MTA QUEENSLAND hosts quarterly Divisional Committee meetings for:
› AUSTRALIAN AUTOMOTIVE DEALER ASSOCIATION (NEW CAR DEALERS)
› AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERS DIVISION (MECHANICAL REPAIRERS)
› AUTOMOTIVE PARTS RECYCLERS DIVISION (PARTS RECYCLERS)
› AUTOMOTIVE REMARKETING DIVISION (USED CAR DEALERS)
› ENGINE RECONDITIONERS ASSOCIATION OF QUEENSLAND (ENGINE RECONDITIONERS)
› NATIONAL AUTO COLLISION ALLIANCE (PAINT & PANEL / TOW TRUCKS)
› QUEENSLAND FARM & INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY DEALERS DIVISION (FARM & INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY)
› QUEENSLAND MOTORCYCLE INDUSTRY DIVISION (MOTORCYCLES)
› RENTAL VEHICLE INDUSTRY DIVISION (RENTAL VEHICLES)
› SERVICE STATION & CONVENIENCE STORE ASSOCIATION OF QUEENSLAND (SERVICE STATIONS)
› TYRE & UNDERCAR DIVISION OF QUEENSLAND (TYRES, BRAKES, SUSPENSIONS)
The Agenda topics include:
› robust discussions around the priorities of the Division,
› issues that need to be directly presented to government and submissions,
› skilling needs,
› membership representation,
› technical and educational updates, and
› innovation opportunities.
The Committee meetings can be attended in-person at MTA Queensland or online. The meetings are open to members and non-members, but we strongly encourage membership to ensure all member benefits are available.
HEAD OFFICE
Building 8, 2728 Logan Road, Eight Mile Plains, Qld 4113
P.O. Box 4530, Eight Mile Plains, Qld 4113
Tel: 07 3237 8777
Fax: 07 3844 4488
Toll Free: 1800 177 951
Email: publications@mtaq.com.au
Website: www.mtaq.com.au
EDITOR
Jonathan Nash
ART DIRECTOR
Marco Ilinic
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS
Evangeline Kannis
Ian Naylor POLICY
Kellie Dewar, General Manager MTA Queensland
ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES
Email: jonathann@mtaq.com.au
EDITORIAL
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MOTOR TRADER PUBLISHING POLICY
Motor Trader is the official publication of the Motor Trades Association of Queensland. The role of Motor Trader is to inform members of current issues and legislation affecting the industry. As such it can be regarded as the business magazine for the Queensland motor industry. The role of Motor Trader is not to be in competition with the technical magazines already on the market. It will advise of new vehicles being released and of the latest technology incorporated into them; it will advise of latest technology affecting members in each of the MTA Queensland Divisions; it will keep members abreast of the latest in motor industry training and industrial affairs; and it will keep members informed of the latest technical aids available through MTA Queensland Member Services, which will assist members in staying ahead of the technological revolution presently being encountered within the motor industry. The publisher reserves the right to omit or alter any advertisement and the advertiser agrees to indemnify the publisher for all damages or liabilities arising from the published material.
MTA QUEENSLAND ABN: 74 028 933 848
CORPORATE PARTNERS
JONATHAN NASH EDITOR
WELCOME TO THE
August 2023 edition of Motor Trader.
Since 2017 MTA Queensland has held the annual Carmageddon forum, which brings together industry stakeholders - experts, business owners, technicians, trainers, government officials and more - to consider the changing automotive industry landscape. This year, along with presentations on potentially game-changing tech such as virtual reality, all-electric trucks, and biofuels, the Association added workshops on EV diagnostics and safety, and
transitioning businesses to an EV future - recognition that the time is now for the industry to adapt to vehicle electrification and all the challenges that shift will demand.
On that issue, MTA Queensland has gone one step further and from the end of this month and through September, will host a number of free workshops across the state designed specifically to furnish businesses with the information they need to prepare for that electrified future.
It's critical that businesses understand what is coming and what they can do not only to ensure their future but take advantage of the opportunities this evolution presents. You can find out more about those free workshops on page 26.
Cheers
Jonathan Nash, Editor jonathann@mtaq.com.auMTA Queensland welcomes the following new members
IS YOUR BUSINESS prepared for the impact of electric vehicles?
ROD CAMM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER MTA QUEENSLAND
Not since the introduction of the Ford Model T automobile back in 1908 has the automotive industry experienced such transformational change that will impact the entire industry.
Whether those in our industry want to accept it or not, EVs have been identified as a key player in the global shift towards a zero-emission automotive industry. With some 25,000 EVs already registered in Queensland and more models becoming available below the $40,000 price point, the wave is coming and the time for businesses to prepare for their arrival in the workplace is now!
This is why MTA Queensland, under the Queensland Government’s VET Emerging Industries program, will be hosting FREE business workshops across the state in August and September to assist businesses in the preparation journey. We have engaged business planning and EV experts to take you through everything you need to be aware of to ensure your business can operate sustainably and thrive in an electrified world.
All business owners, managers, and dealer principals will walk out of the workshop more informed and with a tailored business plan to help map out their future.
You can read more about these workshops and how they will assist your business later in this magazine, or you can check out when your nearest workshop is scheduled and register HERE!
I look forward to catching up with you all at these workshops and learning how MTA Queensland can help your business prepare!
AUGUST REPRESENTS THE commencement of the latest round of industry meetings for our 11 divisions. With so much happening across the industry, these meetings are a fantastic opportunity for you to catch up with fellow business owners in your sector and discuss the latest topics impacting your business and industry. These meetings are an important aspect of MTA Queensland membership and I encourage all business owners to get involved. Contact info@mtaq.com.au to RSVP for your division’s industry meeting.
KELLIE DEWAR DEPUTY CEO | GENERAL MANAGER MEMBER SERVICES
In breaking news, the MTAA has issued a media release on the commencement of work to update and strengthen the MVIRI Code of Conduct. This matter will be discussed in-depth at our upcoming Collision Industry Meeting on Tuesday, 29th August. So please, if you would like to have your say on the priorities of the review, come along.
The MTAA, in collaboration with HWL Ebsworth Lawyers, will also be hosting a briefing for MTA Queensland members on the Unfair Contract Terms Reform Bill in October. The Bill, which will introduce several changes to the unfair contract terms laws in both the ACL and the ASIC Act, will increase the compliance risk of relying on standard form contracts to conduct business in Australia. All members are encouraged to attend online or in-person.
And finally, registrations are now open for our Auto Women Connect online event on Wednesday, 25th August. With the Auto Women program continuing to grow in numbers and stature, all women from the automotive industry are invited to come along to hear from our incredible guest speakers and catch up with fellow female stars from our industry. You can register now HERE and I will see you there!
WITH SOME 25,000 EVS ALREADY REGISTERED IN QUEENSLAND AND MORE MODELS BECOMING AVAILABLE BELOW THE $40,000 PRICE POINT, THE WAVE IS COMING AND THE TIME FOR BUSINESSES TO PREPARE FOR THEIR ARRIVAL IN THE WORKPLACE IS NOW!
IN BREAKING NEWS, THE MTAA HAS ISSUED A MEDIA RELEASE ON THE COMMENCEMENT OF WORK TO UPDATE AND STRENGTHEN THE MVIRI CODE OF CONDUCT.
Get paid into your linked business account on the day you make the sale.
Did you know by being MTAQ members, you enjoy the benefits of preferential merchant rates on your EFTPOS. You’ll have access to experience the latest payment technology with a Smart terminal, paired with a Business Transaction Account with $0 Monthly Account Fee option and get same day settlement for your hard earned money1
Accept payments in-store or on the go
Accept payments wherever you are with our flexible EFTPOS solutions.
• Settle funds daily with a linked CommBank business transaction account.
• Take comfort knowing that Australia’s largest financial institution is working hard to keep your payments secure.
• Access insights with DailyIQ to optimise and grow your business2.
• Use our templates to design and build your online store.
So why not take advantage of your membership and enjoy your money sooner.
To find out how Commonwealth Bank can help your business move forward, contact MTAQ on (07) 3237 8777 or email info@mtaq.com.au and they’ll put you in touch with a Commonwealth Bank Relationship Manager.
Things you should know: As this advice has been prepared without considering your objectives, financial situation or needs, you should, before acting on the information, consider its appropriateness to your circumstances. A preferential merchant rate is an agreed rate with your association. Your association may receive a referral fee from Commonwealth Bank of Australia for each successful referral (excludes existing customers) on eligible Business Banking products and services. Referral Fees are not payable on referrals from existing relationship managed Commonwealth Bank customers.
1 A Business Transaction Account is required to settle your transactions, if you apply online through NetBank. You can choose to settle your transactions to an alternate account held with us or another financial service provider by calling our Merchant Sales team on 1800 730 554, any time after your application is finalised. ‘Same day’ includes all Visa and Mastercard sales before 5:30 pm (AEST) for online transactions and 9:30pm (AEST) for in store EFTPOS transactions. Amex, Diners and JCB card transactions are not eligible for Same Day Settlements.
Terms, conditions, fees and charges apply to Business Transaction Accounts and NetBank. Read the Terms and Conditions for Business Transaction and Savings Accounts at commbank.com.au/btaterms and the Electronic Banking Terms and Conditions at commbank.com.au/electronicbanking and consider whether these products are right for you. Please view our Merchant Agreement, Financial Services Guide and Operator and User Guides at commbank.com.au/merchantsupport.
2 Daily IQ has been prepared as a research tool for general informational purposes only and should not be relied on to make business decisions or for account reconciliation. Eligibility criteria applies. Find out more about Daily IQ and Business Insights at commbank.com.au/business/online-banking
The target market for this product will be found within the product’s Target Market Determination at commbank.com.au/tmd Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124, AFSL and Australian credit licence 234945.
With prime positioning on one of the busiest roads in Far North Queensland, Mickey Tyre & Auto in Cairns is well placed to be a success. Motor Trader caught up with owner Kaleb Lee to learn all about his business.
WORDS: LARA WILDE
IMAGES: JESSE DONOGHOE, SWEET SPOT PHOTOGRAPHY
INDUSTRY?
KL: I grew up in Cairns and the Far North Queensland automotive scene and from the age of four I was helping my dad in the workshop. Dad was a mechanic and I always wanted to be a mechanic just like him. I feel like I began my apprenticeship when I was four!
When the time came, I did my official apprenticeship under Dad and worked for him in his Mickey Tyre & Auto workshop. I think it is good to get out and learn in other environments so when the opportunity presented, I left Dad’s workshop and worked in the mines. Mines offer good money, but I missed home.
DID YOU TAKE OVER YOUR DAD’S MICKEY TYRE & AUTO BUSINESS WHEN YOU RETURNED FROM THE MINES?
KL: My Dad, Richard, first opened the Mickey Tyre & Auto workshop in 2007 in Scott Street, Cairns. I returned from the mines and took over the business in 2020. In July of 2021, we relocated the business
“MY DAD, RICHARD, FIRST OPENED THE MICKEY TYRE & AUTO WORKSHOP IN 2007 IN SCOTT STREET, CAIRNS. I RETURNED FROM THE MINES AND TOOK OVER THE BUSINESS IN 2020.”
to Mulgrave Road. The traffic past the front door is very good and we have a huge area with rear street access for the workshop.
KL: We strive to strike a balance of tyres and mechanical services. We sell a full range of tyres, rims, and wheel packages. We specialise in providing on-vehicle carbon cleans including DPF cleaning, and I believe we are the only shop in Far North Queensland that does. We also specialise in Toyota servicing and repairs. Our team can rebuild gearboxes and engines and repair automatic transmissions. In Cairns it is also essential to have great air conditioning so we make sure we can maintain and service our customers’ air conditioning systems.
KL: Very much so! I spend about 60 per cent of my time in the office and 40 per cent of my time on the tools. I wouldn’t be able to spend so much time in the office though if I didn’t have such a great team in the workshop.
KL: Unlike many workshops in the region, we have been very lucky to find a great team. I am the manager and, at the end of the day, I take responsibility for all of the business management decisions; Scott is the head mechanic and has been with us for 11 years; Buster is a third-year mechanic doing a mature-aged apprenticeship through MTA Queensland; Harrison is a first-year apprentice completing a dual trade as panel beater, spray painter and mechanic through MTA Queensland; Rhys and Codey are our tyre fitters and wheel aligners; and Kim is in the office providing customer service and administration support for the business.
“I WOULDN’T BE ABLE TO SPEND SO MUCH TIME IN THE OFFICE THOUGH IF I DIDN’T HAVE SUCH A GREAT TEAM IN THE WORKSHOP.”
The Mickey Tyre & Auto team. From left ro right top row: Harrison, Terrance and Kaleb. Left to right bottom row: Buster, Kim and Scott
KL: We sponsor both motorsport events and individual competitors. We have never tracked if our sponsorship results in an increase in sales, but it allows us to contribute to our community and also educate customers that we are not just for off-road and four-wheel-drive vehicles.
