MTA QUEENSLAND hosts quarterly Divisional Committee meetings for:
› AUSTRALIAN AUTOMOTIVE DEALER ASSOCIATION (NEW CAR DEALERS)
› AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERS DIVISION (MECHANICAL REPAIRERS)
› AUTOMOTIVE PARTS RECYCLERS DIVISION (PARTS RECYCLERS)
› AUTOMOTIVE REMARKETING DIVISION (USED CAR DEALERS)
› ENGINE RECONDITIONERS ASSOCIATION OF QUEENSLAND (ENGINE RECONDITIONERS)
› NATIONAL AUTO COLLISION ALLIANCE (PAINT & PANEL / TOW TRUCKS)
› QUEENSLAND FARM & INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY DEALERS DIVISION (FARM & INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY)
› QUEENSLAND MOTORCYCLE INDUSTRY DIVISION (MOTORCYCLES)
› RENTAL VEHICLE INDUSTRY DIVISION (RENTAL VEHICLES)
› SERVICE STATION & CONVENIENCE STORE ASSOCIATION OF QUEENSLAND (SERVICE STATIONS)
› TYRE & UNDERCAR DIVISION OF QUEENSLAND (TYRES, BRAKES, SUSPENSIONS)
The Agenda topics include:
› robust discussions around the priorities of the Division,
› issues that need to be directly presented to government and submissions,
› skilling needs,
› membership representation,
› technical and educational updates, and
› innovation opportunities.
The Committee meetings can be attended in-person at MTA Queensland or online. The meetings are open to members and non-members, but we strongly encourage membership to ensure all member benefits are available.
HEAD OFFICE Building 8, 2728 Logan Road, Eight Mile Plains, Qld 4113
P.O. Box 4530, Eight Mile Plains, Qld 4113
Tel: 07 3237 8777
Fax: 07 3844 4488
Toll Free: 1800 177 951
Email: publications@mtaq.com.au
Website: www.mtaq.com.au
EDITOR
Jonathan Nash
ART DIRECTOR
Marco Ilinic
INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS
Evangeline Kannis
Ian Naylor POLICY
Kellie Dewar, General Manager MTA Queensland
ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES
Email: jonathann@mtaq.com.au
EDITORIAL
Editorial submissions are welcomed but cannot be guaranteed placement. For more information email the Editor at publications@mtaq.com.au
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MOTOR TRADER PUBLISHING POLICY
Motor Trader is the official publication of the Motor Trades Association of Queensland. The role of Motor Trader is to inform members of current issues and legislation affecting the industry. As such it can be regarded as the business magazine for the Queensland motor industry. The role of Motor Trader is not to be in competition with the technical magazines already on the market. It will advise of new vehicles being released and of the latest technology incorporated into them; it will advise of latest technology affecting members in each of the MTA Queensland Divisions; it will keep members abreast of the latest in motor industry training and industrial affairs; and it will keep members informed of the latest technical aids available through MTA Queensland Member Services, which will assist members in staying ahead of the technological revolution presently being encountered within the motor industry. The publisher reserves the right to omit or alter any advertisement and the advertiser agrees to indemnify the publisher for all damages or liabilities arising from the published material.
MTA QUEENSLAND ABN: 74 028 933 848
CORPORATE PARTNERS
JONATHAN NASH EDITOR
June 2023 edition of Motor Trader.
MTA Queensland continues its push to encourage more people into the industry and last month held two events at its head office in Brisbane aimed at doing just that.
The first, a 'careers breakfast', brought together school students as well as women working in, and interested about working in, the industry to meet, network, and discuss initiatives and career opportunities, as well as view some of the technology that is driving the evolution of the industry through demonstrations put on by MTA Institute trainers.
The second event, a meet and greet, brought together students taking part in the Institute's five-week Certificate II in Automotive Vocational Preparation course
with business owners and representatives keen to engage with young people who are, by their very presence on the course, showing their enthusiasm to start a career in the automotive trades.
These events are indicative of MTA Queensland's drive to both help industry find the workers it needs and assist those searching for the pathway to an automotive career. You can read more about from pages 78 to 84.
As always, we have plenty of news from around the world regarding the industry and the advances within it, and also have our regular Q&A featurethis month with Ken Horwood of Pacific Radiator Services in Cairns - celebrate the centenary of the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans race, and introduce the latest recipients of the 2023 Auto Women scholarships.
I hope you enjoy this month's edition of Motor Trader and, as always, if you have some news you'd like to share, or have a classic vehicle you'd like to see featured in the magazine, get in touch and let me know.
Cheers Jonathan Nash, Editor
jonathann@mtaq.com.au
MTA Queensland welcomes the following new members
IWRITE TO you this month with a potentially catastrophic storm brewing for the automotive industry in Queensland, and potentially Australia.
The State Government has just released its review of the Electrical Safety Act 2002. Notwithstanding the fact there was zero consultation with the automotive industry, it was recommended that the repair of electrical components in Electric Vehicles should be carried out by electricians instead of automotive technicians.
ROD CAMM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER MTA QUEENSLAND
How bizarre! While it is no secret that EVs produce significantly higher voltages, our industry has worked safely on them since the launch of the Toyota Prius in 2000. In fact, there has been no report of injuries sustained by technicians as a result of working on EVs.
Importantly, our industry has spent the last decade getting ahead of the game, establishing nationally recognised qualifications specific to the safe diagnosis and repair of EVs, as well as putting significant resources into government endorsed safety training skill sets and micro-credentials. It appears that government has not considered this across their own departments.
As you can attest, the notion of requiring electricians to work on vehicles is absurd. No other country in the world has adopted this approach, instead focusing on implementing quality training and upskilling opportunities like we have done. The recommendation is not supported by evidence, and members can be assured that we will be asserting our stance on the matter to government.
Please get in touch with us with any opinions you have on this matter, which we will include in our expansive industryled response.
THE ONE CONSTANT our industry has faced in recent times is difficulties in attracting skilled labour to our workforce. Looking to tackle this issue, we have been successful in receiving funding from the Queensland Government to drive schoolbased apprenticeship growth in the automotive industry. To aid this, we have a full-time Vocational Education and Training Coordinator engaging with schools across Queensland to promote the automotive industry as an exciting, viable career option for school leavers.
KELLIE DEWAR DEPUTY CEO | GENERAL MANAGER MEMBER SERVICES
We already have a growing number of students all over the state interested in commencing a school-based apprenticeship and are seeking an employer. So please, if you are serious about growing your workforce and potentially taking on a school-based apprentice, please get in touch and we will work with you to find the right fit.
Contact S2W@mtaq.com.au to learn more about hiring a school-based apprentice.
We are now in the process of finalising the Elections for our Committees. Remember, even if you are not part of a committee, our industry meetings are open to all, and we encourage you to come along and take part in the discussions. There is always plenty happening in the regulatory space, whether it’s related to major workplace relations changes, written-off vehicles, the Electrical Safety Act, or EV risks, and we appreciate feedback from all who come along and voice their thoughts.
Finally, I would like to thank everyone who came to our recent regional evenings in Mackay and the Gold Coast! These events are a great opportunity to connect face-to-face with our local members, and we look forward to coming to more areas in the second half of the year. Stay tuned for upcoming dates!
“WHILE IT IS NO SECRET THAT EVS PRODUCE SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER VOLTAGES, OUR INDUSTRY HAS WORKED SAFELY ON THEM SINCE THE LAUNCH OF THE TOYOTA PRIUS IN 2000.”
“IF YOU ARE SERIOUS ABOUT GROWING YOUR WORKFORCE AND POTENTIALLY TAKING ON A SCHOOLBASED APPRENTICE, PLEASE GET IN TOUCH AND WE WILL WORK WITH YOU TO FIND THE RIGHT FIT.”
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A radiator is considered by many to be a straightforward and simple component of a cooling system. Few people have invested the time to learn more than the basics and very few people have dedicated their careers to knowing every in and out of the system. Ken Horwood of Pacific Radiator Services in Cairns, Far North Queensland, is one of those very few people. Ken and Sylvia recently took time out to chat to Motor Trader about his career and their business.
WORDS: LARA WILDE
Wheel Drive in Cairns wrecking Toyota Landcruisers. I left there to move to LK Motors and Mechanical to work as a lubey. A lubey back then was someone who just worked with the grease and oil on the engine. I didn’t want to stay a lubey, and my move to LK Motors and Mechanical was strategic and I intended to become a mechanic.
In 1980, while working as a lubey and trying to lock in my apprenticeship as a mechanic, I was offered a job at a local radiator shop. Back then there was no official trade qualification for automotive cooling systems. Today there is still no trade qualified apprenticeship in the specialised trade of automotive cooling. I stayed with that local shop for 12-and-a-half years. During that time, I managed the business for six years.
KH: I was very fortunate that while I was working at that local shop we began manufacturing radiators and radiator cores. At that time radiator manufacturing was a big deal, particularly in Cairns. We manufactured and shipped radiator cores all over Australia.
“WE SPECIALISE IN COOLING SYSTEMS. THAT INCLUDES THE REPAIR, SERVICING, MAINTENANCE AND INSTALLATION OF RADIATORS, OIL COOLERS, HEAT EXCHANGES, AFTERCOOLERS, INTERCOOLERS AND SPARE PARTS.”Image: Jesse Donoghoe, Sweet Spot Photography
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN ESTABLISHED IN YOUR CURRENT BUSINESS AS PACIFIC RADIATOR SERVICES?
KH: I started the Pacific Radiator Services business in 1993. The original location was in Doyle St, Cairns. Over the years we relocated to a few different locations before finally opening the shop in our current location in Wellington St, 12 years ago.
TELL US ABOUT THE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES YOU OFFER AT PACIFIC RADIATOR SERVICES.
KH: We specialise in cooling systems. That includes the repair, servicing, maintenance and installation of radiators, oil coolers, heat exchanges, aftercoolers, intercoolers and spare parts. We cater to the automotive, industrial, agricultural, mining, marine, and power generation industries. Our customers include everyone from the Ma and Pa with a daily driver through to the major corporate client with a very unique, custom machine.
ARE YOU STILL HANDS ON IN THE BUSINESS TODAY?
KH: Very much so. During the day I am on the tools in the workshop and on the phones and face to face with customers in the office.
WHO IS IN YOUR CURRENT PACIFIC RADIATOR SERVICES TEAM?
KH: My wife Sylvia works in the office four days per week doing the administration and marketing. In the workshop we have four staff besides myself. We have Justin, who works primarily on repairing radiators and Cody who focusses more on the mechanical side of the business. He is the youngest member and a small-engine mechanic by trade. Cody repairs and services marine heat exchangers and truck radiators. Finally, we have Jarrod and Andre. They are general laborers and keep the workshop clean.
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE AT PACIFIC RADIATOR SERVICES?
KH: Staff. Finding the staff with the right skillset and work ethic to complement the team. We don’t have a large team here and so it is vital that every member is competent, reliable, and good to work with.
WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE GREATEST ADVANCEMENT IN TECHNOLOGY FOR YOUR BUSINESS?
KH: In my opinion, the biggest advancement in the radiator/cooling system industry is the ability to manufacture radiators with
a plastic outside casing and a brass or copper internal core. This has been a game changer for us.
DO YOU CONSIDER THAT THE ADVANCEMENTS IN ELECTRIC CARS WILL HAVE AN IMPACT ON YOUR BUSINESS?
KH: I don’t think electric vehicles will have any impact in the near future. There are going to be a lot of non-electric vehicles about for a long time yet.
DO YOU SPONSOR ANY LOCAL MOTORSPORT EVENTS OR INDIVIDUAL COMPETITORS?
KH: Over the years I have sponsored lots of events and venues such as the motocross, speedway and drag racing. During that time, I have also sponsored individual competitors. It feels good to be involved. Currently, we sponsor the Super Sedans at Cairns Speedway for every race meet.
HAVE YOU COMPETED IN MOTORSPORT YOURSELF?
KH: I have enjoyed being hands-on in motorsport as a part of the team. I was part of a pit crew in 1999/2000 at Bathurst. Paul Weel from PWR was the driver and it was a fantastic experience.
Image: Jesse Donoghoe, Sweet Spot Photography
KH: Over the next few years, I am looking to expand. The biggest challenge when expanding is getting the right staff to grow. I will look at expanding the current workshop and installing new equipment. The business is focussing more and more on the marine and industrial industries, and I want to make sure we are equipped to service that market.
KH: During my career, I spent 15 years as a very involved member of Apex. I only left because of the age bracket. Apex was great because you met so many new friends. All of the members were about the same age and their families were similar. With the projects, everyone had a ball. We used to say, ‘Rotary made money, Lions did work, Apex had fun.’
