Motor Trader e-magazine, December 2019 - January 2020

DEC 2019 JAN 2020

MEMBERS CLASSIC: 1972 CHEVROLET K20 PICK-UP TRUCK

INTERESTED IN BECOMING A MEMBER OF MTA QUEENSLAND? CLICK HERE.

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE MOTOR TRADES ASSOCIATION OF QUEENSLAND

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From the Editor Official Publication of the Motor Trades Association of Queensland HEAD OFFICE Building 8, 2728 Logan Road, Eight Mile Plains, Qld 4113 P.O. Box 4530, Eight Mile Plains, Qld 4113 Tel: 07 3237 8777 Fax: 07 3844 4488 Toll Free: 1800 177 951 Email: publications@mtaq.com.au Website: www.mtaq.com.au EDITOR Jonathan Nash ART DIRECTOR Marco Ilinic INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS Ted Kowalski Evangeline Kannis POLICY Kellie Dewar, General Manager MTA Queensland ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES Marc Wilson // Gypsy media & marketing services

M: 0419 107 143 Email: advertising@mtaq.com.au

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JONATHAN NASH EDITOR

E

VERY YEAR, MTA Queensland comes together with industry members, government officials, interstate colleagues, special guests and apprentices and their families at the MTA Queensland Industry Awards Dinner.

A chance to celebrate the great work being done across the state, the highlight of the evening always is the presentation of the MTA Queensland awards.

Winners this year were Graeme Manietta from OZ-DIY Electric Vehicles in the Innovation Award category; Alison and Terry Dowling from Hertz Mt Isa in the Community Award category; and Rebecca Frizelle from Frizelle Sunshine Automotive Group, who took home the Women In Industry Award – a new category introduced this year. Outstanding winners all.

Often, the most memorable part of the evening is the presentation of the Apprentice of the Year Award.

This year, 10 outstanding apprentices

media & marketing services

EDITORIAL Editorial submissions are welcomed but cannot be guaranteed placement. For more information email the Editor at publications@mtaq.com.au SUBSCRIPTION RATES Subscribing to the Motor Trader e-magazine is free.

Click here to subscribe MOTOR TRADER PUBLISHING POLICY

Motor Trader is the official publication of the Motor Trades Association of Queensland. The role of Motor Trader is to inform members of current issues and legislation affecting the industry. As such it can be regarded as the business magazine for the Queensland motor industry. The role of Motor Trader is not to be in competition with the technical magazines already on the market. It will advise of new vehicles being released and of the latest technology incorporated into them; it will advise of latest technology affecting members in each of the MTA Queensland Divisions; it will keep members abreast of the latest in motor industry training and industrial affairs; and it will keep members informed of the latest technical aids available through MTA Queensland Member Services, which will assist members in staying ahead of the technological revolution presently being encountered within the motor industry. The publisher reserves the right to omit or alter any advertisement and the advertiser agrees to indemnify the publisher for all damages or liabilities arising from the published material.

MTA QUEENSLAND ABN: 74 028 933 848 CORPORATE PARTNERS

(and former apprentices who qualified during the year) were named as finalists and it is always a great pleasure to see these young people enjoy an event at which their hard work and dedication is recognised. This year it was Kimberley Wallace, who recently completed her Parts Interpreting apprenticeship, who was presented with the award and the $2000 prize.

You can read more about Kimberley, our other award winners, and more about the 2019 Industry Awards Dinner from page 22.

Also in this edition, we talk to Sean and Mandy Calcino about their Gold Coast business, South East Queensland 4x4, for our Q&A feature, and catch up with Lara Wilde - businesswoman, motor racing commentator, writer for this very publication, and car fanatic - about her rather excellent 1972 Chevrolet K20 Pick-up for our Member’s Classic feature. There is also, of course, plenty of automotive industry, innovation, and training news inside too.

I hope you enjoy this edition and if you have any news to share or have a classic vehicle you'd like to see featured, then please do get in contact.

I wish you all a memorable and jolly Christmas and New Year. See you in February.

Cheers!

Jonathan Nash, Editor jonathann@mtaq.com.au

20190842

MTA QUEENSLAND WELCOMES THE FOLLOWING NEW MEMBERS Business Name

Principal/s

Address

Email

Division

A Black Towing Black and White Mechanical Bulimba Service Centre DC Power Automotive Solutions Fleet Maintenance QLD GMW Mechanical & Towing Racecourse Star Service Station & Cafe

Alex Black Daniel Shane Tatnell Panayotis Triantafillou Emmalaine Opena Richard Scott Libby Green

69 Green Gate Rd, COOROIBAH QLD 4565 8 Lancaster Close, WOOMBYE QLD 4559 41 Michael Street, BULIMBA QLD 4171 30 Palmer St, NORTH MACKAY QLD 4740 5/915 Nudgee Road, BANYO QLD 4014 50 Hansen Road, GLADTSONE QLD 4680

accounts@ablacktowing.com.au blackandwhitemechanical@gmail.com info@bulimbaservicecentre.com admin@dcpowersolutions.com.au rich@fleetmaintenance.com.au manager@gmwco.com.au

NACA AED AED AED AED AED

Rohan Stephenson

146 Drayton St, DALBY QLD 4405

racecoursestarcafe@bigpond.com

SSCSAQ

December 2019/January 2020 Motor Trader | 1

Contents

22 04 08 12 18 22

FROM THE DESK OF THE CEO POLICY/VIEWPOINT MTA |Q&A 2MOTA LAUNCH MTAQ AWARDS AND INDUSTRY

AWARDS DINNER 36 AN EYE ON INNOVATION 38 AUTO INNOVATION NEWS 52 MEMBERS CLASSIC 58 AUTO NEWS 76 INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS 79 TRAINING GM'S PROFESSIONAL CIRCLE PERSPECTIVE 83 APPRENTICE OF THE MONTH: OCT 84 PROFESSIONAL CIRCLE TRAINING 89 APPRENTICE OF THE MONTH: NOV 96 CARS & COFFEE 102 CONCEPT CORNER 106 MARKET WRAP 2 | Motor Trader December 2019/January 2020

96

Search for MTA Queensland

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18

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102 December 2019/January 2020 Motor Trader | 3

From the Desk of the CEO collaborators or member businesses to our industry and the achievements of outstanding apprentices. At the 2019 Industry Awards Dinner, a capacity crowd of members, supporters, stakeholders and guests were privileged to celebrate the industry’s best - the finalists and winners of the Community, Innovation, and Women in Industry Awards and the Apprentice of the Year.

BRETT DALE Across the State, members as individuals CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER MTA QUEENSLAND and through their businesses contribute to their local communities through service and other contributions. The S WE WIND up the 2019 calendar year, my thoughts settle on Christmas actions of Hertz Mount Isa epitomised the essential characteristics of an and our MTA Queensland family outstanding community contributor and spread across the State. To our diverse is the winner of the Community Award.

MTA Queensland family my wish for you is Women increasingly are positioning to enjoy all that Christmas offers and that themselves in the automotive industry as the New Year brings prosperity and peace. owners, partners, professionals, ‘tradies’ Undoubtedly, the challenges ahead arising and leaders. Rebecca Frizelle, of Frizelle from technological change, climate and Sunshine Automotive, Gold Coast, is the economic conditions must be confronted, inaugural Women in Industry champion but with intelligence, capability, tenacity exemplifying the diverse capabilities and resilience, in the words of Martin women bring to the industry. OZ-DIY Luther King Jnr, ‘we shall overcome’.

Electric Vehicles, Brisbane, is a business For 90 years, MTA Queensland, through built around the conversion of older cars various name changes, has ‘overcome’ to electric vehicles and was the winner of technological, social, economic and the Innovation Award. Kimberley Wallace, climate changes and progressed. And we, from Morgan Motors in Emerald starred as as the MTA Queensland family, paused on 2019 Apprentice of the Year.

16 November 2019 at the Industry Awards The 2019 Industry Awards Dinner was dinner to celebrate that journey of concern, the social and celebratory highlight of frustration, growth and achievement to the year. Guests including the Minister stand today as the peak industry body for Transport and Main Roads and the representing the state’s automotive value Shadow Minister for Employment and chain. It is our vision and aspiration to ensure all MTA Queensland members feel Small Business and Skills Development they are connected to a trusted, influential saluted the achievers and the MTA and engaged peak industry body.

Queensland on its role as the peak body representing the automotive value chain.

RECOGNITION OF ACHIEVEMENT Thank you to the auction donors for their contributions which collectively raised Once a year we down tools to recognise the exceptional contributions of individuals, more than $16,000 for our Charity Partner,

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4 | Motor Trader December 2019/January 2020

Special guests at the Industry Dinner included motorsport superstars Craig Lowndes and Simona De Silvestra

“THE 2019 INDUSTRY AWARDS DINNER WAS THE SOCIAL AND CELEBRATORY HIGHLIGHT OF THE YEAR.”

Youngcare. Also, we acknowledge and thank the Industry Award Dinner Platinum Supporters – Commonwealth Bank, MTAA Super and CORE SME.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING In the words of Chairman Paul Peterson, the 2018-19 financial year was one of ‘significant achievement’ derived from realising the goals set in the 2016-2018 Strategic Plan. The steady and capable stewardship of the Association will be maintained with the continuation of the majority of Directors on the Board.

There is a one new addition to the Board through Bruce Sommerfeld, the Dealer Principal of the South Burnett Machinery Pty Ltd at Murgon, who was elected the Chair of the Queensland Farm and Industrial Machinery Dealers Division (QFIMDD). This is a consequence of the retirement of David Fraser after approximately 12 years as QFIMDD Chair.

Bruce has been an MTA Queensland member for some 24 years and will bring experience of the sector and the wider industry to the Board.

Following the Annual General Meeting, Board of Directors, members and guests gathered in the Innovation Hub for the launch of 2mota by founder Eden Spencer who promoted it as a new platform for mechanics and repairers to get their business online. The presentation was livestreamed on Facebook to enable decentralised members to be informed of its benefits. 2mota complements our role as an Industry Association partner in the Federal Government’s Small Business Digital Champion Project. 2mota details are on the website.

MEETINGS An important meeting for the MTA Queensland was with Senator Michaela Cash, Minister for Employment Skills, Small and Family Business and her Chief of Staff Daniel Try, to discuss a wide range of vocational education and industry issues. It was the second meeting with Senator Cash and, similar to the first, was productive, covering a wide range of issues relative to MTA Queensland. The priority for discussion was the current skills shortage coupled with the projected increase across the automotive industry requiring the Government’s focus on strategies and programs to retain and attract apprentices and trainees.

MTA Queensland has been a provider of the Industry Specialist Mentoring for Australian Apprentices (ISMAA) program for almost two years providing state-wide support to over 1109 first and second-year automotive students. It ends at the end of this year. Under the mentoring program, we achieved an 81 per cent retention rate – December 2019/January 2020 Motor Trader | 5

From the desk of the CEO above the 75 per cent KPI for the program.

This is up from an industry average of 60 per cent and the equivalent to employing an additional 1,000 apprentices across the state. It is unlikely that a new strategy would attract that number of trainees. ISMAA for the automotive industry has been a great success and careful thought should be given to the government’s decision to abandon it. In view of ISMAA’s success and the shortages in skilled automotive technicians, I advocated to Senator Cash for Under the mentoring program, MTA Queensland the government to prioritise the program’s achieved an 81 per cent retention rate – above extension and to cover apprentices the 75 per cent KPI for the program. throughout their four-year journey.

CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES I’ve met again with the Ipswich City Council including PwC to continue discussions on the concept of a Mobility Centre of Excellence that would include the smart city technologies.

In last month’s From the Desk of the CEO, I mentioned meeting with the Australia Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) to discuss collaboration around a pilot program for technician gradings and other areas of mutual interest. I’ve followed up that conversation with AAAA Executive Director Stuart Charity about the pilot program aimed at accrediting our technicians with international standards. Other collaborative opportunities will be pursued. AAAA will be holding its national convention – Autocare 2020 – at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre from 19-20 June 2020 and we are proud to be included as a feature within the event program.

“MTA QUEENSLAND HAS BEEN

A PROVIDER OF THE INDUSTRY SPECIALIST MENTORING FOR AUSTRALIAN APPRENTICES (ISMAA) PROGRAM FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS . . . ” AND THE LAST THING As we look toward to Christmas and the New Year, my best wishes to all MTA Queensland Group staff. Thank you for your support, professionalism and service to members and students. To all MTA Queensland members, may the festive season be joyful and the New Year prosperous.

Until next year, 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’.

CLICK TO JOIN FOR FREE DIGITAL ADVICE 6 | Motor Trader December 2019/January 2020

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Policy/Viewpoint “THE CALIBRE OF THE

KELLIE DEWAR DEPUTY GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE GENERAL MANAGER MEMBER SERVICES

C

HRISTMAS AND NEW Year is a time of celebration, for giving and sharing. Balanced against that will be thoughts for individuals, families, and businesses who have endured the floods, the continuing drought, and fires which have impacted lives and beset many communities. Amongst them are MTA Queensland members and their families, some of whom have experienced firsthand the personal and economic consequences that ensue from natural disasters.

Prosperity for the motor trades for the 2019 calendar year has not been even-handed. For farm machinery dealers within the Queensland Farm and Industrial Machinery Dealers’ Division, who rely on a resilient agricultural sector, it’s been a ‘year that will be recorded in history that farm machinery dealers hope never to witness again’. With some exceptions, motor vehicle dealers within the Australian Automotive Dealers’ Association have incurred difficult trading conditions with car sales declining 20 months in a row. The current slowdown probably reflects the continuing ‘big dry’ and tighter lending by banks and financiers following the Financial Services Royal Commission. The Commonwealth

8 | Motor Trader December 2019/January 2020

CANDIDATES FOR THE MTA QUEENSLAND’S 2019 APPRENTICE OF YEAR WAS EXCELLENT . . . KIMBERLEY WALLACE FROM MORGAN MOTORS IN EMERALD, WHO RECENTLY COMPLETED A PARTS INTERPRETER APPRENTICESHIP, WAS A STANDOUT AMONGST HER PEERS AND WAS THE RECIPIENT OF THE AWARD . . .”

Bank’s Household Spending Index refers to motor vehicle purchase intentions as being ‘deep in negative territory’.

Yet, there is reason to rejoice. There has been a quiet but sure uptake of interest and involvement of women across the automotive value chain. This was on show at the 2019 MTA Queensland Industry Awards Dinner. The inaugural winner of the Women in Industry Award was Rebecca Frizelle, the Chief Operating Officer of Frizelle Sunshine Automotive Group, Gold Coast. In addition to her primary role, she serves on Board of Directors of prominent and wellrecognised institutions and entities. She will be the standard bearer for all who follow her as the winner of this award.

The calibre of the candidates for the MTA Queensland’s 2019 Apprentice of Year was excellent, each being an MTA Institute Apprentice of the Month.

Kimberley Wallace from Morgan Motors in Emerald, who recently completed a Parts Interpreter apprenticeship, was a standout amongst her peers and was the recipient of the Award and a $2,000 cheque. Kimberley follows trailblazer Sarah Gale from Rego’s

They are either owners or co-owners of their respective businesses and will bring to the divisions another perspective to advancing their respective trades or resolving industry concerns.

ADVOCACY Each year, there is a formal review of MTA Queensland’s rules. This year, the appraisal identified two changes or amendments required for administration, governance, compliance or correction. The first relates to the tenure for the positions of Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary MTA Queensland Apprentice of the Year Kimberley Wallace of the MTA Queensland Board, (Morgan Motors) with Leeanne Turner, MTAA Super CEO including maximum terms. The and Paul Kulpa, General Manager, MTA Institute second relates to reports that are issued after finalising the Association’s Mobile Mechanical Services in Atherton elections. These were considered and agreed who in 2014 was the first female winner. to at the 15th November 2019 Annual The Community Award went to Terrence General Meeting. I’m in the process of and Alison Dowling, the co-owners preparing the proposed amendments for and co-directors of Hertz Mount Isa for Fair Work Commission approval. their ongoing support for local events The year is ending with a rush. On and activities through sponsorship, the to-do list are four submissions: two volunteering, and donations. In accepting prebudget priorities – Australian and the Award, Alison emphasised local Queensland Treasuries; and responses to community and cultural development the Queensland Small Business Strategy relied on volunteering. She lends her discussion paper and the Franchising professional management, board director sector reforms, Regulation Impact governance and leadership expertise to Statement. These will be on the website in any positive community initiative. due course for members’ interest.

We acknowledge and thank the Industry The scheduled meeting with the Office Award Dinner Platinum Supporters – of Fair Trading is pending. Attending will Commonwealth Bank, MTAA Super and be the new Deputy Director General of CORE SME. the Department of Justice and Attorney I happily reiterate the comments in last General Victoria Thompson. This will month’s Motor Trader, that four divisions be a change as we have had a long and professional relationship with David Ford, - Automotive Parts Recyclers, Engine the now retired Commissioner for Fair Reconditioners, National Auto Collision Trading and Deputy Director General of Alliance, and the Farm and Machinery the Department. An issue to be canvassed Dealers each has female representation.

December 2019/January 2020 Motor Trader | 9

Policy/Viewpoint at the meeting is the compulsory Takata airbag recall which the Australian Consumer and Competition Commission refers to as being the most significant recall in Australia’s history.

I was one of 800 who attended the 2019 Not Now, Not Ever Together Breakfast hosted by the Queensland Government.

The breakfast featured a Corporates and Community in Conversation panel which shone a spotlight on the experience and achievements of corporate and community organisations in responding to domestic and family violence. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and the Minister for Prevention for Domestic and Family Violence Di Farmer each addressed the gathering.

SMALL BUSINESS DIGITAL CHAMPIONS MTA Queensland is now six months into delivering the Australian Government’s Small Business Digital Champions project.

The contract extends over two years, requiring the Association to establish ‘a trusted digital advisory service to promote the benefits of ‘going digital’ to members’.

This includes providing advice on technical trends and the technology adoption of hardware; software; digital training; online content development; online digital planning and coaching support. Integral to this project is the face-to-face delivery of digital support and advice.

Our six-month report provides progress on the key activities including a survey, workshops, communications, and webinars delivered to members. It includes two case studies of businesses (Carline Enoggera and National Automotive Service Maroochydore) who utilised the benefits of the digital advisory service for their individual needs. In the instance of Carline Enoggera, MTA Queensland was able to assist in improving business processes by building and creating a new updated 10 | Motor Trader December 2019/January 2020

website. The education and resources provided by MTA Queensland allowed Carline Enoggera to fully embrace their Facebook and Instagram account and take charge of their website, updating specials and information regularly.

I encourage members who are time poor or limited in resources to contact us as it is crucial for businesses in the automotive industry to have an online presence.

LOOKING FORWARD In 2020, the focus will be on members and delivering the services that assist with business operations. The bedrock of service delivery to members will continue to be the top-level industrial relations advice, digital support, communications and resources and advocacy. Instrumental in gaining insight into the issues and the service delivery requirements of members will be the Engagement Strategy, commenced in September. It provides the reassurance for members that each business is receiving full value from their membership and is aware of all their entitlements as well as an opportunity for us to hear views relating to the automotive value chain. I’ll be back in the office early in the New Year and will be taking the opportunity of a quiet period to catch-up with members who, like me, may be working.

FINALLY Christmas and New year for me will be with the immediate and extended family.

It is the time the clan gathers in one place (my parents’ home) to enjoy the bond of family, the delights of the table and the surprises under the Christmas tree.

