Auto Channel Issue #3 by Via Media

ISSUE 3 JUNE 2018

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THE VOICE FOR THE NEW ZEALAND AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY

AUTO CHANNEL

NZ’s most popular 1/2in Drive Torque Wrench ON SALE NOW…

RUBEN, Flight Engineer OLE OLE JOHAN, JOHAN, Chief Chief Mechanic Mechanic

Part #1292AG-EP · Dual Scale: 40-200Nm | 30-150 ft/lb When itSolberg's comes torallycross flyingcar you don’t want by to gamble. Youmy want tuned machinery. To get that, youwith Petter Petter Solberg's rallycross car is maintained is maintained me by me andand my Teng Teng Tools Tools storage storage unit+/unit TCMM1055N. TCMM1055N. It’s filled It’s filled with ·perfectly ISO Standard 4% need a perfectly tuned workshop. For some, things organised perfectly might seem boring, but when it head bolts Angular gaugeFor forFor after tightening of cylinder 1055 1055 pieces pieces in 51 in 51 tooltool sets.sets. All All chosen chosen by me, by me, according according to my to ·my preferences. preferences. some, some, things things organised organised

comes to getting clear for take-off, it´sit vital. Welcome to seconds, ourseconds, world! perfectly perfectly might might seem seem boring, boring, but but when when comes it comes to chasing to chasing it’s vital. it’s vital. Welcome Welcome to our to our world! world!

HOT DEAL $99.00

For stockists visit tengtools.co.nz

EXCLUDING GST

Available from participating Teng Tools stockists nationwide to end of June 2018, while stock lasts.

CONNECTING THE NEW ZEALAND AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY

AECS ANNOUNCES NEW EV TRAINING PROGRAMME

Omsparad.indd 3

2015-11-23 13:41

perfectly might seem boring, but when it comes to chasing seconds, it’s vital. Welcome to our world! 1055 pieces in 51 tool sets. All chosen by me, according to my preferences. For some, things organised Petter Solberg's rallycross car is maintained by me and my Teng Tools storage unit TCMM1055N. It’s filled with

OLE JOHAN, Chief Mechanic

NEW EV TRAINING PROGRAMME WILL COVER ELECTRIC VEHICLE OWNERSHIP AND MAINTENANCE, AS WELL AS PROVIDING INSIGHTS IN TO HOW DRIVING BEHAVIOUR CAN CREATE A BETTER OWNERSHIP EXPERIENCE.

Pett 10 per

A CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

fter nine months’ research and development, diagnostics training entity AECS is rolling out a brand-new training programme designed to provide electric vehicle owners, technicians, vehicle sales staff and insurance assessors with a comprehensive overview of EVs. AECS says its new four-hour programme is not only fun and easy to follow but will also give participants a solid understanding of EVs and their operation. With electric vehicles becoming a larger part of everyday life, AECS has recognized that for those who use and work around EVs, the importance in understanding the technology and in being confident to use and maintain an EV with health and safety in mind is vital.

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Contents

From the Ed.

20 AECS announce new EV training programme

Cover / 4

Small businesses confidence up: ANZ

Environmentally friendly paint system from Toyota

Mixtech changes the battery game

Bridgestone leads the way again

Garage profile: Master Mechanics in Newton

New battery charges from REDARC

VTNZ to digitize inspection process

Performance perfection - intake testing

The latest product releases

Stepping back in time with Nostalgia Drags

e’re keen to go deeper than the face-value press release here at Auto Channel. While we’ll always bring you the news that’s relevant to the industry, we’re also always looking for the opportunity to have a broader yarn with those in the know. We’ve got interviews with industry insiders such as Gull New Zealand general manager, Dave Bodger. Dave had some interesting insights into where that company sees the general oil retail and service station business heading in the medium term. And it’s those kinds of insider opinions – from the people who are actually making decisions that affect how we do things, buy things, or fix things – that we’re keen to see more of in the pages of this magazine. Another thing we’ll be exploring is the nature of doing business in New Zealand right now as an independent company. Even the smallest garage exists because it has a solid base of local customers. What’s it like doing business in a competitive market? Have the customers changed? Have the tools changed? Have the vehicles and mechanical problems with them changed? This month we talk to a central city-based business that is relatively new on the scene. If you know of or work in an enterprise you reckon has a great story to tell, drop me a line using the email address at the bottom of the page. We’re interested in telling stories about people getting stuck in, who love what they do and who are meeting the challenges of being in business head-on. And don’t forget that we remain keen for general feedback on the magazine too. Be sure to have your say about what you’d like to see in Auto Channel each month. Get in touch with me and the team via editor@autochannel.co.nz. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy this month’s read.

Cameron

Auto Channel is distributed 11 times per year.

To receive your free copy or to change your address simply visit: autochannel.co.nz

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CLEAR FOR TAKE OFF POLE POLE POSITION POSITION ACCORDING TO TENG ACCORDING ACCORDINGTO TOTENG

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

how to actually calculate the true costs of running an EV. The seminars also look at actual charge times vs. theoretical charge durations and what actually happens when you run out of battery charge, how to recover from this, and what options you have. AECS has been a fore runner in New Zealand automotive diagnostics training for small, medium and large scale corporate clients since 2000. In 2017 alone, AECS trained 700+ technicians around New Zealand and Australia. If you don’t want to be left at the side of the automotive road you need to have a chat with AECS about how we can help you and your workshop get up to speed with Electric vehicles. Your role in this important new market should not be underestimated. We can teach you how to gently educate your customers how to get the best out of their new pride and joy and explain to them the importance of EV servicing. What better way to gain a loyal following while simultaneously growing your business. For further information get in touch with Mark at AECS, ph 06 874 9077 or email mark@aecs.net

ISSUE 3 JUNE 2018

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THE VOICE FOR THE NEW ZEALAND AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY

AUTO CHANNEL RUBEN, Flight Engineer OLE OLE JOHAN, JOHAN, Chief Chief Mechanic Mechanic

NZ’s most popular 1/2in Drive Torque Wrench ON SALE NOW… · Dual Scale: 40-200Nm | 30-150 ft/lb

Part #1292AG-EP

When itSolberg's comes torallycross flyingcar you don’t want by to gamble. Youmy want tuned machinery. To get that, youwith Petter Petter Solberg's rallycross car is maintained is maintained me by me andand my Teng Teng Tools Tools storage storage unit+/unit TCMM1055N. TCMM1055N. It’s filled It’s filled with ·perfectly ISO Standard 4% need a pieces perfectly tuned workshop. Forby some, things organised perfectly might seem boring, but when it head bolts Angular gauge for after tightening of cylinder 1055 1055 pieces in 51 in 51 tool tool sets. sets. All All chosen chosen me, by me, according according to my to ·my preferences. preferences. For For some, some, things things organised organised comes to getting clear for take-off, it´sit vital. Welcome to seconds, ourseconds, world! perfectly perfectly might might seem seem boring, boring, but but when when comes it comes to chasing to chasing it’s vital. it’s vital. Welcome Welcome to our to our world! world!

HOT DEAL $99.00

For stockists visit tengtools.co.nz

EXCLUDING GST

Available from participating Teng Tools stockists nationwide to end of June 2018, while stock lasts.

CONNECTING THE NEW ZEALAND AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY

AECS ANNOUNCES NEW EV TRAINING PROGRAMME

Omsparad.indd 3

Petter Solberg's rallycross car is maintained by me and my Teng Tools storage unit TCMM1055N. It’s filled with 1055 pieces in 51 tool sets. All chosen by me, according to my preferences. For some, things organised perfectly might seem boring, but when it comes to chasing seconds, it’s vital. Welcome to our world!

OLE JOHAN, Chief Mechanic

2015-11-23 13:41:51

OLE JOHAN, Chief Mechanic

NEW EV TRAINING PROGRAMME WILL COVER ELECTRIC VEHICLE OWNERSHIP AND MAINTENANCE, AS WELL AS PROVIDING INSIGHTS IN TO HOW DRIVING BEHAVIOUR CAN CREATE A BETTER OWNERSHIP EXPERIENCE.

fter nine months’ research and development, diagnostics training entity AECS is rolling out a brand-new training programme designed to provide electric vehicle owners,

technicians, vehicle sales staff and insurance assessors with a comprehensive overview of EVs. AECS says its new four-hour programme is not only fun and easy to follow but will also give participants a solid understanding of EVs

CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

and their operation. With electric vehicles becoming a larger part of everyday life, AECS has recognized that for those who use and work around EVs, the importance in understanding the technology and in being confident to use and maintain an EV with health and safety in mind is vital.

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The response to the programme has been immediate, with initial dates in Auckland and Christchurch during June already fully booked. Sessions in Wellington, Hastings, Palmerston North and Tauranga during July and August are steadily filling up. AECS is planning further dates in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch during September and October. The programme will cover a variety of topics including how to get the most range efficiency out of an EV and the importance of driving wisely, as well as what affects the SOH (state of health) of the battery and how through simple instruction drivers can increase longevity of the battery. What to look for when purchasing an EV, and what are considered common frauds are also highlighted. The course will identify for participants which components of the EV actually drain the high-voltage battery and what the driver can do to minimize this. The programme will also look at the importance of vehicle service, tyre choice, aircon use, braking and acceleration behaviour, power steering and charge behaviour. Home and public charging – including A/C and D/C chargers – will be investigated, as will the actual ‘fuel’ costs and

AUTO

CHANNEL

EDITOR Cameron Officer DESIGNER Danielle Williams PHOTOGRAPHER Adam Croy MEDIA SALES Dave Peterson, dave.peterson@parkside.co.nz CONTENT MANAGER Helen Adams-Blackburn ADVERTISING PRODUCTION Danielle Williams ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Renae Fisher AUTO CHANNEL IS PUBLISHED BY

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Greg Vincent, gvincent@parkside.co.nz

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Michael White, mwhite@parkside.co.nz

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DATA ANALYST Isobel Woudberg PRINTING PMP Maxum DISTRIBUTION Gordon and Gotch NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS Parkside Media uses due care and diligence in the preparation of this magazine, but is not responsible or liable for any mistakes, misprints, omissions, or typographical errors. Parkside Media prints advertisements provided to the publisher but gives no warranty and makes no representation to the truth, accuracy, or sufficiency of any description, photograph, or statement. Parkside Media accepts no liability for any loss which may be suffered by any person who relies either wholly or in part upon any description, photograph, or statement contained herein. Parkside Media reserves the right to refuse any advertisement for any reason. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of Parkside Media, the publisher, or editor. All material published, gathered, or created for Auto Channel is copyright 2018 Parkside Media Limited. All rights reserved in all media. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the publisher.

Auto Channel Issue #3 June 2018

News

Chargemaster provides the power at home

AS EV TECHNOLOGY AND OWNERSHIP ADVANCES, LARGE BATTERY RECHARGING SOLUTIONS IN THE HOME WILL BECOME MORE RELIED UPON.

he current fleet of small battery, short range electric vehicles (EVs) will soon be a distant memory. For now, ‘range anxiety’ is a concern that some people with electric vehicles still have, however. This is the risk that your EV runs out of electricity and you’re stuck on the side of the road, far from a recharge kiosk. It’s a real concern for owners of older, small battery, short-range EVs. Older Nissan Leafs, for example, have a range of 130-150km depending on how you drive them. This requires that you think about how you will recharge the car when you get to your destination. Going forward, however, no manufacturer will be building small-battery, short-range EVs anymore. The latest generation Nissan Leaf has a 40kWh battery, giving a more respectable 240km range. A new Hyundai Kona EV will arrive in July and will have either a 39.2kWh or a 64kWh battery. That’s 400km of range at the top end; more than enough on a daily basis. Then there’s the forthcoming Jaguar iPace, which has a 90kWh battery giving it 480km in an SUV body. At the top end, the Porsche Mission E will have a 100kWh battery with more than 500km of range. So, range anxiety will eventually die with the new fleet of EVs coming down the pipe. But only if you have the means to keep them topped

up. And this is a key area of focus for Chargemaster. The current way we operate a car is to ‘drain the car to empty and then detour to a gas station’. We of course think of EVs in this way, too. But this isn’t the reality of EV ownership. With an EV, you essentially have a ‘gas station’ in your garage allowing you to start every day with a full tank. With a small battery (24kWh) short-range Nissan Leaf, you can effectively fill your car from empty in 13 hours using a three-pin plug. Given your car is unlikely to be empty, this means you can top up every night for around $0.30/litre. Not so with a large battery EV though, as even a 36.5kWh battery like that in the Volkswagen eGolf will take you more than 17 hours to fill it up. You will need something faster. And this is where faster home charging systems come in. Chargemaster has brought a huge range (more than 150) of EV charging solutions to New Zealand, which are not only between four and 12 times faster than a three-pin plug, they’re also intelligent, so can take advantage of cheaper night rate electricity. They also ensure you don’t contribute to making peak demand (the times when everyone uses electricity) on the grid worse, which is great for everyone. For more information visit chargemaster.co.nz

Blackfern Cooperative welcomes ABD Group AUCKLAND BEARING DISTRIBUTORS LTD (ABD GROUP) HAS RECENTLY JOINED BLACKFERN COOPERATIVE.