KH: Be passionate and enthusiastic and focus on what you are doing. You learn a lot from others. Some staff that come and go teach you a lot. Make sure you are
always willing to learn from others and be courageous enough to try new things.
KH: Our website links our customers to our full service offering and allows them to engage with us directly. The website is extensive and we focus a lot of attention on making sure that it is current and functioning well.
WHAT CARS DO YOU OWN PERSONALLY?
KH: I have my XY that the kids gave me for Father’s Day and which you wrote a story about recently. We also have a V8 Toyota Landcruiser, a new Toyota Sahara and a few project cars hidden away under tarps waiting for the time to finish them.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A MEMBER OF MTA QUEENSLAND?
KH: We have been members since the beginning of starting our business. Membership has been good to give our customers confidence in the quality of our work and to be able to draw on the specialist expertise when we need it for HR or industry regulatory changes.
THE QUEENSLAND AUTOMOTIVE industry will once again converge on Eight Mile Plains in July to discuss the latest in innovation and technology and its impacts on the future of the automotive industry at MTA Queensland’s Carmageddon! Now into its sixth edition, this year’s single-day auto innovation symposium will take place at the Sir Jack Brabham Automotive Centre of Excellence on Wednesday, 26th July 2023.
With the automotive industry continuing to progress through great revolutionary change, this year’s Carmageddon will feature a focus on the future of the training landscape, highlighting the innovative new solutions that are set to transform access to and delivery of state-of-the-art training. Additionally, program topics will explore:
• Future fuel technologies
• The changing automotive landscape
• EV repairs
Excitingly, in a first for the symposium, attendees will also gain access to a series of breakout sessions, where they can
EXCITINGLY, IN A FIRST FOR THE SYMPOSIUM, ATTENDEES WILL ALSO GAIN ACCESS TO A SERIES OF BREAKOUT SESSIONS, WHERE THEY CAN RECEIVE THE LATEST INFORMATION AND TRAINING TO ASSIST THEM IN GROWING THEIR BUSINESS.
receive the latest information and training to assist them in growing their business.
Whether it is Electric Vehicle safety training or automotive training delivery assistance, business transition advice, or
Workplace Relations guidance, attendees will have access to highquality professional support to help with any and all business goals.
As always, the event will also feature a fantastic exhibition of some of the latest exciting new-fuel motorcycles and micro-mobility from Energica and Benzina Zero, as well as the latest light and heavy vehicles from Foton, MG, and more. Attendees will also be able to experience the latest in immersive VR and augmented reality training solutions, set to take the training space by storm in the coming years!
Stay tuned to the MTA Queensland website as we announce our line-up of special guest speakers in the coming days!
to congratulate former Board Member and North Queensland community icon Richard Ireland, Owner and Managing Director of FR Ireland Pty Ltd, on a fantastic career in the automotive industry following his decision to retire.
An integral member of the Australian automotive scene, Richard has decided to step down after 42 years involved with the Ireland’s of Cairns business.
Stepping into the family-owned business after leaving university, Richard experienced great change across the automotive industry during his tenure, holding Dealer Principal roles for numerous brands including Mitsubishi, GMSV, Isuzu Truck, Holden and HSV. It was for these roles that he was awarded a string of accolades, including the AADA Lifetime Service Award, Holden Grand Master Award, a Mitsubishi Motors Distinguished Dealer Award, and multiple Isuzu Excellence Dealer Awards.
However, it is Richard’s work at the community level that truly distinguishes him from his contemporaries. In addition to 25 years support of the Rotary Club of Cairns, Richard has been heavily involved with countless local organisations and charities. In recognition of this, in 2020, Richard was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia medal for his service to the community of Cairns.
“Richard is a legendary figure in the Queensland automotive industry with the way he has carried himself as the face of the Ireland’s brand," said Rod Camm, MTA Queensland CEO. “He must be
congratulated on a truly incredible career.
“Richard has been a massive part of our organisation, as well as countless others throughout his career, and his ability to connect with and support everyone he has worked with speaks to his incredible character and kind nature. It has been a pleasure getting to know Richard and we wish him all the best with his future endeavours. I have no doubt out paths will continue to cross going forward.”
“RICHARD IS A LEGENDARY FIGURE IN THE QUEENSLAND AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY WITH THE WAY HE HAS CARRIED HIMSELF AS THE FACE OF THE IRELAND’S BRAND.”
THE QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT is preparing to update the State’s Electrical Safety Act 2002.
The purpose of the Act is to prevent people from being injured or killed, or for property from being destroyed or damaged, by electricity, and the Government has determined that new technologies and products, and a change in the way Queenslanders have used and interact with electricity over the past 20 years, means there are new safety risks which need to be managed.
In 2021, the Queensland Government commissioned an independent review of the Act, and a report has now been released which lists a total of 83 recommendations.
Those recommendations deal with issues ranging from the scope of the Act and coverage of emerging energy generation and storage technologies, including solar power and batteries; hydrogen-based electricity generation; storage technologies; off-grid generation; regulatory, licensing, and supply chain duties reform; and electric vehicles (EVs).
Crucial to the automotive industry is, of course, how the Government changes the Act with regards to EVs. Worryingly, Recommendation 8 in the review of the Act states:
• Recommendation 8: For electric vehicles (or parts thereof) falling within the definition of “electrical equipment” (see Recommendations 2 and 4), consider requiring:
(a) appropriately licensed electrical workers to carry out the electrical work on the electrical components when the vehicle is serviced and or repaired, to ensure the safety of owners/operators and community; and
(b) appropriately licensed electrical workers carry out the electrical work on the electrical components of the vehicle when an electric vehicle requires on-road break-down work to ensure safety of owners/operators, the community and first responders.
Should this recommendation, and others, stand, it would seem to follow that only licensed electricians would be allowed to work on electric vehicles.
As Rod Camm, CEO of MTA Queensland, outlines in his column on page 4 of this edition of Motor Trader:
‘While it is no secret that EVs produce significantly higher voltages, our industry has worked safely on them since the launch of the Toyota Prius in 2000. In fact, there has been no report of injuries sustained by
technicians as a result of working on EVs.
“Importantly, our industry has spent the last decade getting ahead of the game, establishing nationally recognised qualifications specific to the safe diagnosis and repair of EVs, as well as putting significant resources into governmentendorsed safety training skill sets and micro-credentials. It appears that the government has not considered this across their own departments.
“The notion of requiring electricians to work on vehicles is absurd. No other country in the world has adopted this approach, instead focusing on implementing quality training and upskilling opportunities like we have done. The recommendation is not supported by evidence, and members can be assured that we will be asserting our stance on the matter to government.”
In a statement released on May 16, the Government said that it is asking for feedback from all Queenslanders,
including through a targeted discussion paper on three key issues from the report as well as general feedback on all issues raised. This feedback will determine what changes will be made to the Act.
Those three key issues explore electrical safety considerations of new and emerging technologies, the changing landscape of electricity and the workforce and understanding, and electrical safety and electric vehicles.
• You can view a summary of the discussion paper HERE.
• You can view the full discussion paper HERE.
• You can view the full Review of Queensland’s Electrical Safety Act 2002 – Report December 2021 HERE.
• You can view the Preliminary Queensland Government Response to that report HERE.
“The Palaszczuk Government wants to ensure this Act is fit for purpose and keeps pace with changes in technology - that’s why we want Queenslanders to have their say,” said Grace Grace, Minister for Education, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Racing, in a statement.
“The key issues in the discussion paper include: the electrical safety considerations of new and emerging technologies; the changing landscape of electricity and the workforce; and electrical safety and electric vehicles.
“We know how much technology and electricity use has changed since 2002 and that’s why we commissioned a review of the Act.
“I encourage the community to have their say by providing feedback during the consultation periods, and I thank everyone who contributes.”
Queenslanders can give their feedback on the discussion paper from 16 May to 27 June 2023, while feedback on all other issues will be open through to 15 August 2023.
To provide feedback to the Government on this issue, click HERE and follow the ‘Have Your Say’ prompts.
“WHILE IT IS NO SECRET THAT EVS PRODUCE SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER VOLTAGES, OUR INDUSTRY HAS WORKED SAFELY ON THEM SINCE THE LAUNCH OF THE TOYOTA PRIUS IN 2000.”
THE WORLD OF motorsport has witnessed countless epic races, but few can rival the prestige and endurance of the 24 Hours of Le Mans race, which celebrates its centenary this year with the 91st edition of the event (there was a long pause during and after WWII) to be held this month.
Held over a full 24 hours, with the winner being whichever car and driver(s) cover the most distance in that time, over its long history, the Le Mans race has seen many remarkable moments. There have been dramatic and glorious victories and terrible tragedy; it has been the battleground for some of motorsports fiercest rivalries; been an event full of automotive innovation; and established the credentials of some of the great manufacturers and most talented drivers. Now part of the FIA World Endurance Championship series, which currently includes six other endurance events, the 24 Hours of Le Man is held annually near the town of Le Mans in north-western France and takes place on the Circuit de la Sarthe, a 13.6km long monster which combines public roads – including the famous 6km Mulsanne Straight - and dedicated, racing-
only sections of track to create a 38-turn circuit that tests every nut and bolt of a car, and every nerve of a driver.
Many teams enter the race, and their cars are split into classes. These classes have changed many times over the years, and this year they include 16 competitors in the Hypercar class – the top category which features the most advanced and powerful machines and from which the overall winner usually comes; 24 competitors in the LMP2 (Le Mans Prototype 2) class; and 21 in the LMGTE AM class for production-based sports cars. There’s also a spot this year for the ‘Garage 56’ car – considered a particularly innovative car - which this year will be a modified NASCAR Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 operated by Hendrick Motorsports.
FIRST HELD IN MAY 1923, THE INAUGURAL RACE WAS ORGANISED . . . AS A MEANS TO SHOWCASE THE RELIABILITY AND ENDURANCE OF AUTOMOBILES.Bentley Speed Six driven by Woolf Barnato, Le Mans 1929
First held in May 1923, the inaugural race was organised by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) - which is still the organiser - as a means to showcase the reliability and endurance of automobiles. The race soon gained global recognition and attracted renowned manufacturers seeking to prove their engineering prowess – a feature of the race, and top-level motorsport in general, that still holds true today.
During those early years, the race saw the emergence of some iconic
manufacturers, with the period before the interruption of WWII dominated by names still very recognisable today. By 1939, Bentley – and the famous Bentley Boys - had scored five overall victories, while Alfa Romeo had notched up four wins and Bugatti had two. However, the inaugural winner, French manufacturer Chenard & Walcker, and a host of others such as Lorraine-Dietrich, Lea Francis, and Tracta, that took part in those early races have long since passed into obscurity.
Bugatti was victorious in the final race held before the outbreak of WWII, with its Type 57C Tank being piloted to victory by French Grand Prix drivers Jen-Pierre Wimille and Pierre Veyron - the man after whom the company would name its recordbreaking supercar some 60 years later.
10 years, and a World War, would then pass by before the great race returned to Le Mans in 1949, and a new Italian sportscar manufacturer would appear to take the honours that year. Taking the victory were Italy’s Luigi Chinetti, winning his third Le
Mans, and Britain’s Lord Selsdon, and the car they drove came from a small racing outfit out of the Italian town of Maranello. The car, the Ferrari 166 MM, was just the third design from the soon-to-be legendary company which had begun producing cars just two years earlier.
The 1950s saw more success for Ferrari and the arrival on the podium of big-name manufacturers including Jaguar, which won five races through the decade with the C-Type (in 1951 and 1953), and the D-Type (in 1955, 1956 and 1957); Mercedes-Benz, which took victory in 1952 with the W194 (the precursor to the fabulous 300SL Gullwing road car).
Ferrari picked up a couple of victories with the 375 Plus in 1954 and the 250 TR in 1958. The decade was capped by the first win for another British manufacturer and a driving victory for one of the most famous of all names in automotive history. Piloting the Aston Martin DBR1
Ford GT40s cross the finish line at Le Mans in 1966 Jaguar D-Type, Le Mans 1956in 1959 with co-driver Roy Salvadori was American Carroll Shelby. Shelby would, of course, go on to build some of the great American muscle cars and return to Le Mans a few years later as the head of Ford’s racing team, leading it during its fierce rivalry with Ferrari.