My best wishes to all members in every location across Queensland to experience a joyful Christmas and a Happy New Year that brings prosperity and peace.

Until February 2020, take care and stay safe.

Small change.

Big future.

Matthew Webster (46) has a long way to go before he hangs up his hat, but he can already picture his retirement.

He plans to travel around Australia in a caravan with his wife — once he convinces her that it will be fun!

Matt has spent his career in the motor trades and is well on his way to making sure he has enough super to see the country in comfort.

He joined MTAA Super as an apprentice in 1989 and now works in an automotive training role in NSW. “I’m really happy I’ve been with MTAA Super. It’s the industry super fund for my trade and has been supporting careers in the automotive industry for over 25 years.”

“I’m still a long way off retirement, but I do think about what I will do when I stop working and how I will support myself and my family.”

Matt, like many Australians, is not alone in his concern. Thanks to changing work patterns and increased life expectancy, many of us will spend close to a quarter of our lives as retirees.

For some, the age pension alone or relying solely on your employer’s super contributions may not be enough.

Leeanne Turner, CEO of MTAA Super, says it’s important that workers do what they can to help grow their super throughout their working lives.

“Too many workers are hands-off with their super. Retirement can feel like a lifetime away, so it’s easy to put super on the back burner. But there are a lot of ways you can actively grow your super now.”

She says one of the easiest and most effective ways is to make regular extra contributions.

“Small amounts can go a long way.

Putting as little as an extra $10 per week into your super can add up to thousands over a 30+ year career.”

“This is because of the compounding nature of superannuation. With super, you don’t just grow your employer and voluntary contributions, you also grow the investment returns on these contributions. Every dollar you add to your super account boosts your super’s earning capacity.”

Ms Turner also adds that making extra contributions is easy.

“It’s simple. Just ask your employer to set up a regular (pre-tax) salary sacrifice into your super, or make direct (after-tax) deposits into your super whenever you can afford to put a little aside.”

Give your super a boost!

For ways to give your super a boost while you’re still working visit mtaasuper.com.au/ extra-contributions

1300 362 415 mtaasuper.com.au

This article is issued by Motor Trades Association of Australia Superannuation Fund Pty. Limited (ABN 14 008 650 628, AFSL 238 718) of Level 3, 39 Brisbane Avenue Barton ACT 2600, Trustee of the MTAA Superannuation Fund (ABN 74 559 365 913). Motor Trades Association of Australia Superannuation Fund Pty. Limited has ownership interests in Industry Super Holdings Pty Ltd and Members Equity Bank Limited. The information provided is of a general nature and does not take into account your specific needs or personal situation. You should assess your financial position and personal objectives before making any decision based on this information. We also recommend that you seek advice from a licensed financial adviser. The MTAA Super Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), an important document containing all the information you need to make a decision about MTAA Super, can be obtained by calling MTAA Super on 1300 362 415 or visiting mtaasuper.com.au/handbooks. You should consider the PDS in making a decision.

Mandy and Sean Calcino

MTA|Q&A Sean Calcino has been immersed in the world of 4WDs for more years than perhaps he’d care to remember after wife Mandy sparked his interested in the pursuit when they met in the 1980s. He has competed as a driver and navigator at the top level in Australia 4WD motorsport but equally enjoys camping trips with family and friends. Here, Sean and Mandy talk about South East Queensland 4x4 - the business he set up on the Gold Coast 28 years ago and which offers 4x4 servicing and maintenance, tuning, diagnostics, fabrications and repairs amongst other services – and discuss why being an MTA Queensland member matters, as well as the issues facing this booming sector of the industry.

12 | Motor Trader December 2019/January 2020

South East Queensland 4x4, Carrara

How did South East Queensland 4x4 come to be established?

SC: I used to work for another mechanic

on the Coast and was having a few issues.

My father-in-law, who was very successful in the field of surveying, said to me, ‘you might as well go broke working for yourself as working for someone else’! And I thought, that’s true!

MC: So, Sean arrived home one afternoon and said, ‘That’s it. I’m working for myself ’.

SC: That was in 1991. I spent a couple of years working out of our home at Nerang, then a friend who was a diesel engineer and who I met through 4WD club, rented me the back half of his shed and I had seven years there until he sold the business and retired.

MC: This is our third premises and we’ve been here since 2007.

SC: I did my apprenticeship on Holdens here on the Coast. I actually hated my apprenticeship with a passion! Working

in a dealership doing the same thing over and over again was just boring. So, after I finished my apprenticeship in 1979, I spent just another year there and then went into the building trade for a few years.

Then I decided to travel, doing the Australian thing of going overseas, catching trains and buses, hitchhiking, and doing it on the cheap. It got to the stage I was going to be one of those Australians who disappear into the woodwork overseas, never to be seen back in Australia again! My plan was to spend 10 or 15 years to see what I could see.

Then I spoke to mum one day and she explained that my sister was getting married and, as the oldest in the family, I’d be giving her away at the wedding. That was the duty. That was in 1983 and I was in Kathmandu. I came home from there and my sister didn’t get married!

Then I met Mandy, who wasn’t interested in going overseas, and I got a job through a friend at Dallow’s Nursery at Southport.

A mate and I worked out a job share with December 2019/January 2020 Motor Trader | 13

them as mechanics. We were fixing and servicing everything – tractors, loaders, all sorts of things. It was doing that job that I discovered I enjoy the problem-solving side of mechanics as well as the physical side of building bits and pieces.

I then worked for a crane company for over a year, then for Citibus on the Coast and then moved into 4WDs with an established business.

By then I’d got sick of climbing into heavy machinery, and I get a sore back leaning over sedans and that sort of thing, so I figured 4WDs were about the right height for me!

I got into 4WDing mainly through Mandy. She is an avid 4WDer and I joined the Gold Coast 4WD Club and have competed as a driver and navigator throughout Australia. We’ve enjoyed the whole range of 4WDing, from camping to extreme competition.

How many staff do you have?

SC: We have one other mechanic plus a

fourth-year apprentice. We have had more

14 | Motor Trader December 2019/January 2020

staff in the past but found that too many became unwieldy.

MC: Because Sean wants to work on the vehicles, because that’s what he loves, as well as run the business, we tried a workshop manager for a while, but that didn’t work for us. So we downsized to keep it manageable. It means Sean can run the business but also be on the tools.

SC: I take on jobs to keep my brain ticking over. I like projects that stretch me, that need research and that the client understands won’t be done quickly. The interesting part is working out how’s it all going to go together – the sticking it all together isn’t as exciting for me.

Why is being an MTAQ member important?

SC: I’m a great believer in the need for

fighting forces. We need bodies prepared to say, ‘Hey, this isn’t right and we need to do something about it’, and to make us aware of changes. The government is always changing things such as consumer laws or industry regulations. It’s about

advocacy and information. I’ve been a member for almost two decades. I am not very active but it’s important to support them even if it’s just via membership fees, to keep them working and doing what they do for us.

I’m also a member of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers.

MC: The good thing also about MTA Queensland is that it’s multi-purpose, has resources, and encompasses all aspects of the industry. It’s not just for motor mechanics, its all sectors.

What are the challenges facing the industry?

SC: I read somewhere that the 4WD and

caravan industry has grown 220 per cent in the past five years and it’s a little like the pink batt scheme a few years ago - there were 400 installers before the scheme and when it was brought in there were 3000!

So, we have a sudden surge in the number of so-called 4WD experts in the industry. Regular mechanical businesses used to say, ‘No, it’s a 4WD, I won’t touch

that’. Now, they are doing everything.

And the problem is that in many cases they then subcontract it out and a lot of time that work just isn’t up to spec.

I’ve always said to my employees, and its something everyone in the industry needs to understand, that if it's not done right, it's not just an inconvenience. Our customers could be here Monday and

by Wednesday be in the middle of the Simpson Desert. And if something breaks out there, they may not see anyone for the next two weeks. It’s not an inconvenience, it’s life threatening. We do have better communications now but that doesn’t alter the fact it’s your work they’re relying on. There’s too many in the industry with a ‘yeah, it’s all good, that’ll do you’ attitude.

MC: It’s a very niche part of the market and people expect their vehicles to perform in extreme conditions and situations. If they are prepared correctly they will, unless they do something to compromise that.

There’s also the concern of 4WD owners not understanding what their vehicles

December 2019/January 2020 Motor Trader | 15

can and can’t do and what they’ve been prepared to do. All of our staff know what’s expected of a vehicle off road. They get it.

What’s the future look like for the 4WD industry?

SC: We’re now in a time when everything is

that sort of thing. An old mechanic told me years ago, and he was spot on, that, ‘Toyota, Nissan and all the rest spend millions of dollars on making their vehicles the best. Why is it two Australians with a carton of beer think they know better?’

You need to work out why they’ve done before you modify it. If you work out why, you’ll do a better job, get a better result.

Too many people just jump in to modify it.

driven by sales. As long as it’s still growing, we will keep getting more models and accessories offered in our marketplace and a lot of what’s offered out there just isn’t right or useful to the vehicle.

The rise of the internet has meant We’re seeing EVs and hybrids growing in everyone’s an expert and it’s confusing.

There’s also a lot of ‘media’ that’s generated numbers. Do hybrids have a place in 4WDing?

SC: They do and slowly we’re seeing more by manufacturers. We need independent and authorative voices in the industry. charging stations appearing. But that There’s also the won’t happen problem with the overnight, of perception of what course. looks good. To They will be fine me, a well-set-up as long as their 4WD doesn’t need 4WD systems work. to be high. Most 4WDing is all about of the time what wheel placement. we want is for our It doesn’t matter 4WD to handle well about big tyres and on the road – the diff locks, etc, if you massive lift kits can CLICK TO VISIT THE SOUTH can put your wheels be just dangerous EAST QLD 4X4 in the right place, and we need, as an WEBSITE that’s the science. industry, to regulate 16 | Motor Trader December 2019/January 2020

Business support every step of the way.

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To help you take your business to the next level, MTAQ members can benefit from direct access to a dedicated CommBank Relationship Manager and team of specialists who will work with you through every stage of your business life cycle. You’ll also receive 24/7 Australian based phone support for all your business banking needs.

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Things you should know: ^‘Same day’ includes eCommerce card sales before 5:30pm (AEST) and EFTPOS card sales before 10pm (AEST) and is available for eligible customers with a Commonwealth Bank business transaction account and a linked Commonwealth Bank merchant facility. Offers available to referrals made via MTAQ. MTAQ may receive a referral fee from Commonwealth Bank for each successful referral (excludes existing customers). Applications for finance are subject to the Bank’s normal credit approval and suitability of the asset. Other fees, charges, terms and conditions may apply. As this information has been prepared without considering your objectives, financial situation or needs, you should, before acting on the information, consider its appropriateness to your circumstances. Please view our Merchant Agreement, Financial Services Guide and Operator and User Guides at commbank.com.au/ merchantsupport. To find out more about Daily IQ, visit commbank.com.au/DailyIQ. Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124 AFSL and Australian credit licence 234945.

Dr Brett Dale, MTA Queensland Group CEO

Eden Spencer, 2mota CEO

2MOTA LAUNCHED AT MTAiQ INNOVATION HUB

2

MOTA, THE UNIQUE online booking platform and business marketplace developed in partnership with MTA Queensland, its members and industry, was officially launched in November at an event at the MTAiQ Innovation Hub. It marks a major push by MTA Queensland - which has invested in the platform - to provide members and the wider industry with an avenue to enter the digital economy and create a presence online, have access to new customers, become part of a community of businesses, and increase revenue and profit.

As a partner in the Australian government’s Small Business Digital Champion Project, MTA Queensland committed to promoting the benefits of ‘going digital’ to members and the 2mota platform forms part of the Association’s involvement in creating a suite of digital projects aimed at assisting industry. These include social media workshops, online resources, and delivering advice on technology trends and

18 | Motor Trader December 2019/January 2020

VIDEO: WELCOME TO 2MOTA

adoption and all manner of other topics relevant to business becoming engaged in the digital world.

2mota is a portal where business can engage with consumers looking for service, repair or maintenance work for their vehicles. However, this business-toconsumer marketplace is just one aspect of the platform. 2mota also features a business-to-business marketplace - a feature that offers a unique opportunity for businesses to not only access a pool of subcontractors, but also hire and share tools and other assets,

that not only attracts new customers but, including space, from and with other workshops. Together, the two marketplaces perhaps just as importantly, enables a work to help businesses become more reduction in a business’s operating costs. efficient and productive, offering a secure “Consumers are changing," he said. "They way to collaborate, to generate more understand the digital environment, they business, and get online without the need desire services on-demand . . . and this has for price wars and undercutting. And it’s all changed the nature of how we interact in one, easy-to-use platform. with them and how businesses operate.

Industry was consulted extensively “The focus of 2mota is to help sustain during the development of the 2mota small businesses through this digital platform and the feedback to the concept, disruption. We’re promoting a diversified and the detailed discussions with business business model aimed at reducing owners who have decades of working in the businesses operating costs, and one industry, has ensured the platform delivers where consumers are no longer the only features and an experience that was sought way to earn a profit. We are promoting after by automotive businesses. collaboration between businesses and The launch of 2mota was attended by finding new ways for them to work guests including automotive business together. 2mota is a way to provide the owners and the Board of MTA Queensland, industry with a new type of sustainability.” with Eden Spencer, CEO of 2mota, Mr Spencer’s sentiments were echoed delivering a presentation on the concept

by Dr Brett Dale, CEO of MTA Queensland behind the platform, the role of technology Group, who highlighted the input of in the disruption of the auto industry, and industry during the development of the goal of 2mota’s introduction.

2mota.

“What we have created in conjunction “Today is a very exciting day,” he said. with MTA Queensland is actually a “Two years ago, we launched the MTAiQ world first,” said Mr Spencer. “Why did innovation hub. We took seriously the we develop this platform? The biggest change confronting business on a daily reason was because our industry is basis with regard to new technology and changing. We have seen significant established that one of our key roles would disruption in the last few years, and that be to introduce and support emerging is not only thanks to the smartphone, but technology from an industry perspective. to a whole raft of new e-commerce models Today is about that. that are significantly changing how we “There are a number of strategies that operate and how we integrate with the rest we see this platform having the capacity of society.” to accommodate and believe it will be Mr Spencer illustrated this change by the future marketplace for automotive focusing on Sydney, where a plethora of – a marketplace that will be regulated new business models - including ride to ensure that there is a real balance sharing, car sharing, micro transit and between the consumer and industry. vehicle subscriptions, amongst “We can guarantee to our others – has changed the transport CLICK members that this concept landscape and changed the TO VISIT will be industry-led and will expectations of consumers.

2MOTA.COM.AU always take into account the Mr Spencer said the effect expectations and necessary of this change on traditional operating space for our member automotive businesses highlighted the need for an avenue such as 2mota businesses."

December 2019/January 2020 Motor Trader | 19

2mota A new way of doing business The world is changing fast. You have a business to run and you want to get more customers, boost your revenue and increase your profits.

2mota is the answer – a simple-to-use, online platform that makes you part of a network of connected automotive businesses and gives you access to a pool of skilled tradespeople, assets and resources, as well as thousands of potential customers

THE BENEFITS OF 2MOTA Need a specialist technician or an extra pair of hands during that busy period? From auto-electricians to air-conditioning techs to DPF experts, if you need the input of a specialist you'll find them on 2mota Need a piece of equipment or a

specialist tool for that one-off job?

Find it and rent it through 2mota

WHAT IS 2MOTA?

2mota is an online marketplace that delivers in two ways. Firstly, there’s a B2B marketplace.

Should you need to hire a skilled technician on a short-term basis, you can find the right person for the job on 2mota. You can rent tools and equipment, even workshop space and fixed assets such as hoists, to and from other businesses on 2mota as well.

Secondly, there’s a consumer portal that allows car owners to book your services for maintenance and repair work at a price that's right for everyone.

Put simply, 2mota is a one-stop shop, offering access to the resources of a connected automotive industry community as well as to thousands of potential customers!

Got a piece of equipment or a specialist tool that you’re not using?

Rent it out through 2mota Need access to workshop space and a hoist? Find a workshop that has those assets available through 2mota Want to rent out workshop space, a hoist or other fixed asset? Do it through 2mota Gain access to thousands of potential customers wanting their vehicle repaired or serviced, and bid for jobs in seconds from your office or home. It's hassle free!

2mota is great value! Subscription is free for 12 months to members of MTA Queensland and just $20 per month to non-members.

Find out more and sign up today at 2mota.com.au/how-it-works-business

22 | Motor Trader December 2019/January 2020

C E L E B R AT I N G

YEARS

December 2019/January 2020 Motor Trader | 23

2019 MTA Queensland Industry Awards Dinner, Emporium Hotel, Brisbane

M

TA QUEENSLAND HELD its annual Industry Awards Dinner at the Emporium Hotel in Brisbane on November 16. More than 200 guests from across the state were in attendance, including MTA Queensland members, industry stakeholders, corporate partners of the association, political representatives, and friends, family and colleagues of the MTA Queensland Apprentice of the Year nominees.

Hosted by Channel Seven’s Ben Davis, special guests at the Industry Awards Dinner included motorsport superstars Craig Lowndes and Simona De Silvestro, both of whom were interviewed on stage during a Q and A session; the Hon Mark Bailey MP, Minister for Transport and Main Roads; and Fiona Simpson MP, Shadow Minister for Employment and Small Business, Training and Skills Development.

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the MTA Queensland awards. These awards recognise the contribution and achievements of individuals and businesses through the Community award, the Innovation award,

24 | Motor Trader December 2019/January 2020

“TONIGHT PROVIDES THE PERFECT SETTING TO ACKNOWLEDGE THOSE WHO ARE CURRENTLY MAKING HUGE CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR INDUSTRY IN COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP, TO THOSE TRAILBLAZING WOMEN WHO ARE LEADING INDUSTRY, THOSE BUSINESSES LEADING THE WAY ON INNOVATION AND OUR FUTURE WORKFORCE THROUGH THE APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR.” and the Women In Industry award, as well as acknowledging the incredible effort of outstanding automotive apprentices through the MTA Queensland Apprentice of the Year award.

2019 marks the 90th anniversary of the founding of MTA Queensland – originally named the Garage and Service Station Proprietors Association of Queensland (GASSA) – and Dr Brett Dale, MTA

Dr Brett Dale, MTA Queensland Group CEO

Queensland Group CEO, remarked on the occasion during his opening address, noting the similarities in circumstance that affect the Association and the industry today as they did in 1929.

Back then, the automotive industry in Australia was growing fast (in 1929, one in every 11 Australians owned a

motor vehicle – up from one in 55 just a decade earlier) and the establishment of GASSA was a result of this burgeoning transportation revolution. Today, Dr Dale noted, the industry was on the cusp of an equally transformative upheaval - one based on fast-moving technological developments, changing consumer expectations, and the connected and on-demand nature of society - and MTA Queensland was focused, just as it was in its early incarnation, to advocating for the industry and helping businesses to adapt to that disruption.

“The Association has a proud history that was born of a revolution that would change the world forever. That revolution is now changing at a pace never seen before,” said Dr Dale.

“As the peak body for industry, it is our aspiration to bring awareness of this to all our stakeholders. We represent the needs of business and work to ensure the regulatory and trading space are optimised to support the sustainability and prosperity of our members.

“Our industry is essential to every other December 2019/January 2020 Motor Trader | 25

industry. Without us the economy would not prosper, and the nation would literally come to a standstill. And one thing is certain, we will never again have the luxury of watching markets slowly adapt.

