbo engine paired with a 6-speed manual transmission. That engine has, Honda says, been refined to increase performance and there’s also a revised, high-efficiency exhaust system. Though figures reflecting that performance upgrade are not yet released they will, presumably, improve on the 228kW/400Nm of the new Type R’s predecessor. Longer, lower and wider, the new Type R looks muscular yet sleek with advanced aerodynamics designed to achieve well-balanced downforce as well as a reduction of drag. Wheel arches flare out over lightweight 19-inch matte black alloy wheels shod with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres and Brembo
Civic Type R
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VIDEO: WORLD PREMIERE: ALL-NEW HONDA CIVIC TYPE R
LONGER, LOWER AND WIDER, THE NEW TYPE R LOOKS MUSCULAR YET SLEEK WITH ADVANCED AERODYNAMICS DESIGNED TO ACHIEVE WELL-BALANCED DOWNFORCE, AS WELL AS A REDUCTION OF DRAG.
brakes, and a new more aggressive front bumper design features a honeycomb grille mesh. Larger front fender grilles and a new side sill design behind the front wheels enhances airflow efficiency. Its more aggressive stance is accentuated by wider rear doors exclusive to Type R and a reshaped rear bumper that reveals its signature three round exhaust outlets and new rear diffuser. A new rear spoiler design contributes to downforce and has been angled rearward to suppress air resistance. Supported by new aluminium die-cast mounts, the rear wing sits lower but wider than the previous model. The new Type R's interior is fitted with performance-focused details and features. There’s red seats, carpet and trim, and the suede-like upholstery with a high friction coefficient is designed to reduce body slippage in high-G driving situations.
A new +R driving mode meter display design allows the driver to obtain necessary information instantly, with a graphic engine rpm display, rev indicator lights, and gear position indicator placed at the top. A lower display can show vehicle information selected by the driver. The Honda LogR data logger provides real-time information on the vehicle and vehicle behaviour resulting from the driver's input. It combines performance data collected by in-car sensors with a smartphone app to help drivers monitor and record a variety of metrics in real-time. Key features include a stopwatch to record lap times, tyre friction circles that displays the maximum tyre force the vehicle can achieve, 3D vehicle motion display, and a scoring function that helps drivers improve their skills on the track. August 2022 Motor Trader | 57
Auto news
Toyota Crown Sedan
TOYOTA UNVEILS NEXT-GENERATION CROWN RANGE
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UVS MAY BE all the rage with the carbuying public, but there is still room in the market for big, luxury sedans. And that doesn’t just mean something grand from the likes of BMW or Mercedes. Toyota has been a player in that market for many years with its Crown model. Debuting in 1955, the Crown is reaching its 16th generation and Toyota has unveiled the new range that will now include not only a sedan model, but a crossover fastback, as well ‘Sport’ and ‘Estate’ type SUV models.
The Toyota Crown Range
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Built on Toyota’s TNGA-K platform, the all-wheel-drive Crown range will be available with a choice of two hybrid powertrain options: the HYBRID MAX System or the fourth-generation Toyota Hybrid System. The HYBRID MAX combines a 2.4-litre inline 4-cylinder turbo engine with a front electric motor and a rear eAxle, while the second option offers a 2.5-litre DOHC fourcylinder engine with a dual-motor set-up. Available in three grades: XLE, Limited and Platinum, all will be luxurious with the top-of-the-range Platinum receiving all
the goodies, including Adaptive Variable Suspension, six selectable drive modes, Toyota’s Advanced Park System and unique 21-inch machined 10-spoke alloy wheels with black accents. All Crown grades come standard with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 which offers features such as Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, of Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist and Lane Tracing Assist, Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Hill Start Assist Control and much more. Tech will be top-notch for comfort and infotainment too, with wireless Qi charging, USB-Type A, a USB-Type C
terminals, and a 12V charging port. The Platinum grade comes standard with Bird’s Eye View Camera with Perimeter Scan. There are 8-way power adjustable driver and front passenger seats, dual zone climate control, and the Toyota Multimedia System with 12.3-inch touchscreen that can display a myriad of information including a Hybrid System Indicator showing the driver system output and regeneration status. The Crown Platinum and Limited grades include a standard panoramic moonroof. There are reportedly no plans as yet to bring the Crown into Australia. We can but hope.
August 2022 Motor Trader | 59
Auto news
MERCEDES-AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+ EV NOW ON SALE IN AUSTRALIA
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HE FIRST FULLY electric series production model from MercedesAMG is now available to order in Australia. The EQS 53 4MATIC+ heralds a new era for the brand and at its heart is an electric powertrain delivering 484kW and 950Nm via two electric motors (one each at the front and rear axles); a 400-volt, 107.8kWh battery; AMG-specific wiring that is adapted for high levels of performance; and a specially configured battery management system. An optional AMG DYNAMIC PLUS Package increases output to a maximum
EQS 53 4MATIC+
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of 560kW in RACE START mode with boost function, matched by torque of 1020Nm. In this mode, acceleration from 0-100 km/h is possible in as little as 3.4 seconds (3.8 seconds in standard specification). Top speed is limited to 250 km/h with the AMG DYNAMIC PLUS package fitted (220 km/h as standard). Range is up to 587km and charging
THE EQS 53 4MATIC+ HERALDS A NEW ERA FOR THE BRAND . . .
for the EQS 53 can be done up to 200 kW at quick charging stations with DC capability, while an onboard charging system enables home-charging or charging at public charging stations with up to 11kW from AC sources, or up to 22kW AC via the optional AC charging system. The EQS 53 includes a number of key special features. Standard rear axle steering enables a rear wheel angle of up to 9 degrees, and there’s an AMG highperformance compound braking system with six-piston brake callipers and discs at the front and single-piston callipers and discs at the rear. Standard 21-inch AMG 5-cross-spoke light alloy wheels in tantalite grey can be substituted for an optional matt black finish, or for 22-inch multi-spoke light-alloy wheels in matt black. Fitted as standard is AMG Ride Control+ suspension with adaptive adjustable damping, featuring a four-link axle at the front and a multi-link axle at the rear.