It was not all glory during the 1950s, however. The 1955 race was the scene of the Le Mans Disaster – the worst accident in motorsport history in which the Mercedes
THE EPIC BATTLES BETWEEN FORD AND FERRARI, POPULARISED IN THE FILM FORDVFERRARI, SHOWCASED THE DETERMINATION, INNOVATION, AND SHEER WILL TO WIN THAT CHARACTERISED THE RACE.Bruce McLaren, Henry Ford II and Chris Amon after victory at Le Mans in 1966 Le Mans 1966
of French driver Pierre Levegh collided with another car and was launched into a stand full of spectators. Levegh and 83 of those spectators were killed.
The catastrophe prompted significant safety improvements and led to the introduction of safety barriers, better fire protection, and other measures to protect both drivers and spectators.
The 1960s and 1970s saw some of the most memorable moments in 24 Hours of Le Mans history.
A rule change in 1963 allowed for the use of prototype cars, which led to the development of increasingly sophisticated and powerful machines. This period was also defined by fierce rivalries between legendary manufacturers such as Ford, Ferrari, and Porsche. The epic battles between Ford and Ferrari, popularised in the film Ford v Ferrari, showcased the determination, innovation, and sheer will to win that characterised the race.
That rivalry would see Ford arrive at Le Mans with the stunning GT40 car in 1964. However, two years of disappointment would see the Ford team lose to their bitter rival at Ferrari which, by the time of the 1966 race, had won every race since 1960. However, Ford would usurp Ferrari as the race's dominant force.
Victory in 1966, with the team headed by Carroll Shelby and a driving squad that
included three New Zealanders – Bruce McLaren, Chris Amon, and Denny Hulme –was controversial when Ford slowed down its leading car so that two other GT40s could catch up and cross the line together in a 1-2-3 finish. McLaren and Amon picked up that famous win.
Not that Ford probably cared too much about any controversy. The GT40 they had crafted was a beast and would go on to secure victory in 1967, 1968, and 1969.
The 1970s would see the arrival of Porsche as the dominating manufacturer at Le Mans.
The German carmaker had won the 751-1100cc class in 1951 with the Porsche 356, its first production car. By the 1970s, it was a sportscar heavyweight and overall victories came thick and fast. In 1970, Porsche 917s finished first and second,
THERE WAS ALSO A NEW NAME, AND A HERALD OF THINGS TO COME, IN 1991 WHEN MAZDA, WITH ITS ROTARY ENGINE-POWERED 787B, BECAME THE FIRST JAPANESE MANUFACTURER TO SECURE OVERALL VICTORY.Bentley made a winning return to Le Mans in 2003 with the Speed 8
with a Porsche 908 taking third place.
The 917 was victorious again in 1971, while in 1976 and 1977 a Porsche 936 took the chequered flag. A Porsche 935 victory rounded out the decade in 1979.
Porsche would continue to dominate through the 1980s (seven straight victories from 1981 to 1987), four more in the 1990s, and three more straight wins from 2015 to 2017.
Porsche’s run of success has made it the most successful manufacturer at Le Mans with a total of 19 overall victories.
Some old names returned to top the podium during this period with Jaguar picking up wins in 1988 and 1990, McLaren in 1995 with its blistering F1, and Bentley capturing glory once more in 2003 with its Speed 8. There was also a new name, and a herald of things to come, in 1991 when Mazda, with its rotary enginepowered Mazda 787B, became the first Japanese manufacturer to secure overall victory.
For a period during the first two decades of the 2000s, it looked like Porsche would have trouble keeping its record-setting status as Audi barged its way into the frame and began stomping all over its competition. An Audi won the overall race for the first time in 2000 when an R8 model took the victory. An R8 won again in 2001,
2002 (actually the top three spots), 2004, and 2005, while a turbo-diesel powered Audi R10 won in 2006, 2007, 2008. An R15 took the honours in 2010, and an R18 in 2011.
In 2012, hybrid-electric power was allowed, and Audi took the overall victory with the R18 e-tron quattro that paired a 3.7-litre turbocharged V6 diesel with two 74kW motor generator units.
The advent of hybrid power would see the emergence of a new Le Mans superpower. While Audi won that 2012 race, Toyota had arrived with the impressive TS030 which combined a 3.4-litre V8 engine with a kinetic energy recovery system that charged a super capacitor delivering extra grunt to the rear wheels. While the car struggled against the Audi initially, at the 2013 Le Mans race Toyota were able to finish second behind the German manufacturer and took third spot (behind Audi again) in 2014 with the upgraded TS040 hybrid.
Porsche interrupted the growing threat from Toyota with its trio of victories from 2015 to 2017 and the 919 hybrid car, but the Japanese manufacturer finally broke through for its first overall victory in 20 tries in 2018 with the TS050 Hybrid. Since then, it has been all Toyota at Le Mans. The TS050 was victorious in 2019 and 2020,
while the company’s GR010 Hybrid won in 2021 and 2022. Toyota Gazoo Racing currently leads the WEC championship standing with its GR010 cars, so they’ll likely be challenging at Le Mans again this year.
Many of motorsports most legendary drivers have taken part at Le Mans. Fangio, Andretti, Moss, Ickx, McLaren, Shelby, Fittipaldi, Stewart, Villeneuve, Schumacher are names any motorsport will recognise, and those legends, and many more, tried their hand in the great race.
Not surprisingly, European drivers make up the bulk of the winners and over the century there have been 33 winners from the UK and 29 from France – the most successful countries.
Australia has provided four winning drivers with Melbourne-born ‘Bentley Boy’ Bernard Rubin the co-driver in the winning Bentley 4.5-litre in 1928; Vern Schuppan, a South Australian, won codriving a Porsche 956 in 1983; and Geoff and David Brabham, sons of the Formula One legend Sir Jack, also scored victories with Geoff taking top spot in 1993 and David winning in 2009, with both driving a Peugeot.
The most successful driver in Le Mans history is Tom Kristensen, with the Dane scoring nine victories from 1997 to 2013 with drives for Porsche, Bentley, and Audi.
The influence of the 24 Hours of Le Mans extends beyond the track, with automotive manufacturers using the event as a platform to showcase cutting-edge technologies that eventually make their way into production vehicles. For example, way back in the early days, manufacturers began to toy with aerodynamics as a way to get the most from their cars; Jaguar used the then-new disc brakes when winning in 1953; diesel proved to be more than just a fuel that could take you farther when Audi dominated at Le Mans with its turbo-diesel machines in the mid-2000s; and from the early 2010s, hybrid-powered cars proved the performance chops of that technology too.
The 24 Hours of Le Mans has left an indelible mark on motorsport and for a century it has captured the imagination and continues to evolve. Long may that continue.
Toyota GR010 HybridTHE
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THE HEAVY VEHICLE industry is a vital component of Australia’s economy and every couple of years, the industry turns up en masse at the Brisbane Truck Show. The 2023 edition of the Show, held from May 18-21 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre was a record breaker, with the event’s organiser, Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia (HVIA), reporting they had welcomed nearly 43,000 visitors.
As always, there was an incredible mix of businesses associated with the heavy vehicle industry in attendance. From manufacturers of trailers to tyres, from wheels to transmissions, batteries to electronics, from software to safety
systems and just about anything else you can imagine, more than 280 exhibitors presented their products.
The jewels of the show were, of course, the trucks, and there were some mighty machines there to see, including the latest models from Iveco, Foton, Hyundai, Daimler Truck, Mack, Volvo, Kenworth, Sea Electric, and more.
AS ALWAYS, THERE WAS AN INCREDIBLE MIX OF BUSINESSES ASSOCIATED WITH THE HEAVY VEHICLE INDUSTRY IN ATTENDANCE.
Of particular interest this year were the number of electrified truck models on show. While most of the headlines around the automotive industry focus on the electrification of the Australian (and global) passenger vehicle fleet, the electric revolution is clearly making an impact on the heavy vehicle industry too.
At the show, Janus Electric exhibited its conversion tech with the JE610 – an electrified Kenworth T610 prime mover, DAF Trucks displayed its LF Electric truck, Mercedes-Benz brought its eActros 300, Fuso its eCanter model, Sea Electric displayed a range of its electric truck models, while Foton exhibited its T5 EV truck and Hino its Hybrid Electric 300 series.
Electrification was on display in other areas too, with e-axles designed to charge
truck trailers; new charging systems; and hydrogen fuel cell trucks amongst other technology.
The MTA Institute’s Technical Learning and Development Officer Nigel Palmer attended the show and said the technology showed how electrification was just as important an innovation for heavy vehicles as it was for the light vehicle sector of the industry.
“THERE WAS AN INCREDIBLE ARRAY OF TECHNOLOGY ON DISPLAY - FROM THE HYDROTREATED VEGETABLE OIL-FUELED VEHICLES THROUGH HYDROGEN FUEL-CELL TECHNOLOGY AND ELECTRIC TRUCKS
“There was an incredible array of technology on display - from the hydrotreated vegetable oil-fueled vehicles through hydrogen fuel-cell technology and electric trucks - and the range of trucks of different sizes and capabilities was astounding,” said Nigel. “The shift to alternative fuels is well and truly underway with several manufacturers displaying their cutting-edge products, and I was especially interested in tech such as the trailer axle assembly that generates electricity to run the refrigeration unit on the trailer.
“Janus Electric’s display was enlightening too. To see how a truck of up to 10 years old could be retrofitted to become a fully electric vehicle was pretty special,” he added.
“Foton, Hino, Fuso and many more had
examples of their electric vehicles on display, and it appears that now there is a very clear shift in technology, and the ideas for its use just keep coming.
“It will be interesting to see how the technology presented at this show has evolved and how far things have developed when the next Truck Show hits Brisbane in a couple of years.”
“JANUS ELECTRIC’S DISPLAY WAS ENLIGHTENING TOO. TO SEE HOW A TRUCK OF UP TO 10 YEARS OLD COULD BE RETROFITTED TO BECOME A FULLY ELECTRIC VEHICLE WAS PRETTY SPECIAL.”
QUEENSLAND AUTOMOTIVE BUSINESSES are invited to nominate for the Motor Trades Association of Queensland’s 2023 Industry Awards.
Celebrating the significant achievements, ingenuity, and excellence of Queensland’s automotive industry, the recipients of the Industry Awards will be crowned at MTA Queensland’s Industry Awards Gala on Saturday, 11th November 2023 in Brisbane.
Two new award categories have been added in 2023, recognising businesses that are leading the way and driving the industry forward.
Both acknowledge excellence and best practice in all aspects of business – from customer service to training and employee development, to marketing and sales activities - with the Small Business Award for Excellence to be presented to an MTA Queensland member business that employs 15 or fewer staff, while the Large Business Award for Excellence will be presented to an MTA Queensland member business that employs 16 or more staff.
“I am incredibly excited to introduce these new award categories for the first time and deliver well-deserved recognition to the businesses who are performing to exceptional levels day in, day out,” said Rod Camm, MTA Queensland Ceo. “The Industry Awards Gala has become the signature event on the Queensland automotive industry’s calendar, and it just makes sense to honour the very best our industry has to offer on the night in front of their peers, friends, and families.”
These new awards will be in addition to the following, longstanding award categories:
• Community Award – awarded to an individual or member business who is a role model in their community and this is evidenced in their actions.
• Innovation Award – awarded to an individual or business that is supporting or implementing innovation in the automotive or mobility industry.
achieving success through their commitment to driving change in the automobile or mobility industry.
The highly coveted MTA Queensland Apprentice of the Year Award will also be presented on the night to an MTA Institute (RTO. 31529) apprentice who has gone above and beyond in their training and displays a commitment and passion for the automotive trade.
“With businesses across the state continuing to deliver excellence in the face of ongoing adversity, the Industry Awards Gala is an opportunity for our community to come together and celebrate each other, as well as celebrate the special contributions made in the innovation space, in local communities, and by the women doing outstanding work in the industry,” said Mr Camm.
“Nominating for one of the Award categories is a fantastic way to recognise a person or business in your community for the wonderful value they bring. There is significant media attention attached to the finalists and winners, and it can bring an increased sense of trust and credibility for customers, knowing that an employee or the business itself has been recognised as an industry leader in Queensland.” Nominations for the Industry Awards are open now and will close at 4.30pm, Friday, 30th June 2023. For more information about the MTA Queensland Industry Awards Gala, and to nominate, visit www.mtaq.com.au/industry-awards-gala
Awarded to an individual or member business who is a role model in their community and this is evidenced by their actions.
Awarded to an individual or business that is supporting or implementing innovation in the automotive/mobility industry.
Awarded to a female leader or business achieving success by their commitment to driving change in the automotive/mobility industry.
Awarded to a member business with 15 or less staff (full or part-time) who demonstrates excellence and best practice in all aspects of business, including customer service, training and employee development, and marketing activities.