BD Group is a 100% New Zealand owned and operated business which was established in 1977. In the intervening 40 years, ABD Group has grown to be New Zealand's largest independently owned bearing distributor of leading OEM brands. The ABD team specializes in supplying automotive wheel bearings, automotive hub units, gearbox bearings, belts, seals, tensioners and idlers. There are six ABD branches in key locations throughout the country. The North Island is serviced by five branches, with two locations in Auckland (Glenfield and Wiri) and others located in Hamilton, Tauranga,

Auto Channel Issue #3 June 2018

and Taranaki. The South Island is looked after from ABD’s Christchurch branch. “At ABD Group we pride ourselves on giving our customers the best service in the industry,” says Jonathan Havenga, ABD Group operations manager. “With our focus remaining on bearings, power transmission and seals, our product knowledge and technical support is second to none, and our experienced sales support team are available to assist you 24/7. “We’re looking forward to being a part of the Blackfern Cooperative.” For more information, visit blackfern.coop and aucklandbearings.co.nz

Innovative new repair solution for CVT transmissions unveiled CVT CHAIN TECHNOLOGY FROM SCHAEFFLER HAS SET THE STANDARD WHEN IT COMES TO TORQUE CAPACITY AND EFFICIENCY.

he new LuK RepSet CVT chain from Schaeffler is an innovative product already in demand globally. As a repair solution that includes a guide rail, this innovative product is now available to the automotive aftermarket for the very first time. The automotive aftermarket division of Schaeffler is now offering the LuK RepSet CVT, including a guide rail, as a holistic repair solution. Completing this new portfolio for continuously-variable transmissions (CVT) under the LuK brand are dampers and dual-mass flywheels. In state-of-the-art, continuously variable transmissions, the CVT chain transmits power from one cone pulley to the other. Thanks to a design optimized down to the last detail, CVT chain technology from Schaeffler has set the standard when it comes to torque capacity and efficiency. Due to its modular design, it covers the entire torque spectrum, from small cars to upper mid-sized cars. Initially, the LuK RepSet CVT is available for repairing the so-called Multitronic transmissions of the Volkswagen Group. These fully-automatic CVTs are used in vehicles of the Volkswagen Group brands Audi and SEAT, among others. The benefit they offer are the infinitely variable adaptation of power transmission with no dips in tractive force, ensuring that the engine runs under optimal operating conditions. Schaeffler will be steadily expanding its new repair solution portfolio with applications for the most important manufacturers currently using CVT technologies including Nissan and Subaru. For more information on this new repair solution visit the Schaeffler online catalogue for the aftermarket at repxpert.com.au

News

Small business confidence up in first quarter WHILE SMALL BUSINESS CONFIDENCE PICKED UP DURING THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2018, AN ANZ REPORT SUGGESTS MICRO- AND INTERMEDIATESIZED BUSINESSES REMAIN PESSIMISTIC, WITH REGULATORY WORRIES AND SKILLS SHORTAGES PROMINENT ISSUES FOR MANY.

usiness confidence among small firms picked up slightly in the March quarter, but remained low after nose-diving in December, according to ANZ’s quarterly Business Micro Scope survey. A net 20% of small businesses were pessimistic about general business conditions for the year ahead; a slight improvement from a net 29% last quarter. The small improvement in business conditions was evident across both micro firms (0-5 employees) and intermediate-sized businesses (6-20 employees). “Overall, ongoing pessimism among businesses suggests firms may still be feeling concern about

some of the potential impacts of new government policy changes,” said Antonia Watson, ANZ’s Managing Director Retail and Business Banking. “That said, there are other factors that firms are coming to grips with, including a softer housing market, tightening credit, capacity constraints, and a topping out of previous economic drivers such as strong migration.” Regulation remained the biggest problem facing small firms, followed by finding skilled employees. Regulatory requirements were the greatest concern for the agricultural and retail sectors (second for construction and services). Hiring intentions rose to a net 6%, after almost

scraping zero the last quarter. Profits expectations also rebounded slightly from negative territory, to 0%. The ANZ composite growth measure for small firms – a key proxy for GDP growth – was broadly stable, with falls in agriculture and retail offset by a small recovery in construction, services and manufacturing. The ANZ Business Micro Scope is a quarterly indicator which focuses on the prospects of small businesses across New Zealand. The survey was launched in March 2012 to address a lack of ongoing research specific to the small business sector.

NZTA revokes heavy vehicle towbar certificates issued by Nelson company CRACK

evocation notices have been sent to the owners of 802 heavy vehicles fitted with towbars certified by Nelson-based Peter Wastney Engineering Ltd. The revocation action was taken to address concerns identified through visual inspections of vehicles carried out by specialist certifiers as part of the NZ Transport Agency’s response to broader safety issues relating to Peter Wastney Engineering Ltd. The inspections were carried out following the issuing of a heavy vehicle safety alert by the Transport Agency in February, which required the operators of vehicles with affected towbars, drawbeams, or drawbars to urgently have them cleaned and inspected for signs of cracks or other failures, carry out daily inspections before use, and discontinue using the vehicles if any cracks or failures were found. The heavy vehicle safety alert was issued in response to an investigation carried out by the

THE NZ TRANSPORT AGENCY IS REVOKING THE CERTIFICATIONS FOR TOWBARS FITTED TO 802 HEAVY VEHICLES DUE TO SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS. Transport Agency following an on-road drawbeam failure in August 2017, which resulted in a heavy trailer disconnecting from a truck and struck an embankment on SH6 near Nelson. As part of that investigation an independent engineering review was undertaken, which established that some towing connections were not adequately designed for the loads for which they had been certified by Peter Wastney Engineering Ltd. Mr Wastney’s status as an approved heavy vehicle certifier was suspended in September 2017, and he has since surrendered his certification authority. NZTA Operational Standards Manager Craig Basher says visual inspections of tow bars carried out by specialist certifiers since the publication of the safety notice indicated that 61 of 62 towbars inspected were not fit for purpose and could potentially fail while in use on the road. “Given these findings we are taking immediate action

to revoke the certifications for all towbars certified by Peter Wastney Engineering Ltd in order to address the serious safety risks involved,” he said. “These towbars will need to be removed, replaced, or inspected and re-certified by an approved independent heavy vehicle specialist engineer. The vehicles may continue to operate on the road in the interim, provided the towbars are not used.” The majority of the affected vehicles are located in the Nelson, Marlborough, Tasman and West Coast areas. Mr Basher says the Transport Agency is aware of the significant impact this action will have on vehicle owners. An urgent review of the certification documents and engineering assessments for the drawbeams and drawbars fitted to another 700 heavy trucks and trailers covered by the safety alert is now underway, in order to determine if further revocations or other actions are required.

News

REDARC launches new website for NZ marketplace REDARC ELECTRONICS HAS LAUNCHED A NEW WEBSITE DESIGNED TO HELP IMPROVE THE COMPANY’S CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE FOR NEW ZEALAND USERS.

EDARC has launched a New Zealand-specific website; redarcelectronics.co.nz. The site has been developed exclusively for customers based in New Zealand and, says export manager Craig Herriot, is the next logical step following an increase in activities in New Zealand over recent years. Herriot said that the catalyst for creating the website was that REDARC wanted to help improve the customer experience for New Zealand users, while providing cost-effective freighting options inclusive of New Zealand specific duties, taxes and entry fees for all orders. “A New Zealand-specific website has been in the works for a while now, with its development being testament to REDARC’s growth in New Zealand over the past couple of years,” he says. “In the past, our customers have been served by

our Australian website and required to estimate final order costs themselves. Now we can serve them pricing options relevant to their location, while increasing our support and information services through exclusive content which will continue to be developed specifically for the New Zealand marketplace.” The new website has been tailored for the New Zealand dollar, simplifying the purchase process for new and existing customers, while utilizing all the technical data, product overviews and user manuals previously available to international customers across a wide range of industries such as recreational, heavy vehicle, defence and more. Visitors to the website will find a familiar interface to that of the existing REDARC Australia website,

Toyota’s new paint system saving money and the environment A NEW WATERBORNE PAINTS SYSTEM INTRODUCED BY TOYOTA IS SAVING THE COMPANY $40,000 PER YEAR, AS WELL AS HELPING IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT FOR WORKERS AND THE SURROUNDING THAMES ENVIRONMENT.

ormerly a Toyota assembly plant for the now defunct local motor industry, Toyota New Zealand’s Thames-based Signature Class plant is one of the largest car painting facilities in New Zealand. Toyota has recently made the switch to the use of waterborne paint in the two triple paint and drying booths, where six vehicles can be worked on at a time. This has resulted in a 50% reduction of solvent usage and 35% increase in energy savings, which equates to around $40,000 a year. “We expect to make greater savings once everybody is used to working with the new system and the potential improvements it’s capable of,” said Peter Manning, manager of Thames Vehicle Operations. While the paint – 12,000 litres of it a year – costs a little more, less of it is used and the baking cycle time is reduced by 35%, requiring less energy. By changing to a waterborne paint, the Thames Signature Class plant has reduced the emission of

Auto Channel Issue #3 June 2018

volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the base coat, which reduces possible health issues, as well as improving air quality and has resulted in greater efficiency and quality of the vehicle refurbishing process. It also improves the colour matching when only part of a vehicle is being painted. The change has only cost $235,000; funds spent mainly on new air-drying blowers. The six paint booth staff have also taken part in three months staggered training. The main change in replacing the solvent basecoats has been the addition of blowers to the drying process to speed up the water evaporation. Previously, conventional bake ovens were used to dry the paint. The faster drying process leads to the improved paint quality. The new drying process has created fewer problems and the need for fewer repaints, while the initial application process is also easier.

with navigation remaining clear and simple in order to ensure that user journeys are only one to two clicks away. The new website follows an increase in operations and services for REDARC into the New Zealand market. This has resulted in a steady increase in market presence, highlighted by the appointment in 2016 of Greg Mitchell as the inaugural Area Sales Manager for New Zealand. REDARC has almost 40 years’ experience in the research, design, development and manufacture of a range of electronic voltage converters and associated products, inverters, power supplies, battery chargers, brake controllers and trailer braking products.

THE WORLD’S BEST CARS REQUIRE THE WORLD’S BEST TOOLS

tengtools@tengtools.co.nz facebook.com/TengToolsNZ www.tengtools.co.nz/2010 www.tengtools.com

Discover Mixtech battery technology a true gamechanger DISCOVER MIXTECH BATTERY TECHNOLOGY HAS BEEN CALLED PERHAPS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT IN BATTERIES IN 50 YEARS.

iscover Mixtech has solved the issue of acid stratification in batteries; the process which occurs when acid in the battery’s electrolyte settles to the bottom of the unit and destroys the plates. This leads to early corrosion and battery performance losses. Discover Mixtech’s anti-stratification technology will more than double the life-cycle of a flooded acid battery. Operating passively and with no moving parts, the device is very simple. Discover Mixtech’s exclusive patented mixing technology allows for entire 360° electrolyte circulation. It simply uses the driving dynamics of the vehicle to achieve mixing results by using hydrostatic pressure differences from movement in the battery chambers. This specific design utilizes the vehicle’s natural movement (accelerating, braking, cornering) for its circular mixing function while driving. The system works highly efficiently and requires only one to three hours of normal city or urban driving for 100% electrolyte circulation in the cell chambers. A secondary benefit of 360° acid mixing is the elimination of thermal gradients, which will improve battery life yet again, especially at extreme

temperatures. The functioning principle is that of a hydrostatic pump. The elements form a kind of upside-down L-shape with a thin vertical section adjacent to the battery casing wall. While the vertical section forms a tubular flat channel in the width of the battery cell, the upper horizontal part forms a small container capable of taking a volume of electrolyte. But it also has openings at the bottom to promote full 360° circulation. Many batteries still utilize technology developed 30 years ago, where acid stratification didn’t harm flooded batteries nearly as much due to lower draw. Batteries developed in the 1970s and ’80s weren’t charged and discharged so heavily, simply because cars of the day didn’t have all the electronic devices and components even the cheapest modern cars now feature. AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) batteries eliminate this problem; however, they are much more expensive and heat sensitive. Discover Mixtech EMX batteries can be used to replace original equipment EFB and AGM batteries and are tested and proven to provide dramatically improved active material utilization, delivering twice the cycle-life of comparable conventional

batteries and one-and-a-half times the life of replacement market EFB batteries according to OEM test standards. Discover Mixtech batteries also come with a market leading 42-month standard warranty. Discover Mixtech batteries are available from leading mechanical workshops and at Partmaster stores nationwide. Visit partmaster.kiwi to find a stockist near you.