Inside is, as you would expect, pretty spectacular, with a luxury and performance the focus. There are multi-contour, climatised (heated/cooled) and powered AMG sports seats with active cushion and hot stone massage functions; AMG Nappa leather upholstery; head-up display; Thermotronic four-zone climate control and standard Air Balance Package; a Burmester 3D surround sound system with 15 speakers and 710-watt output; a digital TV tuner plus DAB+ digital radio tuner; active ambient lighting; a panoramic glass electric sliding sunroof; heat and noise insulated, infraredreflecting laminated glass all round; and the Mercedes me Connect smartphone app with a range of remotely configurable functions for navigation, safety, comfort and infotainment from a connected device. An AMG Performance multifunction steering wheel in Nappa leather includes steering wheel-mounted rotary controllers for on-the-fly control of AMG-specific driving modes. The EQS 53 4MATIC+ is also available with the Mercedes-Benz MBUX Hyperscreen – the enormous, 1.41m curved display unit that extends the full width of the cabin, comprising three screens under a glass cover that appear to merge into one. The Hyperscreen includes Augmented Reality navigation as standard, an OLED August 2022 Motor Trader | 61
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front passenger display, and a fingerprint scanner enabling instant access to personalised settings. A nod to keeping the sound experience as AMG-like as the driving experience sees a sound system included that uses special speakers, a bass actuator and a sound generator to create a special sound experience in two versions: ‘Authentic’ or optional ‘Performance’. This AMG Sound Experience is generated inside and out with a tone and intensity designed to match the driving status, selected driving mode or the driver's wishes. A comprehensive array of standard safety features includes Driver Assistance Package Plus with a suite of active assistances; Pre-Safe Plus accident anticipation; Parktronic parking assistant 62 | Motor Trader August 2022
with 360° view; and keyless entry and start with flush-integrated door handles. EV-specific standard features include acoustic ambient protection – a low-speed audible warning for pedestrians up to 20km/h, and reversing tone; plus a standard ‘Type 2’ recharging unit for 240V.
PRICING The Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+ is now on sale at $328,400, plus on-road costs. Options, such as the AMG Dynamic Plus Package, the Night Package - which includes exterior enhancements such as red-painted brake callipers, the 22-inch multi-spoke wheels, and trim details in black - or MBUX Augmented Reality headup display, will add to the price.
MTAQ MEMBER SIGNAGE MTA Queensland has developed a series of posters that can be downloaded free of charge for members only. These are signs commonly asked for, and used, in workshops. R E PA I R N OT I C E
R E PA I R N OT I C E
R E PA I R N OT I C E
WARNING
RIGHT TO RETAIN
QUALIFIED/TRAINED TECHNICIAN
No admittance into the workshop – Staff Only.
We reserve the right to retain your vehicle until payment is made in full.
A LWAY S C H O O S E A N M TA Q U E E N S L A N D MEMBER
A LWAY S C H O O S E A N M TA Q U E E N S L A N D MEMBER
This automotive business guarantees only qualified and trained technicians will be working on your vehicle. A LWAY S C H O O S E A N M TA Q U E E N S L A N D MEMBER
R E PA I R N OT I C E
R E PA I R N OT I C E
CUSTOMERS RIGHT TO CHOOSE A REPAIRER
CUSTOMER SUPPLIED PARTS
Please note that you, as a consumer, have the legal right to choose who repairs your vehicle.
This automotive business will not install customer supplied parts because it cannot warrant or guarantee the quality, fitment and/ or the intended outcome of fitting these parts.
Independent repairers can complete log book servicing on your vehicle, even while it is under the warranty period, without affecting the manufacturer’s warranty. A LWAY S C H O O S E A N M TA Q U E E N S L A N D MEMBER
This business is willing and able to diagnose and assess the vehicle’s problem and supply you with competitively priced, high quality parts in order to fix your vehicle. This will ensure you are provided with all of the warranties and guarantees in accordance with the Australian Consumer Law. A LWAY S C H O O S E A N M TA Q U E E N S L A N D MEMBER
CLICK HERE TO SIGN-IN OR REGISTER FOR ACCESS TO MEMBER SIGNAGE
A LWAY S C H O O S E A N M TA Q U E E N S L A N D MEMBER
August 2022 Motor Trader | 63
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We hope to build a library of commonly needed signs, so please contact info@mtaq.com.au if you have suggestions.
Auto news
NISSAN REVEALS SPECS & PRICING FOR NEW X-TRAIL
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HE NEW, FOURTH-GENERATION Nissan X-Trail SUV will arrive in Australia later this year. Built on the company’s new CMF-C platform, the X-Trail will be available in four grades – the ST, ST-L, Ti, and TI-L – and there will be choices for five or seven seats, and two or four-wheel drive. Power across all models will be delivered by a 2.5-litre petrol engine offering 135kW and 244Nm. A new multi-mode all-wheel-drive system has driver-selectable Eco, Standard and Sport modes linked to five bespoke traction modes and algorithms to suit conditions such as bitumen, dirt, ice and snow. There’s also a Hill Descent Control feature for off-road driving on 4WD models. Towing capacity has increased over previous
Nissan X-Trail
POWER ACROSS ALL MODELS WILL BE DELIVERED BY A 2.5-LITRE PETROL ENGINE OFFERING 135KW AND 244NM. versions of the X-trail by 500kg to 2000kg. Nissan’s e-POWER hybrid technology will reportedly be available on the X-Trail and can be expected at some point in 2023. The ST, available in 2WD or seven-seat 4WD, delivers LED lighting front and rear, roof rails, shift-by-wire, high-beam assist, a rear parking camera and sensors and more. An 8-inch infotainment screen is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible and there are four USB slots (two Type-A and two Type-C). The ST sits on 17-inch alloy wheels and is
loaded up with a comprehensive suite of active safety that includes Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, rear AEB with pedestrian detection and crosstraffic alert, lane departure prevention, and Intelligent Cruise Control. The ST-L, also available in 2WD or 4WD seven-seat configuration, builds on the ST model’s equipment with the ProPILOT driver assistance system with Lane Keep Assist, privacy glass, fog lights, a digital Around-View monitor, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, sliding rear seats, front parking sensors, synthetic leather trim, 40:20:40 split rear seats, tyre pressure sensor monitor and 18-inch alloy wheels.
