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From the Editor Official Publication of the Motor Trades Association of Queensland HEAD OFFICE Building 8, 2728 Logan Road, Eight Mile Plains, Qld 4113 P.O. Box 4530, Eight Mile Plains, Qld 4113 Tel: 07 3237 8777 Fax: 07 3844 4488 Toll Free: 1800 177 951 Email: publications@mtaq.com.au Website: www.mtaq.com.au EDITOR Jonathan Nash ART DIRECTOR Marco Ilinic INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS Ted Kowalski Evangeline Kannis
JONATHAN NASH EDITOR
H
POLICY Kellie Dewar, General Manager MTA Queensland
ELLO AND WELCOME to the April 2019 edition of Motor Trader. March was a whopper of a month for the Association as the third edition of the Carmageddon symposium was held at the Sir Jack Brabham Automotive Centre of Excellence. Booked out well in advance, Carmageddon was opened by the Hon Karen Andrews MP, Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, and guests included representatives from industry, academia and government. Presentations and panel discussions ranged across a number of subjects, all focused on the developing automotive landscape, including autonomous tech, new fuel tech, EV charging, and smart
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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.
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cities and the future of mobility. As well as the enlightening presentations, there were some rather nifty vehicles on display to grab the guests' attention, including a handful of EVs and the Hyundai Nexo hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. Of special interest was the Cargo van - an electric vehicle from ACE-EV Group that was assembled on site and will, when it goes to market, be assembled at a facility in Queensland. There's a lot to unpack from the event and you can read more in our cover story from page 18. As always, the rest of Motor Trader is jam-packed with news from the auto industry, as well as our regular MTA Q&A, Member's Classic, Plugged In and Concept Corner features and columns. I hope you enjoy this month's edition. And remember, if you have any news you'd like to share, or have a classic car, bike or truck you'd like to see featured in the mag, then please do get in contact with me. Cheers! Jonathan Nash, Editor jonathann@mtaq.com.au
20190764
MTA QUEENSLAND WELCOMES THE FOLLOWING NEW MEMBERS Business Name
Principal/s
Address
Division
ABC Automotive A/C & Electrical ABC Sales & Maintenance Bridgestone Select Robina Creek Road Auto Service Centre Highfields Mechanical LAPD911 Nightowl BP Ashgrove
Breeanna Kirby Peter Woodward Miles Delcampo Peter McDonald Craig Andrew Baills Steven Carpenter Yong Tu
2 Huntley Road North SARINA, QLD 4737 278 Hartley St, Cairns 4870 86-104 Robina Town Centre Dr, Robina 4226 2/429 Creek Road Mt Gravatt East, QLD 4122 Unit 1, 1 Darian Street, Highfields QLD 4352 Shop 5, 37 Western Drive Gatton, QLD 4343 ashgrove@nightowl.com.au
abcautoair@hotmail.com pa@capta.com.au miles@bsrobina.com Info@creekroadauto.com.au craig@highfieldsmechanical.com.au steven@lapd911.net ashgrove@nightowl.com.au
AED AADA AED AED AED AED SSCSAQ
April 2019 Motor Trader | 1
Contents
18 04 08 12 18
FROM THE DESK OF THE CEO POLICY/VIEWPOINT MTA |Q&A NEW WORLD MOBILITY CARMAGEDDON RETURNS TO MTA QUEENSLAND 34 AN EYE ON INNOVATION 36 AUTO INNOVATION NEWS 50 MEMBERS CLASSIC 56 AUTO NEWS 65 INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS 67 TRAINING GM'S PROFESSIONAL CIRCLE PERSPECTIVE 70 QOF SCHOLARSHIP WINNER 75 APPRENTICE OF THE MONTH 76 PRE-VOCATIONAL TRAINING 80 PLUGGED IN 84 CONCEPT CORNER 88 MARKET WRAP 2 | Motor Trader April 2019
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Search for MTA Queensland
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From the Desk of the CEO
BRETT DALE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER MTA QUEENSLAND
A
ROLE OF MTA Queensland is to provide leadership and influence, with the support of others, to achieve outcomes that benefit the automotive value chain and society. There have been two recent events at which we have progressed understanding of the significant technological and innovative changes occurring in the automotive value chain. These were Carmageddon 3 and Training fora. Eden Spencer, Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Block 2, speaking at the MTA Queensland’s Carmageddon 3: New World Mobility symposium said: ‘Technology is changing the world. Innovation is the ability to see change as an opportunity not a threat’. And that was Carmageddon 3’s purpose – for presenters to address the digital and mobility disruptions and impacts and the opportunities to emanate from the new technologies to benefit business, consumers and society. Welcomed by MTA Chairman Paul Petersen, the expert presenters and the facilitated panel discussions on mobility, new technologies and electric vehicles, ensured the audience of stakeholders and MTA Queensland members had much to absorb and participate in. The Federal Minister for Industry, Science and
4 | Motor Trader April 2019
Technology Karen Andrews, who opened Carmageddon 3, commented on the significant changes in automotive since the first steam car driven in Brisbane in 1902, drawing attention to the ACE-EV Cargo electric van - which was assembled at MTA Queensland’s workshop - the Tesla, Jaguar and Hyundai electric vehicles and the Hyundai hydrogen motor vehicle exhibits surrounding the audience. In a nutshell, it was a day for the audience, comprising members, Industry, academia, government, and enthusiasts to gain understanding from the experts of the significant mobility and technological transformations underway and the social, economic and environmental benefits. It is envisaged the Carmageddon symposiums will continue to be the primary platform to inform on the emerging technologies, products and services relevant to the automotive industry. Thank you to each participant for generously sharing your expertise and to the MTA Queensland team for your unity of purpose to deliver a successful Carmageddon3.
THE DIARY WORKCOVER STAKEHOLDER MEETING Regardless of the Carmageddon 3 signature event, the MTA Queensland wheels keep turning and diary obligations met. I attended WorkCover Queensland’s Towards 2022 update for key stakeholders by the Chief Executive Officer Bruce Watson who overviewed the provider’s accident insurance strategic direction and the progress against those strategies. One of the strategies is partnering with stakeholders, which include industry organisations. It is mandatory for Queensland employers to hold a WorkCover
“IN SEVERAL SUBMISSIONS
AND AT VARIOUS FORA, WE HAVE STATED THE NEED FOR, AND THE IMPORTANCE OF, EFFECTIVE ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN INDUSTRY AND GOVERNMENT.” accident insurance policy. On behalf of the Association I agreed to work with WorkCover to assist in extending its information to members, host new programs that would benefit members and collaborate when necessary on matters relevant to the automotive value chain.
SKILLS FORA As a consequence of our submission to the Skills for Queensland discussion paper and a subsequent Future of Work Skills and Industry summit, I attended the Vocational Education Training’s (VET) consultation process on the Industry Engagement framework. In several submissions and at various fora, we have stated the need for, and the importance of, effective engagement between industry and government. At present this is not the circumstance. At this stakeholder meeting, I continued to make the case that automotive should be recognised in the framework as a ‘key industry area’ to increase industry input into the automotive VET apprenticeship and traineeship system. I stressed automotive was on the cusp of significant transformations driven by innovation, emerging technologies and automation with electric vehicles. These will demand a cohort of workers with skills in digital literacy, automation, innovation and artificial intelligence to
service, to maintain or repair electric vehicles. At the same time, the automotive labour market will need skilled workers to service, maintain or repair the current range of internal combustion engine vehicles for the next two decades or so. In view of the skills demand and the need for collaboration, I urged the establishment of an Automotive VET Industry Advisory Organisation and to recognise ‘automotive’ as a key industry. MTAI General Manager Paul Kulpa expressed similar views at a recent Jobs Queensland workshop on the Future of Work in Queensland to 2030.
SKILLS DISCUSSION All industries are preoccupied with skills demand and supply and this was evident from the discussions that emerged from a Construction Skills consultation to which I was invited. There was a consistency in views expressed that the workforce must have the skills for industry at present and that the workforce of the future will require higher levels of skills and different skill sets. The challenge for training organisations is to supply employers with the skills required both now and into the future. In the discussion, I offered as an example MTA Queensland’s leadership in preparing automotive for the digital and technological changes, and the strategies and systems in place to ensure that the industry has the trained workforce to meet its skills demand now and into the future.
ANNUAL AUSTRALIAN HEALTH CARE WEEK I was invited to participate in the Annual Australian Healthcare Week’s Cross Industry Panel Discussion: Driverless Cars in Healthcare – for Better or Worse. On the panel with me was Queensland University of Technology’s (QUT) Professor Michael Milford, Chief Investigator, Australian April 2019 Motor Trader | 5
From the desk of the CEO “THE CHALLENGE FOR
TRAINING ORGANISATIONS IS TO SUPPLY EMPLOYERS WITH THE SKILLS REQUIRED BOTH NOW AND INTO THE FUTURE.” Centre for Robotic Vision. The purpose of the Panel was to discuss the role of autonomous vehicles in the health care sector with an audience comprising health professionals and academics. The Annual Australian Health Care Week is the largest healthcare event in Australasia and in every aspect was amazing in its content and extent.
QUT’S FUTURE CITIES: TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE FUTURE QUT’s Science and Engineering Faculty hosted a Future Cities: Transport infrastructure for the future event on the key challenges facing policy makers in understanding how smart infrastructure will address resource constraints and enhance connectivity, liveability, productivity and resilience. I was pleased to attend to hear the viewpoints and engage in discussions on the technologies that will power future infrastructure and the disruptions putting pressure for smarter and more innovative resources and assets. I was particularly interested in the discussion and viewpoints of Volker Richter (BMW Germany) on what Queensland needs to do in order to be ready for changes in transport. He spoke openly about the need to collaborate with competitors and of their recent $2 billion investment to finalise level 4 & 5 automation – Volker’s point is that the tech will be here. My focus has been on educating business and motorists about the pending technology, an issue in which 6 | Motor Trader April 2019
we have engaged with government agencies and stakeholders to express viewpoints relative to the automotive value chain and the need for serious pilot programs.
QUEENSLAND AUTOMOTIVE TRADES SCHOLARSHIP Elliott Lemmon, the MTA Institute 2017 Apprentice of the Year has been awarded the first Australian (Queensland) Automotive Trades Queensland Overseas Foundation (QOF) scholarship. The award, was presented to him by QOF’s patron, the Governor of Queensland His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey at Parliament House. The scholarship enables Elliott to travel internationally to experience emerging technologies and bring the knowledge gained back to the Australian/ Queensland market. He is negotiating a position as a technician with a race team in China which will be vastly different to his volunteering experience with the MTA Queensland Race Team. Congratulations Elliott. It is a significant achievement to be selected as the winner of both the MTA Queensland Apprentice of the Year award and the QOF Automotive Trades scholarship. The MTA Institute, trainers and employers alike take pride in Elliott’s success.
AND THE LAST THING Transport logistics have preoccupied my mind each time I get into the car with the growing number of grandkids - maybe I do keep the ‘soccer dad’ car after all! The most recent addition is Asher, the third little man who, at the time of writing this column, is three days old. Until next month, as Henry Ford, the industrialist and the founder of the Ford Motor Company said ‘execute ideas with enthusiasm, as it is the bottom of all progress’.
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Policy/Viewpoint “IT IS OUR PRACTICE
KELLIE DEWAR DEPUTY GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE GENERAL MANAGER MEMBER SERVICES
O
VER 16 YEARS with MTA Queensland in roles that have included advocacy, I’ve acquired an extensive knowledge on the various policy positions and views of the membership relevant to the motor trades. This information has been acquired from listening to members and attending industry Divisional meetings. As important as firsthand knowledge is, it is the direct advice or written input to me that contributes to the quality of the representations or the advocacy to governments and stakeholders. Advocacy is the first of the five pillars that underpins the Professional Circle and features prominently in the Strategic Plan 2019-21 as a prime Business Excellence goal. This is to ensure members' views and policy positions, that impinge on their business operations, are prioritised in advocacies to decision-making entities. Advocacy has dual components. It comprises listening to the viewpoints of members through their Divisional representatives and representing these and the associated policy stances to government, agencies, stakeholders and the media. In this period of significant technological disruption, MTA Queensland
8 | Motor Trader April 2019
TO RESPOND EITHER BY SUBMISSION OR IN OTHER FORA TO ALL ISSUES RELEVANT TO THE MOTOR TRADES OR THE STANDING OF THE ASSOCIATION AS AN INDUSTRIAL ORGANISATION OF EMPLOYERS.” has been a leader in articulating the impacts of technology transformations on the automotive value chain. Generally, governments and the associated agencies initiate the advocacy process. This is by way of consultation or discussion papers, roundtables and parliamentary committee hearings to seek stakeholder views on various policy positions. It is our practice to respond either by submission or in other fora to all issues relevant to the motor trades or the standing of the Association as an Industrial Organisation of Employers. I share with members the advocacy process that is enhanced by the engagement of Divisions in the viewpoint and policy work in the preparation of submissions. This highlights too, the advantages of being a member of MTA Queensland and having views voiced into the government and agency decisionmaking processes. The most recent submission was our response to the Australian Treasury’s Mandatory Motor Vehicle Scheme consultation. This was relevant to both the Automotive Engineers’ Division (AED) and the Australian Automotive Dealers’ Association (AADA). The engagement and advice from both Divisions was substantial in enabling the crafting of a document
reflective of members' views. It is on the website for member’s perusal. The Automotive Remarketing Division’s (ARD) direct input into the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal and other Legislation Amendment Bill submission ensured the Parliamentary Transport and Public Works Committee had viewpoints before it for consideration relevant to used car dealers' issues. The active engagement of members in the process meant the ARD’s Chair Peter Dever had evidence and substantial views to articulate at the committee’s hearings and was confident in doing so. The Queensland Government’s Trading Hours Review was a significant issue for our new and used car, motorcycle, farm machinery dealers (AADA, ARD, Queensland Motorcycle Industry Division, Queensland Farm and Machinery Division). The Divisions were opposed to the deregulation of trading hours for the motor vehicle sector and were unified and strong advocates of the policy position to retain the existing Vehicle Order There was engagement with government agencies by submissions; deputations to parliamentarians; attendance at
government led regional roundtables, Parliamentary Committee Hearings; and media statements. It was this strategic advocacy and broad-based collaboration that saw the existing Vehicle Order retained for the motor vehicle sector. The Service Station and Convenience Store Association has had long-term proactive policy engagements on a wide range of policy issues. These include the State government’s fuel price reporting, fuel price boards and the several stages of the Biofuel Mandate Implementation consultations. The latter was complex involving in-depth discussions amongst the division’s membership to secure a consensus on some of the proposed policy processes. I draw members attention to our response to Jobs Queensland the Future of Work in Queensland to2030 -Evolution or Revolution discussion paper. The submission is on the website for member’s interest. MTA Institute General Manager Paul Kulpa attended Jobs Queensland’s workshop to participate in the discussion on the future of work from the perspective of the motor trades.