Awarded to a member business with 16 or more staff who demonstrates excellence and best practice in all aspects of business, including customer service, training and employee development, and marketing activities.
NOMINATIONS CLOSE FRIDAY 30 JUNE 2023.
WINNERS ANNOUNCED AT THE INDUSTRY AWARDS GALA, SATURDAY 11 NOVEMBER 2023.
ONLY 500 WORD SUBMISSION REQUIRED
RECEIVEFINALISTS ONE ACCOMMODATIONNIGHT’SAND ONE RETURN FLIGHT TO BRISBANE WHERE THEY ARE LOCATED OUTSIDE SOUTH QUEENSLAND!EAST
MTA QUEENSLAND HAS announced the recipients for the first round of the 2023 Auto Women Scholarships.
The Scholarships, sponsored by MTA Queensland, Spirit Super, and Women & Leadership Australia, aim to support the career advancement of women working across the automotive industry through two, fully funded, high-impact training programs.
The first course, Leading Edge which is valued at $3,490, is designed to assist females in early-career positions transition into confident, capable, and motivated leaders. This scholarship has been awarded to Lily Armstrong, an apprentice mechanic from Albany Creek Auto Centre.
Inspired by her father, a fitter and turner by trade, Lily began a school-based traineeship back in 2019. After graduation, she continued working as a trade assistant, before taking on her light vehicle apprenticeship. Now, at just 20 years old, Lily is nearing the final year of her training and has found her place at Albany Creek Auto Centre, constantly supported and encouraged by those around her. She hopes to use the Leading Edge program to further her career and develop new leadership skills.
“My goal is to one day become a workshop manager and supervisor. In such a maledominated industry it is amazing to see so many women taking on leadership roles and making a name for themselves,” said Lily.
“This scholarship is an amazing opportunity to invest in young women and help them better equip themselves to be future leaders, and I hope to use its teachings to do just that!”
The second course, Executive Ready which is valued at $8,490, is designed to stretch mid-level leaders and propel them towards executive-level positions, bolstering skills and mindsets. This scholarship has been awarded to Angela Jones,
After 12 years of owning and managing her own mechanical workshop in Cairns, Angela sold the business in 2008. Having her Bachelor of Economics Degree, Graduate Program, and Cert IV in Accounting, Angela completed contract bookkeeping for a variety of businesses before becoming the Finance Officer at a solar company who controlled 24 entities across Australia. Unable to shake her passion for the automotive industry, Angela began working in the accounts team at ASR Collision Specialists in 2016 and stepped into the role of Manager in 2021, where she oversees a range of operations in the business and leads a diverse mix of people.
“I am a firm believer in lifelong learning and know that the knowledge I will gain from this Scholarship will not only benefit me personally, but my entire team.
I stepped into the role during a time of COVID-19 chaos and navigated the company through challenging times to achieve an unprecedented financial milestone for the company last month,” said Angela.
“I understand there is a difference between management and leadership and hope to use the Executive Ready program to learn the skills and knowledge necessary to create the right environment so that both the company and its people can thrive.”
Supporting career advancement is just one part of MTA Queensland’s Auto Women initiative, and both the Leading Edge and Executive Ready courses are an exceptional opportunity to assist those working across the automotive industry to reach their career aspirations.
Auto Women is a supportive group that:
Raises the profile of women in the automotive industry
Advocates for women in the automotive industry on key issues to government
Promotes career opportunities for women and the advantages of diversity to employers
Hosts virtual and in-person networking and social events that educate, connect and support women
Is led by a diverse mentor team
Provides career enhancement courses and scholarships
FOLLOW AND LIKE @AUTOWOMEN
JOIN THE GROUP @AUTOWOMEN
READ MORE AT WWW.MTAQ.COM.AU/AUTO-WOMEN
BENZINA ZERO, THE Brisbane-based manufacturer and distributor of electric mopeds and motor scooters, has inked a partnership with Domino’s Pizza Enterprises - Australia’s largest pizza chain with more than 900 outlets across the country and New Zealand - to supply its Duo model moped to the pizza giant's stores. The deal follows a long trial process to find the right vehicle for Domino's last-mile delivery services.
“By utilising the Benzina Zero’s Duo electric moped we are not only able to deliver our pizza more sustainably, but we are also able to provide additional efficiencies and cost reductions to our
franchisees”, said Earle Strong, Head of New Equipment from Construction, Supply & Service, Domino’s supply company, in a statement. “We started this journey sourcing the right electric delivery moped around three years ago with many not fit for purpose and it has taken a long time to
Benzina Zero founders, Joe D’Ercole and Ben Silver
find the right solution. We now have that solution, and we are excited to work closely with Benzina Zero on the delivery of the electric Duo moped within our network”.
The Duo has a 1200-2200w Bosch hub motor and a 60v 42ah (2.52kWh)
battery that is not only chargeable from a regular mains wall socket, but can also be swapped for a replacement battery for convenience and speed. Range for the Duo is 105km and top speed is 50km/h.
The Duo can be ridden with a car licence in Queensland, the Northern Territory, Western Australia, and South Australia (a motorcycle licence is required elsewhere) and is designed and built specifically to be simple, efficient, and offer a range of accessories that can be used for delivery and load-carrying purposes.
The deal to supply the Duo to Domino’s is another highlight on the Benzina Zero growth journey, with the company - founded by scooter-industry veterans Joe D’Ercole and Ben Silver and officially
“WE ARE THRILLED TO BE ABLE TO WORK WITH DOMINO’S, A LEADING GLOBAL BRAND AND THE LARGEST FOOD DELIVERY BUSINESS WITHIN AUSTRALIA, BY ASSISTING THEM TO ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS FOR LAST MILE SUSTAINABILITY.”Benzina Zero Duo
launching only last year - already establishing a presence in Europe through a base in Italy (where it is about to open its first ‘experience centre’), while also developing other international networks and growing its Australian network of 10 outlets to offer the company’s model range. That range currently includes the Duo and its more potent sibling the Duo+, as well as the City, the Vasto, and Sport models.
“We are thrilled to be able to work with Domino’s, a leading global brand and the largest food delivery business within Australia, by assisting them to achieve their goals for last mile sustainability”, said Joe. “As the challenges for last mile delivery are universal, we look forward to supporting Domino’s both here and internationally where possible.”
The excellent design, use of top-quality components, and flexibility the Duo offers, as well as the network that can supply and maintain it, clearly made the model a solid choice for Domino’s.
“The Duo is simply the most versatile moped/scooter on the market globally and comes with a huge range of accessories. Aside from meeting Domino’s CI requirements and utilising a few Domino’s-sourced items we are utilising standard accessories to meet their delivery needs,” said Ben.
“Domino’s are leading the way consistently being early adopters of new technology. For them to form a partnership with a supplier they had to be certain that the products are fit for purpose, built to a high standard and supported beyond the sale. It’s always been our view that the service and after sales support is as important as the product itself. You can’t support a business with poor product and
great service or the other way around. You need both quality products and service.”
The partnership - that will also contribute to Benzina Zero’s 1m2 project which uses sales of the company’s products to fund a land regeneration program in Australia - is confirmation that electric vehicles are becoming the technology of choice for logistics and delivery businesses eager to reduce costs and become more efficient and environmentally friendly. While Australian governments have not moved as quickly as their counterparts overseas - and there are some hurdles such as state-based licensing that need to be addressed – the link-up with Domino’s is affirmation of the belief Ben and Joe had in the transformation of the industry when establishing and launching Benzina Zero.
“We have always known that we are bringing the best product to market,” said Ben. “And there is no doubt that this partnership validates that belief.”
“THE DUO IS SIMPLY THE MOST VERSATILE MOPED/SCOOTER ON THE MARKET GLOBALLY AND COMES WITH A HUGE RANGE OF ACCESSORIES.”
FORD IN THE UK is researching hydrogen fuel cell technology for its E-Transit van.
The project’s aim is to establish if the technology can deliver more zeroemission range to heavy-use E-Transit customers travelling high mileages, with maximum loads, ancillary equipment such as chillers and with limited charging opportunities in the working shift.
Part funded by the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) – an organisation that collaborates with the UK government, the automotive industry, and academia to accelerate the transition to a net-zero automotive industry - the project will help to determine the supporting hydrogen refuelling infrastructure required. Partners in the project include bp, capturing hydrogen usage and infrastructure requirements; Cambustion, testing the fuel cell system; Viritech, designing hydrogen storage systems; and Cygnet Texkimp, providing the pressure vessels’ carbon fibre tooling.
The prototype Ford E-Transits will be fitted with a high-power fuel cell stack and significant hydrogen storage capability.
Ford says an important project element will evaluate efficient and viable recycling for end-of-life components.
A test fleet of eight fuel cell Ford E-Transits will run for six-month periods over the three-year project to 2025.
VEHICLES FROM the assembly line to the test bench without a driver will soon be a realistic alternative. So says Bosch, which has developed an automated vehicle manoeuvring solution for vehicles on factory premises.
Based on its automated valet parking system, Bosch equips the manufacturer’s plant with a lidar-sensor infrastructure, which it supplements, where required, with Bosch stereo cameras. The information from the sensors is fed into computers which tell the vehicle which route to take. In this way, Bosch says it makes it possible for vehicles to manoeuvre without drivers.
The company says it is in talks with various carmakers regarding the installation of automated vehicle manoeuvring in their plants and says the system can be used in a wide range of applications both inside and outside the manufacturing shop. The system can, for example, move vehicles through calibration lines while maintaining a constant speed and, should a manufacturing error be detected, will automatically drive the vehicle to the plant’s repair shop. Also, once a car has reached the end of the assembly
line, it can drive out of the factory and into the logistics parking area, ready for its onward journey.
The system uses the same principles as Bosch’s automated valet parking. Approved for use in Germany, that system is a fully automated driverless parking function which enables drivers to park their car in a drop-off area and leave it to Bosch’s intelligent parking garage infrastructure and the technology installed in the vehicle to work together to find a free parking space and move the car into it.
THE SYSTEM USES THE SAME PRINCIPLES AS BOSCH’S AUTOMATED VALET PARKING.
BMW IS PARTNERING with the gaming platform AirConsole to bring in-car gaming to the new BMW 5 Series. The system will allow the driver and passengers to play games while the vehicle is stationary – useful when owners are waiting for their electrified variants to charge, for example.
For the in-car gaming experience, players need their smartphone, which acts as a controller, and uses the BMW Curved Display. After starting the AirConsole app in the vehicle, the connection between the smartphone and the vehicle is established by scanning a QR code on the display. The AirConsole app supports multiple players simultaneously.
BMW says the games selection at introduction of the new 5 Series includes
THE SELECTION AT INTRODUCTION . . . INCLUDES RACING, SPORTS, QUIZ AND MUSIC QUIZ GAMES AS WELL AS SIMULATION, STRATEGY, JUMP-ANDRUN AND PUZZLE GAMES.
racing, sports, quiz and music quiz games as well as simulation, strategy, jump-and-run and puzzle games. The 15 or so titles available to play from the start include ‘Go Kart Go’, ‘Golazo’, ‘Music Guess’ and ‘Overcooked’. The company says the number of available games will be continually expanded.
BMW also says that in addition to the new 5 Series, the AirConsole app will be offered in some other BMW vehicles.
MITSUBISHI FUSO TRUCK and Bus (MFTBC), which is majority owned by Daimler Trucks, and Toyota’s Hino Motors are to merge. The companies will combine on an ‘equal footing’ and plans are for a collaboration in the areas of commercial vehicle development, procurement and production, as well as accelerating the development of ‘CASE technologies (Connected, Autonomous and Automated/Shared/Electric)’.
The transaction is aimed at closing by the end of 2024 and Daimler Truck and Toyota will equally invest in a holding company of the merged MFTBC and Hino. In a statement from all four companies,
they said that MFTBC and Hino would create synergies and enhance the competitiveness of Japanese truck manufacturers, ‘helping to strengthen the foundation of the Japanese and Asian automotive industries and contributing to their customers, stakeholders and society.’
“We at Daimler Truck are very proud of our products, because trucks and buses keep the world moving,” said Martin Daun, CEO of Daimler Truck. “And soon they will even do so with zero emissions. So there is a great future ahead – and today’s announcement is a crucial step in making that future work economically and in leading sustainable transportation. The planned new company will be a major force in Southeast Asia and an important associate of the Daimler Truck family.”
HONDA IS TO develop and supply a hydrogen fuel cell system for Isuzu with Isuzu planning to introduce a new heavy-duty truck model powered by the technology in 2027.