"The transition and change facing us is exponential. The onus is on us to prepare and capitalise on the inevitable and we are doing this through the likes of the 2mota online platform that will bring the entire auto industry into the digital space. We are committed more than ever in supplying a relevant and skilled workforce that will take our industry to new levels and I acknowledge the great effort that our trainers and mentors put in to producing these talented tradespeople. Importantly, behind every great apprentice is a great business who supports them and enables them to be a potential leader of our industry in the future.

“Tonight provides the perfect setting to acknowledge those who are currently

making huge contributions to our industry in community leadership, to those trailblazing women who are leading industry, those businesses leading the way on innovation, and our future workforce through the apprentice of the year. We are privileged to celebrate industry’s best tonight.”

T H E AWA R D S CELEBRATING INDUSTRY’S BEST is the focus of every annual MTA Queensland Industry Awards Dinner, and the 2019 awards featured some outstanding individuals and businesses as finalists across the four award categories. Through the Community Award and the Innovation Award, MTA Queensland shines a spotlight on the work done by member businesses within the communities they serve and the creative ideas and concepts that are being developed and that aim to advance the

Community Award winners Alison and Terry Dowling from Hertz Mt Isa, with Craig Lowndes, David Brown (from award finalist Keema Automotive Group), Sharine Milne (from award finalist R.H.D. Classic Supplies & Services), MTA Queensland Group CEO Dr Brett Dale, and Chairman Paul Peterson (far right) 26 | Motor Trader December 2019/January 2020

“WE DO WHAT WE CAN, WHEN WE CAN, WITH NO EXPECTATION OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENT BEYOND THE USUAL COURTESY. ‘SERVICE ABOVE SELF’ – WE ARE BOTH ROTARIANS AND THAT IS OUR MOTTO – SO IF WE CAN HELP OUR FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS, WE WILL.” industry.

COMMUNITY AWA R D

Community Award winners, Alison and Terry Dowling (Hertz Mt Isa)

THE COMMUNITY AWARD finalists were Hertz Mt Isa, Keema Automotive Group of Springwood, and R.H.D Classic Supplies &

Service of Aitkenvale.

Hertz Mt Isa was named the winner with owners Alison and Terry Dowling accepting the award from Craig Lowndes.

The Hertz Mt Isa team are renowned for their commitment to their community and the couple support events and activities through sponsorship, volunteering, donations and a variety of other initiatives that is almost too long to list but includes supporting local events such as the annual Camooweal Drovers Festival, the Mount Isa Show, the Boulia Market Day, and the Mount Isa City Council Music Festival.

Support of other local small businesses comes through membership of Commerce North West, the bi-annual Minex mining and trade expo, the Buy Local campaign gift cards and Buy Local Support for Local Business television advertising, amongst other initiatives.

Terry and Alison are members of Rotary and active volunteers, giving up their time to support the annual Mount Isa Mines Rodeo, as well as assisting at school fetes, the School of the Air, Lifeflight, RFDS, Mount Isa Multicultural Festival, and the Regional Schools Encouragement Awards.

Alison has also volunteered to do historical December 2019/January 2020 Motor Trader | 27

research for the Mount Isa Rodeo Museum and Hall of Fame projects, and currently volunteers with the Young People Ahead project working to enable young people with a disability to build skills in creative industries.

It's an exhaustive list of community interactions and it comes as no surprise to learn Alison has been recognised for her work in the community before – she was presented the Customer Service Hero Award Community Sector at the North West Business Awards in 2018.

When accepting the MTA Queensland Community Award, Alison offered generous congratulations to her fellow finalists and reflected on the importance of teamwork both at Hertz Mt Isa and in the community.

“This MTA Queensland award is a wonderful surprise and a most welcome acknowledgement from our peers of our community support work which we do through our small business,” she said.

“We do what we can, when we can, with no expectation of acknowledgement beyond the usual courtesy. ‘Service above self ’ – we are both Rotarians and that is our motto – so if we can help our fellow human beings, we will.”

I N N OVAT I O N AWA R D THE INNOVATION AWARD is particularly interesting in this time of industry disruption and there is a vast amount of creative thinking, ambition and hard work going into new concepts and products across the industry. The finalists for this award were Australia Electric Infrastructure Transport, SmartGen, and OZ-DIY Electric Vehicles.

OZ-DIY Electric Vehicle was named the winner with owner Graeme Manietta accepting the award from Kelvin Wiggins of Core SME. A huge advocate for electric vehicles, 28 | Motor Trader December 2019/January 2020

Innovation Award finalists Rikesh Ram from Australian Electric Infrastructure Transport and SmartGen, and Graeme Manietta from OZ DIY Electric Vehicles, with MTA Queensland Chairman Paul Peterson and CEO Dr Brett Dale

and the Chairman of the Queensland branch of the Australian Electric Vehicle Association (AEVA), Graeme established OZ-DIY Electric Vehicles in 2011 with a mission to recycle old cars into electric vehicles. He started that mission with three Suzuki Swifts destined for the scrapyard and now includes a Model T ford, a VW Kombi, a Datsun 1200, a Suzuki Sierra 4WD and a 2008 Mazda RX8 amongst the many builds he has completed.

OZ-DIY Electric Vehicles also imports the components required for conversions and promotes the concept of owners completing their own builds.

Graeme also has an eye on the future and OZ-DIY offers servicing and repairs on factory EVs and is working on creating and collecting special tools and software with the expectation of the work that will need to be done on these cars in the near future.

Other projects include a ‘module’ as a complete drop-in drive unit for common cars such as the Commodore or Falcon and the OZ-DIY team is also looking at performance modifications, working

“IN FIVE YEARS’ TIME, REFUELLING, REPAIRING AND SERVICING CARS WILL LOOK VERY DIFFERENT TO HOW IT DOES TODAY . . . IN 10 YEARS’ TIME, FOSSIL FUEL VEHICLES COULD WELL BE THE EXCEPTION, NOT THE RULE.”

Innovation Award winner, Graeme Manietta (OZ-DIY Electric Vehicle) with Paul Peterson, Chairman, MTA Queensland

to increase the range and performance of EVs. OZ-DIY also supports other conversion businesses with components, batteries and technical assistance.

A true advocate for electric vehicles and a man who has seen and been involved in the growth of that sector through his own work and through the AEVA, Graeme pointed out when accepting the Innovation award how different the industry may look within the next decade and how important it was that the industry as whole prepare for the EV revolution.

“Awards like this are very important because they show support for people like

us who are trying to make a difference in the world,” said Graeme. “I’d like to thank everyone for this award. It means a lot and I am humbled that we were chosen.

“MTA Queensland are at the forefront of encouraging the uptake of new and emerging technology, and tonight we have heard talk of electric vehicles several times.

“In five years’ time, refuelling, repairing and servicing cars will look very different to how it does today . . . in 10 years’ time, fossil fuel vehicles could well be the exception, not the rule.

“We all need to get ready. That is my belief.”

December 2019/January 2020 Motor Trader | 29

WOMEN IN INDUSTRY AWA R D A NEW AWARD for 2019, the Women In Industry accolade was introduced to acknowledge the tremendous contribution women make to an industry that is perceived to be male dominated. However, from new recruits (see the Apprentice of the Year winner) to senior management to business owners to CEOs, women are involved in all levels of the industry and recognising that fact, and encouraging more young women to enter the trades, is the focus of this award.

The finalists for the award were Andrea McCarthy from McCarthy Panel Works in Mackay, Rebecca Frizelle from Frizelle Sunshine Automotive Group in Southport, and Sharine Milne from R.H.D. Classic Supplies & Services in Aitkenvale.

Rebecca Frizelle was named the winner and she accepted the award from Simona De Silvestro.

Women in Industry Award winner Rebecca Frizelle (Frizelle Sunshine Automotive Group)

The name Frizelle is one of the best known and most respected in Australia’s automotive industry and became known after James Frizelle founded the James Frizelle Automotive Group on the Gold Coast in 1985. It would grow to become one of the largest dealership groups in

Women in Industry Award finalists Rebecca Frizelle, Andrea McCarthy, and Sharine Milne (centre with award certificates) 30 | Motor Trader December 2019/January 2020

“I AM A FIRM BELIEVER IN THE BEST PERSON FOR THE JOB . . . I DON’T CARE IF YOU’RE MALE OR FEMALE BUT LET’S CREATE CONDITIONS WHERE WE ATTRACT WOMEN TO OUR INDUSTRY WHERE THEY FEEL WELCOMED. IT WILL MAKE US A MORE PROFITABLE, MORE PROSPEROUS, AND STRONGER BUSINESS.” Queensland and today, after joining forces with the Peter Warren Group of Sydney in 2017, is the largest privately owned dealership group in Australia.

Rebecca Frizelle is a key member of the Group. She is a shareholder at Frizelle Sunshine Automotive, chief operating officer of Frizelle Prestige and has been an influential and passionate voice in the industry for much of her nearly 30 years in the industry.

In 2014, the Frizelle Group stood before

the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal and was handed a ruling enabling the company to advertise women-only positions on the sales floor. At the time, less than five per cent of the company’s sales and management staff were women.

Today, that number is 17 per cent. The plan is for more women to join the industry through a new initiative called Diverse Auto Network Inc (DANi). This will concentrate on providing dealers with the policy frameworks, skills and expertise they require to shift the balance.

While encouraging women to enter the industry is clearly important to her, in accepting the award, Rebecca said that it was about creating a balance and attracting the right talent – something that would ultimately lead to healthier businesses.

“I am a firm believer in the best person for the job,” Rebecca said. “I don’t care if you’re male or female but let’s create conditions where we attract women to our industry where they feel welcomed.

It will make us a more profitable, more prosperous, and stronger business.”

APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR PERHAPS THE HIGHLIGHT of the evening was the recognition of some brilliant talent via the MTA Queensland Apprentice of the Year Award, presented this year by Leeanne Turner, MTAA Super CEO. 10 apprentices from across the state had been nominated, and the award, and the prize of $2000, went to Kimberley Wallace, a 31-year-old recently qualified parts interpreter who works with Michael and Michelle Morgan at Morgan Motors in Emerald. Dedicated and passionate as an apprentice, Kimberley impressed throughout her training with her great appetite to learn and develop her skills and today, just a few months into her trade career, she has been promoted to assistant manager for parts and accessories.

December 2019/January 2020 Motor Trader | 31

MTA Queensland Apprentice of the Year finalists

To say she was surprised to be presented with the Apprentice of the Year award would be something of an understatement.

“I was definitely shocked. I was not expecting it at all!” she said. “I’ve seen the photos of me from the night and showed them to my boss Michael telling him that ‘this is the face of complete and utter shock when they call your name out’!

Kimberley attended the event with her partner Jack, but it wasn’t long before family, friends and work colleagues had heard the news. It made for an interesting return to the office a few days later.

“Everyone knew by Sunday and they were all very excited and happy,” said Kimberley.

“Many people have rung up to say congratulations, and Michelle is still telling people about it! Everyone was very proud, as am I. I still can’t believe I actually did it.”

As for the $2000 prize money, with marriage to Jack on the horizon in mid-2020, it’s no surprise that some of it has already found its way to financing that happy day.

“It has paid for a lot of our wedding stuff to be honest,” Kimberley said with a laugh.

With the highly respected Apprentice of the Year accolade now in her possession, the future looks very bright for Kimberley, but she is not resting on her laurels as she looks to charge forward with her career.

32 | Motor Trader December 2019/January 2020

And with Morgan Motors, she has found herself working with a growing business where opportunities will surely arise.

“I would never have achieved this without Morgan Motors, so I’ll definitely be staying here and will work to keep improving,” she said. “In fact, Morgan Motors has opened a new shop in Rockhampton, and my immediate boss, Caroline, has been spending time up there, which means I have had to step up a bit more here in Emerald. So, there is lots to do and I am learning even more things along the way.”

While Kimberley is still coming to terms somewhat with her achievement, she does recognise its significance and the high regard in which the Apprentice of the Year award is held. And she has some words of advice for apprentices working through their training and eager to start their trade careers.

“We have an apprentice here at the moment who has just stepped into his third year and he is, I believe, a very good candidate for apprentice of the year,” she said. “I said to him that you have to put in 110 per cent and don’t be afraid to just give it a go. And don’t just see finishing your apprenticeship as gaining a piece of paper. It is not. It can take you anywhere, is a fantastic achievement, and you can be recognised for the hard work you put in. So, just try!”

Right: MTA Queensland Apprentice of the Year Kimberley Wallace (Morgan Motors) with Leeanne Turner, MTAA Super CEO, and Paul Kulpa, General Manager MTA Institute

“. . . YOU HAVE TO PUT IN 110 PER CENT AND DON’T BE AFRAID TO JUST GIVE IT A GO. AND DON’T JUST SEE FINISHING YOUR APPRENTICESHIP AS GAINING A PIECE OF PAPER. IT IS NOT. IT CAN TAKE YOU ANYWHERE, IS A FANTASTIC ACHIEVEMENT, AND YOU CAN BE RECOGNISED FOR THE HARD WORK YOU PUT IN. SO, JUST TRY!.”

A WORD FROM THE MINISTER Apprentices and apprenticeships and preparing for a future in which electric and, perhaps, automated vehicles were the norm, were a focus of the address given by the Hon Mark Bailey MP, Minister for Transport and Main Roads. Mr Bailey

highlighted that the government was planning out future laws to ensure that automated vehicles operated safely through their life in Australia and that Queensland was a leading jurisdiction in the broad national reforms that aim to create an attractive market for connected and automated vehicles while also ensuring the safety of road users.

“Apprentices are absolutely vital, not just to the automotive trades but right across our economy,” he said. “Queensland is a high achiever when it comes to apprenticeships. We lead the nation with the number of school-based apprentices and trainees and this year Queensland welcomed more than 37,500 new apprentices. That is a real commitment into the future of our economy."

Commenting on the future of the industry, Mr Bailey added, “Part of being prepared for that change is ensuring apprentices have the skills needed for today and tomorrow and the ability to adapt and change. As a government, we need to ensure we are ready and are moving with that change and facilitating that change to benefit Queensland.”

December 2019/January 2020 Motor Trader | 33

RAISING FUNDS

a Brisbane Lions VIP match day experience ($1500).

While acknowledging the contributions All in all it was a fabulous result and and efforts of apprentices and members MTA Queensland extends its thanks to of the automotive industry through the the generous donation of auction items MTA Queensland awards was the highlight by I-CAR Australia, Brisbane Broncos, of the night, another memorable moment Queensland Cricket, MEGT, Triple Eight was the fundraising auction on behalf of Race Engineering, AADA, Emporium Hotel, the Youngcare, MTA Queensland's official and Prestige Holiday Homes. charity partner.

The 2019 MTA Queensland Industry Youngcare is a not-for-profit Awards Dinner was a fantastic evening, organisation and the Association VIDEO: MTA QUEENSLAND'S 2019 INDUSTRY AWARDS spearheading change DINNER HIGHLIGHTS REEL thanks our guests, to create a future friends and sponsors where every young for making it so person with high memorable. In a care needs has the time of significant choice and dignity disruption, events to live the lives we such as this reinforce all deserve. MTA the community Queensland is proud of the automotive to offer its support. industry. 2019 In past years, the was a positive one Industry Awards for the Association in developing those Dinner auction has raised as much as connections and creating new avenues for $10,000 for the charity, but 2019 produced members and the wider industry through a bumper result with the final tally the creation of such products as the 2mota reaching $16,250. A splendid result and a online marketplace. While many challenges testament to both the generosity of those who were bidding, and the rather excellent remain, the future for those who engage and adapt to this industry disruptionis auction items. Those items included two bright. pieces of racing memorabilia – a framed “I give you our word that if you think wheel and a framed rear bumper bar, both 2019 was good for industry it will better in signed by Jamie Whincup and Shane Van 2020,” said Dr Dale. “Stay with us and watch Gisbergen – which collectively went for $6,600, as well as 750ml bottle of 2008 us help you prosper as a business that is vintage Penfolds Grange ($2100), 3 nights essential to the Queensland and Australian accommodation at the White Sands Beach economy.”

House on the Sunshine Coast ($3600), and See you next year!

THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTERS

Platinum Supporters

34 | Motor Trader December 2019/January 2020

ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS TO MORE THAN 8000 PEOPLE DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN THE MOTORING INDUSTRY (website or e-magazine options)

CLICK HERE FOR MEDIA GUIDE AND COSTS

An Eye on Innovation

KATHY WINKCUP

I

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER GENERAL MANAGER INNOVATION

T HAS BEEN an interesting year for the automotive industry. Over the past 12 months there has been significant developments, not least being the announcements by several major manufacturers that, collectively, will see tens of thousands of jobs cut globally as they shift focus to electric cars and look for ways to pay for the enormous investment required to fund that move.

Last month, Daimler joined this list and media outlets have suggested as many as 10,000 jobs are to be cut as the company continues its move to an electrified future.

In a statement, Daimler acknowledged why it was taking this action: ‘The automotive industry is in the middle of the biggest transformation in its history.

The development towards CO2-neutral mobility requires large investments, which is why Daimler announced in the middle of November that it would launch a programme to increase competitiveness, innovation and investment strength.

Part of this programme is to reduce staff costs by around €1.4 billion by the end of 2022 and, among other things, to reduce the number of management positions worldwide by 10 per cent.”

While some critics in Australia continue to question whether EVs will come to dominate the transportation

36 | Motor Trader December 2019/January 2020

landscape – arguing about the cost, range, and charging times of EVs, as well as the investment required to build an EV charging network - there is surely no doubt that, with the biggest manufacturers overhauling their businesses in such a fashion, an electric future is all but certain.

To ignore what is happening elsewhere in the world would seem to be madness.

But what to do? Well, there are avenues to explore and MTA Queensland is working exceptionally hard to deliver options to its members and the wider industry.

Perhaps most notable amongst those is 2mota, the online booking platform and automotive business marketplace launched in November. It is a unique platform and one that enables businesses to get a presence online, engage with consumers, and be part of a community of businesses that can share resources and, should they require it, find skilled technicians for short-term work. You can check out more about 2mota HERE. 2mota is not the only business resource with which MTA Queensland and MTAiQ have been involved. As a part of the Australian government’s Small Business Digital Champion initiative, MTA Queensland is tasked to deliver to small business owners access to information on how current and future technological trends in the auto industry will impact their business, as well as advice on how to use digital technology - all of which is aimed to assist members to become more digitally effective and more profitable. There are plenty of resources available through the MTA Queensland website, and the delivery of workshops on how to best use social media and google has already begun.

Most recently, MTAiQ Community Manager Nathan Luu Nguyen delivered a workshop on Google My Business – a free

platform that provides ways for businesses to attract customers online.

These are the sorts of initiatives that MTA Queensland and MTAiQ deliver.

Additionally, there are training options offered by the MTA Institute such as the Hybrid Electric Vehicle Inspection and Servicing Skill Set Course which covers the fundamental requirements for inspecting and servicing hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) systems and components.

The global industry is changing, and MTA Queensland is covering the bases.

OUT AND ABOUT MTAiQ continues to be busy in the community. As well as the Google My Business workshop delivered by Nathan last month, MTAiQ also took part in the Deep Dive into 2020 event at USQ Springfield Campus. The event delivered workshops in several areas, including Fast Track Your Business with Smart(phone) Video, Design and Project Management, and Practical Artificial Intelligence Strategies for Small Business. Nathan also delivered a presentation on Building a Community Online and in the Real World.