We sponsor the North Queensland Off Road Challenge, the Cairns Show
Association for the annual Cairns Show, and the Cairns Auto Spectacular. In addition, we sponsor three burnout cars as individual competitors.
“WE ENCOURAGE OUR STAFF TO DO ANY MTA QUEENSLAND COURSE THEY CAN, AND WE TRAIN ALL OUR APPRENTICES THROUGH MTA QUEENSLAND.”
KL: We are building a 100 series Landcruiser burnout car to have fun with as a workshop team. Our first-year apprentice Harrison has an 80 series comp truck and he used to race rally cars.
KL: Since taking over from Dad, I have spent the last three years growing the business and bringing equipment up to industry best practice. My plans now involve maintaining and organically growing the Mickey Tyre & Auto business. I don’t want big spurts of growth but rather sustainable growth that will be resilient over time. If all goes well, I hope we can purchase our own building rather than paying rent.
KL: Like many business owners, I work. When I do have a weekend with the family, I like to get the ski boat out and go hunting, fishing, and camping. My greatest challenge is finding the balance between work and being able to switch off.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A YOUNG YOU STARTING OUT IN THE INDUSTRY?
KL: Don’t chase money in the mines. Do the extra courses and be open to learning everything.
KL: We take on school-based apprentices during school holidays and try to give young people a start in the industry. We encourage our staff to do any MTA Queensland course they can, and we train all our apprentices through MTA Queensland.
DO YOU CONSIDER THAT THE ADVANCEMENTS IN ELECTRIC CARS WILL HAVE AN IMPACT ON YOUR BUSINESS?
KL: We have three staff trained to work with electric vehicles and we have done research into what we as a workshop need to service and maintain them. We have a few customers with electric vehicles but, as a whole, we are avoiding electric vehicles for as long as possible.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE GREATEST BENEFIT OF YOUR MTA QUEENSLAND MEMBERSHIP?
KL: I signed up as an MTA Queensland member when I took over from Dad. Originally, I signed up to access benefits such as training and apprenticeship support. It has been very beneficial to be able to turn to MTA Queensland when we need training or advice. In particular, I have appreciated their resources to resolve customer relation issues.
EVERY YEAR SINCE 2017, MTA Queensland has held the Carmageddon symposium, an event designed to highlight the technologies impacting the automotive industry, and the challenges and opportunities they present. On July 26, the latest edition of Carmageddon was held at the MTA Queensland head office in Brisbane, bringing together industry leaders, business owners, technology experts, and MTA Queensland members to continue that journey. And for 2023, just as the automotive landscape has evolved, MTA Queensland made some notable changes to the event’s successful formula to reflect that evolution.
For example, the acceptance of new technological developments by the public can be swift, and electric vehicles (EVs) as a mainstream transportation choice is no longer some far-off notion. That brings with it a requirement for automotive businesses and organisations to adapt and to think about how to change and be able to service EVs, to train their staff to work on them safely, and to invest in the tools
and equipment to do that work efficiently. With the industry now having to consider such questions, MTA Queensland added training workshops, delivered by experts from the MTA Institute and PWC Australia, to the Carmageddon agenda, with EV diagnostics and safety; considerations for businesses transitioning to an EV future; and industrial relations concerns being covered by industry experts.
Also part of Carmageddon was the display and presentation of some of the technology now available in the local
. . . THE SIXTH EDITION OF CARMAGEDDON WAS HELD AT THE MTA QUEENSLAND HEAD OFFICE IN BRISBANE, BRINGING TOGETHER INDUSTRY LEADERS, BUSINESS OWNERS, TECHNOLOGY EXPERTS, AND MTA QUEENSLAND MEMBERS . . .
market. Attendees were able to view an MG4 EV passenger car, an electric Tuatara ultra-terrain vehicle (UTV), a BYD Atto 3 EV, a Foton F5 battery-powered truck, electric motorcycles and scooters from Australia Electric Motor Co and Benzina Zero, and a 1967 Toyota Corona that had been converted to battery-electric power courtesy of the wizards at Oz DIY Electric Vehicles. Outside of vehicles, NanoTag technology was on hand exhibiting their solution to protect vehicles from the theft of catalytic converters and other valuable parts, while Next World Enterprises,
which develops virtual reality (VR) training courses, exhibited their extraordinary technology, giving attendees the chance to don VR headsets and taste the tech for themselves.
Central to Carmageddon were the presentations and discussions surrounding the issues and challenges facing the automotive industry. This year, topics focused upon included the potential of biofuels, the critical workforce shortage, the opportunities of using commercial EVs, and the development of virtual reality training.
The keynote address this year was delivered by MTA Queensland’s CEO, Rod Camm, who spoke on several issues - from environmental challenges to alternative fuels to Australia’s expanding electric vehicle fleet and the need for investment and development of training, as well as the need for business owners to consider the timeline of investing in their businesses to take advantage of the opportunities, and tackle the challenges, that arise with the rapidly developing EV sector.
“It's a revolution that's happening in our industry,” said Mr Camm. “It's not an evolution. It's a significant change. And we all need to adapt. The question for us is how we as an industry will achieve that.
“30 per cent of global sales now are in electric vehicles . . . this is really happening.
“Government is saying that 100 per cent of the Queensland Government fleet will be zero emission by 2026. That's not far away. Governments also are saying that 50 per cent of new car sales will be zero emission by 2030 and 100 per cent by 2036. Now, that won't happen. Manufacturers are saying they can't possibly supply that number of vehicles, but you can see what the trajectory looks like.
“. . . I meet with members all the time
across the state and there's a significant difference in their preparedness for change. Even some sophisticated big dealerships are not yet contemplating what this change will make to them. And it's big deal.
“There is a significant reduction in revenue in looking after electric vehicles. All of the evidence in Europe is that there is a 40 per cent reduction in revenue from servicing EVs compared to combustion engines. So, businesses, my message to you is you have to adapt. You have to start planning to adapt. Whether you’re a dealership, an independent mechanical business, or in the collision industry, there's lots and lots of work to do. My message is the time is now . . . if you're not planning for change now, you'll miss the opportunity.
“International experience tells us as
“ALL OF THE EVIDENCE IN EUROPE IS THAT THERE IS A 40 PER CENT REDUCTION IN REVENUE FROM SERVICING EVS COMPARED TO COMBUSTION ENGINES. SO, BUSINESSES, MY MESSAGE TO YOU IS YOU HAVE TO ADAPT.”
many as 20 per cent of small businesses in automotive are expected to close in the transition to electric. You ‘ve got to invest in infrastructure, you've got to invest in skills.
“Later this year, in collaboration with the Queensland Government, we'll be running workshops across Queensland on exactly this topic - business planning and considering questions such as What you have to think about? What are the key elements? What are the some of the stepping-stones you need to contemplate?
“I have run regional workshops and some
attendees are not true believers – they don’t think EVs will have a major impact on them. My message is, they will. Never before has it been as important to plan for the future.”
FOLLOWING MR CAMM’S address, a series of presentations were scheduled with the first two touching on the subject of biofuels. With much effort being put into considering how to meet net zero targets, reduce carbon emissions and use renewable energy, biofuels - and other fuel types such as synthetic fuels and hydrogen - are becoming a part of the discussion.
Presenting first on this issue was Ben Ramsay of Viva Energy Australia - a leading energy company that manufactures, imports, blends, and distributes fuels and other products –who explained the current state of the biofuel sector. There are already some lower carbon bio-based fuels available – including a product called FAME biodiesel (with FAME an acronym for Fatty Acid Methyl Ester), which is made from elements such as animal fats and
used cooking oils; and renewable diesel such as HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil).
These products would, Mr Ramsay suggested, be valuable in sectors that will prove difficult to electrify, such as the marine sector, mining and linehaul transport. However, greater use will likely rely on factors such as infrastructure, policy mandates and/or incentives.
“It does cost to go green . . . FAME biodiesel is more expensive than conventional crude-based diesel and renewable diesel is more expensive than FAME-based diesel,” said Mr Ramsay. “It’s anything between 3 and 5 times the cost of renewable diesel versus conventional diesel at the moment until supply chains and production capabilities start to ramp up . . . so for now and towards 2030, we think that conventional crude-based products will remain part of our energy mix . . . but we will begin to see increased uptake in biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuels too as the larger emitters increase their efforts to reduce emissions as part of the safeguard mechanism and to adhere to their environmental commitments.”
Biofuel also was a central element of the second presentation, delivered by Andrew Kirk, Principal Technical Researcher at the RACQ, who is part of a team working to develop a hybrid vehicle that harnesses battery-electric power and combustion power through the use of an ethanol range extender.
The reasons behind creating such a vehicle are varied but include providing benefits to regional populations.
“In the coming years, most of the private land transport will be electric powered,” said Mr Kirk. “But we do see an important role for biofuels to support and extend the range and utility of electric vehicles and electrified transport options, especially in the light commercial vehicle and the
four-wheel-drive segment.”
While electric utes – including conversions - are available, their range is not as great as a regular vehicle. That range can be increased substantially - and features such as vehicle-to-load and vehicle-to-grid functionality added - by pairing the battery-electric system with a range-extender engine. These can allow the vehicle to perform an important function in some scenarios.
“There's always going to be edge cases, extreme-use cases, where electricity infrastructure won't be able to support recharging of heavy vehicles and vehicles with large batteries, particularly in regional and remote areas,” said Mr Kirk. “There will also always be disasters where you haven't got power. If you are in an area where you've got no power, you can't recharge the car. For these edge cases and remote areas, another solution is required. So, a specific and ongoing role for the use
“IT DOES COST TO GO GREEN . . . FAME BIODIESEL IS MORE EXPENSIVE THAN CONVENTIONAL CRUDE-BASED DIESEL AND RENEWABLE DIESEL IS MORE EXPENSIVE THAN FAME-BASED DIESEL.”
Ben Ramsay, VivaEnergy Australia
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of biofuel, primarily ethanol, is a range extender in combination with the battery electric drive train. Such a system would provide decarbonisation of difficult-toelectrify edge-case applications for light commercial vehicles.”
While the project vehicle’s battery set-up is yet to be determined - battery technology advances quickly – Mr Kirk said that the internal combustion range extender would likely use either ethanol E85 or E98 fuel.
“Why ethanol? It is our fuel of choice because it's already established, and there's agriculture and production infrastructure already out there in Queensland,” he said. “We've got 50 retail sites in Queensland already selling E85 . . . but there are 900 retail sites that could sell E85 quite easily and 1500 sites that could be converted with limited change . . . In most cases, cost is cheaper than upgrading electricity grids and putting in charging infrastructure.”
The RACQ's project research will cover all areas of vehicle development.
“We have six streams of research in this project," said Mr Kirk. "The first will be vehicle research and demonstration, then we’ll be working through the climate change and the resilience side of the project, the emissions policy and how it will fit in with fuel-efficiency standards, and look at those alternative biofuels and how they stack up. Finally, we'll look at
the ethanol agricultural industry and production, and the wholesale and retail, and how we can expand on the current sales in Queensland.
“We think that most light vehicles will be battery electric in urban areas but we still do see the need for vehicles for these edge cases - these extreme cases where full battery electric just isn't going to be enough.
"A battery-electric ute or four-wheel-drive with an ethanol range extender can fill this void. And we're planning to build and trial this and then look at the total cost of ownership and the full lifecycle analysis of the vehicle and assess the vehicle's abilities to addressing these edge-case needs.”
TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES ARE rapidly changing the nature of the automotive industry, and adapting to those changes is an important challenge for all sectors. This is as true for training and education providers as it is for any maintenance and repair shop, and there are some innovative products being created that take advantage of technology and have great potential in the training sector.
The third presentation of Carmageddon 2023 put the spotlight on one such piece of technology – virtual reality.
Focusing on the work being done by
“WE THINK THAT MOST LIGHT VEHICLES WILL BE BATTERY ELECTRIC IN URBAN AREAS BUT WE STILL DO SEE THE NEED FOR VEHICLES FOR THESE EDGE CASES - THESE EXTREME CASES WHERE FULL BATTERY ELECTRIC JUST ISN'T GOING TO BE ENOUGH.”Andrew Kirk, Principal Technical Researcher, RACQ
Next World, a company that builds virtual reality training solutions, the presentation was delivered by Hayden Morison, a director of the company. The potential of this tech that can allow a user - via a headset, a pair of controllers and some clever programming and design - to enter a simulated world and learn in a safe and appealing way, is clear.
“We can give trainers access to digital training environments on demand,” said Mr Morison. “You can step inside these virtual environments and have a workshop, have a confined space entry simulation, working with heights, manual handling, driving a forklift, or electric vehicle safety. All of these are on demand 24/7, 365 days a year. You don't necessarily need to go out and purchase the physical assets for your team for training. We’ve got them virtually.”