NISSAN X-TRAIL PRICING ST ST-L Ti Ti-L
2WD 4WD 7 Seat 2WD 4WD 7 Seat 4WD 4WD
$36,750 $39,790 $43,190 $46,290 $49,990 $52,990
The Ti is available in 4WD set-up, and has leather-accented seating, 19-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof, LED turn signals, a Smart Rear View Mirror, tri-zone climate control, Adaptive Driving Beam, Auto wipers and power operated rear tailgate. Tech includes a 12.3-inch, navigation-equipped touchscreen; a 10.8inch Head-Up Display; wireless phone charging and wireless Apple CarPlay; and a 12.3-inch TFT digital driver display. The flagship 4WD Ti-L model features a heated steering wheel, Bose 10-speaker sound system, full Nappa leather seating with memory seat function, rear sunshades, hands free rear tailgate, heated rear outboard seats, remote engine start and more. August 2022 Motor Trader | 65
Auto news
ACT TO BAN ICE-POWERED VEHICLES FROM 2035
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HE ACT IS to ban the sale of new fossil fuel-power internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles from 2035. The ACT Government made the announcement in July as it unveiled its Zero Emissions Vehicle Strategy 2022-30 – a strategy designed to make owning a zero emissions vehicle (ZEV) a ‘more affordable and accessible option for all Canberrans in the years to come.’ The headline-making revelation within the strategy was the 2035 deadline for the phase-out of new petrol- and diesel-powered vehicles, but there were plenty of other initiatives revealed as part of the strategy. These include: • $2,000 grants for installation of EV charging infrastructure for apartment buildings • expanding the ACT public charging network to at least 180 EV chargers by 2025 • exclusion of new vehicles powered by fossil-fuels in taxi and ride-share fleets by 2030 • changes to the Territory Plan to make new builds EV ready and streamlining EV charging application processes for public land • continued national advocacy and engagement to expand the national EV charge network and improve vehicle emissions standards • phasing out light internal combustion engine vehicles by 2035
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• continued action to ensure that 100 per cent of all newly leased Government vehicles are ZEVs where fit for purpose and explore opportunities to replace ACT Government heavy fleet vehicles with ZEVs • aiming for 80-90 per cent of light vehicle sales being zero emissions vehicles by 2030. The ACT already offers incentives for its residents to buy into the electric vehicle revolution. These include, for those eligible, no stamp duty, two years’ free registration and a zero-interest loan of up to $15,000 under the Sustainable Household Scheme. “With technology rapidly evolving, now is the time for the ACT to join other jurisdictions around the world in supporting a transition to ZEVs. The transition is happening rapidly – manufacturers have made that clear,” said Andrew Barr, Chief Minister and Minister for Climate Action, in a statement.
RTO No: 31529
NEW GOVE LIMITED P RNMENT FUND LACES APP ING LY NOW
Right training. Right place. Right way. A
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Get Your Trade Skills Recognised Do you have trade skills and experience but no formal qualification? Trade Recognition Trade Recognition is the process of having your skills and work experience formally assessed against industry and educational requirements for the purpose of gaining a formal trade qualification. MTA Institute offers a Government Subsidised Trade Skills Assessment and Gap Training Program for the following qualifications: • AUR30316 – Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology • AUR30416 – Certificate III in Agricultural Mechanical Technology • AUR30616 – Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology • AUR30716 – Certificate III in Outdoor Power Equipment • AUR30816 – Certificate III in Motorcycle Mechanical Technology • AUR31016 – Certificate III in Automotive Sales (Parts Interpreting) • AUR31116 – Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology • AUR31216 – Certificate III in Mobile Plant Technology
• AUR32116 – Certificate III in Automotive Body Repair Technology • AUR32416 – Certificate III in Automotive Refinishing Technology • AUR32518 – Certificate III in Automotive Underbody Technology
Eligibility Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria: i) Aged 21 years or over ii) Have not completed a trade qualification in the same industry area iii) Permanently reside in Queensland iv) Be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, or hold an eligible visa as identified by the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training; or v) Meet any additional eligibility requirements identified through this Initiative and: a. Individuals assessed as demonstrating substantial competency in a prospective trade qualification, who require gap training in no more than 40% of the funded competencies of that Priority Trade Qualification; and b. Express a commitment to gain the entire qualification.
Fee information This program is mostly subsidised by the Queensland Government; however, mandatory student co-contribution fees are applicable for all units requiring gap training.
Course length The course duration will depend upon individual circumstances and the amount of gap training required. The duration and applicable fees will be advised upon a successful application.
Enrol Training and assessment can be arranged at either MTA Institute’s premises or an approved automotive workplace. Please refer to www.mtai.edu.au for full details or for further information contact one of our friendly team members using the contact details below.
MTA Institute
Search for MTA Queensland
Free guest Wifi at MTA Institute
August 2022 Motor Trader | 67
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Address Freeway Office Park, Building 8, 2728 Logan Road, Eight Mile Plains, Qld 4113 Postal PO Box 4530, Eight Mile Plains, Qld 4113 Tel (07) 3722 3000 Toll Free 1800 884 137 Email courses@mtai.edu.au Website www.mtai.edu.au
Auto news
NEW VEHICLE SALES STEADY IN JULY WHILE SUPPLY CONSTRAINTS CONTINUE
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EW VEHICLE SALES figures for July 2022 reached 84,461, according to VFACTS data released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI). The number is a 0.4 per cent increase on the same month in 2021 and brings total 2022 sales year-to-date total to 622,319. FCAI Chief Executive Tony Weber said the relatively flat result compared to this time last year has shown the market has not normalised since the beginning of the pandemic. “Vehicle and component manufacturing operations remain affected by plant shutdowns caused by Covid-19,” he said. “Logistics, including shipping, remain unpredictable. While small growth on the same month in 2021 is encouraging, we do not expect the supply of vehicles to Australia to stabilise in the near future. “Once again Australia is following the global trend of demand for new vehicles exceeding supply.” Sales in Queensland were down 1.1 per cent at 18,900 units. The ACT was down 16.4 per cent (1,175); the Northern Territory was down 16.6 per cent (756); Tasmania was down 13.2 per cent (1,327); Victoria slipped 5.8 per cent (22,076); and Western Australia sales fell 9 per cent (8,059). South Australia increased sales by 13.3 per cent with 5,649 vehicles sold. Sales were also up in New South Wales by 10.9 per cent with 26,519 vehicles sold.
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Toyota led the market with a total of 19,565 vehicles sold. Mazda was next with 7,879 followed by Hyundai (6,792), Kia (6,711) and Mitsubishi (5,611). The Toyota Hi-Lux was the highest selling model with 6,441 sales reported. The Ford Ranger followed with 2,934. Toyota’s RAV4 was next with 2,437 followed by Mazda’s CX-5 (2,346) and Hyundai’s Tucson (2,186). The Passenger Vehicle Market was down by 1,596 vehicle sales (-9.1 per cent) over the same month last year; the Sports Utility Market was up by 2,684 vehicle sales (6.4 per cent); the Light Commercial Market was down by 930 vehicle sales (-4.4 per cent) and the Heavy Commercial Vehicle Market was up by 142 vehicle sales (4 per cent) versus July 2021. Electric vehicles recorded 609 sales for the month (up from 515 in July 2021). Year-to-date EV sales have reached 10,289, up from 2,732 last year. Hybrids recorded a decent increase too, with 6,779 sales, up from 5,152 in July 2021. Total Hybrid sales for the year have reached 47,835 units, up from 41,810 last year.