Having signed an agreement in January 2020 to conduct joint research on heavyduty trucks utilising fuel cells, the two companies are currently planning to start
demonstration testing of a prototype truck on public roads by the end of March next year.
The companies says that they will take advantage of the respective strengths of each company and accelerate the development of clean, low-noise, lowvibration fuel cell-powered heavy-duty trucks.
THE HYUNDAI MOTOR Company is one of the world’s leading carmakers. It is arguably one of the world’s most innovative too, and with models such as the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6, as well as the Kona Electric and Nexo hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle, is a leader in automotive electrification.
The company was established in South Korea in 1967 – 20 years after the company’s founder, Chung Ju-yung, created the Hyundai Engineering and Construction Company - and in 1968, construction of the company’s Ulsan car factory was completed.
That year, in cooperation with Ford, Hyundai began assembly of the Cortina for the local market.
Following the success of the Cortina, Hyundai decided to develop its own vehicle and hired a slew of European engineers as well as automotive designer Giorgetto Giugiaro of Italdesign to fashion something special for its first foray into in-house car manufacturing.
The result of this decision would be the Pony – a small passenger car which, over a couple of generations and a whole range
of styles from hatchback to wagon to pick-up - was in production for 15 years, was sold across the globe, and was a massive hit for Hyundai, establishing its credentials as a manufacturer.
In 1974, Hyundai presented a rather special version of the Pony – the Coupe Concept – at the Turin Motor Show.
The Pony Coupe Concept and the N Vision 74 flagship concept. . . NEARLY 50 YEARS LATER, THE COMPANY HAS RECREATED THE CAR, AND THE ‘NEW’ VEHICLE DEBUTED LAST MONTH IN ITALY.
Styled by Giugaro, the Pony Coupe Concept was a design classic with its wedge shape, the sliced rear end, and a futuristic interior and dashboard. It was way ahead of its time.
Guigaro would go on to design the DMC DeLorean, which shares some of the Pony Concept’s styling.
Although it was marked for production, the wonderful-looking Pony Coupe Concept never made it past the concept stage – a result of the adverse global economic conditions of the late 1970s – and was actually, in Hyundai’s words, ‘lost to history’.
However, nearly 50 years later, the company has recreated the car, and the ‘new’ vehicle debuted last month in Italy. The concept comes with a 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine developing 61kW at 6000rpm, which means that while it might look like it could break some records, it’s highly unlikely. But who cares when it looks like this.
Hyundai says the Pony Coupe Concept is an important vehicle in the company’s history and design heritage, and was the inspiration for the jaw-dropping N Vision 74 flagship concept unveiled last year.
That concept has an altogether more muscular performance to match its styling, with the hydrogen fuel-cell N Vision 74 packing plenty of punch. There’s a 62.4kWh battery paired with the hydrogen fuel cell stack, and a pair of electric motors at the rear developing 500kW/900Nm.
Hyundai says top speed is over 250km/h. While the Pony Coupe Concept did not make it into production, it’s clear that a company that had plans to build such a machine as one of its first in-house creations was always going to have the determination to be a big player in the industry. 50 years on, that’s exactly what has happened.
. . . THE PONY COUPE CONCEPT IS AN IMPORTANT VEHICLE IN THE COMPANY’S HISTORY AND DESIGN HERITAGE, AND WAS THE INSPIRATION FOR THE JAW-DROPPING N VISION 74 FLAGSHIP CONCEPT . . .N Vision 74 flagship concept Pony Coupe Concept interior
SUBARU AUSTRALIA HAS announced the release of five special edition models to celebrate its 50th anniversary. The limited-edition models of the Forester, Outback, WRX Sedan, and WRX Sportswagon will feature unique styling, enhanced features and exclusive 50th anniversary badging.
The Forester 2.5i AWD 50 Years Edition includes all Subaru Forester 2.5i AWD specification and features plus black leather accented seat trim; upgraded dash panel, sides of the centre console and door trims; will be available in Crystal White, Ice Silver, Horizon Blue, Magnetite Grey, Crimson Red and Crystal Black; and has the Special 50 Years Edition badge.
The Forester 2.5i-S AWD 50 Years Edition includes all Subaru Forester 2.5i-S AWD specification and features plus Dark Grey high lustre 18-inch alloy wheels; black front grille; crystal black shark fin antenna, door mirror caps, side and rear garnish; black roof rails; black front fog light garnish; black front and rear under guards; and black lustre rear badges. It will be available in all Forester external colours with internal black trim only and have the Special 50 Years Edition badge.
The Outback AWD Touring XT 50 Years Edition includes the Subaru Outback AWD Touring XT specification and features, with some extras and features adopted from the Outback AWD Sport XT. It is available
exclusively in Geyser Blue with internal black trim only and has Sport model exterior styling and dark metallic finish alloy wheels; crystal black rear garnish and rear spoiler, and the Special 50 Years Edition badge.
The Subaru WRX AWD 50 Years Edition is available in manual transmission and CVT, and includes all Subaru WRX AWD specification and features, plus Crystal Black door mirror caps, rear spoiler and shark fin antenna; black rear badging; ultrasuede seat trim (black and grey only); powered driver and front passenger seats; 2 x rear USB-A charging ports; blue stitching on the seat and door trims, instrument panel, steering wheel, shift boot, centre console padding and front centre armrest; and premium leather steering wheel. It is available in Ceramic White, WR Blue, Crystal Black and Solar
AFRICA IS ENTERING the electric vehicle manufacturing race, with news that a new Anglo-Moroccan company, called Atlas E-Mobility Group, has announced its mission to launch the first African-designed and engineered Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV).
Headquartered in London, UK, with manufacturing and development facilities planned for Morocco, Atlas says it will utilise ‘a unique blend of British automotive industrialisation expertise, disruptive Moroccan technology, and proven manufacturing capability.’
The intention is to create a ‘superiorengineered, affordable, all-electric vehicle inspired by Moroccan design and identity to offer a unique appeal to customers in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) markets initially . . .’
Production is scheduled for 2026.
Orange, and has the Special 50 Years Edition badge.
The Subaru WRX AWD Sportswagon 50 Years Edition includes all Subaru WRX AWD Sportswagon specification and features plus Crystal Black door mirror caps, rear spoiler and shark fin antenna; black rear badging; ultrasuede seat trim (black and grey only); powered driver and front passenger seats; 2 x rear USB-A charging ports; blue stitching on the seat and door trims, instrument panel, steering wheel, shift boot, centre console padding and front centre armrest; and premium leather steering wheel. It is available in Crystal White, WR Blue and Crystal Black external colour and has the Special 50 Years Edition badge.
The Subaru 50 Years Editions are available now and range in price from $38,890 for the Forester 2.5i AWD to $52,190 for the Subaru WRX AWD Sportswagon.
In addition to creating electric vehicles, the group’s offer will extend to advanced range-enhancing technology, battery and charging networks, further specific details of which will be announced in due course.
“We feel strongly that Africa is being ignored by companies in the EV transition,” said Mohammed Yehya El Bakkali, company co-founder and CEO, in a statement. “However, no one should underestimate the continent’s determination to advance nor doubt its ability to produce world-leading zero-carbon-free technological solutions.”
IT HAS BEEN 110 years since the founding of Aston Martin, the British luxury sports car manufacturer. And it has been 75 years since the company introduced the first of its most famous line of cars – the DB series. In May, Aston Martin revealed the latest in this line of luxury, thoroughbred grand tourers, the DB12, a car the company says is ‘the most complete and accomplished DB model’ in its history.
Underneath the recognisably Aston Martin body is a potent 500kW/800Nm twin-turbo 4-litre V8 that is powerful
enough to deliver a top speed of 325km/h and a 0-100km/h sprint time of a touch over 3.5 seconds.
The engine is paired with an 8-speed
VIDEO: ASTON MARTIN DB12
automatic transmission and an Electronic Rear Differential (E-Diff). The differential is linked to the car’s Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system.
The DB12’s bonded aluminium structure has seen a 7 per cent increase in tortional stiffness thanks to changes to a range of underbody components; the engine cross brace; front and rear undertrays; front crossmember and rear bulkhead. With the introduction of new adaptive dampers and extensive engineering of key components such as stiffer anti-roll bars, Aston Martin says the DB12 also offers class-leading driving dynamics and greatly increased breadth of capability.
An Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) system offers four pre-defined ESP modes (Wet, On, Track, and Off) selectable via the ESP button on the centre console. The system works by taking information from sensors around the vehicle and predicts the level of grip available, as well as reacting to momentary instabilities. The same predictive, model-based technology underpins all the car’s chassis control systems (ABS, Traction Control and Lateral dynamics).
In addition to multi-mode ESP, the DB12 also features five pre-defined drive modes; GT, Sport, Sport+, Wet, and Individual.
On the inside, the cabin is luxurious and technologically advanced. There’s handstitched leather and Alcantara and cuttingedge a infotainment system developed in-house by Aston Martin.
The new system, which supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, is a fully integrated multi-screen system that uses two 10.25-inch displays. While some carmakers have embraced the idea of controlling everything via touchscreens, Aston Martin has kept plenty of features on the DB12 controllable by physical switches and buttons. These include gear selection, drive selection, as well as heating and ventilation. There are also override switches for chassis, ESP and exhaust, Lane Assist and Park Distance Control.
Connectivity features include a new navigation system and the Aston Martin App, from which a driver can choose a destination and send it to the DB12 ready for travel and which also offers a range of connected car subscription packages, including convenience features, vehicle management features, and vehicle services features.
Deliveries of the Aston Martin BD12 are scheduled to begin in the third quarter of this year.
THE WORLD LOVES a decent pickup/utility vehicle – Australians more than most – and while we might expect announcements of exciting new all-electric vehicles in this category to come out of China or the US, companies from plenty of other nations are getting in on the action. Scotland might not necessarily be the place from where you might expect a new and exciting electric off-roader to appear, but here’s something a little special from Scottish manufacturer Munro Vehicles that looks like it has the goods and might well appeal to Australian tastes – the electric 4WD Mk_1 Pick-Up. Actually, this is the second model from the company, with the Defender-styled MK_1 Truck/SUV appearing late last year. The new Mk_1 Pick-Up model –available with a dual-cab body style across three variants called Utility, Range, and
Performance – comes with plenty of performance.
There’s a full-time 4x4 mechanical drivetrain paired to an electric powertrain which offers peak power output of 280kW/700Nm. This enables a sprint to 100km/h in a smidge over 4.9 seconds. That power and energy comes via a 220kW motor and an 82.4kWh battery that can be charged from 15 to 80 per cent in 36 minutes via a 100kW DC charger. The company claims a range of more than 305km per charge.
The rear bed of the Munro MK_1 PickUp accommodates a 1050kg Euro Pallet payload, while the Performance model has a 3,500kg maximum braked towing capacity.
Munro says the MK_1 Pick-Up signifies ‘the next milestone of Munro’s strategic mission to fulfil significant global market demand.’
Price for the Mk_1 Pick-up is £49,995 (excluding VAT tax) – that’s $AU94,450 – with deliveries commencing later this year. Munro says it has already secured
more than 200 orders – making a move to larger manufacturing facility part of the company’s plans.
“With a full two-year order book for both the MK_1 Pick-Up and the MK_1 Truck, Munro is having to expedite its search for larger premises to meet customer demand,” said Russell Peterson, Munro CEO and Co-Founder, in a statement.
“The levels of positive feedback we have experienced from media and customers who have test driven the MK_1 Truck has been unprecedented and the response to the new MK_1 Pick-Up has been equally positive. This, and the 200 plus pre-orders we have taken across both the truck and Pick-Up models, gives us great confidence that the vehicles Munro has created are precisely what the market wants and needs and that we can play a key role in assisting those operating in challenging environments such as mining, construction, utilities, agriculture, and defence to meet imminent decarbonisation targets.
“This represents a significant global market opportunity and one which, with our financial partners, we are poised to fully exploit as we take the next strategic step and move towards the pre-production prototype stage.”
THE NEW MK_1 PICK-UP MODEL –AVAILABLE WITH A DUAL-CAB BODY STYLE ACROSS THREE VARIANTS CALLED UTILITY, RANGE, AND PERFORMANCE – COMES WITH PLENTY OF PERFORMANCE.
THE NEW MERCEDES-AMG SL is set to arrive in Australia this year. Available in the top-spec AMG 63
4Matic+ variant, the 2+2 soft-top roadster features all-wheel-drive and a suite of luxury, technology, and safety features.
Power comes from a bi-turbo, 4-litre V8 that delivers 430kW and 800Nm and which punches the SL to 100km/h in 3.6 seconds on to a top speed of 315km/h. That power reaches the 21-inch AMG 10-twin-spoke forged wheels via a nine-speed multi-disc automatic transmission.