Bridgestone NZ’s most trusted tyre brand yet again BRIDGESTONE HAS BEEN NAMED THE TYRE BRAND KIWI MOTORISTS TRUST THE MOST FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW IN THE ANNUAL READER’S DIGEST MOST TRUSTED BRANDS SURVEY.

otorists continue to put their trust

motorists and winning the last two Most

in the Bridgestone name, with the

Trusted surveys demonstrates how they

leading tyre brand claiming the title

have embraced the Bridgestone name as

‘New Zealand’s Most Trusted Tyre

the leading tyre brand while still supporting

Brand’ for the second year in a row in the annual

our highly dependable Firestone brand. We will take

comes just days after Bridgestone claimed the title in

Reader’s Digest survey.

every step to ensure we are continually building on that

Australia for an unprecedented fifth time.

“To be named New Zealand’s Most Trusted Tyre Brand

trust,” Mr Moffatt added. The Reader’s Digest Most Trusted

“For motorists in both New Zealand and Australia to

for the second year running highlights the level of trust

Brands survey is conducted by research firm Catalyst, and

name Bridgestone as the Most Trusted Tyre Brand speaks

New Zealand motorists have in our products and service.

saw more than 1400 respondents in the 2018 appraisal

wonders about our ongoing commitment to ensuring our

Not only are they in safe hands, but trusted ones too,”

across 65 categories. Insights from the survey showed

products are safe and reliable,” said Mr Moffatt.

said Bridgestone Australia and New Zealand Managing

reputation, reliability and quality were key driving factors in

With an ongoing commitment to quality, safety and

Director, Andrew Moffatt. The back-to-back accolade for

building trust in the tyres category.

performance, Bridgestone invests in excess of $800

Bridgestone was complemented by Bridgestone-owned

“In 2015 we recognized that safety on our roads is a must

million per year globally in research and development

brand Firestone receiving the highly commended status

and developed the ‘Tyre’ category for Trusted Brands,” said

to deliver superior car, SUV, 4x4 and commercial vehicle

again in 2018. The tyre category was first introduced to

Reader’s Digest Advertising & Retail Director for the APAC

tyres. Just one handprint of tread per tyre makes contact

the annual Most Trusted Brands survey in 2015 and won by

region, Sheron White.

with the road surface, highlighting the importance of

Firestone in the first two years, with Bridgestone claiming

“As back-to-back winners of this category, Bridgestone

quality tyres when it comes to keeping families safe.

the title for the last two years. No other tyre company has

has been identified a top brand that New Zealanders place

“It is our ongoing commitment to safety that has made

won the award in New Zealand or Australia.

their trust in.”

Bridgestone New Zealand and Australia’s most trusted

“Bridgestone has earned the trust of New Zealand

Being named New Zealand’s Most Trusted Tyre Brand

handprint on the road,” said Mr Moffatt.

Auto Channel Issue #3 June 2018

VEHICLES HAVE EVOLVED. ISN’T IT TIME BATTERIES EVOLVED TOO?

partmaster

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TRADITIONAL BATTERY The motion of your vehicle causes the heavier acid in the electrolyte to settle at the bottom which leads to excess corrosion and charge imbalance. This is known as acid stratification.

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News

Ford, GM reveal remote repairs over Wi-Fi likely in the future FORD AND GM HAVE BOTH STATED RECENTLY THAT WI-FI COULD BE USED TO PROVIDE SOFTWARE UPDATES AND OTHER REPAIRS TO THEIR VEHICLES IN THE FUTURE.

s cars move to have more technology within them, manufacturers are looking to use basic updates and remote servers to deal with potential software issues. It could mean that heading to the local garage for basic fixes could become a thing of the past. Ford and General Motors in the United States have both stated that advances in Wi-Fi technology mean that repairs to many aspects of their cars could be performed from the factory, or a satellite technical support centre. Remote updates could be commonplace by 2020, say the American carmakers.

With less analogue componentry in once-complex parts of the average car, such as the throttle body or the gearbox, diagnostic analysis of issues in vehicles has become a much more widely used way of assessing problems. For customers taking their vehicle into approved service agents to have issues fixed, the repairer might not only be able to establish the issue through diagnostic assessment, but also contact the manufacturer and have them ‘send’ the necessary solution over the internet. Manufacturers such as Tesla and Mercedes-Benz

can already perform some of these actions, although rather than error fixes, these tend to be software updates for accessories such as the entertainment unit, dispatched and enacted in the same manner as a smartphone operating system update. The idea that the way in which a vehicle performs on the road can be altered remotely has already raised some concerns with industry observers in the US, however. The non-profit organization, Consumer Watchdog, says manufacturers and motorists alike would need to be aware of how exposed to hackers such systems could leave them.

Powerrex offers the best of Korean lift technology AS EVERY WORKSHOP HAS DIFFERENT NEEDS AND BUDGETS, THE POWERREX RANGE OF LIFTS, DISTRIBUTED THROUGHOUT NEW ZEALAND BY AUTOMASTER, FEATURES A RANGE OF HIGH-QUALITY OPTIONS AT PRICE POINTS TO SUIT EVERYONE.

owerrex lifts are built tough using high-grade steel and leading Korean manufacturing technology. Every example from the Powerrex range features Korean manufactured hydraulic pump units, motors and valves that deliver long term performance and reliability to the most demanding operators. For Powerrex to achieve a consistently high-quality product they made the call a few years ago to return all of their manufacturing back to their Korean plant. With the company’s steel manufacturing plant under the same ownership and its own in-house state-ofthe-art powder coating line, Powerrex can completely control all aspects of production guaranteeing the highest quality lifts are consistently delivered to market. Powerrex offers plenty of options for customers too. Lifts can be ordered in custom colours to suit the purchaser’s corporate identity and the specific requirements of the dealership. It’s as simple as providing the RAL codes at the time of order. The range of Powerrex lifts incorporates four-post, two-post and scissor lifters, and are all tested and certified to Australasian electrical and safety standards. Powerrex four-post lift options include SL-3600 and SL-3600A Alignment lifts that are certified to lift 4500kg. Also kept in stock in New Zealand are SL6000 and SL6000A four post lifts that are rated to lift 6000kg. All these lifts are supplied standard with twin centre

Auto Channel Issue #3 June 2018

jacking beams that are operated by buttons on the jacks or by remote control. An added bonus of Powerrex four-post lifts is that no air lines are required to operate the jacks or the locks. Automaster also stocks a variety of other two-post lift models to suit all requirements and budgets. The Powerrex two-post lift range includes the SL-2700H series which is available with a low-arm design and 4x4 adapters, or the popular ratchet-up feet system. This model has a mechanical locking system and the hoist can be lowered by a single pull of the descent lever. The SL-2900H model also has both options in the feet but has a higher lift height and contains an electrical locking system. The lift is completely controlled by

buttons including a ‘direct down’ option. This lift also has the added benefit of a remote control. Powerrex’s scissor lifters can be flush- or surfacemounted. The local range includes a 3000kg ‘wheels free’ SL-34DX double scissor and the 4500kg SL-5600A wheel alignment lift, with a 6000kg version available for order. These wheel alignment lifts are also supplied standard with twin centre jacking beams that are operated by buttons on the jacks or by remote control and again no air lines are required to operate the jacks. For more information on the Powerrex range, or to request your copy of the new 2018 Automaster Equipment catalogue, visit automaster.co.nz, phone 0800 214 604 or email info@automaster.co.nz

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News

New laws required to protect mechanics from EVs and hybrids, says UK industry body

FRAM secures performance partnership with Richie Stanaway FRAM FILTERS HAS JOINED FORCES WITH ONE OF NEW ZEALAND’S MOST PROMISING YOUNG SUPERCAR DRIVERS, RICHIE STANAWAY, FOR THE 2018 VIRGIN AUSTRALIA SUPERCARS CHAMPIONSHIP.

ilpro Automotive has paired the FRAM brand with one of the Supercars Championship’s most exciting young rookie drivers, Kiwi ace Richie Stanaway. The move has been made to further support the existing strong FRAM Filters presence in the highly diverse New Zealand automotive aftermarket. In a career that has included international success in GT Sportscars, GP2 and a host of junior categories, 26-year-old Stanaway paired with Tickford Racing Falcon driver Cam Waters to win the Sandown 500 last year, leading to his full-time Supercar drive with this leading team in the #56 Mega Fuels Tickford Racing Falcon this season. Filpro Automotive General Manager, Roger Lassen, says it is exciting to bring FRAM Filters to Supercars with such an exciting young New Zealand driver who is competing with an accomplished team.

“FRAM Filters has a long pedigree of motorsport involvement across the world, so it made perfect sense for us to bring our world-renowned brand to Supercars, the unrivalled top category of motor racing in Australia and New Zealand,” he said. “The FRAM Filters logo won’t be missed emblazoned across Richie’s Tickford Racing Falcon Supercar’s rear wing, and we look forward to a great season ahead.” “We will be leveraging our Supercars involvement in 2018 and sharing this with trade customers through FRAM promotions with our long-term partner in New Zealand, BNT.” FRAM Filters has been a global leader in automotive filtration for more than 85 years, providing automotive repairers worldwide with industry leading quality filtration products designed to suit a broad range of vehicle applications, from passenger cars to high performance and heavy-duty vehicles.

Mito announces Heavy Automotive Engineering programme enrolments NEW TRAINING PROGRAMME DESIGNED FOR MECHANICS INTERESTED IN SERVICING AND REPAIRING HEAVY ROAD TRANSPORT OF A VARIETY OF TYPES.

ito has announced the enrolment phase is now open for a new training programme that leads to the New Zealand Certificate in Heavy Automotive Engineering (Level 3 and 4) with a strand in Road Transport is now open for enrolments. The programme has been designed for those interested in the overall servicing and repair of all aspects of heavy road transport vehicles, including trucks, buses, heavy trailers and combination units. Mito says that together with new unit standards, the programme features a mix of workplace practical

Auto Channel Issue #3 June 2018

learning and eLearning, meaning apprentices can complete theory elements of the programme in their own time and at their own pace. Real-time results and progress reports are also available to both apprentice and supervisor through MITO’s online portal. The portal allows students to access videos, interactive simulations and online theory assessments at any time and from any mobile device or desktop computer. The Level 4 programme will also include strands in Plant and Equipment, Agricultural Equipment and Materials Handling Equipment; modules which will be added later in the year.

HIGH-VOLTAGE SYSTEMS IN MODERN ELECTRIC AND HYBRID VEHICLES ARE PUTTING UNTRAINED GARAGE STAFF AT RISK, SAYS UK’S INSTITUTE OF THE MOTOR INDUSTRY.

n the UK, the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) has met with the Department for Transport (DfT) calling for a change to current regulations, which offer minimal guidance for garage staff working on EVs. The industry body has suggested that new laws are needed to protect mechanics from the high-voltage electrical systems present in EVs and hybrids, which are quickly becoming popular with mainstream buyers. The wiring, motors and batteries in EVs and hybrids typically run at several hundred volts, presenting significant danger to those working on them. The IMI says: “untrained ‘have-a-go’ individuals are putting their lives at risk by attempting to repair and maintain electric and hybrid vehicles.” The organization is calling for a new mandatory professional register to prove mechanics are “competent, skilled and identifiable” to work on hybrids and EVs. The IMI says that current UK laws surrounding electrical safety are described as “open ended”, and only loosely refer to “systems in vehicles”. While the IMI concedes the industry is experiencing “technologically disruptive times”, it says regulation is “failing to establish the technical details …to keep technicians safe from the danger of electricity when working on such complex vehicles”.