ALWAYS LOOK FOR MTA QUEENSLAND MEMBERS Trust the Motor Trades Professional Circle.
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Workplace relations
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN REDUNDANCY AND RETRENCHMENT? BY ANDREW JEWELL JEWELL HANCOCK LAWYERS
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EDUNDANCY AND RETRENCHMENT are two terms that
are sometimes confused by employers and employees. Redundancy occurs when a specific role is no longer required because of operational changes within a business. Once a position is redundant, the employee holding that role can either be redeployed (moved into another job for the same employer) or retrenched (lose their job).
REDUNDANCY
REDUNDANCY OCCURS WHEN A SPECIFIC ROLE IS NO LONGER REQUIRED BECAUSE OF OPERATIONAL CHANGES WITHIN A BUSINESS. ONCE A POSITION IS REDUNDANT, THE EMPLOYEE HOLDING THAT ROLE CAN EITHER BE REDEPLOYED (MOVED INTO ANOTHER JOB FOR THE SAME EMPLOYER) OR RETRENCHED . . . genuinely made redundant or retrenched when some aspects of their duties get reorganised or redistributed to other employees within the business.
RETRENCHMENT
We often see employees referred to as being made Retrenchment is the term to describe what happens to redundant, but a more accurate description is that the job the an employee whose employment is terminated because their employee was employed to perform has become redundant, role becomes redundant. not the employee. Employers sometimes use redundancy as a tool to unfairly Many factors can contribute to changes in operational dismiss an employee, so it is handy to understand what is considered genuine circumstances for a role to be made requirements, including the state of the market in which redundant or a worker to be retrenched. the business operates or steps taken to improve efficiency An employee's dismissal (or retrenchment) will not be by installing new processes, equipment, or skills. For considered genuine if it would have been reasonable in the example, when a machine or new technology can replace a circumstances for the employee to be redeployed within job currently performed by an employee. When a business the employer's enterprise or the enterprise of an associated identifies jobs that are no longer required due to operational entity of the employer or if the employee is being targeted for changes, it will likely move to make those roles redundant. discriminatory reasons. Section 389 of the Fair Work Act requires employers to Employees who believe their dismissal was not the result comply with any obligation in a modern award or enterprise agreement that applied to the employment to consult with the of their role genuinely being redundant can make an unfair dismissal claim to the Fair Work Commission and the onus impacted employee about the redundancy. Consultation may will fall on the employer to prove otherwise. However, unfair include notifying the employee about the proposed changes, dismissal applications cannot be made if the retrenchment is providing information about the changes and their expected a case of genuine redundancy. effects and considering any ideas or suggestions the employee may have about the changes. The content of this article is intended to provide CLICK TO VISIT THE For a redundancy to be genuine, the employer a general guide to the subject matter. Please MTAQ MEMBER must no longer require the role to be performed contact the Workplace Relations Team for PORTAL further information and assistance. by anyone. However, an employee can still be 70 | Motor Trader August 2022
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August 2022 Motor Trader | 71 CLICK HERE TO ACCESS PAST ISSUES OF MOTOR TRADER
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PAUL KULPA GENERAL MANAGER MTA INSTITUTE
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Fitting. This newly created qualification will enable individuals to perform a range of tasks relating to replacing, fitting, installing and adjusting automotive accessories in the automotive service and repair industry, as well as carry out work according to Australian Design Rules compliance and Vehicle Standard Bulletin requirements. We will be seeking support from the state government to fund this qualification through a traineeship. As always, if you need any automotive training for your staff, please do not hesitate to contact us. August 2022 Motor Trader | 73
E S S E N T I A L S
THE MTA INSTITUTE IS SUCCESSFULLY ROLLING OUT ITS AUTO READY PILOT PROGRAM – A NATIONALLY RECOGNISED VET ACCREDITED COURSE THAT IS A TAILORED SCHOOL PROGRAM TO HELP STUDENTS DECIDE ON THEIR AUTOMOTIVE JOURNEY.
M E M B E R S
HE MTA INSTITUTE is successfully rolling out its Auto Ready Pilot program – a nationally recognised VET accredited course that is a tailored school program to help students decide on their automotive journey. We will be offering this course over the upcoming September school holidays in locations across the state to promote the automotive industry as a career of choice. The training outcomes for the week-long program will cover the following three units of competency: • AURETR103 Identify automotive electrical systems and components • AURLTA101 Identify automotive mechanical systems and components • AURTTK102 Use and maintain tools and equipment in an automotive workplace Auto Ready is also a great opportunity for members to get involved and meet the students – you may meet your future employee. In addition to the Auto Ready program, we continue to offer our five-week AUR20720 Certificate II in Automotive Vocational Preparation course at the Institute in Brisbane. The MTA Institute is also the first RTO in Australia to offer AUR22021 – Certificate II in Automotive Accessory
MTA INSTITUTE'S 'TOP TIER' TRAINING THE FOUNDATION FOR YOUNG MECHANIC'S CAREER
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S A MECHANIC, keeping up to date and across all the technological advances and developments that are appearing in modern vehicles can be something of a challenge. The biggest headline-makers are electrification in the form of batteryelectric (BEV) and hybrid-electric vehicles (HEV), and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) technology which requires the delicate calibration of cameras, radars, and lidar sensors to make it tick. These two technologies are relatively new to the wider automotive industry and getting the right training to prepare for the jobs that may be only trickling in now but will be arriving in waves within a few years, is an important consideration for any workshop. For MTA Queensland and the MTA Institute, being able to offer topquality training on new and emerging technologies is part of their mission to help automotive businesses and individual technicians be successful. In fact, the organisations offer a suite of
Ethan recently completed the BEV and HEV Inspection and Servicing Skill Set course with the MTA Institute
FOR AN ASPIRING MECHANIC, A ONE-STOP TRAINING SHOP LIKE THIS CAN BE EXTREMELY USEFUL, AND SO IT HAS BEEN FOR ETHAN SIMMONS, A QUALIFIED LIGHT VEHICLE MECHANIC AT THE FAMILY-OWNED ALLAUTOS ADVANCED TUNING SHOP . . . training courses that guide an individual from being the rawest of green recruits to becoming a qualified technician with serious skills. From apprenticeships to short online micro-credentials courses, from programs that dive deep into technologies such as ADAS to courses that offer quick upskilling opportunities, if a mechanical course is something you need or are interested in, chances are MTA Queensland and the MTA Institute will be able to deliver it. For the aspiring mechanic, a one-stop
Jeremy, Ethan, and Lily Simmons own and run Allautos Advanced Tuning in Geebung, Brisbane
training shop like this can be extremely useful, and so it has been for Ethan Simmons, a qualified light vehicle mechanic at the family-owned Allautos Advanced Tuning shop in the northern Brisbane suburb of Geebung. Since first crossing paths with the MTA Institute in 2018 when he took part in the five-week Cert II in Automotive Vocational Preparation (AUR20720) course, he has done every bit of training with the Institute, with the now 24-year-
old racking up an impressive list of credentials. He has completed not only the Cert II and his apprenticeship, but the Cert II in Auto Air Conditioning Technology (AUR20220) course, the Battery Electric and Hybrid Electric Vehicle Inspection and Servicing Skill Set (AURSS00064 & AURSS00037) course and is about to sign up for the set of Advanced Driver Assistance System courses run by MTA Queensland in partnership with ADAS Solutions Australia.