“INDUSTRY DIVISION
Industry Division members have dual roles - they are employers and, at the same time, are in elected positions on their specific industry Division. Therefore, they must have the best interests of the industry as the priority in decision making and policy formulation. An important role the industry Divisions perform is to provide input into the training regimen for their various sectors. Recently, the majority of the industry Divisions met with MTA Institue General Manager Paul Kulpa and Operations Manager Marcello Riotto to discuss the
MEMBERS HAVE DUAL ROLES - THEY ARE EMPLOYERS AND AT THE SAME TIME ARE IN ELECTED POSITIONS ON THEIR SPECIFIC INDUSTRY DIVISION. THEREFORE, THEY MUST HAVE THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE INDUSTRY AS THE PRIORITY IN DECISION MAKING AND POLICY FORMULATION.”
INDUSTRY DIVISIONS AND TRAINING
April 2019 Motor Trader | 9
Policy/Viewpoint Institute's Training and Assessment strategy. This engagement was to seek validation on the appropriateness of the units of competency, sequence of delivery, method of delivery and reference material for training for their specific industry.
Small Business Week. The date for this event is Wednesday, 29th May from 7.00 to 9.30am and it is to be held in our Sir Jack Brabham Automotive Centre of Excellence workshop. The breakfast is an initiative of the National Association of Women in DIVERSITY Construction and open to women in all the trades. I encourage women in the There is another word starting with “D” - other than ‘disruption’ - that must be part automotive value chain to ‘put down the tools or the ipads’ to celebrate ‘women on of the motor trades’ conversation. And tools’ and enjoy this free breakfast in the that is ‘diversity’ in the workplace where company of all tradeswomen. women are participants in the CLICK Women are choosing the business operations and the FOR MORE motor trades as a career. Association’s structure. INFO ON THE The Strategic Plan 2019WOMEN ON TOOLS For example, the 2014 MTA BREAKFAST Institute Apprentice of the Year 21, under ‘Corporate Social Award winner was Sarah Gale Strategy’ has the creation of of Rego’s Mobile Mechanical opportunities for women in Services in Atherton. The 2018 automotive as a key action MTA Queensland Community measurable by the initiatives Award winner was presented to Fionna and partnerships established to support Blackburne and the team from Southeast women in automotive. Auto Mechanical. This was for the Here at MTA Queensland’s corporate delivery of the Women on the Move course office, there is diversity. The same – a free program which offers women sentiment cannot be applied to our the opportunity to learn basic vehicle Divisional Committees or Board maintenance. The Motor Trader’s MTA representatives which is disappointing Q&A feature regularly highlights women as as there are women in the motor trades operators, partners and in the workshop. as owners, partners, retailers and in the workshops. FINALLY I’m confident of increased involvement of women in the motor trades and the Something to reflect on. Motorised Association’s Divisional and Board roles. vehicle and road transport has been To engender confidence, for the first time around for about 120 years or so and in the 90-year history of the Association, has adapted to the many disruptions there will a Women in Industry Award to over those years. MTA Queensland be presented at the 2019 Annual Industry (under various different organisational Dinner. names) has been in existence for 90 The criteria for this Award will be years. Likewise, it has adapted to serve published in later editions of Viewpoint the membership through the several and the Motor Trader. disruptions over those years and will Also for the first time, MTA Queensland continue to do so into the future. will host the ‘The Women on Tools Until next month take care and stay Toolbox Breakfast’ during Queensland’s safe. . 10 | Motor Trader April 2019
Small change. Big future. Matthew Webster (46) has a long way to go before he hangs up his hat, but he can already picture his retirement. He plans to travel around Australia in a caravan with his wife — once he convinces her that it will be fun! Matt has spent his career in the motor trades and is well on his way to making sure he has enough super to see the country in comfort. He joined MTAA Super as an apprentice in 1989 and now works in an automotive training role in NSW. “I’m really happy I’ve been with MTAA Super. It’s the industry super fund for my trade and has been supporting careers in the automotive industry for over 25 years.” “I’m still a long way off retirement, but I do think about what I will do when I stop working and how I will support myself and my family.”
Matt, like many Australians, is not alone in his concern. Thanks to changing work patterns and increased life expectancy, many of us will spend close to a quarter of our lives as retirees. For some, the age pension alone or relying solely on your employer’s super contributions may not be enough. Leeanne Turner, CEO of MTAA Super, says it’s important that workers do what they can to help grow their super throughout their working lives. “Too many workers are hands-off with their super. Retirement can feel like a lifetime away, so it’s easy to put super on the back burner. But there are a lot of ways you can actively grow your super now.” She says one of the easiest and most effective ways is to make regular extra contributions.
“Small amounts can go a long way. Putting as little as an extra $10 per week into your super can add up to thousands over a 30+ year career.” “This is because of the compounding nature of superannuation. With super, you don’t just grow your employer and voluntary contributions, you also grow the investment returns on these contributions. Every dollar you add to your super account boosts your super’s earning capacity.” Ms Turner also adds that making extra contributions is easy. “It’s simple. Just ask your employer to set up a regular (pre-tax) salary sacrifice into your super, or make direct (after-tax) deposits into your super whenever you can afford to put a little aside.”
Give your super a boost! For ways to give your super a boost while you’re still working visit mtaasuper.com.au/ extra-contributions
1300 362 415 mtaasuper.com.au
This article is issued by Motor Trades Association of Australia Superannuation Fund Pty. Limited (ABN 14 008 650 628, AFSL 238 718) of Level 3, 39 Brisbane Avenue Barton ACT 2600, Trustee of the MTAA Superannuation Fund (ABN 74 559 365 913). Motor Trades Association of Australia Superannuation Fund Pty. Limited has ownership interests in Industry Super Holdings Pty Ltd and Members Equity Bank Limited. The information provided is of a general nature and does not take into account your specific needs or personal situation. You should assess your financial position and personal objectives before making any decision based on this information. We also recommend that you seek advice from a licensed financial adviser. The MTAA Super Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), an important document containing all the information you need to make a decision about MTAA Super, can be obtained by calling MTAA Super on 1300 362 415 or visiting mtaasuper.com.au/handbooks. You should consider the PDS in making a decision.
Jamie Lowe
MTA|Q&A
Jamie Lowe has run Mudgeeraba Tyre, Brake and Mechanical for 21 years after taking the shop over from this father. A successful bank manager before coming to automotive, Jamie quickly grew the business and built workshop bookings to near capacity. The business is a fixture of the rural Gold Coast suburb Mudgeeraba, with online reviews from locals making it one of the best-rated workshops in the city.
What products and services do you provide? JL: We've got full mechanical services,
How long have you operated here, and how did the business become established? logbook services and clutches. We do tyres, JL: Dad was here first; he was at these punctures, wheel alignments, batteries. We aim to be a one-stop shop for general mechanical stuff. 12 | Motor Trader April 2019
premises for about 15 years. He was mainly just tyres, and little bit of frontend work. I joined the business 21 years
Mudgeeraba Tyre, Brake and Mechanical
ago, and developed the mechanical side so the business is now more a mechanical workshop that does tyres, rather than vice versa.
So you grew up with your dad running this workshop? JL: No, he was in tyres in Tasmania before
we moved to Queensland. He came up here and was in management rights for a little while and then decided to get back into tyres and purchased this place as a tyre store. My interest in it only came about because I would run the place to give him time off, otherwise he wouldn't have gotten a holiday.
You must see a few generations coming through having operated here so long. JL: We've got customers now that were
babies in arms when I started, and now they're grown up and bringing their cars in. Here we've got the full spectrum – a lot of family business where we've got grandparents, children, and their children all coming in. We know them
“I REALLY DIDN'T HAVE ANY
BACKGROUND AT ALL IN CARS . . . I JUST DEVELOPED KNOWLEDGE OVER THE 20ODD YEARS I'VE BEEN HERE. WORKING WITH DIFFERENT MECHANICS, YOU PICK UP A WHOLE LOT OF DIFFERENT WAYS OF DOING THINGS.” pretty well: their names, what their interests are, and where they work.
What's your background in the industry? JL: I was in banking for 25 years. They
wanted too much from me personally, so I came out and joined dad. I really didn't have any background at all in cars, other than driving them. I just developed knowledge over the 20-odd years I've been here. Working with different mechanics, you pick up a whole lot of different ways of doing things. April 2019 Motor Trader | 13
Talk a bit more about that switch from banking. That’s a pretty unusual career path. JL: I finished up as manager of Westpac
Southport, which was the second biggest branch on the Gold Coast. I had about 45 staff. Then the banks changed from customer-focused to profit-driven, as they are now. They just pushed everyone too far without support. Many there couldn't handle it, and so I chose to leave.
Were there options to go into other finance jobs when you quit the bank? JL: There were plenty of options, but I'd
been coming out here helping dad to give him holidays and so I just started to pick
“HONESTLY, ALL I REALLY TRY TO DO IS LOOK AFTER THE CUSTOMER. IT MAYBE COMES FROM THE WAY THE BANKS USED TO BE – TRYING TO HELP THE CUSTOMER.”
14 | Motor Trader April 2019
it up and started to get some interest in it. When I left Westpac I just needed a total break from finance, I'd been there for too long. Coming out here was supposed to be short term, but it just kept going and going, and I got the business moving. We were increasing our customer base and then I stayed on.
What's behind the shop’s long-term success? JL: Honestly, all I really try to do is look
after the customer. It maybe comes from the way the banks used to be – trying to help the customer. In some ways, I probably still take on their problems personally a bit much. But by doing that, I know where the customer is at. With most families the financials are – especially in Mudgeeraba – not through the roof. So you've got to keep that in mind when you're recommending what needs to be done to a car. And sometimes you stagger the work so they can afford it and you get the car right.
“IN THE WORKSHOP IT'S JUST (MECHANIC) MATT AND ME. LOUISE MY WIFE LOOKS AFTER THE OFFICE TWO OR THREE DAYS A WEEK FOR ME. SHE DOES THE BOOKS AND ALL THAT SORT OF STUFF.” You’ve got a 4.6 star rating on Google (out of 5), but your online marketing seems pretty low-key. Is that strategic? JL: We've got a web page, but all we've
got on there is our name, address, phone number and working hours. We just haven't needed to expand our advertising other than through word-of-mouth. Physically, we really can't book too much more work, so I haven't chased it. We're listed everywhere like Sensis. When a customer jumps on Google apparently we've got a pretty good rating – we get people often saying our rating's the best in town so that's why they choose us.
And how many staff have you got now? JL: In the workshop it's just (mechanic)
Matt and me. Louise my wife looks after the office two or three days a week for me. She does the books and all that sort of stuff. She actually just left her teaching career of more than 20 years for two reasons – to spend a few days a week with our two grandsons and spend time here. We just got to the stage where I had to put someone else on for that front-office support.
What are your plans for the business? JL: Well, it's hard. We're limited by this
place so I can't grow the business too much more. We’ve got one hoist and there is room for one more, but it would just make us too cramped. And unfortunately Mudgeeraba doesn't have any other commercial premises right for us, so we're focused on maintaining our customer base.
Do you plan for any training on upcoming technology like EVs and autonomous cars? JL: At my age, no, because I can't see it a
big disruption in the next five to 10 years. Jamie and Louise Lowe
April 2019 Motor Trader | 15
We've got too many petrol and diesel vehicles out there at the moment. They will eventually disappear, but I think I'll be in the ground before then so I haven't worried too much about it.
What's your shop’s connection with Kumho? JL: Initially, dad was with Goodyear
and then I went to Hankook, primarily because of their delivery service. Then about eight or nine years ago they changed that up and Kumho walked in the next day and said they could offer me a similar type of arrangement. So we jumped in with them and have been ever since.
Do you like the products? JL: I've only had very, very limited
problems with Kumho. It's a good mid-range tyre that suits our customer base. We can supply cheaper and dearer tyres, but Kumho's predominately my main tyre. 16 | Motor Trader April 2019
“I TRY TO SPEND AS MUCH
TIME AS I CAN WITH MY WIFE AWAY FROM WORK, SO WE'VE GOT TWO THINGS TO OUR LIVES, NOT JUST THE BUSINESS.” What do you do with your spare time? You've got grandkids, what else? JL: I try to spend as much time as I can with my wife away from work, so we've got two things to our lives, not just the business. She's always pushed me to work to live, not live to work. And I play golf. I'm club captain at the Boomerang Farm Golf Club. I play off 12 and I look after all the competitions and that sort of stuff. I play Saturday afternoons and some Friday afternoons. Louise always pushes me to get out early on Fridays, she says I work too hard!