News

Waste Management opens new tyre recycling facility NEW TYRE RECYCLING FACILITY WILL HELP PROCESS END-OF-LIFE TYRES FROM AROUND THE AUCKLAND REGION AND EXPANDS WASTE MANAGEMENT’S TYRE PROCESSING CAPABILITIES BY 250%.

aste Management NZ Limited has opened a new tyre recycling facility in Wiri, Auckland. The new facility was formally opened

by Associate Minister, Hon. Eugenie Sage and Auckland Mayor Phil Goff in May. The facility is a significant step forward in managing the environmental problem of end-of-life tyres. With support from the Ministry for the Environment’s Waste Minimisation Fund, Waste Management has invested in innovative new tyre processing equipment from the United States, expanding the processing capacity of the company’s facility by 250%. This will lead to the shredding of 30,000 tonnes per annum, or three million car tyres. Some 60,000 tonnes of tyre waste is generated annually in New Zealand from 4.2 million cars and trucks, and as they do not decompose, end-of-life tyres are a critical issue for the environment. Waste Management’s processing facility provides a local solution for these tyres, with the shredded material being supplied for re-use in manufacturing as tyre-derived fuel (TDF), reducing waste stockpiling and turning a discarded resource into energy. Tom Nickles, managing director of Waste Mangement, says he was delighted the Minister could attend the

of end-of-life tyres, and we are pleased to be turning

Waste Management plans to open another tyre recycling

opening and celebrate this positive step forward for tyre

waste into energy through the creation and supply of tyre

facility in the South Island in late 2019.

recycling in New Zealand.

derived fuel.

Waste Management plays an integral role in the

“Sustainability is our core purpose at Waste Management.

“As this country’s largest waste and environmental

sustainability of New Zealand’s communities and

This facility will play a key role in tackling a growing

services company, we appreciate the important role we

economy. In addition to tyre recycling, the company

environmental problem which is a cause of concern for

can play in maximizing the value of waste streams. Now

generates energy from the waste it collects in its modern

many New Zealanders. Waste Management is proud to be

this includes waste tyres.”

sustainable landfills and makes compost from green and

making a difference,” said Mr Nickles.

Tyres have a very high calorific value that provides a

food waste at its Living Earth facilities.

“The Government’s support, coupled with our own

beneficial source of fuel for a range of purposes including

In 2016 Waste Management announced the transition of

investment, has created a local solution for the re-use

powering cement kilns and power plants.

the company’s light and heavy fleet to electric vehicles.

Auto Channel Issue #3 June 2018

BALL JOINTS

TIE ROD ENDS

STEERING RACK ENDS

S T R IS A C AL R CI E D E N P U S

QUALITY • SERVICE • KNOWLEDGE • LATEST RANGES

WHANGAREI . HENDERSON . PENROSE . HAMILTON . NAPIER . PALMERSTON NTH . LOWER HUTT . CHRISTCHURCH

Rebranding an Icon RENOWNED AUTO PARTS VENDOR, SEGEDINS AUTO SPARES, PREPARES FOR A REBRAND TO 1ST AUTO PARTS.

s far as the automotive aftermarket in New Zealand is concerned, Segedins Auto Spares is the grandfather. Founded in the early 1970s by Ivan Segedin Sr after he got out of racing his Fleetwood Motors–sponsored Mustang, the little shop on Dominion Road became the go-to for car builders and hot-rodders looking for parts or advice — a reputation that has only strengthened from then to now. So, with such history, it may come as a surprise to learn that the company is currently undergoing a total rebrand to become 1st Auto Parts. Company Director, Shane Johnson, explained to us that it’s simply about moving the business forward as times change, and that customers can still expect the same Segedins service. Shane knows that service better than anyone, too, having been employed by Ivan Segedin himself in 1979. “I had just turned 15, so I’ve been here a long time,” Shane explains. “I worked here pretty much full-time and did my time as an apprentice mechanic at the workshop, then got back into the spare parts side of it, and have been involved ever since. When the [business] split happened around 15 years ago, [Ivan] gave me the opportunity to become partners with him, and we had a pretty successful partnership for many years.” However, when Ivan Segedin passed away in 2014, Shane realized the potential to guide the company forward. “I’ve been involved with the company for 38 years, so it’s a little bit about getting my own identity, but also

with the parts we’re importing — we’d like to get our own in-house brand,” he says. “It’s just something that I feel we have to do. I only sell stuff that I’d put on my own car — I’m over rubbish, and there’s some bloody rubbish out there.” For now, 1st Auto Parts will retain the famous Dominion Road location, although Shane hasn’t ruled out a change of premises in the future, among other things. “I want to do a few more events; a few more car shows. Maybe we don’t need to, but the way I see it, it’s good customer relations,” he adds. “With online selling and overseas companies selling in New Zealand, I think it’s important to keep your name out there. It’s a tough game, and it’s a tough market, but I’d like for us to continue to be the first name people think of for parts.”

NO MATTER HOW DUSTY THE ROAD OR HOW BAD THE POLLEN COUNT HAPPENS TO BE, REUSABLE K&N CABIN AIR FILTERS ARE DESIGNED TO PROVIDE FOR A COMFORTABLE IN-CAB ENVIRONMENT EVERYWHERE.

Auto Channel Issue #3 June 2018

INCREASED DEMAND AND PLANS FOR FURTHER GROWTH SEES A NEW TEAM MEMBER JOIN THE DEPENDABLE OIL COMPANY THIS MONTH.

K&N ensures a fresher cab for much longer esigned to easily fit as a direct factory cabin filter replacement, K&N Cabin Air Filters come pre-treated and ready to install. Using a combination of an advanced synthetic filter media and K&N Refresher Spray, K&N Cabin Air Filters work to keep contaminants such as dust, mold, mildew, pollen, spores, fungus and germs out of the cab. A typical cabin air filter uses pleated paper to extract contaminants from the air. As air is forced through it, the dirt particles remain on the surface until you change the filter. Some of the dirt/allergens can also get into the cabin through the vents, making the inside of the vehicle feel dirty. K&N Cabin Filters are designed to solve these problems, while also saving you money. Unlike a factory cabin filter, K&N Cabin Air Filters are designed to be cleaned and reused over and over again and are backed by K&N’s comprehensive 10 year/1,000,000 Mile Limited Warranty. K&N recommends servicing Cabin Air Filters every 12 months or 12,000 miles (19,300km). Spraying filter cleaner – part of the K&N Refresher

Dependable Oil Company welcomes new business development manager

Kit – onto the K&N Cabin Air Filter and rinsing it with water to remove dirt will see it visually cleaner. After leaving it to dry, spray K&N Cabin Air Filter Refresher to the filter media and then reinstall. You’re good to go. Most K&N Cabin Air Filters can even be replaced without tools, although some require basic hand tools to open the cabin air filter compartment. Detailed installation instruction sheets and videos are provided on the product web page for the filter that matches each vehicle. For more information on K&N Cabin Air Filters, visit knfilters.com

oining the Dependable Oil Company in mid-June is the firm’s new business development manager, Clint Williams. Clint has 22 years’ experience in the automotive and commercial industry, including positions in customer service, product management, area sales and both branch and territory managerial roles. “Clint is looking forward to helping us grow our customer base and getting involved in the more varied applications of Dependable Oil’s product range,” says general manager, Peter Edwards. “We’re building a great team and Clint is actually no stranger to the Dependable Oil Company, having worked with us in the past with great results. Bringing him back into the fold was a no-brainer. “We’re looking to extend our supply chain nationally and we have aggressive growth plans and a strategy going forward that will see us break into new markets. In fact, we’re looking to add two more business development managers to the business over the next six-to-eight months,” he says. Outside of work, Clint is a keen mountain biker and baseball player, representing New Zealand in the latter discipline at the 2017 World Master Games, where he and his team won gold.

Schaeffler introduces comprehensive Thermal Management Module

SCHAEFFLER’S THERMAL MANAGEMENT MODULE USES SENSOR CONTROLLED ROTARY SLIDE VALVES TO PRECISELY REGULATE THE TEMPERATURE BALANCE, HELPING PROTECT THE DRIVETRAIN’S COMPONENTS.

odern water pumps fitted to vehicles do much more than circulate coolant through the engine cooling system. Today’s Thermal Management System Modules (TMM) require specialist diagnostic input during draining, replacement, filling and bleeding. Advances in technology have led to the water pump having a direct effect on the CO² by controlling coolant flow around the turbo, gearbox, intercooler as well as the battery pack in hybrid vehicles. Failure diagnostics of the Thermal Management System fall into a number of areas. These include rust and corrosion, which can be caused through contaminated coolant, incorrect coolant mixture or concentration not to specification. This must be corrected by flushing the cooling system, replacing the pump and using coolant in accordance with the vehicle manufacturer’s specifications and recommendations. Another issue is pitting and cavitation, which is caused by incorrect or insufficient coolant mixture or air in the cooling system. This can be corrected by flushing the cooling system, repairing any leaks and replacing the pump. Overheating, meanwhile, is often caused as a result of a blockage in the radiator or radiator hose, which requires the cooling system to be flushed and repaired if necessary and the pump replaced before refilling with the correct specification coolant. A further issue is mixed or incorrect coolant. In a situation where an incorrect coolant is suspected or there is mixed coolant, the system should be flushed and refilled with the correct specification coolant as recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.

A broken shaft can also cause issues. This is caused by excessive vibration or imbalance or incorrect or insufficient belt tension. To rectify this, it requires the replacement of any component showing any sign of wear plus a check on the condition and alignment of the entire belt drive system. Also, a mounting-face leakage can cause the ingress of dirt and contamination as a result of excessive or uneven use of sealant or the incorrect torque applied during installation. To correct this, it’s necessary to thoroughly clean the mounting faces to remove all traces of the old sealant and refit using the recommended torque settings. Meanwhile, the cause of excessive noise can be

attributed to the shaft bearing contamination or failure or excessive load on the pump due to incorrect tension. The realignment of the entire belt system and the replacement of all components which are showing signs of wear is necessary to overcome this problem. Schaeffler’s Thermal Management Module uses sensor controlled rotary slide valves to precisely regulate the temperature balance resulting in both engine efficiency and the life of the dive train’s components. For more technical advice and service information visit repxpert.com.au

On the tools: Master Mechanics THIS MONTH WE PROFILE NEWTON-BASED WORKSHOP MASTER MECHANICS.

t’s not often the look of a building dictates where you hang your hat professionally. But for Master Mechanics’ Wiremu Burkhardt, he knew as soon as the lease came up on the historic garage on the corner of Upper Queen Street and Newton Road in central Auckland was where he wanted to base himself. “I’ve been in the industry for years and worked all over the place. In my experience though, I’ve always enjoyed working in the central city rather than out in the suburbs,” he says. “I like the types of clients we get here; they simply want to drop their car off and get the issue sorted. They trust us to get the job done, which is great. “I’ve been in other workshops out in the suburbs in the past and you often find a lot more people work on their own cars; they might only bring their vehicle in if they’ve run out of ideas. I like establishing that trust between us and the customer, which is possibly more prevalent when you have time-poor clients who just want to get their car fixed and get on with things. They aren’t going to second guess you.” Wiremu started in the industry as a groomer at the age of 15 and decided to head to Unitec to train. An apprenticeship and stints with various businesses, including Toyota, followed, before he formed Master Mechanics in 2016. He says it took a while to build up tools and a customer base, but he’s happy he has taken the plunge into the independent world and has no regrets. “Working for a company like Toyota is a bit of a ‘Catch 22’. You have the opportunity to get very good at a specialist task with the support of a big organization. The trade-off there though, is that if you become recognized as great at a particular task, the chance to learn different skills becomes less

likely because you’re trusted to get your core task done well every time. “When you’re dealing with big volumes of cars coming through for servicing, it’s a risk to take someone who is good at a key part of that process and put them on something else. “That’s what I like about working in an independent garage like ours: the variety. You have a variety of customers bringing in a variety of cars and – because we have a small team – we need to push ourselves to make sure we can tackle any problem.” Wiremu says he love the cars that get brought into him in the central city; mainly European and a lot of high-end models too. While it would be easy to pitch his business as the go-to for simple WoF work and small maintenance jobs, he says his team is happy to tackle the bigger gearbox and engine projects, too. “Whatever comes through the doors, you have to work with. When you’re independent you have to stand behind your work because word-of-mouth is important.” Master Mechanics currently has two full-time

qualified mechanics on the floor, with Wiremu in the office or back on the tools as required. Wiremu’s partner looks after the books, as well as two toddlers at home. Life’s busy, but Wiremu likes it like that. “I think of our business as like a boutique workshop. This building has been a garage for over 30 years and, apparently back at the turn of last century, it was a stable, so it has always been a focus for transport and it’s constantly been in use in this part of the city. “It’s pretty cool carrying that tradition on.”