The advantages of virtual reality training are pretty clear, said Mr Morison. Scalability means unlimited people can go through a course at any one time; a student’s behaviour and understanding can be evaluated and analysed easily; retention of information is greater; and consequences of action can be assessed safely.
“Because things are delivered virtually, we can put that student under extreme stress or put them inside a situation where we can really test them in different ways, but we're not putting them in any immediate danger at all,” he said.
“And we can increase knowledge retention in VR. When you have a VR headset strapped to your face . . . you have to engage with the content that is happening right in front of you. And because that engagement is so high, we see a much better knowledge retention in that subject. You’re getting better bang for your buck for your training situation.”
While virtual reality has exciting potential for automotive training, Mr Morison said that it was not a replacement for hands-on training. Rather it was a complementary resource - an asset that can be a beneficial addition to apprenticeship training, or be used on its own for upskilling and refreshertype courses.
“Students do need face-to-face training with their teacher. They need narrative, they need questions and answers and storytelling. It's very important to still have that . . . we still need to pop the hood and get our tools inside and get tactile –nothing in virtual reality is going to replace that. But VR can provide that immersive layer to enhance and enrich that student learning experience.”
FOLLOWING MR MORISON’S presentation on VR, there was a panel discussion that focusing on training and the workforce shortage. Facilitated by Brad
Brad Flanagan, MTA Queensland’s Director Industry Initiatives; Peter Rogers, National Manager, Repco Authorised Service; Brendan Sorensen, Director, The Automotive Technician; and Hayden Morison from Next World, during a panel discussion that focused on training and the workforce shortage
Flanagan, MTA Queensland’s Director Industry Initiatives, the panel included Peter Rogers, National Manager, Repco Authorised Service; Brendan Sorensen, Director, The Automotive Technician; and Hayden Morison from Next World.
An interesting discussion touched on topics including the current apprenticeship system, the potential of VR, electric vehicle training, and microcredentials, amongst other items.
There was general agreement across all issues - for example that the apprenticeship system should adapt to incorporate new skill requirements; that micro-credentials and VR training can be useful tools in this area; and that attracting young people to the workforce should involve putting it forward, to both young people and parents, as an exciting, satisfying and potentially prosperous career choice.
There was also agreement that a way forward in workforce retention could be through a clearer career-growth pathway. That might be, it was suggested, by recognising an advanced level of technician capability, such as a ‘master tech’ credential.
“I hear it loud and clear on many different occasions that it's a want from the industry and it's possibly a pathway that creates an opportunity for us to not just recognise those skill sets but reward them appropriately," said Mr Rogers. "In my humble opinion, we're still woefully disrespected in terms of the level of capability and knowledge and expertise that exist in our industry. And we need to take steps to address that.”
THE FINAL PRESENTATION of the day was given by Bill Gillespie, General Manager, Light Duty Vehicle, Foton Mobility Distribution - the Australian-
owned distributor of new energy commercial vehicles.
Making the case for commercial EVs as an option for businesses, Mr Gillespie first gave some sobering statistics concerning the transport sector's emissions, saying that road freight in Australia accounts for 38 per cent of total transport emissions. With the transport sector itself currently making 19 per cent of Australia's total emissions, decarbonising the sector is, Mr Gillespie said, essential to meet the national goal of net zero emissions by 2050.
He went on to explain that heavy fleets in Australia and New Zealand had high numbers of older and inefficient vehicles on the road, and that almost eight out of 10 heavy fleets have a plan to replace older vehicles in the next two years. The question is what will they replace it with?
“Today, 70 per cent of heavy fleets have Euro three or four vehicles. Those are really old vehicles,” said Mr Gillespie. “By 2025, the forecast is that will drop to 43 per cent, meaning more than one-in-four heavy fleets expect that those older vehicles will be gone from their fleet.”
While EV trucks may be expensive currently, the longer-term outlook would see great savings on fuel – a massive part of a transport company’s expense – and while EVs may not have the range capability yet of ICE trucks, Mr Gillespie also noted that
the average rigid truck travels 56.8km per day – well within the range of an EV –while the average articulated truck travels 217km.
Replacing older, combustion engine vehicles with electric trucks would, he argued, produce other positive outcomes, with younger consumers respecting those brands that do transition, while those brands would also elicit positive customer feedback too. And in light of the changing behaviour of the Australian consumer post-Covid - with e-commerce growing 57 per cent over the past two years“embracing sustainable practices is not just a moral obligation, but also a strategic move for a company,” he said.
“By adopting zero emission vehicles, we believe companies can showcase their commitment to environmental responsibility, gain a competitive edge and align with evolving consumer preferences for eco conscious brands,” said Mr Gillespie. “Plus, consumers today are more conscious about the environmental impact of their purchasing decisions . . . We know people are choosing environmentally conscious companies and they're fostering brand loyalty. We say to everyone it is time to embrace the change.”
FOLLOWING THE PRESENTATION and panel discussion, the attendees at Carmageddon 2023 were able to choose between a set of workshops being run by industry experts on a range of issues. These included an EV diagnostics and safety overview run by MTA Institute trainers Keith Minchin and Nigel Palmer; a Transitioning Your Business to an EV Future workshop; and an Industrial Relations workshop
overseen by MTA Queensland’s workplace relations team of Evangeline Kannis and Roseanne Huskie. Each was well attended and added an extra level of engagement and knowledge-sharing to the Carmageddon experience.
Carmageddon continues to be a leading forum for automotive industry stakeholders to discuss and consider seriously the challenges and opportunities being presented by new technology and the changing landscape of the industry. With the inclusion of workshops designed to meet pressing issues, Carmageddon 2023 showcased the direction of the symposium in years to come, and it will grow to become an even more important event within MTA Queensland’s arsenal as the Association looks to support automotive businesses thrive in the coming years.
“BY ADOPTING ZERO EMISSION VEHICLES, WE BELIEVE COMPANIES CAN SHOWCASE THEIR COMMITMENT TO ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY, GAIN A COMPETITIVE EDGE AND ALIGN WITH EVOLVING CONSUMER PREFERENCES. . .”MTA Institute trainer Keith Minchin, during the EV diagnostics and Safety overview workshop
AXALTA COATING SYSTEMS is moving its regional training centre to MTA Queensland’s Sir Jack Brabham Automotive Centre of Excellence in Brisbane.
Axalta's Queensland Training Academy will now be located within the MTA Queensland's corporate head office and training facility at Eight Mile Plains. This new partnership will see the two entities work closely together in developing training programs that will proactively attract new talent to the industry. The centre is conveniently positioned to easily provide accessibility for those travelling from all parts of Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. It will become a key training destination for customers in the Queensland and Northern NSW regions. The training centre boasts over 500m2 of dedicated refinish training space. It
is equipped with two state-of-the-art downdraught spray booths with full-length glass walls to optimise unrestrictive viewing for application techniques and demonstration training. There are two paint mixing rooms - showcasing Axalta's three premium brands, Standox™, Spies Hecker™ and Cromax™ - a functional production planning room and two dry sanding and preparation bays.
A range of face-to-face courses will be run at the Axalta Training Academy, which has several training rooms that can cater small groups of two to four, up to larger groups of 20 or more, and incorporates the unique "Innovation Hub", where group meetings and smaller conferences can be held. Axalta's Drivus™ business services program will also host a range of management training and education programs from this facility.
"Axalta's new Training Academy highlights our commitment to supporting customers with training at a local state level," said Paul Polverino, Axalta's National Training Manager. "Face-to-face training is still an important element of helping our customers drive productivity and efficiencies in the paint shop, and we cannot wait to get training courses started.”
"The opportunity to relocate within the MTA Queensland facility was too good to pass up,” added Stephen Morris, Axalta’s Territory Business Manager
for Queensland, added. “With industry skill shortages a critical focus for both Axalta and MTA Queensland – who are the leading automotive industry body in Queensland - we plan to work together to develop and deliver programs that will attract new people to the trade.”
For MTA Queensland, the link-up with Axalta, a leading global coatings company, strengthens the Association’s commitment to offering state-of-the-art training to the automotive industry.
"This collaboration is a fantastic opportunity to ensure we are delivering access to the latest training methods and innovations for the entire Queensland refinishing sector,” said Rod Camm, Group CEO of MTA Queensland. “We are incredibly excited to work closely with Axalta to provide industry-leading workforce skilling solutions while also upskilling our own team of technical trainers.”
For more information on training please visit axalta.au/training or call 1800 292 582.
"THIS COLLABORATION IS A FANTASTIC OPPORTUNITY TO ENSURE WE ARE DELIVERING ACCESS TO THE LATEST TRAINING METHODS AND INNOVATIONS FOR THE ENTIRE QUEENSLAND REFINISHING SECTOR.”
THINGS ARE CHANGING fast in the electric vehicle (EV) space.
Record-breaking new-vehicle sales figures for July make for very interesting reading. With zero and low-emission vehicles accounting for 17.9 per cent of sales, the rate of electric and hybrid vehicle uptake is astounding. The number of EVs registered in Queensland has increased 466 per cent over the last three years and there are now more than 25,000 EVs on our roads. And as new models appear in the local market, and prices continue to fall, that market share is going to get larger, and do so quickly.
Put simply, the public are embracing EVs and the automotive industry in Queensland, and across the nation, must prepare itself for what that means.
For a glimpse of that future, we can look abroad to markets similar to Australia but which are farther along the electrification journey. In Norway - Europe's most mature EV market where monthly sales figures regularly see electric passenger cars grab a market share of over 80 per cent - it is expected that 20 per cent of independent businesses will close as the transition to EVs progresses.
That is sobering news, but every major change brings with it opportunity and over the next few weeks MTA Queensland will be hosting workshops - supported and funded under the Qld Government’s VET Emerging Industries Fund - across the state aimed at arming businesses with all the information they need to appropriately prepare and consider their next move.
The workshops will cover a wide range
of electrification topics - from market expectations and trajectory; what it will mean for businesses with regards to required equipment and technical skills; the workshop environment and infrastructure such as charging stations; supply chains; and investment requirements. All these topics and more will be covered and experts will be on hand to answer any questions.
There may be some business owners that wish to focus just on internal combustion vehicles. Others may see this industry transition period as the right time to move on to other endeavours. Many will surely see the opportunities the electrification transition offers.
Whatever the reasoning to attend, the workshops will be a tremendous resource, and owners will leave better informed, with a clearer vision of what lies ahead, and be able to develop a plan that will help them map out their future.
• We encourage all automotive businesses to take advantage of this opportunity. See the page opposite for workshop locations and dates, and to register for the workshop that best suits you.
The transition from internal combustion engine to electric changes everything, including the role of automotive service and repair businesses. International case examples suggest that revenue from servicing an electric vehicle is 42 per cent lower than the internal combustion engine equivalent. Businesses will need to think carefully about their next move in this fast-changing environment.
Over the next month, MTA Queensland will be hosting FREE workshops across the state to help automotive businesses prepare for the emergence of electric vehicles. Business owners will leave the workshop better informed and will have developed a business plan to help them map out their future.
BRISBANE Wed, 30 Aug 2023 | 7:30am - 9:30am
GOLD COAST Tue, 5 Sept 2023 | 7:00am - 9:00am
SUNSHINE COAST Wed, 6 Sept 2023 | 7:00am - 9:00am
TOWNSVILLE Mon, 11 Sept 2023 | 7:00am - 9:00am
CAIRNS Tue, 12 Sept 2023 | 7:00am - 9:00am
MACKAY Wed, 13 Sept 2023 | 7:00am - 9:00am
TOOWOOMBA Wed, 20 Sept 2023 | 7:00am - 9:00am
SEVEN MAJOR GLOBAL
automotive manufacturers –BMW Group, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes- Benz Group, and Stellantis NV – are looking to create a new joint venture in North America with the plan to develop a high-powered charging network with at least 30,000 chargers.
Those charge points are targeted to be installed in urban and highway locations with the companies saying the focus is ‘on delivering an elevated customer experience’ and that ‘the network will provide reliability, high-powered charging capability, digital integration, appealing locations, various amenities while charging, and use renewable energy.’
Charging stations will be accessible to
all EV customers, offering both Combined Charging System (CCS) and North American Charging Standard (NACS) connectors and are expected to ‘meet or exceed the spirit and requirements of the U.S. National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program.’
That program, established in the U.S. as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, is aimed to help fund the building of EV charging infrastructure across the country.
The joint venture between the seven manufacturers is expected to be established this year, subject to closing conditions and regulatory approvals.
Each charging site will be equipped with multiple high-powered DC chargers, with the
companies saying they intend to power the charging network solely by renewable energy.
The stations will, they add, be in convenient locations offering canopies wherever possible and amenities such as restrooms, food service and retail operations either nearby or within the same complex.