Also in November was the Advance Regional Innovation Program (ARIP) Meeting held at MTAiQ. Regional Leaders met to discuss a Scaling Mentors to the Regions project, and the CSIRO Sixth Wave Alliance/National Robotics Network Meeting and Field Robotics Cluster Muster at CSIRO’s Data61 facility at Pullenvale. The purpose of the network is to drive uptake of robotic technology and accelerate the growth of a domestic robotics industry. An interesting project.

Finally, at the beginning of December, Nathan was invited to participate in the 3rd Australia-AEAN Entrepreneurs’ Business Forum, that brought together start-ups, entrepreneurs and businesses from across Southeast Asia and Australia to build networks and share insights on the Australia-ASEAN market.

GOT AN IDEA? LET US KNOW! The MTA Queensland consists of the member Association, the MTA Institute registered training organisation and the MTAiQ Innovation Hub. Between the three, the MTA Queensland Group is a one-stop shop for automotive businesses. A member business has access to all manner of resources and assistance – from advice on industrial relations matters to consumer complaint support; from savings with corporate partners to a library of online resources – and, through the MTA Institute, access to a comprehensive suite of automotive training programs and apprenticeship training options. Add MTAiQ into the mix and there is also a partner to help bring new concepts to life and deliver the latest advice and guidance on new technologies and opportunities to industry.

We talk often about the transformation the industry will be going through over the next few years. New ideas, new technologies, new products seem to pop up weekly indicating, as is evidenced by the news from the global industry, that the march to a radically different industry landscape is surely unstoppable.

For those out there with an idea that might be a part of this future, now is the time to make it known. MTAiQ was established in part with the mission to help entrepreneurs or businesses with a grand idea to develop it into something commercially viable . . . maybe even world changing! If you think you have such an idea, don’t sit on it and wonder. Get in touch. We CLICK may be able to help turn it TO SUBMIT YOUR IDEA from an idea into a reality.

TO MTAiQ As 18th century German statesman Johann von Goethe once said: “Daring ideas are like chessmen moved forward; they may be beaten, but they may start a winning game.”

We look forward to hearing from you.

December 2019/January 2020 Motor Trader | 37

Auto innovation news

FORD CHARGES INTO EV FUTURE WITH MUSTANG MACH-E

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ORD HAS REVEALED its muchheralded, Mustang-inspired allelectric SUV, the Mustang Mach-E. Taking the Mustang name – a name that feels best-suited to the company’s roaring petrol-powered performance models - and putting it on an electric vehicle is certainly a bold move, but the Mach-E does offer some decent performance numbers.

Those numbers do depend on the version of the Mach-E you can get your hands on. Power comes from either a 75.7kW or a 98.8kW battery and the models are available in either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive configurations, but even the entry version – the rear-wheel drive Select model - has some decent juice, with 370km of range and a 0 to 96km/h (60 mph) sprint of 6.2 seconds.

At the top end of the range, the GT Mustang Mach-E

38 | Motor Trader December 2019/January 2020

VIDEO: NEW BREED: INTRODUCING THE MUSTANG MACH-E | FORD

performance model is all-wheel drive, has the 98.8kW battery, offers outputs of 342kW and 830Nm, has a range of more than 400km and can reach 96km/h in 3.5 seconds. Those are good numbers.

The full range of the Mustang Mach-E includes the Select, the Premium (which offers up to 480km of range), the limited First Edition, the California Route 1, and the performance GT model.

The Mach-E has three drive experiences – Whisper, Engage and Unbridled – with Ford claiming that each offers a different driving experience with changes to steering response, ambient lighting, interior sounds and dynamic cluster animations. The GT Performance Edition is equipped with a MagneRide damping system.

Making its debut in the five-seater

Mach-E is the next-generation SYNC communications and entertainment system, an interface that uses machine learning to learn drivers’ preferences, and which Ford says will improve over time thanks to over-the-air updates. Premium Bang & Olufsen speakers come as standard and there’s a next-generation SYNC 15.5inch screen that utilises a simple interface making it easier to access features with touch, swipe and pinch controls.

As with any sizeable SUV, there’s decent space available and there is an interesting extra feature here with the boot storage unit under the bonnet. Big enough to store a carry-on luggage style bag, the storage area is drainable, meaning it could, should the owner choose to, be packed with ice to keep drinks cool. Interesting.

In the U.S., Mach-E owners will be able to take advantage of charging options that include the Ford Connected Charging station that can be installed at the owner’s home, and have access to the FordPass Charging Network – the largest public charging network in the country. Ford has also announced that there are more than 2,100 EV-certified Ford dealers and more than 3,500 EV-trained technicians to support customers in the U.S. December 2019/January 2020 Motor Trader | 39

Auto innovation news

HYUNDAI DEMONSTRATES AUTONOMOUS DRIVING TECH WITH TRUCK PLATOONING TRIAL

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YUNDAI HAS SUCCESSFULLY conducted the company’s first platooning of trailer trucks on the Yeoju Smart Highway in Korea.

The trial used two 40 -ton trailerconnected Xcient trucks.

Yeoju Smart Highway is a 7.7km testbed within the central region expressway established by the Korean government for the development of autonomous driving technology.

Hyundai says the 60km/h demonstration successfully displayed

40 | Motor Trader December 2019/January 2020

platooning technology and its ability to perform simultaneous emergency braking and V2V (Vehicle to Vehicle) communication.

Vehicle platooning has the benefit of reducing air resistance to improve fuel efficiency and lower emissions. In Hyundai’s case, the platooning manoeuvre begins when the driver of the following truck approaches the leading vehicle and activates platooning mode.

The following truck maintains a 16.7m distance, with real-time fine tuning based on the leading vehicle’s acceleration and deceleration. The driver does not need to put his/her foot on the accelerator nor brakes.

Platooning mode also activates lane keeping technology which makes it

VIDEO: HYUNDAI TRUCK PLATOONING

possible for the driver of the following truck to take hands off the steering wheel.

Should other vehicles cut in and out between the platooning trucks, the following truck automatically extends its gap to a minimum of 25m.

Hyundai says that when a leading truck makes a sudden emergency stop the following truck can decelerate and stop.

The company adds that the V2V system demonstration showcased how real-time information sharing between platooning vehicles can improve control over acceleration and deceleration, and incorporate ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) information from various sensors like cameras and radar.

Furthermore, the Real-time Frontal Video Sharing feature was enabled by V2V technology. By displaying videos from the leading vehicle, the following driver can see the road ahead.

“We are confident that our industry leading autonomous driving technology in commercial vehicles showcased in this platooning truck demonstration will lead into a revolutionary paradigm shift in the freight and logistics industry,” said Jihan Ryu, head of Hyundai Motor’s Commercial Vehicle Electronics Control Engineering Group. “We will strive to create constructive synergy by sharing our know-how and experiences of developing autonomous driving technology between commercial vehicle and passenger vehicle sectors to expedite level-5 autonomous driving technology.”

AUTOLIV INTRODUCES AIRBAG THAT PREVENTS PASSENGERS FROM COLLIDING AUTOLIV INC., MANUFACTURER of vehicle safety systems, has announced the development of a new front centre airbag designed to save lives in sideimpact crash situations.

The new Autoliv Front Centre Airbag is designed to help avoid driver-to-interior and driver-topassenger impact. The inboard seat mounted airbag deploys in the space between the driver and the front-seat passenger, providing protection for them from colliding during a side impact, reducing risk of trauma to head, shoulder and chest.

“Research indicates that the new Front Centre Airbag can reduce injuries caused by passengers colliding with each other by up to 80 per cent,” said Scott Dershem, Autoliv Vice President of Development. “If there is no one in the front passenger seat, the airbag will offer enhanced driver protection from a far-side collision. It is a technology innovation that underlines Autoliv’s commitment to saving lives and preventing injuries on the roads across the world,” The Autoliv Front Center Airbag will be introduced in 19 car models in 2020.

December 2019/January 2020 Motor Trader | 41

Auto innovation news

KIA UNVEILS THE FUTURON SUV ELECTRIC CONCEPT

Kia Futuron

A

NOTHER DAY, ANOTHER fantastic electric vehicle concept.

This one is from Kia and is called the Futuron.

Low, lean-looking and, as the name suggests, futuristic in design, the Futuron has a high­-capacity battery mounted beneath the cabin floor that powers four in­-wheel electric motors. Other than that sparse info, there are few details about performance and range, but the bar has been set high in recent times and it would be reasonable to think the Futuron can punch out some impressive figures. Kia says there’s a cutting-edge e-AWD system that will deliver lightning-fast responses to a driver’s input.

The concept’s roof is a diamond­shaped panoramic design that extends down the bonnet and incorporates a network of LiDAR sensors capable of providing Level 4 autonomous driving features.

The concept’s ‘Star Cloud’ lighting embodies a new lighting concept for Kia, creating a geometric patchwork of

42 | Motor Trader December 2019/January 2020

matrix LED lighting. The Star Cloud is also incorporated into the rear of the car.

Inside, and taking advantage of the Level 4 autonomous driving ability, the two front seats are created out of flexible materials and can offer an upright ‘driving’ position, or a reclined ‘rest’ position. With the activation of the autonomous driving features, the two front seats recline as the steering wheel retracts.

Prominent in the cabin is the ‘cockpit’ area surrounding the driver. The graphical user interface (GUI) of the cockpit flows out of the driver­side door and wraps around the steering wheel. This merges the instrument cluster directly with the audio­visual display at the centre of the dashboard and is linked to the display integrated within the surface of the steering wheel itself.

Kia says the GUI is operated by artificial intelligence technologies, displaying information including the autonomous driving set-up, powertrain and navigation features.

FORD AND MCDONALD’S COLLABORATE TO CONVERT COFFEE BEAN SKIN INTO CAR PARTS

A

UTOMOTIVE INNOVATION ISN’T just about vehicle electrification, self-driving cars, and connected vehicles. Those might be the big-ticket items but innovation abounds everywhere.

Take this news, for example. Ford Motor Company and McDonald’s USA will soon be giving vehicles a caffeine boost by using the dried skin of a coffee been, known as chaff, to create a material that can be used to create some vehicle components.

According to Ford, every year, millions of pounds of coffee chaff naturally comes off during the roasting process and in partnership with McDonald’s, the company found chaff can be converted into a durable material to reinforce certain vehicle parts. By heating the chaff to high temperatures under low oxygen, mixing it with plastic and other additives and turning it into pellets, the material can be formed into various shapes.

The chaff composite apparently meets the quality specifications for parts like headlamp housings

and other interior and under hood components. The resulting components are claimed to be about 20 per cent lighter and require up to 25 percent less energy during the molding process. Heat properties of the chaff component are significantly better than the currently used material, according to Ford.

“McDonald’s commitment to innovation was impressive to us and matched our own forward-thinking vision and action for sustainability,” said Debbie Mielewski, Ford senior technical leader, sustainability and emerging materials research team.

“This has been a priority for Ford for over 20 years, and this is an example of jump starting the closed-loop economy, where different industries work together and exchange materials that otherwise would be side or waste products.”

McDonald’s and Ford say they plan to continue exploring ways to collaboratively use waste as a resource, while furthering their sustainability goals.

Ford and McDonald’s USA are aiming to use the dried skin of a coffee been, known as chaff, to create a material that can be used to produce some vehicle components December 2019/January 2020 Motor Trader | 43

Auto innovation news

VOLVO BUSES DEMONSTRATES ELECTRIC AUTONOMOUS SOLUTION FOR BUS DEPOT

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OLVO BUSES HAS shown the potential of autonomous buses in a depot with a live demonstration, held together with bus operator Keolis, at a Keolis’ bus depot near Gothenburg in Sweden. During the demonstration, the fully-electric autonomous 12m bus successfully drove itself between the parking bay and several workstations including cleaning, servicing and electric charging, before parking itself in the correct bay – all while carrying passengers.

“This marks a very important step in our

autonomous journey as we now have successfully shown the commercial benefits an autonomous solution can deliver in a bus depot,” said Håkan Agnevall, President of Volvo Buses.

“Autonomous buses in depots bring new benefits such as more efficient traffic

Volvo electric autonomous bus

44 | Motor Trader December 2019/January 2020

flows, higher productivity, less damages and improved safety.”

The demonstration event was just the latest in a number of successful demonstrations of autonomous buses carried out by Volvo Buses. This was one of the first to take place in a real bus depot – one of the areas that Volvo believes offers the greatest potential for automation.

“We are still many years away from seeing fully-autonomous buses on public roads, but since bus depots are confined areas with predictable and repetitive traffic flows, we see autonomous buses being used there much sooner,” said Mr Agnevall. “Working together with Keolis has given us this unique opportunity to test an autonomous bus in real conditions and will help us drive the development of autonomous solutions forward.”

START OF PRODUCTION FOR THE BATTERY-POWERED SKODA CITIGOe IV THE FIRST SKODA Citigoe iV has rolled off the production line at the VW plant in Slovakia’s capital, Bratislava.

The five-door city EV is the brand’s first battery-powered car. Energy comes from a 32.2 kWh lithium-ion battery that feeds a 61kW electric motor. The frontwheel-drive Citigoe iV accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 12.3 seconds and has a top speed of 130 km/h. Skoda claims a range, in everyday conditions and with its battery fully charged, of up to 260 km.

Skoda is offering the Citigoe iV exclusively as a 5-door and in the SE or SE L trim. Customers can opt for several packages depending on their country.

The Function 1 package, for example, includes a multimedia holder, waste bin and boot nets. The Comfort package has heated front seats, six speakers and parking sensors at the rear. The Comfort PLUS package includes features such as a heated windscreen, heated front seats, a light and rain sensor, a Coming/ Leaving Home function, a cornering function for the fog lights, parking sensors at the rear and six speakers.

There are driver and passenger airbags (the latter can be deactivated) and Lane Assist is a standard feature in every Citigoe iV. December 2019/January 2020 Motor Trader | 45

Auto innovation news

VW MOVING FORWARD WITH EV PRODUCTION IN CHINA AND US

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W IS CONTINUING its shift towards an electrified future with a couple of announcements regarding the production of electric vehicles.

The first is in regards to a new factory in China. The plant, a joint venture project with China’s SAIC located in Anting, near Shanghai, has been completed and is dedicated to the production of electric vehicles (EV) based on VW’s Modular Electric Drive system (MEB).

Full series production in the new factory is planned to commence in October 2020, with an annual capacity of 300,000 vehicles.

The first phase of pre-production in Anting will start with a China-specific ID. model of the VW Brand. The company

says that in the future, the plant will manufacture MEB platformbased BEV models for various Volkswagen Group brands and to increase the local production in China up to 15 MEB models by 2025.

“The Volkswagen Group projects a total volume of 22 million all-electric cars worldwide by 2028, with more than 50 percent of that from China. The country plays a crucial part in our electrification strategy, which will pave the way to Volkswagen’s goal of becoming net carbonneutral by 2050”, said Dr. Herbert Diess, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG. “Together with the start of MEB production, we will launch the

Artist impression: Volkswagen plant, Chattanooga, Tennessee

46 | Motor Trader December 2019/January 2020

HYUNDAI DEVELOPS ROAD NOISE ACTIVE NOISE CONTROL TECH

Volkswagen plant, Anting, China

Volkswagen ID. family in China as well, a brand-new generation of fully electric and connected vehicles.”

Shortly after the announcement on its China plant, Volkswagen revealed that it has marked the start of construction for its electric vehicle production facility in the United States. Production at the Chattanooga, Tennessee, site is set to begin in 2022 and the plant will be VW's North American assembly base for electric vehicles. The company also announced it intends to build a plant for the assembly of EV battery packs at the site. The company has invested about $800 million ($AU1.17 billion) in the facility where it currently builds the mid-size Atlas SUV and the Passat sedan at the factory.

“This is a big, big moment for this company,” said Scott Keogh, president and CEO of Volkswagen Group of America.

“Expanding local production sets the foundation for our sustainable growth in the U.S. Electric vehicles are the future of mobility and Volkswagen will build them for millions of people."

VW began production of the ID.3 electric car in November in Zwickau, Germany. By 2022, the company says that its MEB-based vehicles are to be produced at eight locations on three continents.

HYUNDAI HAS ANNOUNCED the development of a Road Noise Active Noise Control (RANC) system designed to dramatically reduce noise within a vehicle’s cabin.

The new system works by analysing various types of noise in real-time and produce inverted soundwaves to cancel out the incoming noise.

The system uses an acceleration sensor to calculate the vibration from the road to the car and the control computer analyses that noise. In just 0.002 of a second, the system analyses the sound and produces an inverted soundwave via a DSP (Digital Signal Processor).

Based on tests evaluating road surface, vehicle speed, and different seating positions, Hyundai says that the RANC was able to reduce in-cabin noise by 3dB and the company says that this can potentially lead to decreasing the amount of unsprung weight in a vehicle, because fewer sound-insulating parts and dampers will be required.

With whisper-quiet electric vehicles certain to play a big part in the future of mobility, in-cabin quietness has become an important factor for vehicle manufacturers.

Interior noise primarily comes from three sources: vehicle powertrain, road, and wind. There is almost no powertrain noise from electric and fuel cell electric vehicles, so quelling road and wind noise becomes even more imperative.

Using the RANC can, Hyundai says, significantly reduce that noise and create a ‘serene cabin for future electric and fuel cell electric vehicles’.

The company says the technology will begin to be applied to an upcoming Genesis model.

December 2019/January 2020 Motor Trader | 47

Auto innovation news

EVIE NETWORKS’ FIRST ULTRA-FAST CHARGING STATION OPENS IN QUEENSLAND

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HE ELECTRIC VEHICLE sector has received a boost with the installation of an ultra-fast charging station at Coochin Creek on the Bruce Highway, 60km north of Brisbane.

The charging station, built and operated

by Evie Networks, is powered by 100 per cent renewable energy and complements the network of 18 EV fast chargers installed in cities up the coast by the Queensland Government. It is the first in Evie’s Australia-wide network of 42 stations, due to be rolled out over the next two years.

Manufactured by Brisbane company Tritium, the station’s 350kW chargers offer both Japanese and European plugs and are the first of their kind globally.

Although there are currently no EVs in Australia able to handle the full 350kW charging rate, the Evie Network system

will allow all vehicles, regardless of their age, battery size or connection type, to charge at a faster rate than is currently accessible anywhere else. As battery technology continues to advance, Evie Networks says that these more powerful chargers future-proof the system to accommodate this evolution.

The Coochin Creek station comes installed with a solar canopy, designed to shelter motorists from the sun and which also contribute additional power to the chargers.

Charging at the station will be free for November, the first month of opening.

From then on, customers will be able to use a pay-as-you-go system via the Evie app, or an RFID card which can be ordered through the app.

“This station is the first of what will be the largest rollout of ultra-fast highway charging stations being built in Australia,” said Chris Mills, Evie Networks CEO. “There are currently only around 70 fast charging sites in Australia, most of which are proprietary or require a subscription. Providing ultra-fast charging stations at accessible highway locations around the country, all open-access and ‘pay-as-you-go’, like the Coochin Creek, is about serving EV drivers and opening up new journeys.”

Hon Mark Bailey MP at the To find out more about Evie Networks, Evie Networks Coochin Creek launch visit goevie.com.au

48 | Motor Trader December 2019/January 2020

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Auto innovation news

GM AND LG CHEM TEAM UP ON BATTERY DEVELOPMENT AND PRODUCTION Cadillac EV

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ENERAL MOTORS AND Korean chemical company LG Chem have announced plans to mass-produce battery cells for future electric vehicles (EV). Together, the companies will invest up to a total of $2.3 billion ($AU3.36 billion) through a new, equally owned joint venture (JV) company.