WANT TO BE PROFILED? EMAIL EDITOR@AUTOCHANNEL.CO.NZ

Auto Channel Issue #3 June 2018

The back end: VTNZ WHAT SYSTEMS DO BUSINESSES OF VARYING SIZES RELY ON TO KEEP THINGS TICKING OVER? HOW DO THEY TRACK THEIR CUSTOMER INTERACTIONS? HOW DO THEY COLLATE THEIR DATA? WE ASKED SEAN DAVIDSON, GENERAL MANAGER OF BUSINESS SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGY AT VTNZ ABOUT THE BUSINESS BEHIND THEIR BUSINESS. Auto Channel: What types of software does VTNZ use to tabulate inspection results? Sean Davidson: “VTNZ currently uses a portable handheld device called Quickcheck, which our automotive technicians use to record results of inspections on an electronic check sheet. They then print the check sheet based on the information entered. “This is in the majority of our branches and allows us to retrieve vehicle information and submit inspection results without using LANData. “However, VTNZ is currently in the process of introducing a new DEKRA Inspekt solution to replace Quickcheck. The solution makes use of Android devices to record information during the inspection process and is the first step in VTNZ starting a journey towards digital transformation within the business.” How will this process of digitization update the inspection process? “It will enable VTNZ to monitor and improve the consistency, accuracy and timeliness of inspections throughout our nationwide network. “It will also provide richer communication with commercial and retail customers to help customers receive better, clearer information. It will improve data-accuracy and provide for better transparency with the NZTA for regulatory inspections. “It will also reduce vehicle inspection processing times and allow for the digital signing and auditing of all inspections.

“We currently have the Inspekt solution in six light vehicle inspection branches performing approximately 250-300 inspections per day. Our intention is to be in all of our branches nationwide by September.” Does VTNZ link this information across the entire network? “Yes, Inspekt is a nationwide product for all VTNZ branches. This means that if you start an inspection at one of our branches and require some remedial work, you can re-present at any of our other branches to finish your recheck process. All this information is also shared with NZTA in real-time for regulatory inspections.”

Previous inspection results are also stored within NZTA systems so that inspectors know areas of concern or previous failure reasons.” Are there benefits to having historical data on file for VTNZ? “From an individual inspection point of view, we hope to be able to share this data with vehicle owners. “For example, a commercial operator with 20 heavy vehicles may want a trend analysis of their fleet, historical inspection results for the life of the vehicle, or basic information such as registration expiry and inspection due dates. “These concepts are still being developed in consultation with our customers.”

Currently inspector check-sheets are paper-based. Is this mainly because a record of the inspection needs to be given to the customer? “The current solution is printing check-sheets as a record for the customer. In future, we’re looking to share this information digitally with our customers. We will begin approaching commercial and personal customers to find the best way to provide a better, modern, experience in the coming months. What happens to the data from an inspection? If a WoF fail is recorded and then rectified at a return visit to VTNZ, is that data the deleted or kept? “Data is always kept irrelevant of the outcome of the inspection. This is the same for our paper check sheet process as we are subject to audits from NZTA.

REDARC announces two new LFP battery chargers REDARC HAS RELEASED TWO NEW LITHIUM IRON PHOSPHATE (LFP) IN-VEHICLE BATTERY CHARGERS TO ITS RANGE OF DC TO DC CHARGERS.

EDARC recently announced the addition of two Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) in-vehicle battery chargers to its DC to DC charger range. The new models are designed specifically for charging 24v Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) type batteries. This means REDARC now offers two variants of DC to DC chargers suited for 24v lithium battery use, ensuring they are charged correctly to their optimal levels with chemistry specific battery charging algorithms. The LFP2420 in-vehicle battery charger is a 24 Volt 20 Amp, three stage DC-DC charger that operates from a vehicle input between 9 and 32 Volts DC. The LFP2420-LV operates in the same manner, but features a lower voltage setting so it can operate with variable voltage alternators. The REDARC LFP chargers feature a Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) solar regulator

allowing the use of solar power to boost the auxiliary battery charge. The MPPT regulator delivers the maximum available amount of power from solar panels to an auxiliary battery. A unique three stage charging profile ensures the auxiliary battery can achieve and maintain an optimal charge, with the LFP charger constantly monitoring the vehicle battery input charge level and turns off charging should the charge drop or if the vehicle is switched off, ensuring that the start battery is not flattened. Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries are becoming more popular due to their improved storage capacity relative to their size and weight. This makes them perfect for recreational and heavy vehicle power systems. They do, however, require specific charging conditions to operate correctly and the battery itself must have

cell balancing and an in-built battery management system. REDARC has taken these factors into consideration and designed a charging profile to complement the existing range of in-built battery systems available. For further information visit redarcelectronics.co.nz/bcdc

Repco water pumps WHEN YOU OPT FOR A REPCO WATER PUMP, YOU’RE CHOOSING A ROBUST COMPONENT THAT HAS BEEN TESTED EVERY STEP OF THE WAY TO OFFER RELIABLE AND CONSISTENT PERFORMANCE.

ot just any old water pump wears the Repco brand name. To be endorsed with Repco’s trusted branding, all water pumps undergo strict development processes and procedures which have been established by the auto parts chain’s in-house Quality Assurance team. The correct material, quality, hardness and size are checked on all key components including housings, pulleys, shafts, bearings and impellers. As a result, Repco water pumps can be purchased and fitted safe in the knowledge that they have been developed using the latest technologies in seals, bearings and castings. These technologies have been developed by the OEMs for brand new applications and are incorporated into all Repco water pumps to ensure they perform the same or better than the OEM equivalent in New Zealand’s often challenging conditions. In other words, you can be confident that the Repco water pump you’ve chosen will fit, perform and last just like the original. Every Repco water pump features components such as high-quality precision bearings and an induction-hardened bearing shaft which is heat-treated using an electric current for more consistent hardening and increased strength.

What’s more, silicon carbide is used for the rotary face seal, which offers superior lubrication and wear resistance compared to ceramic seals. Sintered graphite is used for stationary face seals, offering corrosion resistance and superior lubrication. The water pump housing also comes in for special attention. X-ray detection is used to ensure that castings are of the highest quality. Housings are die-cast from aluminium in-house, using automated processes to ensure consistency in the manufacturing process. When replacing your vehicle’s water pump, ensure that you are also replacing the radiator hoses, hose clamps, coolant and any other worn parts to prevent future failures. With over 16 million applications suiting 10,000 vehicles, Repco water pump components suit every make and model available. They also come with a two year / 40,000km warranty. To ensure you get the best performance out of your Repco water pump, be sure to flush the entire system when fitting a new pump. Water pumps can easily become contaminated if the cooling system (including heater circuit) isn’t flushed. Ensure that you are flushing the entire cooling and heating system before fitting a new water pump to prevent damage.

For more info, speak with a Repco or Appco equipment specialist. Contact your local Repco (0800 472 787) or Appco (0800 200 100) branch for details.

Bosch announces new focus on diesel in quest to reduce emissions BOSCH BOSS WARNS THAT DRIVING THE ‘WRONG’ SORT OF ELECTRIC CAR COULD BE MORE DETRIMENTAL TO THE ENVIRONMENT THAN DRIVING THE ‘RIGHT’ DIESEL VEHICLE.

ultinational engineering and electronics giant, Bosch, announced at its annual press conference last month that it will be investing billions of euros in electromobility going forward. More than that, however, Bosch has also stated it wants to rehabilitate the image of diesel, as fears over increased emissions has seen the fuel banned or taxed significantly in several European capitals. Bosch GmbH board chairman, Dr Volkmar Denner, said during his opening presentation to media at the company’s annual conference, that he believes Bosch can decisively improve air quality with both state-of-the-art combustion engines and electric powertrains. “A company such as Bosch, with its exceptional technological prowess, must do everything in its power to ensure the world and our cities remain good places to live,” he said. “For road traffic, this means we want to make it accident-free and stress-free, but especially as emissions-free as possible – regardless of whether

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the vehicle consumes fuel or electricity. “Today we say there’s no car on the planet without a bit of Bosch; tomorrow we will say [there is] no electric car without a bit of Bosch.” Dr Denner confirmed that Bosch continues to work on the future of diesel, with the conglomerate’s engineers having developed solutions over the past few months that significantly reduce the emissions of diesel engines. “This breakthrough offers the opportunity to shift the heated debate over diesel into new territory and, hopefully, bring it to a close,” he said. “With this new exhaust technology, blanket driving bans in the centres of the world’s major cities will no longer be an issue. Why? Because we now have the technology to resolve the problem of nitrogen oxides in road traffic. Diesel can now resume its success story.” Dr Denner also called for “more transparency and realism” whenever measurements relating to road traffic are made.

He stated that technological advancement was just one part of the process in ensuring diesel has a future. Real results on the road, rather than the laboratory, will be needed, he said. “We have to take real driving consumption (RDC) into account. Creating more clarity for climate action calls for consumption and CO2 to be measured under realistic conditions. Low fuel consumption in a test bay does little to help the climate – we must make room for reality here.” Transparency with regard to CO2 also means including all carbon-dioxide emissions attributable to road traffic, he said; from fuel production and electricity generation to actual consumption on the road. “Taking such a comprehensive view may result in the realization that it’s better to drive the right diesel vehicle than the wrong electric car. “The main point is not an either-or proposition between combustion engines and electromobility – instead, our aim is transparent eco- and climatefriendliness in all drive systems.”

Gull looks to future with self-serve station tech WE HAVE A QUICK CHAT WITH GULL’S GENERAL MANAGER, DAVE BODGER ABOUT THE FUTURE OF DIESEL, WHAT INCREASED ELECTRIC VEHICLE OWNERSHIP MEANS FOR OIL CHAINS AND WHY UNMANNED PETROL STATIONS MAKE MORE SENSE.

t’s an inevitable question, but one that I can’t resist asking Gull New Zealand general manager, Dave Bodger; what’s his company’s take on the rising popularity of electric vehicles? After all, it can be argued that the oil industry is very much a sunset one. If everyone is plugging in rather than pumping gas, won’t that just speed up the process? “It probably is a sunset industry, but I don’t think the sun will be fully over the horizon for a few decades yet,” says Dave. “I’ve been in the industry for a while now and, in my experience anyway, the one through-line you can take from any servo anywhere in the world, is that people don’t want to wait. “They want to get their fuel and go. People often say, oh it’s probably only a matter of time before every service station has EV charging points. But I’m not convinced of that. People don’t want to sit around waiting for half an hour while their car recharges; at least, not just anywhere. “In New Zealand, I genuinely think the model for EV ownership will involve overnight charging at home. That’s where it makes most sense from a practical point-of-view and it’s where owners can get incentives for using off-peak power.” Not only is Gull not hurriedly earmarking land at any of its 82 nationwide sites for EV charging kiosks, it’s also moving away from manned storefronts at its service stations, furthering Dave’s idea of ‘gas and go’ as being the fuel customer’s primary motive. “There will always be a selection of manned Gull sites around the North Island; we’d never steer away from this completely. But most sites we open these days

are unmanned,” he says. “After fuel, the single biggest commodity for any petrol station in the past has been cigarette sales. But as a society we’re smoking less these days, so there is less demand. So, in the future it will be much more of a risk for any oil chain to be developing large parcels of land when, technically, not all that land is utilized to its fullest. “The value of the land is vital, but also the location needs to be thoroughly thought out. Now, if we take a retail store out of the picture, all of a sudden we have less of a need for large slices of land. “We can implement Gull stations in inner city locations, or closer to existing retail infrastructure. We have a new site being built right now in Pukekohe that is 800m²; dispensing with manned sites allows us to expand our network much more comprehensively.” Despite a sure-footed plan for expansion (in addition to Pukekohe, Gull is also currently building service stations in Tauranga and Masterton), Dave says he doesn’t pretend to know what the future holds. Ten years ago, for example, diesel was everything. Now look at its reputation, he says, especially in Europe. “I think diesel will remain, of course, because people dig holes with it and build buildings with it and transport goods with it. It will remain essential to commerce. But I don’t know if it will ever reach the heights in the private sector again that it did a few years back. “At the end of the day, we need to do what the car companies do.” One thing that Gull does which isn’t following a well-trod path, however, is its supply of biofuel to consumers as a headline act. Dave is pragmatic about

biofuel, suggesting that if it weren’t for government incentives, it would be much harder for a company like Gull to offer it to customers. “The reality is that biofuel – especially biodiesel – is extremely expensive to manufacture; much more so than mineral fuel. It really only exists in the New Zealand market because we get an excise rebate on the ethanol portion of the product,” he says. “We’re extremely proud of the product and we have a lot of customers who swear by it for use in a variety of vehicles. It’s part of a broader step-change though and we have to be adaptable to these sorts of innovations. “As a company, I think Gull really does lead the charge in that area. Like I say; I don’t know what the future holds, but we have to be open to challenging the norm every step of the way.”