Initial plans call for the deployment of charging stations in metropolitan areas and along major highways, including connecting corridors and vacation routes, aiming to offer a charging station wherever people may choose to live, work and travel.
The functions and services of the network will allow for integration with participating manufacturers’ in-vehicle and in-app experiences, including reservations, intelligent route planning and navigation, payment applications, transparent energy management and more. In addition, the network will leverage Plug & Charge technology.
The first joint venture stations are scheduled to open in the summer of 2024.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, as of July 2023, there are 32,000 publicly available DC fast chargers in the United States for use by 2.3 million electric vehicles. The NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory) estimates that 182,000 DC fast chargers will be needed to support 30-42 million plug-in vehicles expected on the road by 2030.
"North America is one of the world's most important car markets – with the potential to be a leader in electromobility,” said BMW Group CEO Oliver Zipse, in a joint media release with CEOs from the other joint venture manufacturers. “Accessibility to high-speed charging is one of the key enablers to accelerate this transition. Therefore, seven automakers are forming this joint venture with the goal of creating a positive charging experience for EV consumers. The BMW Group is proud to be among the founders."
GEELY HOLDING GROUP, Geely
Automobile Holdings Limited, and Renault Group have signed a binding 50/50 joint venture agreement to launch a new powertrain technology company, the aim of which is to become ‘the global leader in developing, manufacturing, and supplying best-inclass hybrid powertrains and highly efficient ICE powertrains.’
Aramco, which signed a letter of intent with Renault and Geely in March, is also evaluating an investment in the new powertrain technology company.
The joint venture will be jointly led by Renault Group and Geely. The initial organisation will secure the continuity of the business with two operational centres: Madrid for Renault Group and Hangzhou Bay for Geely. An executive team will be based in the headquarters of the new company, which is intended to be established in the UK.
Renault Group and Geely will transfer Intellectual Property to the operational centres and the companies said the new venture’s complementary product portfolio and regional footprint could offer solutions for 80 per cent of the global ICE and hybrid market.
At launch, the new company is expected to supply multiple industrial customers including Renault Group, Geely Auto, Volvo Cars, Proton, Nissan, and Mitsubishi Motors Company. In the future, the companies said the joint venture will be capable of providing end-to-end solutions in powertrain technologies to third-party car brands and will welcome partners to further strengthen the value chain.
THE AUSTRALIAN COMPETITION and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has released draft guidance for businesses concerning claims of environmental and sustainability – a move that the ACCC said is ‘to improve the integrity of environmental and sustainability claims made by businesses and protect consumers from ‘greenwashing’.’
‘Greenwashing’ is generally understood to mean when an organisation falsely or deceptively markets itself as environmentally friendly.
The ACCC’s draft guidance ‘explains the obligations under the Australia Consumer Law (ACL) which businesses must comply with when making environmental and sustainability claims. It sets out what the ACCC considers to be good practice when making such claims, to help businesses provide clear, accurate and trustworthy information to consumers about the environmental performance of their business.’
Greenwashing is becoming a problem, the ACCC says, as the environmental credentials of a company are now an important part of the public’s decision-making process when deciding what to buy, and from whom.
The draft guidance says that ‘A
growing number of businesses are making environmental claims about their products, services, and operations. Many consumers consider environmental claims as a major factor when choosing what to buy.’
GREENWASHING IS BECOMING A PROBLEM
. . . AS THE ENVIRONMENTAL CREDENTIALS OF A COMPANY ARE NOW AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE PUBLIC’S DECISION-MAKING PROCESS WHEN DECIDING WHAT TO BUY, AND FROM WHOM.
The draft guidance gives a few hypothetical examples of ‘claims that are likely to be false or misleading’, a couple of which do look at the automotive industry, including:
‘A business has begun designing and manufacturing electric vehicles and claims that it “creates zero emission electric vehicles”. This claim only considers the emissions produced while the vehicle is being driven. It does not account for the emissions generated, for example, during the manufacturing process or when charging the vehicle.
While it is true that the vehicle produces zero emissions while being driven, this claim risks creating the impression that the vehicle produces zero emissions for its entire life cycle and misleading consumers in contravention of the ACL.
The business could instead qualify the claim that its vehicles produce “zero exhaust emissions while driving”.
“As consumers become more environmentally conscious, businesses need to be honest and transparent when making environmental or sustainability claims so consumers are not being misled,” said ACCC Chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb, in a media release.
The draft guidance identifies eight practical principles which the ACCC encourages businesses to apply when making environmental claims.
“Businesses must provide clear, accurate and trustworthy information to consumers about any environmental or sustainability claims and be able to provide evidence to back them up,” said Ms Cass-Gottlieb.
“If you make a claim about the environmental or sustainability benefits of your product or service – make sure it’s right, and if you are unsure or can’t substantiate these claims, then don’t make the claim.”
The ACCC draft guidance document can be accessed on the ACCC website, and consultation for the draft guidance is now open and closes on 15 September 2023.
VOLKSWAGEN GROUP OF America (VWGoA) is starting its first autonomous vehicle test program in the city of Austin, Texas, beginning this month. The company will kick off its program with a batch of 10 all-electric ID. Buzz vehicles outfitted with an autonomous driving (AD) technology platform developed by the global Volkswagen Group in partnership with technology company Mobileye.
Over the next three years, VWGoA plans to grow its test fleet in Austin and also expand testing to at least four more American cities. The company says it anticipates a commercial launch of autonomous driving vehicles in Austin by 2026.
In the future, it aims to offer fleets of specially designed ID. Buzz AD vehicles as a comprehensive service including fleet management and remote guidance solutions to other leading companies in the mobility and transportation space and establish long-term partnerships. VWGoA says it is not building a dedicated ride-hailing or ride-sharing service on its own at this time.
In Austin, VWGoA will use its growing test fleet of ID. Buzz AD vehicles to collect data through driven miles across a diversity of driving scenarios. All vehicles will be staffed with supervising human drivers at all times throughout this initial test phase.
(the renowned Massachusetts Institute of Technology) in the U.S., say they have found a way to combine cement and carbon black (a fine black powder carbon that is used in the manufacturing of many products, including tyres) with water to create a supercapacitor (a device that can store electrical energy and release and accept it extremely quickly).
An article published by MIT News (read the full article HERE) indicates that the trick to turning cement into a supercapacitor lies in the use of the carbon black which, the MIT team says, is highly conductive and when mixed in with cement and water, naturally settles into the branch-like network of openings that are left when the water reacts with the cement. When the resulting material is then soaked in an electrolyte, charged particles accumulate on the carbon.
The MIT researchers say this supercapacitor material could be used in all manner of useful ways in a future where energy storage is becoming extremely important. For example, a home that uses the material for its foundation could, researchers said, have the capacity to store 10kWh of energy – enough to cover the average daily electricity usage for a household.
Roads too, could be constructed using the material, store energy – perhaps supplied by solar power – and then transfer it to vehicles via wireless charging. Other methods of building roads that can charge vehicles have been developed. In 2021, the Indiana Dept of Transportation in the US announced it was initiating a project to develop a segment of highway that would wirelessly charge an EV using magnetisable concrete developed by German company Magment. In Sweden, several years of testing culminated this year in the announcement that the nation would build a permanent electric road on the 28km stretch between the city of Orebro and the town of Hallsberg. Three types of ‘electric road’ technologies, including inductive charging, are being considered.
Date: Fri, 1 September 2023
Time: 7:00am registration for 8:00am shotgun start
Competition: 4B Ambrose
Venue: Virginia Golf Club, Banyo
Tickets close 24 August 2023
Sponsorship opportunities available
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VIRGINIA
BMW HAS LAUNCHED its new test site in Sokolov (Czechia), called the Future Mobility Development Centre (FMDC), to test autonomous functionality of its vehicles. The FMDC will play a key role in the company’s future mobility development with BMW saying that the surrounding terrain offers the best real-world conditions for testing of highly and fully automated driving and parking to supplement the virtual simulation of driving situations. Through this combination of virtual simulation and real-world testing, BMW says it meets the highest safety requirements of its customers.
TOYOTA AUSTRALIA AND BHP have reportedly signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at enhancing safety and decarbonisation measures within BHP's Australian operations.
A primary objective of the collaboration, the companies say, is 'to work together across safety, engineering and product development teams focussed on safety in light vehicles design and future state technologies and challenges.' The collaboration is also designed to support BHP with its goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent by 2030.
Key to the decarbonisation effort of BHP Australia’s operations is the goal of electrifying its fleet of 5,000 light vehicles. Whether ‘electrification’ means going full battery electric or hybrid was not stated.
"BHP is a key player in Australia's export industry, and Toyota Australia is delighted to announce this collaboration which is designed to enhance safety measures at BHP's Australian worksites and reduce vehicle operation and other CO2 emissions on BHP sites," said Matthew Callachor, President and CEO of Toyota Australia.
ADECADE AGO, WELL before the electric vehicle revolution now engulfing the planet, Volkswagen came out with a quite amazing, and incredibly fuel-efficient production car – the XL1.
The company had been working on the development of an epically efficient car for quite a while, and its catalogue of work in the area included vehicles such as the 1L and L1 cars in the preceding years. The names of those vehicles are a giveaway as to the thinking and technology behind their efficiency, with both fashioned on the idea of pairing super-sleek aerodynamics and
capable of covering 100km on one litre of fuel. This work would culminate in the XL1, the production version of which was revealed at the Geneva Motor Show in 2013.
So how efficient was the XL1?
The small, slippery machine was powered by a plug-in hybrid system consisting of a 35kW/120Nm, 800cc two-cylinder TDI diesel engine; a 20kW/140Nm electric motor, a 5.5kWh battery and a 7-speed DGS gearbox. The compact powertrain was mounted behind the cabin and drove the rear wheels. Construction was very lightweight. The chassis and body were made of carbon fibre, running gear weight
(including suspension components, brake callipers, dampers, steering gear housing), CFRP (anti-roll bars), ceramics (brake discs) magnesium (wheels) and plastics (steering wheel body).
The whole car weighed in at just 795kg and along with incredibly low drag coefficient of 0.189, the XL1 could claim a combined fuel consumption of 0.9 litres per 100km. Phenomenal.
The battery could be charged from a conventional household electric outlet and battery regeneration was employed to recover energy.
The electric motor supported the diesel engine in acceleration but could also power the XL1 on its own for a distance of up to 50km. In this mode, the TDI decoupled from the drivetrain by
Meanwhile, the clutch on the gearbox side remained closed, so the DSG fully engaged with the electric motor.
While the XL1 looked like it could break speed records – and had some decidedly supercar-like features such as the wing doors - that wasn’t quite true. With the full power of the hybrid system engaged, it could reach 100 km/h in 12.7 seconds and reach an electronically limited top speed of 160km/h.
The XL1 went into production in 2013, with VW building 250 units. At the time, the company said that ‘the new XL1 shows the way forward for extreme economy vehicles and clean technologies.’ Back then, of course, there were but a handful of battery-electric vehicles – amongst them were the Mitsubishi i-MiEV (2009), the Nissan Leaf (2010) and the Tesla Model S (2012) for example – and, perhaps, there was a chance that the XL1 tech might have caught on. However, 10 years on and VW, and just about everyone else, has gone all-in on battery-electric tech. Things move fast in the automotive world.
THE COMPANY SAID THAT ‘THE NEW XL1 SHOWS THE WAY FORWARD FOR EXTREME ECONOMY VEHICLES AND CLEAN TECHNOLOGIES'.
NISSAN HAS UNVEILED a Nismo edition of the Z sports car, and the new model - complete with extra oomph, handling enhancements and more performance-focused tweaks – will be making the trip to Australian showrooms, with its arrival expected late this year and at a price of $94,000 plus on-road costs (MSRP).
The Z Nismo gets more power out of the 3-litre twin-turbo V6 of the regular Z, with outputs creeping to 313kW (up 15kW) and 520Nm (up 45Nm).
The engine’s power enhancements were achieved, Nissan says, through a combination of improved cooling, revised electronic wastegate control providing increased turbocharger boost and turbine
THE Z NISMO GETS MORE POWER OUT OF THE 3-LITRE TWIN-TURBO V6 OF THE REGULAR Z, WITH OUTPUTS CREEPING TO 313KW (UP 15KW) AND 520NM (UP 45NM).
speed, and an independent ignition spark timing strategy inspired by GT-R Nismo. The Z Nismo also features an enhanced engine oil cooler for extended track performance.
Power will go to the rear wheels via a 9-speed automatic transmission that the company says has been enhanced for faster and more dynamic shifting performance,
with a particular focus on suitability for track use.
In addition to Normal and Sport, Z Nismo gets a new Sport+ drive mode. This delivers, the company says, a racetracktuned shift program for circuit driving, with the shift programming designed to be so responsive for performance driving that a driver does not need to use the shift paddles on track – though fast-responding manual shifting is always available. Suspension has been upgraded too
with the Z Nismo picking up unique stabiliser bars, a stiffer spring rate and larger, retuned dampers.