The JV will establish a battery cell assembly plant on a greenfield manufacturing site in Ohio, U.S., that will create more than 1,100 new jobs.

The companies say the plant will use advanced manufacturing processes to produce cells efficiently and will benefit from strong economies of scale throughout the value chain. The plant will be flexible and able to adapt to ongoing advances in technology and materials. The collaboration also includes an agreement with the goal of reducing battery costs to industry-leading levels.

“Combining our manufacturing expertise with LG Chem’s leading batterycell technology will help accelerate our

50 | Motor Trader December 2019/January 2020

pursuit of an all-electric future,” said GM Chairman and CEO Mary Barra. “We look forward to collaborating with LG Chem on future cell technologies that will continue to improve the value we deliver to our customers.”

LG Chem says it will gain access to an experienced workforce and benefit from a dedicated production stream of future EVs from GM’s next generation of batteryelectric vehicles, including an all-new battery-electric truck coming in late 2021.

“Our joint venture with the No.1 American automaker will further prepare us for the anticipated growth of the North American EV market, while giving us insights into the broader EV ecosystem,” said LG Chem Vice Chairman & CEO HakCheol Shin. “Our long-standing history with General Motors has proven our collective expertise in this space, and we look forward to continuing this drive for zero emissions.”

Ground breaking on the new plant is expected to take place in mid-2020.

MTAiQ: THE INNOVATION HUB FOR THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY

Do you have an idea, a concept or an innovation that could make a difference in the automotive world? Do you need assistance in taking that idea to the next step in its development and to the wider world?

The auto industry is evolving quickly – technology is pushing the industry forward in directions we could scarcely imagine a decade ago and in another 10 years the vehicles that will be cruising our highways and byways (and maybe skyways!) will be vastly different to what we see today.

New ideas and new thinking are the fuel of this evolution and MTAiQ has a mission to not only help nurture new concepts, but to educate and assist the industry to adjust to, and embrace, this evolution.

At MTAiQ, we know there are creative and innovative thinkers and doers in the automotive sector who are constantly working on new ways to advance their business and their industry – and we are here to help.

With a purpose-built workshop, hot-desk working area with high-speed internet, an environment humming with start-up creativity, the backing of an association with more than 80 years working for the automotive industry, and a dedicated team with links and contacts across the worlds of investment, research and government, MTAiQ can help give your idea the development and backing it needs to shift into top gear.

Click here and submit your ideas, or problems that need solving, to MTAiQ for consideration. Come on . . . Let’s get started!

www.mtaiq.com.au/submit-idea

CHEVROLET K September2019/January 2019 52 | Motor Trader December 2020

MAKE: CHEVROLET MODEL: 1972 K20 PICK-UP TRUCK ENGINE: DIESEL 6.5-LITRE V8 OWNER: LARA WILDE

K20 PICK-UP September 2020 2019 Motor Trader | 53 December 2019/January

XXXX.

Lara Wilde is a true automotive enthusiast and cars are her life. From north Queensland, she is a freelance writer, keynote speaker, and businesswoman who has organised car events, promoted race teams and racetracks, bought and sold cars, restored cars and won at car shows. Currently she also provides commentary for motorsport on weekends. The owner of a number of vehicles, Lara gives Motor Trader the lowdown on one of her favourites – a 1972 Chevy pick-up.

I

T WAS THE late 1990’s. Bill Clinton was getting it on with Monica Lewinsky, we were all panicking about losing the world to Y2K and Princess Di was challenging the establishment. I was fresh out of high school and seeking adventure on the roads every chance I had. At the time I drove a beat up HJ ute. During the day I packed mandarins into boxes and at night I poured beers at the local pub to fund my fuel bill for the weekends. On Friday nights I would throw my swag into the ute and head out on adventures with dust, rum and cowboys.

I met a lot of Grey Nomads in my travels as I pulled up at roadside rest stops and waited in line for fuel at servos. The 54 | Motor Trader December 2019/January 2020

common story of every older couple with a caravan in tow was that they were having the adventure of their lives and their only regret was they hadn’t started earlier. Like all wise young people, I listened carefully to my elders and started to form a plan to head out and work my way around Australia. My battered old Kingswood ute was not up for the challenge. In the metropolis of Rockhampton, I found the adventure machine I had been dreaming of - a 1972 Chevrolet K20 pick-up truck.

It had been originally imported by a farmer and used to tow the hay trailer in and out of the shed. The farmer had bought it with all of the fruit - the split window at

Lara Wilde

the rear, the top-of-the-line Cheyenne trim, and in-dash air conditioning. She had a 350 cubic inch engine, four-wheel drive and a roomy bench seat. With minimal miles on the clock the Chev was bought by a guy in town who gave her a makeover. New upholstery, new paint and a new motor. He tore out the 350 to drop in a 327 small block Chev. With a little spit and polish he put her up for sale and that is when I found her.

From the first moment I drove her she made me grin from ear to ear. The fourspeed behind the 327 was great fun to drive but the fuel economy was depressing. With the wind behind her and a nice downhill roll between fuel stations we could almost make it from pump to pump on one tank.

With a fruit packer’s budget and a plan to circumnavigate Australia, fuel economy was paramount and soon the motor was replaced. Seeking affordability and reliability, a wrecked GMC Suburban provided a 6.5L V8 diesel. The motor and a custom turbo set up were installed by the team at LinQuip in Brisbane. The four-speed gearbox was replaced by a New Venture 4500 offering five gears for highway cruising. With the new

motor in place the Chev was ready to roll.

For the next two decades I continued to make changes to the Chev and have adventures. A custom tray with storage, side rails, and a bull bar for protection. A full bare metal re-spray sending her a tone darker in grey. A revamp of the factory air con providing icy cold blasts. I stripped the interior installing sound deadener, new carpet and electrics. Some essential modifications included intermittent wipers, central locking, keyless entry, and electric windows so that when I was cruising, I could wind the passenger side glass up and down without having to pull over.

Despite the Grey Nomad inspiration to drag a caravan around the country, I have never actually towed a tiny home.

Being five-foot-nothing means that I can comfortably lie across the bench seat without touching the doors. The seat has proven to be a better bed than many a motel room I have rented. My once impulsive move to replace the bench with fancy electric bucket seats only lasted one road trip before the bench was reinstated.

That road trip however was epic.

December 2019/January 2020 Motor Trader | 55

It was towards the end of the year and I had decided to take the Chev on a road trip from Toowoomba out to Barcaldine to visit my mother. While in downtown Barcy, I received a phone call from the Australian Agricultural College Corporation asking me to address their graduating students at the Longreach Pastoral College just an hour or so down the road. I saddled up the Chev and headed West for a great night of celebration with some very impressive young people.

As the sun rose over the Qantas Museum the next day, the highway called me further west. A friend had recently moved to Tenant Creek and I had never been there, so I decided that was enough of a reason to point the bull bar to the border. Once in the NT, the joy of their wide-open roads and 130km per hour speed limits took a hold of me and before I knew it, we were headed North to explore Darwin.

I had never been to Darwin and due to an incoming cyclone, it would be a few more years before I visited for the first time. However, I did make it to Katherine before the cyclonic winds and rain deterred me. With many miles under the wheels and a full tank of fuel, we turned west once more. Each night I camped under the stars, up high in the tray of the Chev, relatively safe from wandering

56 | Motor Trader December 2019/January 2020

crocodiles. I pointed the front wheels for Broome and looked forward to spending a night camped on the beach.

Once more the weather Gods did not favour me and before I reached the Western Coastline, another cyclone bore down forcing me to seek shelter at Roebuck Plains Roadhouse for a few days. It was during the torrential rain and battering winds that I discovered the Chev windscreen leaked, providing an internal water feature from under the dash. Rather than sit in the wet and continue to leak, and rather than retrace my tracks, I headed South to Port Hedland and Karratha. It was near the Nanutarra Roadhouse that the tyres on the Chev went bang. The 40-plus degree heat combined with rubber that had been on the car since I bought it ten years earlier was a bad combination. I had three flat tyres and only two spares and in the remote Western Australia desert, replacement wheels were not to be found.

My RACQ membership paid off with the delightful team organising a tow for me to Geraldton. With the generosity of strangers, I spent a few weeks in the breezy city enjoying life on the beach while I waited for tyres to come in from America. Eventually the Chev and I hit the road again. This time we had just a few days to drive from

Geraldton in Western Australia to That road trip was more than CLICK TO VISIT THE 10 years ago and since then we Forbes in NSW for my next gig as WILDE GARAGE have had two more trips around a keynote speaker.

WEBSITE the country and many trips For four days the Chev and I from coast to coast. Together, ploughed through nearly 4,000kms the Chev and I have explored the and three states, pushing the Kimberley and the Gulf, entered car envelope of driver fatigue. Normally, the shows and camped at parties all over drive would not be too onerous, but I had the country. Today, it is a shop truck a new challenge. For the weeks that I had for my online car parts and accessories spent driving across the top end and down the coast to Geraldton I had rolled my swag store Wilde Garage during the week, out in the tray each night sleeping blissfully delivering parts throughout Far North Queensland. She has been sign written under the stars. I did not have a worry in for my business Wilde Drive where I use the world. I felt safe and I slept like a baby. her in videos to demonstrate safe, simple I spent the night before I left Geraldton and stylish advice for adventures on the with new friends watching a movie titled road. On weekends, she fulfils the role of Wolf Creek. As I pulled over on the first promotional vehicle attending motorsport night of my return trip, I over analysed events where I stand on the tray to do every sound and bump in the night. commentary and sleep on the bench seat I reviewed how you could very easily disappear in the Outback with no trace you when I camp at the track. After more than had ever existed. Suddenly I could not rest, 20 years together, she still makes me grin from ear to ear when I drive her.

I could not relax, and I could not sleep in my beloved Chev. Within an hour of each stop I would give up the hope of slumber DO YOU HAVE A PRIDE AND JOY IN THE GARAGE THAT YOU WOULD LOVE TO SEE IN and climb back behind the wheel. The THE PAGES OF MOTOR TRADER? fancy leather bucket seats did not invoke Contact Jonathan Nash at jonathann@mtaq.com.au sleep even behind the safely locked doors. and let’s see if we can share your classic With the aid of Red Bull and No Doz, we with other members. eventually made it.

!

December 2019/January 2020 Motor Trader | 57

Auto news

VC Commodore (1980-1981)

HOLDEN SAYS GOODBYE TO THE COMMODORE AND WILL FOCUS ON SUV AND LCV MARKETS

A

FTER PLENTY OF speculation, falling sales, and the recent departure of Chairman David Buttner, Holden has announced it is to retire the Commodore nameplate and modify its portfolio to dedicate itself exclusively to SUVs and light commercial vehicles.

The company has elected to retire the ZB Commodore and the BK Astra in 2020.

Holden Interim Chairman and Managing Director, Kristian Aquilina, said the focus of the portfolio was consistent with customer preferences, with the Acadia, Trailblazer, Equinox and Trax rounding out an SUV model inventory, with the Colorado in the light commercial vehicle (LCV) segment.

At its peak, said Holden, the large car 58 | Motor Trader December 2019/January 2020

VIDEO: GM HOLDEN COMMODORE HISTORY

segment in Australia accounted for 217,882 sales in 1998. This year it is projected to come in at about 8,700 units.

“Holden is taking this decisive action to ensure a sharp focus on the largest and most buoyant market segments,” said Mr Aquilina. “So far this year, SUVs and Utes have increased to 76 per cent of Holden sales, a trend we only see continuing.

VL Commodore (1986-1988)

VF Commodore (2013-2017)

“The decision to retire the Commodore nameplate has not been taken lightly by those who understand and acknowledge its proud heritage,” he added.

“The large sedan was the cornerstone of Australian and New Zealand roads for decades. But now with more choice than ever before, customers are displaying a strong preference for the high driving position, functionality and versatility of SUVs and Utes.

“The SUV segment is approaching half a million units, and LCVs over 200,000 units.

That’s where the action is and that’s where we are going to play.”

Sales and deliveries of Commodore and Astra will continue through 2020. The company said that existing Commodore and Astra customers can be assured that

Holden will continue to back warranty and roadside assistance commitments, with spare parts supply guaranteed well into the future.

Focusing on the SUV and LCV segments might make sense, but Holden’s fall from the top of the sales podium has been astonishing. In the latest new car sales figures for November, it was reported that Holden sold just 2668 units, a result that was, apparently, the brand’s worst ever monthly result.

It was less than a decade ago that the company was selling more than 100,000 cars a year and for 15 years - from 1996 to 2010 - the Commodore took the title of Australia’s best-selling car. More than one million Commodores were sold during that period.

December 2019/January 2020 Motor Trader | 59

Auto news

THE ALL-NEW RENAULT KADJAR DEBUTS IN AUSTRALIA

T

HE NEW RENAULT Kadjar has been officially launched in Australia.

The SUV – which has been available for a while in Europe – is an entrant in the mid-size market and is aimed, as many competitors are, at the urban customer.

Renault says that ‘its compact size and command-post visibility make it ideal in busy urban areas; its estate car-like driving position and quiet, comfortable interior ensure the driver remains relaxed and focused on long journeys; and it has everything those owners who want a life of escapism and adventure might need’.

Power for the front-wheel drive SUV comes from a 4-cylinder, 1.3-litre turbocharged engine, developed in cooperation with Daimler, and the Kadjar Renault Kadjar

60 | Motor Trader December 2019/January 2020

is available in three model trims – the Kadjar Life 1.3ltr Petrol EDC (Efficient Dual Clutch), Kadjar Zen 1.3ltr Petrol EDC, and the Kadjar Intens 1.3ltr Petrol EDC. The entry Life model comes in at $29,990, the Zen at $32,990, and the Intens at $37,990. Options include metallic paint at $750 and fixed panoramic glass roof and

auto-dimming rear-view mirror for $1000.

The cabin has a horizontal dashboard with a 7-inch multimedia touch screen.

The R-LINK 2 connected multimedia system includes a smartphone mirroring function, compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and drivers can display driving-compatible apps directly on the screen. A Bose audio system is available.

Safety features across the range include technology such as front and rear parking sensors, rear parking camera, cruise control with speed limiter, Hill Start Assist, Electric Stability Control (ESC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Emergency Break Assist (EBA), distance warning and automatic emergency braking (AEBS Inter-Urban), The Zen and Intens models get side parking sensors, Lane Departure warning (LDW), Blind Spot Warning (BSW) and hands-free keycard with automatic locking and welcome function. The Intens model also receives easy park assist.

The Renault Kadjar comes with 5-year unlimited km warranty, 5-years capped price Servicing, up to 150,000km (whichever comes first), and up to 5 years’ service activated roadside assistance when scheduled services are performed on time with a Renault Dealer. Service intervals are up to 30,000km or 12 months (whichever comes first).

NEW CARS SALE CONTINUE TO FALL NEW VEHICLE SALES figures for November 2019 show that sector is continuing its long slide.

The figures, released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), show 84,708 sales recorded during the month, a 9.8 per cent decrease on the same period last year.

On a year-to-date basis, total sales for 2019 have been recorded as 978,628 units, an 8.2 per cent decrease on year-to-date 2018.

Total sales for the month in the Passenger vehicle segment totalled 23,022 (down 21.3 per cent over November 2018), with 39,541 in the SUV segment (down 1.1 per cent on November 2018) and 19,065 in the Light Commercial vehicle segment (down 8.8 per cent on November 2018).

The Toyota Hilux (3,687 units) was the top selling vehicle in November 2019, followed by the Ford Ranger (3,491), the Mitsubishi Triton (3,123), the Hyundai i30 (2,339) and the Toyota RAV4 (2,316).

Toyota remained the top selling marque for the month with 16,954 sales for 20 per cent market share, followed by Mitsubishi with 6,861 (8.1 per cent market share), Hyundai with 6,821(8.1 per cent market share), Mazda (6,167 sales for 7.3 per cent market share) and Kia (5,141 sales for 6.1 per cent market share).

December 2019/January 2020 Motor Trader | 61

Auto news

AMB 001

ASTON MARTIN VENTURES ON TWO WHEELS WITH BROUGH SUPERIOR AND THE AMB 001

H

ERE’S A LITTLE something you almost certainly weren’t expecting – a motorcycle born from a partnership between Brough Superior and Aston Martin . . . yes, Aston Martin.

The track-only AMB 001 made its worldwide debut at EICMA, the Milan Motorcycle Show, and will be limited to 100 units.

A lightweight sports bike, the AMB 001 features materials including carbon 62 | Motor Trader December 2019/January 2020

fibre and titanium and has been designed ‘to display a level of elegance that isn’t normally found on racing bikes’.

Power comes from a V-twin turbocharged engine that pumps out 134 kW (180 hp) at just 180kg dry weight. The companies say this turbo configuration brings an incredible engine response with huge torque in a wide range of engine rpm.

“Aston Martin may be 106 years-old but

PIRELLI’S P ZERO WORLD LAUNCHES IN MELBOURNE

the forward momentum of this company is inspiring, for every area of the business but for Design in particular,” said Aston Martin Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer, Marek Reichman. “The same people who work on the design of our cars have worked on the AMB 001. These people are absolute experts and have delivered many of the special project cars that we have designed.

“Unlike at other car companies, our designers have the full breadth of experience and I think this is showcased in this aspirational bike.”

The AMB 001 is being built and handassembled in the Brough Superior factory in Toulouse, France, and has an MRSP of €108,000 ($AU174,000). First deliveries are set to begin towards the end of 2020.

THE P ZERO world store concept already launched in Los Angeles in 2016, Munich in 2017, Monaco in 2018, and Dubai at the beginning of 2019 has come to Australia with Melbourne hosting Pirelli’s latest flagship store.

P Zero World is, says Pirelli, a ‘boutique store for tyres’ - a facility in which customers can find Pirelli’s most exclusive products along with bespoke services for owners of sports cars and luxury cars. The P Zero World stores are the only places where customers can discover the entire Pirelli range, such as the P Zero Trofeo R – the most performance-focussed tyre homologated for road use – as well as the Pirelli Collezione tyres for classic cars that combine period looks with modern technology. Motorbike and Velo road bike tyres are also available, as are Pirelli Design accessories.

Car valeting and courtesy cars are among the services offered to P Zero World customers. Pirelli’s track expert is also on hand - a technician able to advise on the ideal set up for each car, whether for road or track use.

The Melbourne branch of P Zero World was born in collaboration with Mag Wheel & Tyre, occupying a structure that covers more than 1200 square metres with five service ramps.

Mag Wheel & Tyre is a family business that has been collaborating with Pirelli for several years already and serves around 40 cars per day.

Pirelli says Melbourne was chosen as the site for the new P Zero World store as, amongst other things, the city boasts Australia's highest number of vehicle registrations in the prestige sector.

One of every three supercars sold in Australia is registered in Victoria.

December 2019/January 2020 Motor Trader | 63

Auto news

NEW LOOK NISSAN PATROL LANDS IN AUSTRALIA

2020 Nissan Patrol

T

HE 2020 NISSAN Patrol, complete with a new look and a range of safety technologies added as standard equipment, is on sale in Australia now.

Nissan says the new Patrol offers improved ride comfort thanks to a suspension retuning with improved dampers.