New Cars

Skoda Kodiaq

Butt of all the automotive jokes during the 1970s, Skoda is having the last laugh in the 2010s. What is it? It’s Skoda’s big SUV. Think Touareg, but with a Skoda badge. And Skoda really isn’t what you might be thinking it is these days. These days it’s a fantastic brand. In fact, it’s probably the best of the badgeengineered Volkswagen Group bunch right now. What’s interesting about it? More is definitely more here. Skoda launched the Kodiaq with seven seats as standard, making it a practical performer from the off. The Kodiaq boasts more boot-space than several competitors, including the Hyundai Sante Fe and Mazda CX-5. Is it any good? Is it any good? Is it any good? It’s New Zealand’s most awarded SUV. The Kodiaq took out the overall New Zealand Car of the Year gong last year, along with a host of ‘best of’ nods issued forth by all manner of media outlet. In short, it pretty much gets everything right. Kiwi market Kodiaqs are available in three different trim levels, with a choice of two petrol turbo engines and a single turbo diesel. Even the entry-level model has an electric tailgate, parking sensors everywhere paired with a reversing camera, emergency braking (including a pedestrian monitoring system) and LED lights. The most obvious box left unticked with this one is the 4x4 drivetrain, but that won’t appeal to

everyone (although it does give you a full 2000kg braked towing capacity). Every other Kodiaq offers the assuredness of all-paw drive, along with a mix of either a 140kW/400Nm turbo diesel, or a choice of two Volkswagen Group turbo petrols; the 100kW/250Nm 1.4-litre TSI, or the 132kW/320Nm 2.0-litre TSI, both of which have seen plenty of service elsewhere in the extended Volks-iverse. Skoda also does really clever stuff that you don’t realize is there until you take a second look. They get

the cargo-carrying bits spot-on with a variety of tie-down anchor points and cargo net inserts in the boot that stop your groceries rolling around. There are also 12V sockets back there, as well as a removable LED torch. And speaking of removable stuff, there is even an umbrella hidden inside the door jamb. Just like in a Rolls-Royce, sir. What’s it going to cost? Between $39,990 and $58,290. There are four to choose from, three of which are 4x4s.

Subaru Impreza

Could there be a better priced all-rounder on sale in New Zealand right now? No, probably not.

What is it? In this iteration at least, the Impreza has morphed into a family-friendly hatchback, not without the styling influence of Subaru’s American arm. It’s the city car that remains a little bit country. What’s interesting about it? There are still fire-breathing Subarus available, although it’s interesting to note that the WRX and WRX STI aren’t Imprezas anymore. The Subey you see here is the only Impreza-badged model in the line-up these days. But this Subaru is still a lot of fun to propel about the place. In fact, it pulls off the neat trick of

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disguising a driver’s car as a suburban hatchback. Is it any good? Subaru’s model offering is keenly specified right across the board. And this latest Impreza 2.0 Sport goes against the idea that you have to head to the top of the range to get all the goodies. If you’re thinking your only options for a commuter car that’s at least a bit interesting, is either a Suzuki Swift or… another Suzuki Swift, then I reckon the Subaru Impreza 2.0 Sport should leapfrog to the top of your shopping list. Subaru has packed as much into the Impreza 2.0 Sport as it can for the price. It’s a hatchback packed

with technology; items like an 8” touchscreen audio system featuring both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto mobile phone mirroring capabilities, a reversing camera, Subaru’s EyeSight system, which uses a forward-facing camera that monitors the road ahead and alerts the driver to any incidences, as well as keyless entry and start. The interior is spacious and unfussy, but with nicely detailed seats and enough metal-look accents to give it an air of something that you’d assume would cost more to buy. Thanks to Subaru’s low-slung Boxer engine and all the benefits to the car’s centre of gravity and weight distribution it brings – and not forgetting its confidence-inspiring all-wheel drive set-up – this is an entry-level hatchback that feels light on its toes and fun to drive. The car features Subaru’s take on the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), but don’t curl your lip; this remains one of the better applications of that automatic gearbox system and you can always use the paddle shifters to manually swap between (virtual) ratios if you want to. What’s it going to cost? Your booted-and-suited Subaru Impreza 2.0 Sport will cost you $29,990. No, I don’t know why you’d bother looking anywhere else either.

New Cars

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

Mercedes-Benz has significantly overhauled its Sprinter van range for only the third time in two decades.

What is it? Since its launch in 1995, 3.4m Sprinter panel vans have been sold in 130 different countries. And even in the final year of the previous iteration, the Sprinter broke its own record, selling 400,000 globally (up 12% on 2016). Popular? Oh yes. What’s interesting about it? Rather than a blunt instrument simply used for carrying tools or cargo, these days there’s plenty more to the lowly Sprinter panel van underneath all that sheet metal. This generation Sprinter will get plenty of good stuff straight from Mercedes-Benz’s passenger car line; tech like Blind Spot Assist and Rear Cross Traffic Alert systems, Active Lane Keep Assist, Attention Assist, DISTRONIC cruise control and a choice of entry-level or 360-degree surround view reversing camera.

Is it any good? You can bet the Bavarian chalet on the new Sprinter being very good indeed. There will be four body lengths, three load heights and three wheelbases to choose from. There’s plenty of new stuff underneath too. Automatic transmission Sprinters now receive Mercedes-Benz’s nine-speed ‘box (a six-speed manual remains available too). The exact engine mix for New Zealand hasn’t been specified yet, but don’t expect too much variation from the power units available in the current eight model line-up. A 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo diesel (140kW/440Nm) will again pair with a smaller fourcylinder turbo diesel available in a variety of outputs, from 84kW up to 130kW, although the latter will mainly be available for the ever-expanding motorhome market.

For the first time the Sprinter is available as a frontwheel driver, which gives the user the added benefit of an 80mm lower loading floor at the rear, as well as an extra 50kg load weight. Rear-wheel drive and allwheel drive versions remain available. The front-wheel drive models will become the cheapest in the range, but cost is relative when there are so many variations on the theme (base pricing for New Zealand will be released later in the year). Oh, and naturally the Sprinter is going electric. Eventually. The carmaker showed off an eSprinter at a media launch event I attended in Dusseldorf a couple of months ago, although the possibility of Kiwi businesses seeing these dropping off items at the loading dock before mid-2019 is unlikely. The order books are already open for the smaller eVito van, however. Mercedes-Benz reckons the options for individuality are almost endless; no less than 1,734 different Sprinter variants are available just using basic parameters such as body type, powertrain, cab configuration, body length, tonnage and cargo space height (and that’s before you factor in the cab-chassis truck options). What’s it going to cost? No idea, as the new ones are still a few months away. Depending on your configuration of choice – and there are plenty, believe me – current-generation Sprinters go for anywhere between $70,000 and $90,000 (give or take a couple of grand either way).

Volvo XC40

It’s like an XC90, but smaller. No, no, not the XC60… think smaller… smaller… yes, that’s it. What is it? Compact crossover SUV? Yes, it’s the silhouette that has essentially forced both the traditional sedan and station wagon to the margins. No one wants those antiquated things anymore; but small SUVs that may or may not even be very good at going offroad? Bring ‘em on! The XC40 is Volvo’s entry into this nowcrowded market segment. And a very, very good entry it is be too. What’s interesting about it? What’s interesting about the XC40 isn’t so much directly related to this latest model. Rather, the XC60 (its slightly bigger brother) has just won European Car of the Year. Which, I hasten to add, is a very big deal indeed. The XC40 is basically just a scaled-down XC60, so it has instant reflected cachet before it’s barely even gone on sale here. Is it any good? Chinese automotive giant Geely now owns Volvo and, with a massive cash injection and some serious reinventing of the Scandinavian wheel, Volvo is building better cars than it ever has before. And here’s another one of them. The XC40 is a relatively small vehicle – especially compared with the XC90 SUV – but if that’s all you need, then there is plenty to like here. It features an enormous iPad-style touch screen at

the centre of the dashboard, which is pretty typical of the level of design and technology in the car. Similarly, the seats are comfy, there is plenty of head room and – again, for a small car – there is reasonable room in the rear too. There are two all-wheel drive models and one frontwheel drive version, all powered by the same 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol. In the so-called Momentum and Inscription grade cars, this will give you 140kW peak power matched with 300Nm of torque. But in the top-trim R-Design model, engine performance has

been pushed to 182kW and 350Nm; good enough to shave a couple of seconds off the 0-100km/h sprint time (as if that sort of stat really matters here). The XC40 R-Design also gives you leather, sports pedals, gloss black roof rails, special 20” alloys and a fair few other niceties over the other versions. What’s it going to cost? It’s not exactly cheap, but you do get plenty of standard kit straight out of the box. Volvo’s smallest SUV starts at $59,900, but you can pay as much as $72,900 for the R-Design grade vehicle.

SEEKING PERFORMANCE PERFECTION

WE TEST HONDA INTAKE COMBOS BACK-TO-BACK TO LEARN JUST HOW SIGNIFICANT SUBTLE CHANGES CAN BE

ne of the simplest DIY performance modifications that the average car person will carry out is the removal of the factory air box in order to add a pod filter, or cold air intake. Sure, that will net a significant induction noise increase, but there is much more at play in the intake than you may realize — and that so-called performance upgrade might not be an upgrade at all. To find the answer to what works, and what doesn’t, we locked ourselves in the dyno booth at Jtune with Mr Jtune himself, Jackie Tse, a Honda whisperer who has spent 20 years seeking to squeeze everything last kilowatt from naturally aspirated motors. Our test mule for the day was a B16A-equipped EG Civic which was headed to the drag strip, so the owner was after all-out top-end performance. But for the sake of this test we would also look at making power elsewhere in the rev range. The engine was a rebuilt factory B16A, with EK9 Type R head,

with bigger-duration cams, stronger valve springs, narrow neck intake valves, and factory tidied ports. The intake manifold is a stock Type R unit, and the exhaust consists of four-into-one headers, and a 2.5inch exhaust. Both the power steering and AC pumps have been removed to help the motor spin. Our tests were conducted back to back, with the water and intake temps both logged to ensure accuracy. We didn’t even turn the motor off while swapping intakes over. We looked at length, volume, and entry point (aka pod filter or bellmouth). Before we delve into what we found, first it’s time to get all sciencey to understand why there will be any changes. What it all boils down to are the harmonic frequencies produced by a motor. The harmonics of your engine come in waves (at different rpm) that will cause air to travel up and down your intake track from the inlet to the backside of the intake valve. What we are trying to do is tune the intake length so that air is loaded onto the backside of the inlet

valve at the time of opening. If this timing is out, it can have the opposite effect and pull air from the combustion chamber. The higher the rpm, the stronger the harmonics, and you will want to focus on the harmonic that happens around the rpm your engine was built for. If everything is built to make peak power at 8000rpm, like this Honda, then you will deal in the second harmonic, and want that wave to hit right in the peak power window. If the car is, say, a lower-revving V8, you would work to the third harmonic, and so on. You really don’t want to rev a car harder than you need to. The length and volume of the intake will affect at what rpm the harmonic happens. The shorter the intake length is, the higher in the rpm range each wave of harmonics will occur. This table compares a 508mm/20-inch and 381mm/15-inch intake runners to give you an idea of the effect a 127mm/five-inch change will have.

