DEC 2017 JAN 2018
INTERESTED IN BECOMING A MEMBER OF MTA QUEENSLAND? CLICK HERE.
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE MOTOR TRADES ASSOCIATION OF QUEENSLAND
MEMBER'S CLASSIC: 1969 DATSUN 240Z
The benchmark of industry standards.
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
Contents Official Publication of the Motor Trades Association of Queensland
Search for MTA 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
MTA Queensland and MTA Institute actively promotes our four social media platforms and encourages all our members and MTA Institute clients to connect with us via these channels. Simply search “MTA Queensland.”
EDITOR Jonathan Nash
Each social media platform contains different information and this is a terrific way to stay on top of industry news, upcoming events, MTA Institute courses and the latest benefits for Association members. We see our social media platforms as an additional important communication method, alongside Motor Trader and Member Bulletin emails.
ART DIRECTOR Marco Ilinic INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS Ted Kowalski Paul Murray POLICY Kellie Dewar, General Manager MTA Queensland ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES Email: publications@mtaq.com.au EDITORIAL Editorial submissions are welcomed but cannot be guaranteed placement. For more information email the Editor at publications@mtaq.com.au
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SUBSCRIPTION RATES (including GST) Subscribing to the Motor Trader e-magazine is free. Click here to subscribe
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MOTOR TRADER PUBLISHING POLICY Motor Trader is the official publication of the Motor Trades Association of Queensland. The role of Motor Trader is to inform members of current issues and legislation affecting the industry. As such it can be regarded as the business magazine for the Queensland motor industry. The role of Motor Trader is not to be in competition with the technical magazines already on the market. It will advise of new vehicles being released and of the latest technology incorporated into them; it will advise of latest technology affecting members in each of the MTA Queensland Divisions; it will keep members abreast of the latest in motor industry training and industrial affairs; and it will keep members informed of the latest technical aids available through MTA Queensland Member Services, which will assist members in staying ahead of the technological revolution presently being encountered within the motor industry. The publisher reserves the right to omit or alter any advertisement and the advertiser agrees to indemnify the publisher for all damages or liabilities arising from the published material.
66 10 16
MTA QUEENSLAND ABN: 74 028 933 848
20170612
CORPORATE PARTNERS
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02 From the editor 04 From the desk of the CEO 08 Policy/Viewpoint 12 MTA Q&A JASON GRIMMOND FROM GRIMMO'S GARAGE Feature 16 MTAiQ: LEADING AUTOMOTIVE INNOVATION 20 MTAiQ: Innovation Hub 32 MTAQ Racing Team 38 Members Classic DATSUN'S GAME-CHANGING 240Z
MEMBERS ESSENTIALS 55 Training GM's Professional Circle perspective 56 Professional Circle training 61 Apprentice of the Month 65 Member profiles 66 Concept Corner LAMBORGHINI TERZO MILLENNIO 70 Industrial relations 72 Investment matters MARKET WRAP
December 2017/January 2018 Motor Trader | 1
From the editor
JONATHAN NASH EDITOR
H
ELLO AND WELCOME to the final edition of Motor Trader for 2017. This year has absolutely flown by and it has been a year of much change at MTA Queensland. The automotive industry, as we have often talked about in the pages of Motor Trader, is evolving quickly as astounding technological leaps begin to be felt. Autonomous technology, self-driving cars, all-electric vehicles, vehicles that can talk to each other and infrastructure . . . the list of tech advances is getting pretty extensive. Although such change will be a great challenge, great opportunity lies within and MTA Queensland is committed to driving opportunities for the industry. That commitment has been made clear in 2017 with the Association launching the Carmageddon symposiums that brought together experts to discuss and share their
findings, their research and their thoughts on the automotive industry's direction. But perhaps the biggest step taken in the past 12 months has been the establishment of MTAiQ, Australia's first innovation hub with a focus on automotive. Officially launched in November, MTAiQ brings together mentors, investors, coaches, commercial partners and industry experts to collaborate with both start-up businesses and established businesses looking to adapt to the changing industry landscape. MTAiQ already has a number of businesses working with it and in this edition of Motor Trader we take a look at the Hub and two of its start-up clients, Carisma and Tyrestock. Take a look from page 16. Although we are focusing a little on MTAiQ in this edition we do still have all our regular features, including Member's Classic, Q&A, and Concept Corner, as well as news from MTA Institute and more. I hope you enjoy this edition of Motor Trader. If you want to get in touch to let me know of any news you'd like to share; or have a classic bike, car or truck that we could feature, then please email me. Motor Trader will return in February. Until then, have a merry Christmas!. Cheers! Jonathan Nash, Editor jonathann@mtaq.com.au
MTA QUEENSLAND WELCOMES THE FOLLOWING NEW MEMBERS Business Name
Principal/s
Address
Division
Bridgestone Select Kunda Park
Karen Scheiwe
12 Robert Street, KUNDA PARK Q 4556
admin@bselectkundapark.com.au
TUDQ
Bridgestone Select Woody Point
Glynn Cadman
236 Hornibrook Esplanade, WOODY POINT Q 4019
gwcadman@yahoo.com.au
TUDQ
Excellence in Automotive
Sean Acton
31 Gregory Street, BOWEN Q 4805
service@eiauto.com.au
AED
Gold Coast Service Centre
Trent Godfrey
6/3 Nesbit Street, SOUTHPORT QLD 4215
info@goldcoastservicecentre.com.au
AED
Grimmo's Garage
Jason Grimmond
15/225 Brisbane Road, BIGGERA WATERS QLD 4216
grimmosgarage@hotmail.com
AED
Tune Tech Automotive
Glen Hogan
45 Shore Street CLEVELAND QLD 4163
tunetech@internode.on.net
AED
Ultra Tune Capalaba
Chris Young
8/42 Smith Street, CAPALABA Q 4157
capalaba@ultratune.com.au
AED
Wil-Tow
Stephen Wilson
7 Gladys Street, Greenslopes QLD 4120
steve@wil-tow.com.au
NACA
2 | Motor Trader December 2017/January 2018
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From the desk of the CEO MTAiQ OPENING
BRETT DALE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER MTA QUEENSLAND
I
Coinciding with the AGM was the opening of the MTAiQ innovation hub by Chairman David Fraser. MTAiQ, combined with the two Carmageddon symposiums, delivers a prime objective of the MTA Queensland Strategic Plan 2016-18 - to ‘promote and lead creativity and innovation’. It was one of the key performance indicators for my employment as the Association’s group chief executive. MTAiQ is in specially designed space in the lower level of the Sir Jack Brabham Automotive Centre of Excellence facility. Its purpose is to cultivate a community of entrepreneurial minds that can come together, collaborate and develop ideas into commercial outcomes. It will bring together mentors, investors, coaches, commercial partners, and industry experts to collaborate on digital disruption and emerging technologies. It will assist existing and start-up automotive businesses to develop business models to capitalise on opportunities linked to new technology.
N PREPARING THIS column, I’ve had to stop my mind racing forward and instead try to quietly reflect on the last month or so. There has been much to consider, including the many activities undertaken by the corporate office in preparing the Golf Day, the President’s Annual Ball, the Annual General Meeting and the opening of the MTAiQ innovation hub. The activities attached to each to ensure success are in addition to the regular corporate office duties and responsibilities. For this, a special thank you is to each of the MTA Queensland team. I refer members to the sentiments expressed in my Board report: “All of the MTA Queensland team are dedicated to delivering an outstanding service and experience to members and students - and they do it brilliantly.” The Annual General Meeting (AGM) is a core responsibility under the Association’s constitution. The 2017 Annual Report MTA Queensland Chairman David Fraser details the activities of the past year including the statements from Chairman David Fraser, Secretary Paul Petersen, the COINCIDING WITH THE AGM Executive staff, the Divisional Chairs, the MTA Institute General Manager Paul Kulpa WAS THE OPENING OF THE and the financial report. It is on the website MTAiQ INNOVATION HUB BY and I encourage members to peruse it as it CHAIRMAN DAVID FRASER. a record of a year of achievement.
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4 | Motor Trader December 2017/January 2018
It is the first in the state and the nation geared solely at the automotive industry. I invite members to visit MTAiQ and see its activity. It is envisaged the hub will include start-ups and entrepreneurs producing and implementing ideas that will shape and change the future of the automotive value Mark and Sharon Dodge from Mark Dodge Motoring chain. Some of the business and ideas have accepting the 2017 Community Award the potential to provide opportunities for members and clients.
INNOVATION AWARD To promote innovation within the Association, at each President’s Annual Ball an award is presented to a member who endorses and leads creativity, whether this is customer service programs unique building, planning and environmental projects or another form of advancement. From several competitive applications, Townsvillebased EVNorth, owned by Michael Lunn, was selected as the 2017 Innovation Award winner. The core of the business is rebuilding internal combustion engine vehicles to run as plug-in electric vehicles. There are several facets to the business, one of which is that the workshop, including processes such as welding and machining, runs on off-grid solar power and power is stored internally in 20KW battery banks. Custom vehicles, including retro vehicles, are catered for at EVNorth. In 2001, the business converted a Chrysler PT Cruiser to run as an electric vehicle. Other conversions include a soft-top Mira for Magnetic Island Soft Top Vehicle Hire and a Hyundai Getz. An extension pack for Toyota Prius is being developed.
COMMUNITY AWARD As is the practice at the President’s Ball, the Community Award is presented to a member business that has a strong focus on working with the community it serves.
“FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS,
CO-OWNERS MARK AND SUE DODGE HAVE BEEN CONNECTING THEIR BUSINESS TO THEIR COMMUNITY.” This year’s award was presented to the Cairns enterprise, Mark Dodge Motoring. For more than 30 years, co-owners Mark and Sue Dodge have been connecting their business to their community. Amongst the support for the many charitable events has been 15 years of financial contribution to research Muscular Dystrophy and 20 years as part of the Cairns Rotary Club. MTA Queensland has a strong charitable focus and we are currently a charity partner of Youngcare, the charity for young people with high care needs. Across the years, since the inception of Youngcare in 2005, we have made contributions in one form or another and on Melbourne Cup Day this year, we hosted a fundraising function. The funds raised will enable the purchase of three mobility bed rails or nine bathroom grab rails which help young people with high care needs to gain more independence.
PRESIDENT’S BALL The President’s Ball is a unique event on the MTA Queensland calendar. Under the theme ‘Advancing Industry’, Board December 2017/January 2018 Motor Trader | 5
From the desk of the CEO members, corporate partners, automotive business owners and staff, apprentices and trainees, corporate staff, interstate and invited guests come together to celebrate a year of achievement in the industry. Master of Ceremonies Shane Jacobson performed entertained with aplomb and guest speaker Craig Lowndes OAM of Supercar outfit Team Vortex enthralled with motorsports insights. The highlight of the evening was the announcement of the MTA Institute Apprentice of the Year and presentation of the $2,000 cheque to Elliott Lemmon from Greg Tunstall Automotive in Ormiston.
MEETINGS I continue to engage with academics from the university sector to consider research collaboration on Business Process Analysis. I also progressed our support for the Australian Research Council Industrial Transformation Training Centre application. The intention is to collaborate with the Queensland University of Technology on this research proposal that includes the identification of the full potential of 3D metal printing. For the Association and the automotive industry, 3D Print manufacturing and the associated skills required are high priorities to foster new businesses and develop a sustainable workforce. Underway is an Automation Skills crosssector project, led by a Project Reference Group in which I’m an active participant. The purpose is to identify skills that are shared by multiple industry sectors in relation to automation, and to develop a Case for Change. It will be recommending training package developments and modifications to address the identified cross-industry skill requirements. This will aid in the preparation of training products that can support automation, ensuring a skilled workforce for the automotive and related industries. 6 | Motor Trader December 2017/January 2018
As part of our innovation focus, we invited Department of Science, Information, Technology and Innovation officers to visit the MTAiQ which enabled discussion on matters relating to assistance and information programs and grants and introductions to incubators and start-ups. A comment made during the visit was that the hub space was ‘great’. More important however, was the conversation that the Association had commenced within the automotive industry and the collaborations generated with stakeholders. In 2018, there will be a continuing conversation and focus on innovation with a third Carmageddon symposium planned for March.
AND THE LAST THING As a student, one of the poems I studied - and didn’t appreciate at the time - was Leisure by W H Davies. Now, at the end of a proactive and productive year, I recall fondly and with understanding the lines: ‘What is this life if, full of care, We have no time to stand and stare …’ With Christmas comes some precious leisure time with family and friends. For me, Christmas will be with family and relishing my first year as Eli Brett’s grandfather. So good! After Christmas, leisure will step up a gear with time out for diving, snorkelling and holidaying. Best wishes to each of you for a merry Christmas and happy New Year. I hope your plans and activities enable you to refresh for a 2018 that is productive and prosperous. The corporate office staff join with me in wishing members every good wish for Christmas and the New Year. Until February, 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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Established in 1954, CBC Australia is committed to providing customers with the highest quality product and services, and supports this with the largest amount of inventory in the country across its network. CBC offers specialist technical advice, delivery and a 24/7 after hour service.