This intelligent 4Matic+ all-wheel-drive system provides fully variable torque distribution to the front and rear axles. Active rear axle steering is standard.
The AMG Dynamic Plus package is also standard, including AMG dynamic engine mounts, the RACE driving program
including Drift Mode, plus an AMG electronic rear axle locking differential.
Debuting on the SL 63 is AMG Active Ride Control suspension with active, hydraulic anti-roll stabilisation.
The new SL is fitted standard with a front axle lift function, which can raise the front axle by up to 30mm and can be activated by softkey or via stored GPS data.
A newly developed AMG highperformance composite braking system is optional for the SL 63, and there’s a new Digital Light system too. It incorporates a light module with three powerful LEDs in each headlamp, refracting and directing light through 1.3 million micro-mirrors to create a resolution of more than 2.6 million pixels per vehicle.
The chassis is designed as a lightweight composite aluminium structure and
consists of an aluminium space frame with a self-supporting structure. Aerodynamics include active elements front and rear, including the active air control system Airpanel, which comprises two distinct louvres located in the lower and upper air intakes in the front apron. In normal driving all louvres are closed, reducing drag and directing air specifically towards the underbody to further reduce front lift. Only when the demand for cooling air is particularly high do the louvres open and allow maximum cooling air to flow to the heat exchangers.
A retractable rear spoiler, integrated into the boot lid, actively changes through different angular positions.
The SL 63 features an electrically operated soft top. Opening or closing takes about 15 seconds using a switch panel in the centre console or the multimedia touchscreen, and operation is possible at speeds up to 60 km/h.
Inside, the Mercedes-AMG SL 63 4Matic+ is, as you’d expect, luxuriously appointed. AMG sports seats upholstered in Exclusive Nappa leather, come complete with an Airscarf neck-warming feature. The standard Energizing Package includes both heating and cooling for the front seats, while a Memory Package includes eight-way electric adjustment and three memory settings.
The AMG Performance steering wheel is also heated and includes integrated
rotary dials to control AMG-specific driving features. There’s a standard headup display (HUD) with augmented reality for navigation, an 11-speaker Burmester surround sound system with an output of 650 watts, ambient lighting with a choice of 64 colours, dual-zone climate control, and a mechanical wind deflector to minimise airflow through the cabin when driving with the roof stowed.
There’s an 11.9-inch tablet-style central display housing the latest generation of the Mercedes MBUX multimedia system. This also supports full smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a wireless charging system is supplied for compatible devices.
Safety systems and features include the Driving Assistance Package Plus including Active Distance Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Traffic Sign Assist, route-based speed adaptation, Active traffic-assist, Active Steering Assist and Active Lane Change Assist. It includes a total of eight airbags, including sidebags for rear occupants.
A tyre pressure monitoring system is standard, as is Guard 360° Vehicle Protection Plus, which includes an anti-theft alarm system and an interior monitoring system.
The new Mercedes-AMG SL 63 4MATIC+ is priced at $374,900 (MRLP) and available to order now.
HONDA’S MIDSIZE SUV, the ZR-V, has launched into the Australian market and will be available in four variants – the hybrid e:HEV LX, and the petrol-powered VTi LX, VTi L and VTi X.
The petrol-engine variants share a 131kW/240Nm, 1.5-litre petrol turbocharged engine, with power going to the front wheels via a CVT transmission.
The range-topping e:HEV LX sports a 2-motor hybrid system with a 2-litre direct injection engine and e-CVT. This set-up
delivers 135kW and 315Nm.
Honda says the ZR-V is based on an enhanced version of the company’s global architecture. The chassis includes fully independent suspension, with new MacPherson struts in front and a new multilink arrangement in the rear. The SUV is equipped with 4-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist.
Driving modes include Normal and Eco, with the VTi LX and e:HEV LX variants get
Honda ZR-V
THE RANGE-TOPPING E:HEV LX SPORTS A 2-MOTOR HYBRID SYSTEM WITH A 2-LITRE DIRECT INJECTION ENGINE AND E-CVT. THIS SET-UP DELIVERS 135KW AND 315NM.
a Sport mode which alters the drive ratios and mapping for a sportier feel.
The VTi X comes with 17-inch silverpainted alloys, while VTi L gets 18-inch alloy wheels, and the VTi LX and e:HEV LX get 18-inch two-tone black-grey alloy wheels.
On the inside, premium materials are used throughout and there are plenty of nice touches. The front centre tray ahead of the shifter is sized for even large smartphones, and on VTi LX and e:HEV LX grades it serves as a Qi-compatible charging pad.
There’s a 10.2-inch driver information interface, and a 9-inch colour touchscreen and the audio system come standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The 9-inch system features user-defined shortcuts at the bottom of the screen offering six programmable shortcuts. Phone calls can be made via Bluetooth
connectivity. USB connectivity comes via two ports up front and two in the rear.
The Honda ZR-V comes with Honda Connect mobile application and server platform, offering 5 years free subscription with every purchase. This feature offers a suite of connected services and connectivity features.
Safety and driving features are comprehensive. Amongst them is a radarpowered Blind Spot Information (BSI) system (standard on VTi LX and e:HEV LX grades), a Driver Attention Monitor, while all grades feature four sonar parking sensors up front and four at the rear. This enables, Honda says, implementation of Low-Speed Braking Control (LSBC) and front and rear false-start prevention, to reduce the likelihood of low-speed collisions, such as in parking situations.
Honda’s suite of active safety features – known as Honda Sensing – includes functions such as Traffic Jam Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition, Collision Mitigation Braking System, Forward Collision Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow, Lane Keeping Assist, Road Departure Mitigation, and Lane Departure Warning.
Driveaway pricing for the Honda ZR-V is $40,200 for the VTi X, $43,200 for the VTi L, $48,500 for the VTi LX, and $54,900 for the e:HEV LX.
THE EIGHTH GENERATION of the BMW 5 Series sedan will launch in Australia later this year. It will be the first 5 Series to feature all-electric drive with the i5 model, which will be offered to Australian customers in two variants, alongside a sole petrol model, the 520i. The petrol model will come with 48-volt mild hybrid tech.
The all-electric BMW i5 is equipped with fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology, with both variants getting an 84kWh battery pack.
The range-topping BMW i5 M60 xDrive combines a 442kW electric drive with two integrated drive units on the front and rear axles. System torque is up to 820Nm when M Sport Boost or the M Launch Control function is activated, enabling the BMW i5 M60 to accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in 3.8-seconds. Top speed is limited to 230km/h.
The BMW i5 eDrive40 features an electric motor driving the rear wheels and generates a maximum output of 250kW and torque of up to 430Nm with the Sport Boost or Launch Control function. The
BMW i5 eDrive40 will reach 100km/h in six seconds and its top speed is 193km/h.
Adaptive recuperation and a combination of heat pump technology for heating and cooling the interior, drive and high-voltage battery contribute to a range that BMW claims at 516km for the i5 M60 xDrive and 582km for the i5 eDrive40.
With the new MAX RANGE function, BMW says the range can be increased by up to 25 percent if required by limiting power and speed and deactivating comfort functions.
A Combined Charging Unit (CCU) enables AC charging with an input of up to 22kW and it can be plugged into a domestic household plug or connected to the BMW Wallbox. Charging with DC power up to 205kW will see the i5 go from 10-80 per cent charge in around 30 minutes. The i5 models are delivered with a domestic charger (Mode 2) and the AC Public Charging Cable Professional (Mode 3) charger.
BMW says a complimentary five-year subscription to the Chargefox charging
network is also offered as standard for the BMW i5 models.
The new BMW 520i available at launch in Australia will be powered by an all-new four-cylinder unit with turbocharging and 48-volt mild hybrid technology offering 153kW and 330Nm, and a new eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission. The sprint to 100km/h comes in 7.5 seconds.
Chassis and control systems tech includes directly controlled wheel slip limitation, integrated braking system and sport steering with variable steering ratio as standard. M sport suspension, M sport brake system and the Adaptive Suspension Professional (standard on the BMW i5 models with M treatment added for the i5 M60 xDrive) with electronically controlled shock absorbers, Integral Active Steering and new vertical dynamics management are also on offer.
Light alloy wheels in sizes ranging
between 19- and 21-inches sizes are available, including aerodynamic designs on the i5 models.
Other technology includes Driving Assistant Professional – which is standard across the model line-up – including Steering and Lane Control Assist and Distance Control with Stop & Go function. There’s also Parking Assistant Professional, and Automated Manoeuvre Assistant – included within the Parking Assistant Professional offering – which enables parking and manoeuvring actions to be recorded and saved by the driver at any location, including its GPS location. The vehicle can then automatically perform that same manoeuvre at the request of the driver each time the vehicle returns to that location.
A BMW iDrive display and control system with QuickSelect system is based on the BMW Operating System 8.5 and combines with the BMW Curved Display and Intelligent Personal Assistant. The standard fit BMW Live Cockpit Professional includes the BMW Head-Up Display and Augmented View on the Control Display or instrument cluster.
The Operating System 8.5 offers a range of digital content for information and entertainment. Video streaming is possible on the Control Display, as is in-car gaming with the AirConsole platform.
AUSTRALIANS WILL SOON
be able to get their hands on the most potent Volkswagen Golf ever.
The company’s sparkling Golf R 20 Years will be available to order in July, with 50 units coming to Australia at a recommended retail price (RRP) of $77,490.
Celebrating 20 years since the Golf R32 became the quickest VW ever produced, the company says the special edition comes with an Akrapovic titanium exhaust, power and torque upgrades, enhanced turbocharger performance, a sharper-shifting transmission, real carbon décor inserts, exclusive exterior styling –plus all Golf R options including premium paint, panoramic sunroof, and Harman/ Kardon premium audio.
Every Golf R 20 Years for Australia includes a panoramic sunroof and Harman/Kardon premium audio system.
The 2-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with petrol particulate filter (PPF) now produces 245kW (+10kW) and 420Nm (+20Nm) for 0-100km/h in 4.6 seconds, the fastest time of any Golf ever sold in Australia.
Styling elements include 19-inch Estoril alloy wheels painted in black with Lapiz Blue exterior paint, or black and blue with the single other exterior colour alternative – Pure White.
Door mirrors are painted in deep black (with Lapiz Blue) or Lapiz Blue (with Pure White). A ‘20 Years’ badge adorns each
B-pillar and forms a welcome projection light from mirrors.
Inside the Golf R 20 Years exclusively features real carbon décor inserts across the dashboard and doors.
The Volkswagen Golf R 20 Years will be available to order exclusively online at volkswagen.com.au from July 13.
A total of 32 Lapiz Blue Premium Metallic and 18 Pure White examples will be offered.
GWM HAS ANNOUNCED a petrolpowered version of its ruggedlooking Tank 300 off-roader will be available to Australian buyers.
Priced from $46,990 driveaway, the new Tank 300 petrol is powered by a 2-litre turbocharged petrol engine with 162kW of power and 380Nm of torque mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission and fed through a parttime 4WD system.
Fuel economy is a claimed 10.7 litres per 100km running on regular unleaded fuel. Braked towing capacity is 2500kg. Available in two variants – the Lux and the Ultra – the Tank 300 has an extensive list of features.
THE TANK 300 LUX GETS:
• 17-inch alloy wheels
• LED headlights and taillights
• Comfort-Tek leather seating
• Power adjustable drivers (6-way) and front passenger (4-way) seats
• 12.3-inch colour instrument cluster
• 12.3-inch LCD infotainment touchscreen
• Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
• 9-speaker sound system
• 12v power outlet
• Front and rear USB ports
• Sunroof
• Side steps
• Roof rails
• 7 SRS airbags (including centre)
• Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) & Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
• Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
• Lane Keep Assist (LKA)
• Lane Centre Keep (LCK)
• Emergency Lane Keep (ELK)
• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
• Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR)
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) with brake
• Tyre Pressure Monitoring (TPMS)
• Front parking sensors (4) & Rear parking sensors (4)
• 360-degree around view camera
• Rear differential lock
• All-Terrain mode selection
• Turning Assist
• Transparent chassis function
THE TANK 300 ULTRA PETROL ADDS:
• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Nappa leather accented seats
• Heated and cooled (front) seats
• Power adjustable driver’s seat (8-way) with lumbar adjustment and massage
• 9-speaker premium audio
• 64-colour ambient lighting
• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
• Wireless charging
• 220V power outlet
• Front differential lock
The new Tank 300 petrol is backed by a 7-year / unlimited km warranty, 5-years roadside assistance and 5-years Capped Price Servicing.