20-INCH INTAKE RUNNER LENGTH Second harmonic, rev range is from 5874rpm to 7128rpm with a pulse strength of 10 per cent Third harmonic, rev range is from 4414rpm to 5044rpm with a pulse strength of seven per cent Fourth harmonic, rev range is from 3441rpm to 3848rpm with a pulse strength of four per cent

15-INCH INTAKE RUNNER LENGTH Second harmonic, rev range is from 7832rpm to 9504rpm with a pulse strength of 10 per cent Third harmonic, rev range is from 5885rpm to 6725rpm with a pulse strength of seven per cent Fourth harmonic, rev range is from 4588rpm to 5131rpm with a pulse strength of four per cent

With five inches difference you can see with the longer runner length we reach the second harmonic at a lower rpm. But there is no one-size-fits-all recipe, all your engine variables will affect your outcome, what we’re aiming to do is point you in the right direction with your engine combo — Honda or otherwise, worked or factory. Which is why our test includes many different shapes and sizes tested. Enough with the theory, let’s get down to putting it all into practice. According to Jacky, as we alter the intake piping, the rpm at which we pick up power will change. At this point the air fuel mixture will ‘turn’ or ‘jump lean’, which indicates that at that rev point the engine is running more efficiently. Throughout the test we didn’t change the map to optimize any one combination. Jacky went back after we found the optimum set-up, and tuned to suit.

TEST ONE: NOTHING We started by removing the intake altogether and running straight off the throttle body. This saw the base power figure set at 99.97kW and 117.4Nm at 7338rpm.

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TEST TWO: 500mm-long three-inch intake with pod filter 95.88kW/116.4Nm at 7269rpm “This is the common Honda intake you’ll find. Average peak power and the torque curve has moved back 500rpm, as well as average mid-range torque”.

TEST THREE: 500mm-long three-inch intake with bellmouth 101.41kW/118.02Nm “Significant power increase from 7000rpm and leaned the engine out from 5500rpm upwards”.

TEST FOUR: Super-long three-inch intake with pod filter (aka cold air intake) 104.75kW/122.28Nm at 4403rpm “With good overall, good mid-range, and a good down-low increases due to air speed, this is why the the cold-air intake system is a common upgrade for the Honda B Series. Not only does it gets fed cold air, the length is perfect when in three-inch.”

TEST FIVE:

TEST SIX:

Short three-inch intake with ARC expansion chamber 97.15kW/121.37Nm at 6596rpm “As we can see this unit really killed the top end. But the power we gained in the mid range was up to 13kW. This is a better performer than the whale penis, but due to the design it’s creating turbulence very close to the throttle body, which slows air speed and costs us top-end power.”

Money-can’t-buy N1 touring-car ram intake 105.22kW/120.09Nm at 719rpm “Comparing this to the short ram intake, you can see the power band and the torque curve come on earlier. But due to the length and volume, air speed is average, and therefore some areas have average gains. This is the best peak power so far, and with air ramping into it, it will be even better.”

TEST SEVEN: Honda boy ‘Whale Penis’ / 102.79kW/121.98Nm at 6406rpm “The design of the whale penis will work most times for a Honda B Series as the length and volume are near perfect. The distance from the valve to the opening is almost perfect for most motors. You can see the difference in the mid-range torque, it really picked up. It makes really good torque down low compared to most of the other intakes.”

TEST EIGHT: Super-long 2.5-inch intake / 100.11kW/119.40Nm at 7390rpm “This is a very good sample. Compared to the N1 intake, torque and power come in later, similar to the short ramp intake, but it does not drop out at peak.”

TEST NINE: Stubbie 3.5-inch with pod / 104kW/127Nm at 6250rpm “This is the best intake for our application. It not only makes the best peak power and torque, but the power band is a lot fatter. Our biggest power gain was at 6500rpm, and max torque gain of 19Nm was at 6200rpm. For the best launch we will want to launch at around 6200rpm, if it’s perfect track conditions. We will stage the car at round 8000rpm, track condition dependant.”

WHAT ABOUT WITH ITBS? “With a 4AGE equipped with the ITBs found in the AE101/101 Levin, the factory chamber and airbox play a bit part in terms of its low-end power and pick-up, with the box removed and running open trumpets, all the low-down response and torque just disappear! There are slight gains higher in the rev range, but the motor needs to build air speed before it starts to sing. Cars with ITBs really need closeratio gear kits to perform well, because the engine needs to stay high in the rev range. Even closing the throttle a small amount will affect the next gear, in most cases you try not to close the throttle fully.

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BURN RUBBER NOT CLUTCHES

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Products Kärcher HDS 6/14 C Hot Water High-Pressure Cleaner The Kärcher HDS 6/14 C is user-friendly, economical and versatile; a true all-rounder. And thanks to Kärcher’s revolutionary EASY!Force trigger gun technology, operator fatigue is significantly reduced. The EASY!Lock quick-release couplings enable handling that is five times faster than conventional screw connections, without compromising on robustness or longevity. The HDS 6/14 C also features eco!efficiency mode, which is economical and environmentally friendly, even during long periods of use. Cleaning with hot water is the superior solution for breaking down oils, grease and blasting away stubborn dirt. $4,799+GST. Available from Karcher Centers and authorised Kärcher dealers nationwide. Find your local dealer at karcher.co.nz.

Chase exhaust systems Featuring a ceramic-packed body and chrome plated finish for long life and great looks, RPS mufflers have been leading the market for over a decade in quality and performance. Chase Exhaust Systems have an excellent range of performance mufflers for customers looking to give their vehicle the extra edge and stand out from the pack. There’s a high-quality, great sounding RPS muffler to fit most cars and utes. Visit chase.co.nz for further details.

Prestone Extended Life Antifreeze/Coolant Formulated with patented Cor-Guard inhibitors to assist with extended engine life, Prestone Extended Life Antifreeze/ Coolant helps prevent corrosion while enabling your cooling system to run more efficiently. Prestone Extended Life Antifreeze/Coolant works with any colour antifreeze and won’t void your warranty. Available in both concentrated and 50/50 pre-diluted formulations, Prestone Extended Life Antifreeze/Coolant protects cars and light-commercial trucks for up to five years (or 240,000km) when flushed and filled according to instructions. Visit prestone.com for further information.

Pro Series 2500kg Workshop Trolley Jack Updated in late 2017 with non-marking nylon wheels, this light-weight aluminium and steel constructed Pro Series trolley jack weighs in at just over 25kg and has a tough anodised finish. It features a twin piston pump for quick lift action, with a rubber pad on the saddle to protect the vehicle underbody. The Pro Series 2500kg trolley jack is also safety overload protected with a simple twist lock/unlock valve and boasts a lifting range of 100-465mm. $449.90. Save over $100.00 till end June 2018 from participating ProEquip retailers nationwide. Contact sales@isl-industrial.co.nz for more info.

EWM Picomig 180 and 355 pulse welders The simplicity and ease of use of the EWM Picomig 180 and 355 pulse welders is still exciting recent purchasers. They are finding the one knob control, combined with the precise synergic programs, is enabling them to achieve quality welds. They are reducing costs caused by cleaning off spatter and having to complete rework due to poor welding. The welding staff are happier as they are able to produce more consistent welds with less effort. BOC also offer more advanced EWM welders that expand the possibilities for control of the weld for the more experienced welders and complex projects. Contact your local BOC Gas & Gear or sales representative for more information.

Auto Channel Issue #3 June 2018

Blue Panther highperformance tyre lube Blue Panther high-performance tyre lube is a specially-designed paste for run-flat or tubeless tyres with a reduced cross section for high performance. Ultra-slippery and featuring rapid drying properties, Blue Panther is ideal for mounting tyres on automatic tyre changers and alloy rims. It won’t cause rust, won’t freeze and is an ecologically-friendly product manufactured using an equally ecologically-friendly production method. Contact Patch Rubber Tyre & Tube, phone 0508 837248 or visit patchrubber.co.nz

CTEK PRO120 battery charger The PRO120 12V, 120A battery charger and power supply from CTEK is compatible with any 12V lead acid and lithium LiFePO4 battery and is designed to meet the most extreme workshop power demands. With advanced design, technology and superior features, it’s the ultimate choice for comprehensive battery support in today’s advanced diagnostic workshop. The PRO120 provides a stable and accurate power supply, with a variable output of between 12.6-volts and 14.8-volts in 0.1-volt increments. Ideally suited to ECU ashing as the charger responds quickly to sudden increases in power demand, so you won’t get caught out by a sudden surge or reduction in voltage. For further info, visit cteknz.co.nz or contact Element 82 Limited on 09 476 4171.

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CRUZ roof racks New CRUZ Airo Dark roof racks are European-made aluminium bars, featuring a stylish black textured coating. They combine top quality materials with a look that is hard to beat. CRUZ Airo Bar systems are wind tunnel tested in order to reduce drag, create less wind noise and maintain fuel efficiency. CRUZ Airo bars are mounted with a specific fitting kit for each vehicle for only $399.99 incl GST. For more information or to find out where to buy, phone 09 266 6630 or visit cruzroofracks.co.nz

The Dependable Oil Company’s expertly-crafted lubricants are made specifically to this Kiwi company’s exacting specifications, ensuring high performance, top quality and value pricing. 5W30 Premium Synthetic Engine Oil SN/CF 20L $85 + GST 5W30 Premium Synthetic Engine Oil SN/CF 200L $750 + GST 10W30 Multi-Grade Engine Oil SM/CF 20L $69 + GST 10W30 Multi-Grade Engine Oil SM/CF 200L $599 + GST Visit dependableoil.co.nz for more details.

PCL ACCURA QUBE inflator PCL has cost-effective and accurate tyre inflation boxed off with this space-saving, entry-level unit. PCL proves that being square can be stylish with its simplest electronic tyre inflator to date; the userfriendly ACCURA QUBE. This tiny 150mm x 150mm unit packs a petite but powerful punch, offering fast and accurate tyre inflation within a simple, safe, state-of-the-art design. The QUBE is just as reliable and straightforward as all products in PCL's leading ACCURA range of preset inflators. It features just three modes: standard inflate/deflate, tyreshop (featuring overpressure) and nitrogen (top off and complete purge). All the customer needs to do is pre-set the required pressure, place the connector on the tyre and let the in-built auto-start function do the rest. The QUBE is designed to be simple and space-saving, without the programmability or customization of the more expensive models. This versatile little unit is ideal for indoor use, particularly in commercial environments where ease of use and accuracy are key. Contact Patch Rubber Tyre & Tube, phone 0508 837248 or visit patchrubber.co.nz

CRUZ ski and snowboard carrier

Get ready for Winter with the CRUZ ski/snowboard carrier. This roof rackmounted carrier is fully lockable to protect your gear. There are two sizes available; the largest can manage up to four snowboards or six pairs of skis. The design is easy to use and allows for simple opening and closing, even when wearing thick ski gloves. $169.99 for the small carrier or $199.99 for the large carrier. Prices include GST. For more information or to find out where to buy, phone 09 266 6630 or visit cruzroofracks.co.nz

Kärcher BD 43/25 C walk-behind scrubber drier The Kärcher BD 43/25 C walk-behind scrubber drier is compact, manoeuvrable, whisper-quiet and easy to operate. Scrubber driers put down clean water and cleaning agent, scrub the floor, then vacuum up residual dirty water for near-effortless removal of dirt, oil, grease, soot and tyre marks. This walk-behind, battery-operated scrubber drier with disc engineering has a working width of 430mm and a tank volume of 25-litres for deep-cleaning and maintenance cleaning on surfaces up to 900m2. $6,999+GST. Available from Karcher Centers and authorised Kärcher dealers nationwide. Find your local dealer at karcher.co.nz.