Our partnerships with major global OEM manufacturers, ensures our automotive data is constantly being updated and our electronic in-house catalogue and parts identification system has no rivals in the industry. Our Automotive offering ranges from all types of ball and roller bearings, needle bearings, all types of seals and materials, automotive drive belts and hoses, idlers, hydraulic tensioners, constant velocity joints as well as bearings to suit high performance applications such as turbo and superchargers. Coupled with this are CBC’s
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Policy/Viewpoint
KELLIE DEWAR DEPUTY GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE GENERAL MANAGER MEMBER SERVICES
A
T ONE TIME or another, we’ve all read or studied a William Shakespeare play. In Romeo and Juliet there are the lines: “What's in a name? that which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet”. Now, I profess that Member Services and Support is not in the rose category and it would be a very long bow to claim that my role as General Manager of the Division has similarities to Juliet. However, the name ‘Member Services and Support’, and my role, are germane to the woven fabric that forms MTA Queensland. The name ‘Member Services and Support’ says what the division does and specifies my duties. It is the members of the 11 industry divisions that form MTA Queensland. Your needs, support and advocacy are our foremost responsibility. My duty is to ensure that these are delivered. Central to our responses is knowledge - knowledge which comes from knowing your views and requirements. Now, in the second decade of the 21st century, computer communication and cell phone use for email and text messaging provide information and advice immediacy between members and the corporate office. Members can access information or 8 | Motor Trader December 2017/January 2018
make comment via the MTA Queensland and the MTA Institute websites and the social media platforms Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. Incidentally, the websites have received more than 100,000 views and the social media pages have reached tens of thousands of users. Through the electronic communication medium, members receive the weekly industry bulletin timed for 11am each Thursday (excepting public holidays) and a website which is updated with the recent media statements, submissions, courses, events and activities. Undoubtedly, computer communication is vital for the flow of information between Members Services and Support and members. For me, the best form of communication comes from attending divisional meetings and listening to the views expressed. It is here that the issues emerge: some general in nature; others of industry requiring advocacy and some occasionally controversial. For the 14 years I’ve worked with members attending divisional meetings, I’ve listened and learnt. Over that time, my corporate knowledge of each of the division’s views and policies has increased and evolved with the technological communication changes. Having this corporate and current knowledge is vital for advocacy on the divisions’ or members’
“MEMBERS CAN ACCESS
INFORMATION OR MAKE COMMENT VIA THE MTA QUEENSLAND AND THE MTA INSTITUTE WEBSITES, AND THE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM AND YOUTUBE.”
views to all levels of government. By way of example only, knowing the policy and contemporary views of the Australian Automotive Dealer Association (Qld) policy on trading hours enabled the Corporate Office, with the Retail Motor Vehicle Sales members, to successfully advocate in several fora and in submissions for the existing regime to remain. This is only one of many policy issues where we have achieved outcomes that have been to the advantage of members and the wider automotive value chain. There has been one policy area (and only one) when the corporate office erred in its advocacy on behalf of a division. This was in relation to the New Car Retailing Industry - a market study by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). The Automotive Engineers Division (AED), in discussing the finished submission, pointed to a policy point seeking clarification or amendment. I was of the belief that the details in the submission accurately reflected the members’ views on the matter, but they required clarification to make the point unreservedly and without interpretation. A supplementary submission was forwarded to the ACCC to reflect accurately the AED position. The significance of these examples is to emphasise the importance of divisional
meetings for members to express views and discuss issues either general or industry specific for immediate advocacy or action. I encourage our regionally diverse members to participate in divisional meetings and have input. Distance is not a barrier. - the Corporate Office provides online communication through Skype or by telephone hook-up. For me, it is hearing your views expressed at divisional meetings that provides the practical understanding of the issues from the perspective of the member/s. And that is what advocacy is about - expressing your views and your policies to all levels of government. This brings me back to the name ‘Members Services and Support’. We are here for you, your needs and your services. It is my duty to deliver for you.
AUTOMATED VEHICLES ADVICE FROM THE NATIONAL TRANSPORT COMMISSION Over the past 18 months or so, we’ve participated in policy consultations pertaining to the operation of partial to fully automated vehicles on the nation’s road network. The National Transport Commission (NTC) has released three policy papers which I urge members to consider. These are • Assuring the safety of automated vehicles policy paper • Clarifying control for automated vehicles policy paper • National enforcement guidelines for automated vehicles Although each is important, I draw your attention to the latter policy document outlining the national enforcement guidelines which are to provide guidance about how the requirement of proper control in Australian Road Rule 297 - that is “a driver must not drive a vehicle unless December 2017/January 2018 Motor Trader | 9
Policy/Viewpoint the driver has proper control” - should apply to vehicles with automated functions. It confirms that the human driver is responsible for complying with road traffic laws when a vehicle has conditional automation engaged at a point in time. These are on our website and were included in a recent weekly bulletin. Alternatively, they may be viewed by clicking here.
volunteering and charitable activities to be selected for the community award; and to EV North (owner Michael Lunn) for the innovation award derived from work in rebuilding internal combustion engine vehicles to run as plug in Electric Vehicles (EVs). Highlights of the evening and the details of the award winners are on the website.
PRESIDENT’S ANNUAL BALL
The window of opportunity for our visit to Central Queensland on 5 December closed. There were too many conflicting activities at both ends preventing the finalisation of the schedule. Divisional Executive Andy O’Hearn, in the lead up to Christmas, will visit members at their businesses to discuss their issues and provide feedback to me. Additionally, he will canvass future dates for a visit and meeting with the membership.
The President’s Annual Ball is the signature social event on MTA Queensland’s calendar. It was an evening of celebration and bonhomie. The highlight was the announcement of the winners of the MTA Institute Apprentice of Year, and the Community and Innovation Awards. Congratulations to apprentice of the year Elliott Lemmon from Greg Tunstall Automotive in Ormiston; Mark Dodge Motoring Cairns on their outstanding
“THE PRESIDENT’S ANNUAL
BALL IS THE SIGNATURE SOCIAL EVENT ON MTA QUEENSLAND’S CALENDAR. IT WAS AN EVENING OF CELEBRATION AND BONHOMIE.”
10 | Motor Trader December 2017/January 2018
VISIT
FINALLY As I prepare this column, to use the words of Meredith Wilson’s Christmas carol: It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, Toys in ev'ry store, But the prettiest sight to see is the holly that will be On your own front door. I’m looking forward to the Christmas break. For me, Christmas is about family and friends assembling to enjoy each other’s company and the festivities. After this, Sean, Jackson and I will decamp to the Sunshine Coast to holiday, recoup and prepare ourselves for the coming year. The Member Services and Support staff joins with me in wishing you a happy Christmas and prosperous New Year. Until 2018, wherever you are and whatever you do over the Christmas and New Year season, take care and stay safe.
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CLICK TO VISIT THE GRIMMO'S GARAGE WEBSITE
Pam and Jason Grimmond with son Jake
MTA|Q&A JASON GRIMMOND IS A CHAMPION RACING DRIVER, WINNING THE 2016 QUEENSLAND IMPROVED PRODUCTION CHAMPIONSHIP. HE IS ALSO, WITH WIFE PAM, THE OWNER OF GRIMMO'S GARAGE ON THE GOLD COAST. THE SMALL MECHANICAL WORKSHOP HAS ESTABLISHED A PHENOMENAL REPUTATION, AND CUSTOMERS COME FROM ACROSS THE REGION TO TAP INTO JASON'S KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE.
12 | Motor Trader December 2017/January 2018
What products and services does Grimmo's Garage provide? JG: We provide all log book servicing and also do air conditioning, tyres, road worthy inspections, modifications - anything that is mechanical. We are a 'one-stop shop'. Some of those services we have come to offer over time. For instance, we had good customers coming in and asking if they could get new tyres, so we decided to invest in tyre machines and wheel balancers. Then we began to offer air-conditioning. And those developments have been great. Customers like to have one place to get the work done and when we expanded our services the business really began to grow.
Who are you customers? JG: Our customers run the whole range young to old, male and female - and they
drive every brand of vehicle. What we have discovered is that they trust us because they see we are a family business, we know what we are doing and we do it right. We use only the best products, the best equipment, we do a quality job and look after them with regards to price. For instance, we say to people that the badge on their car doesn’t effect the price of the service. If you own a BMW, we will use BMW parts and the price for the work is the cost of that part and the hourly labor rate, that's it. We don't tag another $400 on to the job just because it's a BMW! Communication and trust is a big thing, and I use photos when I can to explain to customers the work being done or the reasons why, at their next service, other work will need to be completed. I don’t mind if they don’t want me to do it, but my job is to tell them if their car is in good shape or not and when it requires work. So, we have customers come from the far north side of the Gold Coast, from Tweed Heads in the south and out at Jimboomba in the west – it’s amazing the distances people will travel to come to us. They say they won’t go anywhere else, so we must be doing something right!
When did you establish the business and what is your background in the industry? JG: I became a mechanic when I was in the army, which I joined in 1995. In the military we had to do a bit of everything – light and heavy vehicles, petrol and diesel, advanced hydraulics, air conditioning. In the field they needed people who could do all that. So, I was in the corps of RAEME – the Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers - and my job, while a soldier first, was a mechanic. A few years prior, the military had their own training process but then RMIT university got involved because the government wanted us to be qualified to work outside the military when we left. So, they would send us to work with December 2017/January 2017/January 2018 2018 Motor Motor Trader Trader || 13 13 December
Though a small, one-hoist shop, Grimmo's Garage enjoys a fantastic reputation
businesses - for example, I spent a month at MACK Australia - and we got some really good on-job training. In 2001, I received a medical discharge and worked at Queensland Transport as a vehicle inspector, then at Chubb Security for a while. Eight years ago I decided to take everything I had and open up here.
What are your thoughts on how the industry is changing and the technology, such as all-electric vehicles, being part of the industry's future? JG: I don’t know that I necessarily like the idea of it - I compete in motor racing and I like that my car has a factory engine that I can modify to make more power. But the industry changes are going to happen and I am prepared to learn new technology. It is something we have to do. If you want to be successful you have to move with the times, update equipment and keep moving forward. If you don’t keep moving forward, you get left behind. VIDEO: JASON GETS BUMPED AT QLD RACEWAY IN 2015
You were Qld's Improved Production Car Champion in 2016. How did you become involved in motorsport? JG: My dad used to compete in dirt track racing and in the late '70s we actually lived at a racetrack in NSW. Because of that I learned to drive cars on the speedway property when I was young, at about the age of 8. However, I never raced them. In 2012, I watched a friend race at Morgan Park. I knew I wanted to take part and I had my car built within six months ready for the first round of 2013! That car was a repairable write-off - a white, V6 VY Commodore with 260,000kms on it, and it cost me $900. Initially, after I first built it, I thought I’d just go out and have a bit of fun, but that lasted for about one round! I had to go faster! Now, that car has an LS2 6-litre motor with Holinger HS6 gearbox, MCA coilover suspension, Motech ECU, and it makes about 510hp. When I first raced it at Morgan Park I was doing 1:31 laps. Now that time is down to 1:23.5. Since I started racing in 2013, I've have been Club Champion, Queensland Champion and this year, even though I had a few DNFs, I finished third in the Queensland titles.
Do you do all the work on the car yourself? JG: I’m lucky that I can do most of the work myself. However, Hi-Torque Performance help out with information and the use of 14 | Motor Trader December 2017/January 2018
their dyno, and body repairs are done by Pristine Smash. Without those guys it would make it a bit hard. Next year, I am looking at refining the car some more and won’t be running much of the season apart from Jason won Qld's Improved Production Car title in 2016 the Australian titles. The engine is going to come out, Any of your children interested in following in I’ve got individual throttle bodies going on dad's footsteps into the industry? and I am going to do a fair bit of bottomJG: I have five children but only my end work to lighten it up a bit more. youngest, Jake, is interested. He’s just four You’ve got to keep improving. Everyone, and is already a car nut! I think he was 8 every year, is moving forward. It’s a bit like the mechanical industry - if you don’t keep weeks old when he came to his first race meeting and he freaks out when we have to moving forward, you fall behind. leave the track! When we get home he gets all his model cars and starts racing them! You're winning championships in a car you built
yourself. Do other competitors come to you for advice or ask you to build a car for them?
JG: I get asked a lot of questions, especially about the LS engine, which is used alot. There are some things I am happy to share but for other things I say 'You're going to have to work that out yourself'. After all, you don’t see Red Bull running up the track saying ‘Look! This works!’. As for building cars, I have helped friends to build theirs, but it takes up a lot of time, and I have to run a business and have my own car to prepare too.
How many staff do you have at Grimmo's Garage? JG:There’s just me and Pam. With just the two of us, and because we have only one hoist, we have to be really precise with our work, but we get through it. People are surprised that there is just the two of us, especially with the amount of work we get through, but we are good at what we do.
To what do you attribute the success of Grimmo's Garage? JG: There’s a few key factors. Obviously there's the trust factor - the fact that we are going to do what we say we are going to do. The communication with customers is vital too. They need understand what is being done. And then there is pricing - it’s a whole combination of factors.
What does the future hold for the business? JG: We currently lease this shop, so we do plan to buy a similar unit within this area, expand a bit and have a couple more hoists. That would make my life easier! We have also discussed the possiblility of taking on an apprentice.
