SPOTLIGHT ON CHINA AT THE
2023
+ MTA Q&A: NAY RANASINGHE, TYREPOWER COOKTOWN + VEHICLE REVIEW: SUZUKI IGNIS GLX
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
WELCOME TO
May
edition of Motor Trader. Having pondered last month whether traditional motor shows were (almost) a thing of the past and applauding the recent EVcentric Fully Charged Live event held in Sydney, this month we take a look at Auto Shanghai, the truly massive automotive expo held in China. With hundreds of exhibitors, hundreds of thousands of visitors, and the unveiling of dozens of new cars and vehicles, it was a whopper of an event. Amongst the many cars unwrapped there were many, not surprisingly, destined for the Chinese market. However, quite a few may well make their way to Australia over the coming months and years, and in this edition, we take a look at a handful of them. They are all very nice indeed. You can read about them from page 16.
Also inside this month's edition we have a summary of the federal budget and how it impacts the automotive industry, a report on MTA Queensland's new AutoSchoolConnect platform which is aimed at helping school students prepare for a career in the automotive industry, and news regarding the latest recipients of the Association's Vocational Education and Training scholarships.
As always, we have plenty of news from around the world regarding the industry and the advances and innovations within it, and also have our regular Q&A feature - this month with the team from Tyrepower Cooktown - and Classic Car feature, which this month delves back just a few years to check out the extraordinary McLaren P1, a hyperecar which celebrates its 10th birthday this year.
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, let me know.
Cheers
Jonathan Nash, Editor jonathann@mtaq.com.auMTA Queensland welcomes the following new members
WITH THE END of financial year fast approaching – can you believe already! – now is the time to do a stocktake of your business, and that includes your approach to Human Resources.
Australia’s industrial relations system is changing, and I cannot stress how important it is that all employers are aware and ready for what’s ahead. The Fair Work Amendment(SecureJobs,BetterPay)Act2022 will introduce a string of new civil penalty laws aimed at employers.
This is profound enough. However, perhaps the most significant change will be in the area of workplace bargaining, particularly relating to multi-employer bargaining. That is, to put it simply, employers can be roped into multi-employer agreements without prior consultation or agreement, with the pay and condition terms to be set based on those negotiated with a small number of unionized industry employers.
The government is also seeking submissions around new rules for introduction into legislation in the second half of 2023. These include:
• Criminalising wage underpayments and reforming civil penalties in the Fair Work Act 2009;
• Same Job, Same Pay provisions proposing those who are hired through labour hire or independent contractors are paid the same full rate as employees hired to perform the same job;
• ‘Employee-like’ forms of work and stronger protections for independent contractors.
• Updating the Fair Work Act 2009 to provide stronger protections for workers against discrimination.
I encourage all employers to get in touch with our employment relations team ASAP so we can help you get ahead of these upcoming changes. Remember IR advice is already a component of your membership, so utilise it!
In closing it would be remiss of me not to acknowledge the enormous contribution of our long-standing General Manager of MTA Institute Paul Kulpa. Paul has been an exemplary leader over the last 12 years and will be deeply missed. Paul, thank you for your contribution, leadership and character and I have no doubt you will be successful in your next venture.
Can you believe Easter is already upon us? I hope everyone had a chance to take a breath and unwind over the long weekend.
I would like to start by thanking our members who flagged the changes to the National Exchange of Vehicle and Driver Information System data. On the back of the calls we received, we were able to collaborate with the other states to put forward an argument and ultimately have these changes reverted to the benefit of our car dealers. This issue was driven by our members and is a reminder of the positive change we can make as a united industry group.
KELLIE DEWAR DEPUTY CEO | GENERAL MANAGER MEMBER SERVICES
I am also happy to announce that nominations are now open for our annual Industry Awards. These awards are a fantastic opportunity for our industry to recognise the businesses that are achieving incredible things in the automotive industry. This year, we are excited to open two new award categories – the Small and Large Business Awards for Excellence. I believe it is important to recognise the businesses that are leading the way in setting the standard for professionalism and excellence, which is what these new awards represent.
I have no doubt that the competition for the awards will be fierce, and I look forward to celebrating the winners at our Industry Awards Gala in November. You can nominate for the Industry Awards now by clicking HERE.
And finally, our Regional Industry catchups are now well underway, and I would like to remind members to keep an eye on their emails to find out when our next event will be held in your community. We hope to see you there!
THESE AWARDS ARE A FANTASTIC OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR INDUSTRY TO RECOGNISE THE BUSINESSES THAT ARE ACHIEVING INCREDIBLE THINGS IN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY.
Motor Trader was in the Far North recently to do a spot of fishing and take in the sights of Cooktown. We made it a point to drop by our member Tyrepower Cooktown to learn about the business in the Cape from Manager Nay Ranasinghe.
TYREPOWER COOKTOWN HAS MANY PRODUCTS AND SERVICES, TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT THE BUSINESS AND WHAT YOU DO.
NR: Tyrepower Cooktown is a part of the enterprise arm of the Gungarde
Community Centre Aboriginal Corporation (GCCAC). Gungarde Community
Aboriginal Corporation is a not-for-profit organisation delivering a range of services
for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Cooktown and surrounding districts. Gungarde’s vision is to provide a sustainable service to the Indigenous Community in Cooktown and surrounding areas, act in the best interest of indigenous people, and foster positive initiatives for the greater benefit of the region as a whole. Our corporation aims to provide our community members with adequate
Nay Ranasinghe, Tyrepower Cooktown workshop manager
accommodation, health programs, access to education and work opportunities, whilst promoting the preservation of Aboriginal social and cultural integrity. Gungarde Community Centre Aboriginal Corporation is based in Cooktown Far North Queensland and has been operating since 1982.
Tyrepower Cooktown is an enterprise arm of the Gungarde Community Centre. We supply tyre products and services for passenger and off-road vehicles, trucks and heavy earthmoving machinery, forklifts, agricultural equipment and both civil and mining machinery. In addition, we also provide a full comprehensive vehicle service and inspection station throughout Cape York to various customers including community, local, State and Federal Government vehicles, trucks and buses of all sizes. We also have a new modern car wash and vacuum facility located at our 2 Ferrari Street premises.
Our services include RACQ towing and roadside assistance, tyres and wheels, agricultural tyres,
mechanical servicing repairs, batteries, brake repairs, exhaust system, puncture repairs, steering repairs, suspension, towing, wheel alignment and balancing, waste collection for residential areas in Cook Shire and Wujal Wujal Shire, skip bin hire and removal, septic pumping, and car wash.
NR: GCAC began operating in 1982 and first opened the doors to the Tyrepower store in 2014. Since then, we have grown from strength to strength.
“GCAC BEGAN OPERATING IN 1982 AND FIRST OPENED THE DOORS TO THE TYREPOWER STORE IN 2014. SINCE THEN, WE HAVE GROWN FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH.”
NR: I am a fully qualified mechanic, licenced automotive air conditioning technician, and a licenced vehicle tester in Victoria.
NR: Yes, very much so. On a daily basis I carry out mechanical repairs, air conditioning repairs, tyre fitting, wheel alignments, and provide RACQ roadside assistance for our customers.
NR: We have a relatively large team but we also provide a very broad range of services so it is important that we have such a diverse selection of skills. Gregory Whittaker is the CEO of GCAC Enterprises, Warran Kulka is a Director of GCAC Enterprises; Helen Hanush is a Director of GCAC Enterprises; I am the manager of Cooktown Tyrepower; Lorraine Rosser is our accountant; Josephine Temple takes care of our administration and customer service in the front office; while Steven Curteis, Patrick Czislowski, and Ashan Chathuranga are in the workshop on the tools.
NR: We are a community-owned business and it is very important to us that we meet the needs of our community. It is essential to us that we maintain healthy business growth and focus on our community relationships.
To grow the business we will use new technologies and leverage social media to reach out to a wider customer base. We have exciting plans to improve the self-serve car wash with more functions making it an automatic car wash. We also want to improve all the other parts of the business such as our waste and septic removal service. This allows us to create employment opportunities for local people and deliver essential services to our residents and visitors in the community.
NR: I would advise a young me to get in and learn and do the work. Young people in the industry often think they know everything. It is important for young people starting out in the automotive industry to be a
good listener, be punctual, and not be too choosy on what you have to do when training in a workshop.
HOW MUCH IMPORTANCE DO YOU PLACE ON SOCIAL MEDIA FOR YOUR BUSINESS?
NR: We haven’t been using social media as a business tool effectively. We have a Facebook page that we post on every few months. We are planning on using social media for advertising and also to reach out and engage with the community.
WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE GREATEST ADVANCEMENT IN TECHNOLOGY FOR YOUR BUSINESS?
NR: Introducing the diagnostic tool has been a great opportunity for the business. This has allowed the workshop to carry out diagnostics of new and sophisticated vehicles quickly and accurately.
DO YOU THINK THE ADVANCEMENTS IN ELECTRIC CARS WILL HAVE AN IMPACT ON YOUR BUSINESS?
NR: I do not believe in a future with electric vehicles. The world won’t go too
Nay Ranasinghe (centre) and Josephine Temple (right)
far from internal combustion vehicles. The future vehicles will have alternative environmentally friendly fuel such as hydrogen. The university of New south Wales has successfully modified a conventional diesel engine to run on hydrogen and a small amount of diesel. My opinion is that there will be no impact on automotive industry, but we will have to sharpen our knowledge to face the future technical advancement.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A MEMBER OF MTA QUEENSLAND?
NR: We signed up as a member of MTA Queensland three years ago.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE GREATEST BENEFIT OF YOUR MTAQ MEMBERSHIP?
NR: Workplace support benefits, skills extension, and training are the biggest benefits. It is very useful to have a professional organisation that can tell us what the industry standards are and support our business to grow.
WHAT ARE YOUR GREATEST CHALLENGES?
NR: Like many businesses in remote, regional areas, lack of staff is the main challenge. It is hard to find qualified staff and often we are competing with high paying jobs in the mines to retain them.
NR: Training is a big focus for us as we are always looking for opportunities for our staff to upskill and improve the service we offer. That training is more than just skills on the tools. We carry out a lot of health and safety training to make sure that the safety of our team and our customers is always a priority.
WHAT DO YOU DO WITH YOUR SPARE TIME?
NR: Living in Cooktown is living in an outdoor adventure paradise. Nothing is close by, but I enjoy travelling so that is OK. Every chance I get I get out to go fourwheel driving and camping.
NR: I have a Toyota Landcruiser 200 series and a Nissan Navara STX550. They are perfect for the lifestyle up here with long distances, camping and off roading.
“TRAINING IS A BIG FOCUS FOR US AS WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR STAFF TO UPSKILL AND IMPROVE THE SERVICE WE OFFER.”The team at Tyrepower Cooktown: Steve Curteis, Nay Ranasinghe, Ash Chathuranga, James Williams (currently participating in a community development program), Paddy Czislowski, and Josephine Temple Jason Murray, Spirit Super CEO
You’ve probably heard of an Industry SuperFund and know they’re a good thing, but do you know why?
Our members’ best interests are at the heart of everything we do. As an Industry SuperFund, we’re run to benefit you and not external shareholders. This means profits are returned to the fund and our members, instead of being paid out as dividends as is the case with retail super funds (typically run by banks and investment companies).
A key benefit of Industry SuperFunds is their low fees, while still providing long-term performance, high quality, professional advice, a range of investment choices and insurance options.
At Spirit Super, we keep our fees as low as possible and provide truly personalised, award-winning customer service1
We also offer affordable and flexible insurance to protect you and your family if you get sick or injured and can no longer work.
1 Ranked as the best customer experience performer in the super sector (CSBA Sense CX Benchmark 2021-22)
We have a history of strong investment returns2 and offer nine investment options across a range of asset classes. You can choose just one or you can spread your super across a mix of options.
On average, Industry SuperFunds have out-performed retail super funds over the past five, ten and 20 years3 This means better value, better returns and a more comfortable life in retirement for you.
If you’d switched to an Industry SuperFund 20 years ago, on average you’d be around $95,000 better off than in a retail super fund. Even if you’d only switched 10 ($18,186) or 5 years ago ($5,113), you’d still be better off3
2 Past performance isn’t a reliable indicator of future performance
3 industrysuper.com/campaigns/compare-the-pair
Personalised advice and no commissions to financial planners
Super can be complicated. That’s why we offer education and advice from our super experts, available at no extra cost to you — it’s included in the administration fees and costs charged to your account. As an Industry SuperFund, we only charge what we need to and we don’t charge you to profit shareholders. Our Superannuation Advisers are our employees, so they’re paid a salary. They don’t receive any fees or commissions for any personal or general advice provided to you.
Join
is general information only and doesn’t take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making a decision about Spirit Super, you should consider if this information is right for you and read our Product disclosure statements, Target market determinations and Financial services guide. These are available at spiritsuper. com.au/pds or by calling 1800 005 166. Issuer is Motor Trades Association of Australia Superannuation Fund Pty Ltd (ABN 14 008 650 628, AFSL 238718), the trustee of Spirit Super (ABN
559 365 913). Any advice is provided by Quadrant First Pty Ltd (ABN 78 102 167 877, AFSL 284443) (Spirit Super Advice), which is wholly owned by the trustee.
THE FEDERAL LABOR Government handed down the 2023-24 Budget on 9 May 2023.
This Budget, the second delivered by the Albanese government, aims to respond to the Government’s election commitments and priorities, while also navigating tightening global financial conditions and historic inflation rates.