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O
N MARCH 21, MTA Queensland held the third edition of the Carmageddon symposium – a one-day forum that seeks to highlight the disruption facing the automotive industry, the new technology on the horizon and already making an impact, and what a future mobility system might look like and how we get there. This year’s edition of Carmageddon had the theme of New World Mobility and brought together industry leaders, startup businesses and academics to discuss these issues. More than 100 attendees attended the event, including guests from government departments, the Queensland 18 | Motor Trader April 2019
The Hon Karen Andrews MP, Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, opened Carmageddon
MTA Queensland's massive automotive training workshop was converted into a high-tech conference room for the day
Police Service, Ipswich and Redland City Councils, Telstra, RACQ, QUT, Deloitte, CSIRO, the Australian Electric Vehicle Council and the University of Queensland. The presentations were illuminating, and for those curious to see how technology is already making an impact on the industry, there was the added bonus in the presence of several electric and alternative fuel vehicles that had been brought together for the event. Those vehicles included a Tesla Model S and X, a Hyundai Ioniq Electric and hydrogen fuel cell-powered Nexo, a Jaguar I-Pace, and, from Renault, a Zoe and Kangoo ZE. Of special interest was the Cargo delivery VIDEO: FUTURE MOBILITY
van from ACE EV Group – a smart-looking electric vehicle assembled in Australia. Opening Carmageddon this year was the Hon Karen Andrews MP, Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, and the Minister set the tone for the event as she commented on the ever-increasing speed of change and the importance for Australia to keep pace with the rapid advances being made internationally. “The quest for a more efficient and effective means of transport continues,” said the Minister. “Electric and hybrid vehicles will increasingly become a regular feature of the landscape, but all the indications are that we should expect more as technological disruption continues to hold sway. “As a nation, we cannot afford to watch from the sidelines as this important transformation unfolds – we have to be active participants. “The future of Australia’s automotive sector lies in embracing new technology, it lies in linking into global value chains and developing high value-added clients April 2019 Motor Trader | 19
Hyundai's Nexo hydrogen fuel cell vehicle
and services, be they aftermarket manufacturing, engineering and design, servicing and smash repairs or sales and aftersales. The future also lies in developing a workforce relevant to an era of rapid technological disruption and transformation. I look forward to continuing to work with you and others in the sector to make sure you’re positioned to make the most of the emerging opportunities.” Following the Minister’s address, Dr Brett Dale, CEO of MTA Queensland presented his keynote address and talked about the major technologies driving industry change, the pace of that change, the potential value of it to society, and the challenges and opportunities for industry, government and consumers. He reminded the audience that the automotive industry had a vital part to play not only as a driver of the economy but to the wellbeing of the wider community. “We believe the auto industry and all things mobility underpin and enable every other industry as well as the way we live in society,” he said. “We know that connected, electrification and shared services will be the future of mobility and this change will be as big as 20 | Motor Trader April 2019
the transition from horses to cars. Indeed, we are at dawn of a new era, the only question is when. Many are talking 2030, I am saying be ready by 2022 at the latest. We have been slow to appreciate the change that is coming, but the time is now.” The opportunities that new technology and innovation presents was a thread that ran through all the presentations delivered at Carmageddon. A panel discussion involving Cat Matson, Brisbane’s Chief Digital Officer; Dr Brett Dale; Dr Kellie Nuttall, Partner at Deloitte whose areas of expertise include the future of transport, data, AI and automation; and Professor Michael Milford of the QUT Science and Engineering Faculty explored the ideas of mobility systems and smart cities. VIDEO: HYUNDAI NEXO FUEL CELL
Tesla Model S
“ WE BELIEVE THE AUTOMOTIVE
Renault Zoe
A concept that is seen as a central part of future mobility, smart cities are, agreed the panel, possible only through the adoption of new technology and the use of information and data to meet the aim of improving a society's infrastructure and services. Part of that new technological advancement and, by extension, an important part of smart cities, will be electric vehicles (EV). EVs are, of course, already a major disruptor to the traditional automotive industry. Every sizeable vehicle manufacturer has made a hefty bet on their success and invested in their development, and there is little doubt that EVs will have a tremendous impact in Australia, as they already are doing in other nations. However, for EVs to truly be successful and play a pivotal in future mobility, their
owners must have the ability to recharge them quickly and conveniently. And it is in charging systems that Australia can claim some leadership, with Brisbanebased company Tritium a world leader in the technology. In his presentation, Dr Paul Sernia, Chief Product Officer and founder of Tritium, considered the status of the charging industry and where that technology is heading. Given the expected massive growth in EVs and other electrification projects, the opportunities for business are tremendous. Dr Sernia highlighted some trends in this area, including that of unlocking the potential of an EV as an energy asset and the opportunities for businesses, especially those that run fleets of vehicles, to have considerable control over their costs should they invest in managing their own charging systems. He also considered future refueling stations and the further opportunities that lie there. With EVs being quiet and emissions free, those locations could, he suggested, become ‘destinations’ – locations where it is not just about
INDUSTRY AND ALL THINGS MOBILITY UNDERPIN AND ENABLE EVERY OTHER INDUSTRY AS WELL AS THE WAY WE LIVE IN SOCIETY”
April 2019 Motor Trader | 21
Cat Matson, Brisbane's Chief Digital Officer; Dr Brett Dale, CEO of MTA Queensland; Dr Kellie Nuttal, Partner at Deloitte; and Preofessor Michael Milford of QUT explored the ideas of mobility systems and smart cities during a panel discussion.
refueling but also retail and other services - and where vehicles could actually be brought into the environment. In his presentation, Professor Michael Milford from QUT, who researches the use of artificial intelligence and autonomous vehicles, talked about the potential of autonomous vehicles, their continuing development, and, interestingly, the evolving understanding around when and in what form they are likely to appear. The public's growing knowledge of the technology, as well as that of researchers and manufacturers was, he said, a factor in this evolving thinking. Safety is one of the main benefits touted for self-driving cars, but the ability to successfully develop a fully autonomous vehicle capable of carrying passengers in absolute safety was, he said, a difficult problem to solve. Instead, he suggested, it could be that the first autonomous solutions will be seen in the delivery sector 22 | Motor Trader April 2019
rather than personal transportation – an avenue some companies are exploring. “Removing the human from the vehicle may speed up their development,” he said. “One of the advantages of this is it makes the problem much simpler. If you are in an accident situation and you have to decide what you want to do, then you just write-off the vehicle - you can crash the vehicle into a tree or a wall because there are no people in it. That really simplifies the problem and means they could get to a fully deployable solution sooner than these robot taxis.
“ . . . JUST BECAUSE A LOT OF
THIS IS HYPE DOESN'T MEAN THAT THE CORE TECHNOLOGIES BEHIND IT AREN'T GOING TO HAPPEN AND AREN'T GOING TO TRANSFORM SOCIETY”
During his presentation, Paul Sernia of EV charging station developer Tritium said there were now charging statioins offering 350km of driving range in 10 minutes and 700km in 20minutes and work was continuing to bring charging time down to as little as five to eight minutes - comparable to current petrol refueling time.
“There are extreme optimists and extreme pessimists and the reality is probably going to be somewhere in the middle . . . just because a lot of this is hype doesn’t mean that the core technologies behind it aren’t going to happen and aren’t going to transform society, Hopefully in a positive way.”
INVESTING IN THE FUTURE One presentation that was of particular interest was that given by Eden Spencer, CEO of Block2, a start-up company with a potentially game-changing application for automotive businesses. In a nutshell, the company’s web-based platform - which is built upon and utilises the secure blockchain transaction system - enables businesses to be more productive and profitable through the 'sharing' of assets. Those assets can be just about anything – from tools to hoists, vehicles to workshop space, even, and this
CLICK TO VISIT THE TRITIUM WEBSITE
is, perhaps, the feature of the platform with the most intriguing potential for industry and society in the long term - employees. Imagine a workshop – let’s call it Workshop One – that is running under capacity. With a light work week scheduled, one of its three hoists will be empty for at least a day and one technician will be at something of a loose end. Not a happy scenario for any business owner. Not far away, however, is another workshop – let’s call it Workshop Two that is running at full capacity and has more customers knocking on the door. Now imagine that Workshop Two doesn’t have to keep those extra customers waiting, or turn them away, because, through the Block2 platform, it can arrange to engage the hoist and the technician from Workshop One to deliver the required service to its customers. April 2019 Motor Trader | 23
A panel that included Mark Dutton from Trip Eight Race Engineering; Graeme Manietta from the Australian Electric Vehicle Council: and Scott Nargar from Hyundai discussed clean fuels of the future, including hydrogen. The Hyundai Nexo hydrogen fuel cell vehicle was on display at the conference.
Here’s another scenario: Workshop Two has the opportunity to take on extra work and has the space in its shop to deliver it, but is short a technician to carry it out. The answer? It engages the services of the underused technician from Workshop One. For both businesses, and indeed the technician, it’s a winning outcome. Workshop One has its underused technician back in the mix, the technician is being paid and working, and Workshop Two can service its new customer with ease. This ‘sharing’ of underused assets – space, tools, technician - is a tremendously simply idea that has huge potential upside for workshops and the wider industry as the challenges of the broader
“ BUSINESSES DON'T NEED
TO OWN RESOURCES, THEY ONLY NEED ACCESS TO THE CAPABILITY THAT THESE RESOURCES PROVIDE, AND THAT'S HOW BLOCK2 WAS BORN” 24 | Motor Trader April 2019
industry evolution take place. It opens up the possibility of collaboration and partnerships between businesses not only in the sharing of resources but in the purchasing of them too. A premium scan tool, customer loan vehicles - just about anything that involves heavy investment can be bought, and the expense shared and usage scheduled, through the platform. “Businesses don’t need to own resources, they only need access to the capability that these resources provide, and that’s how Block2 was born,” said Mr Spencer. “The platform gives businesses the ability to share underutilised resources with industry-aligned participants in controlled conditions without losing them. “In turn, they support businesses that do not have these resources but still require access to the capabilities they provide. We bring together two parties, with a common goal, to create a win-win environment. “The platform reduces the weight of pressure on small businesses because we eliminate the pressure of ownership, we balance out skill and labour shortages and reduce the challenges around seasonality
Eden Spencer, CEO of Block2, delivered a presentation on the company's new platform that offers businesses am innovative way to be more productive and efficient using shared resources. MTA Queensland is an early investor in the technology.
and variable business conditions. “And Block 2 allows businesses to collaborate even more through a fractional-ownership model, where multiple businesses can share the cost of essential pool of resources amongst themselves.” As the expected disruptions to the industry start to bite, there’s plenty of potential in the Block2 platform to help businesses become more efficient and productive, and that potential was enough for MTA Queensland to become one of the
“ THE PLATFORM REDUCES
THE WEIGHT OF PRESSURE ON SMALL BUSINESSES BECAUSE WE ELIMINATE THE PRESSURE OF OWNERSHIP, WE BALANCE OUT SKILL AND LABOUR SHORTAGES AND REDUCE THE CHALLENGES AROUND SEASONALITY AND VARIABLE BUSINESS CONDITIONS”
start-up company’s early investors. It is, said Dr Brett Dale, an example of technology that will open some tremendous opportunities in a landscape full of challenges. “I often talk about the changes technology is having on industry and how we are going to have fluctuating markets,” said Dr Dale. “Electric vehicles are a prime example of technology that will have that effect. “On their own, EVs will impact workshops because their servicing requirements are about 10 per cent that of existing vehicles. So, there will be a time when a small workshop, that might have a couple of tradespeople and apprentices, won’t have the workload it has now. However, rather than lay off staff, those employees become a resource that business can ‘trade’ and outsource to another workshop. “MTA Queensland represents business. and business is concerned about the lack of qualified and skilled people in industry. This offers a way of taking advantage of the capacity that is currently in industry.” April 2019 Motor Trader | 25
CLICK TO VISIT THE ACE-EV WEBSITE
The ACE-EV Cargo van - along with other models yet to be launched is to be assembled in Australia.
While it may seem odd at first to talk of staff as resources that can be traded, the Block2 platform does extend opportunities to employees too – and not just because it allows for them to be working and earning if and when their own employer's business is experiencing a slow period. The transparency built into the platform - which allows businesses to see the resources of others and the availability of them - means the experience, skills and performance of employees or independent contractors will be visible. This in turn means that, as the system matures, those talented technicians will find themselves in high demand. That demand could, and indeed should, lead to higher earnings for them. “Everyone wants to be busy, to be challenged and to be valued for their work, and the system allows for just that,” said James Orr, MTA Queensland’s Chief Technology Innovation Officer. “We will be able to recognise those people who are highly talented and highly skilled, and if those skills are in demand, why shouldn’t they be paid more? 26 | Motor Trader April 2019
“EVERYONE WANTS TO BE
BUSY, TO BE CHALLENGED AND TO BE VALUED FOR THEIR WORK, AND THE SYSTEM ALLOWS FOR JUST THAT.” “In the industry currently, individual businesses have visibility over the talent and performance of their own staff, but only their own staff. The Block2 platform changes that, allowing the wider industry to see that talent too.” While the Block2 platform was conceived as a business-to-business (B2B) platform, it is also being developed to include a business-to-consumer (B2C) gateway. That, said Dr Dale, is a natural extension of the concept and will allow consumers to access workshop services directly through an online portal. “A consumer-facing application helps to drive the B2B, and the scope there is unlimited. We can offer vehicle servicing, for example,” he said. “A customer can come onto the platform to book their car
in for a service. That request will go on to a shop that can decide to take on that work or not, depending on their capacity to do so. That business can use the B2B end of the system to look at bringing in resources, should they require them, to their workshop to be able to do that job.” As with many other such consumer platforms, part of the path to success will be in the ratings awarded to a business. In the case of the Block2 platform, the assertion is that any rating there will be a powerful tool based on more than just that most obvious of metrics - the price - and take into account a variety of business indicators. “We know that customer experience overrides something as simple as price,” said Mr Orr. “While price may be important, the real rating comes from the result of the work, the quality of the service, the relationships built. If we think about millennials for example – those people in their 20s and younger – then we can see that quality counts. Many of them own a $2000 iPhone or an $1800 Samsung Galaxy phone and that shows they are willing to pay for a good product. Consumers are savvy and price is not the only factor.” The Block2 platform offers one more, very important opportunity for industry, and that is data-driven insight. For MTA Queensland, the state’s peak industry body, understanding the health of the industry and working to keep it robust has been part of its mission since it was established in 1929. The Block2 platform offers a way to access that information, with the data generated through the platform keeping the Association, individual businesses and, by extension, the industry generally, focused on doing what works and changing what doesn't. “All the business insight and data we gather for a business and its employees will give them the ability to make decisions
based on relevant information,” said Dr Dale. “And it will give MTA Queensland the ability to take the pulse of the industry on a day-to-day basis, in real time, and enable us to direct our efforts on the areas that will serve industry best. “This is a product for industry by industry and, ultimately, this platform will help businesses navigate new and uncertain times. It will enable them to look outside of their business at the wider industry, see how they can collaborate with each other, come together to coinvest in strategic equipment, and give them a competitive advantage. "The industry is changing and if you can make more money out of your assets, be more productive and gain a greater financial return, you can stay in the game for a lot longer. This platform offers that opportunity.”