What does the future hold for the business? JG: Well, we do a bit of motorsport as you know! But I do spend as much time with my family as I can. A bit of family time is the best. December 2017/January 2018 Motor Trader | 15
M
TA QUEENSLAND HAS officially launched the MTAiQ innovation hub. The first such facility in Australia to be focused on the automotive market, the hub has been established with an eye on the massive technological change sweeping through the industry and will bring together mentors, investors, coaches, commercial partners and industry experts to collaborate with both start-up businesses and entrepreneurs, as well as established businesses looking to adapt to the changing industry landscape. The hub, located at MTA Queensland’s HQ in Brisbane, offers a hi-tech home for fledgling businesses. High-speed internet access, first-class presentation and office facilities, as well as a state-of-the-art training workshop are all available to hub clients, as is the expertise of MTA Queensland personnel, meaning those clients will have access to experts in the fields of IT, business development, finances, marketing, and law.
16 | Motor Trader December 2017/January 2018
According to Dr Brett Dale, CEO of MTA Queensland Group, the MTAiQ innovation hub will help establish Queensland as a centre of automotive innovation and create opportunities and growth that will have a positive effect on the industry and the wider community. “The technology coming to our industry – such as driverless vehicles, new electric vehicles and the way those vehicles are charged – means that in a few years’ time, not too many businesses will look the same as they do today,” he said during the MTAiQ launch presentation. “By 2020 we will see significant changes to our industry and by 2022 the major impact to business will be here. And that is no time at all. More than ever, we need to collaborate to innovate and I believe this facility is totally relevant to where we need to be in the 21st century. “As a Group, MTA Queensland is committed to leading in the innovation space. We are committed to driving opportunities for industry, to supporting
MTA Queensland CEO Dr Brett Dale and Chairman David Fraser
VIDEO: MTAiQ - AUSTRALIA'S FIRST AUTOMOTIVE INNOVATION HUB
existing business to transform their business model to ensure they are postured for maximum opportunity, and to bringing in new start-ups that are relevant to our industry and that will service and add value not only to that industry but to our community in general.” The creation of MTAiQ comes as a direct result of MTA Queensland’s continuing drive to offer direction, leadership and support to an industry facing such intense disruption, and it was conceived by Dr Brett Dale, MTA Queensland Group CEO, who saw the need for a different tack to be
taken in support of the industry. “When I was contemplating the future of industry and how we could continue to offer a value proposition, it seemed clear that we had to be thinking about opportunity and the future,” he said. “When we consider the traditional approach taken by many industry peak bodies, there remains a question of relevance and value for money.” MTAiQ would, he said, offer clients an ‘ecosystem of entrepreneurship’ and be designed to support not only budding entrepreneurs with a grand idea but also MTA Queensland members – established businesses who lacked the resources to carry their plans forward. “The innovation hub will be available to support existing members who are forward thinking and working to posture their business for opportunity, but may not be fully resourced to do it by themselves,” he said. “The other type of business we are geared to support are those individuals with creative minds who have conceived December 2017/January 2018 Motor Trader | 17
.
The MATiQ Innovation Hub offers an inviting and collaborative atmosphere for start-ups as well as access to high speed internet, first-class presentation and office facilities and a state-of-the-art training workshop
an idea that is aligned with the future of industry. They are likely to be small startups with great insight and potential but may lack the capacity to convert their idea into a reality. So, we would support them through the technical, innovative and business establishment processes.” MTAiQ has been many months in the planning and as well as the infrastructure and resources, both practical and human, available to clients, a third element it offers is the connection to business, investors, government and academia. These relationships are essential for start-ups to build a presence, a brand, credibility and to be able to move to successful commercialisation of their concepts. “The creation of both the MTAiQ Innovation hub and the establishment of the Innovation team within MTAQ has created a great framework from which we will build out our network of innovation collaborators and partners,” said James Orr, MTA Queensland’s Chief Technology Innovation Officer. “Though our ongoing works to establish the hub we have sponsored events, supported government programs and engaged with a mix of industry-leading organisations focused on innovation initiatives. “The hub acts as a platform from which 18 | Motor Trader December 2017/January 2018
we are able to engage government and academia and we have been fortunate to have created strong ties to the Office of the Chief Entrepreneur, and the Department of Science, Information Technology and Innovation, as well as creating strong networks with other innovation hubs throughout Queensland in both regional and metropolitan areas. “We have rapidly established a reputation of involvement, support and drive to create opportunities for business. Currently, we are engaged with several organisations and universities in foundation and exploratory arrangements to create new products, services, skills development projects and research grants in addition to developing commercial benefits for our members and industry at large.” These pillars – facility, expertise and networks - upon which MTAiQ has been built offer great opportunities to both startup businesses and established businesses
“BY 2020 WE WILL SEE
SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO OUR INDUSTRY AND BY 2022 THE MAJOR IMPACT TO BUSINESS WILL BE HERE.”
looking to adapt to industry disruption. management, and digital technology for “As we have developed our innovation use in mechanical repair. Each of them hub, the facility and the support network, reflect the aim of the innovation hub and we are positioned strongly to provide hub of MTA Queensland, which is to offer members with many advantages,” said new ideas and solutions to industry by Mr Orr. “In addition to receiving 24/7 taking advantage of the opportunities access to our dedicated facility which offered by the technological advances and features premium fibre internet, A/V and disruption. presentation systems, meeting rooms and “MTAiQ has been created to address a collaborative spaces, we have a resident flood of changes that will impact industry,” 3D printing capability delivered through said Mr Orr. “The automotive industry is our ongoing arrangements with 3DSL, facing an extremely rapid rate of change and through access to our workshop and over the coming three to four years to areas dedicated to the development of and traditional business models will be prototype equipment, clients can test and impacted heavily by new transformative trial hardware solutions. technologies, new competitors and drastic “We can assist a start-up at any stage changes to consumer attitudes. of its journey. We are able to equip them “We are at a watershed moment, one with the tools to establish themselves in that will forever alter the trajectory of our the market, provide the legal and business industry and we have a very small window structure advice and, with the breadth of of opportunity to engage our industry and expertise that includes entrepreneurship, challenge them to change. finance, ICT, legal and marketing, we have “MTAiQ is designed to meet this the ability to rapidly accelerate a start-up’s challenge and equip industry with the establishment and connect them to the information, resources, support right people and target market.” and leadership needed to adapt CLICK TO Several businesses have already VISIT THE and succeed.” taken up residence at MTAiQ, MTAIQ For more information, visit including start-ups developing WEBSITE mtaiq.com.au concepts in tyre sales and distribution, new vehicle sales, lead Download the MTAiQ brochure. December 2017/January 2018 Motor Trader | 19
MTAiQ Innovation Hub
TYRESTOCK INNOVATION OFFERS SIMPLICITY AND SPEED TO BUSINESS AND CONSUMER Tyrestock offers a one-stop shop environment for both tyre fitting businesses and, following a phase two launch in early 2018, consumers
K
EEPING CUSTOMERS HAPPY and keeping them coming back for more is the goal of any business. To do that, in just about any industry you care to mention, means delivering a high quality, swift and reliable service. However, being able to deliver that service can mean relying on a host of others, from different distributors, delivery companies, parts suppliers, stockists . . . you get the idea. There are plenty of potential hazards to navigate in the quest to keep that customer happy. And so it is for the tyre industry’s independent retailers and fitters. With dozens of tyre sizes across hundreds of brands now available, unless a tyre shop has
20 | Motor Trader December 2017/January 2018
a warehouse the size of the Gabba tucked behind the store, it is impossible for them to be able to cater for every purchasing eventuality. Relying on others to supply what they need, when they need it, is crucial. Making that process simple, lightning quick, and reliable for both the tyre fitter and the consumer is the sole aim of Tyrestock, a start-up company founded by the husband and wife team of William Amiot and Elodie Desporte-Duperry. An online ‘one-stop shop’ for tyre fitters and consumers, Tyrestock harnesses some rather ingenious and practical ideas, including visual recognition, that could make it an industry game changer. “For tyre fitters, Tyrestock is the only tool
they will need,” said William. “It enables them to buy tyres from different suppliers and get their orders delivered in under two hours. “And it is the same for the consumer, meaning that through Tyrestock they can select and order tyres, have that order delivered to their closest tyre fitter within two hours, and even book an appointment to have them fitted.” ‘Game changer’ seems about right. Already involved in the tyre industry through their international importing and exporting business, Axxess Tyres, William and Elodie conceived the Tyrestock concept after suffering a truly frustrating tyre-buying experience. “About three years ago, while William was abroad on business, I needed to change the tyres on my car,” explained Elodie. “The tyre fitter ended up keeping my car for a couple of days because he did not have the tyres in stock and had to order them from interstate. I was on my own, with two young children and no car. It was a terrible experience.” “The fitter had looked on his website thinking the tyres were in stock in Brisbane, so had placed the order and booked an appointment with Elodie,” added William. “But he subsequently found they were located
interstate and would not be delivered until the next day. A delay in that delivery meant the process took 48 hours. “Elodie and I talked about this and realised that what she had experienced was something that many people experience every year. So, we had a talk with the tyre fitter and asked him to tell us what went wrong and to explain the whole process.” So began the Tyrestock journey.
HELPING TYRE FITTERS The couple went on to talk to other independent fitters and discovered their biggest issues were time, stock, and the complexity of the current ordering system. “What we found was that they struggled with time – they simply ran out of it,” said William. “Currently, the vast majority of wholesalers offer only two deliveries a day with cut-offs at 9am and 12 noon. That’s a problem for the independent fitter. For example, if a customer comes in at 9:10am and their tyre has to be ordered, they can only be served late that afternoon, after the 12-noon cut off. “With regards to stock, there are more than 300 brands of tyre in Australia, so it is clearly very hard for independent fitters to have all the relevant tyres in-house. And finally, tyre selection is getting more complex. If a tyre fitter wants to get the best deal, they may need to play with four or five different tools offered by four or five different wholesalers and then juggle with four or five different cut-off times.” Tyrestock, said William, is the solution to these problems. “With Tyrestock, no matter what time a customer comes to the fitter, it will take just a few minutes to order the tyres, and those tyres will be delivered in less than two hours. “With regard to stock and ordering, we not only have a partnership with the December 2017/January 2018 Motor Trader | 21
wholesalers that have the stock, but we have an agreement with them that when they receive a purchase order from Tyrestock they have 15 minutes to get the tyres out of the door for our delivery guys to pick them up. And they are happy to do that because then they do not have to worry about delivery, which is a headache for them.” This service to the independent tyre fitting sector is now up and running, having been launched in early December. Though limited for the moment to the Brisbane area, William and Elodie plan to expand soon to other areas. “We launched in Brisbane with some key partners who are using the platform as testers,” said William. “We want to keep it local for the moment, so that we can concentrate on offering a high level of service but also so that everyone can see it works and can see the benefits being achieved. We will then look at expanding.”
THE CONSUMER The second part of the Tyrestock offering, the business-to consumer (B2C) part, is still being refined but will be launched in the first quarter of 2018. Part of the reason for this is the development of a rather splendid bit of technology aimed at helping consumers identify exactly what tyre they already have on their vehicle. It is true, after all, that a great many have no idea what the marks, wording and numbers on the sidewall of a tyre actually mean. To assist the consumer, the Tyrestock team is developing a visual identification tool that will allow the customer to take a photo of their tyre and upload it to Tyrestock. The system will then automatically read the sidewall data and offer the same tyre, and its equivalent in other brands, as purchase options. Keeping it simple is the idea, and with the consumer not only able to use Tyrestock to choose the closest fitter to their location as the delivery point for their purchase, but also book an appointment to 22 | Motor Trader December 2017/January 2018
“WHEN WE MET MTA
QUEENSLAND, IT WAS PERFECT TIMING . . . IT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR US TO BE SUPPORTED BY QUEENSLAND’S PEAK AUTO INDUSTRY BODY.” have the tyres fitted, it couldn’t be easier. “Our aim is to bring a lot of innovation to the system,” said William. “Even if a customer has no knowledge of tyres, the system will scan the uploaded image and give them an option from our exhaustive stock list. They really don’t have to do much - the platform does it all, from tyre choice, to purchase, to delivery, to appointment. “And even if they still have doubts about whether they have purchased the correct tyre, their tyre image will be accessible by their chosen fitter who can then assist them once more through the sale and selection process.”