To charge and balance cells from a hybrid vehicle's battery pack, Ethan built a simple rig and charger/discharger system That’s a good effort for a young bloke for whom, just six years ago, being a mechanic was not even a blip on the career radar and who stumbled across his hidden interest in all things mechanical thanks to the purchase of a clunker of a first car. “I liked cars, as any young kid would, but working on them as a career just wasn't really what I thought I wanted to do,” said Ethan. “But then I began working on my car, a Mk4 Golf. Being a European car, it was not easy to fix or find parts for and it was in terrible condition for its age. I had to learn how to do things pretty quickly. I watched YouTube videos and read up on things and began to fix it and realised I was really enjoying doing it.” From there, a determination to find out more would lead to a search for an apprenticeship and that first interaction with the MTA Institute through the auto vocational preparation course. “I began looking for jobs and a lot were saying they wanted a first-year apprentice with some certificates behind them,” said Ethan. “I googled the leading training organisation, and MTA Queensland popped up. I did some research, spoke to my mum about it, saw the course was 76 | Motor Trader August 2022
coming up and went from there. “At the conclusion of the course, the trainer, Jeff Mann, reached out and got me a job at Caltex Carina.” Starting his apprenticeship with the MTA Institute immediately, Ethan did an 18-month stint at the Caltex workshop followed by a couple of years at an Ultratune outlet before his parents, Jeremy and Lily, bought the Allautos business where Ethan would go on to complete his apprenticeship. Doing his apprenticeship with the MTA Institute was an easy decision to make, Ethan said, even with the move between three workshops meaning he completed the training under the guidance of two MTA Institute trainers. “Everyone was very friendly and dealing with them was just great,” he said.
WHILE IT DELIVERS A FULL RANGE OF MECHANICAL SERVICES, THE WORKSHOP HAS A REPUTATION FOR ITS DIAGNOSTIC WORK AND THAT MEANS DEALING WITH CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY.
“I did have two different trainers – Roger West and James Dixon – but that was because I moved to the north side of Brisbane. It didn’t matter as they were both amazing trainers.” Toward the end of his apprenticeship, Ethan also signed on for the three-day MTA Institute auto air conditioning technology course and, once that was done, looked to swiftly get on board the courses that tackled one of the auto industry’s major transformational technologies - vehicle electrification. Once again, looking to the MTA Institute for training was an easy decision, especially as it was the Institute that had alerted him to the importance of the technology in the first place. “I remember when I was doing the fiveweek auto vocational preparation course
that MTA Queensland had a red MX-5 on a chassis straightener. I was talking to Jeff Mann about it and he said they were thinking about doing an EV swap on the car. That was back in 2018 and that got me very interested,” he said. “I knew then that EVs were going to come in, and come in strong, and in order to get ahead of the game you’re going to have to be qualified,” he added. “People will take their vehicle to someone who has the qualifications and the specific tools for the job. Someone with the basic knowledge might be able to diagnose a problem, but they might replace a component rather save a customer money by working out what’s wrong with it and repairing it.” Working with hybrid vehicles has already given Ethan and the Allautos team some experience in this area.
Allautos Advanced Tuning specialises in diagnostic work and recently purchased the Zeus diagnostic system from Snap-on
. . . I RECOMMEND TO ANYONE WHO WANTS TO DO TRAINING OR AN APPRENTICESHIP, TO DO SO WITH THE MTA INSTITUTE. THE FACILITY IS AMAZING, THE COURSES ARE TOP TIER AND EVERYONE THERE IS SO KNOWLEDGEABLE. “We had a hybrid Camry come through and the 12-volt auxiliary battery was at fault,” said Ethan. “Because of the age of the vehicle and the corrosion I saw on the terminal of that battery, I removed the main battery too. On the scan tool, I could see that some of the cells were actually quite low and at fault. Instead of replacing them, I was able to take out all the cells, line them up in parallel and balance them out.” To do so, Ethan built a simple jig upon which the cells could be placed, rigged together, and reset and balanced using a Charger/Discharger tool. That's clever stuff and a mark not only of the innovative thinking that sets a shop apart form others, but also of the results of being trained to really understand a technology. While the Allautos workshop has seen just a handful of hybrids – mostly older Camrys and Prius models – it does also work with the Hertz hire car fleet which is heavy with hybrid vehicles. While those are new and don’t require any work yet, they are another indication of where the industry is heading. It’s an exciting future for someone who likes a challenge. 78 | Motor Trader August 2022
“I am pumped!” said Ethan. “I’m keen to see all the issues that will come along with EVs because I know there will be a lot and I always like to learn.” Next on the training schedule for Ethan is Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) – another relatively new but important technology in which the MTA Institute, in partnership with ADAS Solutions Australia, offers comprehensive training with three courses available – ADAS Awareness, ADAS Vehicle Glass, and ADAS Technician. “I’m trying to get in on that as quickly as I can,” said Ethan. “I already have a pretty good understanding of ADAS, and we have a new Snap-On Zeus tool that is capable of doing such things. Once again, it’s something that is needed because a lot of vehicles are coming through with calibration issues.” For Ethan and the team at Allautos Advanced Tuning, which is a Repco Authorised Service Centre, keeping up to date with the latest developments is vital. While it delivers a full range of mechanical services, the workshop has a reputation for its diagnostic work, and it’s a reputation they are keen to build on.