THE FUTURE Having begun in 2017 as a relatively small gathering of researchers and innovators enthusiastically sharing their thoughts and insights into the automotive industry’s future direction, Carmageddon has grown to become an important event on the innovation landscape. It’s future, like that of the industry itself, is an exciting one. “Carmageddon is progressing just how we thought it might,” said Dr Dale. “It has become increasingly popular to the point where I think we have outgrown our own venue. “Our aspiration is to make this an annual event that becomes the must-see exhibition for business and motorists about all things mobility. "Its future is huge and will be used as the platform to continually roll out the latest information on products and services relevant to our industry . . . The information we share is critical to ensure future markets through consumer awareness and trust in the new technology that is coming.” April 2019 Motor Trader | 27
MTAQ Racing
MTAQ RACING TEAM OFF & RUNNING AS NEW EXCEL SEASON GETS UNDERWAY
A
FTER A FIVE-MONTH lay-off, the 2019 Hyundai Series X3 Queensland championship in now underway. The three-race first round, run over the weekend of March 30-31 at Morgan Park Raceway in Warwick, was proof once again at how popular Hyundai Excel racing has become, with 30 competitors taking to the track. Amongst them was the MTAQ Racing Team, with David Wood leading the team and driving the refreshed MTA Queensland Excel into battle. A lot of work had gone into the Excel leading up to the first round and while the result was not what the team had hoped for, there were plenty of positives to take from the weekend. Friday practice went extremely well, with David driving the Excel, - which looked resplendent in its new livery - to a record lap time for the team, and a decent 11th spot on the grid for Race One. However, the weather turned foul on the Friday night and into Saturday, meaning the first race was to be run in extremely wet conditions. While David has accumulated plenty of experience over his years of racing, even he was taken aback by 28 | Motor Trader April 2019
the ferocity of the weather. “Race One was held in easily the worst conditions I have had the misfortune to experience in 22 years of motorsport,” said David. “The rain was absolutely torrential, visibility was near zero, and our luck decided to abandon us when water got into the electrical system on the warm-up lap. I came into the pits and the team worked quickly, but we did have to start
“RACE ONE WAS HELD
IN EASILY THE WORST CONDITIONS I HAVE HAD THE MISFORTUNE TO EXPERIENCE IN 22 YEARS OF MOTORSPORT.”
Image: www.trapnellcreations.com The MTAQ Racing Team Excel performed well across the weekend of racing. The weather on day one was particularly testing for the competitors.
from pit lane and at the back of the field, nearly 20 seconds behind the leader. “Just to give myself an even bigger challenge, the car aquaplaned off the road on the first lap and had a tour of the outfield! I was doing about 50km/h and the car simply slid off the track whilst going in a straight line! Then, just to add some intrigue, the wipers failed halfway around the first lap. So, here I was in lashing rain and no wipers!" Battling back, David eventually finished in 15th spot, a fine effort after a disastrous start and important in that the finishing position of one race dictates the starting position in the next. A drying track for Saturday’s second race gave some relief and the team climbed
from 15th spot to 10th in Race Two, even with a minor fuel system issue. That set up an intriguing Race Three - a 50km challenge race - with the team within striking distance of the grid leaders. The car, even with some minor challenges, felt quick, and Sunday was sunny and clear. After swapping to what the team considered their best set of tyres, confidence was high and, for a while at least, that confidence was warranted. “I felt, given the long distance, that we had a winning chance,” said David. “And I got a tremendous start. By lap four, we had rocketed to 5th and was hauling in the leaders. In two more laps I had closed the gap to the lead pack of four to just over one second and, in the process, had set back- April 2019 Motor Trader | 29
MTAQ Racing
“THE CAR WAS ABSOLUTELY IMMENSE. OUR SPEED ADVANTAGE WAS VERY APPARENT AND I CAUGHT THE LEAD GROUP WITH RELATIVE EASE.”
to-back fastest laps for the entire race. “The car was absolutely immense. Our speed advantage was very apparent, and I caught the lead group with relative ease. However, when I was halfway past the 4th place runner, he turned onto my line to try and defend his position - the only problem was our car was already there . The result was heavy contact that tore the valve out 30 | Motor Trader April 2019
of our tyre and damaged the steering. The tyre went instantly flat and our race was over. “When I left the track, the stewards were deciding on the appropriate penalty, but nothing was going to get back the opportunity we had, and I was in no mood to sit in a stewards’ hearing. “I am certain, though, that with the speed we had we would have won that race. I had 10 laps to pick off the three lead cars and with speed on our side, and knowing how our car looks after its tyres, we would have had that speed throughout. “Motor racing can be a cruel sport, but this was by far the cruelest event we have had yet,” added David. “We
Images: www.trapnellcreations.com
“THE HARD WORK IS BEARING
SOME FRUIT AND OUR DECISION LAST YEAR TO HEAD OFF ON OUR OWN IN TERMS OF SET-UP PHILOSOPHY WAS THE RIGHT ONE.” deserved a better outcome. We did get a championship point for the fastest lap and I am confident we could have gone much quicker with some clear track. But that is the nature of sport - the unpredictability and the complete lack of guarantee of anything is what makes it addictive.” While the results of the weekend’s racing may not have reflected the speed of the
car, the potential for winning races is clear and does indicate that some success is just around the corner. “There are a lot of positives to take away from the weekend,” said David. “We worked very hard in the off-season to try and 'jump the curve' in terms of development, and the hours of research, working through the parameters and thinking of various solutions, has been validated. “By the end of the weekend, our car was the fastest car by a margin. We didn't have to scratch and claw our way through the field like we normally do - we just blasted through. So that is very heartening. “The hard work is bearing some fruit and our decision last year to head off on our April 2019 Motor Trader | 31
MTAQ Racing own in terms of set-up philosophy was the right one. And we haven't even got all the new goodies on the car yet! Some of our cleverest developments were left at home just to make sure the direction we were on was correct. Now we have proved it is, we can complete the work and hopefully that yields more speed gain. “We came out of the round 15th in the championship and with some points. It is a long season and a lot of racing still to go.”
THE FEDERAL TYRES EXCEL CHALLENGE Next up for the team is the big event of the season – and the meeting that brings together the best Excel racers from around the country – the Federal Tyres Excel Challenge at Mount Panorama. The MTAQ team raced at the event last year and had a ripper of a result, finishing third. And that, said David, was in a car that is not a patch on this year’s version. “Bathurst has been a happy hunting ground for us,” he said. “Last year, we went with no expectations and a car down on
power, and still managed third. This year we are much better prepared! “Once again, we will meet the absolute cream of the crop in Excel racing in the country. We get the opportunity to take on the best outfit in Hyundai racing in the country, Excel MTAQ RACING TEAM Racing Australia (ERA) and their reigning national champion in SPONSORS Michael Clemente, as well as multiple South MTAQ RACING FOUNDATION PARTNER Australian Champion Asher Johnston. ERA are undefeated across NSW, TAS and SA MAJOR PARTNER championships this year and are the whitehot favourites. OFFICIAL TOOL PARTNER “There is a lot of work to do between now and then, but I am very excited to get our 'new' OFFICIAL XXXX PARTNER car to the mountain and measure it up against the best.”
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An Eye on Innovation
KATHY WINKCUP CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER GENERAL MANAGER INNOVATION
A
S YOU WOULD have read in our cover story this month, our focus in recent weeks has been on MTA Queensland's Carmageddon symposium, held on March 21. This was the third time the symposium has been held and it has grown to become an important event on the calendar of those involved with, and interested in, the automotive innovation landscape. While I won't cover the event in this column ( for a wrap-up of Carmageddon, read the cover story in this edition of Motor Trader), I will say that the discussions that took place, the presentations that were made, and the spectacular range of high-tech electric vehicles being exhibited, brought into sharp relief how far the automotive industry has come, and how deep and far-reaching its continuing evolution will be.
OUT AND ABOUT Amongst the many meetings and network events that MTAiQ representatives attended in March was a contributor meeting regarding the exciting Startup World Cup competition. The Startup World Cup is a series of conferences and competitions, held around the world, that bring together 34 | Motor Trader April 2019
startups, venture capitalists, entrepreneurs and technology company CEOs. 11 regional startup competitions are held (an Australian regional event will be held this month) with the top startups from each regional event to compete in a grand finale for a $US1million investment and, of course, the chance to network with some of the world's top technology movers and shakers. It's an incredibly exciting opportunity for startup businesses. The MTAiQ team also attended the opening of CSIRO's Data61 Robotics Innovation Centre. CSIRO Data61 is the digital innovation arm of Australia’s national science agency and the Robotics Innovation Centre is a purpose-built research facility for robotics and autonomous systems. CSIRO’s Data61 is one of the global leaders in the field, with capabilities extending to unmanned aerial vehicles and unmanned ground vehicles. “The Robotics Innovation Centre combines internationally recognised robotics and machine learning research with deep domain expertise from CSIRO providing unique collaboration opportunities for industry, government and academia," said Adrian Turner, CEO at CSIRO’s Data61. "Robotics and autonomous systems technologies, underpinned by machine learning and artificial intelligence, will unlock new value in all manner of sectors including manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare and mining.” MTAiQ's team were privileged to attend the opening, particularly as those technologies link to MTA Queensland members in the agricultural division. Other events that the team have attended include the CLICK 'Thought Leadership Series TO SUBMIT in Brisbane: Planning YOUR IDEA for Sustainability', TO MTAIQ that focused on how
MTA Queensland's Carmageddon symposium
companies can embrace sustainability as a strategic imperative rather than an operational choice; and the Optus AR/VR Immersion Day, at which Lex Van Cooten, CEO of MTAiQ Hub member Immerse Enterprise, with the help of MTAiQ Community Manager Nathan Nguyen, demonstrated the latest immersive technology to the Optus Queensland Business Unit to investigate the potential of 5G and immersive technology as an enterprise solution for Optus partners and customers. MTAiQ representatives were also in attendance at Brisbane's 'Biggest Founder Network Event by QUT bluebox' - which brought together founders and startups from across various industries. Networking events such as these are crucial to the collaborations that fuel innovation and the ideas and concepts of the future. Finally, and hot on the heels of Carmageddon, was the 'Future Cities: Transport infrastructure for Tomorrow' seminar. Participating in this event was MTA Institute Director Professor Michael Milford, and the seminar addressed the key challenge facing policymakers of
understanding how smart infrastructure will help address resource constraints and enhance connectivity, liveability, productivity and resilience.
GOT AN IDEA? LET US KNOW! Whenever I get the chance, I like to remind people that the MTAiQ Innovation Hub is here to assist in developing the ideas and concepts that will help shape the future of the automotive industry. That future will be radically different to the one we know, that much is guaranteed, and in a future of connected vehicles, electric vehicles and vehicles of everincreasing autonomous capabilities, the opportunities are legion for those with a spark of an idea that can take advantage of the changing landscape. If you can imagine it, we might be able to help bring that idea to life. To quote motivational speaker and writer Denis Waitley, "You have all the reason in the world to achieve your grandest dreams. Imagination plus innovation equals realisation." So, if you have an idea, let's hear it! Until next time. . April 2019 Motor Trader | 35
Auto innovation news
HONDA TO GO ELECTRIC IN EUROPE BY 2025
H
ONDA HAS ANNOUNCED an ambitious goal of being 100 per cent electric in Europe by 2025. While that may mean a combination of all-electric and hybrid tech, it is still a major call by the Japanese company. Speaking at the Geneva Motor Show, Tom Gardner, Senior Vice President, Honda Motor Europe, said, “…the shift towards electrification has gathered pace considerably. Environmental challenges continue to drive demand for cleaner mobility. Technology marches on unrelenting and people are starting to shift their view of the car itself.” In tandem with the announcement, Honda e Prototype
36 | Motor Trader April 2019
Honda displayed its electric Honda e Prototype. The production version of the car will be available to order by the middle of this year and will be the company’s first production battery electric vehicle (EV) for the European market. The EV will have a 200km range and a fast charge function allowing for 80 per cent range in 30 minutes. The company also took the opportunity to announce details of its energy management solutions business for Europe. Honda intends to build a portfolio of energy management products and services that offer a comprehensive solution for both EV customers and service operators in Europe.
HYUNDAI DEVELOPS SMARTPHONE-BASED DIGITAL KEY
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YUNDAI MOTOR GROUP has developed a ‘Digital Key’, to allow users to unlock and start their vehicle via a smartphone. The Digital Key can be downloaded via an app and be used by up to four people. Near Field Communication (NFC) technology – a form of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) - detects the presence of an authorised Digital Keyenabled phone in close proximity to the vehicle door. The NFC antenna for entry identification is located in the handles of the driver and front passenger’s doors. Another is located in the wireless charging pad and is used to start the engine. The user can start the engine by placing their smartphone on the wireless charging pad and then pressing the engine Start/ Stop button. Hyundai says its Digital Key can also be used to control selected vehicle systems remotely via the smartphone. Using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication, users can lock and unlock the vehicle, activate the alarm and start the engine. In addition, the company says that once vehicles with autonomous parking features are commercialised, such features
are also expected to be remotely controlled. The level of access to different vehicle functions can be tailored to each user, for a defined period. The vehicle owner can preset the duration of vehicle use or limit the use to only certain features when renting the vehicle. For instance, it can even be used to enable a courier to open the trunk to deliver a parcel. Once car sharing becomes more widespread, Hyundai says the Digital Key will be further programmed to support vehicle rental where the owner and the driver won’t have to meet but can transfer the Digital Key via the cell phone app. As well as making it much easier for a Hyundai vehicle to be included in a carsharing program, in the future, the Digital Key will be further enhanced to allow for features such as an alarm to be triggered when the vehicle exceeds a defined speed or travels outside a designated area. For cases such as visiting a repair shop, where handing over a digital key is not feasible, conventional smart key and card type key are also provided. Hyundai says it aims to implement the technology in its new production vehicles, starting later this year. April 2019 Motor Trader | 37
Auto innovation news
ASTON MARTIN UNVEILS MID-ENGINED CONCEPTS
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STON MARTIN HAS unveiled the Vanquish Vision Concept and the AM-RB 003 Hypercar concept at the Geneva Motor Show. The Vanquish Vision Concept is, the company says, a design study that highlights the brand’s intent to compete in one of the most hotly contested market sectors - one traditionally defined by Italian supercar makers. “The Vanquish Vision Concept marks another pivotal moment in Aston Martin’s history, and another critical step in delivering the Second Century Plan,” said Andy Palmer, Aston Martin Lagonda
VIDEO: ASTON MARTIN HYPERCARS
President and Group CEO. “Our first series production rear mid-engined supercar will be a transformational moment for the brand, for it is the car that will propel
Vanquish Vision Concept
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AM-RB 003 Concept
Aston Martin into a sector of the market traditionally seen as the heartland of luxury sports cars.” The company says that detailed technical information will be revealed as the development program advances but does say the production version will feature a version of Aston Martin’s new V6 – the engine that will make its debut in the AM-RB 003 in hybrid turbo form. Secondly, in a departure from the Aston Martin Valkyrie and AM-RB 003’s allcarbon fibre construction, the Vanquish Vision Concept features a bonded aluminium chassis. The AM-RB 003 will be built with input from Red Bull Advanced Technologies and incorporate concepts and technologies taken directly from Formula One. Just 500 units are to be built. Sharing styling and aerodynamic cues with Aston Martin’s Valkyrie hypercar,
the AM-RB 003 features a pronounced front keel and large rear diffuser, with the underfloor generating the bulk of the downforce. However, Aston Martin says the AM-RB 003 will also benefit from nextgeneration aircraft morphing technology, to create a variable airfoil across the entire rear wing. The technology, named FlexFoil, allows for the car’s downforce to be changed without changing the physical angle of the entire element. Full technical details of the AM-RB 003 are yet to be revealed, but it will be the first car to receive Aston Martin’s new hybrid turbo V6 engine. It will also feature the Nexcel sealed oil system – a system that allows for oil changes in under 90-seconds and the refinement and reuse of the car’s engine oil. Its use on the Aston Martin AM-RB 003 will the first for a road-going car worldwide. April 2019 Motor Trader | 39
Auto innovation news
Kia Imagine
IMAGINE BY KIA: A NEW ALL-ELECTRIC CONCEPT CAR REVEALED
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HIS IS THE Imagine, a new allelectric concept car from Kia. It’s a great-looking concept with some clever and witty touches – not least of which are the 21 individual ultra-highresolution screens that are curved cross the top of the dashboard in a really eyecatching way. The four-door passenger car will have a low-mounted, induction-charged battery pack, but other than that, details on the
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Imagine’s powertrain are still under wraps. EV powertrain layouts do, however, allow for designers to have much more space to play with on the inside of the car and the Imagine creators grasped that opportunity. The fun layout of those screens aside, there’s plenty more interesting stuff going on here. There are thin ‘wingcams’ for rear view mirrors; rear-hinged doors at the back; a single sheet of glass is used for both the windscreen and roof; and the paint
NISSAN LEAF BECOMES FIRST ELECTRIC CAR TO PASS 400,000 SALES
work consists of six hand-applied layers of chrome-effect silver paint covered in a tanned bronze tint. The Imagine sits on 22-inch alloy wheels featuring four flush inserts of transparent acrylic glass that reflect and refract light. Those wheels are fitted with Goodyear 255/35R22 Intelligrip EV concept tyres. “Automotive design is about capturing the heart and making it beat that bit faster for that bit longer. We believe that there’s absolutely no reason why that should change simply because the car is electric,” says Gregory Guillaume, Vice President of Design for Kia Motors Europe. “That’s why our all-electric concept is designed to not only get your pulse racing, but to also signpost our holistic and emotional approach to electrification.”