In the face of these challenges, the government must be applauded for delivering a surplus of $4.2 billion, the first in 15 years. However, this windfall is expected to be short-lived, with predictions of $13.9 billion and $35.1 billion deficits in the coming years proving that further necessary spending cuts will be required.
With this in mind, it is critical that government engages with industry to identify investment opportunities that promote tangible advancements in productivity capacities and economic growth while focusing on responsible fiscal spending. As a nation, we cannot rely on record natural resource prices, low rates of unemployment, and increasing tax receipts to continue to drive our financial recovery.
We are pleased to see government take steps to tackle some of the current inefficiencies in this budget. On the back of widespread concern around chronic skills shortages, the Budget moves to implement several apprenticeship support programs. The key focus is to boost free training in skill shortage areas and encourage a more diverse and inclusive workforce in trade sectors.
The budget also provides programs to boost the uptake of electric vehicles in Australia.
Small Business Energy Incentive, aimed to help small and medium businesses electrify and save on their energy bills. This incentive will provide $310 million in tax relief to support up to 3.8 million businesses. Businesses with annual turnover of less than $50 million will have access to a 20 per cent tax deduction for eligible assets supporting electrification and more efficient use of energy, from 1 July 2023 until 30 June 2024. Up to $100,000 of total expenditure will be eligible for the incentive, with the maximum bonus tax deduction being $20,000 per business. This is in addition to $62.6 million towards energy efficiency grants for small and medium enterprises in the October Budget.
The instant asset write-off scheme has been cut back, with businesses able to now claim equipment of up to $20,000, down from $150,000. The threshold for eligible businesses has also changed, with businesses requiring an annual turnover of less than $10m to be eligible.
From 1 July 2026, employers will be mandated to pay superannuation entitlements to employees on the same day that regular salary and wages are paid. $40.2m will also be invested over the next 12 months to improve data matching capabilities in order to better identify cases of superannuation underpayment.
The Government is negotiating with the states and territories on a new 5-year
National Skills Agreement to commence from 1 January 2024. The Government will also fund a further 300,000 TAFE and vocational education training places to become fee free.
The Government is redesigning Australian Apprenticeship Support Services to improve apprenticeship career pathways and provide more support for completions. The redesigned program model aims to support the needs of apprentices, help remove barriers for women in male-dominated trades and strengthen support for First Nations apprentices, apprentices with disability and those in remote areas.
The Government is expanding access to foundation skills training and supporting community-based and culturally safe pathways to training. More Australians will be able to develop the language, literacy, numeracy, and digital skills they need to participate successfully in work, education, and the community.
Supporting skilled migration through allocating around 70 per cent of places in the 2023-24 permanent Migration Program to skilled migrants, providing an extra 2 years of post-study work rights to Temporary Graduate visa holders with select degrees, and increasing the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold to $70,000.
$75.8m will also be spent over two years to expand resources to process the current surge in visa applications.
Skills Assessment Pilots to provide onshore migrants with fast-tracked skills assessments, free employability assessments, and access to further training to improve their employment prospects.
In addition, the Mechanism for the
Mutual Recognition of Qualifications will ensure students from India and Australia will have greater certainty that the qualifications they attain will be recognised by both countries.
Building on the Driving the Nation Fund and the Electric Car Discount, the Government has released Australia’s first National Electric Vehicle Strategy. The Strategy sets a national framework to guide investment and support uptake of electric vehicles in Australia. As part of the Strategy the Government is providing $7.4 million to support the introduction of a Fuel Efficiency Standard, to ensure vehicle manufacturers prioritise Australia’s market for electric vehicles and other fuel-efficient technologies.
The transport sector will further benefit from $7.8 million to develop a Transport and Infrastructure Net Zero Roadmap and Action Plan. The Roadmap and Action Plan will present an integrated approach to advance the reduction of emissions across transport modes, alternative fuel, new technology and enabling infrastructure.
$5.2 million will be invested over 4 years to develop a national charging infrastructure mapping tool.
The Government will sunset the eligibility of plug-in hybrid electric cars from the fringe benefits tax exemption from 1 April 2025.
$2 billion to accelerate large-scale renewable hydrogen projects through Hydrogen Headstart.
$38.2 million to establish a Guarantee of Origin scheme to underpin markets for green energy, including hydrogen and other low emissions products.
The heavy vehicle road user charge is being raised by 6 per cent a year for the next three years from 27.2 cents per litre of diesel to 32.4 cents by 2025-26.
FROM THE RAPID expansion of electric vehicles to 3D printing to in-car technology, sensors and infotainment systems, the automotive industry has never been a more enticing career pathway in the minds of today’s school leavers.
Head-turning advancements in tech, new industry sectors, and real job prospects available in all areas of the trade due to skill shortages means that in today’s automotive industry, there really is something for everyone, no matter your skills or interests.
However, without the right pathways and support, the industry is simply out of mind or out of reach for many young people.
Looking to make real inroads into tearing down this barrier in schools across the state, MTA Queensland has launched AutoSchoolConnect, an online platform dedicated to delivering all the information needed to prepare students for a fulfilling career in the automotive industry!
From guiding students through the process to begin an automotive school-based apprenticeship or traineeship (SAT) – including understanding how SATs work, the qualifications available, and connecting with an employer – to delivering insight into just how widespread the automotive reach is, the AutoSchoolConnect platform has all the necessary information. And to ensure students have all the support necessary to thrive, the platform also hosts dedicated information and resource sections for support networks, including parents, guardians, and teachers.
Through the platform, high-school students unsure of what career path they would like to explore can fill out a careers profiling tool quiz, taking them on a journey through the possible automotive careers that may be of interest to them based on their skills, hobbies, and interests.
Additionally, multiple free online micro-credential short courses can be accessed. The first course gives an exciting overview of the emerging technologies available
MTA QUEENSLAND HAS LAUNCHED AUTOSCHOOLCONNECT, AN ONLINE PLATFORM DEDICATED TO DELIVERING ALL THE INFORMATION NEEDED TO PREPARE STUDENTS FOR A FULFILLING CAREER IN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY!
in automotive and what this means for the future, while the second course provides an overview of good working habits and safe working practices, gearing students up for a school-based apprenticeship.
Developed as part of MTA Queensland’s School-to-Work Transition program, funded by the Queensland Government as part of the Good people, Good jobs, Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022 – 2032,the online platform also hosts a section with information for employers interested in exploring taking on an SAT, including how to engage, how SATs work, work hours, study hours and rates of pay, as well as support for creating a supportive workplace culture to keep an SAT happy and thriving. Most excitingly for employers, a dedicated Jobs Portal will go live in the coming weeks, connecting students who have expressed interest in commencing an apprenticeship with employers, for FREE.
If you have a child or student interested in potentially exploring the possibility of a career in the automotive industry or are an employer interested in taking on an SAT, visit the AutoSchoolConnect website today to get started!
MTA Queensland’s Transit Lane School to Work Project aims to provide students and their support networks with the information, support, and skills necessary to prepare them for a fulfilling career in the automotive industry!
Today’s rapidly evolving automotive industry encompasses over 40 different career pathways, covering everything from internal combustion engines, paint and panel repairs, and car sales, to the electrification, computerisation and automation of vehicles. With so many career pathways requiring a range of skills - in IT and engineering, digital design, working with your hands, problem-solving, and more - the automotive industry really does have something for everyone!
The Transit Lane School to Work Project will: Identify career options that align with students skills, preferences and aptitudes through an online careers tool.
Deliver guidance and information to prepare students for working in the automotive industry through an online micro-credential course.
Give students a hands-on introduction of the automotive industry through the MTA Institute’s accredited Auto Ready short training course.
Provide resources and support guides for parents and teachers to support students in pursuing a School Based Apprenticeship or Traineeship.
Support students into securing a School Based Apprenticeship or Traineeship in the motor trade!
AUTO SHANGHAI IS one of the largest and most influential car shows in the world. Held every two years in Shanghai, China, it showcases the latest innovations in automotive technology and design, and attracts exhibitors and visitors from around the globe. The event features concept cars, new vehicle models, and new automotive technology and is an important platform for automakers to showcase their products, connect with customers, and gain insights into the rapidly evolving Chinese and global automotive markets. The show dates back to 1985 and, at that time, the event was relatively small in scale. Today, however, it is a monster. The 2023 edition, held in April at the National Exhibition and Convention Centre Shanghai, covered more than 360,000 square metres of exhibition space with hundreds of exhibitors – including
WHILE ANNOUNCED LAST year, Maserati unveiled some details around its all-electric SUV, the Grecale Folgore, at Auto Shanghai. The variant joins the petrol and hybrid variants currently available in the Grecale range and, as expected, it has some nice
dozens of the world’s top Tier-1 parts suppliers - spread across 13 halls. Reportedly, around 100 vehicles made their debut at Auto Shanghai too, many of them from Chinese brands – a reflection of the importance of electric vehicles in China and their ever-growing presence in that sector globally.
Amongst the many new vehicles, here are a few that caught our eye, and some that could conceivably find their way to Australia.
performance numbers for those looking to dip their toes in the luxury end of the EV SUV market.
Equipped with a 105kWh battery using 400V technology and with a dual-motor set-up – two 204kW motors – Maserati says the Grecale Folgore develops 410kW and 820Nm, has a range of around 500km (WLTP), has a top speed of 220km and can hit 100km/h in just a clip over four seconds. Fast charging at 150kW enables
THE 2023 EDITION, HELD IN APRIL AT THE NATIONAL EXHIBITION AND CONVENTION CENTRE SHANGHAI, COVERED MORE THAN 360,000 SQUARE METRES OF EXHIBITION SPACE WITH HUNDREDS OF EXHIBITORS . . .
a 10-80 per cent charge completed in 29 minutes and 100km of range can be had in around nine minutes. A home charging solution via an installed wallbox can supply up to 22kW of charging power.
There’s a battery pre-conditioning feature (enabling quicker and more efficient charging) and an EV routing feature to assist with journey planning, allowing the driver to include charging stops on a planned trip. Dynamic range mapping shows the maximum distance the Grecale Folgore can cover and is updated in real time.
Four different driving modes - MAX RANGE, GT, SPORT, OFFROAD – are available.
There’s also air suspension and the Grecale Folgore sits on 19-inch, 20-inch, or 21-inch (depending on the market) wheels designed for aerodynamic efficiency.
Interior technology sees a 12.3-inch connected central display – Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available – an 8.8inch ‘comfort display’ for climate control features, and a 12.3-inch digital instrument set-up plus head-up display.
The interiors are highlighted by an embossed pattern on the dashboard and carbon copper 3D touch interior trim, emphasised by ambience lighting. There are sport 14-way ECONYL (a nylon alternative made from recycled material) electric seats, and ‘regenerated yarn’ is used for the headliner and carpet.
Maserati says that electrification will play a key role in its future strategy, with a commitment to produce electric versions of all its models by 2025 and full-electric vehicles alone by 2030.
CHINESE MANUFACTURER HIPHI may not be a well-known name in Australia, but that may change over the coming months as the company makes a play for the European market and, perhaps, turns its eyes our way.
An electric vehicle brand of technology company Human Horizons, HiPhi was established in 2019 and has two models – the HiPhi X luxury SUV and the HiPhi Z Digital GT – in its model range. Announced at Auto Shanghai was a third model – the HiPhi Y SUV, another stylish entrant into the SUV sector and one that, assuming it offers similar tech and performance to its HiPhi siblings, will offer plenty of range – reports suggest anything from 560km to over 800km depending on battery configuration – decent performance - either with a single or dual-motor set-up - and an exhaustive suite of tech features.
An interesting design choice for the Y is the doors, the lower part of which open conventionally while the upper part opens gullwing style, incorporating part of the roof and offering plenty of head clearance when getting in and out.
While the announcement of the Y was interesting, perhaps more notable was
HiPhi revealing plans for expansion into Europe. The company has plans for its first customer cars to be on European roads this year with Munich in Germany and Oslo in Norway chosen to be the locations of its ‘experience centres.’
Middle Eastern markets are next on the target list, the company says.
"HiPhi has been committed to building a global high-end brand from China since its inception, so while we delve deeply into the Chinese market, we also look globally,” said David Ding, HiPhi Founder, Chairman and CEO. “In 2023, we will launch a global brand strategy and expand into overseas markets, with the European and Middle Eastern markets the focus of our first wave of expansion."
Of particular interest for us is an article in the UK publication Auto Express in which HiPhi seemed to confirm the UK –and its right-hand drive market - is part of the company’s plans. And that may well mean Australia could see these cars too. Fingers crossed.
HiPhi X, HiPhi Y and HiPhi Z
VIDEO: HIPHI Y
TOYOTA REVEALED TWO BEV concept models - the bZ Sport Crossover Concept and bZ FlexSpace Concept - at Auto Shanghai. The concepts are being developed as part of the Toyota’s all-electric bZ series and the company says they will be launched in the Chinese market in 2024 as two out of the 10 BEV models that it plans to release by 2026.
While details and specifications are to come, Toyota does say the bZ Sport Crossover Concept is being jointly developed by BYD Toyota EV Technology (a joint venture established by Toyota and BYD) FAW Toyota Motor, and Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (China) (TMEC). It is planned to be produced and sold by FAW Toyota Motor.
Toyota says the concept ‘has been designed with functions to provide a personal space for the younger customers, or Generation Z. The bZ Sport Crossover Concept is also being developed so that its functions will continue to evolve after purchase, including intelligent features such as driver assistance and automatic parking, so that owners can continuously enjoy a most up-to-date car with all five senses.’