“We do everything and there is no want to go more in-depth on EVs.” vehicle we won’t work on, but we All of this signals that there is going pride ourselves on our diagnostic work,” to be more research, and more MTA said Ethan. “We have an Autologic scan Institute training, in Ethan’s future. tool for European vehicles, two variants “I get email updates once a week of the Snap-On scan tool, a Launch, a about the courses available. If there’s G-Scan, and multiple computers set up for one that sparks my interest, I’ll look at reprogramming software and scan data. doing it, especially if it helps progress “We want to expand to include another the development of the business and shop, either on the south side or a little my own learning. bit closer to town, and we have also CLICK “And I recommend to anyone talked about getting a mobile TO VISIT who wants to do training or an THE ALLAUTOS service going. I’d also like to get ADVANCED apprenticeship, to do so with into work such as rebuilding TUNING the MTA Institute. The facility diesel injectors. I want to be able WEBSITE is amazing, the courses are to repair them in-house – that top tier and everyone there is so would be easier and more costeffective. And, of course I definitely knowledgeable.”
BENEFITS OF HIRING A STUDENT WITH PRE-VOCATIONAL TRAINING WHEN IT COMES to hiring a new team member, making sure an applicant has the relevant skills for the position plays an essential role. This is where MTA Institute’s automotive vocational preparation program can assist. Designed to give students an entry-level introduction to the automotive industry, students undertaking the course learn a range of skills related to identifying and inspecting the mechanical and electrical components of light vehicles. Over a five-week term, students spend numerous hours in the workshop under the supervision of qualified trainers, working on their practical skills. This hands-on experience is extremely valuable to prospective employers as the students should not only come away with the basic skills and knowledge to work in an automotive workplace, but often
have a higher level of confidence in their own abilities. Seeing an individual has completed a vocational preparation course also suggests that the student has an interest in the field and is likely to continue working in it. Having a passionate employee who enjoys their work is a significant asset to any business – especially those in an industry suffering from a major skills shortage. Finally, on successful completion of the course, students come away with the AUR20720 Certificate II in Automotive Vocational Preparation, paving the way to an automotive apprenticeship and further training opportunities.
MTA Institute is always looking to connect our top students to great employers! To register your interest, contact courses@mtai.edu.au August 2022 Motor Trader | 79
MTA INSTITUTE’S TRAINING TEAM GATHER FOR ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT MEETING
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S THE LARGEST private provider of automotive apprenticeships in Queensland - with more than 2,300 students currently being trained across all sectors of the automotive industry - the MTA Institute puts much emphasis, time, and resources into ensuring its trainers can deliver the best, most comprehensive training to its students. The commitment to being a leader in the automotive training space has seen the Institute adopt some state-of-the-art technology over the years, including the many digital resources that are a part of its apprentices' journey today. However, while communication, theory work, research and more can be done via hightech hardware and online resources, MTA Institute trainers do, of course, deliver the essential practical training in-person, and do so by working one-on-one with students at their workplace. This means that the MTA Institute trainers are spread far and wide across
“MUCH OF THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AT THIS TRAINERS MEETING WAS ABOUT UPSKILLING IN QUALIFICATIONS, DELIVERING SOME TECHNICAL INFORMATION, AS WELL AS DISCUSSIONS ABOUT WHERE WE ARE HEADING AS AN INDUSTRY.” Queensland, and while they are all experienced tradespeople who switched their vocation to one of teaching and sharing their knowledge, each year (when COVID allows), the Institute brings them together for a series of professional development workshops and the chance to discuss industry developments and compare experiences. The annual Trainers’ Meeting plays an important role in enabling the trainers
and the Institute to remain leaders in the automotive educational sector, and this year’s gathering was set to coincide with the latest edition of MTA Queensland’s Carmageddon symposium – offering the trainers the opportunity to be involved with a forum that included many industry stakeholders discussing the future direction of, and challenges facing, the industry. “Notwithstanding the ongoing virtual
Peter Hull, from Evoke Electric Motorcycles, gave a presentation on that technology
communication we have with the training group, we bring the team together to discuss what’s going on in industry skills as we know this helps get the best results for trainers’ students, employers and the Institute,” said Paul Kulpa, General Manager of the MTA Institute. “Much of the professional development at this trainers meeting was about upskilling in qualifications, delivering some technical information, as well as
discussions about where we are heading as an industry,” he added. “That was why we scheduled the gathering around the Carmageddon forum. It gave the training group an understanding not only of what that event and why it has been so well received by the automotive industry, but also enabled them to immerse themselves in the discussions that saw industry leaders consider where the industry is heading and then think about what we can do as a training group to prepare for these changes.” On the agenda for the trainers’ meeting this year was the AURETH101 BEV training unit – a unit that tackles the depowering and reinitialising of batteryelectric vehicles. With electrification of the industry now well underway, such training is becoming a necessity for technicians, and this particular training unit, as well as courses on inspecting and servicing BEVs and HEVs are available to industry through the Institute (click HERE
Adrian Parkes of ADAS Solutions Australia delivered training sessions on Advanced Driver Assistance Systems
“THE MTA INSTITUTE HAS ALWAYS RESPONDED QUICKLY TO THE CHANGES IN AUTOMOTIVE TRAINING, AND WE MUST BE ABLE TO CUSTOMISE TRAINING TO DELIVER A SOLUTION TO AUTOMOTIVE BUSINESSES”
Several trainers also made the trip out to the Queensland head office of Toro Australia
to find out more). “We all know the electrification of the industry is coming and we will continue to provide trainer professional development in this area with trainers being placed in upcoming HEV/BEV courses in Brisbane,” said Mr Kulpa. “The MTA Institute has always responded quickly to the changes in automotive training, and we must be able to customise training to deliver a solution to automotive businesses.” Other professional development workshops included sessions on Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) delivered by Adrian Parkes of ADAS Solutions Australia, a presentation on Evoke electric motorcycles, and on Parts Interpreting and Tyre Servicing. Several trainers also made the trip out to Banyo in northern Brisbane to the Queensland head office of Toro Australia – makers of outdoor power equipment such as mowers, loaders, trenchers, stump grinders, and more – to get the latest on developments in that sector of the industry. These annual trainer meetings are part of the continual development and growth of the MTA Institute, a training
organisation that has, over the past four decades, worked hard to be at the forefront of automotive industry training, striving to deliver a comprehensive, challenging, and enjoyable experience to its students. Meetings such as these, with the professional development agenda that it delivers, cements the Institute’s leadership position in the sector. “Whilst the training group has a wide and deep level of experience, I believe there is always something new to learn,” said Paul. “Future skills have numerous dimensions and can be demanded by emerging industries, such as the hydrogen industry, but also apply to an existing job - such as new functional digital skills - to deliver the outcomes in a different way than ever before. The MTA Institute accepts these challenges to ensure we remain the number one automotive training provider for industry.” August 2022 Motor Trader | 83