WITH THE ELECTRIC vehicle revolution just about upon us, and new models and concepts being revealed seemingly every week, the venerable Nissan Leaf continues to lead the way chalking up 400,000 sales. The Leaf is, says Nissan the first electric car to surpass that sales figure and with a fresh model now on the road and set to hit the Australian market this year, it’s showing no signs of slowing down. Last year, the Leaf was the bestselling electric vehicle in Europe. It’s available in more than 50 markets globally and will go on sale in six new markets in Latin America in the first half of this year and seven in Asia and Oceania by the end of the year. Recently, a model with a new powertrain joined the line-up - the Nissan Leaf Plus, which offers increased power and up to 226 miles (364km) of range. Sales of the Leaf Plus began in late January in Japan. U.S. sales will begin this spring, and Europe will follow shortly thereafter.
April 2019 Motor Trader | 41
Auto innovation news
SKY IS THE LIMIT WITH GOODYEAR’S AERO TYRE CONCEPT
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HILE PLENTY OF people are still coming to terms with the thought of electric cars - and perhaps autonomous cars - being the transportation of choice in the near future, there are plenty of manufacturers and tech firms looking further out and considering a time when we are flying to work – or perhaps doing a combination of both. If you follow news about the latest concepts in mobility, you’ve likely read plenty about flying cars and that there are, in fact, a number already available to buy and plenty more being tested. Recognising that the ‘flying car’ sector, however fanciful it may seem, could have a big future is leading manufacturers in other areas to take a look at how they could become a part of the action. This takes some creative thinking, and Goodyear unveiled a doozy of a concept at the Geneva International Motor Show with the AERO
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VIDEO: GOODYEAR AERO - A TWO-IN-ONE TYRE FOR THE AUTONOMOUS, FLYING CARS OF THE FUTURE
concept - a two-in-one tyre designed for the autonomous, flying cars of the future which would work both as a tyre for driving on the road and a ‘propeller’ for flying through the sky.
The AERO is a 'multimodal tilt-rotor' concept that would serve both as traditional tyre on the ground and a lift and propulsion system in the air. The concept’s spokes provide support to carry the weight of the vehicle and act as fan blades to provide lift when the tyre is tilted. It would use light-based, fibre optic sensors to monitor road conditions, tyre wear and the structural integrity of the tyre itself, while artificial intelligence would combine information from the tyre's sensors with data from vehicleto-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication. This, says Goodyear, would allow the A.I. processor to recommend a course of action and identify and resolve potential tyre-related issues before they happen. The AERO Is a cracking piece of work, and though it is a purely conceptual design, Goodyear says some of the technologies used in its design - such as a non-pneumatic structure and intelligent tyre capabilities - are being developed by Goodyear today. Goodyear Aero Concept
VOLKSWAGEN PLANS 22 MILLION ELECTRIC VEHICLES IN TEN YEARS VOLKSWAGEN GROUP HAS announced it is to launch almost 70 new electric models in the next ten years – instead of the 50 previously planned. As a result, the projected number of vehicles to be built on the Group’s electric platforms will number 22 million by 2028. The company says it has also signed off on a comprehensive decarbonisation program aimed at achieving a fully CO2-neutral balance in all areas from fleet to production to administration by 2050. “Volkswagen is seeking to provide individual mobility for millions of people for years to come – individual mobility that is safer, cleaner and fully connected,” said Dr. Herbert Diess, CEO of Volkswagen AG. “In order to shoulder the investments needed for the electric offensive we must make further improvements in efficiency and performance in all areas.” VW says that the share of electric vehicles in the VW Group fleet is to rise to at least 40 per cent by 2030. April 2019 Motor Trader | 43
Auto innovation news
LABOR WANTS HALF OF NEW CAR SALES TO BE ELECTRIC BY 2030
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ABOR HAS PROPOSED an ambitious plan that would see 50 per cent of new cars sales in Australia be electric vehicles by 2030. The plan, part of a wide-ranging climate change policy, includes a provision to allow businesses to immediately deduct 20 per cent depreciation for EV vehicles valued at more than $20,000 as part of private fleets, and is aimed at 'building the local industry, generating more local jobs, and helping consumers make the switch'. In a statement, Labor said: 'A Shorten Labor Government will future-proof Australia’s road networks so they can support the uptake of electric vehicles – creating a $200 million fund to rollout charging infrastructure across the country. 'Cleaner cars and transport aren’t just good for the environment – they are' cheaper to run. But Australia lags behind 44 | Motor Trader April 2019
our competitor countries, whether it’s in electric vehicle take-up, or vehicle fuel efficiency. We have ten times lower electric vehicle take-up than the global average, and we’re at risk of being left behind.' Labor says it will also work with industry to introduce new vehicle emissions standards, aiming for 105g CO2/km for light vehicles, which it says is consistent with Climate Change Authority advice. These standards will be applied to car retailers to meet average emissions standards, who will be allowed to 'meet the standards by offsetting high emissions car sales with low or zero emissions car sales – such as electric vehicles'. This part of the plan has been met with some caution. David Blackhall, CEO of AADA, commented in a statement that: “Dealers have limited influence over the product mix and the decision as to what cars are imported into Australia is entirely at the discretion of the manufacturers. In the end, Dealers can only sell the cars that are supplied to them. "It’s simple, the company that makes the product should be responsible for meeting the standard." The Coalition government has yet to announce its EV policy, though it says a National Electric Vehicle Strategy plan is in the works.
SKODA MOVES FORWARD WITH ELECTRIC PLANS
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KODA AUTO IS preparing itself for the requirements of electromobility and is reporting that it will have built, by 2025, an internal charging infrastructure with almost 7,000 charging points at and around the three Czech factories in Mladá Boleslav, Kvasiny and Vrchlabí. The charging stations will be available for use mainly by the Czech car manufacturer’s employees. “Škoda’s future is electric,” said Bernhard Maier, Škoda Auto CEO. “By the end of 2022, we will have launched more than 10 electrified models. We are starting in 2019 with the Superb with plug-in hybrid drive and the all-electric Citigo. At the same time, Škoda is also investing in infrastructure: in the coming years, we will be establishing up to 7,000 charging points on the factory premises and in employee parking spaces.” The company says it Technical Development, Quality Assurance, Sales
and Production departments are already testing the charging infrastructure at the Škoda plant in Mladá Boleslav. The manufacturer invested a total of around 3.4 million euros ($AU5.4 million) in expanding the charging infrastructure at the plant last year: 1.65 million euros ($AU2.6 million) went into modernising and expanding the power grid. Škoda spent a further 1.75 million euros ($AU2.8 million) on installing more than 300 charging points, including more than 220 alternating current (AC) and more than 80 modern direct current (DC) charging stations. Škoda says its plans will see the company invest around 32 million euros ($AU51 million) in this area. In addition to the more than 3,600 charging points at the plants, another 3,100 charging stations will be installed in their surroundings and made available to all Škoda employees.
April 2019 Motor Trader | 45
Auto innovation news
HYDROGEN TO SPARK NEW LIFE INTO TOYOTA'S ALTONA SITE
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OYOTA AUSTRALIA, WITH funding assistance from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), has unveiled plans to build a $7.4 million Hydrogen Centre at the company's former car manufacturing site at Altona in Melbourne. As part of the Hydrogen Centre project, existing manufacturing infrastructure will be repurposed into Victoria's first integrated hydrogen site, complete with electrolyser, commercial grade hydrogen refuelling station and an education centre with live demonstrations. ARENA will contribute $3.1 million towards the Hydrogen Centre development, with Toyota Australia investing the remaining $4.3 million. Toyota Australia's President and CEO Matt Callachor said the Hydrogen Centre announcement was a step towards the company meeting its target of zero CO2 emissions from sites and vehicles by 2050. "This is a very exciting time for Toyota Australia. Today's announcement with ARENA aligns with our global drive to promote sustainable mobility and to play a leading role in the transition to a
46 | Motor Trader April 2019
decarbonised future," said Mr Callachor. "Hydrogen has the potential to play a pivotal role in the future because it can be used to store and transport energy from wind, solar and other renewable sources to power many things, including vehicles like the Toyota Mirai Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV). "Right now, the biggest factor to the success of hydrogen being widely available is the lack of infrastructure. The sooner we move to a zero emissions society, the better, and Toyota
RENAULT STARTS LARGESCALE PILOTING OF VEHICLETO-GRID EV CHARGING
The Hydrogen Centre is part of a larger plan to transform the former Altona site into a Centre of Excellence
Toyota Mirai Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV)
is committed to making this a reality." Construction on the Hydrogen Centre will commence this year, with the education centre expected to be open by December 2019, and the electrolyser and hydrogen refuelling station fully operational by late 2020. Once up and running, Toyota says the hydrogen refuelling station will be able to fill a vehicle, like Toyota's Mirai Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV), in between three and five minutes.
GROUPE RENAULT IS beginning a large-scale pilot scheme in reversible electric charging. The company says a fleet of fifteen ZOE vehicles with vehicleto-grid charging will be introduced in Europe during 2019. The pilot schemes will begin Utrecht (the Netherlands) and on Porto Santo Island (in Madeira, Portugal). Following these, more pilot schemes will be introduced in France, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden and Denmark. Vehicle-to-grid charging—aka reversible charging—modulates the charging and discharging of electric vehicle (EV) batteries in accordance with users’ needs and the grid’s supply of available electricity, and allows vehicles to inject electricity into the grid during peaks in consumption. Renault says that EVs can serve as units of temporary energy storage and become key drivers in the development of renewable energy. “With this initiative, Groupe Renault is fully fulfilling its role as a leader in electric mobility for all and as a player in the energy transition,” said Gilles Normand, Groupe Renault’s director of electric vehicles. “Vehicle-to-grid charging is a key pillar of the smart electric ecosystems that Groupe Renault has set up. We have chosen onboard technology that also optimises the cost of recharging stations and thus facilitate a large-scale development.” April 2019 Motor Trader | 47
Auto innovation news
HYUNDAI AND KIA INVEST $US300M IN INDIA’S OLA MOBILITY PROVIDER
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YUNDAI AND OLA have announced a strategic partnership under which Hyundai and Kia will make their biggest combined investment to date. The agreement will see the three companies collaborate on developing fleet and mobility solutions; building Indiaspecific electric vehicles and infrastructure; and developing opportunities and offerings for driver partners with customised vehicles, on the Ola platform. Hyundai and Kia will invest a total of $US300 million ($AU423.6 million) in Ola. “India is the centerpiece of Hyundai Motor Group’s strategy to gain leadership in the global mobility market and our partnership with Ola will certainly accelerate our efforts to transform into a Smart Mobility
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Solutions Provider,” said Euisun Chung, Executive Vice Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group. “Hyundai will proactively respond to market changes and persistently innovate to deliver greater value to our customers." The companies have agreed to co-create solutions to operate and manage fleet vehicles, marking Hyundai Group’s first foray into the industry, as they expand operations from automobile manufacturing and sales to total fleet solutions. The partnership will offer Ola drivers various financial services, including lease and instalment payments. Hyundai, Kia and Ola have also agreed to coordinate efforts to develop cars and specifications that reflect the needs of the ride hailing market (both users and drivers). Data accumulated during service operation will allow the companies to make constant vehicle improvements to better meet local needs and specifications.