Pricing see the Lux petrol come in at $46,990 Driveaway, while the Ultra is available at $50,990 Driveaway.
IT WAS A bumper month for new vehicle sales last month, with Australia’s automotive industry achieving its best ever May sales result with 105,694 new vehicle deliveries.
The result, published by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) and Vfacts, is a 12 per cent increase on the same month last year and represents a 2.7 per cent increase on May 2017, which was the previous best May result. The year-to-date sales of 456,833 is 4.3 per cent higher than the same period last year.
Every State and Territory saw an increase with Queensland marking growth of a whopping 17.4 per cent compared to May 2022, while Western Australia topped that with 25.1 per cent growth.
“This result is a signal that we are starting to see some improvement in supply,” said Tony Weber, FCAI CEO. “However, not all issues are resolved, and our members continue to work with their customers to improve vehicle delivery times.”
Mr Weber added that while vehicle supply issues might be beginning to ease, the industry remained cautious around broader economic conditions and their potential impact on demand.
“A large proportion of vehicles delivered this month would have been ordered during 2022,” he said. “Since then, we have seen a shift in economic conditions with a focus on rising cost pressures for households and businesses. Nevertheless,
EVERY STATE AND TERRITORY SAW AN INCREASE WITH QUEENSLAND MARKING
GROWTH OF A WHOPPING 17.4 PER CENT COMPARED WITH MAY 2022, WHILE WESTERN AUSTRALIA TOPPED THAT WITH 25.1 PER CENT GROWTH.
reports from our members indicate that demand remains firm.”
Sales of Battery Electric Vehicles were up to 7.7 per cent of the market in May and are running at 7 per cent year to date. Sales for electrified vehicles (Battery Electric Vehicle, Plug-In Hybrid and Hybrid) made up 15.6 per cent of the market in May.
Toyota (18,340) was the market leader in May followed by Mazda (8,475), Hyundai (7,078), Kia (7,000) and Ford (6,251). The Toyota Hi-Lux (5,772) was the largest selling model followed by Ford Ranger (4,110), Tesla Model Y (3,178), Toyota RAV4 (2,616) and MG ZS (2,502).
Inclusion is more than just meeting our legal obligations which provide protections. It is important to educate to avoid stereotypes and bias.
Australia’s workforce has historically been reliant on migrant workers. As the covid pandemic locked the international borders, the supply of migrant labour stopped for nearly two years - it is only now starting to recover. This means we are seeing more workers with different backgrounds and customs.
Diversity in the community and in our workplaces has important legal, social and economic effects, whether it is about age, cultural background, gender, family carer status, mental health, or perspectives.
Building inclusive workplaces means we work in respectful, connected, progressive workplaces that results in job satisfaction, productivity, wellness and less stress.
The recent increase in quiet or prayer rooms is one way business can facilitate those employees who have religious practice needs that minimises the disruption to work commitments.
The Fair Work Commission (FWC) recently delivered its 2023 Annual Wage Review Decision. The increase to the
minimum award wage is 5.75 per cent, with award-based allowances also increasing. It is effective from the first full pay period on or after 1st July 2023.
MTA Queensland (MTAQ) will update its MTAQ Wages Guides on the MTAQ Member Portal once the FWC Draft Determinations are finalised. This wage increase will directly affect some 20 per cent of the Australian workforce who are paid on the minimum award wage. For other employees who are paid above award wages, this increase may be absorbed into wage arrangements.
MTA Queensland’s Workplace Relations services are available to assist and advise members in all employment and award related matters and Fair Work Commission representation.
This information is provided as general guidance and professional advice and assistance is recommended. For Business enquiries about wages, salaries, employment contracts, dismissal and representation, please contact the MTA Queensland Workplace Relations team on 07 3237 8777.
BUILDING INCLUSIVE WORKPLACES MEANS WE WORK IN RESPECTFUL, CONNECTED, PROGRESSIVE WORKPLACES THAT RESULTS IN JOB SATISFACTION, PRODUCTIVITY, WELLNESS AND LESS STRESS.
WHILE MAY WAS a blur, June shapes up to be an exciting month for the MTA Institute with plenty of activity in the Vocational Education space. We will have a large presence at the 2023 Autocare in Brisbane on the 9th and 10th of June delivering EV technical training seminars on both days, including an interactive EV depowering presentation on the training stage, and a trade stand. Be sure to pop in and say hello and have a chat about your specific skilling requirements.
After attending this year’s Truck Show in Southbank, it became very evident to me that EV adoption is not only on the rise in the light vehicle sector, but clearly evident now in the heavy vehicle sector. Reflecting on what I saw, there must have been half-a-dozen, if not more, manufacturers exhibiting EV trucks, and another three to four EV retrofitting solutions for existing fleets were being displayed. With this rapid EV adoption, I’ll keep on harping on the necessity to upskill our workforce accordingly.
The June school holidays also brings activity in the form of Auto Ready courses for school students. Courses are pegged in for Townsville and Brisbane so hopefully we can encourage these participants into our industry.
Congratulations to light vehicle apprentice Emma Manzelmann from Jet Maintenance Services in Mackay, who has been named the MTA Institute Apprentice of the Month for April 2023! Emma will now be in the running for the title of Apprentice of the Year at the 2023 Industry Awards Gala in November, competing against 11 of MTA Institute's best and brightest apprentices. Finally, be sure to check out the suite of MTA Queensland’s low-cost, high-value micro-credential courses available right now.
Happy EOFY.
“AFTER ATTENDING THIS YEAR’S TRUCK SHOW IN SOUTHBANK, IT BECAME VERY EVIDENT TO ME THAT EV ADOPTION IS NOT ONLY ON THE RISE IN THE LIGHT VEHICLE SECTOR, BUT CLEARLY EVIDENT NOW IN THE HEAVY VEHICLE SECTOR.”
LIAM WATT
WORKPLACE:
MCCARTHY PANEL WORKS, MACKAY
APPRENTICESHIP:
BODY REPAIR TECHNOLOGY
The 21-year-old is in the third year of his Body Repair Technology (panel beater) apprenticeship and has worked for a couple of years at McCarthy Panel Works in Mackay.
Determined and enthusiastic in his work, Liam has, said his trainer Shane Palmer, proven to be an outstanding employee and apprentice. He is already an award-winning apprentice too, having also picked up Car Craft’s Second-Year Apprentice of the Year Award.
“Liam is always willing to learn and go beyond in new technologies in the evolving vehicle body repair industry,” commented Shane. “He is always improving in his practical skill sets and has his theory and training record up to date every scheduled training visit, ready to take on that next challenge. Liam is the future in automotive body repair technology and is receiving the highest level of training and support.”
While he is now enjoying and excelling in his role as an apprentice collision repairer, it took a bit of time for Liam to decide that a career in that sector was for him.
After graduating from school, he wasn’t sure what direction to go, and took on a few odd jobs. However, he had always been interested in cars - and had tried his hand at the mechanical and body repair of his own car - so began to apply for roles, mechanical and otherwise, at local shops. Alerted to an opportunity at a local collision repairer, Liam applied, deciding to give it a go to see how things went.
He's never looked back.
Realising he had a passion for collision repair, 12 months after starting his apprenticeship he sought a move to McCarthy Panel Works – a shop
which has serviced the Mackay region for more than 50 years and which has a stellar reputation for the work it does as well as its staff training and work environment.
“I can’t knock my first employer – they gave me the opportunity and I did learn a lot, but I just wanted to progress further,” said Liam. “I asked a lot of people where they got their cars done, and they talked very highly of this shop . . . so I came over for an interview, had a walk around, talked to few of the blokes and knew I wanted to come here.”
Liam started at McCarthy just as the business was beginning a major expansion - most notably the construction of a new facility focused on the repair of electric and hybrid vehicles. Now a Tesla Repair Centre, the shop offers training to its appropriately qualified staff in the repair of electrified vehicles, amongst other learning opportunities.
As a third year, there are only a few elements of collision repair work (restricted to fourth-year apprentices) that Liam has yet to tackle, but from the repair of a fender to a pillar, from welding to patch and bog work, he does plenty and on any brand and model from small hatchbacks to trucks.
The patch work and bog work are actually the parts of the work he enjoys the most, he said.
“With patch work you have to fabricate every piece you’re using and with bog work you’re shaping the car. Once it leaves you for the painters, that is the way it is going to be – those jobs are fully up to me.”
While there is still much to learn in the 18 months or so left until he qualifies, Liam said he had given some thought to what his next step would be, and that the electrification of the industry would mean much more training.
“Given the number of electric cars there will be in the future I was thinking about the auto-electrical path,” he said. “I’ll wait and see until I have got my ticket, but that is the way I feel it is going.”
• 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.
RECENTLY, I ATTENDED a car club drive through the Kenilworth and Sunshine Coast hinterland areas. This was completed in my Series II VF Commodore SSV Redline, a vehicle totally opposite in design, function, and fuel efficiency to an Atto 3.
I wanted to see if the same drive would be as enjoyable in the BYD. What would the range and economy be like in comparison? What sort of infrastructure is available for EVs?
Retracing the route in the Atto 3
was enjoyable, although I did miss the involvement of a manual transmission and the burbling exhaust note of the Commodore’s 6.2-litre V8 engine. The undulating country winding roads again showed how advantageous an electric motor can be. The instant torque and acceleration are addictive, effortless.
While the SSV Redline would be a lot quicker on the drag strip or on a racetrack, I found real-world rolling performance, to legal speeds, very similar. Those who don’t believe me DO when they have driven, or
THE BYD SUSPENSION WAS COMFORTABLE AND COMPLIANT ALTHOUGH, FOR ME, IT WAS PERHAPS A LITTLE TOO SOFT WITH THE REAR SUSPENSION IN PARTICULAR BEING FLOATY, NOT SETTLING VERY QUICKLY. HOWEVER, IT DID SOAK UP BUMPS BETTER THAN THE MORE FIRMLY SPRUNG COMMODORE.
been passenger in, an EV. The Atto 3 is no slug. The BYD suspension was comfortable and compliant although, for me, it was perhaps a little too soft with the rear suspension in particular being floaty, not
settling very quickly. However, it did soak up bumps better than the more firmly sprung Commodore. The Batman-branded tyres (I had never heard of this brand) were okay in dry conditions, but the initial torque of the electric motor does seem to overwhelm them, and the car does struggle for grip in wet road conditions. It would be interesting to see how the BYD would perform with better tyres.
The hinterland route was 222km and the BYD used 62 per cent of its battery for this. This meant a longer trip on similar types of roads would give a range of 358km. In my case, I had already used 12 per cent of the battery before I had started the day trip, resulting in the remaining range available when I arrived home was
approximately 95 to 110km. A trip from home to work is 56km. With not much wriggle room in range, the BYD was not used again during the weekend.
This leads to the issue of infrastructure and the need for a change of approach when using a pure electric vehicle. The Commodore used approximately 28 litres of BP Ultimate unleaded (at $2.10 per litre) for the same trip, and I still had a usable range of 300km at the end. With the Commodore, I also have the advantage of multiple options to refill, even along the route taken.
For EVs, there was some charging infrastructure. However, most were found in holiday/vacation establishments with charging points only available to customers. I had difficulties finding the public charge points in Maleny and Montville. This was possibly caused by my
focus on what weekend traffic was doing but also because, at least for me, they weren’t well marked.
Depending on vehicle battery range, EV owners would have to plan a day trip like
FOR EVS, THERE WAS SOME CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE. HOWEVER, MOST WERE FOUND IN HOLIDAY/VACATION ESTABLISHMENTS WITH CHARGING POINTS ONLY AVAILABLE TO CUSTOMERS. I HAD DIFFICULTIES FINDING THE PUBLIC CHARGE POINTS IN MALENY AND MONTVILLE.
this and be prepared to stop and spend time wherever the charging stations are located.
Pressure on existing charging infrastructure will continue as EVs become more popular. And they are. On this 222km
trip we counted seven other BYD Atto 3s, seven Teslas (of different model designations), one Kia EV and one Hyundai EV. More charging stations are required. As a side note, interestingly, using the BYD’s high battery regeneration setting on the downhill run from Maleny to Landsborough netted a 2 per cent increase in battery power.
So, what would my driving preference be? To tell the truth, I enjoyed both the BYD and the Commodore equally and I am that type of car guy who sees the positives and negatives in all vehicles. Perhaps I am slowly being converted to preferring an EV? Time will tell, I guess.