The bZ FlexSpace Concept is a familyoriented SUV with a focus on utility. It
is being jointly developed by Toyota, Guangzhou Automobile Group, GAC Toyota Motor Co., Ltd., and TMEC, and is planned to be produced and sold by GAC Toyota Motor. Toyota says the bZ FlexSpace Concept offers a large cabin space, advanced safety, a reliable cruising range, as well as various intelligent functions.
No word as to whether the production variants of these models will be available outside of China, but they look like interesting propositions and Toyota recently announced its target of selling 1.5 million electric vehicles per year by 2026, so who knows what may happen.
BMW TOOK THE opportunity in Shanghai to debut a couple of cracking cars that will be making their way to Australia – the all-electric i70 M70 xDrive and the XM Red Label.
The i7 M70 xDrive is a mighty all-wheeldrive beast, and the third all-electric offering from BMW’s M performance division (following the i4 M50 and the iX M60).
With a 190kW electric motor at the front axle and a 360kW motor at the rear axle – both integrated into drive units that include the motor, power electronics and transmission into a single housing - the i7 M70 xDrive is, BMW says, its most powerful all-electric vehicle yet.
Maximum system output is 485kW and the all-wheel-drive set-up generates 1015Nm of torque in Sport mode and as much as 1110Nm when M Launch Control or the M Sport Boost function is activated.
BMW says the i7 M70 xDrive can reach 100km/h in 3.7 seconds and top out at an electronically limited 250km/h.
A 106kWh battery pack ensures decent range, which BMW claims is up to 560km
(WLTP). AC charging up to 22kW is available, as is DC fast charging up to 195kW. BMW says as much as 170km of range can be added in 10 minutes at that fast-charging rate.
Driving range can be given a stretch thanks to a Max Range mode, which debuts on the i7 M70 xDrive. In this mode, drive power and top speed are restricted and comfort functions scaled back, allowing range to be increased by 15 to 25 per cent.
BMW says the Max Range mode was devised for situations where drivers are unable to recharge mid-journey. Switching to My Mode Efficient and activating Max Range sees the car’s top speed limited to 90 km/h, and the climate control system, heat seating, seat ventilation and steering wheel heating disabled.
Standard specs for the i7 M70 xDrive includes M-specific adaptive two-axle air suspension with electronically controlled dampers and automatic self-leveling.
M-specific air springs and hydraulics are also fitted. Integral Active Steering and the Executive Drive Pro chassis package including active roll stabilisation with Active Roll Comfort help to increase comfort and handling dynamics.
Interior standard equipment includes the BMW Interaction Bar in the cockpit and the Connoisseur Lounge with reclining function in the rear, where there is also the massive Theatre Screen and Surround Sound System.
The control of numerous functions and digital services is done through the BMW Operating System 8.5 and the BMW Curved Display. Features available include the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant and other voice-controlled assistants,
BMW ConnectedDrive Upgrades, BMW Remote Software Upgrades, video streaming on the control display, smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and My Modes.
The BMW i7 M70 xDrive is priced at $344,900 and set to launch in Australia in the fourth quarter of this year.
Along with the i7 M70, BMW also put the spotlight on the XM Label Red that features an M Hybrid system with additional power and bespoke design accents.
Production of the XM Label Red is set to begin in August in the USA and an exclusive edition of the model, limited to 500 cars globally, will go into production at the same time. Just 30 units of this model will arrive in Australia.
BMW XM Label Red
System output for the Label Red reaches 550kW – 70kW more than the regular XM – thanks to a combination of a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 producing 430kW and an electric motor kicking out 145kW. The motor draws its energy from a 25.7kWh battery. This combination, BMW says, makes the Label Red the most powerful M model ever. BMW says the XM Label Red can sprint to 100km/h in 3.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 250km/h. An electriconly range of 83km (WLTP) is possible.
AC charging of the battery is possible up to 7.3kW, meaning a battery can be charged from 0 to 100 per cent in 4.25 hours.
The M xDrive all-wheel-drive system channels power between all four wheels. It has a rear-biased set-up, and the SUV also comes with adaptive suspension featuring electronically controlled dampers and active roll stabilisation, and Integral Active Steering. The M Sport braking system comprises six-piston brakes at the front and single-piston brakes at the rear.
Special design accents on the Label Red include a red metallic accent band, although a black accent band can be specified. Red is also used on the model badges and the wheel inserts. The model destined for Australia is to be fitted as standard with 22-inch light-alloy wheels and can be fitted with 23-inch wheels as a no-cost option.
The limited-edition variant of the Label Red will get a few extras, including Toronto Red metallic for the kidney grille surround and rear diffuser insert and Frozen Carbon
Black metallic body paint finish.
The black/red colour scheme flows into the interior where, amongst other accents in red, there is red stitching for the seats, instrument panel, door trim and centre console.
In the cabin there are M multi-function seats, M-specific content for the BMW Curved Display and a head-up display, M gear selector lever and an M-specific control panel on the centre console.
An M Hybrid button can be used to select the operating mode for the drive system, while a Set-up button provides access to the configuration of the powertrain, chassis, steering, braking system and M xDrive, as well as allowing the level of brake energy recuperation to be adjusted.
Driving Assistant Professional which brings Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function together with features such as the Steering and Lane Control Assistant, automatic Speed Limit Assist and Active Navigation, is standard equipment on Australia-bound models.
Price for the BMW XM Label Red is $344,200 with the special edition variant priced at $349,900.
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AUSTRALIANS WITH A taste for chauffeur-driven luxury will soon be able to satisfy their appetite following news that the second-generation Lexus LM people mover – revealed at Auto Shanghai - will be available locally.
Available with a choice of two hybridelectric powertrains, the new LM has, Lexus says, been completely redesigned and offers ‘an expressive and sophisticated exterior design befitting a flagship MPV with a spacious and comfortable interior.’
Globally, the LM will be available with a two-row, four-seat layout or a three-row arrangement with the choice of six or seven seats.
Lexus reckons the crown jewel of the LM range is the four-seat layout that places a partition between the front and rear seats for complete privacy.
The upper part of the partition features a plate of smoked glass paired with a 48-inch widescreen display that can be used for business purposes such as online meetings as well as entertainment.
The flagship four-seat lounge features a pair of rear captain's chairs complete with
armrests and a retractable ottoman, with full heating functionality.
The Rear Climate Concierge provides control of the air conditioning, seat position, sunshades, lighting and other features. Along with four pre-set modes, users can also customise settings to suit their preference.
The rear of the cabin is constantly monitored by a sensor that detect ambient and occupant temperature. The system estimates the temperature across four body areas (face/chest/thigh/lower leg) and selectively controls the air conditioner and seat heater to consistently maintain a comfortable cabin environment.
The centre armrest offers a retractable table large enough to house a tablet or laptop computer.
Regardless of rear-seat layout, the new LM offers control of seating, audio,
Lexus LMlighting, climate control, and other parameters though a detachable touchtype multi-operation controller. Two multi-operation panels are available on the console armrests of the second-row seats to allow occupants to individually control their preferred settings.
Lexus says its engineers have improved interior noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) and also worked on ride comfort through strengthening the chassis with
bracing applied to the radiator support, rocker structure, rear underfloor, quarter pillars and more.
An upgraded version of Lexus' Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) has been adopted for the first time, and a there’s a 'Rear Comfort' drive mode which prioritises the AVS damping force characteristics for rear-seat comfort while minimising pitch and roll characteristics during acceleration and deceleration.
The LM will be available with two powertrain options - a 2.5-litre hybrid for three-row versions, while the flagship fourseat grade will be offered with a 2.4-litre turbocharged hybrid powertrain.
A full suite of Lexus Safety Sense and features are fitted.
Further details on the LM including launch timing, local specification and pricing in Australia are to be confirmed.
VIDEO: THE ALL-NEW LEXUS LM
MG CARS CAN trace its roots back 100 years to the UK, and over the decades since its founding, the company made its name with tremendous little sports cars like the Midget, the MGA, and the MGB. By 2007, and following a familiar tale of business trouble that seemed to hound British carmakers, the brand became part of SAIC Motor – China’s largest vehicle manufacturer.
Fast forward a decade and MG is rejuvenated, making a splash with its excellent roster of vehicles that includes the MG 3 small car, MG ZS and MG HS crossover SUVs – including the ZS EV – and
VIDEO: MG CYBERSTER
MG Cyberster
the recently launched MG4 EV hatchback. These vehicles don’t necessarily bring back memories of those MG sports cars of old, but at Auto Shanghai MG announced a car that will bring a smile to its fans.
That car, called the Cyberster, is a production version of a concept revealed a couple of years ago and it is one very tasty-looking sportscar, one that pays homage to MG’s roadster heritage with a modern design twist, including very supercar-like scissor doors.
The two-seater roadster will have an all-electric powertrain and while details and specifications are thin on the
ground, reports suggest both a 230kW single-motor, rear-wheel-drive variant and a 400kW dual-motor, all-wheel-drive variant will be available. Those reports, apparently taking information from leaked documentation in China, suggest a subfour second 0-100km/h time and a top speed of 200km/h.
Whatever the specifics may turn out to be, the Cyberster is planned to be on sale in Europe by the middle of next year, including in the right-hand-drive UK market. That means Australia will see the Cyberster at some point in the near future. We can’t wait!
THE FIRST ELECTRIC SUV from Mercedes-Maybach was unveiled at Shanghai.
The uber-luxury arm of Mercedes doesn’t cut corners and the EQS 680 is, as one might expect, packed with the technology and features that make it one of the most luxurious EVs available.
The EQS 680 gets the Maybach treatment in appearance, and underneath that bodywork it is based on the technology of the EQS SUV from Mercedes’ electric vehicle EQ brand. It is tweaked though, and the all-wheel drive Maybach SUV has two motors that deliver 484kW and 950Nm, and a 108.4kWh battery that offers up to 600km of range. It can be charged at up to 22kW with AC power while DC fast charging up to 200kW is available. The sprint to 100km/h comes in at 4.4 seconds and top speed is 210km/h.
Airmatic air suspension with continuously adjustable damping ADS+ is standard. To increase the ground clearance, the vehicle level can be raised by up to 35mm. Rear-axle steering with a steering angle of up to 4.5 degrees is also standard.
In addition to the Dynamic Select driving programs ECO, SPORT, OFFROAD and INDIVIDUAL, the EQS 680 has the special Maybach drive programme. It is designed entirely for maximum driving comfort for the rear passengers and the company says it ensures that there are only minimal body movements under the rear seats.
Of course, all this is impressive, but it’s the luxury elements and features of a Maybach that makes it all that little bit extra special.
As well as the exterior treatment – that
includes 21 or 22-inch alloy and forged wheels and the brand’s familiar two-tone paintwork – the interior gets all the luxury trimmings.
Up front is the MBUX Hyperscreen that stretches from pillar-to-pillar across the dash and is set up with Maybach-specific graphics. The rear passengers don’t miss out on display technology, with two 11.6inch displays in the backrests of the front seats. Standard equipment also includes the MBUX rear tablet, which can also be used outside the vehicle, and the MBUX Interior Assist which, with the help of cameras, can recognise the operating requests of the passengers from body and hand movements and carry out the corresponding functions.
A 15-speaker Burmester 4D surround system with Dolby Atmos delivers on the sound experience.
Top notch materials and craftsmanship – including Nappa leather in various colours, and available wood trim - ensure a luxury environment and like the front seats, the rear seats are equipped with ventilation, massage function and neck and shoulder heating. There is also a calf massage and the Chauffeur Package. Ambient and adaptive rear lighting adds a special touch.
Four fast-charging USB-C ports and two HDMI interfaces also ensure passengers can easily use their own digital devices. On request, the centre console can include two folding tables, a cooling compartment and silver-plated champagne goblets.
The Mercedes-Maybach will reportedly be available in Australia sometime in 2024.
Mercedes-Maybach EQS 680
POLESTAR, THE ELECTRIC vehicle manufacturer which is part of China’s Geely group, unwrapped its latest model, the Polestar 4, in Shanghai.
Describing the new model as an ‘electric performance SUV coupe’, Polestar says the second SUV in its range – following the Polestar 3 – will be its fastest vehicle yet.
Built on Geely’s Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA), two versions – a single motor rear-wheel drive or dual-motor all-wheel drive model – will be available, with both boasting a 102kWh battery.
The long-range, dual-motor variant features 400kW and 686Nm, has a target range of 560km (WLTP) and can spring
to 100km/h in 3.8 seconds. The longrange, single-motor version features a 200kW/343Nm motor at the rear and preliminary range target of up to 600 km (WLTP).
Up to 200kW DC and 22kW AC charging is included for all versions, and bi-directional charging is included with
Polestar 4vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability.
A new drive optimisation function allows the driver to select between range or performance driving modes in the longrange, dual-motor version. Range mode prioritises efficiency and forces the use of only the rear motor.
Semi-active suspension features in the dual-motor version too.
Wheels range from 20 to 22-inches in size, depending on the vehicle version, with tyres supplied by Pirelli and Michelin.
The infotainment system, powered by Android Automotive OS, now utilises a 15.4-inch landscape-oriented screen and has Google built-in - including Google Assistant, Google Maps and Google Play.
A 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system is available, and an additional two headrest speakers are added to each front seat with an optional Nappa Pack.
Over-the-air (OTA) updates allow for new features and improvements to be sent remotely to all vehicles.