64 | Motor Trader December 2019/January 2020

Regardless of the grade, the Patrol comes with a 5.6-litre V8 petrol engine with 298kW and 560Nm of torque and a seven-speed automatic transmission with manual mode and Adaptive Shift Control (ASC). Also featured are an electronic rear diff lock, Hill Descent Control (HDC) with on/off switch, Hill Start Assist (HAS) and

an off-road monitor.

The Patrol comes with an intelligent key with remote keyless entry, push button start, tri-zone climate air conditioning, cruise control, sat nav with 3D mapping, an 8-inch colour touch screen display, and heated door mirrors.

Across both grades there have been changes to the bonnet and fender panels, front grille, LED front lamps and the front bumper.

The front and rear LED lamps are significantly improved, with 52 LEDs in the front headlight – plus the LED fog lamps - and a total of 44 LEDs in the rear.

The major technical changes to the 2020 Nissan Patrol have also increased safety with an increased suite of Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) across the range.

Both grades now include the following updated technologies as standard equipment: • Intelligent Emergency Braking • Intelligent Forward Collision Warning • Rear Cross Traffic Alert While the following are already standard on the Patrol Ti-L, the Patrol Ti now includes the following technologies: • Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) • Lane Departure Warning (LDW) • Intelligent Lane Intervention • Blind Spot Warning (BSW) • Intelligent Blind Spot Intervention In addition to these technologies, both Patrol grades get outside power folding mirrors with auto-folding function.

Nissan Patrol is covered by Nissan’s 5 year/unlimited kilometre warranty.

2020 Nissan Patrol MSRP Pricing Nissan Patrol Ti............. $75,990 Nissan Patrol Ti-L.......... $91,990.

TYRES4U ACQUIRES TYRE AND TUBE AUSTRALIA TYRES4U, AUSTRALIA’S largest independent tyre distributor, has acquired Tyre and Tube Australia (TTA).

TTA is a leading specialty tyre and tube wholesaler in addition to being a substantial distributor of value tier passenger and truck tyres.

“Given the range of Tyres4U product portfolio, plus its considerable investment in technology, I am delighted we are becoming part of such an innovative and strategically intuitive organisation,” said Andrew Bloxham, TTA owner and CEO. “This move will provide better opportunities for our customers. Combining the strengths of Tyres4U and TTA, whereby we believe we have the best brands and largest range in each tyre category, will provide greater value for the customers of both businesses.”

The companies say that TTA will be absorbed into the Tyres4U operation.

This is expected to be complete by the end of November 2019.

Tyres4U said that the acquisition of TTA will further strengthen its position as a major player in the industry by realising improvements in efficiency and distribution plus offering the strongest tyre range in Australia.

December 2019/January 2020 Motor Trader | 65

Auto news

MCLAREN REVEALS THE ELVA ROADSTER

M

CLAREN AUTOMOTIVE HAS unveiled yet another supercar – this time the Elva roadster. An opencockpit, two-seater road car, the Elva has no roof, no windscreen and no side windows, and is an absolute beast with a 4-litre, twin-turbocharged V8 at its heart churning out 600kW and 800Nm. Power goes to the rear wheels and performance is a claimed 0-100km/h in less than three seconds with 200km/h reached in 6.7 seconds.

McLaren says a fixed windscreen derivative of the car is also available for most markets as a factory option but claims its Active Air Management System (AAMS) channels air in such a way that the a ‘bubble of calm’ is created in the cockpit.

The core of the Elva is, as with every McLaren road or race car since 1981, a carbon fibre monocoque, and there is plenty of additional carbon fibre used throughout 66 | Motor Trader December 2019/January 2020

the car – the entire body is carbon - making it exceptionally light and strong.

There’s linked-hydraulic fully active suspension underneath that body, and Comfort, Sport and Track modes for the Handling and Powertrain change the driving characteristics to suit driver mood or environment. There are three Electronic Stability Control (ESC) modes, as well as Variable Drift Control (VDC).

Non-cost options include 5-Spoke Super-

McLaren Elva roadster

Lightweight forged alloy wheels in lieu of the 10-Spoke Ultralightweight wheels fitted as standard; and track-focused Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres rather than Pirelli P Zero tyres.

Controls for the Active Dynamics functions are integrated into the Elva’s instrument cluster, and additional functionality is accessed through the centrally mounted 8-inch high-resolution touchscreen monitor. This Central Infotainment Screen has been developed to allow the driver to run multiple applications simultaneously, akin to a smartphone, flicking through them on a vertical carousel. The system shows a range of applications on the screen,

including satellite navigation, McLaren Track Telemetry, rear-view camera and climate control.

The McLaren Elva does not have an audio system as standard, but customers can specify a bespoke system at no additional cost.

McLaren says that a range of bespoke interior materials will be available for the Elva, allowing customers to personalise their car according to its intended use.

These include a new breathable synthetic material called Ultrafabric.

Additional personalisation options available through McLaren Special Operations (MSO), the bespoke division of McLaren, include interior colour choices for the Ultrafabric and leathers and ‘virtually limitless’ exterior paint colours.

Alternatively, customers can select a Gloss Visual Carbon Fibre Body, which exposes not the carbon fibre body panels.

As always, a new McLaren doesn’t come cheap, with the Elva available for a juicy £1,425,000 ($AU2.7million) including tax.

Only 399 units will be produced.

December 2019/January 2020 Motor Trader | 67

Auto news

ASTON MARTIN ENTERS THE SUV MARKET WITH THE DBX Aston Martin DBX

A

STON MARTIN, MAKER of sleek and sexy luxury sports cars, has joined the throng of high-end manufacturers looking to make their mark in the ever-growing SUV sector with this, the recently revealed DBX. The UK manufacturer joins Bentley (with the Bentayga) and Rolls-Royce (with the Cullinan) as recent recruits to the luxury end of the SUV market, while Ferrari has flagged it will make its entrance into the sector at some point with the Purosangue.

Porsche, Lamborghini, Audi and others are already there.

68 | Motor Trader December 2019/January 2020

VIDEO: BEAUTIFUL IS RELENTLESS - DBX | ASTON MARTIN | DAISY ZHOU

With the DBX, Aston Martin look to have made a decent splash.

More than four years of development have gone into the SUV and judging from

the design, the finish and the performance figures being touted, they seem to have done a good job.

Distinctly an Aston Martin thanks to the unique grille design, the DBX is built using bonded aluminium, making the body structure light and stiff (the vehicle has an overall kerb-weight of 2,245kg). That helps with performance and handling which are,

as you would expect from Aston Martin, a focus of the DBX. There’s adaptive triple volume air suspension, and an electric anti-roll control system (eARC) and electronic adaptive dampers.

The air suspension can raise the ride height by 45mm or lower it by 50mm.

The system can be further programmed December 2019/January 2020 Motor Trader | 69

to aid with ingress, egress and loading requirements.

Power for the DBX comes from a new version of the 4-litre, twin-turbocharged V8 engine found in the company’s DB11 and Vantage cars. The engine gives the DBX output numbers of 404kW and 700NM of torque. The V8 has cylinder deactivation for better fuel economy, but it can still punch the DBX from 0 to 100km/h in 4.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 290km/h.

Power and torque are fed through a ninespeed automatic gearbox allied to an allwheel drive system with active differentials featuring an active central differential and an electronic rear limited slip differential 70 | Motor Trader December 2019/January 2020

(eDiff). This, says Aston Martin, allows the torque to be moved precisely both fore and aft and also across the rear axle.

The company’s first ever full-size fiveseat model, the DBX has 632 litres of boot space and 40:20:40 split folding rear seats.

As expected, the DBX is packed with the latest technology including, the company says, ‘all available active safety systems’. In the cabin, there are two high-definition TFT screens. The first is a 12.3-inch screen that displays a digital instrument cluster. The main display for the satellite navigation is a 10.25-inch TFT screen that sits flush with the dash in the centre of the car.

Mobile phone operating system

connectivity is standard in DBX, as is Bluetooth connectivity with audio streaming and FM/AM radio along with DAB. USB ports and 12v sockets are positioned in both the front and rear. An ambient lighting system features a choice of 64 colours which can be customised independently for the front and rear cabin.

There is also a 360-degree camera system allied to front and rear parking sensors and there’s a park assist system too.

Aston Martin also offers plenty of optional accessory packages for the DBX. For example, the Pet package includes, amongst other things, a portable washer to help clean the dog after a walk.

Alternatively, the Snow package offers to make a ski trip more comfy by including boot warmers!

Fit and finish is, as you would expect, look top notch. The handcrafted interior includes sports car seat packaging in the front and the seats are trimmed in full grain leather. Both the headlining and electric roof blind are available in a Alcantara finish.

Other materials used include wood, composite and metal veneers and these can be tailored to taste.

The DBX is priced at ÂŁ158,000 in the UK ($AU300,000). Deliveries are scheduled to begin in Q2 2020.

December 2019/January 2020 Motor Trader | 71

THE VEHICLE WRAP: MOBILE ADVERTISING THAT IS ALWAYS WORKING

H

OW TO STAND out from the crowd?

That is a very real question a lot of small (and, for that matter, larger) businesses must ask themselves.

Today, there is a seemingly overwhelming plethora of options to the business owner.

One thing that MTAQ Racing Team driver David Wood learned from his experience over the past 12 months is that bright and bold gets noticed. In 2019, the team took a different tack to the look of its racing Hyundai Excel. The result was noticed instantly, and the car is now recognised as one of the best, and brightest, racing Excels in the country.

The concept was simple – utilise a custom-designed graphic vinyl wrap – and the man behind that design and that wrap was Andrew Alfonso from Racegraphix on the Gold Coast.

Andrew is coming up to his 20th year in the industry, having begun working for large sign companies before his hobby of vehicle graphic design took over.

Racegraphix was born in 2012.

“It really started with signage and graphics for friends with street cars, track 72 | Motor Trader December 2019/January 2020

“VEHICLE WRAPS AND SHOP SIGNAGE ARE THE CORE OF WHAT WE DO - FROM THE INITIAL DESIGN ONWARDS. THE COMBINATIONS YOU CAN USE TO REALLY STAND OUT IS INFINITE.” cars and boats. And it went from there,” explained Andrew. “Vehicle wraps and shop signage are the core of what we do - from the initial design onwards. The

Advertorial

Andrew Alfonso designed and applied the MTA Queensland race car wrap

combinations you can use to really keeps on generating. And it does it in its stand out is infinite. local area, around local people. From what “Unlike radio, TV and online ads, vehicle we have found working with a wide variety wraps attract attention without being of businesses in southeast Queensland, overly intrusive, not so ‘in your face’,” when people recall a particular business said Andrew. “Customers can spot your from its vehicle, they tend to be local to message without significant distraction, that business.” and people enjoy the striking effect of With the increasing technology put into a vibrant vehicle wrap without feeling vinyl products, a wrap leaves no lasting negative towards the advertising. A plaindamage on a vehicle and is simply affixed coloured car, van, or plain glass shopfront over the top of existing paint. When can be forgettable, but something created removed, it leaves no imprints or damage. with a variety of colours and designs tends “Most people think it would cause some to be recalled. damage but, in fact, it protects the existing Most businesses have a unique colour OEM paint from scratches, stone chips and and logo that makes them unique and fade – and that does have an impact on the recognisable, and Andrew said it is simple resale value.” to integrate those into a vehicle wrap A vehicle wrap is, said Andrew, a design. Often, that design will reflect the powerful advertising tool – a tried and classic ‘live local, shop local’ adage, tested, well-priced method for local and once the wrap is done, it’s a businesses to reach the public, CLICK piece of advertising that just keep particularly in their local area.

TO VISIT THE on giving.

“When you break the cost RACEGRAPHIX “The real value is that the down across the hundreds, FACEBOOK PAGE vehicle goes about its normal potentially thousands of hours business without any ongoing a vehicle can be on the road it is cost,” he said. “It works 24/7 and very cost effective,” he said.

December 2019/January 2020 Motor Trader | 73

1 0

Y E A R

W A R R A N T Y

WINNING WITH AQUALUMA

T

HE TEAM AT Aqualuma LED of immense quality, that is of a proven lighting are no strangers to success. world standard. We back our products Since launching the business in with an industry leading 10 year warranty, 2004, Aqualuma has set the standard in so our customers know that they have a LED lighting products with its innovative, lighting solution they can rely on and have a long life span.”

Australian-made technology. From there, Aside from the quality and the lighting the accolades have followed – including quality produced, it is in the bottom line Australian boating top product awards, Australian product export award winners, where customers can really benefit.

“Every business, small or large, needs and good design award winners for to have efficiency” says Carl. “With the commercial and industrial lighting, just costs of powering workshops and premises for starters! rising with power price increases, LED Winning awards with rigorous lighting is a very efficient solution. With evaluation and being critiqued on a world our background in collision repair prior to standard has underscored the quality starting Aqualuma, we understand how of the Aqualuma products in Form, important quality lighting is, so producing Function, Safety, Sustainability, Quality, a better quality of light, making for better Commerciality and Innovation. The working and presentation conditions, was products are not only an Australian design, a big priority for us. The added bonus is it but components are sourced and the also is up to 70 per cent more efficient products are assembled in Australia. that a common halogen light.”

Aqualuma co-founder Carl CLICK TO “We have had customers Amor picks up the story. “Our VISIT THE AQUALUMA reduce their power bill from over Aqualuma customers have peace WEBSITE $5000 a month down to $1500, of mind that they have a product

74 | Motor Trader December 2019/January 2020

Advertorial

“WITH OUR BACKGROUND IN COLLISION REPAIR PRIOR TO STARTING AQUALUMA, WE UNDERSTAND HOW IMPORTANT QUALITY LIGHTING IS, SO PRODUCING A BETTER QUALITY OF LIGHT, MAKING FOR BETTER WORKING AND PRESENTATION CONDITIONS, WAS A BIG PRIORITY FOR US. THE ADDED BONUS IS IT ALSO IS UP TO 70 PER CENT MORE EFFICIENT THAT A COMMON HALOGEN LIGHT.” simply by switching their lighting, and working with us to design their lighting layout more efficiently. Most savings we see are in excess of 40 per cent, and we find that the lights have covered their investment very quickly and continue to deliver savings for the workshops or dealerships into the future.”

Aqualuma have been a major sponsor of the MTAQ Racing team now for the last two seasons, and is assisting the team in getting into the winners circle. With this terrific relationship, MTA Queensland members can also win.

“We would like to offer all MTA Queensland members complimentary lighting plan re-design and power saving analysis as a part of our relationship with the association. We can come in and provide a plan, showing the lighting positioning, how we can improve the lighting conditions, and also how that reflects against current usage and provide an indicative saving estimate,” offers carl.

"We can also work with landlords, and building owners as generally the longer warranty we offer is very favourable’.

So if you are thinking of upgrading your lighting, would like better lighting in your workshop or are interested in reducing power overheads, chat to the team at Aqualuma on 1300 14 55 55.

CLICK HERE TO CLAIM YOUR COMPLIMENTARY LIGHTING PLAN AND POWER SAVING OFFER December 2019/January 2020 Motor Trader | 75

Industrial relations

EVANGELINE KANNIS SENIOR WORKPLACE RELATIONS ADVISOR

MOBILE PHONES IN THE WORKPLACE THE USE OF MOBILE phones while driving has recently been in the news as the government tries to prevent distracted driving.

Mobile phones are also a problem in the workplace when employees stop being productive and abuse the rules for personal enjoyment or benefit.

“HAVING AND REGULARLY Having and regularly reminding REMINDING EMPLOYEES OF employees of policies which instruct them POLICIES WHICH INSTRUCT to keep their mobile phones available only for emergency family situations, or not at THEM TO KEEP THEIR MOBILE all in the work area, is advisable. However, PHONES AVAILABLE ONLY most employees are sensible and fair, FOR EMERGENCY FAMILY and get on with their work without being SITUATIONS, OR NOT AT distracted. As we have all experienced, ALL IN THE WORK AREA, there is always one.

IS ADVISABLE.” A mobile phone use policy in the workplace which refers specifically to the because she took a phone call from her use of personal phones while working should also include an explanation of what mother after strict guidelines were set about the use of mobile phones in that may happen if they are found in breach of workplace. In those circumstances the the policy. As always, an investigation and decision to terminate was valid. due process needs to be applied.

Condoning bad behaviour and Early this year the Fair Work tolerating a bending of the rules is Commission supported an CLICK TO VISIT THE MTAQ seen as unfair for other employees employer’s decision to terminate KNOWLEDGE BASE who do the right thing. an employee’s employment 76 | Motor Trader December 2019/January 2020

VIEW PAST ISSUES OF MOTOR TRADER MAGAZINE AT WWW.MTAQ.COM.AU/PUBLICATIONS

2019/January 2020 Motor Trader | 77 CLICK HERE TO ACCESS PAST ISSUESDecember OF MOTOR TRADER

OUR VISION IS TO BE QUEENSLAND’S MOST TRUSTED, INFLUENTIAL & ENGAGED INDUSTRY BODY The Motor Trades Association of Queensland (MTA Queensland) is the peak organisation in the state representing the specific interests of businesses in the retail, repair & service sectors of the automotive industry.

Member benefits include: Advocacy MTA Queensland will represent you to state & federal governments on BIG issues affecting your business & the industry.

Service Receive FREE expert advice on going digital & Industrial Relations matters.

Training Receive 20% discount on MTA Institute’s non-government funded short courses for MTA Queensland members.

Support • Our corporate partners offer substantial savings on EFTPOS fees, electricity & gas bills & business & residential insurance • Library of online business resources & templates • Weekly industry bulletin • FREE Jobs Board • Discounts on stationery & workshop products • Monthly subscription to the Motor Trader e-magazine • Regular specials & discounts

Innovation Stay ahead of the automotive digital revolution with access to MTAiQ, Australia’s first automotive innovation hub.

20170597

Freeway Office Park, Building 8, 2728 Logan Road, Eight Mile Plains www.mtaq.com.au | info@mtaq.com.au (07) 3237 8777

PAUL KULPA GENERAL MANAGER MTA INSTITUTE

W

“AS 2019 COMES TO A

CLOSE, I’D LIKE TO REFLECT ON WHAT WE’VE ACHIEVED HERE AT THE MTA INSTITUTE.”

MEMBERS' ESSENTIALS Contents 83 Apprentice of the Month: October 84 Professional Circle training 87 Keith to take charge on hev training and plugged in column 89 Apprentice of the Month: November

December 2019/January 2020 Motor Trader | 79

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• Maintaining high levels of stakeholder satisfaction through internal and external surveys; • Continuing a student-focused, faceto-face approach to training where all apprentices are trained at their

M E M B E R S

ELL IT’S THAT time of year when you can put your feet up for a week or so and enjoy the company of family and friends over the Christmas/New Year’s break.

No doubt it is well deserved after another busy year.

As 2019 comes to a close, I’d like to reflect on what we’ve achieved here at the MTA Institute. Those achievements have included: • The MTA Institute maintaining its position as the leading private training provider in the automotive industry with 31 per cent of automotive apprenticeships in Queensland; • Winning the Queensland Small Training Provider of the Year; • The Institute demonstrating flexibility in innovation in training delivery and support services – with, for example, the My Profiling platform and Auto Camp program;

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MTA Institute GM Paul Kulpa with the Queensland Small Training Provider of the Year award

M E M B E R S

Training GM's Professional Circle perspective

MTA INSTITUTE COURSES AIR CONDITIONING COURSE

SKILL SET GAP TRAINING (3 DAY) 26 - 28 February 2020 20 - 22 April 2020 Click for more information.