GETTING STARTED William and Elodie have come a long way in a short time. It was only six
years ago that they moved to Australia from France and in that time they have established three businesses – the aforementioned Axxess Tyres; E&G Consulting, through which they offer advice and guidance to students and small businesses on living a balanced life; and S’il Te Plait, a business through which they import high quality products made in France. Somehow, they’ve also found time to create Tyrestock, have two children, and realise another concept - a communitybased social media network - that is now on the drawing board. Each business has been developed with care and attention, and though things have moved very quickly for Tyrestock in the past couple of months, it too was deliberated over for a long time. “Elodie and I run our businesses together, so a lot of our conversations are about business,” said William. “We talked about Tyrestock for a long time and wanted to make sure the problems we were looking to solve was not ‘nonproblems’. We took our time to be sure.” With the concept decided, it was at the beginning of 2017 that the couple made their move and in July they had formed the
I.T. team to begin developing the Tyrestock system and website. Pondering their next move, they heard through a friend about the River City Labs (RCL) Accelerator program and determined to find out more. It was a decision that would also bring them into contact with MTA Queensland and the MTAiQ Innovation Hub. “Things began to move quickly,” said William. “We were thinking about doing this on our own, but a friend had been through the RCL program and told us that it was fantastic and would quickly help us determine whether we might be successful.” Fortuitously, the very next day, the RCL Accelerator program was being promoted at the Firestation 101 innovation hub in Ipswich, so the couple went along and met several key start-up supporters including Steve Baxter, Managing Director of RCL and a ‘shark’ on television’s Shark Tank, and James Orr, Chief Technology Innovation Officer for MTA Queensland. It was a meeting and event that spurred William and Elodie to apply for the RCL Accelerator program. “The application for RCL closed just two weeks after that event,” said Elodie. “So, for those two weeks we worked on becoming more than just a concept. We made videos and demos, decided on a name and a logo. It was intense. But we made it through the selection process and came on board with RCL.” “Even just applying to RCL is a benefit,” added William. “You go through a lot of introspection in getting the application ready and learn a lot about yourself. And even if you don’t go through, you validate a lot of things during the process. If you do go through, however, things move fast, and since we joined in October we have gained six months in product development through their support.” Meeting James Orr from MTA Queensland would prove to be equally productive. December 2017/January 2018 Motor Trader | 23
“When we met MTA Queensland, it was perfect timing to have the support of the industry,” said Elodie. “It is very important for us to be supported by Queensland’s peak auto industry body and the connection and networking support has been excellent.” “MTA Queensland is very proactive in asking us how they can help us further,” added William. “We hold a common view on how innovation can help the industry and their support, and being able to introduce ourselves as connected with MTA Queensland, is invaluable. We are a start-up and businesses don’t really know us, so having that MTA Queensland validation, while not necessarily opening doors, does keep them open.” For MTA Queensland, Tyrestock’s innovative concept and the obvious opportunities it offers to businesses and the public were evidence enough that the
“TYRESTOCK WANTS TO BE THE TYRE CONCIERGE FOR THE TYRE FITTERS. IF THEY NEED SOMETHING, WE ARE HERE FOR THEM.”
William Amiot and Elodie Desporte-Duperry
has, in just four months, moved from a bright idea to a fully-fledged commercial enterprise. But while there is excitement about the business, and indeed about the international scope of the Tyrestock concept, William and Elodie are clear about the reason for establishing the business. “We identified some key problems for the independent tyre fitters and we want to help those shops,” said William. “They represent 40 per cent of the industry and work hard every day, but are the ones struggling with deliveries and prices. We are not another competitor entering the market but are facilitating the transactions, and we can do something to help them. “Tyrestock wants to be the tyre concierge for the tyre fitters,” added Elodie. “If they need something, we are here for them. If they want something, we are here for them. We can help them select and purchase the tyre, and we can definitely help them with delivery. Everything is about the delivery and service.”
business should have its full support. “William, Elodie and the team at Tyrestock are an energetic and tenacious group,” said Mr Orr. “Their enthusiasm and drive to make meaningful changes to the tyre supply chain and, ultimately, the retail customer experience are key reasons we have engaged with them. “Their business will provide our members with new opportunities to serve • Subscription to Tyrestock is available for customers as well as make better $600 (GST excl) per year. business decisions to increase their • The subscription price will remain at CLICK TO competitive position.” $300 for MTA Queensland members. VISIT THE TYRESTOCK BURNING RUBBER For more on Tyrestock, go to WEBSITE www.tyrestock.com.au With the B2B side of Tyrestock For more on the MTAiQ Innovation Hub, now up and running and the B2C go to www.mtaiq.com.au element soon to launch, Tyrestock 24 | Motor Trader December 2017/January 2018
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MTAiQ Innovation Hub
CARISMA THE KEY TO GAINING CONSUMER TRUST Carisma works on the principle of keeping customers informed through visual reports
T
HE MECHANICAL REPAIR industry, indeed the entire automotive industry, is a pretty remarkable sector to be working in these days. It’s an industry full of talented people working on and repairing vehicles of extraordinary complexity that only get more complicated with every new model generation. It’s incredible to think, for instance, that there is more computing power in a modern car than NASA used to send astronauts to the moon. But while the vehicles, and the job, are evolving and will continue to evolve, one thing that hasn’t changed, and will never change, is the importance of customer service and gaining the trust of the consumer. Without customers, after all, there is no business. And gaining that trust has been something of a challenge for workshops.
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“CARISMA IS A
COMMUNICATION TOOL, NOT WORKSHOP MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE.” It’s not all that long ago that Canstar Blue, the customer satisfaction research and ratings company, carried out a survey that revealed ‘four out of five Australian motorists are wary of being ripped off when they take their vehicle for a service’. That’s a lot of wary people and while it may be unfair, and certainly not true for most hard-working shops, the perception of being less than completely trustworthy is one that has nagged at the industry for years. But a new system has been launched that is designed precisely to redefine and remedy that relationship between
workshop and customer, and build a level of trust not seen before. Called Carisma, the system works by giving the customer a behind-the-scenes view of the work being carried out on their vehicle by using visual reports – reports that use photographs and text to show and explain exactly what work Carisma founders Tyson Young, Lloyd Young and Johan Venter is being done, is going to be done, should be done, and has been done. “When the technician logs into the It is the brainchild of brothers Tyson app they see a list of registration plates and Lloyd Young and their colleague Johan representing the vehicles to be worked on. Venter and, like all the best ideas, Carisma They click one of the rego plates, select their is not only an elegant and simple solution name from the technician’s list and are then to a vexing problem but a solution that prompted to take a photo of the vehicle. also has more than one string to its bow. This first photo becomes the ‘cover’ image It’s easy to learn, simple to use and not of the customer’s visual report. All photos only keeps the customer informed, but can taken are automatically uploaded to the save a workshop time and money, and even dashboard and, from there, the workshop increase business through positive feedback manager can choose which photos become via innovative social media features. part of the visual report. “Carisma is a communication tool, not “A simple URL (website link) is sent to workshop management software,” said the customer in a text message, and that Tyson. “We don’t manage the undertakings link takes them directly to the report. of the workshop but focus instead on There is no downloading required and no the communication between mechanics, requirement for them to have access to the technicians, workshops and car owners.” mobile app either. For the customer, the Carisma consists of two elements – a process is pain free and simple.” website through which a workshop manager It’s a system that not only gives the can login to a dashboard, oversee the work customer real insight into the work being coming through the shop and send visual done on their vehicle but also gives them reports to customers, and an app which is peace of mind. downloaded to technicians’ smartphones, “People love the ‘behind the scenes’ manages the images taken using the phone element,” said Tyson. “Even if they don’t and makes them available to the workshop really know what they are looking at, the manager via the dashboard. fact you are showing them and explaining It’s a simple and quick process. it to them makes a world of difference. It “When a customer brings their car into can be empowering for a customer and the shop, the first thing the workshop help build trust.” manager does is enter some basic The beauty of the Carisma system is that information, such as contact details and it has power beyond that of showing the vehicle registration,” said Tyson. “That job customer the work being done. Carisma is then automatically populated onto the can, thanks to the images being date dashboard and the mobile app. and time-stamped, be used to collect December 2017/January 2018 Motor Trader | 27
information on existing vehicle damage, or to acquire work authorisation. Should, for example, a technician discover a vehicle’s brake pads need changing, images can be taken, a visual report can be sent to the customer, and a reply authorising the repair can be received in just minutes. “The next major feature we’re building is work authorisations. With this a car owner can either reply ‘yes’ to the message or can call the workshop to discuss the problem,” said Tyson. “That work may still take some explaining but with the photo it might reduce a 15-minute conversation into one that takes just three minutes.” Another innovative feature of Carisma is its ability to link with social media. A vital part of any business strategy, platforms such as Facebook give people the power to comment positively or negatively about services they receive from a business. Recognising this, the Carisma team built into the visual report a feature allowing customers to do just that via a series of emojis (those happy or sad faces that are everywhere on social media these days). “One of the ways businesses are growing is through social media,” said Tyson. “Businesses know this, but not that many are doing much about – perhaps because it’s just another thing to think about and The visual report is personalised and easily accessible by the customer
28 | Motor Trader December 2017/January 2018
can be quite overwhelming. “We wanted to automate that process and get the customers to drive it. So, we have emojis across the bottom of the visual report that range from ‘really happy’ to ‘shocked’. If a customer taps the smiling emoji, we know they are likely to have had a great experience, so we send them an email which directs them to the workshop’s Facebook or Google review page, and ask them for a review. Alternatively, if they should tap the ‘shocked’ emoji we immediately send a notification to the workshop manager with a recommendation that they call the customer.” It’s a clever way to have some control on customer commentary and head off any disparaging opinions at the pass.
GETTING STARTED While Carisma is still a young and evolving product and business, its development can be traced directly to industry and Tyson and Lloyd’s father, Chris Young, owner of Ultra Tune Capalaba in south-east Brisbane. Chris has owned and operated the Ultra Tune store with his wife Vicki for 12 years but earlier in Chris’ career he served 20 years with the Australian Navy. "Dad brings that military focus on trust and integrity with him into the business," said Tyson. Keen to be accountable for the work they did and to help educate customers on the work they were doing, Chris implemented a system of taking photos to show his customers what was being done to their vehicles. The results were dramatic
and feedback from customers was tremendous – being able to see exactly where, and on what, their money was being spent was, apparently, exactly what they wanted. Even the technicians, who at the beginning were wary of another layer of administration being required of them, soon embraced it. “When mechanics first start Workshop managers use the doing it, there is a natural Carisma dashboard to create visual reports tendency to think ‘Why do we have to do this?’,” said Tyson. “But after a couple of weeks they see the power SHIFTING GEAR of the photos, of showing their craft, and Things have moved quickly for Carisma for customers it is not always about price and the trio behind its development. It was but about finding someone they can trust.” in March 2017 that they began working Of course, that early system was a little on it in earnest and within a few weeks unwieldy, and working with a collection of they had developed an initial prototype cameras, hard drives and memory cards and been accepted into the QUT Creative was something of a frustration. It was at Enterprise Australia Collider Accelerator this point that Lloyd, Johan and Tyson, program – a program designed to help experienced designers and developers, develop budding start-up businesses. From stepped in. there they secured their current place “We saw the challenges dad was facing in the River City Labs (RCL) Accelerator program in Brisbane and came into and we said, ‘Hey, we’re nerds, we can contact with Dr Brett Dale, CEO of MTA build a solution that makes this a lot more Queensland and the MTAiQ Innovation seamless’,” said Tyson with a laugh. Hub. “So, we brainstormed the idea and carried “Brett is probably one of the most out market research to try and understand responsive industry leaders I have had the challenges for workshops and their the pleasure to work with,” said Tyson. customers. “We went in for an initial meeting at MTA “We spoke to a lot of workshops and Queensland and met some incredible they would say ‘Our customers love us, we people who gave us a real insight into the have great retention’. However, they would size of the Association and the industry, then struggle to bring up the data on how and how diverse and complex it is.” loyal those customers were. As for the “And being accepted into Queensland’s car owners, in our candid conversations peak automotive industry body has been with them, an alarming majority would hugely beneficial, and I genuinely say it has often say, ‘Of course, I don’t really trust been one of the best connections we have mechanics’ or ‘I don’t always know what I had in the short lifespan of our business,” am paying for’. said Tyson. “They care passionately about “And that is why we developed Carisma, helping this industry and they know a lot to improve that communication and level of that will come through innovation and of trust.” start-ups. My recommendation for any December 2017/January 2018 Motor Trader | 29
“THERE ARE NO LIMITS. . .