Safety features are plentiful. 12 cameras, one radar and 12 ultrasonic sensors are fitted as standard and includes a driver monitoring camera. Together with handson detection in the steering wheel, the driver monitoring system helps to keep the driver engaged.
A 10.2-inch driver display is mounted ahead of the steering column and includes speed, battery, and range information. A virtual environment can show other road users, current driving assistance functions and navigation
information. A head-up display (HUD) with 14.7-inch projection area in front of the driver relays key vehicle, telephony, and navigation information to the windscreen. An optional Pilot Pack includes enhanced Pilot Assist with lane change assistance.
Available additional packages are tailored to adding specific options. The Plus Pack comprises comfort and technology upgrades, with the Plus Pro Pack adding a colour-coded body set-up, an electrochromic glass roof and additional interior illumination. The Nappa Pack can be specified in addition to the Plus Pack and includes animal welfare-secured Nappa leather upholstery with ventilation, massage, and additional headrest speakers for the front seats.
The Pilot Pack includes Pilot Assist and its extended features. The Performance Pack increases the performance look and driving experience of the long-range dual-motor version, with 22-inch wheels, 4-piston Brembo brakes, performance chassis tuning and ‘Swedish gold details for the brakes, seat belts and valve caps.’
Polestar 4 will launch first in China, with production planned to begin in November this year. A full-scale launch for other markets, including in Europe, North America, and Asia Pacific, is planned for early 2024.
We’ll have to wait on details for the Australian market, but Polestar says the indicative pricing is from €60,000 (approximately $AU100,000).
BATTERIES ARE AT the heart of the electric vehicle (EV) revolution. The ability to deliver on the range the public want from their vehicle continues to drive some remarkable technological research and development, and at Auto Shanghai, one of the world’s leading EV battery suppliers announced a potentially game-changer of a battery.
Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL) revealed a battery with a density of up to 500Wh/kg (500 Watt-hour per kilogram). That’s considerably more than most current battery set-ups which can deliver up to the 300Wh/kg mark.
What does this mean? It means there is now potential for vehicles with serious range or, alternatively, vehicles with lighter battery packs than currently available but which deliver just as much range.
CATL says that ‘ . . . the condensed battery leverages highly conductive biomimetic condensed state electrolytes to
construct a micron-level self-adaptive net structure that can adjust the interactive forces among the chains, thus improving the conductive performance of the cells and in turn the efficiency of lithium ion transporting while boosting stability of the microstructure.
'What is more, condensed battery integrates a range of innovative technologies, including the ultra-high energy density cathode materials, innovative anode materials, separators, and manufacturing processes, offering excellent charge and discharge performance as well as good safety performance.’
That all sounds pretty technical and more details on composition will emerge, but CATL is confident enough that the company is pitching the technology as being able to advance electric flight, is cooperating with partners in the development of electric passenger aircraft and is ‘practicing aviation-level standards and testing in accordance with aviationgrade safety and quality requirements.’
An automotive-grade version of the condensed battery is, CATL says, expected to be put into mass production within this year.
IN APRIL, THE Australian Government released its much-anticipated National Electric Vehicle Strategy, proclaiming it to be a ‘roadmap to ensure Australians have a better choice of electric vehicles and encourage greater use of cleaner, cheaper-to-run vehicles.’
As part of the Strategy, the Government will introduce a Fuel Efficiency Standard (which stipulates an emissions target for vehicles), adding that it will work with industry and the community to finalise the details of what that standard will look like.
The Government reckons that the absence of a standard has meant Australian households and businesses miss out on greater choice of car models and pay more in fuel costs because manufacturers prioritise sending more efficient vehicles to countries with standards in place.
It added that previous analysis has shown the introduction of a fuel efficiency standard could save motorists $519 per year in fuel costs.
“It will send a strong message to the global car industry that when it comes to transport technology, Australia will no longer settle for less,” said Catherine King, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, when announcing the Strategy.
“More than 85 per cent of all cars sold in the world are subject to fuel efficiency standards. It’s time Australians were offered the same choice.”
As well as the Fuel Efficiency Standard, other new initiatives considered in the Strategy include preparing for a recycling, reuse and stewardship initiative for
EV and other large format batteries; developing a mapping tool to support investment in, and deployment of, charging infrastructure; development of tools and guidance to enable EV uptake for residents of existing multi-residential buildings; and funding to support EV training for emergency service workers. These new initiatives join others – such as the transition of Commonwealth fleet, New Energy Skills Program, incentives to buy EVs – that have already been announced.
Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said Australian governments, carmakers, motoring clubs, climate groups, businesses and unions were all on board with getting cleaner and cheaper cars to Australia.
“This strategy delivers on our commitment to provide greater choice for Australians to drive cars that are cleaner and cheaper to run,” said Minister Bowen.
“This strategy provides the coordination and leadership to drive down costs and improve infrastructure so that we get more affordable and accessible electric vehicles on the market.
“The Government has already cut taxes on EVs through the Electric Car Discount, saving up to $11,000 a year on a $50,000 electric vehicle. Thanks to the Albanese Government’s leadership, two and half times more EVs are being sold this year than they were at this time last year.
“Fuel-efficient and electric vehicles are cleaner and cheaper to run – today’s announcement is a win-win for motorists.”
The Motor Trades Association of Australia (MTAA) – of which MTA Queensland is a member - welcomed
the Government’s announcement of the National Electric Vehicle Strategy.
“The Federal Government has announced it will work with industry and the community to finalise details for the Fuel Efficiency Standard. MTAA and its state and territory members stand ready to consult on this issue,” said Geoff Gwilym, MTAA interim CEO.
Noting that Australia lags behind much of the rest of the world in EV take-up Mr Gwilym said the MTAA was ready to assist in helping to implement the strategy and preparing the industry for EV uptake.
“There is much to do: decreasing barriers to purchasing EVs, vastly increasing the availability of charging stations and networks, and tightening fuel efficiency thresholds for new vehicles,” he said. “Industry also requires robust training for technicians and first responders to ensure safety and quality repairs and maintenance.
“This can all be done and, when it is,
Australia will be a better place."
A couple of days after the Federal Government’s announcement of the National EV Strategy, the Queensland Government revealed there would be extra financial assistance to make EVs more affordable for Queenslanders.
New eligibility requirements and a doubling of the rebate under the Zero Emission Vehicle Rebate Scheme could, the Government said, see eligible households access a $6000 rebate when purchasing a new EV.
Changes to the scheme, which was initially launched in July 2022, will see:
• An increase to the rebate from $3000 to $6000 for eligible households earning up to a total gross household income of $180,000 per year.
• Applicants who have already applied and received a $3000 rebate under the earlier scheme, and who are under the total gross income threshold, are eligible for reassessment and additional payment of $3000 rebate (totalling $6000 per eligible application).
• An increase to the eligibility threshold for vehicles, which will now exclude dealer delivery fees from determining ‘dutiable value’ from $58,000 to $68,000 (inc. GST).
“This is about making EVs more affordable and more accessible to all Queenslanders to slash emissions and act on climate change with cleaner technology,” said Mick de Brenni, Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen.
"We want more zero emission vehicles on Queensland roads with Queensland families to have access to cheaper and cleaner vehicles.
"We are committed to reducing the cost-ofliving pressures of high petrol prices.”
“THIS STRATEGY PROVIDES THE COORDINATION AND LEADERSHIP TO DRIVE DOWN COSTS AND IMPROVE INFRASTRUCTURE SO THAT WE GET MORE AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE ELECTRIC VEHICLES ON THE MARKET.
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
(EVs) are technologically advanced, it is well known that if an EV battery should catch fire, it can be a horror to control and extinguish. There are plenty of videos and reports online of EV batteries suffering ‘thermal runaway’ and burning fiercely with firefighters battling to get the blaze under control.
Should such a fire catch hold in an enclosed space such as an underground or multi-storey car park which large, traditional fire engines cannot access, there can be little chance of containing it in its early stages.
In the UK, automotive engineering company Prospeed has developed a new fire-fighting vehicle specifically to fight both conventional and EV fires at those early stages, whatever the location.
The 6x6 Hiload uses a Toyota Hilux
as the donor vehicle which is fitted with a new six-wheel chassis. The result is a vehicle capable of being fitted with all manner of firefighting equipment and which can get into all manner of places to fight those fires – from underground car parks to off-road
IN THE UK, AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING COMPANY PROSPEED HAS DEVELOPED A NEW FIRE-FIGHTING VEHICLE SPECIFICALLY TO FIGHT BOTH CONVENTIONAL AND EV FIRES AT THOSE EARLY STAGES, WHATEVER THE LOCATION.
spots in challenging environments.
With the replacement chassis and a torque splitter system, the 6x6 has rated 5,600kg Gross Vehicle Weight, which offers
3,000kg payload. The load-space is also extended by 1,230mm. Although longer, the Hiload’s height is 1,850mm - low enough to allow access to the majority of parking structures. Prospeed says it also results in a lower centre of gravity and better stability in high-speed manoeuvres.
Among the equipment with which the Hiload can be fitted is the the Coldcut Cobra system for extinguishing EV battery fires.
The Cobra Ultra High-Pressure Lance (UHPL) system uses an abrasive suspended in water to pierce a hole through floor pans and inject water at 300bar throughout the module casing. The company says this water cools directly inside the battery and prevents further possibility of a thermal runaway. The company says that testing showed the Coldcut Cobra system could prevent cell propagation and thermal runaway from spreading within 10 minutes, using just 240 litres of water.
The Hiload 6x6 chassis can be used in other configurations – military and industrial among them – as well as the firefighting set-up.
THE LONDON ELECTRIC Vehicle Company (LEVC) – the manufacturer formerly known as the London Taxi Company and which makes electrified variants of London’s famous black cabs - has launched a new pure-electric vehicle platform.
Now part of China’s Geely – of which Volvo, Polestar, and Lotus are also a part – LEVC’s new EV platform is called Space Oriented Architecture (SOA). Co-developed with Geely, the SOA platform can, the company says, support a wide range of new products.
Supporting vehicle sizes from 4,860mm5995mm in length and 1945mm-1998mm in width, with wheelbases from 3000mm3800mm, SOA is configurable for a wide range of EVs, from passenger-carrying models to commercial applications. SOA can also offer front-wheel-drive, rearwheel-drive and all-wheel-drive layouts.
Designed with interior space in mind, the platform has a centrally located battery, and electric powertrain components are packaged at the front, freeing up additional space for the driver and passenger. Multiple seating configurations are possible.
LEVC says the SOA platform comes equipped with a choice of batteries from 73kWh to 120kWh, offers ultra-fast charging and can deliver up to 695km of range.
It also incorporates a digital platform technology called L-OS. This system, LEVC says, means SOA-based vehicles will be
autonomous-capable, up to Level 4, and offer cutting-edge digital cockpits. Overthe-air (OTA) software updates will allow SOA-based vehicles to stay up to date with the latest functions and features.
SOA is also an open-source electric vehicle platform, available for partners outside of LEVC and Geely Holding Group to use as the basis for their future products.
LEVC says the new platform underpins its strategy to offer a range of EV products and become a leading mobility solution provider.
AUTOCARE WILL BE Australia’s biggest ever automotive training convention, bringing together the largest collection of industry experts for a comprehensive training event tailored for automotive parts, service and repair professionals.
An exciting feature of the two-day program, in addition to the highly valuable ticketed Autocare Training Programs, will be the Autocare Trade Show. To support the industry, the Autocare Trade Show will be free to anyone in the automotive industry, and thousands of technicians and business owners are expected to attend.
Featuring over 100 of Australia’s top brands, the Trade Show will enable automotive trade visitors to get hands on with the latest technology, equipment and tools to improve business efficiency, sustainability and profitability.
This huge industry Trade Show will feature a dedicated Training Stage. This stage will bring tools, equipment and services to life via interactive displays that yield further hands-on, educational opportunities for visitors.
The Training Stage will also provide Trade Show visitors a small taste of the comprehensive Autocare Training Programs thanks to informative sessions from leading experts covering important topics related to both workshop management and technical training.
A separately ticketed National Light Vehicle Modifications Summit for vehicle modifiers will provide a unique opportunity to influence national vehicle regulations, taking place 9th June at Autocare.
Autocare takes place 9 – 10 June at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre. The event is hosted by the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) and proudly sponsored by mycar Tyre & Auto.
To gain entry to the Trade Show visitors must register their details before attending at www.autocare.org.au/ tradeshow.
Tickets are also still available for the comprehensive Autocare Training Programs and the Modifications Summit at www.autocare.org.au.
VOLKSWAGEN HAS LAUNCHED
the next electric drive generation for its ID. family of cars.
Called the APP550, the unit will, VW says, offer higher performance combined with improved efficiency and the company plans to deliver the first vehicles with the new system from the end of the year. The ID.7 (see page 58) is to be fitted with the drive unit.
The design basis for the new drive remains the modular electric drive (MEB) matrix – VW’s vehicle architecture for electric models. Improvements to the componentry were designed to fit into this architecture.
“Because the available space has not changed, we were compelled to develop a new drive that achieves significant improvements in performance and efficiency in spite of being subject to the same constraints,” said Karsten Bennewitz, Head of powertrain and Energy Systems in Development. “ . . . The result shows that we were able to reduce the use of raw materials, while at the same time achieving
a considerable increase in vehicle efficiency.”