AT THE BEGINNING of May, MTA Queensland and the MTA Institute held an Automotive Careers Breakfast event at the Association’s head office in Brisbane. A joint event to support MTA Queensland’s Auto Women initiative, which was established in 2022 to provide a supportive environment for women working across the automotive industry to network and grow, and the School to Work initiative, the goal of which is to support students with the information and skills they need to prepare for a career in automotive, more than 50 people, from women working in the industry to school students and their families, attended the breakfast event.
Laura Angus, Executive Director of the National Careers Institute
As well as partaking of a hearty breakfast and networking with likeminded others, attendees were able to check out some of the latest technology being used in automotive – from paint application techniques demonstrated by representatives of Axalta, to electric vehicle and hybrid electric vehicle technology, to diagnostic, software and chassis repair technology demonstrated by MTA Institute trainers. School students were also able to talk with Leanna Tucker, Automotive VET (Vocational Education and Training) Officer for MTA Queensland, about pathways, options, and opportunities available to them.
Guest speaker at the event was Laura Angus, Executive Director of the National
Careers Institute (part of the Australian Government’s Department of Employment and Workplace Relations).
Focusing on the efforts that aim to enable more women to establish careers in industry, Mrs Angus said it was great to hear of the success of the Auto Women initiative, and elements of it such as the Scholarship program, and said that the Australian Government would continue its drive to increase opportunities to women across automotive and other industries.
“Our mission at the Careers Institute is to provide people with a trusted source of information, and support projects to help those groups that might otherwise struggle or experience some sort of disadvantage progressing in whatever chosen career or sector that they might want to work in,” she said.
“It’s fabulous for me to come out and hear people talking, listening to the parents and individuals who are here today . . . and there are a few things I do want to say. That is to thank you, and organisations like this one, because this is what makes a difference. The work that happens here in promoting opportunities for women, particularly in traditional trades where
“THE WORK THAT HAPPENS HERE IN PROMOTING OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN, PARTICULARLY IN TRADITIONAL TRADES WHERE WOMEN HAVEN’T NECESSARILY WORKED A LOT, IS REALLY SO TERRIBLY IMPORTANT.”
women haven’t necessarily worked a lot, is really so terribly important. Everybody knows about the skills shortage – it’s on the news all the time about how employers can’t get workers – and we need to make sure that every single person that wants to work can work, and preferably work in a career or area that they’re passionate about and they want to work in. So, thank you to all of you for your efforts in that space.”
Of the grant process that enables many of the initiatives that encourage women into industry, Mrs Angus said an evaluation process was now being undertaken.
“We did have a grant round –it was $9.5 million provided to 42 grantees - and it was all focused on how we can better support women . . . We are about to go into an evaluation phase of those so we can really get a sense of what worked well and what didn’t, and what might we do differently and what we might look to support in the future, so that is a really exciting thing for us - to actually come back and see what difference did it make to have
access to that funding . . . The Australian Government has a really strong view that we need to work better at supporting women so there is gender equity – so it’s about making sure women have equal opportunities – but also looking at what we need to do at a system level to try and support that.
“Some of that is about bringing TAFE back into the heart of the system and ensuring that TAFEs are providing the best quality education and access that we can, but also supporting good quality training providers and RTOs, wherever they are, to continue doing the work they are doing.”
“THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT HAS A REALLY STRONG VIEW THAT WE NEED TO WORK BETTER AT SUPPORTING WOMEN SO THERE IS GENDER EQUITY –SO IT’S ABOUT MAKING SURE WOMEN HAVE EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES . . . ”
AS WITH MANY other industries, the automotive industry faces a shortage of skilled workers across just about every sector. Finding the technicians and employees to meet that shortage is something of a battle, and part of the mission of both MTA Queensland and the MTA Institute is to find ways and develop initiatives to assist in filling those workforce gaps.
One such initiative is a series of networking events held to bring students and employers together and, at the end of May, the MTA Institute held its third such ‘Meet and Greet’ event at the MTA Queensland head office in Brisbane. For employers, such events are an opportunity to engage with young people enthusiastic about the industry and keen to get on the first rung of the career ladder. For the students, it’s an opportunity to learn a little about individual businesses in different sectors of the industry, meet owners and representatives of those businesses, and, potentially, uncover a pathway into a career.
Some 15 young people who were tackling the five-week AUR20720
Certificate II in Automotive Vocational Preparation course attended the Meet and Greet event. Those students had joined the Cert II course as part of the Queensland Government’s Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative, which was set up to assist ‘disadvantaged Queenslanders to gain skills, qualifications and experience to enter and stay in the workforce.’
This Certificate II pre-apprenticeship course is designed to give students an
“...IT’S ABOUT LINKING THESE TWO SIDES OF THE INDUSTRY – WE’RE DELIVERING ACCREDITED TRAINING TO THE STUDENTS AND PREPARING THEM FOR REAL WORK OPPORTUNITIES, AND THEN BRINGING THEM TOGETHER WITH EMPLOYERS WHO HAVE THOSE WORK OPPORTUNITIES.”Young people who were tackling the five-week AUR20720 Certificate II in Automotive Vocational Preparation course attended the Meet and Greet event.
introduction to the industry and during the five weeks of training they receive instruction on, among other things, basic mechanical and electrical tasks and safe working practices in the workplace.
It enables students to get a feel for being in a workshop, the type of work they’ll be expected to do, and the standards they’ll be expected to meet. It also arms them with the confidence to feel comfortable in a workshop. For employers, a Cert II holder is someone who has already developed some skills and has, perhaps just as importantly, proven their interest in the industry.
Along with the students, representatives of three businesses – Skinny’s Garage, a specialist motorcycle shop in Brisbane; Brisbane City Council; and Fortress Collision Repair Services – were on hand to talk about their companies, the work they do, and the career opportunities available, and over the course of the twohour event, the students and employers engaged in a great deal of conversation and discussion about work, careers, and the next steps.
According to MTA Institute Operations Manager Anthony Bonaccorso, events such as this are an excellent way to establish that first connection between employer and potential employee.
“The labour market is quite tight and trying to recruit new entrants is difficult right now. For the Institute, it’s about linking these two sides of the industry –we’re delivering accredited training to the students and preparing them for real work opportunities, and then bringing them together with employers who have those work opportunities,” he said.
“The goal here is to have the students hear directly from employers and give the employers the opportunity to invite these young people in, give them a chance with, for example, some work experience and potentially offer them employment.”
For Janene van Barrelo, Human Resources Coordinator for Fortress Collision Repair Services, the chance to talk directly to the students was not to be missed. The company has 10 cutting-edge workshops across southeast
Queensland and into northern NSW and takes the development of its 40 apprentices seriously, developing its own internal training and support structures that complement the MTA Institute’s apprenticeship training. The company works with schools to highlight the collision repair industry to young people, but there is, said Janene, a real benefit to engaging with students through the Institute’s Meet and Greet events.
“This type of event is very appealing because we get the opportunity to talk to students that are already interested in the automotive trades – they already have that awareness,” she said.
“We visit high schools on careers days to educate youth about the industry,” she
added. “But students don’t understand jobs in the industry, and imagine it is the dirty, dusty '80s bodyshop. We know it is no longer that - it is about shops with the latest equipment and technology, about the skill set that comes with being a technician . . . but they are not aware of that. However, when you come here, these young people are already doing a Cert II, they are already interested in the automotive industry, interested in cars . . . so these events are great for us to have that interaction.”
For the MTA Institute, the Meet & Greet events have been a successful addition to initiatives introduced to assist both students and employers, and they will become a regular event, slotting into the calendar around the fourth week of the Certificate II in Automotive Vocational Preparation course that is being run at that time.
“Our job is to prepare these students for the workplace and offer employers access to enthusiastic young people who are eager to get a start in the industry,” said Anthony.
“The Meet and Greets are a great way to bring these groups together and to take that first step.”
“THIS TYPE OF EVENT IS VERY APPEALING BECAUSE WE GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK TO STUDENTS THAT ARE ALREADY INTERESTED IN THE AUTOMOTIVE TRADES – THEY ALREADY HAVE THAT AWARENESS.”(r) Janene van Barrelo, Human Resources Coordinator for Fortress Collision Repair Services, chats with students.
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.
Make it Cheaper are Australia’s leading energy comparison and broker service for Aussie businesses, working with up to 10 energy retailers to find customers a great electricity or gas plan and reduce energy costs.
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 May 2023. It's a fantastic achievement!
Daniel Apsey Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Lachlan Byrne Certificate III in Automotive Body Repair Technology
David Cassels Certificate III in Automotive Body Repair Technology
Lauren Cortes Certificate III in Automotive Sales
Mathew Cox Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Ryan Creber Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology
Jack Denman Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Ashley Dunning Certificate III in Automotive Refinishing Technology
Joshua Edwards Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Kye Ehrnholm
Mark Elliott
Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Christopher Gallagher Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Marcus Heathcote Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Nate Jansen Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Brandon Lucas Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Mark Nolan Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Jake Pearson Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology
Kaine Pieper Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Jayke Ethan Pritchard Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Julian Radloff
Certificate III in Automotive Refinishing Technology
Christopher Reid Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Stephen Vassie Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Nicholas White Certificate III in Automotive Body Repair Technology
William Wickham Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
David Twidale
Brett Baker
Shane Palmer
Keiran Charters
Roger West
Gareth Hartley
Lloyd Cross
Alfio Rotolone
Roger West
Derrick Pratt
Stephen Blaauw
Jeff Mann
Colin Crichton
Gareth Hartley
Jens Puder
Andrew Elson
Gareth Hartley
David Twidale
Derrick Pratt
Brett Baker
Keith Minchin
Colin Crichton
Shane Palmer
Bruce McLeish
TO MORE THAN 13,000 PEOPLE DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN THE MOTORING INDUSTRY (website or e-magazine options)
THIS IS THE BMW Concept Touring Coupe, a shooting-brake two-seater that harks back to some of the company’s historical models – such as the 328 Touring Coupe of the 1940s and 02 models from the 1970s – and which is based on BMW’s Z4 Roadster.
It’s an elegant piece of hand-crafted work with a decent amount of space at the rear designed to accommodate your luggage – a set of custom-made leather bags was made for the concept - when you embark on those long, lazy weekends away. Getting to that luggage space means interacting with a nicely sculpted rear-end that highlights the concept’s muscular stance.
. . . AS A FULLY WORKING CONCEPT BASED ON THE PROVEN Z4 PLATFORM, IT WOULD BE NICE TO THINK BMW IS SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING GIVING THIS ONE A CHANCE.VIDEO: BMW CONCEPT TOURING COUPE INTERIOR
That muscular shape at the back houses 21-inch lightalloy wheels, while up front are 20-inch wheels. Details of the powertrain are sketchy, with BMW saying only that the Concept Touring Coupe is powered by a six-cylinder in-line engine (the Z4 has a 3-litre turbocharged six-cylinder engine).
Up front, the design is familiar but there’s a unique grille with longitudinal bars. The body has a paint created especially for the concept – a ‘Sparkling Lario’ paintwork with embedded flakes of blue glass designed to give some depth to the grey-brown hue.
On the inside, the Z4 layout is given some extra sparkle with a tri-colour trim from Italian leather workshop Poltrana Frau that includes some baseball glovestyle stitching. Technology is top-notch, of course, with the infotainment system given a tweak with a unique graphical set-up.
With the auto industry racing towards electrification, there’s a question as to whether a concept like this might see
production, even in a limited form, but as a fully working concept based on the proven Z4 platform, it would be nice to think BMW is seriously considering giving this one a chance.”
26 - 30 June 2023 (BRISBANE)
26 - 30 June 2023 (DYSART)
26 - 30 June 2023 (NORTH BRISBANE)
26 - 30 June 2023 (TOWNSVILLE)
3 - 7 July 2023 (BRISBANE)
3 - 7 July 2023 (TOWNSVILLE)
AIR CONDITIONING COURSE
24 - 26 June 2023 (SOLD OUT) 21 - 23 June 2023 (SOLD OUT)
SALES/DEALERS/WRECKERS
BATTERY ELECTRIC AND HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLES COURSE
29 - 31 June 2023
3 - 5 July 2023
AUTOMOTIVE VOCATIONAL PREPARATION COURSE
31 July – 1 September 2023
Enquiries to: courses@mtai.edu.au Website www.mtai.edu.au
POST-TRADE
ADVANCED DRIVER ASSISTANCE SYSTEMS COURSES
AWARENESS COURSE TO BE ADVISED
VEHICLE GLASS COURSE TO BE ADVISED
TECHNICIAN COURSE
18 - 19 June 2023
Enquiries to: courses@mtaq.com.au Website www.mtaq.com.au 20170566
*Course dates subject to change