Chassis revisions include additional front, rear and rear underfloor bracing - helping increase torsional rigidity by 2.5 per cent compared to the standard grades - stiffer front and rear suspension bushings, and a stiffer mounting bushing for the steering rack.
Brakes have been tweaked, with front brakes upgraded to larger 380mm rotors
THE Z NISMO WILL GET DUNLOP SP SPORT MAXX FITTED TO LIGHTWEIGHT, NISMO-SPECIFIC GLOSS BLACK 19-INCH WHEELS.
matched to 350mm rear brake rotors, and the fitting of a more performance-focused brake pad compound.
The Z Nismo will get Dunlop SP Sport MAXX GT600 tyres fitted to lightweight, Nismo-specific gloss black 19-inch wheels.
Styling changes include a nose that extends farther forward than on other grades; a new front fascia with restyled grille opening; a taller, wider rear spoiler;
and redesigned side sills that help reduce aerodynamic drag and lift.
On the inside, the engine start/stop and drive mode selection buttons are anodized red. The graphics in the fully digital TFT meter display feature a red outline around the tachometer, a Nismo logo and a special red “flash” during the start-up animation.
There are Recaro seats finished in a combination of leather and Alcantara, with a red centre section and Nismo logos in the headrests. A new steering wheel features leather and Alcantara trim, with a racing-inspired red accent mark at the 12 o’clock position.
Nissan says that reservations for the Z Nismo will be open from 11am on August 10 at nissan.com.au.
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AUSTRALIANS IN THE market for a new electric vehicle (EV) have another model to consider, with Ford’s all-electric Mustang, the Mach-E, available to order and the company revealing details of the Australia-bound models. Ford revealed that the SUV will be coming to the local market in the fourth quarter of this year, with three models available in the range. Pricing will start at $79,990 (plus on-road costs) for the entrylevel Select model, rising to $91,665 (plus on-road costs) for the mid-range Premium, and rising to $107,665 (plus on-road costs) for the flagship GT model.
Two battery options are available within the range, with the Select getting a 71kWh (Lithium Iron Phosphate) pack and the Premium and GT models receiving a 91kWh (Nickel Cobalt Manganese) pack. Ford says the Select will have a range (WLTP) of 470km, the Premium a range of 600km, and the GT a range of 490km.
Included with all models is a Level 2 Mode 3 charging cable. AC charging can be done up to 10.5kW while DC charging is available up to 150kW. Ford claims a 10 to 80 per cent charging time of 32 minutes for the Select and 45 minutes for the Premium and GT at that DC charging rate.
The Select and Premium models have single-motor, rear-wheel-drive set-ups offering 198kW/430Nm and 216kW/430Nm respectively. The GT gets a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive set-up delivering 358kW and 860Nm. The sprint to 100km/h can be done, Ford claims, in 6.6 seconds in the Select, 6.2 seconds in the Premium, and a very swift 3.7 seconds in the GT.
The GT gets some tasty performance extras, including MagneRide adaptive suspension and high-performance Brembo braking system, unique tyres that are specially designed to distribute torque to the road, and something called the Untame Plus mode, for track use only, that is ‘designed to help drivers balance the powertrain output on a track for lap time consistency – simultaneously adjusting traction and stability control for a more exciting driving experience where conditions allow.’
GT specs also include Ford Performance front sports seats, standard 20-inch alloy wheels and unique body styling.
Cargo capacity is 1420 litres across the range with the second-row seats folded, and each model also has a frunk with 134 litres of space.
Not surprisingly, all Mach-E models come with a comprehensive list of safety, comfort and driver assistance features.
Standard equipment includes autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with car-to-car, vulnerable road user, junction assist, and back-over functionality. Lane keep assist, lane departure warning, emergency lane keeping and an advance speed assistance system are also standard, as are blind spot monitoring with cross traffic alert, speed sign recognition, rear view camera, 360-degree camera, tyre pressure monitoring, one pedal drive, and more.
Every model gets a 10-speaker premium sound system from B&O, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, Satellite Navigation, SYNC 4 with voice-activated controls, a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, a whopping 15.5-inch multi-function touchscreen, wireless charging and more.
Mustang Mach-E will be available in a range of seven colours: Shadow Black, Star White, Space White, Vapour Blue, Grabber Blue, Rapid Red, and Carbonised Grey.
Mach-E Select Mach-E Premium
MANUFACTURER Aston Martin marks its 110th anniversary this year and the company has unleashed another limited-edition model to celebrate the milestone. The company has gone all out on producing a brutally potent yet stylish machine that it has named the Valour.
Inspired by models from the ‘80s and ‘90s, the Valour’s carbon fibre bodywork certainly gives it the look of a high-
VIDEO: THE ASTON MARTIN VALOUR
performance machine. And so it should considering the beast of an engine that lurks underneath the bonnet. That powerplant is a 526kW/753Nm twinturbocharged 5.2-litre V12 whopper that is matched to a bespoke six-speed manual transmission. While Aston Martin hasn’t released performance figures, it seems a safe bet that top speed and acceleration numbers are going to be impressive indeed.
Aston Martin’s engineers have given the Valour a bespoke suspension set-up with adaptive dampers, springs and anti-roll bars all built specifically for the car, and its custom body structure features front and rear shear panels, a rear suspension tower strut brace and fuel tank bracing. These elements, Aston Martin says, maximise both torsional and lateral stiffness,
providing the suspension with an optimised platform in order to deliver more precise body control and increased refinement.
Aerodynamic features include a prominent front splitter, front fender vents incorporated into the flanks, vortex generating exoblades on the rear screen panel, and an upswept Kamm tail and prominent diffuser at the rear.
Stopping power comes via carbon ceramic brakes with front discs measuring 410mm x 38mm up front gripped by 6-piston calipers. At the rear, 360mm x 32mm discs are paired with 4-piston calipers. Completing the hardware are 21-inch lightweight forged alloy ‘Honeycomb’ wheels fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport S5 tyres – 275/35 R21 up front and 325/30 R21 at the rear.
Aston Martin’s customisation service –Q by Aston Martin – is on hand to meet customers’ demands for uniqueness, with the company saying options can include design of a one-off livery, painted wheels, exposed carbon fibre bodywork and interior detailing, and much more.
Production of the Valour is due to commence in the UK in the third quarter of this year and just 110 are slated to be built.
INSPIRED BY MODELS FROM THE '80S AND '90S, THE VALOUR’S CARBON FIBRE BODYWORK CERTAINLY GIVES IT THE LOOKS OF A HIGH-PERFORMANCE MACHINE.
Prado family SUV has made its world debut, bringing with it significant mechanical upgrades, enhanced performance, and styling changes ahead of its arrival in Australian showrooms next year.
That new styling reveals an SUV sporting a new boxy look with a front end based around a rectangular grille and tri-beam headlights, with a low-set front cowl to improve forward visibility.
There’s a low beltline that improves visibility and at the rear, the Prado features a vertically oriented tailgate and simple tail-light set-up. Silver lower bumpers are at both the front and rear of the vehicle.
Measuring 4,920mm long, 1,988mm wide and 1,860mm tall, the all-new Prado is 95mm longer and wider, and 10mm taller than before. Its 2,850mm wheelbase is 60mm longer than its predecessor, and now matches the length of the LandCruiser 300 Series.
The Prado shares its underpinnings with the 300 Series, riding on the TNGA-F ladder-frame chassis which Toyota says
is 50 per cent more rigid than the current-generation Prado. The platform allows for improved suspension performance with greater wheel articulation for off-roading and improved handling and ride comfort on-road.
Wheel articulation is improved further with Toyota's stabiliser-bar control system which allows the front stabiliser bar to be disconnected for better wheel articulation, while there’s also enhanced functionality for the multi-terrain select and multiterrain monitor systems.
Toyota says that electric power steering provides a crisper steering feel and
THAT NEW STYLING REVEALS AN SUV SPORTING A NEW BOXY LOOK WITH A FRONT END BASED AROUND A RECTANGULAR GRILLE AND TRIBEAM HEADLIGHTS . . .
enhanced low-speed manoeuvrability onroad, maximises control when off-roading, and allows compatibility with active safety systems such as lane trace assist.
In Australia, the all-new Prado will be offered with the 1GD-FTV 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine with 48-volt technology to help improve fuel consumption in urban settings.
Producing 150kW of power and 500Nm of torque, the 1GD engine drives all four wheels via a new Direct Shift-8AT eightspeed automatic transmission.
Inside, the Prado has dual digital screens for the instrument cluster and multimedia system, and an intuitive layout for the switches that group basic functions together. The Prado will be available with either five- or seven-seat layouts depending on the variant and will be offered with a full suite of Toyota Safety Sense active safety technologies.
Further details on the all-new LandCruiser Prado including local specification will be made available closer to the vehicle's Australian launch in 2024.
HYUNDAI’S FIRST HIGHPERFORMANCE all-electric model, the Ioniq 5 N, broke cover last month, with the company saying the car represents its N brand’s ‘electrification future and a new way for high-performance enthusiasts to electrify their passion for driving on road and track.’
Built on the E-GMP (Electric Global Modular Platform) platform with extra tech, the Ioniq 5 N leverages the brand’s expertise built up through the development of its electrified ‘rolling lab’ models such as the RN22e and N Vision 74, and its dual motor powertrain kicks out 478kW when using the N Grin Boost mode. An 84kWh battery supplies the energy and with a charge speed up to 350kW that battery can, Hyundai says, be charged from 10 to 80 per cent in 18 minutes.
Performance is, of course, the point of the N brand, and the Ioniq 5 N can sprint to 100km/h in 3.4 seconds (with Boost) and reach a top speed of 260km/h. Beyond that are the extra, enticing bits of tech and features that make the car stand out.
Features include 21-inch aluminium wheels wrapped in 275/35R21 Pirelli
P-Zero tyres and body and chassis
reinforcements that provide higher torsional rigidity and direct steering feel, enabling the car to be a ‘corner rascal', with rally-inspired dual-motor AWD cornering. Other features include N Battery
Preconditioning, N Race, N Pedal, N Brake Regen, N Drift Optimizer, N Torque Distribution, N Launch Control, N Grin Boost, N Active Sound +, N e-shift, N Road Sense and Track SOC.
N Grin Boost maximises acceleration by a power increment of 10 seconds and N Launch Control provides three different traction levels.
The driver can use N Battery
Pre-conditioning to optimise the battery cells to the most powerefficient temperature by choosing between ‘Drag’ mode for a short burst of full power or ‘Track’ mode that optimises the lowest possible battery temperature for more laps. The N Race feature further optimises the EV’s endurance on the circuit, while N Pedal prioritises fast cornering over energy efficiency.
N Drift Optimizer is designed to help maintain drift angle by balancing multiple vehicle controls responding to real-time inputs, and N Torque Distribution provides fully variable front
PERFORMANCE IS, OF COURSE, THE POINT OF THE N BRAND, AND THE IONIQ 5 N CAN SPRINT TO 100KM/H IN 3.4 SECONDS (WITH BOOST) AND REACH A TOP SPEED OF 260KM/H.
and rear torque distribution that can be adjusted to 11 levels.
N Brake Regen offers up to a maximum of 0.6 G decelerative force.
Hyundai say performance enthusiasts should be pleased with the N e-shift and N Active Sound + functions. N e-shift simulates the eight-speed dualclutch transmission (DCT) of internal combustion engine N cars while N Active Sound+ is paired with N e-shift and incorporates a 10-speaker system that offers three sound themes and creates ‘a more engaging and exciting sensory experience for the driver.’
IONIQ 5 N’s interior reflect its performance credentials, with N-branded elements, including the steering wheel – which has buttons that can be configured to control certain functions and modes – seats, door scuff panels and metal pedals and more.
The centre console is optimised for track driving with knee pads and shin support as well as a sliding armrest. The N seats have reinforced bolsters, and the pedals
are optimised for foot contact in track scenarios that involved oversteer, drifting and power slides, reducing the risk of foot slippage in two-foot driving.
Rather more pedestrian, but equally welcome, features include a C-type USB, a wireless charger and cupholders, and plenty of sustainable materials used for the trim, while available exterior colours are Performance Blue Matte, Performance Blue, Abyss Black Pearl, Cyber Gray Metallic, Ecotronic Gray Matte, Ecotronic Gray, Atlas White Matte, Atlas White, Gravity Gold Matte and Soultronic Orange Pearl.
The Ioniq 5 N is reportedly going to be available in Australia in 2024.
PEUGEOT’S ALL-ELECTRIC E-PARTNER Van has arrived in Australia with a single, long wheelbase variant, the e-Partner Pro Long Auto, to be available from $59,990 (Manufacturer’s List Price).