The new powertrain has an output of 210kW with a maximum torque of around 550Nm, depending on the vehicle’s gear ratio. VW says the AP550 electric drive achieves its high torque thanks to an enhanced stator with a higher effective number of windings and a larger wire cross-section. The rotor is equipped with more powerful permanent magnets that have a higher load capacity. Furthermore, the inverter was developed so that it can supply the high phase currents needed for greater power and efficiency.
VW says it optimised a number of components in the powertrain, including the thermal management system. The new drive has an energy-saving cooling system that operates without an electrically driven oil pump. It can cool itself via the gear wheels of the gearbox and specially formed components for oil supply and distribution. The heated oil is cooled by the vehicle’s coolant circuit. The outside of the stator is equipped with a water heat-sink.
JAGUAR LAND ROVER (JLR) is to invest £15 billion ($AU28 billion) over five years in its industrial footprint, vehicle programs, autonomous, AI and digital technologies, and people skills.
Amongst the investments, JLR announced its UK Halewood plant will become an all-electric production facility and its next-gen medium-size SUV architecture, electrified modular architecture (EMA), will be pure-electric.
The first of its next-generation mediumsize luxury SUVs will be an all-electric Range Rover model, launching in 2025.
While EMA will now be electric only, JLR says it will retain the flexible modular longitudinal architecture (MLA), on which Range Rover and Range Rover Sport are built, offering combustion engine, hybrid, and battery-electric vehicle options.
JLR also announced that the first of three ‘reimagined’ luxury Jaguars will be a 4-door GT built in the UK. With power output more than any previous Jaguar, a range up to 700km, the new Jaguar will
be built on its own unique architecture, named JEA. More details of the new 4-door GT Jaguar will be released later this year.
In addition to the news about its Halewood plant, JLR also revealed its Engine Manufacturing Centre in Wolverhampton, UK, currently producing Ingenium internal combustion engines, will have an electric future producing electric drive units and battery packs. It will be renamed the Electric Propulsion Manufacturing Centre.
JLR is following a strategy it has called ‘Reimagine’ the goal of which is to reposition the company as an electric-first, modern luxury carmaker by 2030.
IT IS WIDELY argued that what happens in the automotive industry in the US, and California in particular, can impact the rest of the automotive world. Many US states follow California’s lead on air quality regulations and as the biggest market in the country (nearly 1.8 million new-vehicle registrations are expected this year according to the California New Car Dealers Association), and with a State Government keen to push a zero-emission vehicle future, when California makes a move, the industry - and especially the manufacturers – watch, listen and take notes.
So it’s important that, at the end of April, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) – which was established in the late 1960s with the goal of reducing air pollution - approved a new regulation to phase out the sales of medium and heavy-duty combustion trucks in the US state by 2036. In a media release from the office of California’s Governor, Gavin Newsom, it was announced that ‘the new rule puts California on a path to meeting the Governor Gavin Newsom’s goal of fully transitioning the medium and heavy-duty trucks that travel California roads to zero-emissions technology by 2045, providing major fleet operators – including state, local and federal government fleets – with different options to begin transitioning next year.’
That timetable would see drayage trucks (big rigs), local delivery and government fleets transition by 2035; garbage trucks and local buses transition to zero-emission by 2039; and all other vehicles covered by the regulation transition by 2042.
The Governor’s Office’ release said the new regulation ‘aims to protect some of California’s most vulnerable communities that sit near trucking corridors and warehouse locations and have some of the worst air in the nation.’
It also noted that while trucks represent only 6 per cent of California vehicles, they represent a quarter of the state’s on-road greenhouse gas emissions and over a third of the state’s emissions of the harmful air pollutant NOx (nitrogen oxides). Furthermore, the new rule is expected to generate $26.6 billion ($AU40.25 billion) in health savings, while fleet owners will save an estimated $48 billion ($AU72.6 billion) from transitioning to cleaner vehicles.
Along with the regulations concerning medium and heavy-duty trucks, CARB also adopted a regulation regarding cleaner locomotive technologies, requiring newly built passenger and freight trains to be zero emission by 2030 and 2035 respectively.
Last year, California approved regulations requiring 100 per cent of new car sales to be zero-emission vehicles by 2035.
BOSCH, THE GERMAN engineering and technology company, is planning on expanding its semiconductor business and has announced plans to acquire the US chipmaker TSI Semiconductors.
TSI is a foundry (a company that makes chips for other companies) for ‘application-specific integrated circuits’, or ASICs – chips that are designed to perform specific functions in a specific use case –rather than general-purpose chips.
Bosch says it intends to expand the semiconductor business it already runs and will invest $US1.5 billion ($AU2.3 billion) in the TSI facility in Roseville, California and, from 2026, start producing 200mm wafer (the essential base component) chips based on silicon carbide (SiC).
In electric vehicles, SiC chips enable greater range and more efficient recharging, as they use up to 50 per cent less energy. Installed in the power electronics of EVs, Bosch says they ensure that a vehicle can drive farther on one battery charge – on average, the company
says, the possible range is 6 per cent greater than with silicon-based chips.
Bosch says the market for SiC chips is also continuing to grow fast – by 30 per cent a year on average – with the main drivers being the global boom in electromobility.
With the TSI acquisition, Bosch will expand its involvement in a technology sector it has been a part of for many years – it has been producing semiconductors for more than six decades. Since 2021, the company says it has been using its own processes to mass-produce SiC chips at
BOSCH INTENDS TO EXPAND THE SEMICONDUCTOR BUSINESS IT ALREADY RUNS AND SAYS IT WILL INVEST $US1.5 BILLION ($AU2.3 BILLION) IN THE TSI FACILITY IN ROSEVILLE, CALIFORNIA . . .US chipmaker TSI Semiconductors
a facility near Stuttgart in Germany - a facility into which Bosch is also investing. The company also manufactures chips at a plant in Dresden.
“With the acquisition of TSI Semiconductors, we are establishing manufacturing capacity for SiC chips in an important sales market while
KIA HAS HELD a groundbreaking ceremony for a dedicated plant to produce battery-electric purposebuilt vehicles (PBV). The company says mass production at the plant - located in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea – will start in the second half of 2025 and it will produce 150,000 units in the first full year. It will be possible to expand that in the future.
Kia says the plant will use innovative techniques to improve efficiency in production and the company says it plans to show the first model in the company’s dedicated PBV line-up in 2025. The model will be a mid-sized PBV and will be based on the “eS” platform, a dedicated skateboard platform for battery electric PBVs, enabling various types of vehicle bodies to be combined.
That first model – project-name ‘SW’ – is being developed in response to business demands such as delivery, ride hailing, and business-to-business (B2B) transactions.
also increasing our semiconductor manufacturing, globally. The existing clean-room facilities and expert personnel in Roseville will allow us to manufacture SiC chips for electromobility on an even larger scale,” said Dr. Stefan Hartung, the chairman of the Bosch board of management.
After launching the mid-sized SW PBV, Kia plans to expand its product line-up to large PBVs that can be used for logistics, as well as small PBVs and mid-sized robotaxis using autonomous driving technology.
At the groundbreaking ceremony, Hyundai Motor Group (of which Kia is a part) also said it plans to expand annual EV production in Korea to 1.51 million units and global volume to 3.64 million units by 2030.
In 2030, Hyundai Motor Group says it will have a total line-up of 31 EV models, including models from Hyundai Motor, Kia, and luxury brand Genesis.
Photos: McLaren Automotive
6
0 YEARS AGO, a young racing driver from New Zealand established a race team that would be become one of Formula One’s most iconic names.
Born in New Zealand in 1937, Bruce McLaren created the team that would bear his name in 1963 at the age of just 26. But young as he was, McLaren was no greenhorn when it came to racing at the highest level. He had debuted in Formula One in 1958, won his first race in 1959, and had come second in the Drivers’ Championship in 1960. Also a skilled designer and engineer, McLaren's team would go on to enter Formula One in 1965 and challenge for the Constructors’ Championship by the end of that decade.
Sadly, Bruce McLaren died in 1970, aged 32, when testing one of his race cars in the UK. His team, however, would live on and be mightily successful, taking out a
eight constructors’ championships and a dozen drivers’ titles.
In 1985, McLaren the company established McLaren Cars and in 1991 delivered the F1 road car – widely regarded as one of the greatest cars of all time. It set the standard for supercars for years to come with its incredibly powerful naturally aspirated engine and the use of materials such as carbon fibre in its construction.
Not much happened on the road car front for the next few years. Then, in 2010, McLaren Cars gave way to McLaren
WHILE THE COMPANY REACHES 60 AND THE F1 20, IT IS 10 YEARS SINCE THE P1 WENT ON SALE. LIKE THE ILLUSTRIOUS F1, IT WAS HAILED AS SOMETHING OF A REVOLUTIONARY MACHINE WHEN IT APPEARED.
Automotive and the first of the company’s road-going production cars, the MP4-12C.
Others would follow, and McLaren’s innovative instincts would see it embrace more new technologies.
Which brings us to the P1.
Like the F1 that preceded it and which hits 20 this year, as well as McLaren the company which turns 60, the P1 hits a milestone this year - it is 10 years since the
P1 went on sale. And like the illustrious F1, it was hailed as something of a revolutionary machine when it appeared.
It too is a mid-engine, rear-wheeldrive supercar utilising a carbon fibre monocoque – including something called a MonoCage which was a direct technology transfer from F1 and which serves as the passenger compartment, the safety cell and the chassis’ major structural component.
The system from which the P1 derives its power is, however, very different from the F1. Instead of a brutally powerful naturally aspirated engine, the P1 got a brutally powerful hybrid drivetrain. Unusual for supercars, the hybrid system saw McLaren pair a twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre V8 with a single electric motor and a 4.7kW battery. The P1 was fitted with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.
reach 350km/h and get to 100km/h in 2.8 seconds, was pretty special indeed.
All that performance was helped along by a design that included active aerodynamics – an automatically adjusting rear wing – that maximised downforce and reduced drag, and a RaceActive Chassis Control suspension system that offered a stiffer and more track-focused set-up.
All up, 375 P1 road cars were built during the two years of its production from 2013 to 2015. Another 60 or so track-only GTR variants were built too.
The integration of the hybrid set-up allowed for ‘torque fill’ to offset any turbo lag as a result of the larger turbos fitted to the main engine. Also on tap was a KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) system.
All this combined meant the P1 produced astonishing performance figures. A decade ago, before the advent of the ridiculous numbers being churned out by all-electric power, a car pumping out 674kW and 900Nm and which could
The P1 was not the only hybrid supercar of its time. Other exotic and supercar manufacturers were playing with the technology too, and in the same year that the P1 appeared, two other splendid examples debuted – the LaFerrari from Ferrari, and the Porsche 918 Spyder. All three were stunning, were matched closely in terms of performance, and were so special that they became known collectively as the ‘Holy Trinity’.
At launch in 2013, the price of a McLaren P1 was knocking on the door of $2 million – a princely sum. However, if this low-volume supercar follows the path set out by the F1, then it could end up valued at a much more regal figure in years to come.
ALL UP, 375 P1 ROAD CARS WERE BUILT DURING THE TWO YEARS OF THE SUPERCAR’S PRODUCTION FROM 2013 TO 2015. ANOTHER 60 OR SO TRACKONLY GTR VARIANTS WERE BUILT TOO.
CUPRA, THE PERFORMANCE arm of Spanish carmaker SEAT and part of the Volkswagen Group, unveiled its newest model, the all-electric Tavascan SUV Coupe in April.
The Tavascan is Cupra’s second fully electric model - after the Cupra Born hatchback - and is based on VW’s MEB platform, which is the foundation for a number of the VW Group’s electric vehicles. The production Tavascan derives from a concept shown back in 2019 and the company says it marks a ‘a major step for the electrification of the brand.’
A RANGE-TOPPING VZ VARIANT IS SET TO FEATURE AN ALL-WHEEL DRIVE, DUALMOTOR LAYOUT WITH A 210KW REAR MOTOR AND AN 80KW MOTOR UP FRONT.
A range-topping VZ variant is set to feature an all-wheel drive, dual-motor layout with a 210kW rear motor and an 80kW motor up front. Output is 250kW with 545Nm from the rear motor and 134Nm from the front motor. The VZ can
reach 100km/h in 5.6 seconds.
A single-motor, rear-wheel drive variant of the Tavascan will also be available, with a 210kW/545Nm motor at the rear.
Both variants get a 77kWh battery pack with Cupra claiming a range, depending on the model, of either 517km (dual motor) or 549km (single motor).
DC fast charging at up to 135kW enables recharging from 10 to 80 per cent in 30 minutes. Regenerative braking is a feature and energy recuperation can be managed via regenerative paddle shifts on the steering wheel.
Cupra says the Tavascan’s Electronic Stability Control and Dynamic Chassis Control Sport system means the vehicle can adapt to a driver’s style. The SUV coupe has a range of 19-inch, 20-inch and 21-inch wheel options.
The latest technology, infotainment and safety systems feature in the Tavascan.
There’s a 15-inch centre console screen which provides access to all required functions. The infotainment system can be customised. Wireless Apple CarPlay and
Android Auto are featured and there’s a 12-speaker Sennheiser audio system.
The centre console screen is supplemented with a 5.3-inch digital cockpit behind the steering wheel, and there’s an augmented reality head-up display showing information such as speed, navigation system indications and driver assistance indicators.
Those driver assistance features, of which there are many, include Predictive Adaptive Cruise Control, Traffic Sign Recognition, Intelligent Speed Adaptation, Side Assist, Lane Assist, Exit Warning, Fatigue Detection, and Rear View eSmart Camera.