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Apprentice of the Month: June 2022 “I have been here since 2018 when I was doing one day a week as part of that school-based apprenticeship and started here full time in July 2019. I have no regrets. I’m very lucky to be working for Mercedes-Benz. I love it so much.” LARAH CASSAR-TAN IS THE While those words were MTA Institute Apprentice of spoken last year, Klarah the Month for June 2022. said the feeling remained That name may look familiar, unchanged over the past 12 and well it should, as 19-year-old months. What has changed, Klarah – who works at Mercedeshowever, is the excitement, Benz Sunshine Coast and is now well into her fourth year and a slight sense of nerves, as the anticipation of completing of training to become a light vehicle mechanic - was also her trade qualification nears. Apprentice of the Month for April 2021 and a finalist for the “It has come to the point where it is like ‘What is going to prestigious MTA Queensland Apprentice of the Year award happen when I qualify?’,” she said. “There’s the added pressure last year. of more responsibility and working on cars by yourself, and Taking out the Apprentice of the Month award twice is a although I do that already, as an apprentice you obviously pretty good indication of Klarah’s outstanding qualities as are still in the learning stages and not expected to know an apprentice and employee, with her trainer Dennis Shaw everything. It’s an exciting prospect and I am just trying to noting that, ‘On all occasions, my conversations with the learn as much as I can.” employer and supervisor have always been outstanding and And there will be plenty more to learn. There is no both emphasized how devoted she is to her training . . . Klarah expectation that an apprentice/tradesperson will know always goes beyond the training requirements . . .’ everything the moment they receive their trade qualification, Klarah is, naturally, proud to have won the award again, and in the evolving, highly technical and innovative world of though shocked to have done the double. automotive, training is a career-long exercise. “It was very unexpected, and I was like ‘What the hell!’ This is certainly true in the cutting-edge workshops of when my trainer called to tell me,” she said. “I am so honoured Mercedes-Benz which are beginning to see the results of the to have received it again.” company’s move into electric vehicles. Perhaps Klarah’s success should not come as a surprise. “We have our new AMG EQS 53 here and that has been a Fascinated by cars for as long as she can remember, she leapt real highlight of the year,” said Klarah. “I haven’t worked on it at the chance of an apprenticeship at the earliest opportunity. yet, but I have done some training to go towards becoming an “My school was organising work experience opportunities, EV technician. and when we were asked what we would like to do, I instantly “Only certain people can work on those cars as you need to said motor mechanics,” she told Motor Trader last year. “It has go through so many courses before you get to that stage, but I always interested me, and I really wanted to have a go am currently on that pathway. It will take quite a while, CLICK with Mercedes-Benz. I went to do a week of work but I have started. TO VISIT THE MERCEDESexperience and was then offered a school-based “I am so proud to be in the industry as it is going BENZ SUNSHINE COAST WEBSITE apprenticeship. It was all very exciting. through this change. I am very lucky.” APPRENTICE: KLARAH CASSAR-TAN WORKPLACE: MERCEDES-BENZ SUNSHINE COAST APPRENTICESHIP: LIGHT VEHICLE MECHANICAL TECHNOLOGY
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N OM IN AT E FOR T HE MTA INS TIT U TE APP R E N TIC E O F T HE MONT H AWARD • Are yo u em p loyi ng a n a p p re nti ce wh o is excelling i n th e wor kp l a ce? • Do yo u have a hi g h- a chi ev i n g ap p rent ice co lle a g u e? • Are they t rainin g wi th MTA Ins ti tu te? If th e ans wer is ‘ye s ’, the n nom i nate th e m fo r t he M TA In s ti tute Ap p re nti ce of th e Mo nt h Awa rd.
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Apprentice of the Month: July 2022 “He wasn’t looking for an apprentice at the time, but a couple of months later he got back to me and gave me a chance. I have been here ever since.” Auto Giant offers passionate, aspiring mechanics like Lucas plenty of learning opportunities. The business offers a huge range of UCAS GIACOBONI IS the MTA services on all makes and models of Institute Apprentice of the cars and trucks, including mechanical Month for July 2022. maintenance and repairs, diagnostic The 20-year-old, third-year light testing, suspension airbag sales and vehicle apprentice has been working installation, auto electrical servicing at Auto Giant in Brendale, Brisbane, and repairs, and diesel repairs and for just over two years and has impressed both his trainer and engine reconditioning, to name just a few. employer with the quality of his work, his dedication to the Working in that environment is challenging, said Lucas, job, and his determination to improve. and something he really enjoys. “Lucas has an ability to do things others can’t do,” said “You name it, we do it here,” he said. “We might start the day Tony Fasano, director of Auto Giant. “He is able to accept with a valve clearance on a Landcruiser, then you’re doing an feedback and use that feedback to drive forward to success. oil filter housing on a VW, and then after that, who knows, it just He is always looking to better himself. He loves to add value to keeps going and you never know what you’re going to get!” himself and his team and Auto Giant.” Like many other apprentices, Lucas knows the technology A career working with cars was something that Lucas had revolution in vehicles will impact the wider automotive in mind from when he was at school. Many members of his industry and having the skills to work on hybrid and electric family are car enthusiasts, and he spent much time during his vehicles will be a necessity. With that in mind, more training is childhood helping his father and uncles with their cars. a certainty down the track. “I would help dad and then, when I got my first car I would “After I finish this light vehicle training, I do want to do a work on that when I got home from school," he said. "They hybrid course and auto electrical training and other courses have always been a big passion of mine and working on them that deal with that side of things,” he said. “That is the as a career was something that I wanted to pursue.” direction the industry is going – it’s all ECUs and BCMs – and I That desire for a career in automotive was strengthened after want to have an understanding of that. You have to move with working at a Subaru dealership while still at school, and the it or fall behind.” interest was still strong after his return from an extended trip He will likely get that training and absorb that knowledge overseas that he took after he had finished his school education. at an innovative enterprise like Auto Giant. “I worked at Subaru one day a week for a year and it was “I do want to stay here well past the completion of my good fun and I learned a lot,” he said. “I did get offered a apprenticeship,” said Lucas. “There is so much knowledge in job at the end of it, but I had decided to go to Italy to visit this workshop and so much I can learn here that I want to stay family. When I came back, I was looking for a job and get as much knowledge as I can. Far from now, I and I discovered Tony’s profile. I read about his may open my own workshop, but for now it’s about CLICK TO VISIT THE background in motorsport and that really stood keeping doing what I am doing and getting better AUTO GIANT WEBSITE out to me. every day.” APPRENTICE: LUCAS GIACOBONI WORKPLACE: AUTO GIANT, BRENDALE, BRISBANE APPRENTICESHIP: LIGHT VEHICLE MECHANICAL TECHNOLOGY
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86 | Motor Trader August 2022
LOOKING FOR WORK? Check out MTA Queensland’s Job Board for all the latest opportunities in the automotive industry. Visit www.mtaq.com.au today
87 | Motor Trader September 2020
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MTA Institute Graduates
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE MTA INSTITUTE’S LATEST GRADUATES THE MTA INSTITUTE is the largest independent provider of automotive apprenticeships and training in Queensland and it is always a proud moment when its APPRENTICE
Jordan Rose Cooper Welsh Jason White Jack Whelan Benjamin Wendt Daniel Rudd Kodee Utz Cody Hill Jayden Percasky Haydn Dow Thomas Moodie Ryan Smoothey Bradley Abela Jason Cerezo Jared Predo Jack Jones Daniel Vloedmans John Oliver Benjamin Heath Jarron Camp Talique Power Riley Mattingley Casey Schulte-Duffey Jaiden Lowe George Wright Xavier Karki Adam Perna Jake Hutchinson James Armstrong Sarah Hinton Thomas Cassell Nathan Scheiwe Ker Yang \Jake Anderson Brandon Salloum Matthew Jones Connor Vadla Bronson Pou Joshua Taylor
88 | Motor Trader August 2022
QUALIFICATION
students complete their trade qualification. Congratulations to everyone who was issued a qualification in July 2022 - it is a fantastic achievement!