ONE OF THE MINDSETS THAT IS DRILLED INTO US IS ‘GLOBAL FROM DAY ONE.”
through feedback, but pricing will likely be more preferential for them too,” he said. “We are already in a few workshops, so we are in ‘soft-launch’ phase, and we’d love to be at the point soon where we have a good portfolio of forward-thinking dealers and independents on board. “We are being a bit selective at the moment about who comes on, and are giving preference to MTA Queensland members because they have shown active interest in improving industry standards. Similarly, we are also looking at RACQ authorised repairers, the Auto Clubs, and indeed any business that is forward thinking and can demonstrate they really care about their customers. “As for pricing, subscription to Carisma is as little as $60 per month. If you are an MTA Queensland member it’s less than $40 per month. Pricing for dealerships will be a little bit different and we are in conversation with a few now to find the right strategy that works best.”
automotive start-up is to get in contact with MTAiQ!” For MTA Queensland, inviting Carisma to be a part of the ‘family’ was a no-brainer. “Carisma’s innovative concept aligns strongly with our own Professional Circle ideals,” said Dr Dale. “The team are driven by their passion for the industry and a commitment to transparency and THE SKY’S THE LIMIT consumer trust. They have a brilliant It’s difficult to know how far a start-up concept and for those of our members who business might go – there are always wish to compete through consumer trust plenty of challenges and hurdles to and business integrity, then the Carisma overcome. However, it is clear the platform is for them. We are thrilled to Carisma team has something pretty see such enthusiasm and professionalism special on th hands and there is much to entering our industry.” Like many systems, Carisma is still being be confident about. “There are no limits,” said Tyson. “One developed and tweaked but is, said Tyson, of the mindsets that is drilled into us working in its current form and in use by is ‘Global from day one’. However, we early supporters. And right now, he added, are Aussies and we can’t wait to help workshops that come on board will have Australian businesses. It is a super the opportunity to help the team exciting industry to be in.” refine the system even more. CLICK TO “Obviously, we are at For more on Carisma, go to VISIT THE www.carisma.io a very early stage, and customers CARISMA WEBSITE who join us now will not only be For more on the MTAiQ Innovation Hub, able to help us shape the product go to www.mtaiq.com.au 30 | Motor Trader December 2017/January 2018
CAPRICORN LAUNCHES CAPTV MEMBER COMMUNICATIONS
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USTRALASIA’S LARGEST AUTOMOTIVE parts cooperative, Capricorn, has launched a new and highly informative communications channel to its 17,000 plus Australian and New Zealand based Members. It’s called CapTV and it enables Capricorn to connect with its Members via the engaging medium of video. Designed to engage, inspire and educate, CapTV showcases the many advantages that Capricorn Members are entitled to, profiling business services that can provide significant benefits to them. Freely available online, CapTV combines a professionally presented “Welcome to Capricorn” video with a “Take 2” series of informational videos that have been presented by actual Capricorn Members in a natural and unscripted format. The CapTV “Take 2” series asks Capricorn Members to spend two minutes of their time to learn more about their Capricorn membership from other Members just like them. The initial Take 2 series of CapTV video topics include: • Making the most of your membership • Capricorn Risk Services • Capricorn Trade Account and Reward Program
• Capricorn Preferred Suppliers and the Purple Pages Guide • Capricorn Travel and Events. According to Capricorn Group CEO, Greg Wall, CapTV adds yet another dimension to its commitment to ensure that Members are up to date on everything relating to their Capricorn Membership. “The importance of regular and informative communication can never be understated for any organisation, but it is particularly important for a cooperative like Capricorn that exists purely for the benefit of its Members,” Mr Wall stated. “The introduction of CapTV complements our CapChat email newsletter and our monthly Ignition Member magazine, representing a new step in ensuring that Capricorn Members have access to all of the information that they need about their Membership and how to gain the most benefits from it,” Mr Wall added. CapTV can also be viewed by nonMembers to learn more about how Capricorn makes it so much easier for thousands of automotive aftermarket businesses across Australia and New Zealand. Visit capricorn.coop/captv to view the informative episodes or to join Capricorn, email join@capricorn.coop or visit Capricorn online at www.capricorn.coop
MTAQ Racing Team
MTAQ RACING TEAM SEASON ENDS WITH A BANG BUT HOPES ARE HIGH FOR 2018
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HE QUEENSLAND HYUNDAI X3 Racing Series Championship reached its climax on December 2-3 with its final meeting at Morgan Park Raceway in Warwick. And it was a race meeting of well-deserved highs and one undeserved low for the MTAQ Racing Team as the meeting - which began with a season’s-best performance - came to a crunching halt following a catastrophic, and explosive, failure of the Excel’s engine. Things had looked very rosy at the start of the weekend however. After a long and sometimes difficult year, the steady
32 | Motor Trader December 2017/January 2018
improvement in the car’s performance was clear in Race One and it behaved flawlessly as driver David Wood piloted the Excel to a 3rd-place finish after qualifying 5th. Hopes were high for the rest of the weekend following that performance and Race Two began with much promise. Starting third on the grid, David swiftly moved to 2nd spot and was pushing strongly for the lead when a technical glitch turned serious with the engine failing dramatically in a cloud of smoke. “Saturday was a good day,” said David. “The car wasn’t perfect, and we had to
The MTAQ Racing Team: Will Salmon, Gerard Field, Elliott Lemmon, David Wood and John
make a few suspension adjustments, but Race One went very well. We got up to 3rd on lap two and were all over the bumper of the second-place car but didn’t quite have enough to get past. “We made a few changes to the car before the first race on Sunday and on the opening lap we went from 3rd to 2nd and we were right on the bumper of first. “Then the engine dropped to three cylinders. I thought it might have been an electrical problem and I backed off ready to bring it into the pits, but the engine VIDEO: EXCEL ENGINE FAIL (REAR VIEW)
Zyzniewski
blew before I got there!” And blow up it certainly did. Subsequent investigations would reveal that, amongst other things, the big end bearing had seized, and the number one piston had exploded - the evidence laying in a million pieces in the sump. “It wasn’t a seismic bang, it was actually quite gentle” said David. “But I started hearing metal bits hitting the underside of the car and all I could see out the back was smoke. And we were spitting oil and bits of the engine all over the track. That certainly made life exciting for the blokes behind me and on the next lap the whole field came through the corner where we had left oil only to spin out onto the grass!” While the reason for the blow-up is uncertain, the damage is complete enough to warrant a new engine build for next season - a job that should certainly be a challenge for the support crew and other MTA Institute apprentices who are going to take on the task. While the Hyundai X3 Series finale did December 2017/January 2018 Motor Trader | 33
MTAQ Racing Team not go the MTAQ Team’s way, the season itself has been a positive and rewarding one. A 10th-place finish in Round One and an 8th in Round Two, along with solid performances at Shannons National events in August and November, only partly reflected the development and improving performance of the car, while the Race Team program itself has more than fulfilled the purpose of its creation, which was to ensure that MTA Institute apprentices - and the Support Crew of Elliott Lemmon, Will Salmon and Gerard Field - have been introduced to the motorsport sector of the industry. “The benefits of the Racing Team program have been far-reaching,” said Marcello Riotto, MTA Institute Operations Manager and the man overseeing the Institute’s involvement in the program. “Obviously, the exposure for our brand has been great - a lot of people have seen the car and it generates plenty of
34 | Motor Trader December 2017/January 2018
interest and conversation amongst apprentices at the Institute, which is exactly what we wanted. “On top of that, many hands have worked on the car,” he added. “About 60 apprentices have worked on it across all sectors - from electrical, mechanical, to panel and paint. And it has been their project. We have left them to tweak it and come up with solutions to problems. It really has been tremendous and while it has been a learning experience for them, it has been one for us too.” For the Support Crew trio, who will be joined by at least two additional members next year, the season has been fun and challenging and given them a clear glimpse into motorsport – a sector of the auto industry in which they all aspire to work. “It has been great, a real eye-opener,” said Will. “I’ve seen some cool cars, made some great contacts and I can’t believe how well we have done. We had one test day all season
VIDEO: EXCEL ENGINE FAIL (FRONT VIEW)
the race and winning. THE SPONSORS “The project has helped me network and make new connections MAJOR SPONSOR that will hopefully open doors to bigger race teams in the MAJOR SPONSOR future,” he added. “MTA Queensland helped me secure that work SILVER SPONSOR experience with Triple Eight Racing and that OFFICIAL TYRE PARTNER was absolutely a dream come true. I’m hooked!” For David Wood, OFFICIAL TOOL PARTNER team driver and the man who played SP TOOLS an integral role in establishing the team, OFFICIAL LUBRICANT next year is, he said, PARTNER looking very promising. “The rate of improvement that we SUSPENSION SUPPLIER have shown, to go from nowhere to genuine race contenders in basically four events, is phenomenal,” he said. “The boys in the team have been absolutely outstanding. They have learned so much and been so enthusiastic. CLICK TO FIND OUT MORE “And I’m proud of how ABOUT MTAQ RACING we have been able to put everything together. The support from our commercial sponsors has been terrific and the encouragement and support from the Association has been first class. The program has been an absolute dream. “We have been able to make a car into one of the top ten in the category in the country and prove that against the best drivers in the country here in Queensland. It has been good fun and next year should be a lot better.” NATIONWIDE DELIVERY
– essentially doing all our development at the track - and yet we are up there with teams that have had four years running these cars. It has been great to be involved.” “I have always been interested in the performance side of things and this handson experience at the track and working for a team has been great,” said Gerard. “It has been a really sharp learning curve but has solidified my wanting to be involved in motorsport.” For Elliott, the 2017 MTA Institute Apprentice of the Year, who also recently completed some work experience with Supercar champions Triple Eight Race Engineering, the MTAQ Racing Team project has been a major part of a pretty sensational year. “I loved the experience!” he said. “Starting with a small ‘get-about’ car and making it into a race car brought a whole new list of challenges. While we chased our tail for parts of the year, we always learnt more about the car after each incident and though our engine blew in the final event, the car was running in the top three which is proof our work and knowledge was paying off. “In conversations with a couple of people at Triple Eight, I was told that if they hadn't had this sort of ‘back of pitlane’ experience - working with minimal equipment and parts - then they would not understand as much as they now do about motorsport. It really challenges you to use your brain to think how you can keep in
December 2017/January 2018 Motor Trader | 35
Advertorial
REPAIR, RECYCLE, REPEAT: GOING GREEN IN THE AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR
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N 2016-17, NATIONAL recycler and automotive parts supplier ACM Parts stopped nearly 11 million kilograms of steel from being released into the environment. This amount of metal could build the Eiffel Tower one-and-a-half times over. ACM Parts chief executive officer Mike Kirkman said the business has set a new standard for environmental sustainability in the automotive recycling sector. “At our Arundel warehouse last year we managed to recycle more than two-and-ahalf million kilos of steel, more than 4000 batteries, and 17,500 litres of oil, which is just phenomenal,” he said. Behind this success is an unwavering commitment to improve end-of-life sustainability options for motor vehicles. ACM Parts’ dedication has seen the company also recycle lead from 15,486 car batteries and capture 116,270 litres of oil nationally from cars it dismantled last year. “Lead from automotive batteries in particular is incredibly damaging for the environment so we continue to do all we can to stop this harmful waste from going into the ground,” Mr Kirkman said. “Our levels of waste recovery from recycled vehicles also extend beyond the traditional automotive fluids, scrap metal and batteries to include plastic bumpers and e-waste.” “In addition, we’re always investigating new ways to better separate and recover different plastics and acrylics found in late model vehicles.”
36 | Motor Trader December 2017/January 2018
ACM Parts’ efforts have resulted in its Southport dismantling site and three other ACM Parts production facilities to date achieving Level 2 Green Stamp accreditation, with the inclusion of another four sites to coincide with National Recycling week activities. The Green Stamp program is run by the state motor trade associations and recognises automotive businesses that take positive steps to reduce environmental impact through areas such as air quality management, energy and resource conservation, and waste disposal practices.
“. . . WE ARE PROUD TO BE
DOING OUR PART TO PROTECT THE PLANET.” “A big part of achieving level 2 accreditation is the attention given to voluntary initiatives beyond just basic legislative compliance,” Mr Kirkman said. “Repairers and consumers are increasingly becoming more concerned about a business’s environmental impact and we are proud to be doing our part to protect the planet.” “Being awarded Green Stamp accreditation recognises our commitment to being an industry leader in all facets of our business, from improving our customer experiences to enhancing our corporate social responsibilities.” To find out more about ACM Parts, call 1800 226 727 or visit acmparts.com.au
IN 2016/17 ACM PARTS SAVED FROM AUSTRALIA’S LANDFILL: 1
11 MILLION
EIFFEL TOWERS
TONNES OF STEEL
968
116,270
WHEELIE BINS
LITRES OF OIL
3
TENNIS COURTS
15,486
BATTERIES
DATSUN’S GAME38 | Motor Trader December 2017/January 2018
MAKE: DATSUN MODEL: 240Z YEAR: 1969 ENGINE: L-SERIES 2.4-LITRE SIX-CYLINDER BORED AND STROKED TO 3-LITRES OWNER: JOHN MCKEON OWNED SINCE: 1999
240Z -CHANGING
December 2017/January 2018 Motor Trader | 39
I
F YOU WATCH certain movies and TV shows from the Swinging ‘60s, you might be forgiven for thinking European roads were overrun by smart and sleek twodoor sports cars. Thanks to the Bond movies and TV shows such as The Avengers, handsome young men and women seemed to charge endlessly around the south of France and England’s country roads in glorious steeds from Ferrari, MG, Lotus, Alfa Romeo, Jaguar and, of course, 007’s vehicle of choice, the Aston Martin DB5. While the European manufacturers seemed to have the elegant sports car market all sewn up, there were challengers to their dominance and in the second half of the ’60s, the Japanese turned up with some absolute humdingers to contest the crown. While Japanese manufacturers had been dabbling with such cars for a while – Honda introduced the S500 in 1963 – it was at the end of the decade that they really hit their stride and the small sports cars they began producing were of such quality that even James Bond would get 40 | Motor Trader December 2017/January 2018
his hands on one when, in the film You Only Live Twice, he drove a special soft-top version of the magnificent Toyota 2000GT. However, it was in 1969, with the introduction of the Datsun 240Z, that a Japanese manufacturer really hit the mass-market bullseye. A beautifully-designed two-door coupe, the 240Z looked every bit as good as the European models it was designed to challenge, and with a 150hp, 2.4-litre straightsix engine able to push it to a notch over 200km/h and a 0-100km/h time of 8 seconds, the 240Z had plenty of performance too.