MTAiQ: THE INNOVATION HUB FOR THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY
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RACETRACK ROYALT 50 | Motor Trader April 2019
MAKE: ROYALE MODEL: RP2 YEAR: 1969 ENGINE: FORD KENT 1600 OWNER: REX FRANKS OWNED SINCE: 2014
TY: THE ROYALE RP2
April 2019 Motor Trader | 51
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ROYALE RP2 F
ORMULA ONE IS the pinnacle of motorsport. It’s a truly global competition that has a glorious history, is home to the most famous racing teams and drivers, and can boast a fanbase that is spectacularly vast – the global cumulative audience for Formula One across digital and TV platforms reportedly exceeded 1.7 billion viewers in 2018. As a driver, it would be the place you’d want to be to showcase your skills. Of course, you can’t just wander onto the grid at Silverstone or Monaco, plop yourself into a Ferrari and expect to be a champ. Like any other sport, to be the best takes a lot of hard work and practice. All drivers start their careers in the lower echelons of motorsport and if you take a look at the CV of any top competitor, you’ll likely see some familiar racing categories. 52 | Motor Trader April 2019
Top of that list will probably be karting (usually the very first rung on the ladder) but Formula 3 might be there too, as might Formula Renault. Another likely addition will be Formula Ford - a particularly popular category with budding F1 champions. Kicking off in the UK in 1967, Formula Ford has seen many a fresh-faced young driver pass through its ranks on their way to fame and fortune - Ayrton Senna, Nigel Mansell, Michael Schumacher, James Hunt, Emerson Fittipaldi, Damon Hill, Mika Hakkinen and many others all cut their teeth in the category. But while the names of the drivers may be embedded in the minds of every motorsport fan, the names of the cars may not be so familiar. Van Dieman, Lola, Reynard, Alexis, Royale and Merlyn, amongst others, may not trip off the
tongue like Ferrari and Williams, but they all played their part in the early days of Formula Ford and in the development of future motorsport legends. Which is where the glorious car on these pages comes in. A 1969 Royale RP2 running a 1600 Ford Kent engine, it is one of the early Formula Ford race cars. And it is exceedingly rare. Only 30 were built. It was the first car built by the fledgling Royale company. Royale itself was an offshoot of Racing Preparations, a firm that specialised in readying race cars for the track, and which gave the early Royale cars their model name (RP for Racing Preparations). Royale built a prototype, the RP1, in 1968, before getting stuck into the racing game proper with the RP2. „ April 2019 Motor Trader | 53
And their cars were pretty successful. In the U.S., driver Bill Scott scored a victory in an RP2 at the 1969 World Championship of Formula Ford race at Sebring in Florida. And it was from the U.S., - where it enjoyed racing success in Las Vegas according to the plaque on the dashboard - that this RP2 arrived in Australia. In 2014, it found its way into the possession of Rex Franks. Rex, owner of Narangbah Wreckers north of Brisbane and once a competitive driver himself, bought the car from its previous Gold Coast-based owner and restored the rather battered machine to the stunning condition it is in today. “I bought it with the intention of doing it up and competing it in historic racing, and it was a bit rough when I got it,” says Rex. “I’ve worked on the chassis, built a new fibreglass body – virtually rebuilt it right through really but using a lot of the original parts. “I do have the original body, but we built a mould and use the body we built from that as a precautionary measure.” That seems pretty reasonable considering the age and rarity of the car – as with all vehicles that are old and rare, parts can be tricky things to come by.
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“I once rang up the bloke in England who was the manager of the factory and I asked him about some parts,” says Rex. “He said he didn’t know where even one of these cars might be. He thought there might have been one in England, but he wasn’t sure. “But I do see some original parts around, and if I can’t get things, I make them. “The front suspension is from Triumph, which was used a lot in old race cars, and it has a Hewland diff that you can find parts for, but the uprights on the back end are tricky. But as I say, I do see these types of parts for sale from time to time, and if I can’t get them, I make them.” You would imagine that buying, restoring and potentially racing in a classic car like the RP2 would mark you as something of a motorsport fan. In Rex’s case, you’d be right. He has been involved in the sport since 1972, raced in state and national championships, and built and raced many cars through the years before a serious accident in 1992 forced him onto the sidelines. “It’s true I have always been interested in racing,” he says. “When I started, I raced a in Speedway, then went on to Superkarts, and have raced at Lakeside, the Adelaide GP, Indy and Phillip Island.
“I built my first Speedway car when I was about 25 – it was an EH Holden Premier and was immaculate! We also had a XTGT Ford, and a MK1 Cortina 500 come in and get cut up for Speedway use. Who know what they would be worth today!” “However, I did have a bad crash ‘92, and I haven’t raced as much since, but I do intend to do so with the RP2 at some stage. I’ve taken it out and tested it at Willowbank and it is a very nice drive and handles well. It’s not as quick as Superkart though – racing those is like racing an F1 car!”
And it is Rex’s long association with motorsport that offers an answer as to why he bought the RP2 in the first place. “I really liked the shape of it - it’s very much like an old Brabham,” he says. “I remember I went to the 1966 GP at Lakeside. I saw Jackie Stewart and Graham Hill there and, back then, you could walk right up to the cars on the grid and just stand between them. I recall that at the end of the straight there was a car that had broken down - it had a broken rubber joint on the rear end. I think it might have been a Brabham, but I remember the look of it – it was a very nice shape - and it must have stuck with me!” Many classic car owners will treat their pride and joy with kid gloves, taking it out on the road sparingly. And there is nothing wrong with that. For Rex though, racing the RP2 is the goal. “I haven’t had it out too much yet, but I do plan to take it out more over the next few years and race it in historic racing,” he says. “I built it to play with really.”
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DO YOU HAVE A PRIDE AND JOY IN THE GARAGE THAT YOU WOULD LOVE TO SEE IN THE PAGES OF MOTOR TRADER? Contact Jonathan Nash at jonathann@mtaq.com.au and let’s see if we can share your classic with other members.
April 2019 Motor Trader | 55
Auto news
BUGATTI UNVEILS THE UNIQUE ‘LA VOITURE NOIRE’
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HIS IS THE one-off ‘La Voiture Noire’ – The Black Car – possibly the most exclusive hypercar in the world. Sporting handcrafted components and a stunning black carbon fibre body, if it’s possible for a car to look more brutal, we’d like to see it. And the exterior is a perfect match for what lies underneath - the fire-breathing behemoth that is the company’s 8-litre, 16-cylinder, 1,103kW (1480hp) engine. The unique car is reportedly already sold – to a ‘Bugatti enthusiast’ - and whoever that owner may be, they clearly
Bugatti ‘La Voiture Noire’
56 | Motor Trader April 2019
have extraordinarily deep pockets – the La Coiture Noire had a reported price tag of €11 million ($AU17.5 million). They’re getting their hands on something pretty special though, and it’s unlikely to be the last of the unique pieces of work from the company – although this one looks like it will be hard to top. “Customers expect us to continually surprise them and to raise the goalposts beyond the limits of their imagination,” said Bugatti President Stephan Winkelmann. “We have just succeeded in doing so with ‘La Voiture Noire‘.”
GM TO INVEST $300 MILLION AT PLANT FOR NEW CHEVROLET ELECTRIC VEHICLE GENERAL MOTORS IS investing $US300 million ($AU423.6 million) in its Orion Township, Michigan, assembly plant to produce a new Chevrolet electric vehicle. The company says the investment will also bring 400 new jobs to the plant. The new Chevrolet electric vehicle is in addition to the existing Chevrolet Bolt EV and will be designed and engineered off an advanced version of the current Bolt EV architecture. “We are excited to bring these jobs and this investment to the U.S.,” said GM Chairman and CEO Mary Barra during an announcement at the plant with employees, elected officials and community leaders. “This new Chevrolet electric vehicle is another positive step toward our commitment to an all-electric future. GM will continue to invest in our U.S. operations where we see opportunities for growth.”
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Auto news
Hyundai Sonata
NEW SONATA GETS THIRD-GENERATION VEHICLE PLATFORM
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YUNDAI MOTOR HAS announced that it has implemented its thirdgeneration vehicle platform to the new generation Sonata. The company says the new Sonata offers reduced weight and improved fuel efficiency while also achieving stronger durability with the new platform. The platform also delivers a significant improvement in collision safety through the adoption of a multi-load path structure – that increases the energy absorbed by the vehicle in a collision - ‘Hot Stamping,’ and super-high tensile steel plate. The platform is designed so that the tyres move outward during a small overlap collision to maximise customer safety. Such technology inhibits the vehicle from spinning and prevents possible secondary collisions. 58 | Motor Trader April 2019
VIDEO: HYUNDAI MOTOR GROUP'S 3RD GENERATION PLATFORM
The new Sonata is also expected to improve power and driving performance and has been developed for possible application of Hyundai’s next-generation engine, called the Smartstream Powertrain. Hyundai says stability is enhanced by lowering the position of heavy equipment, reducing weight and lowering the centre of gravity. In addition, it enables agile
NEW VEHICLE SALES FALL IN FEBRUARY THE FEDERAL CHAMBER of Automotive Industries (FCAI) reported sales of 87,102 new vehicles during February 2019 - a decrease of 9.3 per cent on the same period last year. On a year-to-date basis, the industry reported 169,096 sales, or a decrease of 8.4 per cent over the same period in 2018. “Given the current challenging economic conditions, including a downturn in the housing market, the automotive industry is not surprised by the slower start to the year,� said Tony Weber, chief executive of the FCAI. The light commercial vehicle market is the only segment which reported an increase during February, with an upswing of 6 per cent. Other segments showed a decline: the passenger vehicle market decreased by 21.3 per cent and the sports utility market fell 6.3 per cent versus February 2018. The three top selling vehicles in the market were the Toyota Hi-Lux with 4,431 sales, the Ford Ranger with 3,377 sales and the Mitsubishi Triton with 3,155 sales. The top selling passenger vehicle was the Mazda 3, with 2,655 sales during the month.
handling by expanding lateral stiffness and positioning the steering closer to the wheel centre. Noise reduction is improved with enhanced noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) performance through reinforced sound-absorbing systems in vibration-sensitive parts. The next-generation Sonata will launch in Australian in the second half of 2019. April 2019 Motor Trader | 59
Auto news
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60 | Motor Trader April 2019 CLICK HERE TO ACCESS PAST ISSUES OF MOTOR TRADER
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TOYOTA'S NEW BLACK EDITION KLUGER
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OYOTA HAS UNVEILED a specialedition Kluger dubbed Black Edition. Based on the mid-grade GXL, the seven seat SUV Black Edition comes with 19-inch gloss-black alloy wheels and 245/55 tyres and a host of exterior treatments. These include roof rails, a large upper grille that straddles a body-coloured bumper, smoked backplates for the headlights and lower side mouldings. The Black Edition is powered by Kluger's
Toyota Kluger SUV Black Edition
218kW/350Nm 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine and comes equipped with advanced Toyota Safety Sense tech including a pre-collision safety system, autonomous emergency braking, lane-departure alert, and active cruise control. Features in the Kluger Black include tri-zone climate control, keyless smart entry and start, 8-inch display screen with satellite navigation, digital radio, and a 4.2-inch multi-information display.
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KONA ELECTRIC ENTERS THE AUSTRALIAN MARKET
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YUNDAI FIRST ALL-ELECTRIC SUV, the Kona Electric, has arrived in Australia offering a long-range battery-electric powertrain and bags of advanced safety and connectivity features. Available in two model grades – Elite and Highlander – the Kona Electric drops with some stiff pricing of $59,990 for the Elite and $64,490 for the Highlander. While the pricing is steep and will likely put a frown on the brow of those hoping for something more affordable, any new EV is a welcome addition to the Aussie market. So what does a Kona Electric owner get for their money? Pretty decent performance for a start. A 150kW electric motor powertrain gives the sporty-looking SUV the ability to travel up to 449 km on a battery charge (WLTP) and, if plugged into a 100kW DC fast-charger, an 80 per cent recharge in 54 minutes. In addition, the 7.2kW on-board charger allows battery recharging when plugged into a normal household socket, using the
Hyundai Kona Electric
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supplied In-Cable Control Box (ICCB). The Kona Electric produces 395Nm from its electric motor that can propel the SUV to a 7.6-second 0-100km/h on to a maximum speed of 167km/h. There’s a pretty comprehensive suite of safety features on board, with the Kona Electric equipped with Hyundai’s SmartSense safety package as standard in both model grades. The package includes Forward Collision Avoidance Assist (FCA), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Smart Cruise Control (SCC) with Stop & Go and DriverAttention Warning (DAW). There are also Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) and Blind-Spot Collision Warning (BCW) systems, the latter including Rear Cross Traffic Collision Warning (RCCW). A standard 8.0-inch satellite navigation multimedia system boasts an array of connectivity including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone interfaces, as well as Bluetooth for phone calls and
streaming audio. The multimedia unit also features an 8-speaker Infinity premium audio system, incorporating a subwoofer and external amplifier, with DAB+ digital radio. The Highlander model brings a glass sunroof, Wireless (Qi standard) inductive smartphone charging, power-operated heated/ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. There are also a head-up display (HUD),
High Beam Assist (HBA), front park-assist systems as well as LED headlights and taillights, on the Highlander model. Hyundai says the Kona is built around a rigid monocoque featuring extensive use of high strength and ultra-high strength steel and also benefits from a local chassis tune developed to deliver a quiet and comfortable ride. “We’re excited to bring long-range, ecofriendly electrified driving within reach of everyone with the stylish Kona Electric small SUV,“ said JW Lee, Hyundai Motor Company Australia CEO. “It is Hyundai’s intention to establish leadership for eco cars in Australia. We have demonstrated that with IONIQ and now Kona Electric, with the NEXO hydrogen-powered SUV to follow once suitable infrastructure is developed. “Kona Electric’s unique, fun styling, packaged with advanced standard safety and connectivity features make for a highly appealing and affordable zeroemissions package.” April 2019 Motor Trader | 63
Auto news
Honda Civic Type R
HONDA CIVIC TYPE R JOINS THE NSW POLICE FORCE
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ONDA’S CIVIC TYPE R highperformance hatch has been signed up with the NSW Police Force. As part of a 12-month sponsored partnership between Honda Australia and the NSW Police Force, the Civic Type R has joined the Eyewatch social media initiative, which has become an important communication tool for connecting people with their local police and encouraging them to be active participants in making their communities safer. “Honda Australia is delighted to partner with the NSW Police Force and take an active role in raising awareness of the Eyewatch program to help make our communities safer,” said Stephen Collins, Honda Australia Director. “The Civic Type R has been engineered from the ground up to deliver the most rewarding driving experience in the
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hot hatch segment. It has proven to be immensely popular with customers, enthusiasts and the motoring media, so we’re positive the NSW Police Force will find it to be a great community engagement tool. “At Honda we believe in the power of helping others, so this sponsored partnership with the NSW Police Force aligns seamlessly with work of The Honda Foundation and its goal of making a difference in the lives of people through giving back to the community that supports them.” The Eyewatch program was created in 2012 to connect local communities with their police via social media. Police use Eyewatch to offer crime prevention and safety tips, seek community assistance to help locate missing or wanted people, and provide advice and information on local crimes, incidents and emergencies.