SALES/DEALER/WRECKERS LICENCING COURSE

RTO No: 31529

HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE COURSE

SKILL SET TRAINING (3 DAY) 5 - 7 February 2020 6 - 8 May 2020 Click for more information.

PRE-VOCATIONAL PREPARATION COURSE 3 February - 6 March 2020 27 April - 29 May 2020 Click for more information.

AVAILABLE ONLINE - ENROL NOW Click for more information.

Enquiries to: courses@mtai.edu.au Website www.mtai.edu.au

MTA QUEENSLAND COURSES

11 February 2020, 8:30am - 12:30pm 12 May 2020, 8:30am - 12:30pm Click for more information.

VEHICLE MAINTENANCE COURSE 11 February 2020 12 May 2020 Click for more information.

AUTO CAMP

6 - 8 April 2020 30 June - 2 July 2020 Click for more information.

CERT IV AND DIPLOMA OF LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT Click for more information.

Enquiries to: courses@mtai.edu.au Website www.mtaq.com.au

20170566

MIG WELDING FUNDAMENTALS COURSE

ACKNOWLEDGING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF COLLISION REPAIR INDUSTRY EMPLOYEES IN QLD - OCTOBER 2019 I-CAR AUSTRALIA, the organisation that delivers information, training and education to the collision repair industry, is acknowledging the achievements of industry employees from across the country who have achieved I-CAR Platinum Individual accreditation and I-CAR Welding Certification.

The following is a list of Queenslandbased collision repair industry employees who received I-CAR Platinum Individual Accreditation in October 2019: • Damian Bailey McCarthy Panel Works • Craig McCarthy McCarthy Panel Works • Maigan Hackett Brisbane BMW

• Benjamin Anderson Gold Coast Collision Centre • Reece Williams McCarthy Panel Works • Myles Mitchell Gold Coast Collision Centre • Daniel Leishman Gold Coast Collision Centre • Megan Leishman Gold Coast Collision Centre There were eight new I-CAR Welding Certifications issued in October.

• Andre Botha A&L Smash Repairs • Craig McCarthy McCarthy Panel Works • Damian Bailey McCarthy Panel Works • George Denner A&L Smash Repairs • Reece Williams McCarthy Panel Works • Tim Gibbons Gabba Collisions Repair Centre • Jackson Brown Gabba Collisions Repair Centre • Michael Young Mangano Body Repairs.

December 2019/January 2020 Motor Trader | 81

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workplaces by a qualified and experienced trainer; • Ongoing active engagement with industry; • Strong internal audit and continuous improvement systems utilising internal and external expertise.

These are just some of the points that has made us the benchmark of automotive training throughout 2019.

Looking forward to 2020, Auto Camp September cohort we want to continue with this great work. Ultimately, it will be the service we deliver to our of working in the automotive industry customers that will determine our success, and having participants undertake our and we want to continue to have greater automotive pre-vocational programs and engagement with employers and students continue on with the success of the MTA to ensure our training services maintain Queensland Auto Camp. the outcomes that industry expects.

There’s always work to be done, but We really want to ensure we have a everyone needs a rest. So I hope everyone good pipeline of people coming into enjoys the Christmas break and I look the industry and we’ll be working hard forward to a prosperous 2020 working on promoting the values and benefits with you.

M E M B E R S

Training GM's Professional Circle perspective

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

82 | Motor Trader December 2019/January 2020

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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.

CLICK FOR MORE INFO December 2019/January 2020 Motor Trader | 83

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worked a number of jobs before realising that the automotive trade was where he belonged, at which point he took a technician’s assistant (TA) role at ABC Sales and Maintenance.

“I was doing a lot of different things, jumping around to see what I wanted to do,” said Nat. “However, I have always been into cars and one of mates who was working here at ABC was able to get me the job as a TA. I worked hard and after a while they offered me the apprenticeship.

CLICK TO VISIT THE “And the training went really well. I was AT KEENE IS the Apprentice of the ABC SALES & MAINTENANCE with the MTA Institute the whole time and Month for October.

WEBSITE the face-to-face aspect of the training was The 26-year-old recently completed his Heavy Commercial Vehicle great – Scott’s a pretty good teacher!” apprenticeship and works for ABC Sales and Hard work is something Nat is used Maintenance in Cairns, part of the CaPTA (Cairns to, and it certainly helps at ABC Sales and and Port Trips and Attractions) business, a major Maintenance. The small workshop team look after tourism company in north Queensland that includes, a large fleet of coaches and other vehicles that amongst other concerns, Tropic Wings Tour and come in to the shop from a number of businesses.

Charters.

“We do servicing, suspension, electrical - pretty Showing bags of enthusiasm to learn as much as much everything,” said Nat. “The days are always possible during his training, Nat impressed his MTA full. There’s no slacking off around here!”

Institute trainer Scott Buckley with his talent.

With his apprenticeship complete and his ticket “Nat’s ability to absorb information and earned, Nat said he aimed to remain with ABC knowledge is excellent,” said Scott. “He is a quiet for a good while before perhaps taking on other achiever, asks questions when necessary, and opportunities to see where his career might lead. demonstrates real eagerness to know more. His “I may head out to the mines. I hear the money is workbook projects were of a very high quality.” pretty good,” he said with a laugh. “I’d like to head Although he has always been interested in cars, out there eventually and see what it’s about.”

Nat took an unusual route to his apprenticeship. He APPRENTICE: NAT KEENE WORKPLACE: ABC SALES & MAINTENANCE APPRENTICESHIP: HEAVY COMMERCIAL VEHICLE

M E M B E R S

Apprentice of the Month: October

E S S E N T I A L S M E M B E R S

Professional Circle training

MTAQ A ONE-STOP SHOP FOR TRAINING AND BUSINESS SERVICES

R

UNNING A BUSINESS is hard work.

It takes tireless dedication and the hours can be long and vacations brief and infrequent. Finding a way to streamline processes, make things less time consuming, and relieve some of the pressure is a very meaningful pursuit.

Offering services that help businesses with this pursuit is part of MTA Queensland’s mission and the Association does so through projects such as the Small Business Digital Champion initiative, the

2mota platform, the work of MTAiQ, and the full range of training and apprenticeship options available through MTA Institute, amongst other programs.

Richard Watson, owner of heavy vehicle maintenance business X-HD in Brisbane, recently took advantage of some of those training services.

X-HD delivers mechanical maintenance services to transportation, mining and earthmoving businesses, as well as fabricating and building trailers Richard Watson of X-HD, Brisbane

84 | Motor Trader December 2019/January 2020

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nothing but good reports about them,” said Richard. “They were in touch with me within an hour-and-a-half of that call, and then a representative came out to get some information and talk through the process, and it went from there.

“I then met with Jeff Mann, the trainer, for a couple of days and went through all the paperwork for the trade recognition.

We were able to do that and complete some assessments fairly quickly and it really was a pretty painless process.

“What I really liked about it was that it wasn’t just an ‘I’m happy with that’ situation. We went through everything and dotted the ‘i’s and crossed the ‘t’s, and were even able to do the assessments here, on site. And that was great because in between doing the assessments, I was able to keep the boys running in the shop. That makes things a lot easier, especially when you’re a small business.”

Bringing Tyson across to do his heavy vehicle apprenticeship with the MTA

M E M B E R S

for heavy vehicles such as water trucks, and the business comprises Richard, apprentice Tyson Blythe and technician Ronaldo Dosantos.

A New Zealander, Richard began his career and completed his heavy vehicle apprenticeship with Independent Forklifts in Christchurch before moving into the mining industry with the much-respected Gough Group, working in Westport on the South Island. Moving to Australia in 2010, and after working for a few years in the mining industry in Mackay, he established X-HD four years ago.

Keen to get his NZ qualifications and experience recognised in Australia, Richard began looking to go through the process of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and, following some disappointment with a previous training organisation, finding a new provider who could help steer Tyson through his apprenticeship.

“Apprenticeship Support said they would ask MTA Queensland to call as they’d had

E S S E N T I A L S M E M B E R S

Professional Circle training Institute also had its he said. “An benefits, not least in understanding of the onsite training electrical systems delivery that the and circuits, and Institute uses. some knowledge of “It is great to have the more advanced the training on site areas, is going to here for a number of become vital. I have reasons,” said Richard. plenty of experience “Firstly, you don’t lose working on batteryyour apprentice to electric forklifts and block course training. X-HD technician Ronaldo Dosantos, that knowledge will We rely on Tyson to be handy but, in Richard Watson and apprentice Tyson Blythe do a lot around here a few years’ time, – not least the smoko some of the stuff run, which is a very important job! – and we are going to be working on is going to losing him to block course training would be electric or hybrid and we’re going to at be tough. And secondly, having Jeff come least need to know the basics. to us every few weeks and be contactable “Working with MTA Queensland means he is able to keep his eye on Tyson. has been great. The support has been That support means that if Tyson should unbelievable and getting all this done struggle with something, he can get the really has been very simple.” help he needs. And Jeff is a terrific trainer Through the provision of a and really knows his stuff.” comprehensive set of industry-leading Having sorted out his RPL and programs and initiatives, service and organised apprenticeship training for support, MTA Queensland makes the Tyson, Richard also worked with the perfect partner for automotive businesses.

MTA Institute on organising some extra “MTA Queensland is a one-stop shop,” training for himself. First, there was some said Business Development Manager air conditioning training.

Anthony Bonaccorso. “Small businesses “There was no hesitation when I often have limited resources available, so mentioned that - it was a case of, ‘Yep. recruiting and hiring their next employee OK. We’ve got a course in six weeks,’ and or employees can be timely and costly.

I was booked in on the spot, no dramas.”

“MTA Queensland understands the said Richard. demands and frustrations that automotive He also decided that an auto-electrical businesses face and works hard to assist qualification would come in very useful. them with support, advocacy, training, Having worked on battery-electric forklifts and innovation services, and keep them over the years, and recognising the fastinformed of best business practices and changing landscape of the auto industry available resources. Our staff know the will mean electric and hybrid vehicles automotive landscape and we strive to are going to become more common, take away the added stresses of running a Richard signed up for the auto-electrical modern business. We help businesses get qualification to start in 2020. what they need with good, old-fashioned “Auto-electrical is a great skill to have,” service with a smile!”

86 | Motor Trader December 2019/January 2020

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TA Institute trainer Keith Minchin HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLES has a passion for electronic With HEVs gaining in popularity, and technology and a wealth of with more and more manufacturers training experience making him the announcing their decision to stop perfect person to lead the MTA Institute’s producing vehicles with combustion hybrid and electric vehicle education. engines in the coming years, Keith has Keith is replacing Paul Tugwell (who no doubt that HEV training will only has retired) as the lead trainer for the MTA Keith Minchin become more crucial.

Institute Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) “In our current industry, HEVs course and as the technical writer for represent a very small percentage of Motor Trader’s Plugged In column. We are delighted to the market, so there’s not a lot of opportunity for the introduce Keith to our HEV enthusiast readers. average technician to immerse themselves in the Originally from Melbourne, Keith couldn't wait technology. But that’s going to change, and it’s going to enter the automotive industry, wanting to leave to change soon,” he said. school from as early as 15 years old to work in a “HEVs present a number of unique challenges workshop. After being taken on as an apprentice, Keith studied electronic engineering at night and was and their own dangers. They run on high voltage and there’s certainly a workplace health and safety fascinated by the field. aspect to working on these vehicles. Additionally, After working in numerous service manager and and quite simply, it’s new technology and to remain technician roles with manufacturers, he moved to relevant in this industry, automotive professionals Brisbane to work for FIAT. This move would lead need to up-skill and ensure they remain on top of Keith down a path that would take him overseas to work with Ferrari among other brands, skilling up on new advancements.

“I absolutely think that it’s crucial for automotive the latest automotive technology and electronics. technicians to educate themselves on HEV “It wasn’t a conscious decision of mine to work technology in a safe environment. on one brand over another,” said Keith. “I’m not “The MTA Institute is the leader in automotive interested in particular brands of cars, but rather the training, and as the HEV trainer it’s my responsibility technology underpinning them. The mechanics, the to guide technicians through this new technology. electronics and everything in between.”

With my extensive interest in electronics and my Keith eventually looked for a career change where passion for training, it’s something that I am really a passion for teaching and explaining the intricacies excited about. of electronics and motors led him to start with MTA “HEV technology is something that will continue Institute in 2012. With qualifications including to evolve, advance and improve. My advice is for Light Vehicle Mechanic, Automotive Electrician technicians to get on board now and the best way to and Automotive Underbody Technician, along with do that is by completing the MTA Institute accredited accreditations in Automotive Air-Conditioning and Hybrid Electric Vehicle Inspection and Servicing Skill HEV, Keith has brought a wealth of experience and Set, with the next course on 5-7 February 2020.” knowledge to the position and for the last seven years Plugged In will continue with its technical HEV has been guiding students through their apprenticeships in western Brisbane and surrounding areas. advice in 2020.

M E M B E R S

KEITH TO TAKE CHARGE ON HEV TRAINING AND PLUGGED IN COLUMN

E S S E N T I A L S M E M B E R S

Professional Circle training

PRE-VOCATIONAL COURSE DELIVERING JOB OPPORTUNITIES Marcello Riotto, was pleased to see that the course was providing a real pathway for automotive enthusiasts to enter the field.

“The course is designed to give participants the chance to explore the potential of a career in the automotive industry and see if it is right for them,” said Marcello.

“To see such a strong MTAI pre-vocational students alongside the success rate of trainees finding MTA Queensland Racing car at Ipswich Raceway employment in the industry speaks volume about the course content.”

Marcello spent much of the five-week HE MTA INSTITUTE’S Certificate course with the students and said the II in Automotive Vocational work and dedication they had put in was Preparation course has been kicking now paying dividends with employment goals lately in preparing people for a opportunities. career in the automotive industry.

“The group were extremely diligent and The course recently delivered by the MTA attentive, ” said Marcello. “Nearly all of them Institute had 80 per cent of students find went out and took advantage of the time employment with automotive businesses. set aside for practical work experience. We The five-week, accredited course is designed to give students a comprehensive are very fortunate to be in a position where we can offer students work experience set of skills and introduce them to various with employer members of the Motor career opportunities present in the Trades Association of Queensland because automotive industry. of the connection between the training The intended outcome of the course organisation and the industry body. They is to increase the employability of were all very motivated to make the most the students and prepare them to of the opportunity and to see them potentially move into an automotive go on to employment with these apprenticeship down the track. businesses is a credit to them.”

With a large portion of recent CLICK The MTA Institute offers the FOR MORE graduates of the program moving INFORMATION five-week Certificate II course into lines of work in the field, it regularly throughout the year. suggests the course is certainly The next course is scheduled to achieving its intended goal.

MTA Institute Operations Manager, begin 3 February 2020.

T

88 | Motor Trader December 2019/January 2020

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ACKNOWLEDGING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF COLLISION REPAIR INDUSTRY EMPLOYEES IN QLD - NOVEMBER 2019 I-CAR AUSTRALIA, the organisation that delivers information, training and education to the collision repair industry, is acknowledging the achievements of industry employees from across the country who have achieved I-CAR Platinum Individual accreditation and I-CAR Welding Certification.

The following is a list of Queenslandbased collision repair industry employees who received I-CAR Platinum Individual Accreditation in November 2019:

• Greg Nicoll • Jason Keogh • Michael Curtin • Wesley Jenkins • Grant Ockenfels • Bradley Dunne • Joshua Nash • Tyler Gregory • Daniel Hayes • James Bailey • Ada Young

Suncorp RACQ Insurance Willmot Smash Repairs Willmot Smash Repairs RACQ Insurance RACQ Insurance Willmot Smash Repairs Auto & General Insurance Services Willmot Smash Repairs Willmot Smash Repairs Willmot Smash Repairs.

December 2019/January 2020 Motor Trader | 89

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MTA Institute. He does both to an incredibly high standard,” said Steve Hudspith, Daniel’s MTA Institute trainer. “His work ethic is second to none.”

A fan of MTA Institute’s training program, Daniel said he had no qualms in requesting to restart his apprenticeship with the Institute on his return to the industry.

“I was training with you guys the first time around, and the one-on-one training really works,” he said.

“When I restarted this year, I wanted to come ANIEL O’DEA IS THE Apprentice of the CLICK TO back to the MTA Institute.”

VISIT THE Month for November.

ROLIN As the son of a mechanic who became The 26-year-old light vehicle MECHANICAL the owner of a dealership, Daniel was WEBSITE apprentice works at Rolin Mechanical in brought up around cars and has been Brisbane, is in his fourth year of training, tinkering and working on them since he was and is looking to complete his apprenticeship a child. Little wonder then that a career in the sometime toward the end of 2020. industry would be where he would end up.

Reaching this point has been a long road for “I've been around cars my whole life,” he said.

Daniel. He first started his apprenticeship with MTA “Working on them is what I love doing and I can’t Institute when he was 19 but, after completing three imagine doing anything else. I come to work and years of the course, he was unable to complete really enjoy it and I never think of it as a job really.” his training at that time. After three years away With less than a year to go until he qualifies, from the industry, he made his return in January Daniel is pondering where his career might lead. A 2019, finding a position with Rolin Mechanical, a fan of performance cars – he is currently upgrading business run by husband and wife team Robert and a Mark III Supra – a move into that sector at some Linda Clacher. Since then, he has impressed both point down the track looks like a good bet. employer and trainer with his passion for the work.

“Working in performance side of the industry is “Daniel has become a great apprentice, definitely something I'd like to pursue,” he said. “I have always been interested in that area and maybe both with the work he is doing in the workshop and in completing the required workload with I can do that and run my own business someday.”

APPRENTICE: DANIEL O’DEA WORKPLACE: ROLIN MECHANICAL APPRENTICESHIP: LIGHT VEHICLE

M E M B E R S

Apprentice of the Month: November

Aaryn McKeegan

MTA INSTITUTE APPRENTICE TAKES GOLD AT WORLDSKILLS COMPETITION

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ARYN MCKEEGAN, A fourthyear automotive spray-painting apprentice training with the MTA Institute, has taken out the top spot at the WorldSkills Gold Coast region competition for automotive refinishing.

The competition was held at the Axalta Training Centre in November, and Aaryn, who works at ASR Smash Repairs in Cairns, lined up against a group of other talented apprentices for the chance to take gold and a spot in the WorldSkills Australia National Championships event to be held in Perth in 2020.

WorldSkills is an international movement that aims to promote and 90 | Motor Trader December 2019/January 2020

VIDEO: WHAT IS WORLDSKILLS?

showcase the benefits of vocational education and training and does so internationally via competitions across 75 countries in more than 50 trades and skills. In Australia, more than 500 competitions are held in 34 regions across

the country every two Innovation Award in 2016 for its CLICK TO VISIT THE years with thousands investment in its workshop, staff WORLDSKILLS of apprentices and and streamlining of workflow WEBSITE students taking part. systems, and this year won the To put it mildly, it’s Cairns Business Excellence Award a big deal, and winning in the Customer Service Excellence the regional comp was, said category. Working in that environment Aaryn, a proud moment. is definitely a benefit for anyone “I really didn’t expect it,” he learning the trade. said. “I was confident in what It was the ability Aaryn has shown I had done, but I was very working at ASR and throughout his surprised.” training with MTA Institute that convinced What each of the automotive his trainer, Shane Palmer, to nominate him refinishing apprentices for the WorldSkills event. were expected to do in the “This was the first year that I decided competition was apply a fairly to nominate an apprentice in this complicated design to a car competition,” said Shane. “And I did door. so because of Aaryn’s tremendous “We had to put one colour enthusiasm, great attitude and his overall down on the door, fineline attention to detail to present his finished out the design, put the product up to industry standards and second colour on and then clear over to the original equipment manufacturer the top,” said Aaryn. “The design had specifications. I had no doubt he was measurements but included a big ‘W’ capable of winning this competition.” that had to be done freehand. It’s not As for the national WorldSkills something I’d do in the workshop normally competition that Aaryn will contest in - it was more custom - and it was pretty 2020, Shane is confident about that too. complicated.” “l think Aaryn has a good chance of As for the judging of the work, in a trade winning the national competition. No that demands perfection the judges were doubt,” he said. “And hopefully more on the lookout for that too. apprentices from the North Queensland “They marked you on how much your region can achieve the same outcome in paint bled through the fineline, how sharp the future.” your lines were, how neat everything was, For Aaryn himself, the WorldSkills the angles, how exact your measurements National Championship will be a new and were, and the finishes. It was tough, but exciting challenge - something to look I went into it as I would any other day at forward to and from which to learn. work, so I didn’t stress out too much.”