John McKeon
In the U.S., the 240Z was priced at $3526 and so popular did it become, that just a year later, used examples were selling for more than $4000. Produced between 1969 and 1973, the 240Z was a big seller – about 165,000 were sold with around 2500 reaching Australia – and the model impressed not just on the road but on the track and in rallying too. Popular with the racing fraternity, the 240Z won races across the world including the 1971 East African Safari Rally. Its popularity as a track runner has continued to this day.
This model, for example, has been a track vehicle for nearly two decades and according to its owner John McKeon, has scared many a more fancied race car, seeing action across Queensland in the Category 2B Production Sports class. “I’ve had a number of race cars over the years, but this has been the best bang-for-buck car I’ve ever had,” he says. “Last year, I was invited to take part in a race for the Sports Sedans category in which a lot of Mustangs and Camaros compete. I beat them all and they were scratching their heads afterwards wondering just how a six-cylinder Datsun could beat a V8 Mustang! “The answer, of course, is that it is light at just 900kgs and makes 330hp. It handles well, has big brakes from a GTR32 and just does everything well . . . much to a lot of people’s surprise.” John, a life member of MTA Queensland and the former Chairman of the Association’s Service Station Division, bought the 240Z in 1999. It had already been converted to a racing machine December 2017/January 2018 Motor Trader | 41
after nearly 30 years as a road car and had seen service on the track at the Eastern Creek and Oran Park circuits in NSW before coming into John’s possession. Spotting the car as up for sale, John recognised that $25,000 was a good deal for the speedy Nissan – a decision that has been proven right, with very little work required to turn it into a winner. “The car is pretty much as I bought it,” says John. “What we have changed is the
42 | Motor Trader December 2017/January 2018
diff – we have put a proper NISMO diff in it - but the motor, gearbox and so on is pretty much the same. I started racing it that first year and have been racing it regularly ever since.” John has been racing for many years, but he began his career in banking before switching to the auto industry in the mid70s. He built a business in Canberra that included two service stations, workshops and a car dealership before moving to
John has raced plenty of brilliant cars, including this Formula Ford (right) and a classic Mustang
Queensland and replicating that success with service stations and the largest autoelectrical business on the Gold Coast. Through much of this time he was involved with motorsport, and he has owned and raced some pretty incredible vehicles over the years including an FE Holden, a Mustang, a Torana, an Alfa Romeo, a Lola T590, an open-wheel Formula Ford and a JPS BMW formerly raced by F1 world champ Denny Hulme.
These days, having sold his businesses some years ago, he still keeps his hand in on the track via occasional outings with the Datsun and his current job as an instructor with the Supercars Official Driving Experience based at Norwell Motorplex near Brisbane where he also lectures on defensive driving techniques. But after four decades of racing, and with a job that keeps him involved in the sport, he says his competitive racing days with the 240Z may be coming to an end and if the right offer were to come along for the car, he would give it some serious thought. “I’ve been racing a long time,” he says. “I’m 72, and I am getting as much enjoyment out of riding motorbikes now as I am racing! So, to be honest, I’ll probably look to sell it now. It is a great car though, and it has been a lot of fun.”
!
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.
December 2017/January 2018 Motor Trader | 43
Auto news
ASTON MARTIN REVEALS THE NEW VANTAGE
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STON MARTIN HAS unveiled the new model Vantage. A beautiful machine, the two-seat coupe is powered by a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 that gives it plenty of grunt and some pretty sparkling stats, including pumping out 375Kw and 685Nm and notching a 0-100km/h time of 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 315km/h. Built on a chassis that is an evolution of the bonded aluminium structure first seen on the DB11, the Vantage has plenty of tech under its muscular and predatory styling. It deploys its impressive power and torque to the rear wheels via a rear-mounted ZF eight-speed automatic transmission and employs a sophisticated suite of integrated electronic systems including Dynamic Stability Control and Dynamic Torque Vectoring. The new Vantage also features an Electronic Rear Differential. Standard equipment includes keyless start/stop, tyre pressure monitoring system and Parking Distance Display, and Park Assist. The In-Car Entertainment system 44 | Motor Trader December 2017/January 2018
comprises the Aston Martin Audio System, Bluetooth audio and phone streaming, iPod, iPhone and USB playback. There is also an integrated sat nav and wi-fi hub. There’s extensive scope for personalisation via options that include forged alloy wheels, a Sports Plus Collection (comprising Sports Plus seats and Sports steering wheel), carbon fibre interior and exterior detailing and a Premium Audio System. The new Vantage is on sale from $199,000. Deliveries are to begin in 2018. VIDEO:THE NEW VANTAGE
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Auto news
JAG SETS NURBURGRING SALOON CAR RECORD WITH XE SV PROJECT 8
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HE JAGUAR XE SV Project 8 has set a new record for a four-door sedan of production specification at the Nürburgring. The time of 7min 21.23 secs, set by racing driver Vincent Radermecker, is 11 seconds quicker than the previous fastest sports sedan around the legendary 20.8km German circuit. The Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) Project 8 is the most extreme road-legal Jaguar yet built. Its 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine develops 441kW, with 0-100 km/h time of 3.7 seconds and a maximum speed of 322kph. “SVO exists to push the boundaries of performance, luxury and all-terrain capability,” said John Edwards, Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations Managing Director. “The hand-assembled XE SV Project 8 takes that principle to the limit, extracting supercar-beating performance 46 | Motor Trader December 2017/January 2018
from Jaguar’s most compact four-door sedan. The NUrburgring record underlines our commitment to deliver the most extreme Jaguar ever to Project 8 clients, who will soon experience this sensational sedan for themselves.” Production of the Project 8 is to be limited to 300 units for sale worldwide. VIDEO: JAG SETS NURBURGRING RECORD
HAVE YOUR SAY ABOUT CAPRICORN AT THE WORKSHOP
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APRICORN, AUSTRALASIA’S LARGEST automotive parts cooperative has always placed a great deal of emphasis on the opinions and ideas of its Members. This philosophy has always made perfect sense, given that the whole reason why Capricorn exists is for the benefit of its Members, who also are the owners of this incredibly successful, cooperative. To regularly gain the opinions of its Members, Capricorn has launched a new online Member community platform called The Workshop, a place where Members can come together to share thoughts and ideas on anything and everything to do with Capricorn. As a Member, by spending just 5 minutes per month in The Workshop, they can help shape the future of the cooperative. The Workshop enables Capricorn Members across Australia and New Zealand to have a say in how the other business they own, Capricorn, is run to make it even easier for them to do business. According to Capricorn Group CEO, Greg Wall, The Workshop provides a real time, fast and easy method for Members to voice their valued opinions directly to Capricorn. “Our Members are the whole reason why we exist and everything that we do at
Capricorn is designed to make business easier for them. In order to further improve our services and to gain new ideas from our Members, we have established this easy to use Capricorn Member online community platform. The Workshop provides us with direct Member feedback to shape an even more exciting, efficient and rewarding future ahead.” The Workshop will feature different Capricorn topics each month, topics in which Capricorn Members can vote, express opinions and submit their own ideas about. “I am sure that our Members will be very surprised with the differences that can be made by spending five minutes a month to make their thoughts known at The Workshop. We look forward to our Members making the most of this important online information and feedback platform now and well into the future,” Wall added. Members can access the Workshop via the Capricorn website, www.capricorn.coop or to join Capricorn, Australasia’s largest automotive and general products buying group, email join@capricorn.coop or visit Capricorn online at www.capricorn.coop December 2017/January 2018 Motor Trader | 47
Auto news
LLEWELLYN MOTORS LEADS THE CHARGE IN SOLAR GENERATION
CLICK TO VISIT LLEWELLYN MOTORS WEBSITE
M
TA QUEENSLAND MEMBER generating asset,” said Paul Klymenko, Llewellyn Motors in Ipswich has CEO of Planet Ark. partnered with Planet Ark Power “What we’ve really been able to achieve to install Australia’s largest privately with Planet Ark Power is to actually be owned solar and smart battery rooftop cashflow positive from day one. By taking power station. leadership with solar generation we’ve The on-site power station is expected to reduced our footprint for ourselves and reduce the dealership’s carbon footprint by for our customers,” said Wade Llewellyn, 8,400 tonnes and save over $2 million on Dealer Principal from Llewellyn Motors. energy costs over the next 20 years. The solar and smart battery installation The 330kW solar and battery storage is an example of the new technology and array will not just slash power expenses, smart and innovative thinking that will but will potentially generate a further drive the automotive industry forward. revenue stream by selling excess "This exciting new technology being renewable energy to the local grid. rolled out at Llewellyn Motors will “The ability to export to the grid as a accelerate the clean technology norm and not an exception will give revolution," sadi Dr Brett Dale, businesses with large roof space the Group Chief Executive for MTA CLICK TO VISIT confidence to install more solar Queensland. "MTA Queensland THE PLANET ARK POWER WEBSITE PV on their roofs than required applauds them for adopting smart for their own usage. This can turn power supply and storage and businesses’ roofs into an incomeleading the way in innovation.” 48 | Motor Trader December 2017/January 2018
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2017 SEMA Show
Hennesey Venom F5
AFTERMARKET INDUSTRY’S BIG WEEK IN VEGAS
F
OR MANY IN the automotive industry, the calendar has a pretty big red circle marking the beginning of November as a week of importance. Why? That’s the time of year that Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week takes place in Las Vegas. For a few days, the city is taken over by two of the industry’s biggest showcase events – the SEMA Show and the AAPEX Expo. Most of us will have heard of the SEMA show. If there is one event, not held on a track that is, that can get the blood of even the most jaded petrolhead racing, it’s SEMA. Run by the Specialty Equipment
50 | Motor Trader December 2017/January 2018
Market Association (SEMA), the Show is the biggest event in the automotive aftermarket world and every square inch of space at the cavernous Las Vegas Convention Centre is packed with companies presenting newly-introduced parts, tools and components; product demonstrations; workshops and seminars and, of course, cars, to an audience of industry-only attendees. This year, more than 2000 companies attended, exhibiting their wares to more than 70,000 attendees. The 2017 show marked the event’s 50th anniversary and it certainly has come a long
“THERE IS NO OTHER
PLACE THAT CAN GIVE YOU THE ABILITY TO SEE NEW PRODUCTS, TO NETWORK, TO ATTEND EDUCATION SEMINARS AND LEARN THE DIRECTION IN WHICH OUR AFTERMARKET INDUSTRY IS HEADING.” way since the 1967 event that took place in the basement of Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles and which hosted 98 exhibitors and 3000 industry insiders. Though it has evolved greatly, the Show has remained the same in that it brings together the best and brightest minds, as
well as some of the coolest products and cars, to one place givi everyone a chance to see where the industry is heading. Running in parallel to the SEMA show, and held just down the road at the Sands Expo Centre, is the AAPEX Expo. Covering similar ground to SEMA, and also offering educational seminars and workshops, AAPEX has more of a focus on original equipment and products to service vehicles, rather than performance items and add-ons. While its betterknown cousin may be bigger, AAPEX is no minnow. This year, more than 2000 exhibitors presented products, services and technologies to some 40,000 attendees. Together, SEMA and AAPEX turn Las Vegas into a heaven for the auto enthusiast and this year, MTA Queensland Area Manager December 2017/January 2018 Motor Trader | 51
Andrew Bear was able to attend both events. And the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week should, he said, be on the bucket list for everyone working in automotive. “I think it’s a must for anyone who works in our industry to try and attend,” he said. “There is no other place that can give you the ability to see new products, to network, to attend education seminars and learn the direction in which our Aftermarket industry is heading. “The SEMA event is amazingly well organised and incredibly large,” he added. “If you think of the convention centre in Brisbane, well, the Las Vegas Convention Centre has four halls, each one larger than the Brisbane centre and each one is filled with automotive product. And there
52 | Motor Trader December 2017/January 2018
MTA Queensland Area Manager Andrew Bear with Ken Block’s 1400hp Hoonicorn Mustang
“I REALLY ENJOYED SEEING
KEN BLOCK’S 1400HP HOONICORN MUSTANG AND THE ALL-NEW HENNESEY VENOM F5, WHICH IS AN INCREDIBLE-LOOKING CAR.”
CLICK TO VISIT THE SEMA WEBSITE
is a huge amount going on outside the Convention Centre too. It’s hard to know where to go and what to see! “And that’s just SEMA. Included in your ticket for the week is access to AAPEX, which is a very impressive event too.” Of course, while scoping out new products and new services being offered is important and valuable, it is the dozens of highly-modified vehicles on display at SEMA that are, perhaps, the real drawcard. Picking one favourite out of the many is a tough ask. “That’s a very hard question considering the quality of the cars,” said Andrew. “I really enjoyed seeing Ken Block’s 1400hp Hoonicorn Mustang and the all-new Hennesey Venom F5, which is an
VIDEO: SEMA 2017
incredible-looking car. The 1967 GT40 Le Mans-winning car was there on the Ford stand and there was a very cool custom bike inspired by the movie TRON. To be honest, there was so many custom muscle cars, exotics, bikes and trucks on show that I could talk about them for days! “And if you’re into celebrityspotting, there were plenty of them around as well. I saw Chip Foose, Richard Petty, Magnas Walker, Sammy Hagar from Van Halen, and plenty of NASCAR drivers in attendance and I was lucky to meet Richard Rowlings from the TV show Gas Monkey Garage while taking a stroll on the Vegas strip. It was quite a week!” December 2017/January 2018 Motor Trader | 53
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Can you afford not to be in the circle? Advocacy
o Specalising in matters such as print solutions, finance, electricity, gas rates and solar; Core SME Services is a vendor neutral business with one simple objective; reduce costs, increase profits and streamline workflows for your business.