Industrial relations “AS IN PREVIOUS YEARS,
IT IS EXPECTED THAT A DECISION WILL BE HANDED DOWN IN LATE MAY WITH ANY INCREASE BEING APPLICABLE FROM 1ST JULY.” May and in Sydney on 15th May. As in previous years, it is expected that a TED KOWALSKI decision will be handed down in late May INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS MANAGER with any increase being applicable from 1st July. Members will receive a consolidated Wages Guide in early June with all new award rates shown. In most cases, if a business is already paying an employee more than the new award rates they would THE FAIR WORK Commission has set not be obliged to pass on any increase. out a detailed timetable for handling The Australian Council of Trade Unions the current annual award wage review. (ACTU) is seeking a 6 per cent rise in the 12th April has been set as the final National Minimum Wage which would date for parties to lodge reply/ equate to $43.15 per week and would CLICK TO VISIT supplementary submissions which result in a $50.24/week increase at THE MTAQ might reflect matters covered in the tradesman’s level. A number of KNOWLEDGE BASE employer organisations are arguing the Budget and final hearings will for a 2 per cent increase. take place in Melbourne on 14th
2019 ANNUAL AWARD WAGE REVIEW UNDERWAY
April 2019 Motor Trader | 65
RTO No. 31529
Can you afford not to be in the circle? Advocacy
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MTA Queensland | Sir Jack Brabham Automotive Centre of Excellence Address Freeway Office Park, Building 8, 2728 Logan Road, Eight Mile Plains, Queensland, Australia 4113 Phone (07) 3237 8777 Fax +61 7 3844 4488 Email info@mtaq.com.au Website www.mtaq.com.au Postal PO Box 4530 Eight Mile Plains, Queensland, Australia 4113
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E S S E N T I A L S
PAUL KULPA GENERAL MANAGER MTA INSTITUTE
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Paul Kulpa
“IT WAS TRULY AN EXCITING
MEMBERS' ESSENTIALS Contents 70 Former MTA Institute apprentice awarded QOF Scholarship 76 Apprentice of the Month February 78 Pre-vocational course ignites new wave of automotive apprentices April 2019 Motor Trader | 67
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EVENT THAT LOOKED BEYOND THE HUMBLE MOTOR VEHICLE INTO ELECTRIC, HYDROGEN AND AUTONOMOUS VENTURES, AND INTO OVERALL MOBILITY SOLUTIONS, INCLUSIVE OF TRANSPORT, WORKFORCE, SKILLS, ASSETS AND ALTERNATES TO OWNERSHIP.”
M E M B E R S
RECENTLY HAD THE honour of being the MC for our Carmageddon - New World Mobility event. It was truly an exciting event that looked beyond the humble motor vehicle into electric, hydrogen and autonomous ventures, and into overall mobility solutions, inclusive of transport, workforce, skills, assets and alternates to ownership. It was a day where we were given a future perspective of the industry, highlighting the amalgamation of the automotive and mobility sectors. We heard details about fast-charging station technology, which will be essential as the uptake for electric vehicles (EVs) is expected to rise from 8 models in 2015 to as many as 60 models in 2021. As EVs become mainstream, we can certainly expect to see the proliferation of charging stations. We had some amazing vehicles on site from Tesla, Jaguar, Renault and Hyundai, as well as the new Aussieassembled ACE Cargo, in our electric
M E M B E R S
Training GM's Professional Circle perspective
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“IT WAS A GREAT EVENT
AND IT GOT ME THINKING ABOUT THE FUTURE – ABOUT THE TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGES THAT ARE COMING, AND FOR WHICH YOU NEED TO BE READY.”
It was a great event and it got me thinking about the future – about the technological changes that are coming, and for which you need to be ready. At the MTA Institute, we have always tried to be ahead of the curve when it comes to future proofing your business through training, and it’s something we are particularly proud of, be it through our hybrid skillsets courses, or the management courses designed to help with the administrative side of the business. We’ve recently finished an automotive pre-vocational course and those students are now ready for work - which means for you business owners, we’ve got your future workforce ready. Looking into the future is certainly exciting, but you’ve got to have the capability now to meet the challenges for the future, and this is where MTA Institute helps. If you need any help with workforce development, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Carmageddon - New World Mobility
April 2019 Motor Trader | 69
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and hydrogen vehicle showcase. The new fuel technologies was interesting, particularly delving into the pros and cons of hydrogen, and the refuelling time, transportation, infrastructure for storage, and environmental benefits of the fuel. The presenters spoke about how new fuels may impact industry, consumers and the environment. They investigated conversion of petrol cars and what is happening in the world of motorsport in relation to fuel and new technologies.
M E M B E R S
Training GM's Professional Circle perspective
E S S E N T I A L S M E M B E R S
Left to right: Paul Kulpa, General Manager MTA Institute; Kellie Dewar, Deputy CEO MTA Queensland; Elliott Lemmon; Dr Brett Dale, CEO MTA Queensland
FORMER MTAI APPRENTICE WINS SCHOLARSHIP TO CHASE INTERNATIONAL MOTORSPORT DREAM
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LLIOTT LEMMON, A former light vehicle apprentice who trained with the MTA Institute and was the Institute’s 2017 Apprentice of the Year, is to head overseas to pursue a long-held ambition to work at the top levels of motorsport. The opportunity has come after the 21-year-old was awarded a scholarship from the Queensland Overseas Foundation (QOF). The Queensland Automotive Skills Alliance QOF Industry Partnership Scholarship is an automotive scholarship founded via a partnership between QOF, MTA Queensland, the Heavy Vehicle
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“I NEVER WOULD HAVE
BELIEVED WHEN I STARTED MY APPRENTICESHIP THAT I WOULD BE WHERE I AM TODAY. I AM STILL VERY SURPRISED AND SOMETIMES CAN’T BELIEVE IT’S REAL.” Industry Australia, the Institute of Automotive Mechanical Engineers and the Construction & Mining Equipment Industry Group. It is the first such scholarship to be presented
M E M B E R S E S S E N T I A L S
Elliott was a valued member of the MTAQ Racing Team Support Crew
by the Foundation and is designed to offer graduates in the Queensland automotive industry the chance to work abroad with the help of a $7500 fund. Elliott received the award from Queensland Governor Paul de Jersey AC at a special ceremony held at Parliament House in Brisbane. The scholarship comes at the end
of a whirlwind couple of years for Elliott. Back in October 2017, the then thirdyear apprentice won the MTA Institute’s Apprentice of the Year award and in the ensuing 18 months, on top of completing his qualification and developing his skills at various employers across Brisbane, he has been a pivotal member of the MTAQ Racing Team Support Crew and has had the privilege of working with the Triple Eight Supercar racing team outfit at their Banyo HQ as well as at the Ipswich and Gold Coast rounds of the Supercar championship. It has been a tremendous grounding for a young man with his sights set firmly on a career in the fast-paced (excuse the pun) and high-pressure world of professional motorsport. With the help of the QOF scholarship fund, Elliot’s hard work and ambition has paid off and he is making his first foray into the world of international competition – by the time you read this, he will be on
Elliott was able to work with the winning Triple Eight Engineering Supercar team both as a member of the pit crew team and at their workshop HQ
April 2019 Motor Trader | 71
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Professional Circle training his way to Malaysia to join the powerhouse racing outfit Absolute Racing, a team that operates from China, Malaysia and the U.S, and competes, and wins, in multiple categories across the region, including the Asian Le Mans Series, Audi R8 LMS Cup, Blancpain GT Series Asia, China GT Championship, GT Asia Series, Pirelli World Challenge, Porsche Carrera Cup Asia and Formula Masters Series. “I’ll bounce around a bit, but I’ll be a race mechanic based in Shanghai,” said Elliott when Motor Trader caught up with him after the QOF award ceremony. “The main series I’ll be involved in is the Blancpain GT World Challenge Asia Series, and that will mean races in Malaysia,
“RECIPIENTS OF THE QOF
AWARDS SCHOLARSHIP ARE VERY DIFFERENT FROM THAT. THEY LOOK BEYOND THE HORIZON AND OPEN THEMSELVES TO A WORLD OF OPPORTUNITY.”
Thailand, Japan and then Shanghai. I know I will be working those rounds and then we’ll see what’s next! “I never would have believed when I started my apprenticeship that I would be where I am today,” he added. “I am still very surprised and sometimes can’t believe it’s real. “I am not the most skilled mechanic, but I want to keep learning and I think people like that. I’ve never seen this career as a 9 to 5 job and there’s nothing like the immediacy, and the satisfaction and achievement, you feel in developing and improving a race car. “To work with 888, and for them to win when I was working with them, is absolutely the greatest feeling, and being part of that atmosphere is something that is very difficult to describe.” The QOF Scholarship award will help Elliott to fund his international ambitions, and while the automotive scholarship is a new addition to the QOF, the Foundation itself has been around for more than 40 years, providing vocational education and training graduates and professionals with the opportunity to improve their career prospects by working overseas. Established in 1976, the Foundation is sponsored by industry and supported by the Queensland Government. Joining Elliott as this year’s scholarship winners were an electrical instrumentation technician, a makeup artist and a meat processing technician – all young graduates and outstanding examples of
Elliott Lemmon received his QOF scholarship from Governor of Queensland, His Excellency the Hon. Paul de Jersey AC
”
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“
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the benefits that vocational education and training can deliver. And that was a message underscored by the Governor of Queensland, Paul de Jersey AC, during his presentation speech at the scholarship awards ceremony. “For many decades, vocational education and training has played a pivotal role in the Australian economy by building knowledge and skills by helping people excel,” he said. MTAA Super CEO Leeanne Turner and Supercar legend Craig Lowndes presenting Elliott received with the $2000 prize for “Some people rest on being named MTA Institute's Apprentice of the Year for 2017 their laurels, they settle into complacency and don’t realise there is so much to explore,” he added. “Recipients of the QOF I LIKE TO PLAN FOR THE awards scholarship are very different from FUTURE, BUT WHEN THINGS that. They look beyond the horizon and open themselves to a world of opportunity. THIS BIG HAPPEN IT IS HARD The scholarships enable them to TO THINK WHERE I MIGHT discover that world, work abroad in their END UP . . . I DO KNOW preferred profession and gather valuable I WANT TO BE AROUND international experience to bring back to MOTORSPORT, AND THAT’S Queensland." Commenting on the competitive nature ALWAYS THE WAY I HAVE of the awards process, the Governor said THOUGHT ABOUT IT. that the four scholarship winners had distinguished themselves and were about where he wants to be, and for young people to embark on an exciting journey. just starting out on the apprenticeship “You represent the best our state path, he had some sage words of advice. has to offer and today, as Governor, “I like to plan for the future, but when I congratulate you on behalf of all things this big happen it is hard to think Queenslanders on your achievements. where I might end up,” he said. “I do know You have every reason to be proud and I want to be around motorsport, and that’s I wish you all a busy, rewarding and always the way I have thought about it. fulfilling journey as tremendous young “I love what I do, and I can’t get enough of ambassadors of our state.” it. That’s what pushes me. Some people do For Elliott, the next few months will be a job for money, but I live and breathe this. a sensational experience, and where will And as an apprentice, you’ve got to find the it lead is anyone’s guess, even satisfaction, and the fun, in everything you for Elliott himself. However, do. Be positive about everything, work CLICK TO he does know, with absolute VISIT THE QOF through the tough times, and before you WEBSITE certainty, that motor racing is know it, things start happening.”
LOOKING FOR WORK? Check out MTA Queensland’s Job Board for all the latest opportunities in the automotive industry. Visit www.mtaq.com.au today
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ACKNOWLEDGING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF COLLISION REPAIR INDUSTRY EMPLOYEES IN QUEENSLAND I-CAR Australia, the organisation that delivers information, training and education to the collision repair industry, is acknowledging the achievements of industry employees from across the country who have achieved I-CAR Platinum Individual accreditation and I-CAR Welding Certification.
The following is a list of Queenslandbased collision repair industry employees who received I-CAR Platinum Individual Accreditation in February 2019:
• Layton Hopper
Sowerby's Crash Repairs
There were no welding certifications issued in January. April 2019 Motor Trader | 75
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on time and with high percentages," said Neville Donaldson, his MTA Institute trainer. "His work is carried out with professionalism and his ability is nearly as good as a qualified mechanic with a couple of years’ experience. Put this together with him being a nice, polite person who is able to talk to customers and get along well with his workmates, and that makes Dan a worthy apprentice of the month winner." ANIEL BECKHAM IS the MTA For Daniel himself, working at Prochem Institute Apprentice of the Month is, he said, an enjoyable experience. A for February 2019. lot of different work comes through the The 19-year-old, third-year heavy vehicle workshop and with around 18 months apprentice with Prochem Haulage in to go before he qualifies, he is already Mackay has proven to be an outstanding considering the future he could secure student, demonstrating a strong work with the company. ethic and the ability to complete jobs "I do plan on staying with Prochem," he unsupervised. said. "There are a few different work roles Along with his mechanical knowledge, within the company that I could explore, Daniel is also proving to be a very and some other opportunties and career competent welder who is often placed on options - we have a fleet of trucks and Prochem's fabrication repairs/assemblies machinery, we deliver bulk fluids to the to decrease downtime. Daniel has also mines, and we have machinery operating taken on auto greaser installation and in the mines too. is currently completing breakdowns "I really enjoy what I do and CLICK TO VISIT THE and call outs. the training is going well too," he PROCHEM While he has been impressing added. "We do a bit of everything WEBSITE with his performance at work, his in our workshop and that is really training is equally exemplary. good - even the dirty jobs are "Dan always has his modules done alright!" APPRENTICE: DANIEL BECKHAM WORKPLACE: PROCHEM HAULAGE, MACKAY APPRENTICESHIP: HEAVY VEHICLE MECHANICAL
M E M B E R S
Apprentice of the Month: February
E S S E N T I A L S M E M B E R S
Professional Circle training
MTA QUEENSLAND IGNITING THE NEW WAVE OF AUTOMOTIVE APPRENTICES
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HE MTA QUEENSLAND is proud to be making a real and tangible impact on increasing the number of young adults entering the automotive industry. Through the MTA Institute, the largest private provider of automotive apprenticeships and training in Queensland, these automotive courses are student-centric and follow a development pathway into apprenticeships. Auto Camp, a unique initiative of the MTA Queensland, allows senior school
76 | Motor Trader April 2019
students to enrol in an immersive school holiday program that acts like work experience. Students aged 14-17 years can, over three days, get hands-on experience in a range of different automotive skills, from new technology such as Hybrid/Electric Vehicles to the principles and maintenance of a vehicle. Auto Camp has been running since 2017 with high enrolments each school holidays. Following on from Auto Camp, we are now seeing students return to enrol in
the MTA Institute’s accredited five-week AUR20716 Certificate II in Vocational Preparation Course once they have finished school. Students work in the Sir Jack Brabham Automotive Centre of Excellence, a state-of-the-art workshop which offers the very best of training environments for the students, and are taught by highly-skilled, industrybacked trainers. On completion of the
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NO MATTER WHAT I DO, I ALWAYS SEEM TO COME BACK TO TRUCKS, SO WITH THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF MY PARTNER, I FINALLY DECIDED TO CHASE THE DREAM.”