Designed and developed in Barcelona, the CUPRA Tavascan will be produced at the Volkswagen Group’s Anhui factory in China and will be launched in 2024. Arrival in Australia Is expected In 2025.
VOLKSWAGEN HAS REVEALED the ID.7, the sixth all-electric VW model based on its MEB (Modular Electric Drive Matrix) electric vehicle platform, and the top model within its all-electric ID family of vehicles.
While based on the MEB, VW says the ID.7 has new, more efficient, drive generation - the AP550 (see page 44) - that includes a potent motor at the rear delivering 210kW (a dual-motor variant ID.7 is on the cards too). A new battery set-up, courtesy in part to a
. . . THE ID.7 HAS NEW, MORE EFFICIENT, DRIVE GENERATION, INCLUDING A POTENT MOTOR AT THE REAR THAT DEVELOPS 210KW . . .
longer wheelbase than other ID models, allows for an 87kWh battery pack (other ID models can have a battery pack up to 77kWh) which the company says can deliver up to an 700km (WLTP) of
Volkswagen ID.7
range. That range is helped along by an aerodynamic design offering a drag coefficient of 0.23.
Charging capacities up to 200kW could be possible, enabling a recharge time for a 10-80 per cent top-up of 25 minutes.
The ID.7 will, no doubt, come packed with tech and comfort features.
There will be a new operating and display concept and standard features including a 15-inch infotainment system screen, an augmented reality head-up display, a new air conditioning operating concept and a backlit touch slider.
VW says there will also be new optional massage seats and an electronically dimmable panoramic sunroof with smart glass that can be switched between opaque and transparent settings by touch control.
Like many other functions in the ID.7, the roof can also be operated by means of natural voice commands. The range of options also includes a sound system from Harman Kardon.
Assistance systems available include Travel Assist with ‘swarm data’ – which VW says can take over lateral and longitudinal control of the ID.7 as needed, and support assisted lane changing on highways at speeds up to 90km/h.
“The ID.7 is an extremely important model for the Volkswagen brand in Europe, China and North America,” said Imelda Labbé, Member of the Brand Board of Management for Sales, Marketing and Aftersales. “The ID.7 offers an attractive package that will excite both existing and new Volkswagen customers all over the world. In this Volkswagen, we are offering premium technologies that impress through their exclusivity, premium comfort and high degree of everyday usability.”
The company says it is a ‘world car’ for the brand, and so the assumption would be that it will arrive in Australia at some point. Its other models – the ID.3 hatchback, ID.4 SUV, ID.5, and ID. Buzz (the electric Kombi) are reportedly set to land here in 2024.
PREMCAR, THE VICTORIABASED engineering company - has built its 5,000th new vehicle.
The milestone was set with a Nissan Navara PRO-4X Warrior rolling off its production line at its Epping facility. The vehicle is part of Nissan’s Warrior by Premcar series, a new-vehicle enhancement program that takes selected model variants from Nissan’s new-vehicle range and re-engineers and re-develops them for Australia’s driving conditions.
Dual-cab 4x4 Navara pick-up models from the PRO-4X and SL model grades are shipped from Nissan’s overseas assembly plants to Premcar’s Epping production facility for secondary new-vehicle manufacturing and completion.
At Premcar, these vehicles are fitted with their Australian-designed-and-engineered components, which have all been developed by Premcar for Nissan.
The Nissan Navara Warrior by Premcar
program began in 2019 with the Navara N-Trek Warrior by Premcar. The sprogram continued with the Navara PRO-4X Warrior by Premcar, and then the Navara SL Warrior by Premcar in 2022.
In September last year, Nissan Australia and Premcar announced the Y62-series Patrol would join the program. The 298kW 4x4 Patrol Warrior SUV is currently undergoing its Australian re-engineering and manufacturing development program. Premcar is scheduled to commence manufacturing and assembly in Australia later this year.
...THESE VEHICLES ARE FITTED WITH THEIR AUSTRALIAN-DESIGNED-AND-ENGINEERED COMPONENTS, WHICH HAVE ALL BEEN DEVELOPED BY PREMCAR FOR NISSAN.Nissan Navara PRO-4X Warrior
HONDA AUSTRALIA HAS revealed an additional 500 units of the Civic Type R have been allocated to the Australian market which will be made available for customers in 2023. Estimated arrival times have been reduced by up to nine months with the latest orders now scheduled for Feb 2024 arrival at Honda Centres.
Extended wait times for the delivery of new vehicles has been an issue for many carmakers, and Honda Australia says it has been continuously monitoring the situation and sought opportunities to minimise the
impact to Civic Type R customers.
In a media release, Honda Australia said it ‘. . . will always endeavour to ensure that sufficient stock levels are acquired for our customer demands, however, like many other manufacturers, vehicle production may be affected by worldwide issues in supply chain, including the global shortage of semiconductor parts.’
THE COMMONWEALTH BANK (CBA) is launching a range of finance solutions to support business investing in green vehicles, equipment and machinery.
CBA’s new Green Vehicle and Equipment Finance offers discounts of up to 1 per cent off the standard rate for new and used electric or hydrogen powered cars, trucks, vans or buses valued up to $250,000, and discounts of up to 0.5 per cent on other qualifying assets including electric and hydrogen powered machinery, solar, wind and hydro-powered equipment and charging and storage equipment.
“This new green asset finance offering is designed to assist companies in the manufacturing, logistics and construction sectors who are focused on lowering their running costs and energy wastage, while also reducing carbon emissions,” said Chris Moldrich, CBA General Manager Asset Finance.
“These new offerings enable businesses to transition their fleets and equipment to the latest, best-in-class sustainability
options such as electric vehicles and green equipment. Our financingsolutions cover up to 100 per cent of the purchase price of these assets, as well assupporting infrastructure such as chargers and batteries.
“There is a range of terms to suit different cash flow needs and the ability to use the purchased equipment as security for the loan also enables businesses to free up their working capital for other purposes.”
CBA says its Green Vehicle and Equipment Finance is available for assets including electric cars, trucks or buses; electric vehicle and equipment charging and storage assets such as batteries; electric or hydrogen machinery and engines; LED Lighting upgrade projects; and renewable energy, such as solar, wind and hydro powered equipment including panel installations.
• For more information, visit www.commbank.com.au/assetfinance
WANT TO GET a 2024 Land Rover Defender? Good for you. But with 21 variants across three body styles available – the 90, 110, and 130you might need a bit of time to consider which one to choose.
There’s a Defender 90 S with a 2-litre petrol engine at one end of the range, and a Defender 130 boasting a beast of a V8 at the other end. In between can be found a variety of diesel, petrol, and mild and plug-in hybrid-powered models, offering enough variants of the legendary offroader to keep everyone smiling.
New models include a 5-seat 130 Outbound and a 110 Hard Top S commercial variant, with the Outbound getting a 3-litre, six-cylinder 294kW/550Nm petrol engine and the 110 Hard Top S available with a 3-litre six-cylinder 183kW/570Nm diesel. Plug-
THE P400E ELECTRIC HYBRID POWERTRAIN USES A 221KW, 2-LITRE FOUR-CYLINDER INGENIUM PETROL ENGINE COMBINED WITH A 105KW ELECTRIC MOTOR POWERED BY A 19.2KWH BATTERY FOR A COMBINED POWER OUTPUT OF 297KW.
in Hybrid models (P400e powertrain) include the 110 X-Dynamic SE and 110 X-Dynamic HSE models. The top 130 V8 model gets a 5-litre supercharged 368kW/610Nm engine.
In the Defender 90 variant, the V8 can push the vehicle to 100km/h in 5.2 seconds. The 130 V8 gets there in 5.7
seconds. All engines drive through an eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox and twin-speed transmission.
The P400e electric hybrid powertrain uses a 221kW 2-litre fourcylinder Ingenium petrol engine combined with a 105kW electric motor powered by a 19.2kWh battery for a combined power output of 297kW. Land Rover says the P400e delivers 0-100km/h in 5.6 seconds and fuel economy of up to 3.4l/100km (NEDC).
The P400e has three driving modes. ‘Hybrid’ is the default driving mode and combines petrol and electric power. ‘Save’ mode holds the battery charge status so it can be
deployed later in a journey, for example in urban areas, while ‘EV’ mode runs solely on electric power for up to 43km. Regenerative braking recuperates charge to top up the battery for short periods of EV operation. In EV mode Land Rover says the P400e can reach speeds of up to 136km/h.
A standard Mode 3 cable plugged into a 7kW public or domestic wall box will charge the battery to 80 per cent in as little as two hours, while a standard domestic socket and a Mode 2 charging cable will charge to the same level in seven hours. If using a rapid DC charger, it takes 30 minutes to charge to 80 per cent.
Standard features across all models highlight the technologically advanced nature of the Defender. Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), and safety features are legion and include Hill Launch Assist; Hill Descent Control; Emergency Brake Assist; Tyre Pressure Monitoring System; 3D Surround Camera; Lane Keep
Assist; Traffic Sign Recognition and Adaptive Speed Limiter; Wade Sensing; Driver Condition Monitor; Adaptive Cruise Control; Rear Collision Monitor that includes Lane Keeping Aid, Revers Traffic Detection, Rear Pre-Crash and Drive Initiated Evasive Steering Support; 360-degree Parking Aid, Rear Traffic Monitor, and more.
Infotainment features include DAB radio, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, the Pivi Pro system, and Wireless Device Charging.
The next-generation Electronic Vehicle Architecture, dubbed EVA 2.0, supports Software-Over-The-Air (SOTA) updates.
The Defender 110 offers five, six or 5+2 seating configurations, with a loadspace behind the second-row seats of up to 1,075 litres, and up to 2,380 litres when the second row is folded. Defender 90 is
capable of accommodating six occupants. Defender 130 offers room for up to eight adults across three rows (2+3+3) of seating, and a maximum load space of up to 2,516 litres (Outbound model). The new Defender 130 Outbound exclusively offers five seats.
The new 130 also offers four Accessory Packs (Explorer, Adventure, Country and Urban) with over 100 accessories and optional Black Pack details.
The new 110 Hard Top commercial variant combines a two-seat passenger compartment – with the option of a third central jump seat – and a flexible, hardwearing rear load bay that provides 2,059 litres of load space. There’s also lockable underfloor storage and a bulkhead partition. Power comes from a 183kW/570Nm sixcylinder (MHEV) diesel.
THE HARD TOP CAN PULL UP TO 3,500KG, WADE THROUGH WATER UP TO 900MM DEEP, ASSISTED BY THE WADE PROGRAM IN THE TERRAIN RESPONSE 2 SYSTEM.
THE DEFENDER 130 OUTBOUND CAN TOW UP TO 3,000KG. POWER COMES EXCLUSIVELY WITH P400 3-LITRE SIX-CYLINDER 294KW/550NM
PETROL ENGINE WITH MHEV TECH.
The Hard Top can pull up to 3,500kg, wade through water up to 900mm deep, assisted by the Wade program in the Terrain Response 2 system.
The new 5-seat 130 Outbound offers up to 2,516 litres (1,329 litres with row two seats in use) of space in the rear. There’s a near-flat loadspace floor (with 1.267 metres in length behind the second row).
Rubber floor matting can be folded down to protect the bumper when loading bulky or heavy equipment such as bikes or suitcases. Additional stowage areas safely store smaller items out of sight, while extra lashing points and a new cargo net mean a variety of outdoor equipment.
4x4 capability comes via Land Rover’s
Intelligent All-Wheel Drive System and Terrain Response 2 system, while Electronic Air Suspension and Adaptive Dynamics are fitted as standard. Electronic Air Suspension allowing up to 430mm of articulation and up to 900mm of wading.
The Defender 130 Outbound can tow up to 3,000kg. Power comes exclusively with P400 3-litre six-cylinder 294kW/550Nm petrol engine with MHEV tech.
Pricing for the 2024 Land Rover Defender range runs from $90,400 for the Defender 90 S TO $237,900 for the 130 V8. The new Hard Top S is priced at $110,000, while the 130 Outbound is $138,400. Available to order now, Australian deliveries of the 2024 Defender line-up are due to start in November.
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THE SUV MARKET is a sizeable one in Australia - in 2022 more than 570,000 were sold here, ranging from the large to the very small.
The Suzuki Ignis – available in GL or GLX variants - falls squarely into the small category, and good things can come in small packages.
For full disclosure, this writer needs to admit to having a soft spot for Suzuki having owned an Alto model for many years and finding it to be an absolute gem. That car's tiny, 1-litre, three-cylinder engine produced 50kW and 90Nm and drank a
miserly 4.7 litres per 100km, which meant getting anywhere was done at a leisurely pace but the wallet still felt nice and plump at the end of the week. Over about a decade of ownership, it was rock-solid reliable and was only parted with after a tussle with
STYLE-WISE, THE IGNIS IS INTERESTING - PRETTY BOLD ACTUALLY. IT MIGHT NOT APPEAL TO EVERYONE, BUT AT LEAST IT ISN’T BORING.Suzuki Ignis
another car left it in a horrible mess.
So, expectations were pretty high going into a week of driving the Ignis GLX. Those expectations were met with ease.
Style-wise, the Ignis is interesting - pretty bold actually. It might not appeal to everyone, but at least it isn’t boring.
For an SUV, the Ignis really is smallexterior dimensions are 3700mm long by 1690mm. However, that compact exterior doesn’t translate to the interior. Instead, the interior of the Ignis feels quite spacious - for fans of Dr Who, there’s a Tardis-like quality here. There’s quite a bit of room, especially head room, although maybe the GLX variant feels roomier as it is designed to sit
two in the back rather than three as in the GL. In the GLX, the rear seats can slide backward and forward and recline a touch too, which was a nice surprise and may give the rear passenger a sliver of extra leg room if required.