Energy comes from a 50kWh lithium-ion battery, and the e-Partner produces 100kW of power and 260Nm of torque. Peugeot says the van has a WLTP test range of 258km.
The e-Partner van comes as standard
with a mode 3 public station charging cable. Additionally, a domestic socket home charging cable is available to purchase. The on-board charger unit allows charging of a capacity of 7.4kW.
Charging from 0-100 per cent via a 7.4kW wallbox takes about 7.5 hours, while fast charging at 100kW will see a 0 to 80 per cent charge complete in about 30 minutes. Three driving modes are available: Eco (60 kW, 190 Nm), Normal (80 kW, 210 Nm), and Power (100 kW, 260 Nm) -
which is designed for performance when transporting heavy loads.
Built on the company’s EMP-2 modular multi-energy-platform, the e-Partner offers 3.9 cubic metres loading volume, identical to the internal combustion variant, and features a turning circle of 11.4m, a length of 4.75m, a width of just over 2.10m with mirrors open, and height under 1.90m.
Dual rear swing barn doors are designed for easy access when loading, there are dual sliding side doors, and there are six tie-down rings in the cargo bay. Payload is up to 753kg. Maximum towing weight (braked) is 750kg.
The cockpit of the e-Partner features a powermeter for displaying the level of consumption (ECO for energy optimisation or POWER for maximum power) or energy recovery (CHARGE);
a consumption gauge for heating and air conditioning; a battery charge level gauge; a colour matrix to view energy flows, monitor charging (current or delayed), onboard computer information and autonomy. An 8-inch touchscreen enables the driver to view energy flows and consumption statistics, as well as schedule a delayed charge.The touchscreen’s infotainment features include Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity plus FM/DAB radio.
Safety and driver assist features are comprehensive and include a Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) that emits an audible signal at speeds up to 30km/h to warn of the van’s presence. There’s also a 180-degree colour reversing camera plus front and rear parking sensors, six airbags, an anti-lock braking system, electronic braking distribution, emergency braking assistance, electronic stability program, active lane keep assist, autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning and forward collision warning.
The e-Partner also features a 12-volt socket, a USB socket, automatic dusk sensing headlights, automatic door locking, programmable cruise control, speed limit recognition and recommendation, and a speed limiter function.
Customer deliveries of the e-Partner are to commence this month.
AN ALL-NEW MITSUBISHI Triton will make landfall in the Australian market early next year.
Revealed last month in Thailand, the Triton is scheduled to arrive in local showrooms in February 2024, with Australian-market production to commence in Thailand in December of this year.
Mitsubishi Australia says that, at launch, Double Cab and Club Cab Pickup variants will be available, with Cab-Chassis variants to be added at a later date. Grades available at launch will be the 4X2 GLX Double Cab, the 4X4 GLX+ Club Cab, the 4X4 GLX Double Cab, the 4X4 GLS Double Cab, and the 4X4 GSR Double Cab. All grades will be powered by an enhanced 2.4-litre Biturbo diesel engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Mitsubishi says a
six-speed manual will also be offered on some variants post-launch.
The power unit employs ‘twin stage’ turbocharging – two turbochargers, one small for fast response at low revs, and a larger turbo to fortify the top end – to develop 150kW of power with a 470Nm peak torque figure.
Further details around fuel consumption, the drivetrain, and other features will come closer to the local launch date.
GLX and GLX+ models feature the Easy Select 4WD system, with GLX+ models also gaining standard rear differential lock.
The 4WD modes available for selection in vehicles equipped with Easy Select 4WD are 2H (rear-wheel drive), 4H (locked centre differential), and 4L (for low-gear driving).
GLS and GSR will use Mitsubishi’s Super Select 4WD II system. Models equipped with the Super Select 4WD-II
system can select from the four options of 2H (rear-wheel drive), 4H (full-time four-wheel drive), 4HLc (locked centre differential) and 4LLc (locked centre differential with lower gears) and have seven drive modes including on-road modes. Along with Normal mode that is available in all 4WD modes, 2H offers Eco mode for prioritisation of economy, 4H offers Gravel and Snow modes, 4HLc offers Mud and Sand modes for traction performance, while 4LLc provides Rock mode, allowing drivers to select the optimum drive mode for any road condition. Super Select 4WD-II is equipped with a centre torque sensing Limited Slip Differential (LSD) that distributes driving force at a ratio of 40 per cent to the front
and 60 per cent to the rear.
Longer (now 5,320mm) and wider (1,865mm) than its predecessor, the new Triton delivers 3,500kg braked towing - up some 400kg from the previous generation.
Mitsubishi says the new Triton has been redesigned inside and out, using the latest frame platform, improved materials, and a new body design that reduces drag by 8.1 per cent.
There’s a range of new-design alloy wheels and the interior delivers some tasty-looking finishes along with tech that includes a 9-inch display, a 7-inch LCD ‘meter cluster’, integrated satellite navigation including traffic sign recognition, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Bluetooth connectivity with voice and steering-wheel mounted controls.
Safety and driver assistance features included a Driver Monitoring system, rear AEB, Forward Collision Mitigation with pedestrian detection, cyclist detection and junction assist. There’s also Adaptive Cruise Control (AT models), front and rear cross traffic alerts, blind spot warning and intervention, lane departure warning and prevention, and Active Yaw Controlwhich Mitsubishi says improves cornering performance by applying light braking to the inside front wheel when cornering.
Two new colours will debut on the
new Triton – Blade silver and GSR-only Yamabuki Orange.
Mitsubishi says it 10-year warranty and 10-year capped price servicing program will be available for the new-gen Triton.
“New-gen Triton is such a significant vehicle for Mitsubishi, globally and of course in Australia,” said Shaun Westcott, Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited CEO.
“The new model is a significant step forward in many ways, with its upgraded drivetrain, enhanced load carrying capacity, increased interior comfort and modern-day connectivity options.
“But it also retains the trademark Triton toughness, with a global vehicle development program that included Australia.
“New Triton retains incredible off-road capability, but is equally at home on the work site, the desert, the beach, the snow or in the city. We cannot wait to bring the Triton to Australian showrooms.”
“THE NEW MODEL IS A SIGNIFICANT STEP FORWARD IN MANY WAYS, WITH ITS UPGRADED DRIVETRAIN, ENHANCED LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY, INCREASED INTERIOR COMFORT AND MODERN-DAY CONNECTIVITY OPTIONS.”
THE TOYOTA HILUX GR Sport flagship variant is set to arrive in September, bringing a raft of mechanical and visual upgrades over the rest of the 4x4 dual-cab pick-up range.
Enhancements include a 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine producing 165kW/550Nm being paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, an upgraded suspension system and new styling elements.
The HiLux GR Sport sits on a "widetrack" platform, with a 15mm increase in height and a track width increase of 135mm front and 155mm rear, compared with the rest of the core HiLux range.
There’s different front coil and rear leaf spring tuning, and KYB monotube shock absorbers featuring a larger piston diameter. The removal of the rear sway bar also promotes greater axle articulation and ground contact over uneven surfaces.
Bridgestone Dueler AT tyres, size 265/65R17, are fitted around unique black 17-inch Dakar style alloy wheels.
Disc brakes on all four corners are 338mm x 28mm four-piston fixed calipers at the front and 312mm x 18mm singlepiston floating calipers at the rear. They are finished in red.
Other visual elements include a black mesh grille with 'TOYOTA' lettering and a GR badge. A redesigned front bumper delivers an improved approach angle and features new fog lamp bezels and a silver lower moulding which sits above a skid plate for extra underbody protection.
Large black overfenders feature aero ducts at the front that help to reduce turbulence in the wheel arches.
There are powder-coated heavy-duty rock rails made of 2mm thick steel and, at the rear, red recovery points and a black rear bumper finish the exterior look, and are paired with a pre-installed towbar, towball and trailer wiring harness.
Inside the cabin, the HiLux GR Sport gains a leather-wrapped steering wheel complete with paddle shifters, red centre stripe and GR logo. GR logos are also found on the front sports seats upholstered in a mix of leather accented and suede trim, matched with grey stitching and red seat belts.
Aluminium pedals, a new 'Technical Mesh' dashboard ornamentation, a GR Sport shift lever and all-weather floor mats are included, as is a nine-speaker JBL3 premium audio system.
The HiLux GR Sport will be priced from $73,990 (plus on roads) with full spec details to be announced when the HiLux GR Sport arrives in September.
MTA Queensland will represent you to state and federal governments on BIG issues affecting your business and the industry. We represent service stations, new & used car dealers, tyre businesses, paint & panel, repairers, parts recyclers, engine re-conditioners, farm & industrial machinery businesses, motorcycle sales and rental vehicles, so can actively espouse direct industry perspective.
Receive FREE expert advice on Workplace Relations matters & Consumer Complaint Support. Access a website building service and, through the Member Portal, information regarding wages & awards, health & safety, public holidays and more. There also is a FREE-to-use online Jobs Board platform, and discounted products available through the online MTA Queensland shop.
• Apprenticeships • Traineeships
• Skills Recognition.
• Automotive Licensing • Short Automotive Courses (including some which attract a 20% discount for members)
• Pre-apprenticehips.
Our corporate partners offer a wide range of services & benefits, including banking, insurance, payment options, legal advice, and advice on workplace health & safety compliance Library of online business resources and templates Weekly industry bulletin Webinar and micro-credential program (coming soon). FREE Jobs Board Discounts on stationery & workshop products Monthly subscription to the Motor Trader e-magazine Regular specials & discounts
Stay ahead of the automotive digital revolution with access to events and the MTAiQ Innovation Hub.
Spirit Super is a multi-industry super fund with over 300,000 members and $23 billion funds under management. We put the spirit in your super.
The Commonwealth Bank offers members some of the lowest EFTPOS charges in the country. Members have saved thousands with CBA.
Capricorn makes it easier for its members buy parts, earn reward points and share in the benefits of being a member of the largest and oldest automotive parts buying cooperatives in Australasia.
Guard Insurance Brokers specialises in insurance and risk management solutions and offers dedicated service to MTAQ members at market leading rates.
Providing legal services across a number of core areas, Bennett & Philp Lawyers have been providing effective legal solutions to meet the needs of dealers, suppliers, racers, financiers and other motor vehicle professionals for more than ten years.
Safety Help provides the automotive industry with a service dedicated to making your business compliant.
illion is the leading independent provider of trusted data and analytics products and services in Australasia. Members are eligible for substantial savings on annual subscriptions.
Zembl (formerly Make it Cheaper) help Aussie businesses buy better. As Australia’s leading energy comparison service, we work with energy retailers to find our customers the most competitive energy plan. Electricity, Gas, Green, Solar; Zembl sorts it.
sales figures were recorded last month, with Australian customers taking delivery of 96,859 new vehicles - the highest July result on record.
The results, released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), showed an increase of 14.7 per cent on the same month in 2022 and breaks the previous July record of 92,754 in 2017.
Sales of zero and low emission vehicles continued to grow with 17.9 per cent being battery-electric, hybrid or plug-in hybrid models. Battery-electric vehicles accounted for 7 per cent of July sales. The year-to-date sales number of battery electric vehicles sits at 49,938 across Passenger, SUV, and Light Commercial sectors. That’s up from 10,289 for the same period in 2022.
Vehicle sales across every State and Territory increased this month compared with July 2022. Sales in Queensland were up 4.3 per cent (19,719); the Australian Capital Territory by 22.4 per cent (1,438); New South Wales 11.3 per cent (29,516); South Australia 17 per cent (6,612); Tasmania 33.9 per cent (1,777); Victoria 22.7 per cent (27,097); Western Australia 21.6 per cent (9,797) and Northern Territory 19.4 per cent (903).
Toyota was the highest selling marque with 19,191 sales. Mazda followed with 8,307 then Ford (7,109), Hyundai (6,521) and Kia (6,150).
The Ford Ranger was the top-selling
FCAI Chief Executive Tony Weber said that the July 2023 result was an indication that the market continued to recover from supply shortages resulting from COVID plant shutdowns, microprocessor shortages and logistics and shipping bottlenecks.
“During the past 12 months the issue has been one of securing supply for consumers. However, as these pressures ease, we are starting to see a return to more stable market conditions,” he said.
“Many of these vehicles were ordered several months ago, so it is important to monitor the broader economic conditions through 2023 and their impact on private and business demand.”
WITH THE COST-OF-LIVING crisis in full swing, we are seeing an increase in cases reported to us of theft within the workplace. Theft is not only a criminal offence but is considered serious misconduct and can result in the employee having their employment terminated without notice provided. However, although theft is a summary termination offence, to mitigate a successful claim for unfair dismissal employers need to ensure a fair process has been undertaken to prove that on the balance of probabilities the employee is guilty of the offence and termination is warranted. To ensure a fair process is conducted prior to termination, we recommend:
• An extensive and unbiased investigation and disciplinary process is undertaken,
• Where CCTV is used as part of that investigation, preserve the recording,
• If you have suspended the employee, make sure the employee is paid, and report the theft to the police.