M E M B E R S
“I WANT A CAREER AND . . .
pre-vocational course, students are prepared to commence an automotive apprenticeship. February 2019 has seen one of the largest cohorts of students undertaking the Vocational Preparation Course. Most excitingly, this course saw a big increase in female enrolments. The interest from young adults, especially females, is a wonderfully positive swing for an industry that is experiencing severe skills shortages and a massive gender imbalance. “It’s great to see so many passionate individuals looking to enter the automotive industry by enrolling in Auto Camp while at school, then commencing the Vocational Preparation Course,” said Paul Kulpa, General Manager of Workforce Development. “This program saw 20 young adults enrol with a third of those being female. The MTA Institute are huge advocates for supporting women in trades and it’s fantastic to see the number of females interested in automotive growing substantially. All the students are putting themselves in an excellent position to secure apprenticeships.” One of the female students is Jess James, a 28-year-old whose passion for the automotive industry is palpable. She decided to sign up to the Vocational Preparation Course after her partner encouraged her to chase her passion. “Everybody who knows me, knows I’ve been obsessed with trucks since I was little,” said Jess. “I want a career and I’ve tried a number of things which I disconnect with very quickly. No matter what I do, I always seem to come back to trucks, so with the encouragement of my partner, I finally decided to chase the dream. “Ultimately, I want to be a heavy vehicle parts interpreter, but to be a really good
E S S E N T I A L S M E M B E R S
Professional Circle training parts interpreter you generally have to go through the industry to understand components and their overall function. “Because I love trucks, that is something I’m more than willing to do and for now, I’m very keen to be a heavy vehicle mechanic.
“I KNOW COMPLETING THIS
IS GOING TO ADD A LOT OF VALUE AND THE TRAINERS HAVE BEEN FANTASTIC, IT’S A GREAT COURSE AND IT’S BEEN SO HELPFUL TO GET SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE THAT WILL HELP ME SECURE AN APPRENTICESHIP.”
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For someone who is so clearly passionate about the industry, it seems almost shocking that Jess is only entering the trade now, as a mature-aged student. But, for someone who has previously tried to secure an apprenticeship and been knocked back, she shows remarkable resilience. “I have previously gone for a heavy vehicle apprenticeship and was told the company wouldn’t hire a girl as males can lift more. On another occasion I was turned away because of my age. “When you talk about the barriers involved in entering a male-dominated industry, it can be quite daunting and for me there were road-blocks I had to cross before I could fully accept that this was what I wanted to do. “I used to meet a lot of fly-in fly-out guys who worked in heavy vehicle, and every time I spoke to them that spark of excitement would reignite, and I’d almost have to push it down and say to myself ‘calm down, girls don’t go into that industry.’ “It’s good to be past that and working in the industry is now all I want, professionally. “I hope, that if I prove that I can do this course and do it well, then I can prove that I can do a heavy vehicle apprenticeship”. The enthusiasm that Jess shows is consistent through the entire cohort. 16-yearold Quinn Durocher and 23-year-old Taleisha Lecourt-Woodcock are two more students who both signed up to the course as a stepping stone into an automotive apprenticeship.
M E M B E R S E S S E N T I A L S
“WE’VE COVERED SUCH A
LARGE AMOUNT OF CONTENT AND SKILL DEVELOPMENT IN SUCH A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME, AND IT’S ALL GOOD, EVEN THE THEORY.” “I’ve loved this course,” said Quinn. “I know completing this is going to add a lot of value and the trainers have been fantastic, it’s a great course and it’s been so helpful to get skills and knowledge that will help me secure an apprenticeship.” “I would absolutely recommend this course,” added Taleisha. “We’ve covered such a large amount of content and skill development in such a short amount of time, and it’s all good, even the theory.” “The trainers are amazing,” continued Jess. “Jeff, our main trainer, is a really good role model as are the other trainers. They are really helpful and if you ask them a question, they will go into specifics and make sure you understand it.”
“The overarching goal of this course is to help these students secure apprenticeships or viable employment,” said Jeff Mann lead trainer of the Automotive Vocational Preparation Course. “The content we cover is designed to give them fundamental automotive skills in a range of different sectors. As a result, the students have an advantage when looking for apprenticeships. “The course is a stepping stone into the automotive industry and from a teaching point of view it’s fantastic to have such a mixed group and many females. It’s been great to see the way the class has interacted and worked together which has ultimately created a stronger unit.” “Working with the other girls has been awesome,” said Jess. “And working as a mixed team has been even better. I think girls are often more meticulous than guys, so together I think we’re a great team. Guys can lift heavier things and are stronger, but we can double-check everything and ensure nothing has been forgotten. Together it’s a pretty seamless operation.” April 2019 Motor Trader | 79
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Plugged In: Explaining Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Tech PAUL TUGWELL TECHNICAL ELECTRICAL TRAINER MTA INSTITUTE
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HIS MONTH, I want to continue the discussion on autonomous driving. In the next 10 years, most vehicles on the road will be, in some way, electrified. That could mean hybrid or full electric and, as I stressed in the last issue, training in this technology must be complete (the MTA Institute runs a government-backed in which you could consider enrolling). In the next 50 years, full autonomy will be the normal situation and your smartphone will be your controller for everything. An example of how quickly things are moving comes from Tesla, which has a new autopilot feature it has called ‘Enhance Summon’ which will allow you to summon your parked car to your
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“IN THE NEXT 50 YEARS,
FULL AUTONOMY WILL BE THE NORMAL SITUATION AND YOUR SMARTPHONE WILL BE YOUR CONTROLLER FOR EVERYTHING.”
M E M B E R S E S S E N T I A L S
location if you are within 150 metres of it. The level of autonomy is what I want to discuss here. There are six levels of autonomous – 0 to 5 - as set down by the SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) in their J3016 standard. • Level 0 – Non-Automated: The driver is in complete control. • Level 1 - Assisted: Some level of assistance to support the driver. The operator, however, must constantly supervise these support systems. • Level 2 - Partial Automation: This has more support systems for the driver. May include lane centering, cruise control, automatic emergency braking. • Level 3 - Conditional Automation: This level has full automation available, but the driver has to be ready to take over. • Level 4 - High Automation: In some
“WHILE THERE IS SOME
BELIEF AMONGST THE PUBLIC THAT LEVEL 5 AUTONOMY IS NOW AVAILABLE, BUT THAT IS NOT THE CASE.” situations, a vehicle can drive itself without input from the driver. • Level 5 - Full Automation: At this level, a vehicle is fully autonomous and not even a steering wheel is required. It is a full-time automated driving system under all conditions. While there is some belief amongst the public that Level 5 autonomy is now available, that is not the case. At the time of writing, there is no vehicle for sale that has Level 5 autonomous capability. To achieve fully autonomous level 5, April 2019 Motor Trader | 81
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Plugged In: Explaining Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Tech a high level of sensing and perception has to take place. While several sensing systems are used – including cameras and radar – the major sensor used on most vehicles is called Lidar (Light Detection And Ranging) that uses pulsed laser light to illuminate objects and measures the reflected pulses. It can perceive shapes with high resolution and detect distance with high accuracy. Interestingly, Tesla does not use LiDAR in its Autopilot system. Instead, Tesla uses eight cameras (that provide a 360-degree view of up to 250 metres), 12 ultrasonic sensors, and a forward-facing radar capable of seeing through heavy
“LiDAR SYSTEMS ARE OFTEN
THE MOST EXPENSIVE ITEMS ON CARS WITH AUTONOMOUS CAPABILITIES . . . BUT NEW TECHNOLOGY HAS ADVANCED TO THE POINT THAT PRICES ARE COMING DOWN CONSIDERABLY . . .” Credit: / Shutterstock.com
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rain, fog, dust. This system is really semiautonomous, level 4 by the SAEJ3016 chart. LiDAR systems are often the most expensive items on cars with autonomous capabilities – at one point, the bulky, spinning LiDAR systems seen on the roof of autonomous concept cars cost more than the car on which they were installed – but new technology has advanced to the point that prices are coming down considerably and solid state systems that are about the size of two decks of cards can installed behind a vehicle’s grille. Quanergy, a Californian company that develops LiDAR systems currently has a solid-state unit available for less than $250. VIDEO: WAYMO'S FULLY SELF-DRIVING CARS ARE HERE
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E S S E N T I A L S
There are systems that can be compared to LiDAR. Echo-location, or SONAR, for example, is a system found in the natural world bats use SONAR to navigate obstacles, sending out a sound wave that, when it echoes back, gives them a threedimensional view of its surroundings. RADAR (Radio Detection and Ranging) uses a similar process with radio waves (a type of electromagnetic radiation). LiDAR uses this principle – sending out pulsed laser light and timing how long it takes to return to the unit. A picture of its surrounds is formed from that incoming data. Laser light has a much shorter wave length than Radar and Sonar and because of this, LiDAR can create a much more accurate picture of smaller objects making millions of measurements of depth information in all directions
simultaneously and creating a detailed three-dimensional map. To achieve level 5 autonomy, a high level of processing will be needed and a lot of testing, and while LiDAR will not be the only sensor used to attain fully autonomous vehicles, it will likely be the major piece of the puzzle. The automotive landscape is changing rapidly and it can, perhaps, be compared to the era of the birth of the motor car when there were dozens of small companies developing and building their own vehicles. As it was then, so it is now, and we have many start-up companies building electric vehicles, electric controllers, autonomous technology and the like. It’s an exciting time to be involved in the industry and the opportunities as this new era gets underway are legion. Training and preparing for these new technologies is important if you want to take advantage of those opportunities. Thanks for reading. In my next column I will be looking at vehicle-tovehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) technology. If you have any questions about hybrid, electric vehicle or autonomous vehicle technology, you can email me at pault@mtai.edu.au
M E M B E R S
“LiDAR USES THIS PRINCIPLE – SENDING OUT PULSED LASER LIGHT AND TIMING HOW LONG IT TAKES TO RETURN TO THE UNIT. A PICTURE OF ITS SURROUNDS IS FORMED FROM THAT INCOMING DATA.”
Concept corner
LAGONDA LUXURY SU 84 | Motor Trader April 2019
UV DEBUTS AT GENEVA April 2019 Motor Trader | 85
Concept corner
A
STON MARTIN LAGONDA is getting in on the SUV action, joining the bevy of other luxury carmakers – from Bentley to Lamborghini – hoping to capture a slice of that ever-growing market. In Aston Martin’s case, it’s the Lagonda All-Terrain Concept that will spearhead their attack – an all-electric all-wheel drive SUV which will be at the forefront of Lagonda’s push to create a range of state
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of the art, luxury vehicles driven by zero emission powertrain technologies. Powertrain specs remain undisclosed but no doubt the production model will be exceptional in performance to keep up with the expectations of customers as well as the competition. ‘The Lagonda All-Terrain Concept adds a hugely exciting sense of adventure to the unique brand of luxury, emission-
free vehicles that Lagonda is planning to produce,” said Andy Palmer, Aston Martin Lagonda President and Group Chief Executive Officer. “This is a car that would be at home whisking someone straight from a glamorous red carpet event to a remote scientific research lab. It shows the bold possibilities for Lagonda and demonstrates how the company will push to expand horizons
in every area, whether it be technology, design or scope of travel.” The Lagonda All-Terrain Concept is a near future study that continues the evolution of a design language that could be seen in production Lagonda models as soon as 2022. Lagonda production is to be undertaken at a state-of-the-art facility in St Athan, Wales, in the U.K. April 2019 Motor Trader | 87
Investment matters
MARKET WRAP
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USTRALIAN AND GLOBAL markets continued to recover in February. Some of the political tensions eased throughout the period as a deal between Presidents Trump and Xi now looks likely, providing a positive catalyst for global trade. Brexit still remains a concern, though the British government has elected not to exit without some kind of deal, reducing the risk of a hard Brexit. A lack of growth and inflation across the globe is tempting Central banks and governments to step away from their respective tightening policies, which has been a positive for markets. Despite the relative calmness of the rebound, the underlying weakness in the Australian economy in particular has not changed. The average Australian still faces lower consumption growth, stagnant wages and falling property prices. These economic headwinds are well known and as a result, there is a definite defensive nature to the companies finding support. Utilities, Real Estate Investment Trusts, Healthcare and other sectors which have traditionally held up better during market downturns are popular and their valuations are relatively stretched as a result. We are positive for the outlook of markets, though we foresee the need for caution in stock selection. When markets are uncertain it is best to focus on 88 | Motor Trader April 2019
THE AVERAGE AUSTRALIAN STILL FACES LOWER CONSUMPTION GROWTH, STAGNANT WAGES AND FALLING PROPERTY PRICES. finding quality businesses with durable earnings at reasonable prices. Our portfolio reflects this and we remain confident in our convictions. DISCLAIMER This document has been prepared by DNR Capital Pty Ltd, AFS Representative - 294844 of DNR AFSL Pty Ltd ABN 39 118 946 400, AFSL 301658. It is general information only and is not intended to be a recommendation to invest in any product or financial service mentioned above. Whilst DNR Capital has used its best endeavours to ensure the information within this document is accurate it cannot be relied upon in any way and recipients must make their own enquiries concerning the accuracy of the information within. The general information in this document has been prepared without reference to any recipient’s objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making any financial investment decisions we recommend recipients obtain legal and taxation advice appropriate to their particular needs. Investment in a DNR Capital managed account can only be made on completion of all the required documentation.
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