Open the rear hatch door and there’s 264-litres of space (using the VDA method of calculation which looks at the usable space of an area and only to the top of the seats). That was plenty for a five-bag, week’s worth of supermarket shopping. Fold down the rear seats – which don’t fold flat – and you get 516 litres (VDA). Suzuki notes that maximum volume is 1104 litres of space.
The size of the Ignis is a big plus when it comes to parking. It passes the supermarket car park test with ease, negotiating its way into those tight spaces left by poorly parked utes and pick-up trucks without a problem. It’s also much easier on the nerves when nipping about navigating busy and tight city streets.
The interior is nicely done. It’s not luxurious but feels solid and well put together. Seat trim material feels good and tough enough to last a while, and the same goes for the seats themselves, which are nice and firm.
The infotainment touchscreen enables access to the radio, allows for smartphone connection, and access to the navigation system. A lovely, crisp image from the rear-view camera is displayed here too.
Also up front is a 12V power socket as well as USB, AUX, and SD card ports. Sitting under the touchscreen are the air conditioning control buttons.
Driving instrumentation includes dials for revs and speed that sit next to a digital display showing, amongst other info, fuel economy, fuel consumption, gear selection, average speed and so on.
The leather-wrapped three-spoke steering wheel feels very nice and there are controls here you would expect – for cruise control, audio, and hands-free calls – plus a button to control information shown on the instrument panel digital display.
What isn’t here is a central armrest/ storage box. That might not sound like an important detail but not having that storage space and a comfortable spot upon which to lean was missed.
Power for both the GL and GLX variants comes from a 1.2-litre engine. The GL variant gets either a 5-speed manual or CVT transmission, while the GLX comes with the CVT only. Suzuki says that the 1.2-litre engine will give you 66kW and 120Nm. That doesn’t sound too exciting, but the size and weight of the Ignis means it feels light and nimble.
Starting each morning having to negotiate a relatively steep suburban road gave the engine something to think about, but once it got going it was fine. You won’t win any traffic-light drag races, but it feels quite swift enough
for the daily commute and shooting up and down the highway was a breeze.
The Ignis is a nice drive. Everything feels solid and moves and shifts and brakes when it should and when required. The seating position is higher than regular cars, of course, and the windscreen seems huge, offering really good visibility out the front.
One thing to note is that the Ignis does not appear to have an ANCAP rating (although a 2016 Euro NCAP rating gave it three stars, or five stars with an optional safety pack) or some of the advanced driver assistance features you see on some new cars. What it does have are front, side, and curtain airbags; the reversing camera; anti-lock braking with electronic brakeforce distribution; speed limiter; brake assist; traction control; and hill hold control.
The GLX gets 16-inch wheels (15-inch for the GL) and available options include a roof rack, side body moulding, boot lid protector, door sill guards and more.
Pricing for the Ignis starts from $23,490 drive away for the GL manual, and from $26,490 drive away for the GLX.
THE IGNIS IS A NICE DRIVE. EVERYTHING FEELS SOLID AND MOVES AND SHIFTS AND BRAKES WHEN IT SHOULD AND WHEN REQUIRED.
MAHINDRA HAS ANNOUNCED the launch of the Scorpio SUV in Australia.
Available in two variants – the Z8 and the Z8L – the six-seater Scorpio is set to be available at an introductory price until June 30 of $41,990 drive away for the Z8 and $44,990 for the Z8L, which is attractive pricing for a big SUV coming in at 4662mm long, 1917mm wide, and 1857mm tall with a 2750mm wheelbase. Ground clearance is 227mm.
Built on a third-generation body-onframe platform, the Scorpio does, says Mahindra, offer ‘class-leading structural rigidity, off-road capability and exemplary on-road manners.’
Power comes from a 2.2-litre turbo diesel coupled with a 6-speed automatic transmission developing 129kW and 400Nm. Mahindra says the Scorpio can hit a combined fuel economy of 7.2-litre per 100km, It has a 57-litre fuel tank and uses Adblue.
The SUV comes with 4XPLOR ‘intelligent terrain management technology’ - a shift-on-the-fly 4WD system. Selectable driving modes in 4WD include Normal, Snow, Mud and Ruts, and Sand.
The Scorpio gets WATTS link suspension and Frequency Dependent Damping system.
Maximum towing capacity is 2500 (braked trailer) and 750kg (non-braked trailer).
Mahindra says the Scorpio underwent comprehensive testing, including partnering with Australia’s 4WD Industries to ensure its performance in the local environments.
POWER COMES FROM A 2.2-LITRE TURBO DIESEL COUPLED WITH A 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DEVELOPING 129KW AND 400NM.
While the Scorpio does not have an ANCAP rating, it does have a five-star rating under GNCAP (Global New Car Assessment Program). Reportedly, some advanced driver assistance system features will be added in the future. For now, both variants get Electronic Stability Control; Hill Hold Control and Hill Descent Control; ABS and EBD (Electronic Braking System and Anti-Lock Braking); Parking Sensors (rear for the Z8 and front and rear for the Z8L); Front, Side, AND Curtain airbags; and a Tyre Pressure Management System.
There’s an 8-inch touchscreen for infotainment, USB C port for the second row, a camera system (up front for the Z8 with a rear camera added for the Z8L) AND Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Wireless charging is available in the Z8L.
The Z8L also receives a 12-speaker Sony audio system, 6-way driver’s power seat, 7-inch colour driver’s display, and wireless charging.
The Scorpio will be available in five colours in AustraliaDazzling Silver, Deep Forest, Everest White, Napoli Black and Red Rage, and will be the first model for Mahindra in Australia that features an all-new factory backed 7-year / 150,000 km warranty for private buyers.
THE AUSTRALIAN RENEWABLE Energy Agency (ARENA) – the mission of which is to support the transition to net zero emissions – is to provide almost $6.2 million in funding to Origin Energy for the Accelerate EV Fleet Program.
The $12.8 million program –launched in 2022 - will see Origin deliver 1000 electric vehicles and charging infrastructure to business customers nationally.
Origin’s program is designed to help establish supply chains and business ecosystems that can be scaled up as the capital cost of electric vehicles (EVs) fall and more businesses look to transition their fleets.
On top of higher upfront vehicle costs, charging infrastructure presents an additional financial barrier to switching to electric vehicles.
ARENA funding will support the installation of smart chargers, helping to reduce a significant component of the additional costs of running an EV fleet.
ARENA says that with fleet users accounting for nearly half of all passenger vehicles sold in Australia, decarbonising business fleets is an opportunity to efficiently switch large numbers of vehicles to low emissions alternatives.
Origin is partnering with fleet management organisation, Custom Fleet to deliver the Accelerate EV Fleet Program, which will run until 2025.
THE ELECTRIFICATION OF Australia’s automotive industry appears to be well underway. The April 2023 new-vehicle delivery figures show a small increase in overall numbers over the same month last year, but there was a big jump in the percentage of electrified vehicles included in that overall figure.
According to data released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) VFACTS Service, 82,137 were delivered last month, a 1.3 per cent increase on the same period in 2022. But electric vehicles accounted for 8 per cent of sales for the month, a big increase over the 1.1 per cent of sales they accounted for in April 2022.
“If you take all forms of electrification, that number has increased from 9.5 per cent to 15.4 per cent, and we know that this number would have been larger had the industry not faced global supply challenges,” said Tony Weber, CEO of the FCAI.
“It is worth noting that five out of the top ten models sold in April offer some form of electrification.”
Of those electrified vehicles, 6,530 were battery electric (3,676 of those were Tesla models with 1581 Model 3s and 2095 Model Ys delivered), 5,592 were hybrid, and 545 were plug-in hybrid.
Overall, SUVs and light commercial vehicles accounted for 76.8 per cent of sales in April. Passenger vehicles accounted for 18.5 per cent, and heavy commercial 4.7 per cent. Government and Business fleet sales increased by 8.1 per cent and 2.9 per cent respectively. Rental sales recorded a decline of 11.4 per cent.
Year-to-date, sales of vehicles sourced from China have increased 68.5 per cent with 13,426 vehicles sold in April. Japan remains Australia’s largest source of vehicles (22,304). Thailand is the second largest (15,886) and Korea fourth (12,952).
Sales in Queensland increased by 4.4 per cent (18,188 sales) compared to April last year; the ACT increased by 5 per cent (1,261); Victoria, 4.2 per cent (22,226); and Western Australia, 5.2 per cent (8,303). Sales in New South Wales decreased by 1.5 per cent (25,040); Northern Territory, 10.3 per cent (761); and Tasmania, 13.3 per cent (1,271).
Toyota led the market with 12,029 vehicles, then Mazda (6,926), Kia (6,200), Hyundai (5,732) and Ford (5,047). The Ford Ranger was the highest selling model with 3,567 sales, followed by Toyota Hi-Lux 3,526, Toyota RAV4 (2,198), Tesla Model Y (2095) and Hyundai i30 (2,029).
“IT IS WORTH NOTING THAT FIVE OUT OF THE TOP TEN MODELS SOLD IN APRIL OFFER SOME FORM OF ELECTRIFICATION.”Tesla Model Y Image credit: VanderWolf Images / Shutterstock.com
ACCORDING TO RECENT case law, the ways in which Human Resources professionals can be targeted for personal liability continue to grow.
Firstly, in giving incorrect advice. The Federal Circuit Court recently fined a company $200,000 and a director $40,000 for underpaying an employee $8,000 in wages and entitlements.
In 2016-2017, 93 per cent of matters filed in court by the Fair Work Ombudsman sought orders against third-party "accessories", and in 2018-19, courts ordered over $4.4 million in financial penalties against non-compliant businesses and individuals.
This means that where an HR manager has been involved in the contravention – and that can include by giving advice about a particular approach – it is possible that they are then held to be an accessory to the contravention.
If HR have knowledge of the essential elements of what makes up the convention and engaged in advising that a course of action be taken, they may be held liable despite them not knowing whether their advice was unlawful.
The strengthened whistleblower protection rules is another area where personal liability risks have recently expanded. The reforms have expanded the range of people who can make protected disclosures about a business, and broadened the types of potential misconduct that might be the subject of a protected disclosure where HR might find itself advising about disciplining an employee who is in fact protected given alleged whistleblowing.
The complex area of defamation is another area where HR practitioners can potentially face personal liability. In a recent case an employee won a $238k defamation action after his employer emailed clients about his dismissal, importantly then the employer successfully appealed. This article provides general information only. For further information advice and assistance, and to minimise personal liability, MTAQ members may speak with expert Workplace Relations Advisors on 07 3237 8777.
THE STRENGTHENED WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION RULES IS ANOTHER AREA WHERE PERSONAL LIABILITY RISKS HAVE RECENTLY EXPANDED.
TO MORE THAN 13,000 PEOPLE DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN THE MOTORING INDUSTRY
(website or e-magazine options)
COINCIDING WITH THE start of the final quarter of the year is the commencement of another pre-vocational course here at the MTA Institute. With a large group of 20 students, we anticipate participants to be ready for gainful employment as first-year apprentices after this five-week immersion program.
Subsidised by the Government Certificate III Guarantee program – The AUR20720 Certificate II in Automotive Vocational Preparation is a course designed to give students a basic introduction to the automotive industry. Students undertaking this course learn a range of tasks relating to identifying and inspecting mechanical and electrical components and systems of light vehicles. The course also covers Workplace Health and Safety and environmental aspects along with tools and equipment, communication, and a basic understanding of automotive mechanical and electrical principles.
If you’re an employer in the Southeast Queensland region and are after a job-ready first-year apprentice, please reach out to us so we can arrange a meet and greet.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, the start of May sees another round of technicians completing post-trade training in the form of the Battery and
Hybrid Electric Vehicle Inspection and Servicing Skill Sets. This course covers the fundamental requirements for inspecting and servicing battery-electric vehicle (BEV) and hybrid-electric vehicle (HEV) systems and components. This course is essential for technicians to not only be able to safely work on BEVs & HEVs but provides employers piece of mind knowing their technicians have been trained and are safe while working on these vehicles. This course also forms a pathway for techs to gain the full Electric Vehicle technician accreditation.
It would be remiss of me not to remind you of the suite of MTA Queensland’s lowcost, high value Micro-Credential courses available right now.
Till next month, Ciao for now.
“IF YOU’RE AN EMPLOYER IN THE SOUTHEAST QUEENSLAND REGION AND ARE AFTER A JOB-READY FIRST-YEAR APPRENTICE, PLEASE REACH OUT TO US SO WE CAN ARRANGE A MEET AND GREET.”
APPRENTICE:
EMMA MANZELMANN WORKPLACE:
JET MAINTENANCE SERVICE, MACKAY APPRENTICESHIP:
LIGHT VEHICLE MECHANICAL
EMMA MANZELMANN is the MTA Institute Apprentice of the Month for April 2023.
You may have heard Emma’s name before, especially if you are a fan of Rugby League. The 21-year-old, third-year light vehicle apprentice is one of Australia’s top rugby league players and her list of accomplishments is extensive. Playing as a dummy-half, they include twice being named Player of the Year for the North Queensland Gold Stars in the QRL (Queensland Rugby League) BHP Premiership, being part of the 2019 Queensland Women’s under-18 State of Origin squad,and winning the 2022 NRLW Premiership title with the Newcastle Knights.