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openpay is a leading buy now, pay later service favoured by the automotive industry. Openpay gives customers longer to pay for servicing and parts through interest-free payment plans, while you get paid the next business day. Not just a payment method, but a smarter way to triple your Average Transaction Value.
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Concept corner
HYUNDAI UNVEILS ‘RO 90 | Motor Trader August 2022
OLLING LAB’ CONCEPTS August 2022 Motor Trader | 91
Concept corner
(L-R) N Vision 74 and RN22e
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YUNDAI MOTOR HAS revealed two epic, zero-emission ‘rolling lab’ concepts that reveal the direction and ‘electrification vision’ of its highperformance N sub-brand. The two concepts – the RN22e and N Vision 74 – are testbeds for the company, and they will be used to test and verify Hyundai's technologies that may then be applied to future production models. Both concepts are being tested as part of Hyundai N’s pursuit of performance and to ‘maximise racetrack capability, its everyday sports car characteristic and ‘corner rascal’ features. N will also stay true to its philosophy in the era of electrification.’ The battery-electric, all-wheel-drive RN22e, based on Hyundai’s E-GMP platform and the company’s Ioniq 6 streamliner design – has a dual-motor set-up with the front and rear motors combining to 92 | Motor Trader August 2022
RN22e deliver 430kW and 740Nm. Top speed is 250km/h and there’s a 77.4kWh battery pack providing the energy. Fast-charging capability can see the RN22e charged from 10 to 80 per cent in under 18 minutes. Hyundai says the RN22e offers
racetrack-ready performance by refining the E-GMP platform. Torque distribution is delivered via drive modes that allow drivers to choose the torque power on the front and rear wheels, and a focus on cooling and braking is designed to enhance
endurance. Hyundai N says it will use the RN22e to study how to deliver dynamic movement with regen-braking that precisely controls yaw and corner attack. The concept is also fitted with N Sound+, which generates sound from the interior August 2022 Motor Trader | 93
N Vision
THE CONCEPT’S DESIGN PAYS HOMAGE TO THE HYUNDAI PONY COUPE CONCEPT FROM 1974 BUT UNDERNEATH THE RETRO STYLING IS CUTTING EDGE TECH THAT COMBINES BIG HYDROGEN FUEL CELL AND BATTERY CAPABILITIES. and exterior speakers, ‘for a dynamic driving feel’, and N e-shift, which integrates the vibration and shifting feel with N Sound+. These features are designed to elevate the ‘emotional driving experience for electrified models.’ The N Vision 74 is a high-performance hydrogen fuel cell hybrid concept. The concept’s design pays homage to the Hyundai Pony Coupe concept from 1974 but underneath the retro styling is cutting 94 | Motor Trader August 2022
edge tech that combines big hydrogen fuel cell and battery capabilities. The N Vision 74 has a 95kW fuel cell system with 4.2kg tank and a 62.4kWh battery pack and the company says that this set-up improves cooling efficiency while the two different power sources can be used depending on different driving conditions. There’s 800-volt fast-charging capability for the battery system and the hydrogen tank can be filled in five minutes. Rear-mounted electric motors deliver 500kW and 900Nm, pushing the N Vision 74 to a top speed over 250km/h. Driving range is claimed to be over 600km. Hyundai N is really pushing the envelope when it comes to searching for electric vehicle performance and what comes out of these concepts to reach the company’s road-going cars will be interesting to see. The first electric N - the Ioniq 5 N - is expected in 2023.
MTA INSTITUTE COURSES AUTO READY
RTO No: 31529
BATTERY ELECTRIC AND HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLES COURSE
19 - 23 Sep 2022 (BRISBANE) 26 - 30 Sep 2022 (BRISBANE)
16 - 18 Aug 2022 (SOLD OUT) 13 - 15 Sep 2022 (SOLD OUT) 11 - 13 Oct 2022
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10 Oct - 11 Nov 2022
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MTA QUEENSLAND COURSES MIG WELDING FUNDAMENTALS COURSE 16 Sep 2022, 8:30am - 12:30pm
VEHICLE MAINTENANCE COURSE 23 Nov 2022, 8:30am - 12:30pm
ADVANCED DRIVER ASSISTANCE SYSTEMS COURSES AWARENESS COURSE TO BE ADVISED
VEHICLE GLASS COURSE TO BE ADVISED
POST-TRADE TRAINING AVAILABLE ONLINE
TECHNICIAN COURSE TO BE ADVISED
*Course dates subject to change
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Rhonda Maden Your Superannuation Adviser
Book your 7-point super service You regularly service your car to improve performance, but what about your super? Talk to one of our super experts to find out how your super is travelling. We can help with boosting your super, investment options, insurance, combining super, retirement options and more.
Book an appointment today Call us on 1800 005 166. Advice on Spirit Super is provided by Quadrant First Pty Ltd (ABN 78 102 167 877, AFSL 284443) (Spirit Super Advice), which is wholly owned by Motor Trades Association of Australia Superannuation Fund Pty. Limited (ABN 14 008 650 628, AFSL 238718), the trustee of Spirit Super (ABN 74 559 365 913). A copy of the Financial services guide for Spirit Super Advice is available at spiritsuper.com.au/financial-services-guide or by calling us on 1800 005 166. You should consider the Product disclosure statement and Target market determination available at spiritsuper.com.au/pds or by calling 1800 005 166 before deciding if the fund is appropriate for you.