“I didn’t go into this competition to win Keeping calm and being confident it, I did it for the experience,” he said. “And clearly paid off – Aaryn scored 92 out of a I’ll treat the national competition the possible 100 points. same way. But it would look good on my And he had a right to feel confident. resume!”

As well as being trained by MTA WorldSkills holds competitions across a range of Institute, Aaryn works at automotive categories including auto electrical, CLICK ASR Collision Specialist, autobody repair, automotive mechanics, heavy TO VISIT THE a multi-award winning ASR COLLISION vehicle mechanics, motorcycle mechanics and SPECIALIST business that took out vehicle painting. To find out more, visit WEBSITE the MTA Queensland worldskills.org.au December 2019/January 2020 Motor Trader | 91

NETA TYRES DELIVERING TRACTION TO GRASSROOTS MOTORSPORT

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HE MTAQ RACING Team had a pretty good year in 2019. A fitful start to the Hyundai Excel Series X3 Queensland championship season would evolve into a ripsnorter of a finish with the team scoring its first victory in the last race meeting of the year and finishing 4th in the final championship standings.

It was a tremendous ending to a year spent racing in one of motorsport’s most combative grassroots categories.

The idea of the X3 Series is that racing be affordable and competitive, with cars all fairly equal in specs and performance. It has proven to be an effective and popular formula, with more than 40 competitors taking part in some fast and furious racing during the 2019 season.

The tyres are one component that is uniform across all the cars. Competition

Gary Kendrick, General Manager, Neta

specs dictate the use of the Federal 595 RS-R tyre - a CAMS-approved, semislick, ultra-high-performance tyre that has proven to be highly effective and

long-lasting – a very useful attribute in a grassroots series.

Federal Tires has a long history in supporting motorsport with its high-performance tyres and through sponsorship - while also offering a comprehensive range of passenger, SUV and commercial tyres. In Queensland, the company’s products are distributed

by Neta Tyre Service and Sales, a MTA Queensland member that has been associated with Federal in the state for more than 35 years.

Neta, in partnership with Federal, is a sponsor of the Excel series – every car in the series carries the famous Federal logo across its windscreen - and the company is also a sponsor of the MTAQ Racing Team.

Like Federal, Neta too has a long history of involvement in motorsport, having sponsored and supplied tyres to off-road and drifting competitions, amongst others, while also providing support to more niche areas as well – it supplies Maxtrek brand tyres to well-known stunt driver Matt Mingay and drifting exhibition driver Danny Kenneally, and Federal tyres to the Warner Brothers Movie World Hollywood

“THE X3 SERIES IS A GREAT UP AND COMING SERIES . . . IT’S AN INEXPENSIVE, ENTRY-LEVEL CATEGORY, IT HAS GROWN A LOT AND IS REALLY GOING PLACES.” Driver Stunt Team, a major tourist attraction on the Gold Coast.

Supporting the Hyundai X3 competition under the Federal Tyres banner has proven to be a smart move for Neta. The series has exploded in popularity in just a handful of years, has attracted some big names – the sons of former Supercar drivers Steve Johnson and Paul Morris both compete in the Queensland series – and the category’s low-cost concept has highlighted the performance, durability and cost-effectiveness of the 595RS-R tyre and the Federal brand in general.

“The X3 series is a great up and coming series,” said Gary Kendrick, General Manager at Neta. “It’s an inexpensive, entry-level category, it has grown a lot and is really going places. Those involved in the

December 2019/January 2020 Motor Trader | 93

Federal's 595RS-R tyre is the control tyre for the Hyundai X3 Series

“WE HAVE GREAT FRIENDSHIPS IN THE INDUSTRY, AND WE ARE ALL ABOUT SERVICE AND RELATIONSHIP BUILDING.” category are all great guys and they love the tyre. It offers great performance and wears well, and that can mean, for some of those taking part, those four tyres can last the whole year. We supply the tyre to the club at a very competitive price, and the club then sells them on to the drivers for a small margin. That money then goes back into the sport by going towards the trophies, the running of events and so on.”

Motorsport sponsorship has been a cornerstone of Neta’s marketing strategy and has played its part in the expansion of a family business that has grown from a single tyre and mechanical business based in a Brisbane suburb, to a major concern serving tyre retailers across Queensland and northern NSW. The company was founded by Keith and Nita McKay in 1962 as the Keith McKay Tyre and Mechanical business, working out of an Esso service station in Red Hill.

In 1979, the couple bought a tyre retreading plant and created the foundations of a family business that 94 | Motor Trader December 2019/January 2020

today has a main depot on Brisbane’s northside at Northgate and distribution hubs in Rockhampton, the Gold Coast, Toowoomba, the Sunshine Coast, Lismore, and Cairns. The strategic location of these warehouses means Neta has a reach that covers a vast swathe of Queensland and northern NSW. Neta’s major tyre brands are Federal, Maxtrek, Ovation, Rydanz, and Vitour, and tyres in every size and category are available. The company also owns and sells the Gecko wheel brand through its network.

While Federal is a Taiwanese brand, the others all come from mainland China – a source, said Gary, of excellent, competitively priced products.

“The quality of product that comes from China and Taiwan is first rate and there are many brands coming from that region,” he said. “Not only is the quality there but the price is competitive and the difference between the costs of various brands now is not representative of a difference in quality.

“While Federal was always our biggestselling product, that has evolved over the years into a more prestigious and upmarket tyre and, coming from Taiwan, is dearer. Today, Maxtrek is our largest product and it has a very good range at the right price. We look for good brands at a

The MTAQ Racing Team Hyundai Excel

decent price that offer great quality.” with companies including Tyre & Tube This approach has worked well for Australia, Tyremaster, ACME Tyres, and Neta, but it is only part of its business Boral Tyres - before moving to Neta. Over strategy - it's not just about providing the years, he has seen many changes in quality products at a good price, it's about the industry, and though the business ensuring the company is across the latest has become more competitive - and the developments and opportunities in the number of brands, sizes and types of tyres industry while also delivering great service available continues to grow - Neta, he said, and developing long-lasting relationships. was well placed to continue to expand and “We are all about service and get stronger. relationship building,” said Gary. “That’s “There was a time in this business our priority. If you get that service and when you only had to worry about those relationships right, you can only eight tyre sizes,” he said with a laugh. improve from there.

“Nowadays, with the amount of sizes, the “We run deliveries twice a day, but from number of brands, the loads, the speed our metro stores we do six or seven daily. If ratings and so on, a normal tyre dealer a retailer is after something urgently, they with a retail shop can’t possibly carry a can always come and pick a product up full range - he wouldn’t have the room directly from the depots. to carry everything. Neta will look to “And we go to Singapore and China every expand and modernise, but we will focus second year to the tyre shows, not only on the products that we have and our to look at what product is out there and role as Queensland and northern NSW learn more about what is happening distributor.” in the market, but to meet up with For fans of motorsport and the CLICK our suppliers and strengthen that Hyundai X3 Series, the support TO VISIT THE NETA TYRE bond.” of Neta and Federal Tyres will WESBITE A 21-year veteran with Neta, ensure that the famous Federal Gary has spent much of his career logo will be found on many a race in the tyre business -working car for some time yet.

December 2019/January 2020 Motor Trader | 95

CARS &

C O F F E E

1986 Pontiac Fiero Coupe

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OVEMBER’S CARS & Coffee was a doozy, with some stunning classic cars making the trip to MTA Queensland’s head office for the last C&C gathering of car enthusiasts for 2019.

It was a good day for Holden fans, with a bevy of Monaros and models from the ‘70s rumbling into the car park to join a throng of Aussie Fords, U.S. muscle and elegant British classics. A couple of very 96 | Motor Trader December 2019/January 2020

1949 Morris Minor

interesting visitors included a 1949 Morris Minor and a 1986 Pontiac Fiero Coupe.

The Fiero is actually a little special as it was the first mass-produced midengine sports car built by a major U.S. manufacturer – a design layout that General Motors only revisited with the recently revealed 2020 Corvette. Another unusual guest was a 1972 Ford Torino Tourer, the sport version of which was

1972 Ford Torino Tourer

December 2019/January 2020 Motor Trader | 97

CARS &

C O F F E E

1976 Datsun 260Z Coupe

1979 Ford Ford Falcon

featured in the Clint Eastwood movie, Gran Torino.

Also on hand at Cars & Coffee were Dave and Tyler Hamilton from automotive media outlet Overtaking Lane, who did some on-the-spot interviews with owners and filmed plenty of footage of the event – you can check out the video on the next page.

98 | Motor Trader December 2019/January 2020

As always, those who came along for the morning were able to enjoy not only the sights and sounds of some wonderful cars, but also were able to tuck in to some delicious coffee and food from Zali’s Café and raise some money for the Youngcare charity.

MTA Queensland’s Cars & Coffee will return in February. See you in 2020!

CLICK TO VISIT THE OVERTAKING LANE WESBITE

1968 Ford Mustang Coupe VIDEO: MTAQ CARS & COFFEE WITH OVERTAKING LANE

BRANDON TEMPLE - PHOTOGRAPHER THE MAJORITY of images on these pages were taken by Brandon Temple, a member of the CarStyle Crew but also an MTA Institute Brandon Temple paint and panel apprentice. You’ll spot Brandon at many a car gathering across southeast Queensland, taking snaps for his Facebook page @ nonaspirated and Instagram site @non_aspirated. It’s well worth checking out his work.

December 2019/January 2020 Motor Trader | 99

MTAQ DELIVERS KEY CAR-BUYING TIPS TO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

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UYING YOUR FIRST car can be a daunting experience, with a lot to consider. The process is particularly difficult for those with limited car knowledge, who don’t know what to look out for or what questions to ask when determining if a car is right for them.

Before beginning the car-buying journey, a list of questions should be compiled.

Am I buying new or used? What style of car am I looking for? What’s my budget?

How much will I be using the car? The answers to these questions will vary for every individual and having the right information and knowledge to make informed decisions is crucial.

For a group of Silkwood Independent High School students about to embark on the quest for a car for the first time, these questions are hopefully a bit easier to answer after MTA Queensland paid a visit to the school to deliver an information session.

Among a sea of grade 10 students were numerous learner drivers, all eager to get their hands on their first set of wheels and

experience the freedom that comes with owning your own car.

The students were quick to fire their questions at MTA Queensland’s Senior Business Development Manager Anthony Bonaccorso, and it was clear that many of them had done their research already.

From the pros and cons of buying a used vehicle, to the potential issues to be aware of when viewing a car, to budgeting, and what to expect from pesky additional fees such as insurance and registration, the students walked away with useful knowledge that will stay with them.

Anthony said the importance of having a good base level of car knowledge was invaluable, especially for young people who may be more easily persuaded to look at the newest, flashiest vehicles recommended to them.

“The most important thing to consider when choosing to buy any vehicle, whether it’s your first car or not, is safety,” he said.

“You want a vehicle that is mechanically sound and reliable and won’t leave you

100 | Motor TraderBusiness December 2019/January 2020 MTA Queensland’s Senior Development Manager, Anthony Bonaccorso with Silkwood Independent High School students

stranded on the side of the highway, so it’s important that young people understand the marks of a solid, safe vehicle versus a ‘lemon’.”

Anthony also explained to the students the importance of prioritising safety and price over appearance.

“Obviously everyone wants to drive the latest, flashy models, but you have to consider your budget,” he said. “When you’re talking about your first car, you ideally want something that won’t break the bank, runs well and can handle the dings and scratches that are bound to eventuate when learning to drive.”

Anthony also took the opportunity to showcase how the evolving automotive industry was opening new doors for career opportunities.

“The stigma around careers in automotive, where we are all just grease monkeys, is outdated,” he said.

“We’re seeing new jobs opening all the time in areas such as design, IT and robotics, business and marketing, just to name a few. The industry really does have something for everyone these days and these opportunities are only continuing to grow as the industry undergoes the technological changes we are experiencing.”

Whether the students in attendance think about a career in automotive or not, at least they will be making that decision while driving a well-maintained, reliable vehicle.

MTA INSTITUTE HOSTS SOUTH KOREAN STUDENTS THE MTA INSTITUTE is thrilled to welcome six students from South Korea to the Sir Jack Brabham Automotive Centre of Excellence on an international study tour.

The students, who come from the South Korean regions of Daejeon, Jeonnam, and Chungam, arrived in October and are here for 12 weeks to complete a Certificate I in Automotive Vocational Preparation.

The course will be broken up in three sections: • Four weeks completing an intensive English Language course; • Four weeks with the MTA Institute; and • A four-week work placement with MTA Queensland member Hyundai Keema in Mouth Gravatt.

As part of the Institute’s relationship with Triple Eight Race Engineering, the students were invited to attend the Gold Coast 600 and participated in a pit tour.

December 2019/January 2020 Motor Trader | 101

Concept corner

T H E T E SL A C 102 | Motor Trader December 2019/January 2020

C Y BER T R UC K December 2019/January 2020 Motor Trader | 103

Concept corner

T HE T E SL A C YBER T RUC K

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HIS IS THE Cybertruck, another jawdropping electric vehicle from Tesla.

As always with Tesla, the reveal of another new vehicle made plenty of noise and in the case of the Cybertruck, that noise seemed even louder than usual.

Much commentary has revolved around the design and styling. To say that there are mixed feelings on its appearance would be putting it mildly, but whether you think it is a piece of futuristic automotive art or the ugliest thing on four wheels, it is, at least, different. And in an age when new vehicles can be almost indistinguishable from each other, it is at least a little bit exciting to know there are designers and manufacturers out there willing to decide on a look for their vehicles that gets us all talking.

If you’re not a fan, Tesla probably isn’t too concerned. According to media reports, some 200,000 orders were placed for the Cybertruck within a week of its reveal. Beauty really is in the eye of the beholder it seems.

So what will owners be getting for their money, other than the wildest-looking truck on the planet?

Well, Tesla says it is a vehicle ‘designed

104 | Motor Trader December 2019/January 2020

VIDEO: CYBERTRUCK

to have the utility of a truck and the performance of a sports car’. And if the numbers are to be believed, it is all that and more.

Available in three variants – a Single Motor Rear-Wheel Drive, Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive, and Tri Motor All-Wheel Drive – the Cybertruck is, Tesla claims, versatile and capable, ‘with exceptional performance both on-road and off-road’.

The top-spec Tri Motor model has a range of 800km, can reach 96km (60mph) in 2.9 seconds, has a payload capacity of 1590kg in a bed that is covered by a metal ‘canopy’ that retracts into the roofline, and has a towing capacity of 6350kg. Those are impressive numbers. The company also says the Cybertruck is as tough as nails. Although a hiccup in the unveiling

demonstration led to the cracking of the vehicle’s supposedly ultra-strong armor glass windows, other demonstrations have appeared to show that glass is indeed pretty hardy stuff. And that ruggedness extends to the truck’s body. Made from ‘ultra-hard 30x cold-rolled stainless steel’, it should, the company says, help ‘eliminate dents, damage and long-term corrosion’.

There’s room inside for six adults and no doubt there’ll be some interesting and

innovative features available to owners, as there are on every other Tesla product.

All in all, Tesla and its enigmatic boss Elon Musk seem to have done it again – capturing the imagination of the public with another fascinating vehicle and getting everyone talking animatedly about the future of vehicles, about what they’re going to look like and how they’re going to perform. And whether you hate the Cybertruck or love it, that’s a good thing, right?

December 2019/January 2020 Motor Trader | 105

Investment matters

MARKET WRAP

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LOBAL MARKETS RALLIED in November (MSCI ACWI +2.7%) led by the technology-laden U.S. NASDAQ (+4.5%) and followed by the Russell 2000 (+4.0%), outperforming their fellow S&P 500 (+3.4%). Trump’s non-committal to a tariff roll-back saw emerging markets (MSCI EM +0.5%) and Asian hubs (Hang Seng -2.1%, China CSI 300 -1.5%, Korea KOSPI +0.2%) lag over the period. The FTSE benefitted from the market taking a less negative view on the potential impacts of Brexit (UK FTSE +1.5%) while Europe maintained its strength seen in October (MSCI EU ex-UK +2.5%).

Domestically, The S&P/ASX 200 Accumulation Index was up 3.28% during the period. Information Technology was the best performer (+10.9%) in a broader global technology rally. Health Care again remained in the top two performing sectors (+8.9%) with CSL (CSL) and Cochlear (COH) both key contributors to the rise as demand continued for their respective products. Financials was the worst performer (-3.5%) following weak operating trends, an expectation of more capital raisings and AUSTRAC beginning civil proceedings against Westpac Banking Corporation (WBC). Utilities was also down (-0.9%) following investor concerns around APA Group’s (APA) US strategy and moderation over Ausnet Services’s (AST) half-yearly result.

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DOMESTICALLY, THE S&P/ ASX 200 ACCUMULATION INDEX WAS UP 3.28% DURING THE PERIOD. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY WAS THE BEST PERFORMER (+10.9%) IN A BROADER GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY RALLY. DISCLAIMER This document has been prepared by DNR Capital Pty Ltd, AFS Representative - 294844 of DNR AFSL Pty Ltd ABN 39 118 946 400, AFSL 301658. It is general information only and is not intended to be a recommendation to invest in any product or financial service mentioned above. Whilst DNR Capital has used its best endeavours to ensure the information within this document is accurate it cannot be relied upon in any way and recipients must make their own enquiries concerning the accuracy of the information within. The general information in this document has been prepared without reference to any recipient’s objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making any financial investment decisions we recommend recipients obtain legal and taxation advice appropriate to their particular needs. Investment in a DNR Capital managed account can only be made on completion of all the required documentation.

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Please join us and donate to this life-changing organisation!

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MTAA Super is issued by Motor Trades Association of Australia Superannuation Fund Pty Ltd (ABN 14 008 650 628, AFSL 238718), Trustee of the MTAA Superannuation Fund (ABN 74 559 365 913). Motor Trades Association of Australia Superannuation Fund Pty. Limited has ownership interests in Industry Super Holdings Pty Ltd and Members Equity Bank Limited. The information provided is of a general nature and does not take into account your specific needs or personal situation. You should assess your financial position and personal objectives before making any decision based on this information. We also recommend that you seek advice from a licensed financial adviser. You should consider the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for MTAA Super in deciding whether MTAA Super is appropriate for you. The PDS can be obtained by calling MTAA Super on 1300 362 415 or visiting mtaasuper.com.au/handbooks