A few weeks ago, Emma became the inaugural signing for the new North Queensland Cowboys NRLW team which will enter the national NRLW competition this year (the season kicks off in July).
It’s a move that will keep the Mackay-native in North Queensland. And that’s a good thing, for while her sporting career flourishes, Emma - mindful in part of the relatively short career of a professional sportsperson - continues to work hard at forging a path in the automotive industry too, working to complete her apprenticeship with Mackaybased Jet Maintenance Services, a company that provides mechanical, auto electrical, and onsite field services for light vehicle, and mechanical machinery and equipment.
As Emma told Motor Trader earlier this year, picking automotive for a career after her playing days are over was a natural choice.
“I grew up on a property and was always
helping dad with fixing things, but it was more tractors and loaders and that sort of thing,” she said.
“I wasn’t scared to get dirty or anything, so I thought I'd just give it a go. I didn't really know if I'd enjoy it, but I love it . . . ”
Starting out as a trade assistant before taking on her apprenticeship, Emma now works on all manner of vehicles and jobs that come through the Jet Maintenance facility.
“We work on cars and trucks, and we see quite a few vehicles that need repairs or servicing and that need to be made mining site-compliant,” she said, adding that it was the bigger, more complex jobs that she enjoyed the most. “The bigger jobs are more interesting, and time goes heaps quicker!”
Given the pressures and expectations of playing sport at the highest level, Emma’s automotive training does take a back seat during the playing season, with both Jet Maintenance Services and the MTA Institute happy and able to pause that apprenticeship training and then pick it back up again when she is ready.
At just 21, Emma has plenty of years ahead of her in Rugby League, but the automotive industry is, she said, where her future lies once her playing days are over.
“I want to get my trade . . . and have that certificate behind me,” she said. “I want to finish my apprenticeship, and then, hopefully, play football and then come back to automotive when that football career is finished.”
In a short period of time, Emma has amassed a long list of achievements, and while adding the accolade of MTA Institute Apprentice of the Month might not quite reach the heights of winning a Rugby League premiership title, it is still something of which she is rightfully proud.
"It was very exciting to be told I had won and I am very honoured to receive the award," said Emma. "I am very grateful to have such great support around me."
“IT WAS VERY EXCITING TO BE TOLD I HAD WON AND I AM VERY HONOURED TO RECEIVE THE AWARD.”
• Are you employing an apprentice who is excelling in the workplace?
• Do you have a high-achieving apprentice colleague?
• Are they training with MTA Institute?
If the answer is ‘yes’, then nominate them for the MTA Institute Apprentice of the Month Award.
THE FIRST ROUND of MTA Queensland’s 2023 Vocational Education and Training (VET) Trainer Scholarships have been awarded to Sienna Whiting and Joshua Norris.
The scholarships offer automotive professionals the opportunity to advance their careers by undertaking a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE40122) - a highly sought-after course that provides the skills and knowledge to deliver training in the VET sector. Valued at over $2,500, the scholarships are awarded to one female and one male candidate each round.
Sienna Whiting is a qualified automotive refinisher with over 10 years’ experience in the industry. She spent the last three years with Jonkers Smash Repairs, taking the role of paint shop foreman in early 2022 where she managed a team of three, including one apprentice.
Sienna believes that becoming an automotive trainer is the next step in her career and is extremely excited to begin this new chapter of her life. While she already provides on-the-job work experience to apprentices, Sienna hopes to use this scholarship to build upon her skills and deliver a higher quality of training.
“My biggest mentor has been my own automotive trainer, who has encouraged me and supported me from apprentice to qualified tradeswomen,” said Sienna.
Joshua Norris is a qualified technician who has worked in the industry for more than nine years. After completing his apprenticeship with Renault, he attended the Renault Academy in Melbourne where he became Head Technician for six years. Joshua worked for various companies, including Ford and BMW, before joining West Star Mercedes, where he has remained for the last two years. Joshua is committed to becoming a great automotive trainer. In his own words “If I say I’m going to do it, I do it.”
“I absolutely love the industry and would like to pass my knowledge on to the next generation,” he said. “We all wanted to become a mechanic at some stage, and I would like to help people obtain that goal.”
The VET Trainer Scholarship is available twice per year and is open to trade-qualified automotive employees in Queensland with at least five years’ experience. The next scholarship round will open on 1 August 2023.
MTA Queensland is committed to addressing the skills shortage that exists across Queensland and supports the career advancement of automotive tradespeople.
“I hope to one day provide a supportive learning environment, instilling the same respectful values and barrier-free career pathway that I experienced.”
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 April 2023. It's a fantastic achievement!
Daniel Neville Certificate III in Automotive Refinishing Technology
Deborah Tinworth Certificate III in Automotive Refinishing Technology
Heath Andrew Certificate III in Motorcycle Mechanical Technology
Fynn Laidlaw Certificate III in Automotive Sales
Max Ryder Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology
Ian Milnes Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Jackson Ewers Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Mitchell Beattie Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Trai Adams Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Caleb Anderson Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Sacha Flight Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Tajinder Kumar Certificate III in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Eben Mattocks Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology
Angus Renwick Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology
Noboru Ikeda Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology
Roxanne Russell Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology
Jacob Fisher Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology
Brodie Exelby Certificate III in Automotive Sales
Harling Maudsley Certificate III in Automotive Sales
Jeremy Parker Certificate III in Automotive Body Repair Technology
Lachlan Heffernan Certificate III in Automotive Body Repair Technology
Bailey Peacock Certificate III in Automotive Refinishing Technology
Brett Baker
Alfio Rotolone
Don Lerm
Ivan Aird
Roger West
Stuart Davies
Lloyd Cross
Antony Joslin
Jason McCann
Gareth Hartley
Nev Donaldson
Scott Buckley
Jason McCann
Gareth Hartley
Antony Joslin
Jason Mcann
Michael De Waard
Neil Bovey
Neil Bovey
Keiran Charters
Keiran Charters
Keiran Charters
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.
For most of the past 12 years, the MTA Institute has been headed by Paul Kulpa. Under his leadership - and as the automotive industry began its evolution to electrification - new training courses, programs, and initiatives were established, and tremendous growth recorded as the Institute cemented its place as Queensland’s largest private provider of automotive training. This month, Paul will be moving on to pursue a new opportunity.
WELL, THAT’S IT. It’s time to say goodbye to everyone I’ve had the opportunity to work with at MTA Queensland over the last 12 years.
Leaving such an incredible place has been one of the most difficult decisions I’ve had to make in my professional career, but I know I leave the organisation in great hands with people that care about the automotive industry, about where it is headed, and about how to best support all the people involved in it.
It has been a hell of a ride and I have many great achievements to be proud of during my time here, especially leading the MTA Institute to be the top automotive training provider in Queensland and seeing it continue to deliver great learning experiences for students and outcomes for employers.
Working at MTA Queensland has provided me with a great deal of satisfaction. The word ‘work’ has such a connotation of difficulty, and while there were some trying moments, these where brief. It didn’t feel much like work when you enjoyed the company of the people you helped and supported - students, employers and staff. I always felt the industry genuinely appreciated wanting to do the right thing for their community, and the underpinning philosophy of education through training and skilling provided this help and support.
A brief summary of my time with MTA Queensland starts in 2011 when I had to wrap my head around bringing over the
paint and panel training from TAFE, get our heavy vehicle training up and running, work out social media (what is ‘google ads’?), develop an e-newsletter, formulate a plan to create an online learning platform and start the move to our then new head office at Eight Mile Plains. At that time, we had around 1,100 apprentices, a few administration staff and 25 trainers across the state. Also, my wife Rebecca had our first child, Henry. It was a busy time!
Over the years, we had to change some of our processes and structures to accommodate the changing industry and vocational education landscape. We moved to an online learning environment
and digitised many of our resources and processes to deliver a faster response and service to students and employers. This provided a consistent approach of all our material across our training products.
We also implemented new product lines such as outdoor power equipment, agricultural and mobile plant, and delivered national workforce development fund programs, automotive access program, trade recognition pathways and automotive mentoring programs. We also adapted to the transition of multiple training packages and changes in vocational education policies, both at a state and federal level.
There was a lot for the Institute’s team to do, but we did it successfully, continued to grow, and were recognised as Queensland’s best training organisation in 2019 at the Queensland Training Awards.
In all my time at MTA Queensland and the MTA Institute, there have been two main principles that guided my decision making: Having the students at the centre of the journey and engaging our staff to be part of this journey. This has been the most satisfying part of the ride. Watching the development of our students via the Apprentice of the Month and Apprentice of the Year awards, implementing the VET scholarships, and catching up with trainers and handing over the Trainer of the Year award have meant a great deal to me.
I’ve seen the vocational educational system change over the years, seen many training providers - offering products too good to be true - come and go, and seen businesses wanting to test other training models (which is all part of business). However, a true test of a business’s success is to withstand the outside pressures and the race to the bottom. I’ve always maintained if you over-promise and underdeliver you won’t last long in the training space. I know we’ve stood the test of time and maintained our professional and high training standards over the years. So much so that now we can proudly say that we
have more 2,450 apprentices and hundreds of employers putting their trust in us to deliver the skills and training they need. We’ve grown to have more than 40 trainers deliver that training and increased our administrative support accordingly.
Our success has been a testament to the team, and none of this could have been achieved without the truly fantastic staff at MTA Queensland. They have ultimately been the reason for our success. The team has kept delivering year-on-year and made us a business trusted by students, industry, and government alike.
Today, with my supportive wife Rebecca, and now with three children (Henry, 11; Rose, 9; and Patrick, 6) who have known nothing but the five MTA Queensland rings on my shirt, I leave knowing I have put everything into my work at MTA Queensland and this place will forever hold a special spot in my life.
My role as Director, Industry Initiatives will be taken on by Brad Flanagan who has a huge amount of experience across industry and government, and I wish him all the best. Marcello Riotto has been leading the MTA Institute for a few months now, and with his experience and knowledge I know the Institute will go on being a truly innovative training organisation. Both will succeed under the tremendous leadership of Rod Camm, MTA Queensland’s CEO.
Thank you, most sincerely, to everyone for their support over the years. I wish you all success and a happy work life.
“. . . THERE HAVE BEEN TWO MAIN PRINCIPLES THAT GUIDED MY DECISION MAKING: HAVING THE STUDENTS AT THE CENTRE OF THE JOURNEY AND ENGAGING OUR STAFF TO BE PART OF THIS JOURNEY.”
THIS IS THE Arizon, an electric SUV concept unveiled by Nissan at Auto Shanghai.
Created by the company’s Chinese team and aimed at the Chinese market, it is, the company said, ‘designed to serve as a multifunctional partner for China’s drivers’ and offers a ‘software defined approach.’ Software-defined vehicles is a phrase used to describe vehicles that have features and functions that are mostly enabled by software and allow for all manner of connectivity, personalisation, upgrades over-the-air, and so on.
Built on the CMF EV platform (the Common Module Family for Electric Vehicles) – a platform developed by Nissan with Renault through its Renault-NissanMitsubishi Alliance partnership – the Arizon has a pillarless open-air cabin with an auto-dimming glass roof. In that cabin
. . . NISSAN USES THE CMF EV PLATFORM FOR ITS NEW ARIYA, WHICH IS AVAILABLE INTERNATIONALLY WITH A 63KWH OR 87KWH BATTERY PACK, UP TO 530KM OF RANGE, SINGLE OR DUAL MOTOR WITH AWD SET-UPS. . .
there’s a steering yoke, a wide display screen, and an interactive lighting system that, Nissan says, can recognise people and automatically adapts the lighting to suit their preferences or can be adjusted to modes such as leisure, relax, sleep, and surprise.
There’s a ‘virtual personal assistant’ too, called Eporo, that can also interact with passengers and deliver responses regarding time, weather, and other data.
Not much other technical data is available, but Nissan uses the CMF EV platform for its new Ariya, which is available internationally with a 63kWh or 87kWh battery pack, has up to 530km of range, a single or dual motor with AWD set-ups, and a full suite of safety and comfort features.
No word as to whether a production variant of the Arizon might be forthcoming, or whether such a vehicle might make it to Australia, but the sheer number of EVs being dreamed up and
created in China – and with Nissan itself aiming to add 19 new all-electric models to its range by the end of the decade as part of its Ambition 2030 strategy - might mean this concept gets a chance.
“China is one of the most technologically sophisticated markets in the world,” said Nissan Ashwani Gupta, Nissan Chief Operating Officer. “Market and customer needs are rapidly changing, making China a global driver of electrification as well as a leader in connected car services. There is a need for increased electrification and advanced sustainability in the market, and we are working hard to meet it.”
AUTO READY
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 May 2023 (SOLD OUT) 21 - 23 June 2023
SALES/DEALERS/WRECKERS LICENCING COURSES AVAILABLE ONLINE COMMENCES ON ENROLMENT MIG WELDING FUNDAMENTALS COURSE 14 June 2023
BATTERY ELECTRIC AND HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLES COURSE
29 - 31 May 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
ADVANCED DRIVER ASSISTANCE SYSTEMS
POST-TRADE TRAINING AVAILABLE ONLINE VEHICLE MAINTENANCE COURSE
TO BE ADVISED
AWARENESS COURSE TO BE ADVISED
VEHICLE GLASS COURSE TO BE ADVISED
TECHNICIAN COURSE
18 - 19 May 2023
Enquiries to: courses@mtaq.com.au Website www.mtaq.com.au 20170566
*Course dates subject to change