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MTAQ membership gives you access to a range of services, including technical information, industrial relations advice, promotional material, discounted services from corporate partners and much more.
The Commonwealth Bank offers members some of the lowest EFTPOS charges in the country. Members have saved thousands with CBA.
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Capricorn makes it easier for its members buy parts, earn reward points and share in the benefits of being a member of the largest and oldest automotive parts buying cooperatives in Australasia.
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MTA Queensland actively engages with state and federal governments on automotive industry issues, ensuring members have a voice as the industry continues to evolve.
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Carmageddon events and our Innovation Hub mean that you have access to cutting-edge information and business solutions connected to the automotive digital revolution.
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OurAuto Tech-Centre is a repair information service offering technical information on more than 90 per cent of passenger vehicles on our roads. Available to MTAQ members at a 20 per cent discount. OurAuto Digital specialises in online marketing solutions that are tailored to your business, including website design, online marketing, and website hosting.
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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 Training +61 7 3722 3000 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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The MTA Institute delivers world-class automotive training at your workshop, at the Institute’s state-of-the-art facility, or a combination of both. It’s the right training, in the right place, in the right way.
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GENERAL MANAGER MTA INSTITUTE
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S THE END of the year draws near and we get ready for the festive season with family and friends, it’s a good time to stop and enjoy a little time away from work. The team at the MTA Institute have put in a big effort this year supporting the automotive industry with great professionalism, and I know they will enjoy the break as well. This year saw the implementation of our new digital training platform, which was one of our biggest challenges and most important developments. The project increased in complexity when we incorporated a change in training package as well – a change required us to alter assessment tools accordingly. Whilst this was a massive effort, the impact it has had on students and employers was mitigated due to the dedication of our trainers and administration team in helping users with the new technology. Yes, it has been
a challenge, but this system will only improve our training service to industry and make us more responsive to student and employer enquiries in 2018. We are also looking forward with great enthusiasm to our first graduation ceremony to be held in February 2018. What a great opportunity to celebrate our apprentices finishing their qualifications! We also have a number of pre-vocational programs, starting in January, to introduce new entrants into the automotive workforce, and we will be continuing our trade recognition program, formally qualifying people with trade experience into an automotive qualification. There is a lot happening. So as the year winds down, we are already getting ready for what should be a massive 2018 and look forward to supporting all automotive businesses and apprentices through the year. From all the MTA Institute team, we wish you a safe and Merry Christmas.
MEMBERS' ESSENTIALS Contents 56 Professional Circle training 61 Apprentice of the Month 65 Member profiles GLADSTONE NISSAN & HYUNDAI MIDDLEMOUNT ENGINEERING & TYRES 70 Industrial relations December 2017/January 2018 Motor Trader | 55
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PAUL KULPA
M E M B E R S
Training GM's Professional Circle perspective
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Professional Circle training
MTAI LAUNCHES VOCATIONAL PREPARATION COURSE PROGRAM FOR 2018
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HE MTA INSTITUTE is launching a new round of its pre-apprenticeship vocational preparation course in the new year. The Certificate II in Automotive Vocational Preparation (AUR20716) program is designed to give students a comprehensive set of skills as a basic introduction to the automotive industry, and trainees undertaking the course will learn to: • service mechanical parts such as the engine, transmission (clutch, gear box and differential); • service suspension systems (springs, steering, brakes, wheels and tyres);
56 | Motor Trader December 2017/January 2018
• identify and inspect mechanical and electrical components of light and heavy vehicles, outdoor power equipment and motorcycles; and • perform basic maintenance and repairs. Developed in response to the industry’s continuing requirement for quality apprentices and employees, the Automotive Vocational Preparation course is part of the MTA Institute and MTA Queensland’s drive to assist in the advancement of the industry by developing individuals who have an interest in the trades but who have not had the opportunity to start a career in the industry or even find out if the industry is truly for them.
MTA INSTITUTE PROMOTIONAL VIDEO
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dropping out because it wasn’t what they expected,” added Mr Kulpa. “That’s OK. I’d rather they do that with us than with an employer who has put in the time and effort to find them and start THE MTA INSTITUTE their training.” HAS ALWAYS SOUGHT TO The Certificate II in Automotive HELP THE INDUSTRY BY Vocational Preparation (AUR20716) INTRODUCING PEOPLE TO program consists of 12 training units THE TRADES THROUGH THESE delivered over a five-week period, on a full-time basis, by a senior MTA Institute INTRODUCTORY COURSES. trainer at the Institute campus in Brisbane. Subsidised through the Queensland government’s Certificate 3 Guarantee, it is open to anyone interested in working in the industry. “We introduced this course because employers were asking us if there were any good calibre candidates who were looking for work,” said Mr Kulpa. “Consequently, trainees who show the right attitude will have assistance in finding work experience that will, hopefully, lead to a job and a career in the automotive industry. “If you are interested in automotive CLICK TO FIND then this is the course for you. There OUT MORE ABOUT are no prerequisites other than that THIS COURSE you be willing to give it a go!” The MTA Institute will be running the Certificate II in Automotive Vocational Preparation course through the first half of 2018: • Monday 15 January – Friday 16 February, 2018 • Monday 19 March – Friday 20 April, 2018 • Monday 14 May – Friday 15 June, 2018
M E M B E R S
“The MTA Institute has always sought to help the industry by introducing people to the trades through these introductory courses,” said Paul Kulpa, General Manager MTA Institute. “This course gives participants the chance to decide whether a career in the industry is something they really want by offering the opportunity to learn the ropes in a simulated workshop environment. In turn, this allows us to find people with the right attitude, who can be encouraged and assisted in moving into an automotive career. “We’ve run a number of these programs over the years, with some candidates
E S S E N T I A L S M E M B E R S
Professional Circle training
2017 APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR, ELLIOTT LEMMON, HEADS TO TRIPLE EIGHT RACE ENGINEERING
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LLIOTT LEMMON HAS been caught up in a whirlwind of excitement since being named as the MTA Institute 2017 Apprentice of the Year. Having barely had enough time to let his racing heart slow from winning the prestigious award, Elliott has already found himself enjoying more amazing opportunities flowing from the win. One of these was two weeks work experience at Triple Eight Race Engineering headquarters at Banyo. Having always been involved to some degree in racing, and ultimately looking for a career in motorsport, the opportunity to work at Triple Eight Race Engineering was a dream come true for Elliott. “There was no way I was going to miss out on this experience,” he said. “I was over 58 | Motor Trader December 2017/January 2018
the moon to learn I’d be able to work with Triple Eight Race Engineering, and the fact that it happened so quickly after winning the award just blew me away.” Although thrilled about the opportunity, Elliott couldn’t help but be a little intimidated working at the iconic brand, and to be working on their cars was quite surreal. But he was quickly put at ease after meeting the team and checking out the facilities. “The entire team at Triple Eight Race Engineering were incredibly nice and welcoming,” he explained. “It’s obvious that they really love what they do and to work with such a high-quality team of professionals, who genuinely love their job, was a real thrill.” Week one, which involved getting the
Elliott tries the Triple Eight Supercar on for size and checks out the team's collection of silverware
December 2017/January 2018 Motor Trader | 59
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Elliott is the first MTA Institute apprentice to complete work experience with Triple Eight Race Engineering and he was pretty clear when asked what his advice would be to future apprentices given the same opportunity. “Don’t be afraid to do the ‘messy’ jobs,” he said. “Cleaning and doing the little odd jobs is a big part of the experience and just helping and being in the workshop is a thrill. Use your initiative and don’t be afraid to ask questions. The team love what they’re doing and no matter how silly my questions may have seemed, they were happy to answer them and I was happy to learn.” Elliott’s two-week experience would also not have been possible without the support and understanding of his terrific employer, Greg Tunstall Mechanical in Cleveland. Elliott is now back at work and finishing his apprenticeship. “I’ve had to stop a few times and ask myself; what the hell just happened? Are these last few weeks real?” Elliott said with a laugh. Real and certain is Elliott’s drive and passion for the automotive industry and racing. And with only six months left of his apprenticeship there’s no doubt that big things will be on the cards for him in the future.
M E M B E R S
cars ready for the Newcastle 500, was a busy one and Elliott was keen to jump right into the action. “I did a little bit of everything - cleaning, putting together bumpers, suspension, fabrication and heaps in between. I had a lot of supervisors over the two weeks and it gave me a great chance to learn about the many roles and responsibilities within the team. “Playing with cars was definitely the coolest thing I did in the two weeks! Being up close and working on such famous, powerful cars was incredible. I was lucky enough to assist with lowering the engines into the cars of Shane van Gisbergen and Craig Lowndes, and that was mind blowing! I don’t think many people could say they’ve done that.” And for Elliott, the two weeks certainly wasn’t taken for granted. “The opportunity to work for Triple Eight Race Engineering, and seeing the cars, the drivers and the seamless operation of the team first-hand was incredible,” he said. “It opened my eyes so much and I can see that going down the racing pathway is going to take a lot of hard work and dedication. But I love it. It’s my passion and I don’t see it as work. I hope that one day I’m lucky enough to work for a team like Triple Eight Race Engineering!”
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF TRAINING WITH THE MTA INSTITUTE? • Trainers with extensive automotive industry experience • On-site one-on-one workplace training • Flexible employer arrangements • State-of-the-art training facility • Online learning capability • Free wi-fi at our training facility • Strong connections to government agencies and industry stakeholders • Unique student opportunities - Pathway to motorsports - Apprentice of the Month and Year Awards - Overseas scholarship opportunities - Links to employers that are members of MTA Queensland - Access to jobs board - Graduation ceremonies THE MTA INSTITUTE offers a full suite of nationally accredited automotive apprenticeships and traineeships in the fields of Light Vehicle, Heavy Vehicle, Motorcycle, Mobile Plant, Automotive Body Repair, Refinishing and more.
ENQUIRE: TRAINING@MTAI.EDU.AU 07 3237 8777 | WWW.MTAI.EDU.AU
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In addition, accredited short courses for licensing requirements are available for Motor Vehicle Sales, Dealers, Wreckers and Automotive Air-Conditioning. We also offer non-accredited short courses in MIG Welding, Paintless Dent Repair, Hybrid Electric Vehicles and Common Rail Diesel Injection.
APPRENTICE: JACK GOODRICH
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NOMINATE FOR THE MTA INSTITUTE APPRENTICE OF THE MONTH AWARD
• Are you employing an apprentice who is excelling in the workplace? • Do you have a high-achieving apprentice colleague? • Are they training with MTA Institute? If the answer is 'yes', then nominate them for the MTA Institute Apprentice of the Month award.
FOR MORE INFO, CLICK HERE AND CHECK OUT THE APPRENTICE AWARDS PAGE AT WWW.MTAI.EDU.AU December 2017/January 2018 Motor Trader | 61
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From there to learning to repair and maintain of cars does seem like something of a leap. WORKPLACE: “I had always wanted to do an TWIDALE AUTO & apprenticeship, but I went to university MOTORCYCLES because that’s what was expected to get a APPRENTICESHIP: dale Twi Ben with good job,” said Jack. “But I knew it wasn't Jack Goodrich indi ndiw LIGHT VEHICLE Goo in o for me and when I finished my honours, I of Twidale Aut went to work at a bicycle shop intending to become a bike mechanic. However, ACK GOODRICH IS the MTA my fiancé got a job as a paramedic in Institute Apprentice of the Month for Goondiwindi, so we moved here.” November. Although always interested in cars, it The 26-year-old light vehicle apprentice wasn’t until Jack reached Goondiwindi has been working at Twidale Auto & that a career in automotive, with the Motorcycles in Goondiwindi for nearly apprenticeship at Twidale Auto, became three years but is already in the 4th year an option. And there is plenty to do at of his apprenticeship, impressing with his Twidale, with the team working on a broad work ethic and passion for the trade. range of vehicles, from 4WDs, diesels, “Jack loves the work and is one of passenger cars, trucks, even the odd the smartest apprentices I have CLICK TO VISIT tractor or two. ever seen,” said Zak Zuiderduin, THE TWIDALE AUTO WEBSITE With a year to go in his training, Jack’s trainer. “He is focused, Jack aims to expand his focus to wants to learn, and asks questions include other areas of automotive, that demand detailed answers.” Jack’s route to a career in automotive including electrical, and always challenge has been unusual. He has an honours himself to improve. degree in biomedical science and worked “The plan is to stay here, keep working for a year in the field of stem cell research. hard and keep getting better."