MTA Queensland members can access advice on how to conduct workplace investigations and undertake disciplinary processes, access template letters and documentation, as well as representation in the Fair Work Commission.
The content in these articles is only general advice. It is advisable to seek the independent advice of relevant experts such as the MTA Queensland Workplace Relations Advisors who can be contacted on 07 3237 8777.
THEFT IS NOT ONLY A CRIMINAL OFFENCE BUT IS CONSIDERED SERIOUS MISCONDUCT AND CAN RESULT IN THE EMPLOYEE HAVING THEIR EMPLOYMENT TERMINATED WITHOUT NOTICE PROVIDED.
WELL, WHERE DID July go? This month we enjoyed the face-to-face company of all our trainers from throughout the state here at the Head Office in Eight Mile Plains. As you can imagine, it’s a pleasure to catch-up inperson, particularly after that Covid thingy and, of course, with most trainers working remotely most of the year.
As a group we actively participated in this year’s Carmageddon, the innovation symposium hosted by the mother company, MTA Queensland. Our participation at Carmageddon formed part of an intense three-day professional development program aimed at keeping our trainers current and engaged with industry.
Agenda items at this trainers’ conference included additional electric vehicle training, cultural awareness training, training on managing difficult clients, updates on the institute’s administration, quality, and our neverending compliance journey. While these bi-annual trainers conferences are invaluable in an engagement and professional development sense, they also fulfil our regulatory requirement.
Regulatory requirements aside, we absolutely enjoyed having everyone together and look forward to December for another catch-up. We anticipate December’s conference will be packed full of the latest technical information which will assist us in the field to continue to educate our trainees and apprentices. That’s it for now. Catch you soon.
“AS A GROUP WE ACTIVELY PARTICIPATED IN THIS YEAR’S CARMAGEDDON, THE INNOVATION SYMPOSIUM HOSTED BY THE MOTHER COMPANY, MTA QUEENSLAND.”The MTA Institute's Keith Minchin and Nigel Palmer delivered a workshop on EV diagnostics and safety at MTA Queensland's Carmageddon symposium in July
APPRENTICE:
ALICIA BYRON
WORKPLACE:
MOSLEY’S AUTOMOTIVE APPRENTICESHIP:
LIGHT VEHICLE MECHANICAL
The 33-year-old is in the third year of her Light Vehicle Mechanical apprenticeship and has worked at Mosley’s Automotive in Slacks Creek, south Brisbane, since 2021.
Before taking on an automotive apprenticeship, Alicia spent more than a decade in the electrical industry in her hometown of Canberra. However, it had been, she said, a long-held dream to start a mechanical career.
“Straight out of school I went into an electrical apprenticeship, but I injured my back and I had to give that away before I finished,” she said. “I then went into electrical wholesaling for about 10 years. However, I always had that interest in cars.”
That interest saw Alicia attempt to secure a mechanical apprenticeship back in 2011 after first moving to Queensland. Sadly, at that time she was frustrated in her efforts to secure a position. Several years later, however, and a chance meeting delivered the opportunity she had been searching for.
“I worked with my dad whenever he was doing something on his cars, and I was helping him with an engine swap one day when a family friend, who was a mechanic, came by. He said, ‘You should have been a mechanic!’, and I jokingly replied, ‘Hook me up with a job then.' The next thing I knew I had an interview set up at Moseley’s Automotive! I went in on the Monday for the interview, had a trial day, and have been here ever since.”
Mosley’s Automotive is a fine shop for an apprentice to get their start. Established in 1988 by Nigel Mosley, it’s a one-stop auto shop offering a broad range of services from general automotive repair and maintenance, diagnostics, tyres, tuning, vehicle compliance, pre-purchase inspections, roadworthy
certificates, 4WD and AWD servicing, and more. It offers Alicia the chance to gain experience on just about every type of job a mechanic can expect to see, and with the guidance of Nigel, Alicia said she is getting plenty of that practice on vehicles of all makes and models.
“We do a bit of everything here and you get experience in all sorts of jobs right from day one,” said Alicia. “That is a great challenge. As a first year, Nige had me working with him pulling gearboxes out and doing clutches, and it’s great to have a boss who has that sort of faith in you.”
While Alicia is deep into her mechanical apprenticeship, the rise of electric vehicles (EVs) is a development which has her thinking of further training. Perhaps her years working in the electrical industry give Alicia a good head-start.
“I suppose it helps a little bit . . . especially with a basic understanding of it all, and I will definitely consider EV training,” she said. “I know Nige is considering putting us all through an EV course, which is good because it will become a big part of the industry. And you can’t limit yourself. The industry is always evolving . . . you have to have knowledge across the board and always keep your knowledge growing.”
As one of few women working on the tools in a mechanical workshop, Alicia said it was a tremendous feeling to be able to pursue her goal of an automotive career. For other young women out there considering it as a career, she has some clear and simple advice.
“If someone has the interest, I say go for it,” she said. “It can be hard to find somewhere that is going to give you a go, but don’t give up. Keep pushing and eventually you’ll find someone who will give you a go like Nige did for me. There’s nothing quite like the sense of achievement you get when you diagnose something, fix it and see it rolling out the door.”
With maybe 18 months to go before completing her apprenticeship, Alicia has given some thought to what she will do upon qualifying. Not surprisingly, staying at Mosley’s and absorbing as much as possible is top of the list.
“The short-term goal is to complete my apprenticeship and learn as much as I can. Nige has lots of knowledge to share –there’s always some trick and technique he can show us,” she said. “Long-term, I will hopefully help run the workshop, and super-long-term, I would hope to one day open my own business. We’ll see.”
• Are you employing an apprentice who is excelling in the workplace?
• Do you have a high-achieving apprentice colleague?
• Are they training with MTA Institute?
If the answer is ‘yes’, then nominate them for the MTA Institute Apprentice of the Month Award.
THE MTA INSTITUTE is the largest private provider of automotive apprenticeships in Queensland and is currently training more than 2,300 students across all sectors of the industry. The Institute’s model of training delivery sees its 30+ trainers work one-on-one with apprentices in the student’s own workplace – a model that ensures a much more personal learning experience but one that also means the trainers are, by necessity, spread out far and wide across Queensland. While every trainer has years of experience both on the tools and as an educator, the MTA Institute ensures they are able to always deliver industry-leading
training by providing them with the latest resources and professional development opportunities.
To accomplish this, the Institute brings the trainers together to its head office in Brisbane twice a year – once in July and again in December - to attend a series of presentations and workshops that focus on all aspects of their role, from the technical and administrative to updates on the latest regulatory requirements. The conferences are, said Marcello Riotto, Director of the MTA Institute, essential to ensure the Institute maintains its position as one of Queensland’s leading automotive training providers.
“The trainers’ conferences have many direct and indirect benefits,” said Marcello. “They allow us to engage face-to-face as a united group to ensure we are delivering a consistent service throughout the state; they enable us to build a positive organisational culture as many of our trainers are located in regional and remote areas; and they fulfill our regulatory professional development requirements to ensure trainers are constantly being developed in a technical and teaching sense. Additionally, they allow us, as a group, to exchange views and everyone is encouraged to express themselves.”
The two annual trainers’ conferences are split to focus on different areas of professional development, with the July gathering centring on areas such as administrative and regulatory work, assessment strategies and the review of new learning and assessment material and resources while, in December, the focus is on the technical and practical aspects of training.
At the July trainers’ conference, along with the regular agenda items, two new professional development items – Trainer Welfare and Cultural Awareness – were on the schedule.
“While the emphasis of the trainers’ conferences has always been, and will continue to be, on technical and Vocational Education and Training (VET) professional development, as an employer we’ve added a new dimension to ensure we support trainers welfare,” said Marcello. “We are conscious of some of the daily challenges trainers are confronted with and we want to support them. As for Cultural Awareness, MTA Queensland has recently been granted a State Government
AT THE JULY TRAINERS’ CONFERENCE, ALONG WITH THE REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS, TWO NEW PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ITEMS – TRAINER WELFARE AND CULTURAL AWARENESS – WERE ON THE SCHEDULE.Kelly Eckers from Multicultural Australia, delivering cultural awareness training
contract - Workforce Connect - to connect migrant workers to industry and we recognise that it is wise to engage with our trainers on this issue as they see a multitude of migrant workers – both apprentices and employers. Having these skills will assist them in their day-to-day activities.”
While the July conference centred on the administrative and ‘soft’ skills that a trainer requires, the technical focus of the December conference will see some exciting new technology added to the professional development agenda, including new virtual reality training systems. Such cutting-edge technology that can be adapted to use for training purposes is just one of the reasons the MTA Institute trainers’ conferences are so important.
“The two-day technical program for the end of the year will include Internal and
external presentations that will support trainers in enhancing their already broad knowledge base, and we’re also actively investigating supplementary training tools to support learners such as Virtual Reality (VR) platforms and distance/remote capability,” said Marcello. “Implementation of VR or online/remote platforms would require educating our trainers so they can take advantage of these supplementary training aids.
“The trainer conferences are very important,” he added. “They ensure the trainers get a chance to gather and network, they help with team building, and, more importantly perhaps, ensure that MTA Institute’s trainers are always up to date with everything they need to know to offer the best service to apprentices and their employers.”
“THE TRAINER CONFERENCES ARE VERY IMPORTANT. THEY ENSURE THAT MTA INSTITUTE’S TRAINERS ARE ALWAYS UP TO DATE WITH EVERYTHING THEY NEED TO KNOW TO OFFER THE BEST SERVICE TO APPRENTICES AND THEIR EMPLOYERS.”Anthony Bonaccorso, MTA Institute Operations Manager, delivering training on Ready Skills profiling introduction The MTA Institute training team
MTA QUEENSLAND HAS launched the second round of its VET Trainer Scholarship program.
Each round, one female and one male candidate will be awarded a scholarship which offers the opportunity for automotive professionals to further their careers by undertaking the TAE40116 - Certificate IV in Training and Assessment Course.
Through the course, participants learn skills in designing, conducting, and assessing training for the vocational sector, while also receiving knowledge in how to facilitate learning in various conditions and evaluate the impacts of various learning programs.
The scholarship is open to tradequalified automotive employees based in Queensland with at least five years’ experience in the trade. Upon successful completion of this course, participants will meet the qualification requirements necessary to perform training in the Vocational Education and Training sector.
For those eligible to apply, the scholarship represents a tremendous opportunity to take their automotive career in a new direction, share their experience and knowledge, and teach the next generation of automotive professionals.
The first round of the 2023 VET Trainer Scholarship program saw Sienna Whiting,
an automotive refinisher with Jonkers Smash Repairs, and Joshua Norris, a technician with West Star Mercedes, awarded the scholarships. The application process for the VET Trainer Scholarship is open now.
THE SCHOLARSHIP IS OPEN TO TRADEQUALIFIED AUTOMOTIVE EMPLOYEES BASED IN QUEENSLAND WITH AT LEAST FIVE YEARS’ EXPERIENCE IN THE TRADE.
THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY is experiencing a major skills shortage, with a shortfall of around 40,000 skilled professionals across all sectors.
MTA Queensland has several programs aimed at helping businesses find and retain staff. These include AutoWomen, which is designed to provide support to women working in and wanting to develop a career in the industry; Workforce Connect, which is designed to assist businesses with cultural change and develop strategies to make the industry more attractive to underrepresented communities; an Industry Workforce Advisor whose role is to assist employers in addressing workforce challenges; and a School to Work project aimed to give students, parents and Vocational Education and Training Guidance officers the information and support required to launch young Queenslanders into a school-based apprenticeship. Other programs include the Auto Ready introductory training course for school students, and the AUR20720 Certificate II in Automotive Vocational Preparation course, also aimed at school students.
MTA Queensland has also launched the Transit Lane School 2 Work Program, the goal of which is to develop stronger pathways and connections between school students looking to enter the automotive trade, parents, school co-ordinators, and automotive employers.
Funded by the Queensland Government as part of the Good people, Good jobs, Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022-2032, the Transit Lane School to Work Project will see the development of new resources
– including the autoschoolconnect. com.au website - that promote a better understanding of the exciting career pathways available in today’s automotive industry to the next generation of the workforce and their support networks.
The project will also close the gap when it comes to supporting students into a school-based apprenticeship or traineeship (SAT) with a supportive employer, as well as provide ongoing support to all involved parties to ensure the best apprenticeship experience for the student.