CTEK Lithium XS chargers The CTEK Lithium XS is an advanced microprocessor controlled charger specially designed to recharge and maintain lithium-Ion Phosphate (LifePO4). Ideal for today’s modern vehicles that utilise Lithium for starting batteries. Offering up to 5a charge current, the connect and forget CTEK Lithium XS can charge batteries between 5ah to 120ahr and maintain them while you are away for weeks or months at a time. For further info, visit cteknz.co.nz or contact Element 82 Limited on 09 476 4171.

Mount Shop silicone hosing, aluminium piping and clamps Mount Shop stocks a wide range of silicone hose and associated products. The range covers straight silicone hose, joiners, 45-, 90-, 135- and 180-degree elbows, straight and elbow silicone reducers and vacuum hose. Mount Shop also stocks straight, 45- and 90-degree aluminium piping and a huge variety of hose clamps. The current range is suitable for air, water and coolant and is available in black with sizes ranging from ¼ to 4 inches. Hoses can be found online at mountshop.co.nz. Or pick up a free flyer from any branch nationwide. With over 450 numbers in the range, Mount Shop is bound to be able to help you out.

Auto Channel Issue #3 June 2018

United Oil Unigear S5 gear oil United Unigear S5 is designed to provide top-tier performance under extremely high pressure by utilizing core Sulfur-Phosphorus EP technology. This advanced chemistry allows United Unigear S5 to be able to withstand the super high load between the teeth of hypoid gear sets commonly found in modern vehicles’ transmission systems. Also available, United LSD Fully Synthetic FE Unigear S5 gear oils help provide for enhanced fuel economy and extended drain internals over other similar visco-grade gear oils. Segedins stocks both synthetic and mineral United Unigear S5. It is available in 18L containers with prices starting from $80.81+GST. Visit www.segedins.com to see the full range of United Oil products.

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Feature Build

1969 Chevrolet Camaro RS

BUILDING NEW ZEALAND’S BEST CAMARO

DESPITE ITS LOOKS, THIS ’33 ISN’T SOME FRESH IMPORT STRAIGHT OFF THE AMERICAN SHOW CIRCUIT — IT’S AN ALL-KIWI HANDBUILT WORK OF ART!

hevrolet’s first-generation Camaro is one of the most popular cars from the muscle car era of American auto manufacturing. Ask any non-car person what classic American vehicle they’d most like to own, and it’s probably going to be a ’69 Camaro or Mustang … or a ’64 Impala. This means that when it comes to custom building a first-gen Camaro, it doesn’t really matter what style you’re aiming for, it has already been done — and to the highest of standards — in some part of the globe. And, since style is very closely tied to taste, everyone has different opinions on how a car should be built. Auckland’s International Performance Classics (IPC) don’t care about any of that, though. When they were commissioned to build a ’69 Camaro that went like a cut cat, rode and handled as well as any modern GT car, could comfortably seat four adults, and was built to the finest standards, they got straight to work. What you’ve read about in our latest issue is the end result, but this is a look into what makes it the bestbuilt, best-finished, and best-presented Camaro in New Zealand.

As IPC are part of International Motorsport, who deal primarily with top-tier New Zealand endurance racing, they have access to serious knowledge when it comes to making vehicles handle properly. The front suspension geometry has also been completely redesigned, with the aftermarket front subframe re-fabricated, with near-perfect geometry, and a ride height that is as functional as it is low.

The low ride height wasn’t a fluke — it’s been specifically engineered that way from the get-go, at both ends, for perfect handling characteristics and an aesthetically pleasing stance. Here, we can see a beautifully crafted mandrel-bent exhaust, custom triangulated four-link, splined sway bar, fabricated Currie nineinch diff housing — filled with all the goods — and a drum-style parking brake, operating on custom-machined hats for the Brembo two-piece cross-drilled and slotted brake rotors.

Auto Channel Issue #3 June 2018

And those headers are just as custom as the suspension

Then we have the bodywork. The custom fabrication here is subtle and extensive, performed in order to

— handcrafted, equal-length works of art, painstakingly

change the overall aura of the car without taking anything from the distinctly ’69 Camaro lines. The full list of

constructed over the course of a fortnight.

modifications is included in the full feature article in NZV8 Issue No. 130.

Speaking of those ’69 Camaro body lines — they’re only ’69 in appearance. This is a brand-new car, right down to the body, which is a Dynacorn reproduction shell. Of course, this car has been crafted to a standard far above where offthe-shelf parts are acceptable, Inside, it’s just as well finished as the rest of the car. Is there

and the body has been cut

anything that looks unusual in this photo? Maybe it will give you an

apart and re-crafted until it

idea of what the interior is like now that it’s finished, maybe it won’t.

met IPC’s exacting standards.

And remember that it was a build requirement that the Camaro would comfortably

The fun part is also the easiest to knock out of the way. Power is provided by a GM

seat four adults. That has been achieved, believe it or not, and it’s thanks to some trick

LS9 crate engine — reliable and abundant power, what more does such a car need?

fabrication work in the seat frame, and clever positioning of the front buckets.

Of course, it’s a little better presented than your average crate engine. Attention to even the tiniest of details has been a pervasive factor throughout the build of this car, and it sure shows. We’ve never featured a car built to this standard in NZV8 before, and whether we ever will again is a question that we’re unable to answer. Have we done it justice in our feature of it? You’ll have to tell us — grab a copy of NZV8 Issue No. 130, and let us know what you think.

EVENT

THE WAY IT WAS

FOR A LIVING, BREATHING WALK INTO THE HISTORY BOOKS OF DRAG RACING, NOTHING COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER THAN THE 2018 WORLD’S END BAR & RESTAURANT NOSTALGIA DRAGS

s far as drag racing in New Zealand is concerned, few events can hold a candle to the annual Nostalgia Drags hosted by Bay Rodders Inc. at Meremere Dragway. With the scope of drag racing in general advancing in leaps and bounds — which certainly isn’t a

bad thing — the idea behind Nostalgia Drags is effectively drag racing deconstructed. It’s a step back in time, to appreciate the sport in its raw, pure essence; to the way things were done closer to the middle of the 20th century. The first step towards this involves limiting competition to pre-

’72 American vehicles, with emphasis on ‘traditional’ racing classes. For 2018, the event was sponsored by Worlds End Bar & Restaurant, and, with the assistance of the Bay Rodders club and Meremere Dragway crew, it ran like clockwork.

What’s cooler than a Hemi? A blown Hemi. What’s cooler than that? Not much, but dropping it into a chopped Model A is definitely not going to hurt! Justin Orpwood’s tough hot rod was a long way from home, but since he’d already hauled it all the way up for the Rebel Round Up at Pukekohe Park earlier, he figured he may as well keep it around for the Nostalgia Drags — a damn good call, if you ask us

The Aussie team came away with the Trans-Tasman Gasser Challenge victory, but it didn’t come cheap. Peter Raines’ ‘Bad Ass To’ gasser broke an axle, and Damien Kemp’s ‘Funderbolt’ suffered a buggered crank. However, with Skinny Gearachawski’s Pontiac filling in one of the spots, the team managed to come out on top. What an experience, seeing those cars in real life! To be honest, we can’t help but wonder how the Bay Rodders team will find cooler exhibition cars to top these

Auto Channel Issue #3 June 2018

Leading up to the event, there was considerable hype due to the big news than an Australian gasser contingent had been shipped over as part of this year’s Trans-Tasman Gasser Challenge — Damien Kemp’s ‘Funderbolt’ ’64 Ford Fairlane, Peter Raines’ ‘Bad Ass To’ ’57 Chev, the ‘Loose Cannon’ ’56 Chev campaigned by Stephen Biggs, and Ash Hayley’s ‘Haywire’ ’55 Chev, all built in true gasser style and packing genuine old-school power. The main drawcard was certainly one of the best we’ve had, but was by no means the be-all and endall of this nostalgia spectacular. Competition included a range of nostalgia classes, including the Bethlehem Coachlines Pre-’49 Hot Rods, the Bay Trimmers Shelter Specialists Pre-’72 American, the Pioneer

Concrete Pumps Flathead Challenge, the Gate Pa Auto Electrical Gasser Challenge, and the Driveshaft Specialists Four-Banger Challenge. With a diverse field of old-school competitors, the on-track action alternated between blisteringly quick and remarkably slow, but were all united by an underlying cool factor. It didn’t matter what you were into when the Aussie gassers came out, because it is an unarguable fact that they put on the coolest display of the day. We’re talking massive burnouts and huge revs to about the half-track, followed by genuinely quick passes, with most of them easily running in the nines and hooking up so hard that they physically demonstrated the logic behind the gasser style of drag car.

Hombre’s only pass of the day was a 9.65s at a slowing 105.1mph — the result of a mechanical disaster at about half-track. With what was presumed to be a huge backfire completely destroying the blower casing, they’re going to need a bit more than duct tape to get the thing running again! The post-race diagnosis was not good, but could have been worse, and it sounds as though we’ll be seeing Hombre back next season

Even with the awesome action down the strip, the pits were just as cool a place to be — literally, thanks to the trees providing a bit of reprieve from the sun — with rows and rows of cool, old cars parked up or being worked on. It kinda takes an event this cool to fully appreciate how good the Meremere Dragway pit area is. With its leafy backdrop, which could well pass for sometime back in the day, it doesn’t take too much imagination to appreciate the historical value of the wild nostalgia racers in attendance, and the sport they represent. The historic venue may well play a key part in the enduring success of the annual Nostalgia Drags, but so, too, does the unwavering support of the racers and fans behind the event. Here’s to many more years of it.

Industry Opinion WE SPEAK TO PARTMASTER GREY LYNN BRANCH MANAGER, WILLIAM EVA AND FIND OUT WHAT’S HAPPENING IN HIS CORNER OF THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY. Auto Channel: In your opinion, what's the single biggest issue facing the industry right now? William Eva: The growth of the EV market and the decline of the older fleet. Finding the right balance of stock for both markets is a challenge. Has the way in which vehicle importation rules have changed over the last few years — whereby imported vehicles are generally newer and therefore feature newer technologies — impacted the industry to any degree? Yes, to some degree. We have noticed a growth in the 4x4 market, which also ties in with new car sales, with the top two new vehicle sales being utes: Ranger and Hilux. Has the growth of the second-hand EV market impacted what product lines or specialty assistance you need to make available? No, we have not noticed any change yet. The EV fleet in NZ is currently too small, roughly around 6000 cars on the road. Are you finding the ongoing global Takata airbag recalls are an issue the local vehicle industry is concerned about? Why? No, this does not affect us at the moment. Tell us about the hot product right now: if you were to name a product that has really come into its own over the last six to twelve months, what would it be? That would have to be Mixtech automotive batteries. They are the most environmentally friendly vehicle battery in NZ, and won the

International GreenTec award in 2017 in Germany. They last twice the life cycle of a standard automotive battery, and we have the market-leading 42-month standard warranty. How do you see innovations in smarter technology, phone-based apps, etc., and the general 'internet of things' driving change in how your business is run and operated? Our industry sales will grow online, therefore technology will dictate the need to have better, faster, and easier to use web and app technology. What's the single biggest aspect of your job you think will change drastically or disappear altogether within the next five years? With the growth of the EV marketing we will need to stock more EV parts and EV charging components. There will always be a need for a retail/trade store for automotive parts, especially the trade, as they rely on bringing in broken parts for us to match or find replacements on a daily basis. Are you seeing a lot of new people entering the industry at present? What's the best way the industry can attract school leavers and grads? No, we constantly struggle to get new talent in our industry. We are trialing sponsorship of boy-racer type events in the hope of attracting people to our industry. This is working for us, and we've found some good talent, both male and female.

AUTO CHANNEL Auto Channel is the best way to reach the wider automotive industry. The publication is direct mailed to 10,455 New Zealand businesses in the following automotive sectors: ADVERT

Automotive electrical and engineering Refinishing and collision repair Automotive heavy engineering Vehicle servicing Parts and accessories Trucking and heavy machinery New and used car dealers and distributors Training institutions Wheel and tyre outlets

Auto Channel next issue distributed Jul 3 Editorial: editor@autochannel.co.nz Advertising: Dave Peterson dave.peterson@parkside.co.nz All other enquiries to: autochannel.co.nz Auto Channel is produced by the team at Parkside Media, publishers of NZ’s three biggest selling automotive magazines; NZV8, New Zealand Classic Car, and NZ Performance Car.

Auto Channel Issue #3 June 2018

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