M E M B E R S
Apprentice of the Month
E S S E N T I A L S M E M B E R S
The C10 has been transformed from a 40-year-old, battered truck (right) to something truly special (above)
SUPERFORMANCE CAPTURES IMAGINATION IN WORKSHOP WARS
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AST MONTH, Motor Trader spent time with Grant Malseed and his team from Superformance in Capalaba as they prepared for the competitive finale of the TV show Rides Down Under: Workshop Wars. The show, broadcast on Channel One every Saturday for the past few months, pitted teams from workshops around the country who were tasked with turning a stock vehicle into a ‘street monster’. In the show’s final episode, which aired last week, the four teams, representing workshops from Qld, NSW and Victoria, brought their finished vehicles - an XY GTHO Phase III, a Holden VF SS Commodore, a 6.4 62 | Motor Trader December 2017/January 2018
litre SRT Jeep and the Superformance 1976 Chevy C10 truck – to Calder Park Raceway near Melbourne for a power, performance and creativity showdown. The Superformance Chevy C10 went through the greatest transformation of any vehicle on the show. Where some used relatively new cars and proved their performance credentials by producing incredibly powerful vehicles, Superformance went a different route, essentially rebuilding a 40-year-old classic vehicle from chassis to trim and in the process creating a quite remarkable and decidedly unique truck.
M E M B E R S E S S E N T I A L S
Given just three months to complete the project, and having to do all the work under the scrutiny of television cameras and an audience that knows a thing or two about cars, the decision to go all out on such a build was a gutsy call for Grant and his team and, though it meant plenty of late nights and stress, the effort paid off handsomely. “We knew the timeframe was always going to be very tight, especially as we elected to do a proper build with lots of custom touches,” said Grant. “But we pulled it off. The guys were working into the early hours for weeks and 2270 man-hours went into the project. That is standard for a build like this but not on such a squeezed timeframe!” In those three months, the rather tired old C10, which had seen many years as the workshop’s delivery vehicle and had received a dent or three over its lifespan, was transformed.
The 40-year-old workhorse now has a custom-built chassis, new suspension, a fabulous cockpit-inspired cabin, air-bags to raise and lower the body, and a host of sensational custom work. The icing on the cake, so to speak, is the 406ci supercharged small block Chev which pumps out 750hp. “It’s a very strong engine and makes insane power for a street car,” said Grant. For the Workshop Wars finale, the C10 was trucked down to Calder Park. The entire Superformance build-team flew down too and, on the day of filming, were quick to make some adjustments to the pick-up which, thanks to the short build time, had one or two niggles to contend with. The lack of testing time also meant the team did not give the truck a full-blooded burst during the competition’s quarter-mile run. “The truck was a bit of an unknown and the tune needed work, so we did the quarter in a slow pass” said Grant. December 2017/January 2018 Motor Trader | 63
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“But we had achieved the result we aimed for and since the truck has been back, we have completed a better tune, finished a couple of wiring issues and sorted out some bugs in the suspension system. The next step is to get official registration and take it to some local events.” While most of those events may be local, there is one that has been talked about that is very far from being local, with a possible appearance at the SEMA show in Las Vegas beckoning next year thanks to one of sponsors behind the build. “We will use it as a promotional tool for the business,” said Grant. “There have been some changes at the company that was originally prepared to ship the truck to SEMA, so we will wait a while to see if we do go. But it would be nice to be able to go and show that we can build vehicles to such a high standard.” 64 | Motor Trader December 2017/January 2018
While decisions like that are yet to be made, Grant and the team from Superformance can be satisfied in a job well done, and contemplate an appearance in next year’s Workshop Wars to which they have already been invited to return. “We will need a customer to come forward with a vehicle we can work on for the duration of the show,” said Grant. “It will need a decent budget as the benchmark has been set very high on the show now and the other businesses coming on board next year are serious builders. “For the moment though, we are ecstatic with how things turned out. Everyone here is still pumped and excited about what we achieved, and morale is at an all-time high. The truck is fantastic and the only part of the build that wasn’t done in-house was the seat trim. Everything else was done under this roof and that just proves our capability.”
Gladstone Nissan & Hyundai Location: Gladstone Type of business: New vehicle dealership
Number of employees: 34 Trading since: 1989 MTAQ member since: 1989 How did you hear about the Motor Trades Association of Queensland? (MTAQ) From a previous member, Greg Klease.
How has being an MTAQ member benefited your business? Receiving mechanical assistance, legal advice, and advice on pay roll and staff entitlements.
What has been your proudest business achievement to date? Being able to recruit and train apprentices who then go on to open their own business.
What is the best thing about working in your industry? The constant change in consumer requirements as to vehicle choice, the new technology coming in new cars and the advent of battery technology.
What is the best piece of business advice you have ever given or been given? Try to start your career by doing a trade. This gives you confidence in your own ability and builds rapport with your colleagues. Plus, you learn about the whole industry.
What would you say to someone thinking about joining MTAQ? Don’t think about it, just do it. The peace of mind it brings knowing we have their full support is great. Great source of technical support, and legal and industrial relations support.
What has been your proudest business achievement to date? Being successful in business for 22 years.
What is the best thing about working in your industry?
Middlemount Engineering & Tyres Location: Middelmount, Central Western Queensland
Type of business: Engineering, mechanical repairs and tyres
Number of employees: 11 Trading since: 1995 MTAQ member since: 1999
5 o’clock . . . Beer time!
What is the best piece of business advice you have ever given or been given?
How did you hear about the Motor Trades Association of Queensland? (MTAQ) From others in the industry when trying to source technical information.
How has being an MTAQ member benefited your business?
Be careful of the monster you are going to create!
What would you say to someone thinking about joining MTAQ? It’s a very handy service to have. Definitely do it.
December 2017/January 2018 Motor Trader | 65
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CLICK TO VISIT THE GLADSTONE NISSAN & HYUNDAI WEBSITE
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Member profiles
Concept corner
LAMBORGHINI’S EL
66 | Motor Trader December 2017/January 2018
Lamborghini Terzo Millennio
LECTRIC SCHOCKER
December 2017/January 2018 Motor Trader | 67
Concept corner
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T LOOKS LIKE Lamborghini has decided to enter the growing ranks of electric car manufacturers with news that it has been collaborating with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) on a future electric super sports car. Unveiling its new design concept – the Terzo Millennio – Lamborghini has revealed a breathtaking car and a project goal to enable the company to address the future of the super sports car in what it says are five different dimensions: energy storage systems, innovative materials, propulsion system, visionary design, and emotion. Two laboratories at MIT – the Dinca Research Lab and the Mechanosynthesis Group – will collaborate with Lamborghini on research that is intended to lead to radical innovation in energy storage systems technology and material science. The strategy of ‘creating super sports cars with uncompromising performance’ has led it away, the company says, from conventional batteries to investigate the potential of supercapacitors to equip the Terzo Millennio. The next step is the development of a storage system able to deliver high peak power and regenerate 68 | Motor Trader December 2017/January 2018
VIDEO: LAMBORGHINI TERZO MILLENNIO
kinetic energy, along with the ability to ‘symmetrically release and harvest electric power’. Lamborghini says it will investigate new manufacturing routes for carbon fibre materials that will see the the complete body of the car used as a storage system. The project also aims to combine the technology to continuously monitor the whole carbon fibre structure with the concept of “self-healing”: the target is to provide the Terzo Millennio with the ability to conduct its own health monitoring to detect cracks and damages in its substructure.
The concept incorporates an integrated electric engine at each wheel, continuing a commitment to four-wheel drive, and with the electric motors in the wheels there’s extra room for designers to try even more amazing things. “One year ago we signed an agreement with the MIT-Italy Program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology which marked the start of a collaboration between two outstanding entities for the creation of a project that intends to write an important page in the future of super sports
cars for the third millennium,” said Stefano Domenicali, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Automobili Lamborghini. “Collaborating with MIT for our R&D department is an exceptional opportunity to do what Lamborghini has always been very good at: rewriting the rules on super sports cars. Now we are presenting an exciting and progressive concept car. We are inspired by embracing what is impossible today to craft the realities of tomorrow: Lamborghini must always create the dreams of the next generation.” December 2017/January 2018 Motor Trader | 69
choosing a venue where there are bartenders to serve drinks, or other ways of controlling how much alcohol is consumed. Whoever ends up serving the drinks should understand the basic principles of responsible service of alcohol. The usual rules about not serving minors or anyone who is intoxicated apply. Make sure everyone has plenty to eat and that there are lots of soft drink alternatives available.
M E M B E R S
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Industrial relations
PAUL MURRAY INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS OFFICER
CHRISTMAS PARTIES
WITH THE MELBOURNE CUP behind us, and Christmas and New Year just weeks away, the party season is getting under way again. If you want to be able to relax with your employees and celebrate everyone’s effort over the year, there are a few precautions that you should consider. As employers, members have work health and safety obligations to everyone at the work Christmas party, even if it’s being held away from your business premises. Nor do you get time off from your responsibilities for dealing with harassment, discrimination, and all of the other potential problems that can come up when people are letting off a bit of steam. Your duty of care requires you to take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of attendees. Here are some of the main points to consider.
LOCATION
Choose a venue that’s easy and safe to get to and from. You should make transport available if needed. That can involve booking transport or just making sure that employees can get taxis home.
ALCOHOL
Alcohol should be consumed in moderation. Supervisors and senior staff should set a good example, but you might also consider 70 | Motor Trader December 2017/January 2018
“KICKING ON”
Your responsibilities as an employer can extend to work parties, and that responsibility doesn’t necessarily end when the work party finishes. There have been numerous cases of employers being found liable for incidents that have occurred after staff have “kicked on” after a work function. To minimise your risk, you should make it clear, in writing, that the event ceases at the end of the function and that you do not condone or encourage any further celebrations. Providing transport home at the end of the event can help here too. If you have policies on bullying, sexual harassment, and discrimination (and you should), you should make sure staff are aware of them. They should also understand that the usual rules about acceptable behaviour apply as much at the Christmas party as they do at work the rest of the year. Everyone should understand that you have the same expectations at work related events as you do at work. With social media everywhere, especially at this time of year, you should also make sure your policies cover that too, and update them if they don’t. If everyone behaves responsibly and remembers to treat their colleagues with the respect and CLICK FOR courtesy that they would in the MORE ON INDUSTRIAL workplace, there’s no reason RELATIONS why you can’t have a trouble free celebration of the end to a hard year’s work.
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COURSES PAINTLESS DENT REPAIR COURSE (PDR) INTRODUCTORY
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27 March 2018, 6pm – 9pm 15 May 2018, 6pm – 9pm Click for more information.
ADVANCED 5 - 7 March 2018, 8am – 4pm 3, 10, 17, 24 April 2018, 6pm – 9pm 5 - 7 June 2018, 8am – 4pm Click for more information.
MIG WELDING FUNDAMENTALS COURSE 7 March 2018, 8am – 12pm 18 April 2018, 8am – 12pm 24 May 2018, 8am – 12pm Click for more information.
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31 January - 1 February 2018 4 - 5 April 2018 30 - 31 May 2018 Click for more information.
20 February 2018, 6pm - 9pm 24 April 2018, 6pm - 9pm 19 June 2018, 6pm - 9pm Click for more information.
19 – 21 February 2018 23 – 26 April 2018 18 – 20 June 2018 Click for more information.
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Motor Vehicle Salesperson, Motor Vehicle Dealer, Motor Wrecker Salesperson and Motor Dealer Wrecker courses are available online - enrol now. Click for more information.
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MARKET WRAP
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QUITIES SOARED DURING October, which has historically been a difficult month of the year. Improving economic growth, a strong US reporting season, greater confidence around US tax cuts and positive central bank signalling helped propel markets higher. In Europe, economic conditions surged to their highest level in 17 years, despite rising political concerns in Spain. The Eurozone’s industrial sector is now running at its best level since 2000, with cyclical industries like construction showing a strong rebound. The S&P/ASX 200 Accumulation Index closed up 4.01%. All sectors were up with the exception of Retail as weak consumer conditions prevail. Australia benefited from strong global commodity prices with most industrial commodities recording another strong month as growth becomes more broad-based and less reliant on China. Global growth has accelerated over the past year with Europe and the US manufacturing indices rising strongly. This is feeding into higher capital expenditure (capex) and lower unemployment, which starts to feed into a sustainable recovery. Importantly for Australia, this is feeding into higher commodity prices and offers a pickup in resource-related capex. The mining sector has been raising capital and repaying debt, leaving it well placed to increase capex. The oil and gas sector capex spend has halved. The market is generally forecasting a modest pickup from here that will 72 | Motor Trader December 2017/January 2018
THE S&P/ASX 200 ACCUMULATION INDEX CLOSED UP 4.01%. ALL SECTORS WERE UP WITH THE EXCEPTION OF RETAIL AS WEAK CONSUMER CONDITIONS PREVAIL. ultimately limit capacity, drive prices and encourage further spending. We think the risk in the medium term is to the upside. In addition, the strength of the US economy and moderate signs of a potential pickup in wage inflation should support globally exposed companies. Current US government plans are for a cut to the corporate tax rate from 35% to 20%. While there are doubts this level will be achieved because it will be difficult to find sufficient revenue offsets that are politically acceptable, the political consensus (among Republicans) appears stronger for tax cuts than for healthcare changes. We expect some outcome that is positive for tax cuts. 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 recipients 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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