For more information about the Transit Lane School to Work Project, or to enquire about taking on a school-based apprentice, email s2w@mtaq.com.au
THE GOAL OF many an automotive apprentice is that they may, one day, test their skills in the fastpaced world of motorsport. So getting the chance to attend one of Australia’s premiere motorsport events and have the opportunity to tour pit lane, see the racing cars close up, and meet the mechanics and drivers that make the sport such a thrilling experience, is something pretty special.
For a group of MTA Institute apprentices just such a scenario played out at the NTI Townsville 500 Supercars event held in July.
Nine apprentices from workshops across the Townsville region attended the event as guests of Gates Australia – sponsors of the Penrite Racing team - and were able to enjoy a day that would make any
motorsport enthusiast green with envy. Joined by Gates Australia Marketing Manager Priscilla Robb and their MTA Institute trainer Jason McCann, the nine youngsters were given the VIP treatment on practice and qualifying day, getting kitted out in some nifty Penrite team polo shirts and caps, courtesy of Gates; and enjoying the surroundings of the Penrite Racing Suite – along with free food and drink, and the best view of the track – as well as an eye-opening tour of pit lane, including visits to the Penrite Racing Team garage, and cars in the Toyota 86 supporting category.
“The whole day was amazing,” said Corey Dickenson, an 18-year-old, first-year auto-electrical apprentice from Twin Cities Auto Electrical in Townsville. “We
went into the pits and met the Penrite mechanics and spoke with driver David Reynolds and were able to look inside his car, which was incredible. We got to ask a few questions about the engine, the horsepower, that sort of thing, and we got to spend the day in the corporate box too, which was incredible. We had free drinks and food, so I have no complaints!”
Touring pit lane and getting to speak to the skilled mechanical teams that make the cars tick was particularly thrilling, said Corey.
“We learned a lot about Supercars, and I would love to get involved at some point,” he said.
For Jason McCann, the students’ MTA Institute trainer and chaperone for the day, attending the event and seeing his apprentices combine the pit lane learning experience with the enjoyment of the corporate box VIP treatment was a real pleasure.
“During the Supercars and Toyota 86 pit tour, the teams demonstrated various mechanical innovations, such as the aerodynamics that were changed for the Townsville track, and the students absolutely loved that interaction,” he said.
“THE WHOLE DAY WAS AMAZING . . . WE WENT INTO THE PITS AND MET THE PENRITE MECHANICS AND SPOKE WITH DRIVER DAVID REYNOLDS AND WERE ABLE TO LOOK INSIDE HIS CAR, WHICH WAS INCREDIBLE .”
“And the Penrite/Gates suite was a luxury welcomed by us all! It allowed a first-class view of the main straight and first corner of the track where students could see the full pace that these machines can reach. The whole day was hugely enjoyable and educational - including for a revhead and car enthusiast like me. The students learned a good deal and would, of course, jump at the chance to be able to attend future events.”
For Gates Australia - part of a leading global manufacturer of fluid power and power transmission solutions - hosting the MTA Institute apprentices in Townsville was part of a larger national program, established around a year ago with apprentices from the Repco network, to engage with apprentices, show where an automotive career can lead, and to encourage them to work through the often tough first few years of an apprenticeship.
“Essentially, the program is really about rewarding the apprentices outside of their day-to-day job in the workshop and showing them there is more to our industry,” said Priscilla Robb.
“We know that by the third year there’s
a large exit rate, and this is our part to try to help steer things in a positive direction as opposed to losing a lot of people down the track.
“These are the little things that, although they don’t seem much, open their eyes and
Left to right: Trent Jones, Priscilla Robb from Gates Australia, Corey Dickenson, Con Verdis from Gates Australia (crouching) Jack Gleeson, Jason McCann, Archie Stewart, Callum Leighton, Lachlan Buckman, Cameron Taylor, Jacob Devereaux, and MTAQ member Rod Pether.
“ESSENTIALLY, THE PROGRAM IS REALLY ABOUT REWARDING THE APPRENTICES OUTSIDE OF THEIR DAY-TO-DAY JOB IN THE WORKSHOP AND SHOWING THEM THERE IS MORE TO OUR INDUSTRY.
show them there is more than the grind that they see in the first four years of their career. It is nice for them . . . and it is a ‘thank you’ for all their hard work.”
Gates Australia’s efforts in this regard are going to continue, with more of the Supercar experiences, and in other ways too, said Priscilla.
“We’ve been running this program for 12 months, kicking off last year with the Gold Coast event, and Townsville was the first time we had reached out to industry partners. Our intention is to continue that across Australia through other rounds of the Supercars, but we are also looking to do other activities to support apprentices in other ways as well - perhaps getting involved in some of the training. This is just the start.”
For MTA Queensland and the MTA Institute, encouraging and supporting apprentices as they start their careers is an important part of its mission to see the automotive industry grow and flourish as it adapts to the technological changes now being seen. And being able to team up with a partner such as Gates Australia for the Townsville Supercars event was a tremendous opportunity.
“As a global leading automotive brand, Gates Corporation has committed to investing in
the next generation of the automotive industry and supporting opportunities for apprentices,” said Kellie Dewar, Deputy CEO of MTA Queensland. “We have had great success with similar collaborations in the past and we know attending these events and getting a first-hand look at the inner workings of Supercars teams on race days is an unforgettable opportunity for our apprentices, many of whom aspire to work in motorsports. For us to be able to give them that chance can only help inspire them to chase their dreams, and we would like to thank Gates Corporation for making that possible.
“MTA Queensland is always eager to collaborate with brands who share similar values that align with our vision statement, where the partnership results in tangible benefits to our members and our apprentices,” added Kellie. “It is no secret that our industry is undergoing a tremendous amount of technological innovation and change, so working with innovative brands that can assist our members and apprentices to thrive in the future – whether that be through access to technology and products, education, or adviceis something we will continue to explore.”
THE MTA INSTITUTE is the largest independent provider of automotive apprenticeships and training in Queensland and it is always a proud moment when its
students complete their trade qualification. Congratulations to everyone who was issued a qualification in July 2023. It's a fantastic achievement!
Joshua Cocks
Ethan Tresidder
Philip Pluim
Oliver Carey
Certificate III in Automotive Body Repair Technology
Certificate III in Automotive Body Repair Technology
Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology
Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology
Dwayne Jack Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology
Dylan Keene
Thomas Scott
Matthew Scott
Rhys Cannarella
Kristen Nimmo
Donn Joyce
Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology
Certificate III in Automotive Refinishing Technology
Certificate III in Automotive Refinishing Technology
Certificate III in Automotive Refinishing Technology
Certificate III in Automotive Sales (Parts Interpreting)
Certificate III in Automotive Underbody Technology
Dudley-Thomas Miles Certificate III in Automotive Underbody Technology
Henry Hoolihan
Jethro Blackman
Andrew Stovold
Brodie Carey
Leon Spence
Liam Whipp
Joshua Wilde
Jayden Wroe
Andrew Beath
Sebastian Hogan
Tye Bugeja
Ryan Kiehne
James Ryrie
Lachlan Semyraha
Michael Niland
James Nixon
Alexander Carr
Trevor Deconinck
Sandor Jakab
James Billing
Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Certificate III in Motorcycle Mechanical Technology
Michael Kakakios Certificate III in Motorcycle Mechanical Technology
Jayden Myers
Certificate III in Motorcycle Mechanical Technology
Patrick Cranitch
Brett Baker
Derrick Pratt
Roger West
Gareth Hartley
Steven Cameron
Patrick Cranitch
Patrick Cranitch
Patrick Cranitch
Derrick Pratt
Lloyd Cross
Scott Buckley
Andrew Keys
Damien O'Connor
Michael De Waard
Damien O'Connor
Stephen Blaauw
Scott Buckley
Dennis Shaw
Neville Donaldson
Dennis Shaw
Stephen Blaauw
Antony Joslin
David Twidale
Scott Buckley
Bruce McLeish
Dennis Shaw
Jens Puder
Steven Cameron
Scott Buckley
Ross Wilson
Ivan Aird
Ivan Aird
Ivan Aird
TO MORE THAN 13,000 PEOPLE DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN THE MOTORING INDUSTRY (website or e-magazine options)
THIS IS THE Triumph TR25, a pureelectric sports car dreamed up by UK design company Makkina in what, the company says, pays homage to the record-breaking ‘Jabbeke’ Triumph TR2, MVC575, a pre-production prototype that reached 124.889mph (200.1km/h), and broke the land speed record for production cars under two litres, in 1953.
Makkina, which also undertook the project to celebrate its own 25th anniversary, produced the TR25 with the blessing of BMW Group - which owns the rights to the Triumph name - and, naturally, used BMW tech for the underpinnings of
the retro-futuristic sports car.
As such, the rear-wheel-drive, two-seater TR25 uses an all-electric BMW i3S as a platform and has a reconfigured, 42.2kWh, i3S battery pack; a motor kicking out 135kW and 250Nm; has a range of 306km; and can reach a top speed of 185km/h
IT’S THE LOOK OF THE TR25 THAT REALLY CATCHES THE EYE. THE RETRO STYLING INCORPORATES SOME VERY MODERN TOUCHES . . .
after skipping to 100km/h in 5.2 seconds.
Lightweight thanks to a carbon fibre/ aluminium structure and carbon fibre body panels, the TR25 has MacPherson front strut suspension and a 5-link rear layout, LED Matrix headlamps and LED taillights, and sits on 21-inch alloy wheels.
Makkina says it has engineered the TR25 to have 50-50 weight distribution, with its low centre of gravity and compact proportions delivering proper sports car cornering performance.
It’s the look of the TR25 that really catches the eye. The retro styling incorporates some very modern touches
with the headlamps, which echo the character of the ‘50s car, integrating a signature ‘25’ in the headlamps, as a nod to Makkina’s 25th Anniversary. Both the LED front and rear lamps are animated when the car is switched on.
The single-seat layout - part of the original car’s identity - has been retained, but should it be necessary, a removable top panel and flip-out jump seat allows a co-driver to be carried.
The buttress behind the driver’s head affords roll-over protection and incorporates a rear-view camera, and while the driver’s head is exposed a small
Test driver and racer Ken Richardson in 1953 with the record breaking MVC 575
fly screen helps direct the airflow above their head. Doors flip up in a rather cool fashion too.
On the inside, a minimalist design includes one self-centring dial in the steering wheel, and a central binnacle with three displays showing road speed, level of charge and range. The steering wheel has functional horizontal spokes allowing the driver to access menus for driving data and navigation.
Start, stop and lighting functions are controlled by the circular buttons on either side of the instrument binnacle, whilst driving modes are served by three toggle switches mounted under the central spine. A bank of touch-sensitive buttons on the instrument panel can be configured according to the driver’s priorities.
Makkina has also built in a seating position solution that sees the driver’s seat stay static while the pedal box and the steering move to suit each driver. The company says this ensures drivers up to six-feet tall and above can sit and
drive the car comfortably and offers a reminder of the motorsport-orientated origins of the car it is based on.
“Our aim was to update the true character of the original record-breaking ‘Jabbeke’ TR2 with our design, through both interior and exterior design,” said Michael Ani, Director at Makkina. “Using the BMW i3S platform allows us to create a blend of old and new with the TR2inspired body shape and the versatile and adaptable powertrain, creating a seamless, fully electric experience. The i3S platform proves that driving an electric car can be fun! The combination of instant torque, acceleration, agility and silence are as compelling now as ever.”
“OUR AIM WAS TO UPDATE THE TRUE CHARACTER OF THE ORIGINAL RECORD-BREAKING ‘JABBEKE’ TR2 WITH OUR DESIGN, THROUGH BOTH INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR DESIGN.”
18 - 22 September 2023 (BRISBANE)
18 - 22 September 2023 (DECEPTION BAY)
18 - 22 September 2023 (ROCKHAMPTON)
18 - 22 September 2023 (TOWNSVILLE)
25 - 29 September 2023 (BRISBANE)
25 - 29 September 2023 (ROCKHAMPTON)
AIR CONDITIONING COURSE
25 - 27 August 2023
27 - 29 September 2023
SALES/DEALERS/WRECKERS LICENCING COURSES
AVAILABLE ONLINE
COMMENCES ON ENROLMENT
BATTERY ELECTRIC AND HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLES COURSE
4 - 6 September 2023
AUTOMOTIVE VOCATIONAL PREPARATION COURSE
31 July – 1 September 2023
Enquiries to: courses@mtai.edu.au Website www.mtai.edu.au
MIG WELDING FUNDAMENTALS COURSE
POST-TRADE TRAINING AVAILABLE ONLINE
VEHICLE MAINTENANCE COURSE
TO BE ADVISED
ADVANCED DRIVER ASSISTANCE SYSTEMS COURSES
AWARENESS COURSE TO BE ADVISED
VEHICLE GLASS COURSE TO BE ADVISED
TECHNICIAN COURSE TO BE ADVISED
Enquiries to: courses@mtaq.com.au Website www.mtaq.com.au 20170566
*Course dates subject to change
